Fantasy Short Story “Inverted Dream”
∕ Chen Qingyang


This novel is accompanied by a film screenplay. The film production rights are available for a licensing fee of USD 300,000. The temporal and spatial settings, as well as specific scenes and portions of the plot, can be modified according to the producer’s requirements.

“Story Outline”

“Inverted Dreams” tells the story of a female college student, Ji Meiru, whose soul is accidentally transferred into the body of corporate general manager Chen Bixian after a major car accident, launching a life of misplaced identity. When she awakens in the hospital, she is treated as Chen Bixian by a group of strangers and is told that she has lost her memory due to brain trauma. However, she knows clearly in her heart that she is not this man, but a woman. Faced with a suddenly acquired male body and an unfamiliar identity, she falls into extreme confusion and unease.

As she recovers, she gradually confirms her true identity through external clues and locates her original family and father, only to discover that her own body is still lying in a nursing facility as a vegetative patient. In order to uncover the truth, she is forced to return to the company, assume the role of general manager, and learn to imitate Chen Bixian’s behavior and manner of speech, living a false double life.

One day, she encounters the real Chen Bixian’s soul in the office and learns that their souls were switched at the moment of the accident, while Chen Bixian’s soul is temporarily attached to a crystal necklace. The two decide to cooperate and attempt to restore their souls to their rightful bodies. Eventually, they succeed in transferring Chen Bixian’s soul into Ji Meiru’s original body, allowing “Meiru” to awaken. However, due to differences in soul and personality, “Meiru” becomes domineering and authoritarian, seizing control of the company’s power, while the originally gentle Ji Meiru is reduced to a puppet, losing her agency.

Unable to endure a life of manipulation, Ji Meiru decides to escape reality. Under the pretense of going abroad for medical examination, she secretly flees to the United States and stages her own death to begin a new life. In America, she alters her appearance, enrolls in a university to study music, gradually adapts to her male identity, and pursues her dream of becoming a pianist, briefly attaining freedom and a sense of self-identity.

However, her peaceful life is shattered when her younger sister tracks her down and reveals more hidden truths: their mother and sister are both bioengineered humans, and Chen Bixian himself is a clone. Even more shocking, another cloned brother has become a crime syndicate leader, creating conflict within the family’s power structure and entangling them in conspiracies of power, revenge, and advanced technology. Ji Meiru is once again forced into the vortex of family struggle, torn between self-identity and the responsibilities tied to power.

In the end, she comes into contact with the core system that created everything and realizes that the key determining all outcomes is not identity or technology, but the goodness within human nature. When she awakens once more, she has returned to her original female body, and everything seems as though it were merely a dream. Yet the memories remain vividly intact, leaving her unable to determine whether the experience truly happened or was merely a projection of her deeper consciousness.

Through the device of soul displacement and gender transformation, the entire story explores themes such as “self-identity,” “the relationship between body and soul,” and “power and human nature,” presenting an inverted dream that reflects upon life choices and the essence of existence.

1
I am certain that I am still alive. A group of people surrounds my hospital bed. This is neither heaven nor hell, but a hospital.

“Heaven has shown mercy, my son, you have finally awakened.” A well-dressed middle-aged lady gently strokes my cheeks, tears glistening in her affectionate eyes.

“Big brother, you were in a car accident and unconscious for three days. Mom stayed by your side for the entire three days.” The young woman behind her excitedly holds my hand. She calls me “Big Brother David.” No, my intuition tells me she must be mistaken, because I remember that I am a girl, currently studying in university.

“General Manager, we received Madam’s call and rushed over to visit you.” Several men and women dressed in formal uniforms with name badges pinned to their chests stand nearby. They must be senior staff from some company. But why do I have no impression of them at all?

“Thanks to Dr. Lin performing emergency surgery on you, you were saved. Bixian, you have no idea how worried your mother and all of us have been these past few days.”

This elegant lady speaking to me bears some resemblance to the other woman; they must be sisters. “Bixian? Is she calling me? I don’t remember my name being Bixian.” I feel a dull pain in my chest. Layers of gauze tightly wrap my head and torso, like a mummy emitting the smell of medicine. I reach out to pull at the bandages on my chest, wanting to loosen them because they make it hard for me to breathe. But at that moment, I discover that my breasts have “disappeared.”

This shock nearly makes me spring up from the bed. I cry out involuntarily, “My breasts are gone!” At the same time, I clearly hear that my voice has become deep. Yes, I have become a man—or rather, I am a genuine man. Everyone around me is startled by my sudden outcry. They exchange glances with one another, then cast at me looks of either pity or confusion.

Two days later, I begin to take liquid food. The woman who claims to be my “mother” and my “younger sister” take turns feeding me pork rib porridge and small fish porridge. Sitting by the bed, “Mother” gently recounts the words of the attending neurologist:

“During the car accident, the patient’s brain was injured. A malignant tumor in the occipital lobe of the brain ruptured. Although the blood clots and tumor tissue have been cleared, it may still result in damage to the memory region and memory loss. The doctor said that this is a blessing in disguise, because the malignant tumor in your brain was discovered in time. You need time to recover. Mother will not give you any pressure.”

This explanation seems both professional and reasonable, yet I remain half-convinced and half-doubtful. Becoming a man makes me extremely uncomfortable, especially urinating while standing. The only slight consolation is that “menstrual pain” is gone—men do not have the troublesome monthly cycle.

During this period, whenever “Mother” is absent, “younger sister” stays by my side. She is my “special nurse.” She is meticulous and orderly in everything she does. She takes out old photographs and videotapes of me with family members, classmates, colleagues, and girlfriends. One by one, she explains what I experienced in the past, answering all my questions. She says that since childhood, she has always been my follower, that I told her everything, including every girlfriend I ever dated—she knows them all.

These records—she clearly would not go through the trouble of fabricating them, and in fact, it would be impossible. Yet I still cannot accept this body: a head of thick hair, half a face of stubble, sharply defined features, a rugged and upright physique, and thick chest hair and leg hair.

2
“Madam, your son is still alive, but my only daughter, whom I depend on, lies on the hospital bed unconscious.”

I am awakened by a burst of agitated voices. I open my eyes and see the back of an elderly man standing at the doorway, his hair graying, of medium build, wearing a faded short-sleeved shirt and khaki pants.

“Mr. Ji, we are also victims of the car accident. Your daughter was merely an innocent bystander caught up in it. The prosecutor has also said that my son bears no responsibility.” My “mother” is arguing with him.

“But my daughter has become a vegetable! Meiru, you have suffered such injustice!” The voice sounds strangely familiar and intimate to my ears. Could this elderly man be…? “Meiru”—this name feels so familiar. Could it be my former…?

“Brother Ji, haven’t I already given you three hundred thousand yuan out of moral obligation, so you could arrange your daughter’s funeral? I have no obligation to support you.”

Hearing this leaves a bitter taste in my heart. This “mother” is actually so stingy.

“Why don’t you give the old gentleman a bit more money to settle down, Mom?” I speak timidly.

Hearing me call her, “Mother” turns around, looking at me with great joy. “Alright then, you can handle this matter yourself. Mother is so happy! Ever since you were injured and hospitalized, for an entire month, you have never spoken or called anyone. Mother thought, thought you no longer recognized me as your mother.” As she speaks with relief, tears flow unconsciously from her eyes.

I secretly decide that the first thing I will do after being discharged from the hospital is to visit Mr. Ji. I am eager to find out my true identity.

The road leading to the traditional three-section compound twists and turns, but my memory of it is perfectly clear. I direct the driver forward; he can also sense that I am thoroughly familiar with this area.

The familiar red-brick, black-tiled compound house stands before me. In the small flower bed at the entrance are the marguerite daisies I planted in the spring. Now they are budding, revealing snow-white petals. I am certain that this is my true home.

The one who opens the door to greet me is none other than Mr. Ji, his wrinkled old face so familiar to me. But I must restrain myself—for now, I cannot acknowledge him.

My elderly father opens the room. This is my Japanese-style boudoir. The furnishings remain exactly as before. On the wall, there is an additional “portrait photo” of me—the negative was taken just two months ago as a casual photograph. My whole body trembles uncontrollably. I am certain that I am “Ji Meiru.”

“These are all my daughter Meiru’s photo albums from her lifetime.” Mr. Ji places several large albums before me.

After flipping through only two pages, I can no longer restrain my emotions. Tears burst from my eyes.

“Mr. Chen, sir, what’s wrong with you?” My elderly father is utterly confused by my abnormal reaction.

I force myself to suppress my emotions. “I’m sorry, I lost my composure, old… old sir.”

After borrowing “Meiru’s” diary and photo albums from “Mr. Ji,” I leave that familiar home.

3
Under the urging of “Mother,” I returned to the company to “work”: an impostor general manager, “Chen Bixian.”

I secretly observe the gestures and movements of several male managers, even their facial expressions and hand gestures when they speak, from which I try to figure out how to “play” the role of general manager without exposing flaws from time to time.

This truly is a “difficult job.” First, I must explain why there is no ashtray on the desk, because “the doctor has instructed me that I must quit smoking.” Next, I also have to inform Secretary Miss Qin that during breakfast and afternoon tea time, I do not drink coffee, only fresh fruit juice.

I look very carefully at the documents on the desk. I also find a pile of old documents and diligently imitate “Chen Bixian’s” handwriting and the wording of his written approvals.

“Does it look similar? About seventy percent alike,” I feel that it is barely passable. The more troublesome part is some “forms” and professional terminology. Aside from the secretary, I cannot conveniently ask anyone else for guidance.

I tactfully explain to the secretary that after my injury from the car accident, my brain functions have not yet fully recovered, and some memories are temporarily lost. The secretary patiently answers my questions and gives general explanations. I actively cram knowledge with the secretary, to the extent that she must accompany me for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, while I repay her with Ferrero chocolates and several boxes of skincare products. She says to me, “Chairman, after you woke up from the car accident, your speech and behavior have changed a lot.”

“How so? In what ways am I different from before?” I ask, pretending to remain calm.

“Before, you always appeared dignified, strong, and full of confidence. When you spoke, you were aggressive and forceful, like a lion king, which made me feel a lot of pressure.” The secretary speaks with a serious expression.

“Then what about me now? Like a docile sheep?” I respond with a smile.

“Not exactly… it’s just that you are more gentle and approachable, much easier to get along with.” Secretary Qin’s expression is somewhat strange.

During management meetings, I listen carefully to the reports of the managers from various departments. At the same time, I take notes and must also nod and smile at the speakers at any moment. I try my best not to express concrete opinions on the reports, only saying vaguely and generally: “Manager so-and-so’s report is detailed,” “Manager so-and-so has shown initiative and deserves commendation.” Afterward, the secretary tells me that regarding my “responses,” at first some managers felt that I “did not seem to be fully engaged,” while others felt that my “noncommittal attitude” instead made them feel “it was too deep to fathom.” Their common view is: “The general manager does not seem to have fully recovered yet.” In fact, I can also infer all of this from the puzzled expressions on their faces.

4
At noon that day, I am lying face down on the desk, resting against a cushion for a nap, when suddenly a voice wakes me: “Get up, get up. Who are you? Why are you wearing my clothes and sitting in my seat?”

Drowsily, I lift my head. “Huh? No one.” I think it might be an auditory hallucination. But just as I am about to lie down again, the voice appears once more: “Who exactly are you? Why are you occupying my body?” This time, I do not think it is a hallucination, because the voice is inside this office.

I search around, but there is no suspicious hiding place at all. So I muster my courage and ask, “I am Chen Bixian. Who are you, playing a prank here?”

“I am Chen Bixian. You impostor, tell me honestly—who exactly are you?” The voice becomes increasingly stern.

I turn around and notice that in the dressing mirror behind my seat, the figure that looks exactly like “me” is pointing at me with one finger.

“So, you are here!” I ask, “You are Chen Bixian?”

“That’s right. Who are you? Why are you occupying my body?” The figure looks at me with resentment.

“I… I am Ji Meiru,” I say honestly, feeling as if a heavy burden has been lifted.

“How did you get into my body?”

“I’m not sure either. I only remember that I was riding a bicycle through an intersection when I was struck by a sedan that rolled over from the opposite lane. After I woke up in the hospital, I became what I am now.” I give a general explanation.

“I was the driver of that sedan,” he continues. “So you are that innocent passerby. When the car was violently rolling, my soul was thrown out of my body. I suppose that when you were run over by the car, your soul separated from your body, and in the chaos, it entered my body. When the ambulance arrived, my soul could not return to my body, so it had to attach itself to the crystal necklace I was wearing. At noon today, you removed that necklace and placed it on the desk. With the reflection of sunlight, I was projected onto the dressing mirror.”

“So that’s how it is. I thought I had encountered a ghost,” I say calmly with a faint smile.

“Since my body has already been occupied by you, I propose that we share this body.” He makes a suggestion.

“In fact, I am not willing to occupy your body,” I say with a bitter smile. “You are an entrepreneur. Your life is too busy. I am exhausted from rushing around.”

“Is that so?” He sneers, showing a hint of pride.

“Yes. I am just a female university student. I do not want to be any kind of general manager at all.” I look helpless.

He asks, “Then, is your body still there?”

“It is still there, lying paralyzed on a bed in a nursing home, completely unconscious.”

“Good. Take me there now. I will make do with using your body first.” His face reveals delight.

“Are you sure this will work?”

“It should. If we do not try, how will we know it will not work?”

So, under his guidance, I put on that crystal necklace and quickly leave the office. Even when the secretary asks where I am going, I do not turn back.

I sneak into the nursing home and steal a set of doctor’s clothes, disguising myself as a newly arrived physician. After sending the nurse away, following “Chen Bixian’s” instructions, I remove the crystal and place it on “Meiru’s” forehead. Suddenly, a point of light like a candle flame sinks from the crystal into the forehead. Soon, “Meiru’s” eyeballs gradually become lively.

“Help me sit up,” Meiru speaks.

I help “her” sit up; “her” body is extremely weak.

“This body cannot be used yet. You must help me with rehabilitation,” “she” says. She asks me to carry her on my back, and we quickly escape from the nursing home together. I temporarily settle “her” in “my home”: Mr. Ji’s traditional courtyard house.

I instruct “her” that, in order to avoid “complications arising from unnecessary developments,” I ask “her” to temporarily act as “Ji Meiru.” Once “her” body recovers, according to our agreement, I will arrange for “her” to enter the company as the “special assistant to the general manager,” allowing “her” to regain real power.

“Father,” upon seeing “Meiru” awaken, feels both delighted and confused. His daughter has been “retrieved,” but the “daughter” who has been retrieved is no longer the same as before, because this “daughter” complains constantly and often raises her voice at her old father.

5
As agreed, I arrange for “Meiru” to enter the company as the “special assistant to the general manager.” I become a puppet on strings, while “Meiru” becomes “the manipulating hand behind the scenes.” I am merely “Meiru’s” rubber stamp, responsible for stamping on her behalf. She orders me around arrogantly, and even in front of the managers, she often shows me no respect, making me feel deeply aggrieved.

My days become very dull, yet I cannot escape everything in front of me: identity, status, and responsibility. Every day I am like a spinning top rotating in place against my will, living a life as if my soul is not attached to my body. I often “zone out,” because I am simply “absent-minded.” I only wish that, if possible, I could “fall seriously ill,” hide in a hospital, and rest well. “Meiru” also seems to notice my loneliness; she suggests that after the company’s business settles down for a period, I should give myself a long vacation and travel abroad.

With “Meiru’s” special permission, I feel as if I have been granted a great pardon. Very quickly, I find an excuse to take a long leave: “to go abroad for a thorough brain examination.” “Mother” also agrees that this is something I must personally handle.

As a female university student from a poor family, I have to rely on part-time jobs to earn tuition and living expenses. “Going abroad” is a distant and unattainable dream for me, not to mention carrying “U.S. dollar traveler’s checks” and a “Citibank gold card.” Hawaii, Las Vegas, Hollywood… wherever I wish to wander freely, I can go. “Meiru” only requires that I must not damage “Chen Bixian’s” body—sooner or later, he will have to find a way to take it back.

6
As the two-month long vacation is nearing its end, “Meiru” calls my mobile phone from overseas to remind me to keep my promise and return to Taiwan on schedule. Otherwise, he will “at all costs, by any means, regardless of life or death, bring you back!” In that instant, I feel plunged into unprecedented despair, because before long I will have to fly across the Pacific Ocean and return to that tiny island crowded with people and vehicles, to once again live a life of being manipulated every day, no different from a walking corpse. I decide not to bow to fate. I want to escape the control of “Mother” and “Meiru” and live the life I like.

I use traveler’s checks to buy some gold bars, then immediately exchange them for a large amount of cash. Next, I go to buy a used car, a forged Chinese passport, two bags of plasma of the same blood type as mine, and a sharp knife. I drive the car onto a bridge and, under the cover of night, stage it as a murder scene: a suit and shirt stained with plasma and torn with holes are left on the driver’s seat of the car; a short piece of cut tie hangs from the car window; the passport is scattered beside the car door; a pair of shoes lies separately near the guardrail.

The next day’s evening newspaper indeed reports this “suspected homicide case”: a young man surnamed Chen from Taiwan is suspected to have been murdered by criminals and his body dumped into the river. “Traveler’s checks, gold card, and mobile phone” may have been robbed. The county police department has already dispatched personnel to search downstream of the river for the victim.

I wear a wig and brown sunglasses, carry a guitar on my back, and put on a floral shirt, dressing like a flashy Mexican. Taking a long-distance bus from New York to Seattle, I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Arriving in Seattle, I rent a studio apartment near Seattle University and begin to plan my future life. I intend to first undergo plastic surgery to change my appearance, then take elective credits at the university, and afterward apply for admission, step by step realizing my dream: to become a pianist.

7
My “mother” publishes “missing person notices” in several newspapers. She believes that I am still alive, because the police have not found the body or any suspect who might be involved in the case.

I have gradually become accustomed to being a “man,” although my landlord and classmates find it unbelievable that, despite my rugged appearance, I have somewhat “effeminate” manners. Occasionally, after using the restroom, when I forget to tuck “that thing” back into my trousers and hastily pull up the zipper, the zipper catches the foreskin, causing me pain for quite a while.

In this way, I live peacefully and happily for two years. I am currently taking graduate-level music courses. However, something unexpected still happens.

My “younger sister” actually crosses the ocean to the United States and is also admitted to the same university.

On the day I encounter “younger sister,” I am dining in the school cafeteria. From the adjacent table comes a familiar laughter that catches my attention. I stare intently for a long while. “My God!” I shout inwardly, “the world is truly crowded—could that girl be ‘younger sister’?” To confirm, I order another milkshake and sit back, secretly observing her for quite some time. Later, I recall that “younger sister” often wears a certain brand of perfume. I pretend to walk past her seat. “That’s right, it’s this scent.” I smell the perfume on her body. This scent had been deeply imprinted in my olfactory memory when I was hospitalized.

I find out “younger sister’s” major and where she is staying, and I am just about to find time to approach her. At night, I work as a pianist in a pub in the city. That very night, I run into “younger sister” again. She is sitting at the bar drinking with another girl who also has an East Asian face. Before long, several boys gather around them. Judging by their slovenly appearance, they must be local hooligans. The boys keep teasing them with words and gestures.

When “younger sister” goes to the restroom, among those hooligans, someone actually takes out a capsule and mixes the powder into the drink. I see this scene clearly from the stage.

As soon as I finish playing a piece, I immediately pretend to have a stomachache, inform the manager, and rush to the front of the women’s restroom. As soon as “younger sister” comes out, I call out to her: “Vivian, I am your brother, David.”

“Younger sister” looks at me with drunken, hazy eyes, her expression seemingly full of confusion.

“David? Your voice sounds like his, but your appearance does not,” she says unsteadily, waving her hand.

I grab her arm and pull her toward a corner. “Younger sister, look—this crystal necklace.” I take off the crystal necklace hanging around my neck and hold it before her eyes.

“You—why do you have this crystal necklace?” She seems half sober, staring at the necklace and then at me in astonishment.

“I really am David. Look carefully again. I have undergone plastic surgery.” I move my face closer for her to examine clearly.

“You… really are my brother? I must be drunk.” For a moment, she still cannot believe that the person standing before her is me. “Are you really David? Two years ago, didn’t you already…?”

“It’s a long story. I will explain it to you later.” I drag her toward the back door, because at this moment two hooligans are already walking toward us. “Come with me first. They have put drugs in your drink.”

“Where are you taking me?” As I pull her out, I drag her along and run. But the two hooligans move quickly, catching up and blocking the entrance of the alley. Both of them pull out knives and shout loudly at me.

From the back pocket of my trousers, I take out a can of anti-wolf spray and hide it behind me. As soon as they approach within effective range, I spray it onto their faces with lightning speed. They are caught off guard and cover their faces in pain. I kick one of them in the groin, then push the other into the wall. At this moment, several more hooligans chase out from the back door. I quickly pull “younger sister,” step over the fallen hooligans, rush out of the alley to the parking lot, jump into my car, close the door, and start the engine. By then, the pursuing hooligans have already blocked the way. Without hesitation, I slam the accelerator, knock down two of them, and break through.

“That was close!” “Younger sister” sticks out her tongue playfully. “But it was really exciting!”

“You—are you completely sober now?” I pinch her chin.

“Yes, I sobered up from being scared.”

“Now, do you believe that I am your big brother?”

“I believe half of it. The other half, I do not understand.”

“Oh? The half you do not understand—I will explain it to you when we get back to my dormitory.”

“Really? Big brother is taking little sister back to open a room?” “Younger sister” shows an ambiguous expression.

“You! Stop talking nonsense like that.” I smile and scold her softly.

“Brother, how did you become like this old gentleman?”

“It’s a long story. When we get back to the dormitory, I will tell it from the beginning. Now, let me focus on driving. I am afraid those hooligans will chase after us desperately.”

“Alright, I will not talk. You focus on driving, brother.” “Younger sister” leans sideways and closes her eyes, dozing off.

8
“Brother, why does your room smell so fragrant? And why is there pink wallpaper on the walls?” As soon as my younger sister enters my room, she asks curiously.

“I like pink. It feels warm.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize that I have “let the cat out of the bag.”

“That’s not right, not right at all, big brother. You used to like deep blue.” My younger sister shakes her finger suspiciously.

“Let’s not talk about that. First, tell me about the situation at home!” I quickly change the subject.

“Sigh! These past two years, Mom has been living very tired and very unhappy.” My younger sister sighs.

“Your mom,” I pause for a moment, “how is Mom?”

“Brother, ever since your accident, Mom has often been depressed and unhappy. She has always believed that you are only missing. More than once she has said: whether alive or dead, she must see you. She even came all the way to the United States to identify bodies whenever she received a notification call from the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s International Division. Every time, I accompanied her.”

“That must have been hard on her.” I feel a trace of reluctance in my heart.

“In the past, Mom had very high expectations of us, which made her seem strict. That was because she had to play both mother and father, carrying the entire family business on her shoulders. In the company, Mom is a true strong woman. But since your accident, she often cries in front of me and even says discouraging things like, ‘My son is gone, what is the point of my continuing to live?’ All I can do is cry along with her.”

“Oh?” I think to myself that this “overbearing” mother actually has a soft side in her heart. The power of familial affection in this world surpasses everything. I think of “Meiru,” that detestable brat: “What about my special assistant, Miss Meiru?”

“Meiru? That lunatic—she actually declared in front of the managers that she herself is the general manager, and she made up a whole pile of nonsense.” At the mention of “Meiru,” my younger sister shows a look of disdain. “At first, Mom was almost fooled by her and nearly believed all her absurd lies.”

“What happened afterward?” I ask with great interest.

“Later, Mom discovered that that woman was extremely ambitious. She even colluded with several board directors, trying to force Mom to step down.”

“So impatient?” I secretly laugh to myself, thinking, “Chen Bixian, sooner or later the entire company will be yours—why rush and end up breaking the bowl?”

“This matter was secretly reported to Mom by a loyal senior director. So Mom struck first and expelled Meiru from the company. Her scheme failed. Afterward, when Mom was investigating Meiru’s plan to seize power and her network, she unexpectedly discovered that after your disappearance, Meiru actually hired an assassin to come to the United States to deal with you, because he suspected that you had used the cicada’s slough trick—feigning death.” My younger sister’s words are shocking. I secretly feel fortunate that I “ran away” one step ahead; otherwise, I would have been in great trouble.

“Is Meiru really that ruthless?” I continue to ask.

“Yes. ‘The most poisonous heart is a woman’s,’ that’s what Mom says.” My younger sister rarely looks so serious.

I almost cannot help but laugh. “Really? Isn’t Mom herself the same?” As soon as I say it, I realize I have said the wrong thing again.

“Ha!” My younger sister bursts into laughter. “That’s right. Mom is truly a Wu Zetian.”

“Oh? You also agree with my statement?” I smile, letting out a sigh of relief.

9
“Brother, that car accident really injured you quite badly!” My younger sister smiles as she uses a wet towel to wipe my face. I am still half asleep.

“The aftereffects are still here even now. You’ve become like a different person.” My younger sister complains softly. “The whole night, you didn’t grope me at all. Your little sister feels quite unaccustomed to it.”

“I was sleeping like the dead. How could I go and grope you?” With my eyes half closed, my brain still seems not fully switched on.

“You didn’t even let me touch you. You even reached out to press down on my hand—so stingy! When we were young and slept in the same bed, you would touch my face, and you would also let me touch your chest.”

“When I sleep, I’m not used to being touched randomly. It disrupts my dreams,” I mumble drowsily.

“Brother, I think you should come back with me to see Mom. She will find a way to make you fully recover.”

“Really? I think forget it. In my current state, I will never return.” As I speak, I suddenly feel a trace of sorrow in my heart, and I become half awake.

“Don’t be so pessimistic, brother. Mom will do her best to help you think of a solution.” My younger sister comforts me, then says, “You should also go back to Taiwan to visit Mom, shouldn’t you? She loves you so much.”

“Wait until this semester ends, alright? It’s only a little over two months. Sister, let me first bring my studies to a temporary close and adjust my state of mind. Then I will accompany you back to Taiwan.”

“Alright then, brother, don’t go back on your word!” My younger sister smiles happily.

“I won’t go back on it. Don’t worry.”

“Then accompany me back to the dormitory to move my luggage. I will move here this afternoon to live with you.”

“That’s not very good. My studio apartment is so small—it will be very crowded,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter. The smaller it is, the more it feels like a honeymoon.” My younger sister teases.

“What honeymoon? You’re thinking too much!” I smile and lightly tap her forehead.

“Otherwise, why are you sleeping on a double bed? Unless on odd days you drink almond tea, on even days you eat grass jelly, and on weekends you occasionally have that soft, jiggly aiyu jelly—changing cows of different skin colors every day.” The more she talks, the more outrageous it becomes; she practically describes me as a gigolo.

“Nonsense. I keep myself clean and disciplined. I pass through a forest of flowers without a single leaf touching me.”

“Without a single leaf? I’m not wronging you. In the past, you often brought different girls back to the company dormitory to spend the night. I just pretended not to see.”

“Is that so? You’re becoming more and more frivolous in your speech—just like Ah Zhen. Be careful, or you won’t be able to get married in the future.” The more anxious I become, the more my tongue stumbles.

“Brother, even your speech suddenly short-circuits. And you still say your body has no problem?” My younger sister laughs heartily, like brilliant fireworks blooming in the night sky. “I never planned to get married anyway. In the future, I’ll just be your housekeeper. Following you, I’ll have food and a place to sleep—eating sister-in-law’s food and sleeping with big brother. How blissful!”

“Forget it, I can’t win against you. I might as well become a priest, so that if you turn into an old spinster, even God won’t blame me.” I pinch my younger sister’s soft buttocks. Her face immediately flushes into a pair of rosy blossoms.

“Such a troublesome, mischievous little girl!” I sigh softly.

10
Only two days after my younger sister moved in with me, “Mother” suddenly appeared at my door.

My younger sister and I were both startled. She looked at me with innocent eyes and said, “I didn’t notify Mom, David, please believe me.”

“I followed the signal emitted from your sister’s earrings all the way here. It has nothing to do with your sister. I know she just moved in to live with you.” Mother explained gently. It turns out that my younger sister’s earrings were actually a miniature listening device.

“Mom, I’m sorry.” I step forward to embrace her, but my movement is stiff. Toward this woman before me, my fear outweighs my affection.

“Tell me, who exactly are you?” In Mother’s gentle tone, there is a hint of cold sternness, making me not dare to lie. “I am Ji Meiru. Please forgive me.”

“Hmm, you are very honest. On that point alone, I do not wish to further pursue how your soul attached itself to my son.” Mother continues, “Actually, both your sister and I are AI biochemical humans produced by biochemical technology. I am the first-generation X type; your sister is the second-generation Y type improved by me. Biochemical Doctor Chen Zisheng created me, and you are a clone personally replicated by Doctor Zisheng.”

Mother’s words are shocking. My younger sister and I are both stunned speechless. I think to myself, “How could I be the doctor’s clone?”

Mother looks at me with a loving expression and says, “From your expression, I know the confusion in your heart.”

I nod foolishly with a smile.

Mother continues, “Son—no, Miss Ji Meiru, I do not know how your brainwaves entered David’s body at that time. But it is clear that the female special assistant you brought in is an ambitious woman. She actually fantasized about replacing me and controlling the entire Chen Biotech Company. This is absolutely unforgivable. I have already demagnetized her brainwaves and frozen her body.”

My younger sister and I are so horrified that we cannot speak.

“The main program in a biochemical human’s brain—the most important element is absolute loyalty and obedience to the family leader. Next comes affection and trust toward family members. Miss Meiru, although you are not of my kind, your noble moral character has earned my acceptance and appreciation. I intend to let you, with a male identity and the delicate, soft yet resilient thinking of a female, serve as my right hand and eventually become my successor.”

“But I still want to become a woman again. I hate the feeling of being a man. I cannot wear charming clothes, cannot use cosmetics that make me radiant and beautiful, cannot express a gentle temperament to receive the tender care of men. In any case, I simply do not like being a man.” Finally, I bravely dig out all the words buried deep in my heart. I long to obtain true freedom for my soul.

“This is not something you can decide, Miss Meiru. At present, I have no way to return your soul to ‘Meiru’s’ body. However, if you follow me and learn well, you will have the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of power, control all the resources of the biotech company, and wield great influence. That female assistant’s body is not a biochemical human. When the company develops transplantation technology, perhaps you may be able to return to your own body.”

I nod helplessly and say, “It seems I have no other choice. But I still want to make this request: please allow me, after work hours, to freely choose to be a woman.”

Mother smiles gently and kindly. “When you dress as a woman, even the ugliest woman who sees you will immediately regain her confidence.” Then she adds, “If you happen to be arrested by the police, just say you are a transvestite.”

“Mom, your joke is so cold!” My younger sister says from the side, giggling strangely.

11
Two months later, I obtain a master’s degree in music and a diploma in piano performance. Mother urges my younger sister and me to return to Taiwan together. On the phone, she says she will arrange for me to take over the company.

Upon returning to Taiwan, what awaits me is a “nightmare.”

Mother personally tells me, “Back then, the clone created by Doctor Zisheng himself was a pair of twins. In other words, there is still a brother in this world who looks exactly like you.” She continues, “In those years, the doctor’s laboratory was invaded and set on fire by enemies. Taking advantage of the chaos, they kidnapped the female assistant and your brother. Your brother was raised by those enemies. Now, incited by them, he has brought a group of gang members to our door, demanding that I hand over the management rights of the company.”

“Mom, what do you want me to do?” I ask uneasily.

“Since they are targeting us, a man without ruthlessness cannot stand firm. We must strike first and send combat biochemical humans to eliminate them.” A trace of cold and sharp killing intent flashes in her eyes, making my hair stand on end. Toward this “mother” before me, it seems that I am left only with “fear.”

My younger sister, who appears gentle on the outside, turns out to be the actual executor of the entire operation codenamed “Dragon Hunt.” Yet I have been deceived by Mother all along, until I accidentally encounter my brother after a police arrest operation.

On a Friday evening, after finishing reviewing documents, I drive alone to the mountains to soak in a hot spring. Just after the bath, as I drive down the mountain road, I am blocked at a fork by two police vehicles. I roll down the window. The uniformed officer outside stares at me, and behind him stand two plainclothes detectives.

“Officer, I haven’t been drinking.” I assume it is a routine drunk-driving checkpoint and immediately reach into the pocket of my suit jacket to take out my identification.

“Sir, please step out of the vehicle.” The officer says.

As soon as I push open the car door, I am yanked out by him. The two plainclothes officers behind him move swiftly. Before I can understand what is happening, one of them restrains my wrist with a grappling technique and immediately handcuffs me.

“We finally caught you, Black Dragon! Heh, you’ve walked the night road too often—you were bound to fall into the hands of our criminal investigation team.” The plainclothes officer who handcuffs me sneers.

“I am not the person you are trying to catch. My name is Chen Bixian. I am the general manager of Wiki Biotech Company.” I explain anxiously.

“Cut the nonsense. Don’t try any tricks.” The plainclothes officer grabs my shoulders and suddenly drives his knee hard into my abdomen, causing me to double over in pain.

“Take him back to headquarters. Our brothers will take good care of you, Black Dragon,” says the other plainclothes officer.

I am immediately hooded with a black cloth. Like throwing a dead pig, they lift me up and throw me into the police vehicle.

In the interrogation room, a glaring desk lamp shines directly at me. Two plainclothes officers stand behind me.

The “captain” in front of me tightens my collar and presses my face against the table, saying, “A wise man knows when to submit. Black Dragon, I suggest you cooperate obediently and honestly tell us your operation details and the location of your hideout, to avoid physical suffering!”

“I am not the Black Dragon you are trying to catch. You—you have arrested the wrong person!” I think they must have mistaken me for my twin brother, the gang leader.

“You’re still arguing. Even if you turned to ashes, I would still recognize you. Look—this scar on my cheek is a gift from you two years ago.” He leans his face close, reeking of cigars.

“I really am not Black Dragon. You have arrested the wrong person.” I repeat again and again.

That man loses patience. He immediately grabs my hair from the back of my head and slaps me hard across the face twice, the blows hot and stinging, making my vision spin with stars.

“I said I’m not Black Dragon, not the gang leader you’re trying to catch!” Timid as I am, I cover my cheeks and speak in fear. My explanation immediately earns me a rain of punches and kicks.

I am beaten down onto the floor, feeling as if a layer of skin has been peeled off, the pain unbearable.

“Strip off his shirt!” the captain orders.

With a ripping sound, all the buttons of my shirt burst open in an instant.

“Captain, this is strange—why is there no legendary nine-headed dragon tattoo on this guy’s chest?” one plainclothes officer says.

“Oh?” The captain leans in closer and stares at me carefully.

“Captain, could it be that we’ve arrested the wrong person?” the plainclothes officer says.

“Lock this guy up first, then we’ll figure it out!” The captain’s face turns alternately pale and flushed, as if he is also confused.

“I request to make a phone call to my family,” I say.

“Wait until you’re sent to the District Prosecutors Office, then we’ll talk!” The captain has already begun to realize that they may have arrested the wrong person, but he refuses to lose face.

After nearly two hours of interrogation, I have already been beaten until my face is bruised and swollen, my entire body aching. My tie and sleeves have been torn and ripped, and then I am violently kicked into a cell.

Inside the narrow detention cell, it is actually packed with a group of fierce-looking men.

Someone recognizes me. A guy with tattoos all over his chest and arms, a crew cut, and a brutish face says, “Boss Black Dragon, how come even you got caught and locked in here? You’re really unlucky! Rumor in the underworld says that the boss of the Nine Dragons Society, Black Dragon—feared even by ghosts—has always acted in secrecy and has never failed or stumbled. Your bounty in the authorities’ circles is worth twenty million!”

“I’m not Black Dragon. You’ve got the wrong person!” I say irritably.

“Really? You’re afraid that news of your capture will spread in the underworld, so you’re deliberately denying it. Am I wrong?” That guy stares at me, examining me back and forth.

“I’m not the boss you’re talking about, and I’ve never heard of this Nine Dragons Society.”

After I say this, that guy seems to sense something from me and says, “How can someone look this similar? Let me see the tattoo on your chest.”

I hesitate slightly, thinking, “I am now in a man’s body. If he wants to see, then let him see.” So I lift my shirt, whose buttons have already been torn off, revealing a chest and abdomen bruised and purple. At this moment, several guys have already gathered around to watch.

“Heh heh, brothers from all sides, come take a look—this Black Dragon’s chest actually doesn’t have the legendary nine-headed dragon tattoo? What a strange thing—there are strange things every year, but this is the first one this year!” That guy calls out loudly.

Among the crowd, there is a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a powdered face who says to me, “Young man, if you’re not Black Dragon, how can you look exactly like him?”

“I don’t know either. Maybe it’s just a coincidence—just somewhat similar?” I deliberately pretend to be foolish, because I remember that “Mother” repeatedly emphasized that my lost brother “Black Dragon” is ruthless in his actions and extremely capable, even having informants within the police. I do not want Black Dragon to hear that I have been caught by the criminal investigation team, lest I end up falling into his hands. So I can only stubbornly keep denying it.

The next day, I am transferred to the District Prosecutors Office. After further interrogation, my identity is finally confirmed.

“Mr. Chen, we are sorry. After verification with your family, it is indeed a misunderstanding. If there has been any offense, we ask for your understanding. Your sister will come to pick you up shortly,” the prosecutor says with a face full of apology.

“I’ve already been beaten into this state by your plainclothes officers, and you want to settle it with just ‘a misunderstanding’? If you don’t give me an explanation, we’ll settle this later!” I say, filled with anger.

“I will sign an order to discipline those reckless men and give you an explanation!” the prosecutor says.

12
At the entrance of the District Prosecutors Office, a black BMW sedan drives in.

Three young men step out of the car. They are wearing standard company employee suits.

“General Manager, the Old Madam has sent us to bring you back to the company,” the leader says.

“Hm? Why haven’t I seen you before in the company?” I ask suspiciously, becoming wary.

“We are the latest batch of improved F2 models. The General Manager probably hasn’t seen us.”

“F2” is the designation for second-generation combat biochemical humans. I have only heard my sister mention them briefly and indeed have not seen them before. I am half-convinced, half-doubtful, and still do not dare to get into their car rashly.

“General Manager, this is our identification code.” The leading young man lifts the hair at the back of his head, presses a hidden button, and a row of product codes indeed appears on his forehead. They use this to gain my trust.

Unexpectedly, even with such vigilance, I still get into the “bandits’ car.”

The car leaves the Nantou District Prosecutors Office, but instead of heading toward the city—which is the direction back to the company—it goes onto the Puli-Wushe Highway toward Wushe. Instinctively, I realize I have gotten into the wrong car.

“This direction isn’t right, is it? Who exactly sent you?” I ask uneasily.

“Don’t worry, brother. We have no ill intentions toward you. We are members of the Nine Dragons Society. Boss Black Dragon sent us to pick you up—he wants to talk to you.” The leading young man adds, “Do you know why we didn’t blindfold you?”

I shake my head.

“Our boss Black Dragon said that after he talks with you, he believes you won’t betray him, because you are his blood brother.”

I let out a long “Oh,” thinking, “What exactly does Black Dragon want to talk to me about?”

The car twists and turns along mountain paths. Only when night falls do we turn into the back mountain of a countryside chicken restaurant, arriving at a secluded three-section compound hidden in the woods.

The subordinates lead me inside. “Black Dragon” is reclining on a bed, his chest wrapped in bandages. It seems his injuries are not light.

“Brother, you are my brother,” Black Dragon says with difficulty, coughing.

“You are Black Dragon?” I ask. Facing this mysterious underworld boss, I feel only concern, not the slightest fear.

“Yes. I am Chen Bixheng, known in the underworld as Black Dragon, the one feared even by ghosts.”

“You are injured.”

“Last night, your sister led a team of assassins to launch a surprise attack on the Nine Dragons Society headquarters in Puli. We lost more than half of our brothers.” Black Dragon smiles bitterly. “To cover their retreat, I took two bullets.”

“My sister? That can’t be!” I ask in disbelief.

“Yes. Your sister was the commander of the entire attack, and she is a second-generation biochemical human. The mastermind is your mother—the first-generation biochemical human codenamed ‘Witch.’”

“They… why do they want to deal with you and the Nine Dragons Society?” I ask, puzzled.

“They don’t want us brothers to recognize each other and join forces against them.” Black Dragon continues, “Thirty years ago, the biochemical human ‘Witch,’ out of love turned to hatred, killed our father and destroyed his biochemical laboratory. I was taken away in time by our mother, but you were left behind and raised by the enemy as your mother.”

“Oh?” For a moment, I do not know how to face this cruel truth.

“Perhaps right now, it is hard for you to believe what I’m saying. But brother, I hope you will accept it soon.” Tears glisten in Black Dragon’s eyes.

I gather my courage and say, “Actually, I am really not Chen Bixian, not your brother. My true identity is Ji Meiru, a woman with a timid and gentle personality.”

Black Dragon looks at me in confusion and says, “Brother, the hatred of killing one’s father cannot be shared under the same sky. How can you stand by and do nothing?”

I patiently recount the entire sequence of events in detail.

“So that’s how it is. Sigh! No matter what, you are ultimately still my brother.” Black Dragon lets out a long sigh.

“Black Dragon, although I am an impostor Chen Bixian, I am willing to resolve the enmity between you and the Witch.”

“You are too naive, brother. The Witch will never let us go. This is a life-and-death struggle—a feud between the biochemical humans and us.”

“Then what do you want me to do, Black Dragon?”

“If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you get the tiger’s cub? Go back to the company as an undercover agent. Find an opportunity to obtain the set of control passwords in the main computer. Then I will be able to destroy these biochemical humans and prevent them from continuing to do evil.”

I hesitate for a while, then reluctantly say, “Alright, I promise you.”

Black Dragon grips my hand, tears glinting in his eyes. “Brother, I will provide you with the necessary support. I have placed loyal agents inside the company. Also, I must tell you—there is a section in a manual left to me by Father about the technique of soul exchange.”

“The technique of soul exchange?” I think I have heard wrong.

“That’s right! I have a way to help you return to your female body.”

“But my body—hasn’t it already…” I doubt whether I am falling wishfully into another trap.

“Don’t worry. Your original female body—I have already had my subordinates retrieve it and keep it preserved at low temperature in the laboratory at the Black Dragon Society’s base.”

“In order to return to my female body, even if it is a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den, I must force my way through.” I say this to myself.

Fantasy Short Story “Inverted Dream”
∕ Chen Qingyang

13

On the car ride back to the company, I tried to throw my chaotic thoughts into the trash can of reason, leaving only one idea in my mind: “I must find that set of soul codes as soon as possible. I detest becoming a puppet on strings for any side.”

I was sent back to the company, and the bruises all over my body became my protective talisman. The Witch and my “sister” did not ask why I had been delayed for two hours; instead, they inquired about my injuries with concern.

“I was stopped by a police surveillance vehicle, then taken to the Nantou District Prosecutors Office for interrogation. The criminal police seemed to have mistaken me for a gang leader named Black Dragon. Then I was interrogated repeatedly and beaten over and over. Finally, they discovered that there was no dragon tattoo on my chest, and only then did they release me.” I reported the first half of the events truthfully, and as expected, it convinced my “mother” and “sister.”

“How could those cops be so heavy-handed?” My sister touched the wounds on my face, her eyes filled with reluctance and distress.

“They were convinced that your brother was that Nine-Dragon, so they resorted to torture for a confession.” The Witch “mother” also wore a face full of tender concern. These two ruthless false mother and daughter could act so naturally and convincingly in front of me, yet I could feel that they had no intention of provoking the police on my behalf; they merely comforted me verbally.

“From now on, don’t go out alone anymore. I’ll assign a few agile subordinates to follow you, so as to avoid any trouble.” This move of “mother’s” was indeed brilliant—openly placing me under surveillance. I restrained myself and pretended to be an obedient and well-behaved child. I knew that the success or failure of this mission depended not only on my acting skills, but more importantly on my patience. I had to wait until the mother and daughter gradually lowered their guard, find the best opportunity to obtain the soul code, and then escape as soon as possible, leaving this dragon’s lair and tiger’s den.

There were four biochemical bodyguards assigned to watch me, but the one who truly gave me a headache was my “sister.” She was like a lump of sticky taffy, clinging to my sight all day long. Even when I bathed or went to the restroom, she watched me closely. My sister never played tricks on me; she liked to serve me, because I was her only companion. With no better option, I had no choice but to make use of her to carry out my mission.

Taking advantage of “mother” being abroad, I asked my sister to take me into the main computer control room. She readily agreed. That place was a forbidden zone for company employees, heavily guarded. In addition to several checkpoints equipped with lethal laser beams, one also had to pass through a long corridor, which, according to my sister, was filled with deadly traps—so much so that even a fly could not get through.

Entering the control room, what came into view was a large supercomputer and a robot responsible for monitoring it. The computer’s mainframe was connected to a control box. Inside the box was a mass of something. I stared at it for a while before realizing that it was a living human brain. It was truly unbelievable!

“My God! Even if I were a computer prodigy, finding that set of soul codes would probably take quite some effort…” I muttered inwardly. However, something miraculous happened—the supercomputer actually detected my presence, and it seemed to bear no hostility toward me.

“Child, you have finally arrived!” On the LCD screen of the computer, a person who looked exactly like me suddenly appeared. At that moment, I understood that he was the founder of the company: Dr. Chen Zisheng. In such a setting, this “father-and-son reunion” scene left my heart filled with mixed emotions.

At this moment, my sister beside me said softly, “Actually, I should have brought you here long ago. Father has always been thinking of you.” My sister took my right hand and placed it on the sensing panel.

“Child, I can feel you. You have a very kind heart. I can finally lay down the burden on my shoulders. From this moment on, you are my successor. All the biochemical beings in the company will obey your command.” The doctor on the screen wore a loving smile, and the supercomputer actually began executing a shutdown command amid that laughter.

It turned out that my kind heart was precisely that crucial soul code. This development was completely beyond my expectations.

14

When I opened my eyes, Black Dragon’s facial features were pressed against my retina.

“Ji Meiru, do you recognize me? I am Black Dragon.”

I propped myself up into a sitting position and found that I had indeed returned to my original appearance. It felt as though I had just had a strange and inverted dream…

Black Dragon said, “Your mother and sister have come to see you, as well as your father, Mr. Ji.”

“Mother and sister? What exactly is going on?” My face was full of confusion.

Black Dragon said casually, “The soul codes of those two have already been reset. They will not do bad things anymore.”

It felt wonderful to be a woman again. However, sometimes I would subconsciously walk into the men’s restroom, attracting sideways glances and teasing from the men.

“This woman has a voyeuristic tendency?”

“This lady came to the bird park to watch birds…”

Hearing the laughter and scolding behind me, I flushed red and fled in embarrassment. However, my misfortune had not yet ended…

One afternoon, during a thunderstorm, the rain came heavily and suddenly. I held sheet music over my head to shield myself from the rain and hid under the shade of a row of large trees. At that moment, a handsome man holding a black umbrella walked toward me and kindly sheltered me from the rain. The two of us stood close together.

The man said, “This afternoon thunderstorm should stop soon, right?”

Looking at the curtain of rain, in my mind arose the folk singer Zheng Yi’s song “The Rain Came at Just the Right Time.” Unexpectedly, a white flash of lightning struck down, and the electric current passed through the tip of the umbrella and into both of our bodies. I instantly lost consciousness…

After an unknown amount of time, I slowly regained consciousness and found myself lying on a burn ward bed, my face and body wrapped in gauze. My whole body burned with searing pain, as if being gnawed by hundreds and thousands of ants.

A nurse led a group of people to my bedside.

One of them said, “The male lead has ended up like this—can our film still start shooting tomorrow?”

Another said, “It looks like Zhiming is seriously injured this time. We’ll have to temporarily replace him.”

“Male lead? Zhiming? Temporarily replace him?” I quickly reached out to touch my chest, instinctively fearing that the nightmare had happened again…

I cried out involuntarily, “Miss Nurse, my breasts—have they disappeared again?”

(End)