Sun. Nov 22 - Mon. Nov 23

Qinmu didn’t get home until very late that night. Qingyu was waiting inside and rushed over the moment she saw her. “How’d it go? Boy or girl?” Qingyu had assumed a boy invited Qinmu, so she’d dressed her up deliberately to shock him. But her hopes were clearly dashed.

“Two girls. It was insane. Girl-on-girl jealousy really is no joke,” Qinmu sighed.

Qingyu frowned slightly. “Jealous of what? You’re a girl too. Could they have special feelings for you?”

Qinmu replied helplessly. “Leftover baggage. Maybe they liked me before, so even now that I’m a girl, they won’t let go. Ugh.”

Qingyu chuckled. “So how’d you handle them? Reject both? Accept one? But remember—girl-girl romance is taboo. Society doesn’t accept it. You know that, right?”

Qinmu slumped onto the sofa, gloomy. “I know. But I’ve always liked girls. Now that I’m one, forcing myself to like boys? Impossible. I’m so conflicted.”

Qingyu nodded slowly. “Don’t rush it. Once you get used to being a girl, your mindset might shift. These things take time. If your feelings stay the same after a while, decide then.”

Qinmu agreed with a nod. “For now, I’ll just focus on daily life. The future? Who knows. Blending into school matters more than love theories. I won’t let this distract me.”

Meanwhile, Yue Yang wrestled with whether to act. What gift would Qinmu love most? She’d obsessed all evening, delaying homework until midnight. Earlier, she’d bumped into Qinmu at the sports department—their first meeting in three days. She’d grilled him on preferences, but Qinmu brushed it off as small talk and gave vague answers. Yue Yang was left clueless, no clear plan.

The next morning, Yue Yang headed out early. Yin Wenqi walked with her as usual, their bond still strong.

“You look exhausted, little sis. I told you not to stay up late. Why won’t you listen?” Yin Wenqi said tenderly, studying Yue Yang’s tired face.

“Ugh, it’s Qinmu’s fault. I asked what he’d like most, but his answers were useless.”

Yin Wenqi laughed. “Silly girl. Stop interrogating him like a survey. You’re his desk mate—just watch what books he reads, what he does. Spend time together. You’ll figure it out.”

Yue Yang nodded thoughtfully. “Right. I’ll try.”

Yin Wenqi shook her head, baffled by this top student’s sudden love obsession. “That boy—is he really that amazing? Last time, he just looked like a girl to me. Are you just into his looks?”

“No!” Yue Yang protested quickly. “He’s got this unique charm—gentle, warm, sunny, confident. Just seeing him feels comforting…”

“Stop!” Yin Wenqi groaned. “You’re so cheesy. Love blinds people. Go cling to your Brother Qinmu. If he heard you praise him like this, he’d accept you instantly.”

Yue Yang sighed, lost. “If only it were that simple. I wouldn’t overthink everything.”

Qinmu arrived at class early; few students were there yet. But Yue Yang was already at her seat, memorizing vocabulary.

“Morning, Yue Yang,” Qinmu greeted.

Yue Yang tensed at the sound, fumbling her notebook to the floor. “M-morning, Qinmu,” she stammered.

Qinmu picked it up and handed it back. “So diligent. No wonder your grades shine.”

Yue Yang flushed slightly. “Don’t tease me.”

Qinmu stuffed her backpack away, then pulled out a delicate box. Inside lay a blue crystal bracelet bought yesterday. She handed it over, shyly. “For you. You said you liked blue crystals…”

Yue Yang’s eyes widened in surprise. Qinmu gave her a gift? Her hands trembled as she opened it—a sparkling bracelet with tiny, uneven blue crystals on a thin chain. Unique. Beautiful.

“Thank you!” she breathed.

“No problem,” Qinmu murmured, flustered. “You mentioned liking them. I’m glad you think it’s pretty.”

Yue Yang’s heart pounded wildly. *He gave me a gift. Is this a hint? Does he like me too?*

Qinmu watched Yue Yang’s face closely—happy, a little shy. Relief washed over her. *She likes it. That’s enough.*