Monday, 11:23 PM

Around 4 PM that day, Qinmu was already on the court warming up. Nearly all the girls from Class Thirteen had gathered to cheer for their players. Qi Yao walked over, clapped Qinmu’s shoulder like it was a pivotal moment, and said earnestly, “Bro, you’ve been underperforming lately. Today, you’ve gotta bring your A-game. We can’t let other classes look down on us.”

Qinmu felt the weight of responsibility. “Of course. Our first match is against Class Four—they’re evenly matched with us. If we coordinate well, beating them won’t be a problem.”

Qi Yao relaxed into a smile. “Good. At least we won’t get eliminated in the first round. We’ll see how far we can go after that.”

After a brief warm-up, the game between Class Thirteen and Class Four kicked off at 4:45 PM. Right from the start, Qi Yao broke through Class Four’s defense, passed to their tallest player, and scored an easy slam dunk. But he played cautiously this time, distributing shots to others. Qinmu stayed on defense, ensuring no major mistakes.

When Qinmu darted to block a Class Four player’s shot, the boy froze mid-action—stunned to see a girl on the court. Before he could react, the ball had already left his hands. Class Thirteen seized control, scoring another two points swiftly. Class Four grew flustered. They couldn’t decipher Class Thirteen’s strategy—why field a pretty girl against them? Several times, they lost shooting chances or fumbled defense, distracted by Qinmu. Class Thirteen dominated the scoreboard.

But the streak didn’t last. As Qinmu caught a pass from a classmate and prepared to shoot, she collided with a large, burly boy from Class Four. Qinmu flew backward, crashing onto the wooden floor. She lay motionless for a long moment. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Girls from Class Thirteen and nearby classes couldn’t contain their fury. The entire arena erupted. Even the boys from Class Thirteen protested:

“Who told you to crash into our class beauty? Can you even replace her if she’s hurt?”

“How vile—just because you’re big, you can shove anyone?”

“Is Qinmu okay?”

“This is outrageous! We came to see Qinmu, and you dare crash into them? I’ll beat you bloody.”

Teammates helped Qinmu up. Her whole body tingled with numbness. Qi Yao approached. “Rest now. We’ve got this. We’ll sub in a reserve.” He guided Qinmu to the spectator seats while a substitute took her place.

The moment Qinmu sat down, girls swarmed her with concerned chatter:

“Qinmu, are you hurt?”

“Let me check—I know some first aid!”

Yang Yue stood outside the crowd, puzzled by the commotion. She turned to a nearby classmate. “What happened? Why’s it so noisy?”

“Qinmu got injured. Everyone’s asking how they are.”

Shen Tu, standing nearby, overheard. “My wifey’s hurt? Unacceptable—I need to see.” She squeezed through the crowd to Qinmu’s side, voice tight with worry. “Wife, you okay? Any injuries?”

A girl nearby gasped, “Wife? What wife?”

Qinmu glared, momentarily forgetting the pain. “Hey! Watch your words. ‘Wife’? That’s just a private joke.”

The girls exchanged glances, whispering about their suspiciously close relationship. Chaos deepened as rumors spread about whether they were dating.

Shen Tu grabbed Qinmu’s right hand firmly. “Come on, I’m taking you to the infirmary. You must be hurt somewhere.” She hoisted Qinmu’s arm over her shoulder and half-dragged her away.

The girls stared, bewildered.

“What’s happening? Is Qinmu really taken?”

“Did she just confirm it? Ugh, I haven’t even talked to Qinmu, and she’s already someone’s girlfriend?”

“What? Since when is Qinmu a guy? I’m so confused.”

As Shen Tu supported her, Qinmu grumbled, “Why call me ‘wife’ in front of everyone? Fine in private, but do you want the whole school to know I’m a girl?”

Shen Tu grinned sheepishly. “Habit. And seeing all those girls crowding you—I panicked. I’d hate to lose you to them.”

Yang Yue remained frozen on the court, having witnessed every intimate gesture between Qinmu and Shen Tu. How had Qinmu gotten a girlfriend overnight? He’d sworn he didn’t have one. That “wife” nickname—though absurd—proved their closeness. Something Yang Yue herself had never dared to voice. And Shen Tu dragging Qinmu away publicly? It felt like a declaration. Her euphoria from that morning crashed into utter desolation. The weight crushed her chest.

Meanwhile, the fierce match between Class Thirteen and Class Four raged on. Tensions ran high. Class Four, trailing badly, fought desperately to catch up. Class Thirteen refused to yield an inch. By halftime, their lead remained overwhelming, leaving Class Four’s players anxious and strained.

----------------------Infirmary

“How careless! Bruises on your legs—thankfully no broken skin. Scrapes on your arms too.” Shen Tu dabbed antiseptic on Qinmu’s injuries. The infirmary was empty, forcing them to self-treat. “Tsk, stop squirming. What part of you haven’t I touched anyway?”

“Hey! Rub the medicine, fine—but my back’s not hurt! Show some respect!” Qinmu blocked Shen Tu’s wandering hands, baffled why she was lifting her shirt.

“Heh, clueless as always. You’re just too cute. I need a full-body check to find hidden injuries…” Shen Tu seized the advantage while Qinmu was weak, acting like a creepy uncle. Qinmu struggled but couldn’t shake her off.

The infirmary door slid open. Yang Yue stood rigid in the doorway. She’d come to check on them but arrived to… strange sounds.

“What are you DOING?!” Yang Yue’s fury was unlike anything Qinmu had seen. Her eyes locked on Qinmu’s lifted shirt and loosened pants—though her underwear remained covered. Her mind jumped to the worst conclusion.

Qinmu froze. *Yang Yue? Here? Seeing me half-dressed?* She scrambled to fix her clothes, ready to explain.

Shen Tu just smirked. “What newlyweds do, obviously. Want to join?”

Yang Yue snapped, “Shameless! How dare you do this at school!”

Qinmu pleaded, “It’s not what you think! She was just applying medicine—”

A gust of wind swept through the doorway, tangling Yang Yue’s long black hair. Beneath the strands, Qinmu saw her face twisted with rage.

“I’ve heard enough!” Yang Yue cut her off. “I don’t care about your relationship. But this—between boys and girls at school—is unacceptable. Do you even remember this is an institution?”

Shen Tu shrugged casually. “The school won’t punish us. Qinmu and I are both girls. A little touching? Big deal.”

Qinmu’s heart sank. *This idiot just outed me!*

“Qinmu’s a girl?” Yang Yue’s confusion flickered. If true, Shen Tu’s actions weren’t so scandalous.

Shen Tu beamed triumphantly. “Absolutely. If they weren’t a girl, I wouldn’t want them. Right, Qinmu?” *You traitor! What about our agreement? Why tell Yang Yue my secret?!* Qinmu seethed silently.

Shen Tu had planned this. Only by making Yang Yue hate Qinmu for lying could she claim her for herself.

Yang Yue calmed slightly, turning to Qinmu. “Is it true? Are you really a girl?”

Qinmu nodded miserably. “Yes. I’m so sorry for lying. You must hate me now.”

Yang Yue suddenly laughed—a bright, unnerving sound. The gentle girl Qinmu knew seemed gone.

“No, it’s fine. I’ve wanted to confess to you for so long. But your ‘boy’ identity held me back—I feared rejection. Now that you’re a girl? No more worries. Honestly… I might prefer girls over boys.” She exhaled, as if unburdening her soul.

Qinmu reeled. *She likes girls? Did my transformation bring luck? Is she serious—or just provoking Shen Tu?* Her thoughts blurred.

Yang Yue knew exactly what she’d said. She’d long suspected Qinmu—no boy could look so feminine. But it didn’t matter. She’d fallen for Qinmu regardless of gender. Only the person mattered.

Shen Tu slumped onto the sofa, defeated. Her strategy had backfired spectacularly against a pansexual rival. Words failed her.

Time froze. Qinmu stared in disbelief. Yang Yue waited for an answer. Shen Tu sat paralyzed. The world held its breath.