The Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old Magical Child

Berry is a four-year-old witch living in the impoverished Nange Town, where she survives by foraging for magical resources like Fluffseed and Scarletberries. Despite her young age, she possesses grand ambitions to become the greatest witch in the world. During an early winter foraging trip, Berry discovers a rare, glowing white Scarletberry deep in the forest. Upon touching the fruit, she is engulfed in a blinding light and transported across dimensions, landing directly on Feng Ci, an eighteen-year-old resident of a modern cyberpunk metropolis known as City A. Feng Ci, who had just returned home after a teenage brawl and a bout of fever, wakes up to find a dirty, flying child in his apartment. Initially believing her to be a trespasser or part of a scam, he is stunned when Berry reveals her magic by summoning a flying broomstick named Xiuxiu.

Feng Ci, a wealthy but socially isolated young man with a cold temperament and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, refuses to take Berry to the police, fearing the public spectacle of a flying child would ruin his reputation. Instead, he strikes a temporary arrangement: Berry may stay in his guest room for one month, provided she follows his strict rules, which include no crying, no entering his private rooms, and no causing trouble. In exchange, Feng Ci agrees to help her find a way back to her world. Berry, who believes Feng Ci is a kidnapped groom of a dark wizard due to her ignorance of modern society, attempts to repay him by performing household chores and brewing magic potions. Her attempts at domestic help often result in chaos, such as when she accidentally floods the bathroom with magic bubbles or creates a foul-tasting potion that Feng Ci is forced to consume.

As the days pass, the dynamic between the two shifts from mutual suspicion to a reluctant coexistence. Feng Ci is forced to adapt his sterile, minimalist lifestyle to accommodate a magical child, teaching her how to use modern appliances like washing machines, smart toilets, and robot vacuums. Berry, in turn, is fascinated by the technology of the modern world, mistaking robots for headless dogs and cola for a biting poison. Despite her magical abilities, Berry is still a child with limited motor skills and understanding of the human world, leading to frequent misunderstandings and comedic mishaps. Feng Ci’s friends, including Zhang Mai, visit and are bewildered by the presence of the little witch, further complicating Feng Ci’s attempt to keep her existence secret.

The core conflict revolves around Berry’s desire to return home and Feng Ci’s determination to rid himself of the burden, albeit with growing, albeit hidden, concern for the child’s well-being. Feng Ci discovers that Berry’s hands are scarred from years of hard labor and that she comes from a background of extreme poverty, which softens his initially harsh demeanor. He begins to provide her with proper clothing, food, and care, while simultaneously searching for magical fruits similar to the white Scarletberry that brought her there, hoping to reverse the spell. The story follows their daily interactions as they navigate cultural and dimensional differences, with Berry’s innocent perspective challenging Feng Ci’s cynical view of the world. As the month progresses, Feng Ci finds himself increasingly invested in Berry’s safety and happiness, even as he continues to claim he is only helping her to remove a nuisance. The narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their bond and the eventual resolution of Berry’s displacement, balancing elements of fantasy, slice-of-life comedy, and subtle emotional development.