In the alley, a fierce gust of wind scattered Qinmu’s freshly cut hair.

Tu Shen shivered from a sudden, bone-chilling cold. Her irrational anger cooled instantly. She crossed her arms. "Ah... brrr... It’s still freezing here. Can we not stay?"

Qinmu smoothed her bangs. She stared speechlessly at the girl a head shorter than her. "Where? Any ideas? If not, I’m heading home." She couldn’t stand another minute with this lunatic—not just the risk of exposure, but the deep-rooted annoyance.

"Don’t be like that! We finally gathered. How about the arcade? It’s warm, and they just got new plushies in the claw machines!" Tu Shen chirped excitedly.

Qinmu had zero interest in stuffed toys. She planned to refuse and drag HuiXiang home. But HuiXiang’s eyes widened with longing, gazing up pitifully. Qinmu caved again. Why had she grown so soft as a girl? She used to flatly reject her sister’s unreasonable demands.

"Here’s a hundred bucks. Go ahead. I’ll find a spot to rest. Call me if you need me." Qinmu shoved the cash into Tu Shen’s hand and turned to leave.

Tu Shen grabbed her arm. "Qinmu, little classmate, you really wanna ditch me? I haven’t agreed. You’re coming with me." She locked Qinmu’s arm between her own, tightening the hold.

Qinmu’s arm ached against Tu Shen’s flat chest. "Ow! Hey! Ease up! I’ll go, alright? You’re so spoiled, you’ll never get married."

Tu Shen grinned slyly. "If I can’t marry, I’ll just take you. Then I won’t lack a little uke later."

"Who’s the uke? You—!"

"Obviously you."

...

HuiXiang winced at the two women bickering openly on the street. Their shameless physical contact made them look like a couple. She edged away, mortified.

Even tired from arguing, Tu Shen didn’t let go. It was a silent protest—I know you hate me but can’t escape me. She tossed aside all feminine pride. Qinmu stopped struggling after failing to break free. They walked toward the arcade in stiff silence.

Passersby stared like they’d spotted freaks.

"Why are two girls clinging like that? Are they...?"

"Yuri? Holding hands is normal, but this? First time seeing it."

"Their bond’s so deep. I wish I had a friend like that."

Qinmu’s face burned. This brat was unbearable, smirking defiantly, ignoring everyone. So stubborn!

"Fine. Run now, and I won’t stop you." Tu Shen released her, twirling playfully. "See? I win."

Qinmu swallowed her anger. "...Whatever. I won’t stoop to your level, kid."

Tu Shen flashed a victory sign. "Operation: Success!" She shoved Qinmu toward the token machine. "Hurry up. It’ll be dark soon."

Forced to comply, Qinmu fed twenty bucks into the machine—two tokens per yuan, frugal as ever.

Tokens divided, Tu Shen dragged Qinmu to the claw machines. "Two tokens per try. As a pro, I’ll teach you." HuiXiang trailed behind, feeling like a third wheel.

Tu Shen inserted two tokens, focused on a plush rabbit. The claw glided left, right, gripped the rabbit’s ear perfectly, lifted it smoothly, and dropped it at the exit. Flawless. Onlookers cheered.

The arcade owner sighed. Every time she came, his profits plummeted. Her skill stunned Qinmu. It didn’t look hard. She’d try—maybe win something for HuiXiang.

Qinmu gripped the joystick, aiming for a plush bear.

"Move right! Right! Yes! Stop—don’t move!" Tu Shen yelled. But the claw missed.

Qinmu scowled, ready to try again. Tu Shen blocked the coin slot. "Save your cash. I’ll grab whatever you want."

"No. This isn’t about money." Qinmu felt a deep sting of humiliation—like a top student offering to share answers during a test.

"Hmm. Let me try." HuiXiang stepped in to ease the tension. They backed off. HuiXiang inserted two tokens. The claw descended slowly. Everyone held their breath. Suddenly, she jerked the joystick right, snatching another rabbit’s ear. The claw dropped it cleanly. Her move outshone Tu Shen’s. Tu Shen clapped wildly. "Amazing, sis! HuiXiang, you’re incredible! Look at your brother—same twin, totally different league."

Qinmu glared. "Enough."

"If you’re so good," Qinmu snapped, "use all my twenty tokens. Catch every one, and I’ll admit you’re amazing."

"‘Amazing’ isn’t enough. Let’s bet: winner gets to order the loser to do anything." Tu Shen’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Uh... not sure." Qinmu hesitated.

"Tch. Knew you’d chicken out. Nangong Qinmu’s just a coward."

That stung. "Fine! I accept. Let’s see who loses."

"Deal. No backing out." Tu Shen smirked.

HuiXiang tugged Qinmu’s sleeve. "Bro, are you crazy? I won’t cover for you if you’re exposed."

Tu Shen raised her voice. "Scared? You can still quit."

Qinmu never took back words.

"Hmph. I doubt you’ll catch them all. We’ll see."

Tu Shen’s show began. First plush. Second. Third... Twelfth. Fluid moves. The owner covered his eyes. Qinmu’s heart pounded in her throat.

"So skilled! Not a single miss. Incredible!" HuiXiang praised.

Qinmu tapped HuiXiang’s head. "Whose side are you on? Don’t betray me."

"Bro, you agreed. Blame your own dumb choice," HuiXiang retorted.

Tu Shen counted the plushies. "Twelve, plus the first two. No misses. Pay up."

Qinmu froze. What would she demand?

"Name it." Qinmu braced herself like a captured soldier.

Tu Shen smiled softly. "Simple. Kiss me. Apology accepted." Qinmu blushed. In public? Impossible!

She sought HuiXiang’s help—but HuiXiang had vanished, playing another machine.

Tu Shen stood firm, grinning. "Kiss? Or not? I won’t force you. But you keep promises, right?"

Dizzy, trapped by the crowd and Tu Shen’s guilt trip, Qinmu gathered courage. She pecked Tu Shen’s cheek—but Tu Shen turned suddenly. Lips met.

Qinmu froze. A kiss? Tu Shen didn’t pull away. She deepened it, savoring the moment.

The crowd gasped, then applauded.

"So romantic! Not just in dramas!"

"Girls kissing? Yuri?"

"Bold! True love is genderless."

"Disgusting. Get a room."

After minutes, Qinmu stumbled back, flustered. Her foot slipped. She fell. Tu Shen lunged to catch her—but slipped too. They crashed down together.

Qinmu lay pinned, back aching from the impact. Tu Shen, cushioned by her, was unharmed. The scene was absurdly awkward.

Tu Shen’s hand pressed against Qinmu’s chest. The softness jolted her. *This... Qinmu’s chest isn’t fake? How? Is she really a girl? Impossible!*

Qinmu noticed the hand on her chest. She held her breath, praying her secret stayed hidden. *Just let this end...*

Tu Shen scrambled up, flustered. Qinmu stood quickly, face crimson. Tu Shen’s voice trembled. "A-are you really a girl?"

Qinmu immediately shook her head in denial. "No, no! It's just bra padding and some scraps of cloth. Don't get the wrong idea."

Tu Shen wasn't fooled by such a weak explanation. "I don't believe it. Scraps and padding couldn't have that springiness. You—you come with me!"

The awkward scene left the crowd bewildered by this hysterical, soap-opera twist. But the two protagonists had already run off hand in hand. The onlookers quickly dispersed.

They arrived at a women's lingerie store. Tu Shen cornered Qinmu in a fitting room, eyeing her distrustfully. "If you're not a girl, prove it. Take off your top. Only then will I believe you."

Take off her top? Qinmu's mind churned. This would expose her secret. Panic surged. "What do I do? Someone, save me!"

Only she and the red-haired girl remained—a serious threat. Tu Shen's expression grew terrifying. If Qinmu didn't strip herself, she might be forcibly undressed any second.

HuiXiang sensed something was off. Where had they vanished? She followed the crowd's directions, running toward their last path. Where could they be? She worried Qinmu might be in danger. On the busy street, tracking them was impossible.

"Alright, I admit I'm a girl. But there's a reason." Qinmu was nearly desperate. Better to confess than be stripped.

"Words mean nothing. I need proof. You had no curves before—who knows if you're lying?" Tu Shen yanked off Qinmu's coat and pulled up her sweater. Most of Qinmu's upper body was exposed. Tu Shen saw the swell clearly, touched it lightly—the feel was undeniably real. She was certain now.

After smoothing Qinmu's clothes, Tu Shen sank weakly to the floor. "I never expected this. You fooled me so long. I truly thought you were a handsome boy. You've disappointed me... I teased you because I liked boys like you. I dreamed of confessing my feelings—even that kiss today. But you're a girl? This is absurd." Overwhelmed, she burst into tears. Staff knocked on the door, asking what was wrong.

Qinmu apologized to the clerk, then pulled Tu Shen outside. Tu Shen walked crying, pounding Qinmu and demanding she let go.

At a dead-end alley, Qinmu snapped. "Enough! Yes, I lied. But I really was a boy before. Don't you remember? I was shirtless in swimming class. And on the school trip, I didn't use the girls' bathhouse, did I?"

Tu Shen stopped crying. Memories surfaced—yes, it was true. She retorted, "Then why are you a girl now? Did you go to Thailand for surgery?"

Qinmu shook her head. "No surgery. I accidentally turned into a girl. I'm suffering too. Hiding this is exhausting. If they find out, I can't compete in boys' sports. I'd drag the class down—or worse, research departments might take me for study. Isn't that terrifying?"

Tu Shen stared wide-eyed. "Turned into a girl? What international joke is this? Why wasn't I turned into a boy? I've always wanted a romance with a guy."

Even now, joking? Qinmu didn't understand her. "If you don't believe me, fine. Tell others if you want. I've given up anyway. I'll just have surgery to turn back."

Tu Shen grabbed her hand. "No! Okay, I'll believe you became a girl by accident. But surgery uses implants—they harm your body. So... I'll keep your secret. Don't do anything stupid." A trace of guilt washed over her.

"Then promise to keep it. Maybe I'll turn back into a boy someday. Then you can do whatever you want with me." Qinmu felt slightly reassured. This girl wasn't the type to blab and spread rumors.

"Forget it. I never said I'd stop teasing you just because you're a girl. Actually, it's easier to mess with you now. I'll keep the secret. But you won't escape my grasp." Tu Shen's eyes sparked with new ideas. She felt crazier anticipation for this Qinmu. Teasing her had become indispensable to her life.