Leader, please believe me. I study hard and improve daily. I’m mentally healthy and sunny with others. Sure, this program’s theme looks a bit off, but it’s really, really not what you think. I have my own purpose and depth—don’t just fixate on the negatives, like…

After the gala, I walked toward the school leaders, my mind in turmoil. I scrambled to weave a convincing excuse with my liberal arts flair. But when I reached them, the vice principal just glanced at me and said flatly, “Arrange someone to clean the stage. You’ve worked hard.”

Huh? They’re letting me off?

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Yejia Yin. She deliberately winked at me like a secret signal. I got it—she must’ve put in a good word for me, and her words carried weight.

Anyway, the lily-themed drama crisis seemed temporarily resolved. It was late. The leaders grabbed their briefcases and left one by one. Only a dozen of us staff and a few volunteer cleaners remained on the messy playground.

Yejia Yin had already left after saying goodbye minutes ago. Whatever her schemes were, it was way too late now. I looked up at the half-moon shrouded in dark clouds, then at Qingli beside me. Exhaustion washed over me.

“Qingli, head back first. I’ll find you tomorrow.”

“But…” Her eyes flicked to the chaotic stage—her willingness to help was obvious.

“Go on. It’s fine. We’re plenty here. Besides, if you stay to help, I’d struggle to explain it to others.”

After some persuasion, I finally sent her off. I gathered everyone and started assigning tasks.

“You, and you three—sweep the playground trash. Those three over there, take down the lights. The group beside you, dismantle the speakers. Two or three of you, move the podium and then the stands… Oh, you have the warehouse key? Right, take them to return the gear later…”

By the time we finished, it was past eleven. Dragging my tired body, I slowly walked home. So much had happened today—my emotions had twisted and turned—but overall, I felt pretty happy. At least Qingli had enjoyed it too.

Finally at my doorstep, I knocked. Mom seemed to have been waiting. She opened the door within seconds.

“Why so late?”

“I told you—school anniversary. I had to stay for cleanup as the organizer.”

Mom subtly gestured inside with her eyes and pulled the door wider. “Come in first.”

Stepping into the living room, I instinctively shivered. A familiar figure sat on the sofa watching TV. He turned at my entrance. “Back?”

“Yeah, back,” I nodded, adding quickly, “School assigned me tasks. It took extra time.”

It was my dad—a strict guardian.

Dinner was unusually tense, but I was used to it. I silently counted the minutes while eyeing my bowl.

Sure enough, after half a bowl, the man beside me spoke. “How’s your studying lately?”

“Okay,” I recited the line I’d rehearsed endlessly. “Last monthly exam, I ranked around thirtieth in grade.”

“What university can you get into?”

“Hard to say. It’s early—we just reshuffled classes months ago. But our school sends nearly a hundred students to top-tier unis each year.”

Truth was, seventy percent were science majors. A few art or sports admits padded the count. I knew the real number for liberal arts, but I didn’t want to tell the truth. Anyway, I hadn’t lied.

If I did, Dad would never be satisfied with my grades. He’d scold me for hours.

Even with my carefully worded reply painting a bright picture, Dad kept a stern face. “You must work harder. No slacking. One slip, and everything collapses. Understand?”

I nodded vigorously and shoveled rice into my mouth.

After a pause, he added, “I’m leaving for a business trip tomorrow. Won’t be back until next next month.”

Mom looked startled. “That long?”

“Yeah. Out of province. Our team’s inspecting a branch factory.”

“Need anything packed?”

“No. Just clothes.”

As my parents discussed plans, I finished eating and quietly slipped away. At my bedroom desk, I pretended to do homework—of course, I had none after gala prep days.

Even without homework, Dad would make me review something. Wanting to sleep early or watch TV? That’d just invite a beating. So I grabbed exercise books and feigned deep thought over problems.

Staring blankly at my workbook until 12:30 AM, I finally said goodnight to my parents and headed to bed. Exactly 12:30—like clocking out from work.

I was so tired.

Today had thrown too much at me. The hidden world was surfacing, lurking right beside me. This constant, heart-pounding anxiety was awful.

Dad would be gone one or two months. Logically, I should feel sad. But relief flooded me—relief that next week, I’d only need to fool Mom. Relief that I wouldn’t dread his weekly interrogations.

Maybe I was just a bad kid to begin with.

That thought flashed through my mind as I drifted to sleep.

…

“Qingli, are you sure this’ll work?”

“This method’s been passed down for centuries. Countless ancestors verified it. Don’t worry.”

“But… did any ancestors switch from male to female bodies? My situation’s special—I might not fit this method.”

“No problem. Honestly, with your unique case, even accidental transformations would stick. Like last time when Elder Mink scared you into it. This proper yaohua method will be smoother.”

“I’m scared…”

“Don’t be.” Qingli gazed at my face, her eyes soft. “I’ll stay with you.”

I really didn’t want you here for this!

Let me rewind. Wednesday lunch break, I’d sought out Qingli. I poured out my desperate need for power.

[“Look, shady people keep popping up around me. Gaining self-defense skills is the real solution, right?”]

Turns out I didn’t need to say that. Qingli had already planned to teach me something that day. And step one to power? Undoubtedly yaohua.

I’d only yaohua’d twice before: once at home during soul awakening, once at the noodle shop hideout when Elder Mink’s aura startled it out of me. Honestly, I had no clue what yaohua felt like.

Qingli led me to the yard, closed the gate, and positioned me in the center. Then she started: visualize…

“Basically, stay calm and clear-minded. Imagine your tail and ears emerging from your female body—focus on your lower back. Feel your tailbone extending outward…”

I squeezed my eyes shut… and two clear tears streamed down my face.