Tracing the Gentle Breeze

[This story has not been abandoned!]

[Life is too busy, the contract didn't work out, taking it easy for a while]

[Apologies to my readers out there]

[I'm not abandoning it or disappearing, so feel free to read to the end]

When I met you, it seemed I had found the meaning of time.

Eight hundred years. The world had changed beyond recognition.

The feudal era was long gone, and a new communism had flourished.

Freedom, equality, justice.

The spring breeze swept across the land.

Humans had human rights, and demons, naturally, had demon rights too.

Not just demons. In modern Huaxia, whether gods, ghosts, spirits, immortals, or demons, as long as they accepted human society, they could be "treated as people" and enjoy the same rights as humans.

However, until humans could fully understand "them," all "nonhumans" still had to keep their identities secret and remain under the supervision and protection of special confidential agencies, to prevent public panic and uncontrollable situations. The goal was to achieve a harmonious society unified across all species as soon as possible.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the tireless efforts and bloodshed of frontline agents.

Bai Ye: Don't bring me into this. I'm an ordinary civil servant. I don't buy empty promises. I focus on myself. What! The death-in-service compensation went up again?! The exchange rate in the Underworld hasn't changed, right? Great! If I can't make ends meet, I'll just die! Better than being worked like an ox and a horse in the mortal world for a salary that's gone by the end of every month. I can go through the process underground and become a rich first-generation heir in no time!

As deputy captain of the Special Operations Team of Qijing City's Action Center, Social Security Maintenance Bureau, Department of Supernatural Affairs of Nanzhou Province, Bai Ye seems to have a life of limitless glory.

She joined the team at seventeen and became deputy captain eight years later, earning countless honors and performing numerous outstanding feats. Her future seems bright.

In reality, the captain has walked away from her responsibilities, the instructor wants to retire, the first team's captain and deputy captain are stuck in a "she chases, she runs, she can't get away" situation, the second team's leader is depressed and disabled, the first team's member is sensitive and introverted and keeps everyone at arm's length, and the second team's member loves attracting admirers.

There are only eight people in Qijing's Special Operations Team. The higher-ups don't take charge, the underlings can't be relied on, and they're so short-staffed they have to borrow help from everywhere.

Her mentor, the bureau chief, spreads his hands and says this is her trial, and that he can't help her.

Bai Ye loses it. The bureau chief suddenly slaps his forehead.

"Hey! There's someone who'd be a good fit, but she just came down from the mountain and needs a supervisor. Why don't you take a look..."

Eight hundred years had been long and hard to endure, but the moment she landed, all she could think was, "Time flies."

Shi Yu stares blankly, her memories faded and blurred. She can't remember why she wanted to live for so long.

She was once a brilliant ruler, honored with the title of Princess Who Aided the Nation.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, she was further honored as Grand Princess Who Aided the Nation. She deliberated on affairs of state alongside the ministers, received a fief, commanded an army, and enjoyed the status of a prince. Her life was every bit as glorious.

Later, she was forced to flee. Her family disowned her, her kingdom fell, and she ended up in a pleasure house before entering enemy territory. She gritted her teeth and endured to the end, wearing silver armor, training warhorses, and leading troops back to her homeland beneath a fluttering red tassel.

The Grand Princess became a general, but was defeated before the city, with nearly her entire army wiped out.

As she lay dying, an immortal appeared.

A bargain allowed her to eke out her life, though she no longer knew why she was alive.

"Let me introduce myself."

The woman holds the steering wheel. The car's air conditioning blows her long curls as she reaches up to tuck them behind her ear, revealing striking features.

"My name is Bai Ye. Bai as in pine, Ye as in wild."

"...Shi Yu."

"I know. It's nice to meet you. From now on, I'll be your supervisor. We'll share honor and disgrace, and stand together through everything. I hope we'll be patient with each other and learn from one another."

"...All right."

"Oh, and one more thing."

The woman smiles, her lips curling up.

"Welcome back to the human world, Shi Yu."

[Writing practice] [Urban fantasy setting]

[Slow-burn romance] [No stereotypical top and bottom roles] [More often, there are no set roles]

[Not both chaste] [Leans toward realism] [A smoker and a drinker]

[Written for my own enjoyment]

[Too many content warnings to list them all]

[If it makes you uncomfortable, drop it]

[Thanks for your support]

Theme: Believe in science, reject superstition