It was past 3 a.m. when Li Qi and Yixiaoru remained waiting in the living room.

Seeing me soaked to the bone, both women scrambled to find clothes for me. "How did it go?" Li Qi asked.

"As expected," I said, shaking water from my hair. "Deng Siwang finally gave in and returned with Zhu Er gui to their respective military districts after some persuasion. There'll be news by tomorrow - likely they want us to hand over Deng immediately under duress."

Li Qi nodded approvingly but warned, "Good. But if Grandfather asks about this later, you must claim complete ignorance. We have to stick our heads in the sand until things escalate. Once the crisis deepens, my grandfather will probably come begging for your help with both L State and Cheng D Military District issues. That way we control everything from behind the scenes - no one can question us."

Yixiaoru smirked as she tousled Li Qi's chest hair, "Thank goodness you're not our enemy, QiQi. Otherwise I'd be first in line to kill you off. You're far too calculating."

Li Qi playfully tugged Yixiaoru's blouse collar, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sacrifices must be made for Zhao Qian! Machiavellian tactics age women prematurely," she warned dramatically before continuing, "but S house expansion forces us onto an irreversible path - we either keep moving forward or face total annihilation."

Yixiaoru swatted her hand away with a pout. "My dear Princess QiQi, you've earned extra credit tonight. Should I rub your arms and legs to celebrate?"

Li Qi stretched languidly on the couch. "Perfect! That way I can admire those legendary curves of yours," she teased while wiggling her eyebrows. "Heard Zhao Qian has a particular fondness for your assets."

The two women giggled as they slinked into their bedroom, leaving me alone in the dimly lit living room brooding over my thoughts. After monitoring Deng and Zhu's return to base, Taizi reappeared with an amused grin.

"Boss, who knew we'd already started our power play? Quite unexpected."

"Precisely my reaction," I admitted while sipping tea. "Dahu originally suggested seizing control of both L State and Cheng D but I refused. Yet overnight..."

Taizi chuckled knowingly, "All for women! If that Deng hadn't insulted your wife, you probably wouldn't have touched the Dragon Empire's military in this lifetime."

I protested as I poured more tea, "This isn't exactly a coup! You've done reconnaissance - how chaotic those districts are. Corruption runs rampant with prostitution, drug trafficking even!"

Taizi grinned wickedly, "Heh, don't mind if we take all seven districts while we're at it. With Dragon Empire as our base, we could launch world domination with a few million troops."

I patted his shoulder solemnly, "Patience is key here. Rush too hard and you burn out - or worse, start a nuclear war. We need reliable manpower, years of groundwork before..."

Taizi suddenly became serious, "But Japan's already researching neutrino anti-nuclear tech! Admittedly rudimentary but they're making efforts." He paused thoughtfully, then added, "You should consider this. Only by dismantling global nukes can we truly reform the world."

"Let's wait for Xiaoyudi and Xiaohui back from America first," I replied as rain pattered against the windows. "We have plenty of work ahead."

Taizi snickered mischievously, "Still doesn't stop you from flirting though!"

"Of course not! You want me to introduce some worthy 'mother cats'?"

"Keep your flirtatious ways to yourself," he waved dismissively while scrolling on his phone. "My interest lies in money - better yet, let's find new revenue streams."

As Taizi disappeared into the stormy night, I lay back on the sofa listening to rain drums against the roof. So accustomed was I to rapid change that even this felt routine - why wait millions of years when we could escape Earth-Moon system now?

A delicate floral scent drifted toward me as soft hands began massaging my shoulders with surprising skill.

"Qianqian, still up?" I asked without opening my eyes.

Ouyang Qian's voice came muffled from the damp cloth she held to her mouth. "Just got up for bathroom needs..." Her arms wrapped around mine, pressing intimately against me as rain poured outside.

Lightning crackled across darkened skies when Ouyang suddenly stood by window watching rain cascade down glass panes.

"What a storm! Imagine taking a walk like this," she mused dreamily before turning to me with sparkling eyes. "Want to try? Worst case scenario, just take some cold medicine later."

Her childish enthusiasm was contagious as we burst out into thunderous downpours. Rain quickly soaked through our clothes hugging bodies tightly - Ouyang wore only nightgown and thong revealing all curves beneath.

"Such a big storm!" she squealed before pressing her wet lips to mine, igniting something primal between us...

A sudden phone ring shattered the moment. I checked caller ID while holding Ouyang against me in downpour.

"Xiaoxue is calling," I told her.

Ouyang frowned suspiciously at my phone screen. "Why would she call you? Are you two..."

I shielded rain with one hand, "Ask her yourself!"

Ouyang pressed answer key dramatically. "Go ahead! Let her scold you all night."

"Disciple! Disaster! My little daughter turned into a pile of grasses - come save us immediately! Am I still dreaming? Hurry and wake me up!"

Ouyang's eyes widened as she looked at me questioningly. "Your secret code?"

I nearly threw her over with excitement, cradling Ouyang in one arm while snatching phone with other hand.

"Xiaoxue, outstanding work! You've earned major credit for this! Keep her transformed - we're coming now!"

Tossing the phone to Ouyang as we sprinted toward stairs, I barked orders, "Call Hua Qingqing immediately! Tell her to dress right away."

Ouyang was already dialing while frowning at her torn nightgown. "My clothes are ruined - how can I..."

"Never mind!" I yelled over thunder. "Not going to show you off to men anyway! Afraid Xiaoxue might revert before we get there!"

On first ring, Hua Qingqing's sleepy voice answered.

"Sister Qingqing, Zhao Qian says dress now without questions - coming immediately."

I kicked open window of her room to find Hua scrambling to fasten bra clasp behind back.

"Hey! Cover yourself up you pervert!" she squeaked as I tossed her nightgown. Then tossing another to Ouyang I said, "No time Qingqing! Xiaoxue has transformed at Su Xue's dormitory - must hurry before..."

"Really?" Hua abandoned bra entirely in favor of grabbing clothes.

"Hurry up! Hurry up!" she shrieked while tying on top haphazardly.

I hoisted both women over windowsill as rain instantly soaked through their new clothes. Hua's breasts were completely exposed through thin fabric, prompting Ouyang to laugh mockingly - after all, our relationship remained unspoken...

Holding myself with both hands, Hua blushed furiously at her exposed chest while defending herself from Ouyangan teasing.

"Can't help it! All your husbands already have their fill!" she pouted dramatically.

Flashing lights revealed Su Xue's dorm room glowing alone through stormy night as we crashed through window. Startled shouts greeted us - Su Xue and Xu Chen both jumped back in alarm at our soaked entrance.

"What? Why are you climbing windows?"

I thrust the two women inside first before shouting, "Where is your daughter?"

Su Xue pointed to her bed where something greenish was writhing ominously under covers. As we looked closer, thick vines had completely engulfed mattress while dozens of crimson blossoms bloomed violently against stormy night backdrop.

Hua Qingqing gasped as she rushed forward despite exposed chest, peering closely at plant.

"Amazing! I've actually seen real blood flower... unbelievable!"

Su Xue was still in denial even as Xu Chen pinched her cheeks repeatedly to check consciousness. "My daughter? Is this some nightmare? Please tell me it's not true!" she begged desperately.

I calmly explained, "Your daughter has always been a plant - just refused transformation while with Qingqing. Seems your charm finally convinced her to revert."

Su Xue's skepticism shattered instantly at sight of blooming flowers. Though accepting supernatural truths easily, her personality remained characteristically pragmatic as she turned to me suddenly.

"Disciple! You promised credit for my heroic deeds today - how will you reward me? After all, I sacrificed purity by spending half-night with..."

Hua Qingqing interrupted hastily, "Su Xue, let's hire you as assistant! Salary one thousand per month. How does that sound?"

Though stunned by this generous offer (one thousand was small fortune to students), Su Xue remained skeptical.

"Qingqing sister, I'm not qualified for this job..." she muttered doubtfully.

Hua reassured, "No skills required - just coax Xiaoxue into transformation when needed so my research can proceed."

Ouyangan whispered conspiratorially in her ear, "You have natural talent as nanny! Just look at those curves - combined with ours might not reach your proportions!"

Flattered by compliment, Su Xue instinctively cupped her chest while smirking.

"Fine, I'll do it," she declared boldly, "but understand - no excuses for withholding salary or I quit immediately."

Hua Qingqing snickered knowingly, "Ask for salary from your disciple! I doubt he dares deduct even one coin!"

Su Xue turned to me with arms on hips.

"Disciple! Is Qingqing sister telling truth? Must you pay me one thousand per month? No excuses about cutting funds?"

I nodded decisively as Su Xue rushed for phone, "First few months in advance if needed."

"Oh my!" she squealed excitedly while dialing frantically, "No need to finish university! Just become full-time nanny and call mother immediately with this exciting news!"

Xu Chen tried to calm her down, "Wait until morning at least - must find clothes for them before catching colds."

Closing me inside bathroom while they changed clothes, Hua suddenly ordered Su Xue,

"Try communicating now. Tell Xiaoxue to revert back to human form!"

Reluctant but determined, Su Xue hesitated only slightly before calling out. As vines began trembling violently and contracting toward roots... all four women gasped as transformation completed in seconds with breathtaking speed.

Su Xue gently touched Xiaoxue's head with tear-streaked face. "Xiaoxue? Were you really the large flower?"

Nodding silently, child clung to mother with solemnity. Su Xue rocked her protectively while declaring authoritatively,

"Promise never to transform without permission! Be good girl always listen to mother!"

Xiaoxue nodded again obediently as Xu Chen and Ouyangan stifled laughter at sight of Su Xue still calculating salary in mind.

Grinning with approval I gave her thumbs up, "You're amazing - completely under control now."

Hua Qingqing suddenly announced, "Su Xue take Xiaoxue first to lab! Many experiments need doing..."

Excited about new job, Su Xue grabbed child eagerly, "Come on! Show me that advanced technology!"

After Hua Group's armored car took them away, Ouyangan shivered and said,

"Must bathe now. You stay Qian - Chenchen will entertain boyfriend for me."