November 24, Tuesday night

Yue Yang was so startled she couldn’t speak for a moment—likely her first encounter with such a gentle, beautiful woman. Her lips trembled slightly as she said, "Hello, I’m Yue Yang. I’m Qinmu’s classmate. Nice to meet you."

Qingyu Nan Gong chuckled at her overreaction. "Don’t be nervous. Treat this place like your own home. Just relax." She then shot a meaningful glance at Qinmu, who stood nearby, urging her to step closer for a private chat.

Qingyu whispered softly, "Bringing a girl home this late? Planning to stay overnight?" Her tone held no accusation.

"Yeah, it’s too late for her to go home alone. It wouldn’t be safe. So I brought her back with me. Sister, you won’t mind, right?"

"Hmm, of course not. But did you tell her family? What if they’re worried sick, searching for her?" Qingyu’s concern was practical.

"Uh, I haven’t called them yet. I’ll have her call to check in later."

"Alright. I’ll get bedding and pillows ready. Go keep her company now—don’t keep her waiting."

Qinmu didn’t grasp Qingyu’s meaning and hurried after her as she left the living room. "Why prepare bedding for me too? I don’t need extra blankets. Unless…" She suddenly realized Qingyu’s plan: sharing a bed with Qinmu!

Qingyu stared at the slow-on-the-uptake Qinmu. "Must I spell it out? Your room’s the only suitable one. Mom’s room is locked—no outsiders allowed. She can’t sleep with me or HuiXiang, especially since HuiXiang just got out of the hospital. So you’ll have to make do."

Qinmu was speechless. Her room was indeed the best option, and her double bed could easily fit another quilt.

"Stop dawdling. She’s bored on the sofa. Go chat with her. I’ll finish setting up—you’ll be ready for bed soon." Qingyu turned away, focused on retrieving the quilt stored atop the closet.

Yue Yang sat quietly. Their voices had been low, and eavesdropping would be rude.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Are you thirsty? Let me get you water."

"No need. It’s late, and I’m not that dry… Wait! I almost forgot to call Wenqi. Otherwise, my schoolbag won’t make it to class tomorrow." Yue Yang gasped, lighting up her phone screen to dial Yin Wenqi.

"The number you dialed is switched off…" The automated voice cut her off. Yin Wenqi was already asleep. With that option closed, Yue Yang would either have to go home early tomorrow or borrow Qinmu’s textbooks.

Qinmu was startled by her panic. "What did she say?"

"Hmm, I’ll have to fetch it myself. She’s deep in dreamland by now—I should’ve thought of this." Yue Yang sounded disappointed.

"It’s fine. I’ll go with you tomorrow morning. Is your place far? We could take a taxi."

"Not too far—just four bus stops. But I’m sorry to trouble you further. You’ve already let me stay…"

"Don’t mention it. It’s nothing. By the way, did you tell your family? Do they know you’re staying over?"

"I texted my cousin. No reply, but she probably got it."

"Good." Qinmu relaxed slightly. "I’ll check on my sister. You go freshen up first. There’s a spare basin and toothbrush in the bathroom—still sealed. Help yourself." She walked past Yue Yang toward her room.

"Honestly, your room’s a mess—like a boy’s. No order at all. I had to tidy it up myself. How will you make it up to me?" Qingyu complained lightly.

Qinmu bowed politely. "Forgive this unworthy sister for troubling you so, dear elder sister."

Qingyu shot her a look. "Cut the act. You need to fix this messiness. When you marry someday, what guy will tolerate such habits?"

"Sister, I’m sorry. I’ll change all my bad habits… as long as I don’t have to marry a guy." Though she said this, her room had always been chaotic—a leftover from her boyhood days. Clothes lay scattered, the bed was unmade, and shoes were strewn everywhere.

"I’ll have to set aside time to teach you properly. You can’t stay this sloppy. And this room’s style—the soccer posters, the boyish clothes—it’s unchanged since I left. Four years of laziness! Clean it up by my deadline, understood?" Qingyu scolded firmly. In her mind, girls should be neat and graceful, not a walking trash heap.

"Okay, Sister. I got it. Can you let me off tonight? I should go freshen up—Yue Yang’s probably done."

As Qinmu exited the bedroom, she collided head-on with Yue Yang entering. Both tumbled to the floor.

Qinmu sprang up instantly and pulled Yue Yang’s hand. "Are you okay? I’m so sorry!"

Yue Yang stood, rubbing her sore hip. "I’m fine. You’re quick on your feet, though."

Qinmu puffed up proudly. "Of course! I’m the sports club’s vice president. I need skills to lead."

"Two compliments and you’re flying high? Shameless. It’s 11:30—go wash up. You’ll be exhausted tomorrow if you don’t sleep early."

"Alright. You get in bed first. I’ll be right after."

Yue Yang blinked in surprise. "Get in bed? We’re sleeping together?" A blush crept up her cheeks—she never imagined sharing a bed with Qinmu.

"Probably. But our quilts will be separate, so don’t worry." Qinmu’s voice held a hint of nervousness. This was her first time sharing a bed with a girl she liked—something she’d never dared dream of before.

"We’re both girls. Even under one quilt, I wouldn’t be scared. You should be careful, though. I might wake up and ambush you in the middle of the night." Yue Yang teased, laughing lightly.

"Hmm, that does sound scary… Anyway, I’ll go wash now. See you later." Qinmu rushed off mid-sentence, leaving Yue Yang puzzled. *What was she about to say?*

Midnight approached. Qinmu and Yue Yang lay face to face, sleepiness fading. Qinmu gazed happily at Yue Yang’s serene, beautiful face. "This is the first time I’ve seen Yue Yang sleep up close. Everyone would envy me if they knew."

Yue Yang chuckled. "Don’t be silly. If people find out we slept together, it’ll cause a huge scandal. Your secret might get exposed—and that’d be disastrous."

"It’d still be worth it. As the old saying goes: ‘To die beneath the peony is to be a romantic ghost.’"

"I’m no peony. You’re the real one. The boys in class always call you the class flower—and they’re not wrong."

"They’re bored. Half the reason I became a girl is their fault, with all that talk swaying heaven itself."

"Hahaha, you’re hilarious. But seriously, you’re perfect now. Treasure it. So many boys wish they could be a beauty like you. Live brightly—do all the things girls should in their youth. Don’t waste this chance."

"I don’t want this. I want to be a boy again… to date you, Yue Yang. That’s what I crave. Something only boys can have." Qinmu voiced her longing.

"Even as girls, it’s possible. I told you—I don’t care about gender. So…"

Yue Yang’s hand gently brushed Qinmu’s cheek. Her eyes held laughter and a trace of tears, but she quickly pulled away.

"Time to sleep. It’s late." She turned her head, acting as if nothing happened—likely from shyness.

"Okay… goodnight." Qinmu’s heart pounded faster and faster, lingering on that moment, unable to let it go.