Chapter 16
No matter what just happened, that unbearable discomfort had temporarily disappeared, replaced by a wave of exhaustion that surged through Yan Yan like a tide, overwhelming his entire body.
He tilted his head and yawned.
Before the little bird could make sense of what just happened to his body, Si Jingce scooped him up and placed him beside the pillow.
“What’s wrong, Yan Yan? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
The man’s voice was hoarse, recently woken, tinged with nasal drowsiness.
Yan Yan: “Chirp-ji chirp-ji chirp chirp chirp!”
I’m not unwell! I turned into a human! I just transformed into a human!
The little bird chirped away frantically at Si Jingce, who only kissed his little head and mumbled sleepily, “Your voice is louder now… Looks like you’re feeling better.”
Yan Yan: …
Crap, he forgot humans couldn’t understand bird language.
Quietly, Yan Yan flew back into his nest.
Telling Si Jingce tomorrow wouldn’t be too late.
The sensation of turning into a human felt like tectonic plates colliding beneath him—an uncomfortable pressure built up, energy accumulating before erupting in a brief explosion.
After a short release, the pressure started to rebuild, and by the next day, Yan Yan was once again overwhelmed with that unbearable discomfort.
He lay limp in Si Jingce’s palm as he was carried to the living room. Even when bird food was brought to his beak, he had no strength to eat.
Strangely, the usual fragrant millet now had a muddy smell that made him nauseous just sniffing it.
He turned his head away, avoiding the spoon Si Jingce offered.
He wanted something rich and savory instead.
When feeding him became impossible, Si Jingce set the bird food aside.
It wasn’t just his imagination—Yan Yan’s condition today seemed even worse.
Yet yesterday, he’d clearly felt the bird getting better.
He stroked the fluffy pearl bird, but heard no sound.
The bird who usually chirped nonstop was suddenly almost silent after falling ill.
Si Jingce lowered his gaze.
Since this morning, his chest had felt tight—like someone was sitting on it. Now, seeing Yan Yan like this, it felt like invisible hands had reached into his chest and clutched his heart.
He’ll be okay.
“Yan Yan, where does it hurt?” Si Jingce cupped the listless bird in his hands. “Can you tell me?”
Yan Yan looked up at him.
Maybe it was a kind of animal instinct—he could vaguely sense what was happening to him.
Going to the hospital wouldn’t help.
This state wouldn’t pass until he fully turned into a human.
QAQ but I don’t know how to transform again!
Yesterday was a total fluke. Doing it again? He had no idea.
The little bird flapped his wings with all his might to lift off, bit Si Jingce’s fingertip, and dragged him toward the pet communication buttons.
He had to tell him the good news.
He could become human now!
Si Jingce blinked, surprised, and followed Yan Yan to the button panel.
He stroked the bird gently, still not hearing a voice.
“What do you want to tell me?”
The little fluffball stared intently at the labeled buttons and quickly stomped on two.
“I.”
“Can.”
And then… Yan Yan froze.
There was no “transform” or “human” button!!
The two most important words were missing. The bird stiffened in place.
His fluffy form swayed slightly, as though about to collapse.
Si Jingce quickly opened his phone and began scheduling a vet visit while asking, “You can… what?”
With no such words, he’d have to go another route.
Yan Yan glanced at Si Jingce, then flopped onto the ground.
Si Jingce’s heart dropped.
Then, Yan Yan began writhing on the floor in pain.
Si Jingce sped up his booking.
Wait a minute—this was just like yesterday.
Yan Yan tried to muster every ounce of strength to break through whatever mysterious barrier held him back.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t transform into a human in front of Si Jingce.
The bird’s eyes fell on the phone in Si Jingce’s hand.
Right—he could type!
Yan Yan launched into the air, aiming for the phone.
But halfway there, a hand caught him midair.
Yan Yan: ?
Si Jingce had perfectly anticipated his flight path and calmly stuffed him into the bird carrier while walking to the door.
“We’re going back to the hospital.”
Yan Yan pecked at the carrier furiously.
Noooooo, not the hospital!
But Si Jingce was done negotiating. He looked down at the bird, his eyes darkening.
“Don’t be scared, Yan Yan.”
“You’ll feel better once we’re there.”
Yan Yan: …
So tired.
Normally just one chirp was enough for Si Jingce to understand him instantly—why was he so dense today?
On the way to the hospital, Yan Yan struggled nonstop, but to Si Jingce, it all seemed like the suffering of a sick bird.
When they arrived, Yan Yan had given in to despair.
The little bird was pinned down by a sweet nurse and had his blood drawn.
Then he was wrapped like a burrito in bandages and sent for X-rays and a CT scan.
When the wrappings were finally removed and Si Jingce reached for him, the angry bird turned away with a sharp chirp, showing him only his back.
Just you wait till I turn into a human…
I’ll pin you to the bed and do all sorts of stuff to you!
Then I’ll wrap you up in blankets and not let you move!
A small capful of water was placed in front of him.
“Drink something sweet.”
Si Jingce touched Yan Yan’s warm body, hoping to tap into that strange ability and sense the bird’s pain.
But it was odd—he hadn’t heard the young man’s voice in his head all morning.
A bit of sugar had been added to the water to boost his energy.
Yan Yan sipped it obediently.
Not bad.
Si Jingce gently smoothed his feathers. Once Yan Yan finished, he took the lab reports and headed into the exam room.
“Still low energy today?”
The doctor flipped through the report pages carefully, glasses perched on his nose, his expression growing more serious.
The look on his face made Si Jingce’s heart sink. Yan Yan was dozing lightly on the exam table.
Finally, the doctor set the report aside and shook his head at Si Jingce. “There’s nothing wrong.”
“Based on the numbers, your bird seems to be going into heat.”
Si Jingce: “…Doesn’t seem like it.”
Pearl birds in heat get agitated, flapping around wildly in their cages.
Yan Yan just lay in his nest, barely moving.
“I haven’t seen him shredding nesting material or anything like that. There were no signs at all.”
Yan Yan opened his eyes.
So it’s mating season?
That means… I’m officially an adult bird now!
“The strange part is exactly that,” the doctor said. “So I can only say it’s ‘suspected.’ The reports show nothing wrong.”
He pushed his glasses up. “My suggestion is to consult a more experienced vet.”
Si Jingce recognized this phrasing too well.
In the human world, when a case is too complicated, the doctors always refer you to a higher-level hospital.
Was Yan Yan’s condition… really that serious?
The eavesdropping pearl bird: …
I really don’t want to be wrapped up like a burrito again.
Yan Yan let out a heavy sigh.
I just need to hurry up and master transforming, so I don’t keep getting dragged to useless exams.
“You really don’t need to worry,” the doctor added when he saw how tense they were. “It could genuinely be the mating season. It might pass in a few days.”
Before they left, the doctor promised to consult others in the field about Yan Yan’s case.
They exchanged contacts, and Si Jingce brought Yan Yan home.
He let the bird out, then sat alone on the couch.
His phone had been buzzing for a while before he noticed.
When he answered, it was Yun Duan.
“Bro, how’s Yan Yan now? Is he any better?”
Si Jingce was dazed for a few seconds before answering, “The vet thinks… it might be mating season.”
Laughter erupted on the other end. “So he’s looking for a girlfriend? Damn, we were so worried—it’s fine then.”
Si Jingce glanced at Yan Yan.
The little bird was curled tightly against his arm, not moving, his tiny body rising and falling steadily with his breath.
If it really was just mating season, that would be a relief.
Yun Duan kept talking, then noticed Si Jingce hadn’t said a word.
He paused and asked, “Yan Yan should be much better now, right?”
“Maybe mating season,” Si Jingce repeated. “The vet recommended someone more skilled take a look.”
Now Yun Duan fell silent.
Just yesterday afternoon, Yan Yan had been so full of life, chattering nonstop.
The sudden change caught them all off guard.
“…Don’t worry, bro. I’ll check if I have any connections who can help.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
After hanging up, Si Jingce opened his contacts, unsure who to reach out to.
His thoughts were a mess.
Suddenly, he remembered Gui Yaying’s two fat orange cats.
One had been rescued during a downpour, skinny and filthy, but she’d taken it in.
Later, it was diagnosed with feline distemper. Every vet advised her to give up, but a friend of hers saved the cat.
Si Jingce didn’t hesitate and messaged his mother.
He sent over the reports and explained everything in detail.
After she replied, he put his phone away and closed his eyes.
He’ll be okay.
“Yan Yan.” Si Jingce poked the little bird and scooped him up.
“You’ll be alright.”
The half-asleep bird: …
Why are you waking me up for this?!
He grumbled quietly and stomped his foot on Si Jingce’s palm in protest.
The next second, Si Jingce kissed his head.
“You’ll be okay,” he murmured.
Yan Yan froze for a moment, suddenly feeling warm in the face. If not for his feathers, he’d probably be blushing like crazy.
He thought and thought, then chirped, “Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp—”
Don’t worry, I’ll be fine! Just give me a few days to finish transforming!
Si Jingce’s finger paused mid-stroke.
His pupils shrank slightly, disbelief creeping into his voice. “Yan Yan… call out again?”
The bird tilted his head. “Chirp-ji?”
Si Jingce’s vision swam—dark spots danced across his eyes.
He couldn’t hear it.
“Call out one more time.”
“Chirp!”
Only bird sounds echoed in his ears.
An entire day of anxiety finally reached its peak.
After testing several more times, Si Jingce was finally certain—
He could no longer hear Yan Yan speak human language.
