WRA CH1

Chapter 1: The Yao Guide to Adulthood

Xiang Zhen was a sunflower nestled deep in the mountains. After an unknown number of years, he finally cultivated a human form.

For a Yao to blend into society, they first had to report to the Yao Village Office for a one-year “socialization” training course.

On the first of May, Xiang Zhen received his graduation certificate, completing his transformation from a “Natural Yao” into a “Socialized Human.”

“This is the Guide to Adulthood. Once you head out, follow the rules written inside, and don’t let humans figure out you’re a Yao.”

Li Guihua looked at Xiang Zhen with fond affection. Yao were beings chosen as one in hundreds of millions, born from gathering the spiritual essence of heaven and earth. Every single one possessed extraordinary beauty—part spirit, part immortal—while still retaining certain traits of their original species.

Xiang Zhen, for instance, had a head of golden-yellow hair. The roots were a rich, vibrant gold that gently graduated lighter toward the tips, draped in a soft, satin-like golden sheen. His facial features carried the delicate lines of a classical Eastern beauty, with moist, round, obsidian-dark eyes, eyebrows arching softly like willow leaves, and an aura that was clean, gentle, and tender.

It had been a very long time since a new Yao had appeared across the vast land. Every newly emerged Yao would be guided by fate to Yao Spirit Village, where the Li Guihua’s clan was responsible for registering their identities, conducting legal training, and providing employment recommendations.

Xiang Zhen studied the handbook. The cover read: The Yao Guide to Adulthood (2012 New Edition). “Auntie Guihua, what does ‘2012’ mean?”

Li Guihua explained, “The Guide to Adulthood is a compilation of experiences passed down through generations of Yao. ‘2012’ means that the last Yao who successfully integrated into human society revised this handbook in 2012 to keep up with the times.”

“Standard human educational textbooks are a bit lacking; the Yao train of thought requires an edition compiled by Yao themselves.”

Mm, it was left behind by seniors.

Xiang Zhen tactfully refrained from inquiring about the details of those senior Yao. This was basic etiquette among spirits. Some Yao disliked mentioning their original species to avoid having their weaknesses discovered by others.

He flipped open the Guide to Adulthood. The book was as thick and heavy as a dictionary, carrying the meticulous observations of humanity gathered over countless generations of spirits and monsters. Inside, there were seven or eight distinct styles of handwriting. Because human society developed too quickly, later generations had no choice but to cross out the notes of their predecessors and add new chapters.

For example, the 2012 newly revised edition had crossed out [Use a pager] and added [Use a mobile phone].

Xiang Zhen turned to the first page:

— Observe common human behaviors; high-frequency events imply necessity.

[Watch an episode of cartoons and the weather forecast after dinner.]

[If you aren’t attending school, you must start going on blind dates.]

[When receiving gifts, decline at least three times.]

……

Wow! Xiang Zhen felt enlightened after reading just the first page.

Rustle. Xiang Zhen flipped from the back toward the front. The last page read:

— Observe key human ideologies; maintain high ideological unity with humans.

[Workers of the world, unite! — 1848]

[Fewer and better births bring a lifetime of happiness. — 1974]

……

[Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship. — 2012]

The handwriting across these entries varied, clearly recorded by different spirits over time.

Rustle. Xiang Zhen flipped to the middle and spotted several small tips:

[Plant Yao should leap over muddy puddles when seeing them, rather than jumping in to wash their feet.]

[Animal Yao must not eat until they are round as a ball; humans refer to this as a ‘fat slob.’]

It was practically an encyclopedia, guiding a Yao toward adulthood in all dimensions—from ideology to behavior, down to the tiniest details.

Xiang Zhen narrowed his eyes happily. If he lived according to this book, he would definitely become a happy, successful human.

There were still many blank pages in the middle of the Guide. Once Xiang Zhen achieved successful socialization, he would also have to fill in his own experiences.

Xiang Zhen carefully tucked the handbook into his bag. Because he frequently ran around the mountains, his cloth bag had a hole torn in it by a tree branch, exposing a corner of the handbook. “Auntie, may I borrow your sewing box?”

Li Guihua said, “Aiya, Auntie will mend it for you. I’ll even embroider a sunflower onto it.”

Xiang Zhen smiled, rubbing the strap of his bag with his fingers, slightly embarrassed as he said, “I don’t want to trouble Auntie. I secretly learned your sewing skills a few days ago, so I can do it myself.”

Yao gathered the spiritual essence of heaven and earth to take form, so they learned everything very quickly. Li Guihua was surprised that Xiang Zhen would pay attention to trivial matters like mending and stitching. An honest, virtuous Yao like this would probably be easily tricked by a human into becoming an unpaid live-in housekeeper.

Xiang Zhen was registered under Li Guihua’s household register as her legal son, so Li Guihua couldn’t help but fret over him. She said to Xiang Zhen, “Child, when you’re out venturing into the world, if there’s someone you like, you must bring them back for me to take a look.”

Xiang Zhen agreed immediately: “I will find a Sun God!”

Li Guihua: “There are no records of the sun ever gaining consciousness and turning into a Yao.”

Xiang Zhen was very sharp: “I know! If the sun gained consciousness, that would be an alien! I like Earthlings who are full of masculine, sunny energy!”

He had cultivated a human form with great difficulty; why would he like a bizarrely shaped alien!

Masculine energy… that seems to describe boys more often. Li Guihua’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no. Yao weren’t bound by human conventions, and whether they liked men or women was completely arbitrary. She tipped out a thick needle from the sewing kit, handed it to Xiang Zhen, and probed cautiously, “Do you like the Apollo type?”

A classical Greek statue—a very muscular, athletic man.

The eye of the thick needle was large, so Xiang Zhen threaded it without any effort. Gripping the needle with fair fingers, he pushed it firmly through the Oxford cloth of the bag and mumbled, “I don’t.”

Li Guihua’s expression relaxed slightly, only to hear Xiang Zhen add: “Apollo is a foreigner.”

Li Guihua: “…” He just purely dislikes aliens and foreigners; he never said he dislikes men.

Xiang Zhen was already a little sun himself; the first type to be drawn to him would inevitably be shady, toxic men.

Li Guihua became even more anxious: “You must get to know people through formal, regular channels. Don’t go trusting people on the internet.”

“Okay—”

In a short while, Xiang Zhen finished sewing the bag. The stitching was messy and uneven. Shielding it with his hand so Auntie wouldn’t see, he bit the thread off with his teeth.

Li Guihua put the sewing box away and casually placed it aside. “Tomorrow, come to town with me to buy two sets of summer clothes.”

In modern society, smartphones were the best medium for connecting with the outside world. Having played with a phone for a year, Xiang Zhen understood a bit of everything. “Shopping online is cheaper. I haven’t earned any money yet, so I need to spend sparingly.”

Li Guihua said, “No need to be too frugal; the foundation has money.”

On the surface, Li Guihua was a simple, rustic countrywoman, but in reality, she was the director of the “Cultivation Foundation.” Any newly emerged Yao received financial support from the foundation.

New Yao were so rare that the anonymous donations poured into the foundation by senior Yao couldn’t even be spent fast enough.

Xiang Zhen’s goal was to donate money to the foundation, not spend it. He looked toward Auntie Guihua with high ambitions, his round eyes bursting with radiant energy like two little suns: “Now that I’ve received my adulthood certificate, does that mean I can go work in the city?”

Li Guihua: “Yes.”

Water flows downhill, and Yao run to the city—that was the natural law. Since ancient times, spirits loved gathering where young people were numerous and lively with human presence. The village was full of elderly people, which spirits didn’t enjoy.

“I asked around for you. The second son of the Sun family at the head of the village, Sun Youzhi, is a supervisor at an e-commerce company. Do you want to go to his company and work as a customer service representative?”

Customer service was a very good job.

Xiang Zhen had interacted with too few humans so far, so transitioning through a customer service position would allow him to interact with people online first.

Sun Youzhi had mentioned that customer service didn’t require any fancy educational qualifications; what it needed was high energy and a mild temper.

Moreover, that company primarily dealt in nuts and dried fruits—they sold sunflower seeds.

No one understood sunflower seeds better than a sunflower.

Xiang Zhen: “Selling seeds, I can definitely do that!”

Li Guihua: “When Sun Youzhi returns for May Day, he’ll take you along to Haicheng. It’s three thousand a month with room and board included. However, we’ll have to rent an apartment for you. A six-person dormitory is too crowded; it’d be too easy for people to discover you aren’t human.”

With Xiang Zhen’s unusual golden hair alone, living with him for an extended period would lead anyone to notice anomalies.

As she spoke, Li Guihua transferred forty thousand yuan to Xiang Zhen via WeChat. “Rent in Haicheng is expensive. Even renting a single room costs three thousand, plus the deposit. Take this forty thousand yuan; once you start earning money, you can repay the foundation.”

“Thank you, Auntie Guihua! Once I reach the city, whenever I see delicious food, I’ll buy a portion and mail it back to you! Make sure to pick up your packages.”

Li Guihua: “With the tiny amount you’ll be making, you’d better spend it wisely.”

“Understood! I’m going to make big money!” Xiang Zhen unzipped his bag and packed his clothes inside. So many senior Yao had made money; with a sunflower’s large face, he wouldn’t lose out to any of those other flowers or weeds!

Under Xiang Zhen’s eager anticipation, the May Day holiday arrived, and Sun Youzhi returned to his hometown.

Sun Youzhi had become a supervisor by age thirty; he was remarkably capable.

Li Guihua invited Sun Youzhi’s family over for dinner, anxiously greeting him right at the doorway: “Youzhi, Xiao Zhen is my nephew. He has no work experience, so it’s all thanks to your help that he’s getting a job.”

Sun Youzhi replied modestly, “It’s hardly a favor. The company is actively recruiting anyway. It requires night shifts, and the low pay makes it hard to retain staff. Anyone willing to work can get hired.”

Li Guihua: “How could that be the same? You’re a supervisor. If Xiang Zhen makes a mistake, give him a bit more leeway. Deduct from his pay if necessary, but don’t yell at him.”

Sun Youzhi spoke candidly: “I’m an operations supervisor, which isn’t the same department as customer service, but I’ll put in a good word with the customer service supervisor—”

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xiang Zhen walking out. Without exaggeration, Sun Youzhi felt as though a beam of sunlight had struck that very spot—bright, enchanting, and dazzlingly radiant.

Despite sporting a head of vibrant yellow hair, his aura was exceptionally pure and gentle. The face that entered his vision was a hundred times better-looking than the livestreamers he managed in his department.

“Uh, Xiang Zhen, right? Would you consider becoming a livestreamer? The base salary for a streamer is at least ten thousand, far better than customer service.”

“He’s thin-skinned and doesn’t know how to speak slickly; he can’t do that kind of work.” Li Guihua immediately declined on Xiang Zhen’s behalf. It was definitely not a good thing for a Yao fresh out of the mountains to be overly exposed to internet traffic.

Sun Youzhi felt a hint of regret, planning to transfer him later when Xiang Zhen grew tired of customer service. “All right. We’ll head out a day early, and I’ll accompany Xiang Zhen to find an apartment.”

Li Guihua hurriedly presented a box of tea leaves: “Thank you so much.”

Sun Youzhi’s father had a booming voice and blocked the tea: “What are you giving tea leaves for? If you have free time, introduce a few more girls to my son instead! It wasn’t easy for him to come home for once.”

Sun Youzhi: “I can’t take this anymore, Dad. I already told you, work is busy this year, the pressure is huge, and I don’t have time!”

Sun Youzhi’s father grew anxious: “You’re already thirty and still refusing to go on blind dates—you aren’t a normal person!”

Xiang Zhen secretly made a mental note: So if you don’t go on blind dates, people assume you aren’t normal. No wonder the Guide to Adulthood stated that anyone not in school had to start blind dating.

Three days later, carrying his luggage, Xiang Zhen took Sun Youzhi’s car to Haicheng.

Sun Youzhi drove directly to the entrance of a residential community, where a real estate agent was already waiting.

Xiang Zhen had few demands regarding housing, so the deal was finalized quickly. Afterward, Sun Youzhi took him to the company for an interview, where he landed the job on looks alone.

After three days of training on customer service scripts, Xiang Zhen officially became an after-sales customer service rep.

Ding-dong! An after-sales message popped up.

[Two Treasures at Home: What kind of sunflower seeds did you send me?! They’re moldy! My son ate them before realizing it!]

Having mastered humanity’s most common, direct, and enthusiastic phrasing, Xiang Zhen responded swiftly: [Dearest customer, how may I assist you today?~]

[Two Treasures at Home: Moldy sunflower seeds contain aflatoxin! It’s severely carcinogenic! My son ate them! What do you plan to do about this?! I’m going to sue you!]

Xiang Zhen pressed his lips together. This was a rather serious after-sales incident. He quickly typed away—

[Xiang Zhen: Dear customer, I completely understand your anxious feelings. Could you please take a photo of the moldy sunflower seeds so we can inspect the mold here?]

[Xiang Zhen: Our sunflower seed factory follows strict drying and packaging procedures. Reasonably speaking, moldy seeds should not appear within the shelf life, oh.~]

[Two Treasures at Home: Are you implying I stored them improperly? Check the tracking yourself—didn’t I just sign for the delivery today?!]

[Xiang Zhen: Dear, I didn’t mean that at all.]

[Two Treasures at Home: [Image] [Image] [Image]]

Xiang Zhen enlarged the photos. A handful of sunflower seeds appeared on the screen, several of them cracked open to reveal white fuzz growing on the kernels inside.

Xiang Zhen could tell at a single glance that these were not from their shop. Just as humans from different regions carried distinctive accents, sunflower seeds from different origins possessed their own unique temperament.

[Xiang Zhen: Dear, these aren’t our shop’s sunflower seeds, oh. Our sunflower seeds are produced in Xinjiang, while the seeds in the picture originate from Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, oh.~]

Xiang Zhen had a flash of inspiration. Case closed! He typed cleverly: [Dearest, could it be that you mixed these up with the holiday seeds you bought during the New Year?]

[Two Treasures at Home: What do you mean by that?! Are you claiming I deliberately framed and slandered you?! Would I stoop to that over an order worth just 7.9 yuan?!]

[Xiang Zhen: Of course not, dearest.~]

Silence fell on the customer’s end. Xiang Zhen curled the corners of his lips—he had resolved another tricky after-sales dispute!

One minute later, Xiang Zhen received a formal complaint stating that he discriminated against Inner Mongolian sunflower seeds, which equated to discriminating against Inner Mongolian farmers.

Xiang Zhen: ?

Humans are always so unreasonable.

“Psycho,” Liu Xiaofang, the colleague to Xiang Zhen’s left, cursed with a twisted expression. “They cracked and ate all five catties of sunflower seeds, and now they claim we shipped the wrong item—saying we sent caramel flavor instead of original.”

Xiang Zhen offered enthusiastically: “Let me handle that ticket!”

Liu Xiaofang immediately transferred the ticket to Xiang Zhen. Newcomers truly had better tempers; whenever she encountered cheapskates trying to get freebies like this, she wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen and deliver two solid punches. Caramel-flavored and original seeds had completely different colors, yet when asked for photos, the customer claimed they had eaten every last one, leaving no evidence behind.

[Customer Service Sunflower at your service]

[Xiang Zhen: Dear, are you saying you ate through all five catties of seeds before discovering they were caramel-flavored?]

[Son of God: What of it? How was I supposed to know the difference between the two flavors?]

Xiang Zhen pondered for two seconds, identified the root cause, and typed away rapidly: [Dearest, could you have caught the flu and lost your sense of taste? A severe flu can lead to white lung! We suggest that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, oh.~]

Xiang Zhen was genuinely worried for the customer from the bottom of his heart. Eating five catties of seeds had to take at least five days. The customer had lost their sense of taste for over five days without even noticing; such dulled reactions indicated a very severe illness.

Three minutes later, Xiang Zhen was hit with a complaint for cursing the customer with illness. He felt deeply wronged.

Humans just love submitting complaints.

The moment the supervisor saw that drooped golden head, fury surged within him. “Who was the one claiming during the interview that they had a mild temper?! You’re hopeless at after-sales, but number one at passive-aggression!”

Xiang Zhen lifted his head. The soft, fair flesh of his cheeks looked just like a lump of sweet rice cake waiting to be kneaded into any shape. He asked in confusion, “Do I have a bad temper? Sister Xiaofang got angry, but I didn’t get angry at all.”

The supervisor felt utterly drained. Who cares whether you’re angry or not! The issue is that the customer left a negative review!

After enduring a couple of mild, toothless reprimands, Xiang Zhen returned to his desk, only to find Liu Xiaofang holding a thick stack of pink cardstock sheets and handing them out one by one.

“A blind date event organized by a public welfare organization. Sign up and you can claim free rice, flour, and cooking oil.”

Xiang Zhen perked up his ears, turning his face straight toward Liu Xiaofang.

Liu Xiaofang: “This isn’t just a generic mass blind date for show. Everyone can fill in their requirements in detail. Once requirements match up, they’ll contact you for a one-on-one meeting, and the cost of coffee will be reimbursed.”

Apart from Xiang Zhen, the office was staffed entirely by unmarried young women. Because the organizing committee lacked enough female applicants, they had set their sights on the customer service department.

Xiang Zhen watched eagerly, but Liu Xiaofang bypassed him entirely, casually dropping the remaining forms onto the printer. “Once you finish filling them out, submit them here.”

Why?

Could it be that they suspected he wasn’t a normal person?

Xiang Zhen harbored sharp suspicions. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, he slipped over to the printer and swiped a form.

He filled it out with utmost reverence, placed it back into the pile, and smoothly blended into the collective.