Currently focused on building up my story backlog.
1.
Xu Chaozhao's company hires a nonhuman employee. Terrified, she flees back to her hometown.
At her old family home, she meets her mother's tenant.
The woman is beautiful, dressed in ancient robes, like someone who stepped out of a painting.
She just doesn't talk much, and her temper is absolutely awful. Every now and then, she gives Xu Chaozhao the cold shoulder.
After one too many times, Xu Chaozhao finally stops trying to be nice to someone who won't return her kindness. She's ready to have nothing more to do with this ice-cold beauty for the rest of their lives.
2.
Shen Zhiwei is terribly vexed. She just can't stand the human living on her land, but no matter what she tries, she can't drive her away.
Then, in a moment of carelessness, she injures Xu Chaozhao. Her spiritual energy is drained, leaving her unable to return to her true form. The restriction can only be lifted if Xu Chaozhao forgives her.
But she's lived deep in the mountains for ages. She doesn't know how to get along with humans, much less how to win forgiveness from a human who hates spirits.
3.
The restriction remains in place, and Shen Zhiwei grows more and more miserable. She thinks of the "treasure" the Land Goddess gave her: a phone enchanted with a spell that can only find the numbers of spirits.
Shen Zhiwei decides to make a friend and ask other spirits how to earn a human's forgiveness.
She forgets that her spiritual energy is restricted and her magic won't work. The phone is just an ordinary phone, and it can find the devices of humans.
4.
Xu Chaozhao has lived in the countryside for a long time. With her cold roommate, she feels lonely too and wants someone to talk to.
As it happens, someone sends her a friend request.
[Hello, could we be friends?]
5.
Shen Zhiwei makes a friend. Asking someone what their true form is would be rude, so she guesses her friend might be a big tree, a cat, or a dog.
She really likes her friend, who is patient and tells her all sorts of things.
It's just that sometimes, when Shen Zhiwei sends her a picture of herself in human form, her friend gets really angry.
But...
She only wants to know why her body feels so itchy.
When she was just a little cloud of energy, it never did.
6.
Xu Chaozhao quite likes her new online friend. She's sweet and obedient.
She just seems young, and not very good at taking care of herself.
When Xu Chaozhao asks how old she is, she says four hundred, making Xu Chaozhao laugh in disbelief.
But she's very sweet-talking.
One minute it's, "You're my only friend," and the next, "I've only got you." Xu Chaozhao's heart melts, and she forgives her for being so silly.
They chat on and off, until one day Xu Chaozhao receives a photo from her online friend.
A very pale leg, with a mosquito bite on it.
?
Xu Chaozhao panics.
S-she... what does she mean by this...?
A cute, haughty, bound spirit x a timid, softhearted human.
Reader's guide: A sweet little romance.
They don't find out each other's identities until later in their online relationship.
Includes a little nonhuman play (if that's not your thing, steer clear).
Original title: The Cohabitation Incident
No male lead (don't overthink it). Please, please, please, please add this to your collection ˙ᵕ˙ᰔ
Theme: Live well
