BFAIBPMSH Chapter 91

At four in the morning, Bai Gaoxing wakes up.

He stares at the ceiling for a long while, listening to the soft breathing beside him. Slowly, he stretches his hand out from under the quilt and raises it before his eyes.

In his dream, he remembers something startling—that he is no longer a parrot. Upon waking, that realization keeps him wide awake.

He really has turned back into a human.

After discerning the outline of his palm in the dim light, Bai Gaoxing repeats the action he used when he first confirms his transformation—biting his finger.

It hurts. This isn’t a dream.

Once he processes this fact, Bai Gaoxing can’t bring himself to stay in bed any longer. It will be two hours before Li Pu wakes up, so he decides he might as well get up and find something to do.

He carefully lifts the quilt, ensuring he doesn’t make any noise, and tiptoes out of the bedroom. Before closing the door, he glances back at Li Pu with relief. The man who used to be such a light sleeper hasn’t stirred. Not bad—he is making progress.

This is the first time Bai Gaoxing has seen Li Pu’s home from a human perspective.

The thin gauze curtains in the living room allow faint light to filter through the window. With his eyes adjusted to the dark, he can make out the entire room: the sofa, coffee table, aquarium, electronic screen, and, most notably, the familiar birdcage.

To be honest, when he sees the birdcage, his instinct is to fly to the top of it.

Bai Gaoxing glances at his hands again, reminding himself that such a thing is now impossible.

What a pity. That cage—a deluxe version—has a very comfortable hammock on top.

He has mostly gained control of his human body. Aside from occasionally stumbling when he runs, most movements feel natural.

As he walks briskly across the room, he notes how effective yesterday afternoon’s practice has been. However, because he has been so focused, the reality of being human hasn’t fully sunk in.

Calculating the time... It has been only ten hours since the transformation. Subtracting his sleep, he has experienced only a few waking hours as a human.

On one hand, his mind is clear; on the other, it is still clouded by confusion.

What puzzles him most, however, is Li Pu’s reaction.

The man accepts his transformation so calmly. There is no shock, no barrage of questions. Instead, his first thought is to find Bai Gaoxing some clothes to wear...

Bai Gaoxing can’t help but speculate—does this mean Li Pu has an incredible capacity for acceptance?

Well, that’s just like Li Pu.

After organizing his thoughts, Bai Gaoxing quietly walks to the balcony.

The late-night air is much colder, but the thick, plush pajamas he wears keep him warm. This outfit, it seems, has become his by default. Li Pu has even found him a pair of brand-new slippers—obviously unused.

Bai Gaoxing looks down at his feet. Considering that Li Pu’s home rarely hosts guests, these slippers are likely intended for his assistants. It must have been difficult to find a completely new pair for him.

He originally wants to say that he can just wear Li Pu’s slippers...

Bai Gaoxing exhales a warm breath and turns to see the electronic screen he used to operate so often.

This thing...

He misses it so much.

It has only been a day since he last used it, yet it feels like an eternity.

Excited, Bai Gaoxing reaches out and touches the power button repeatedly.

From today onward, he won’t need to play with it in secret anymore—he can enjoy it openly!

First, though, he needs to figure out how to tell Li Pu... Hello, I’m very interested in your computer?

With thoughts running wild, Bai Gaoxing sits down on the sofa and spaces out for a while. Eventually, his restlessness gets the better of him, and he starts pacing back and forth. After the clock’s hour hand moves two notches, he carefully tiptoes back to the bedroom.

Originally, he plans to sleep a little longer and wait until dawn to discuss things with Li Pu. But as he approaches the bed, he glances at the figure lying there and finds himself walking around to the side where he can see Li Pu’s face clearly.

Li Pu is sleeping soundly.

Bai Gaoxing blinks and, feeling too tired to keep standing, slowly squats down. He sits on the ground, resting his face in his hands, and continues to watch the man’s peaceful expression.

Only at times like this can he see Li Pu looking so gentle and relaxed. Yet, even in his sleep, Li Pu’s brows are faintly furrowed. Is he very tired? Or is he having an unpleasant dream?

Bai Gaoxing traces the shape of Li Pu’s eyebrows and eyes in the air with his finger but pulls his hand back after just a few seconds.

It seems like he is about to wake up.

Bai Gaoxing’s gaze remains fixed on Li Pu, his heart pounding nervously. Sure enough, the man suddenly opens his eyes, sits up, and gives him a look that is... strange.

Why does this feel weird?

Still, Bai Gaoxing greets him cheerfully, “You’re awake!”

An indescribable tension fills the room.

Bai Gaoxing waits for a reply, but to his surprise, Li Pu just glances at him, pulls the quilt over himself, and lies back down.

Bai Gaoxing: "???"

He is startled by Li Pu’s reaction but doesn’t overthink it. Assuming the man is too tired and wants more sleep, Bai Gaoxing says, “Alright, then sleep a bit longer. I’ll go boil some water for you. Or would you prefer coffee? I can make that too.”

As he speaks, he stands up and heads toward the door. His slippers make soft, frictional noises against the floor.

He must not be fully awake yet, Bai Gaoxing thought.

Meanwhile, Li Pu lies on the bed with his eyes closed. Li Pu tries to force himself back to sleep in hopes of waking up in a more realistic world. But it doesn’t work. His strong biological clock, honed over years, refuses to let him doze off again—especially since he had already slept longer than usual last night.

Li Pu opens his eyes again. Though he had once considered hiring someone to help around the house, that idea had only crossed his mind when he first moved out years ago. Once he got used to living alone and cooking for himself, he abandoned the thought entirely.

But that doesn’t mean… he’d ever imagined putting that idea into practice with Dabai.

Looking at the hazy morning light outside the window, Li Pu takes a deep breath. He has a lot of work to do and can’t let himself get lost in a fantasy. He needs to wake up, return to normal, and then go to the hospital for a check-up.

Just as he resolves to ground himself, a rich aroma of coffee wafts through the air.

Okay, this is not a dream.

Sitting at the dining table, Li Pu is now fully awake. His gaze first falls on the steaming cup of coffee before him, then shifts to the white-haired boy sitting across from him. A complicated expression crosses his face.

"...Dabai?"

"...Yes, it’s me."

Finally realizing that Li Pu has dismissed yesterday’s events as a dream, Bai Gaoxing’s forehead twitches. So that’s why he’s been so calm—he didn’t believe any of it actually happened!

Propping himself up on the table, Bai Gaoxing stands and speaks with a serious and solemn tone: “It’s real. Your pet parrot has turned into a human. I am Dabai.”

…It seems that the truth hits even harder.

Watching the subtle change in Li Pu’s expression and the way his eyes seem to lose focus after hearing those words, Bai Gaoxing awkwardly pinches his fingers. “Well… I get it. This kind of thing is hard to believe. Even I wouldn’t have believed it before. Thinking it’s a prank or a dream is normal.”

He lets out a breath and meets Li Pu’s gaze. “If you want to ask me anything… as long as I know the answer, I’ll tell you.”

Bai Gaoxing braces himself, ready for whatever Li Pu wants to know. Even if Li Pu asks about his past, he will share it.

Or maybe Li Pu will confirm his identity through specific details—like the process of filming a drama or variety show, his daily routines during vacations, or even the dishes most frequently served at their table. Oh, and he even knows Li Pu’s underwear size!

Bai Gaoxing stares nervously at Li Pu, waiting for him to ask the question he thinks will matter most.

After a long pause, Li Pu finally speaks, his tone low and soft.

“...Can you use a coffee machine?”

“...?”

Bai Gaoxing blinks, caught completely off guard by the unexpected question. He stays silent for a moment, then replies, “Yes.”

Li Pu nods calmly. “Okay.”

Bai Gaoxing is left with a bewildered expression as Li Pu stands up and walks toward the bathroom. It isn’t until he hears the faucet running that Bai Gaoxing snaps out of his daze.

“I want to wash up too!” he calls out, quickly following after Li Pu.

...

Eventually, two figures—one tall and one short—stand in front of the bathroom mirror.

Bai Gaoxing holds the disposable toothbrush Li Pu has found for him from the cabinet under the sink. His eyes linger on his reflection.

This is the first time he really looks at himself since transforming back into a human. The face staring back at him feels both familiar and strange.

Although it is almost identical to his previous appearance, there are subtle differences.

Tugging at a lock of his hair, Bai Gaoxing whimpers softly, “Why did I end up with premature gray hair? Wuuuu…”

Li Pu, who is brushing his teeth, stops and looks down, "Hmm?"

"It's nothing!" Bai Gaoxing quickly lets go of his hair, but his eyes keep darting upward to his reflection.

Sigh... At least I won’t get lost when I go out anymore, just like wearing a built-in reflective strip.

As he brushes his teeth, Bai Gaoxing can’t help leaning closer to the mirror, inspecting his reflection carefully to see if there are any other differences between himself and a normal human.

Beside him, Li Pu silently observes the boy's every move.

Maybe it’s just a parrot’s instinct to like mirrors, he thinks, then grabs a new towel and hangs it on the rack beside his own.

...

That morning, Li Pu doesn’t feel like going out for his usual run, making the entire morning stretch on longer than usual.

Bai Gaoxing has already noticed Li Pu glancing at him several times. Unable to ignore it anymore, he walks over, leans in slightly, and says, “If you don’t believe it, you can touch it. It’s real! Didn’t you check yesterday?”

Fine.

Li Pu thinks to himself that it will still take him quite a while to accept this new reality.

What’s more, Dabai, who had struggled to even walk yesterday, can now operate a coffee machine. It reminds Li Pu of hatchlings in the wild, like zebras and deer on the savannah, quickly adapting to their environment in order to survive.

A little more confirmation wouldn’t hurt.

With that, Li Pu actually extends his hand. “Dabai.”

Bai Gaoxing smoothly rests his chin in Li Pu’s palm and even nuzzles it.

Li Pu looks at him silently.

In an instant, Bai Gaoxing’s eyes widen, and a blush spreads across his cheeks. He jumps back as if electrocuted. “I can explain! It’s just… it’s your fault for always scratching me!”

Li Pu rubs his fingers together, feeling there’s no need for an explanation at all.

A faint smile flickers in his eyes before disappearing. “Are you hungry? I’ll cook something.”

Breakfast is noodles.

Since they aren’t going out, Li Pu makes breakfast at home. Bai Gaoxing eagerly picks up a chopstick-full of noodles and stuffs them into his mouth, only for his expression to change immediately.

Oh, he can use chopsticks. Li Pu notes silently while watching the boy closely. Then he notices Bai Gaoxing’s expression. “What’s wrong?”

“These noodles…” Bai Gaoxing hesitates. Should he say it? After all, Li Pu has gone through the trouble of cooking for him, and here he is about to criticize it…

But he still says it. “Did you forget to add salt?”

Oh, he knows what salt is. Li Pu nods. “You probably shouldn’t be eating salt, right?”

!!! That’s completely unnecessary!

Bai Gaoxing looks at him earnestly. “I’m human now—I can eat salt!”

Li Pu’s hand holding the chopsticks pauses briefly. “Alright. I’ll add it next time.”

Bai Gaoxing hesitates for a moment. “…Also, I want to eat something else.”

Seeing the boy’s expectant look, Li Pu asks, “What do you want to eat?”

Bai Gaoxing replies without hesitation, “KFC.”

Li Pu: "..."

He thinks about the takeaway bags that used to hang on the doorknob and the food he’d ordered through the app.

So, you've wanted to eat that for a long time, huh?

But eating something so greasy in the morning isn’t ideal. Li Pu promises he’ll get it for lunch instead.

Bai Gaoxing’s eyes curve with satisfaction, and he gets up to clear the table.

Li Pu watches him, his gaze following the boy’s movements. As Bai Gaoxing turns to head toward the kitchen, Li Pu speaks up:

“Where are you going?”

Bai Gaoxing freezes for a moment. “To wash the dishes.”

He’s always been very diligent. Back when he was a bird, he couldn’t do much, so he focused on keeping things clean. Now that he’s human, doing chores is much easier.

Other than cooking, he is very good at housework!

As Li Pu watches Bai Gaoxing, his mind drifts to folklore stories like “The Snail Maiden” and other similar tales.

(Translator’s Notes: The Snail Maiden (田螺姑娘, Tián Luó Gūniáng) is a popular Chinese folk tale from Jiangsu province. It tells the story of a poor farmer who finds a snail that transforms into a beautiful woman. She helps him with household chores, and they fall in love, but she warns him not to watch her while she works. The farmer, unable to resist, secretly observes her and discovers she is a snail in disguise. Feeling guilty, he apologizes, but the Snail Maiden leaves, returning to her snail form. )

After a moment, he sighs and takes the bowl from the boy’s hands. “You don’t need to do this.”

“You sure?” Bai Gaoxing follows him eagerly into the kitchen. “I can wash it. I won’t break the bowl.”

Li Pu puts the bowl down, then walks over to a machine and presses a button. “This is a dishwasher.”

Bai Gaoxing nods blankly.

He hasn’t used this machine much before. He’s the only one at home, and it wasn’t worth the effort to use it for just one person’s meals. Washing by hand had been enough—that’s no longer the case.

Things are different now.

Li Pu glances at the boy and gives him a simple tutorial on how to use it.

…

A while later, Li Pu puts on his coat.

“You’re going out?” Bai Gaoxing, who’s been lounging on the sofa, looks up when he hears the movement.

“Yeah.” Li Pu replies. He’s been thinking a lot—especially about how Dabai, now in human form, will live going forward. The first step is to sort out daily necessities. Since he has some free time today, he plans to visit the mall.

Seeing the curious expression on the boy’s face, he adds, “Wait here at home. I’ll be back soon.”

However—

“I want to go! I want to go! Take me too!”

The boy jumps off the sofa like a rocket, grabbing onto Li Pu’s clothes tightly. “Bring me with you!”

Bai Gaoxing suddenly remembers how long it’s been since he’s truly gone out—not for filming or work, but freely, where he can express his own desires.

So he pleads earnestly, “Please!”

Under the assault of those starry eyes, Li Pu can’t resist.

“Alright.” He relents. He then retrieves a black baseball cap and a matching face mask.

Li Pu carefully tucks Bai Gaoxing’s pale hair under the cap, making it look like it’s just a rebellious dye job.

“All done.” He adjusts the brim of the cap downward for the boy.

Even with all these things covering him, the boy’s appearance still stands out in Li Pu’s eyes.

Because there are no suitable clothes, the boy can only wear his. His pants are rolled up several times. The shirt is also very loose, and anyone who doesn’t know would think it’s a hip-hop style, though the overall look is quite formal.

And those eyes...

Li Pu looks at the boy's eyelashes, which are still covered with snowflakes, and pulls the hat down again.

“You’re going to cover my eyes!” Bai Gaoxing protests.

Just as they are about to leave, both of them hear the vibration of a phone.

Li Pu takes out his phone and glances at it, discovering that it’s a 99+ message from his assistant, Mei Youshu.

He has no mood to check his phone since yesterday, and he doesn’t pay attention to it after sending the message "No need," but he doesn’t expect the other party to send him so many messages persistently.

Li Pu frowns involuntarily as he begins reading from the beginning.

[Brother Li, really no need?]

[Brother Li, what happened?]

[Brother Li, if you see this, please reply.] … [Brother Li, please don’t do this. I’m scared!]

[Brother Li! Please say something, why didn’t you answer my call?] … [Brother Li, I haven’t received a message all night. I’m really worried. I’ll come over and check on you now.] Time: ten minutes ago.

Bai Gaoxing notices Li Pu’s face growing increasingly serious and can’t help but tiptoe, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Before he can get an answer, Li Pu quickly grabs him by the waist, obviously in a hurry. “Hurry up.”

Bai Gaoxing: ??

They rush all the way to the car, and as they do, Li Pu replies to his assistant’s messages:

[No need to come.] [I’m outside.]

Author’s note:

Li Pu: If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to leave.

Dabai: !!! Hurry up!

---

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