"Are you crazy or what? You want US...us four to get married but fake, that even if I agree for the sake of the mission, you want us to CHANGE OUR GENDERS!! IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE!! " Yelled Zhao Ning while banging the table making all of them get lowkey scared of her.
"It is possible. But that is our only option. I am also not SOO interested in this. We have to do this. And tell me if you have a better idea than this. " Said Ming confidently.
At this, all went silent and Ning avoided the gawking eyes of Ming on her. Then she asked in a low voice
"Are you sure that we all won't be recognizable? "
Hearing this Ming's face lit up and he nodded vigorously.
"Then let's get to work. Our shop will be handled by my friend. As it may cause suspicion if we close it and a new family arrives at the same time" Said Xiaobo.
Others agreed and then all of them went to Ming's friend who could help them in getting transformed.
"Are you sure that this friend of yours can help us? " Asked Lian with a questioning face.
"Sure he can help us. He is the only makeup artist needed by all the drama-acting groups in our city. He is great" Said Ming.
All of them said nothing and followed Ming.
"Hey, Baobei are you in there? I brought some of my friends. We need your help " Said Ming while entering a wooden house situated in a deserted place with a big yard and various types of plants planted around the whole house"
"Hi, Li. I am coming. Just wait there. " Said a melodious voice.
Others looked at Ming with frowned eyebrows.
"What? " Asked Ming like a clueless lad.
"Baobei(*means baby), you are calling him baobei! " Asked Xiao.
"He is my close friend. And he doesn't mind, then why is bothering you? Don't tell me you also want to be called Baobei by me. Really? Can I call you too bao..."
"STOP. Not a word. Keep your weird behavior to yourself. "
After a while, a man came in a pink silky robe with his chest exposed. One would be forced to see him without blinking at his unique physique. He was tall, with a long shaped delicate face, long silky hair, and a waist too small for a man, so small that one could misunderstand him for a woman just if one saw the waist. But then the veins on the hands and the strong biceps can define that he is not someone who can be bullied. And he is 100% a man! But then again the face and waist may lead to confusion for many.
"Hi, my name is Yang Bao. How can I help you? "
Seeing no response and only staring at him made him confused.
"What happened? What are you seeing? " Asked Bao.
"Nothing.. nothing. It's just that you have features of a female body too...like a small waist and delicate face ...which surprised us a little. But..but no offense. Really" Said Xiaobo feeling guilty instantly as he is not a person to judge anyone by appearance and still has said such things.
"See Baobei, they also think you have features of a lady. You are impressive"
"What does that mean? "
"Show your real face. Don't worry. They won't tell anyone about it. Believe me" said Ming.
Yang Bao goes inside his room and after 15 minutes he comes back, but looking different. His face was long but a little sturdier, his waist fully straight and his eyes from doey eyes to siren shaped eyes.
" DEMON!! He... He is a demon!!!!. "Whispered Li Lian.
" Huh? Demon? " Asked Xiao standing up. Lian nods her head.
"Calm down. Calm down. No need to be anxious. You are right, he is a demon. But half demon, half human. And he has never done anything wrong to anyone. " Said Ming.
Yang Bao was very nervous as only Ming knew about his real identity. Now three more know. What if this causes trouble for him?
"Ummm.... Sorry. We did not meet any demons and according to books they always cause harm to humans. So we were a little anxious. Don't mind us. " Said Lian.
"You won't hand me over to the minsters? You won't tell about me to others? "
"We won't. Why would we? Many humans ARE doing evil sorts of all doings. We never heard of a demon hurting any human. And Ming believes you, so do we" Said Xiaobo.
Lian and Ning smile and nod their heads together while looking at Bao.
"Okay then tell me what can I do for you? I will try my best to help in return for keeping my secret" Said Bao.
"We need to catch a kidnapper and for that, we need a disguise. I want to become a woman. Can you do that? " Asked Xiaobo.
Hearing this all others snapped their heads in Xiao's direction with mouth open.
"What? "
"You.... We planned to put on a disguise so that no one could recognize us. No one decided to change our genders!! " Said Lian.
"We need to! I can't put the girls in danger. Also if we are caught then even if he tries to kill me and Ming he won't as we are boys. At the most, he would threaten us. At worst we might be able to run to save our skin.But if you are caught, he will not leave you" Replied Xiaobo.
"Well.. He is not wrong. I also agree" Said Ming.
"Okay, I can do it. Along with makeup, I provide a potion that helps you but it only lasts for 12 hours. After that you will be back in your original form" Said Bao.
All nodded and then he started doing makeup on all of them. And the transformation was miraculous. Even the four themselves were not able to identify themselves and others. Ming as naughty as ever quickly feels his chest area. Ning sees this and slaps his hand.
"Whaaat? It's my body. What is your problem? Don't tell me you didn't feel the down part of yours" Said Ming.
"Huh? "
"He is referring to "that" part! " Whispered Lian.
Ning understood it after a minute and her anger fumed up making her ears flush red.
"Yahh!! How can you see those types of things!! You pervert, hmph " Said Ning.
Xiao, you look pretty even as a girl. " Said Lian while blushing.
"I would have doted on you even as a man. Even if the height is small the appearance is too appealing for any girl. " Said Xiao while smiling ear to ear and holding Lian's hand.
Ming and Ning saw them being lovey-dovey and stared at them with a poker face staring at them without blinking.
"Guys!! I think we should leave, as the potion may last only for twelve hours.Bao has only three bottles for each. We need to keep this disguise for two days. We need to spread the news about our arrival as well as buy a new house for holding the wedding. " Said Ming.
The other three nodded and went thanking Bao and also giving him money, though Bao was reluctant to take it at first as they kept his secret.
The four friends now totally transformed re-entered the city as Bao lived on the outskirts of the city. The people saw the new faces and gossipers were everywhere who spread news like fire. But rumors are always weird to hear. The news spread that a wealthy family came here to see the wedding season and to get married. And they are looking for a big house. Many landlords rushed to them with their deal papers in their hands. Lian with slight help from Xiao booked up a house they thought was okay. Then they also called all the people they found common in the families where the bride got kidnapped. When all the people arrived, they gave them tasks. At the last an old woman came along with seven girls.
"She is the same old woman who was abandoned by her children, right? " Whisper asked Ming.
Ning subtly nods her head. The old lady goes and bows before the four.
"My name is Ya Li. You don't have any elders for the wedding and hence you called me, right? " Asked the old lady.
Xiao and Ming being the shy girls nodded slightly while Lian and Ning said 'Yes'. Four of them were finding it difficult to cope with their behavior. Girls are supposed to be shy and remain calm while men should be loud and clear in their behavior. Xiao was not finding it very difficult as he always was calm and quiet. Ning was also finding it easy with her role as she was a high-ranking officer and she always ordered her teammates.
The one who was having a problem remaining quiet was a loud, cheerful Ming, and Lian was usually quiet and very shy and had to be bold.
"I advise as to what rituals should be held and what should be done and what not should be done. I will hold the rituals and advise you all. Okay? " Asked cheerfully with a smile.
"Now there are some things that I need to ask you. Answer it correctly. Don't mind. Not anything important but these should be noted down in the family history as a record" Said Miss Ya.
The four nod their heads together and blinked twice together.
"At what time and what month you were born in? "
"In the morning, at the beginning of spring," said Lian.
"In the evening, around summer"
"Same in the evening around summer".
" At midnight, at wnd of spring"
Answers were accordingly by Lian, Ming, Ning, and Xiao respectively. Then she asked a few more questions about likes, dislikes, and various decision-making skills.
"If you and your lover can't be together, just because of society is against you, what will you do? Leave each other, or be together till the end? "
"What type of question it is? " Asked Ning.
"It is just to see whether you couples can live together properly or not? I won't disclose your answers to anyone" Said
"Ummm... I would like to see the end of it together. I won't separate from my lover as society cannot judge my own life. No one has that right" Said Ming.
Lian and Xiao nod and look at each other with a smile. Ning was in deep thinking.
"You would be together even if one of them is harassed daily by people just because of your relationship? " Asked Ning to the old woman but the question looked like it was directed towards Ming. Ming was shocked hearing that statement.
"Don't mind me. I am an inspector, and I often ask such ridiculous questions. Let's move forward" Said Ning quickly while avoiding Ming's gaze.
The old lady asked a few more questions and then she said with a smile
"You two couples are meant for each other. You will live a long life together"
The others bowed to show respect and then went away from there. Ming's mind was still stuck on the question Ning asked. What was she thinking? Does she have a problem? Will she not accept me? But I was thinking of proposing to her the next week!! Now what!?
"Ming, ming.. LI MING!! " Shouted Xiao.
Lian slightly slaps Xiaobo's shoulder.
"Don't yell his real name. Even walls have ears. What if the kidnapper sees through our plan? " Whispered Lian.
Xiao gives a sheepish smile and nods his head.
"What were you thinking, I have been calling you for three minutes. " Said Xiao in a low voice.
"Noth....nothing. Just thinking.... who... who might be the kidnapper among all the people we called"
"Don't be so tensed. You are a girl right now. Behave and about the kidnapper, just observe well. And if you find anyone suspicious, don't ever take action alone. Just remember the face and we will catch together. Is that clear? " Asked Xiao.
Ming nodded and they went into separate rooms. Lian was all okay whether as a girl or boy because she doesn't know how one behaves as she is not experienced about being born in a family where girl etiquettes are taught. She is a cute, little flower who transformed . She always acted as per her will. So she thinks that boys and girls only differ in minor things. Any boy can be quiet and silent while any girl can be loud and stern. Behavior is not something that can be differentiated into girl or boy.
Ning was also very okay with her behavior as she has the habit of commanding people in the bureau due to her higher rank. Because her father was also a commanding officer of high rank, the post was given to Ning based on her capabilities. Only a few oppose her that females can't be officers but those few who oppose don't have the capability nor courage to question her.
Xiao was okay but being in a girl's body was indeed something different and once in a life miracle for him. He felt awkward but he also got used to it after a few hours.
Ming was the most enthusiastic about changing gender and was also enjoying it. He is enjoying every moment as this chance may not come again. He was the most eager to bathe, to touch himself while bathing but Xiao gave him a good scolding and drenched him with cold water all of a sudden when he was fully clothed in the backyard.
"Now I don't think you would need to bathe. Just change your clothes without seeing much. Well, I am confused as it is your body but it is not in a way. So just...just don't do any pervert things with yourself. "
And so Ming was sitting with a poker face after changing clothes. He was sulking as Xiao took his one-time opportunity to bathe as a girl. While Xiao was angry at his ridiculous behavior. Xiaobo himself was so shy to bathe that he too soaked himself with water while fully clothed. Lian and Ning both bathed while wearing pants . They too were finding it weird to see themselves changed but what they can do? An amusing experience they received while solving a criminal case.
The wedding day arrived and thus took the wedding. Lian and Xiaobo were delighted even though it was a fake wedding. Ming was unable to keep his excitement to a minimum as he was getting married to Ning no matter what the situation was. Ning was nervous but was feeling butterflies in her stomach.
The wedding took place peacefully with Miss Ya Li guiding them for the rituals. After that, the guests went away. Miss Ya Lia and her seven girls were removing the decorations and were starting to leave. No one was staying or making any excuse to stay. This made the couple confused as to who the kidnapper was. They went to two rooms, Lian and Xiao had a room at the last corner on the backyard side while Ming and Ning had their room decorated at the front side.
Who will get kidnapped? And what is the reason for kidnapping? Who is the kidnapper?