The narrow street was lined with shops. Wutong trees stood along the sidewalk, their yellowed leaves carpeting the ground. Qinmu and HuiXiang walked past them, heading toward a nearby barbershop.
Qinmu’s long, straight azure hair flowed loose over her shoulders, sliding gently down her back with each step. Thick strands partially veiled her fair face, her clear eyes soft as rippling water. The faintest upturn at the corners of her lips hinted at a smile—a beauty so captivating it made passersby pause. HuiXiang trailed behind, her gaze lingering on that radiant hair. Sunlight caught its strands, casting a crystal-blue sheen. It was breathtaking.
“Do you really have to cut it?” HuiXiang asked, respecting Qinmu’s choice but unable to hide her regret. “I think it suits you perfectly. Your long hair’s one of your highlights—it’s so luminous, so beautiful.”
“I have to,” Qinmu replied firmly. “Otherwise, I’ll be recognized too easily. You can’t expect me to wear a hat to class. Besides, long hair means little to me. Cutting it off… well, at least I’ll look more like a boy. That’s some comfort.”
HuiXiang noticed the flicker of dejection in Qinmu’s pale expression. She stepped closer, determined to lift her spirits. “Sister, no matter what others think, in my heart, you’ll always be the strongest. You encourage others. You shoulder every hardship without flinching. That’s what matters—not perfection. Your effort is enough. People see your dedication. Isn’t that what counts?”
Qinmu’s heart stirred slightly, but negativity still clung to her. “Effort doesn’t equal skill. What’s the point? Even if I go to the basketball court now, I’ll only cause trouble. I’ll be an outsider to the soccer team too. Honestly… do I even deserve to stay as vice-captain of the sports club? Everyone will say that useless vice-captain shouldn’t have been elected.”
HuiXiang’s smile vanished. “Sister, you’re trapping yourself in a dead end! Blaming yourself for being a girl won’t change anything. Stop wallowing. Just do your best with the skills you have. Let others talk—you don’t live for them.”
Seeing HuiXiang’s earnest worry, Qinmu felt a pang of guilt. “Sorry. I shouldn’t dump my mood on you. I’m making you worry.”
HuiXiang puffed out her chest, grinning. “So you know what to do now? Though… I’d be thrilled if you kept your hair.”
“No deal,” Qinmu said flatly. “You might’ve convinced me about other things, but the haircut’s non-negotiable. Give up already.”
HuiXiang trailed behind, sighing dramatically. “Mean sister… won’t even listen to her little sister. So irresponsible…” Her grumbling looped endlessly, but Qinmu’s resolve never wavered.
Inside the barbershop, Qinmu settled into a plush chair, her tension easing slightly. The stylist greeted her warmly. “Miss, would you like a perm, color, or just a trim?”
Qinmu ignored her, scanning the hairstyle posters on the wall. She pointed to a men’s cut—short with slightly longer bangs. “That one. It looks sharp.”
The stylist blinked in surprise. “That one? Or the women’s medium-length style beside it?”
“The men’s cut. Exactly that.”
The stylist’s expression tightened. She hesitated, then offered gentle advice. “That style might not suit you. Your face shape shines with longer hair. For a girl, hairstyle reflects personality too…”
“I said that one,” Qinmu insisted, her tone edged with impatience. “Just cut it.”
Reluctantly, the stylist began. Strands of blue hair drifted down like falling petals, piling into discarded fragments on the floor.
HuiXiang watched from the side, her heart aching. *Silly sister… such gorgeous hair. I’d kill for locks like that. Ugh. Fine. Do what you want—I can’t stop you.* She wrestled internally, but the scissors had already sealed the fate of Qinmu’s hair.
Qinmu approached her afterward, sporting a crisp short cut. “HuiXiang, let’s go.”
HuiXiang pouted, cheeks puffed. “So it really happened… stupid sister.”
Qinmu smirked triumphantly. “I like it. Fresh. Edgy.”
They paid and stepped outside. Other customers in the shop exchanged puzzled glances. “Are those twins? Both girls? Why cut their hair like boys?”
The stylist chuckled. “Must be the new neutral trend. It suits them.”
One customer shook her head. “Modern aesthetics baffle me. Back in my day…”
HuiXiang suddenly tugged Qinmu’s sleeve, stopping her retreat. She flushed, voice coy. “Sister… we’re already out. Let’s wander a bit? Staying home is so boring.”
Noon approached. The street buzzed—car horns blared, chatter rose from crowds, and shop speakers blasted music and ads. The quiet avenue had transformed into a proper marketplace.
Qinmu frowned. “I need to cook lunch. It’s already 11:20 AM.”
“Pleeease?” HuiXiang clasped her hands, eyes wide and pleading. “Just a little while?”
Qinmu wilted under that intense gaze. “Fine. *A little while*.”
HuiXiang bounced with suppressed joy. Then, impulsively, she planted a kiss on Qinmu’s cheek.
Qinmu stumbled back, heart pounding, face burning. “What was that for?!”
“A kiss, of course~” HuiXiang giggled. “My kind sister deserves a reward!”
“…Don’t do that again. You’ll give me a heart attack.” Qinmu touched her cheek, still feeling the warmth. *Seventeen years… and this is the first time I’ve felt truly valued as a girl. Honestly, being female has way better perks than when he was a boy!*
“Hehe, Sister’s flustered~ That was HuiXiang’s overflowing love!” HuiXiang lunged for another kiss, but Qinmu blocked her face with a firm palm.
“Rejected.” Qinmu’s icy glare ended the game.
Past the crossroads, the straight path led to City Hall. Left branched into Food Street; right opened onto Shopping Street, lined with malls. Drawn by hunger, HuiXiang dragged Qinmu right, buying drinks and street snacks.
“Try this!” HuiXiang tore a piece of crepe, feeding it to Qinmu. “The strawberry cream ones here are amazing—sweet, tangy… skipping them would be a crime!”
Qinmu chewed obediently. She disliked sweets, but refused nothing from HuiXiang.
When the bag was empty, HuiXiang beamed. “Good, right? Want another?”
Qinmu rolled her eyes. “You just want more for yourself. Though… it was decent.”
HuiXiang vanished and reappeared instantly with a new bag—this time filled with pineapple crepes.
Qinmu stared. “Aren’t you worried about getting fat eating so much sugar?”
HuiXiang shook her head blissfully. “Sweets go to a separate stomach~ Besides, if I gain weight, Sister will join me, right?” She playfully shoved the crepe toward Qinmu.
Qinmu chuckled, waving it off. “Keep it. I’m full.”
HuiXiang devoured the second crepe like it was a royal endorsement.
Qinmu pulled a tissue from her pocket. “Wipe your chin. Cream’s still there. Act your age.”
As she handed it over, Qinmu’s right eyelid twitched. A familiar short figure sprinted toward her. “Qinmu! No way! I thought you spent weekends studying!”
Qinmu’s calm shattered. The red-haired girl in a white cap and russet coat—currently bear-hugging her with boisterous laughter—was her most dreaded classmate: Shen Tu. Flat-chested, chaotic, and hopelessly obsessed with BL novels.
“Control yourself!” Qinmu snapped, shoving her away. “Public place! We’re not… appropriate!”
Heads turned. Qinmu lowered her voice, dragging both girls into a quiet alley. Her tone shifted carefully, mimicking her old pitch.
Shen Tu grinned, oblivious. “Sorry! I get excited seeing friends. Especially my favorite desk-mate! How else to show deep revolutionary comradery?”
Qinmu crossed her arms. “Spare me. Shouldn’t you be home reading BL novels? Since when do shut-ins like you ‘stroll’?”
Shen Tu’s eyes locked onto Qinmu’s outfit—the brown women’s coat, the subtle curve at her chest. Her grin turned wicked. “Whoa. Wearing girls’ clothes now? Did your… *other side* awaken? The ultimate crossdresser enlightenment? HA! Amazing!”
Qinmu’s face flamed. She’d only worn this because HuiXiang insisted it’d look “less suspicious” without their mom home. Running into Shen Tu—the BL-obsessed maniac—was a nightmare. Panic surged. *Think. Lie. Survive.*
She forced her voice steady. “Well… I do have this preference. HuiXiang said… dressing as a girl suits me better than being a boy…” She shot HuiXiang a desperate look.
HuiXiang immediately got it and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Yes, I asked my brother to do this," she said. "After all, he’s always been girlish anyway."
Hearing this, Tu Shen got even more excited, as if she’d discovered a new world. "Oh my god, Qinmu, you’re absolutely amazing! You really do understand me best. Now my novel has fresh inspiration. Let me jot this down: brown women’s cotton coat… tight jeans… Actually, it’s aiming for a neutral feminine style to attract other handsome guys. Most importantly… this look that seems like masculine femininity but with a male body—this complex blend elevates BL literature to a whole new level!" Tu Shen was completely lost in her endless fantasies, unable to snap out of it.
Qinmu clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, inwardly screaming, "You infuriatingly cute bastard, stop it right now!!!"
HuiXiang couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and awe for the almost manic girl before her. She’d never seen anyone who could transform Qinmu from his nearly rational state to mindless fanaticism.
