My sudden grade improvement earned me brief attention in class, but only for a day or two. After all, I was still just mid-to-upper tier—top students still dominated discussions with ease.

Xu Wanrou still dropped by occasionally to chat and solve problems. Chen Jiayi smiled and greeted me when we crossed paths. As for Hippo? He probably really thought I’d turned into a girl. He grew stiff walking beside me now, avoiding his old habit of slinging an arm over my shoulders.

Oh, and that bastard Yuan Kui—he still had his arm in a cast. Whenever we met, he’d glare at me venomously. But that was all. No real trouble.

So my school life remained ordinary. Except for one thing gnawing at me day and night: Mom was coming home.

My parents traveled often for work, usually to obscure little countries with strange names. This trip should’ve lasted over a year—but with me in senior year, they wouldn’t leave me alone. Mom had cut her trip short. Her flight landed next Thursday.

The wall clock struck 10 PM. Homework done, shower taken, I lay half-reclined on the living room sofa in pajamas, racking my brain for a solution.

How would I face Mom? Even Hippo noticed something off about me. Mom would spot it instantly. Forget that this Skin Mask only matched my old face at 80%—just removing my one-way glasses would raise alarms.

Tell the truth? *I learned magic and got a new face from elemental baptism?* She’d think I was a deranged imposter. But I couldn’t hide it forever. The safe move was easing her into accepting magic’s existence first. Then reveal the rest.

Hmm. Her first question when she walked in would likely be: *"Why are you wearing glasses?"* Easy fix—blame eye strain from studying. But she’d probably want to examine the blurry lenses. I’d need an excuse to keep my eyes hidden.

Then she’d notice my face felt… off. No Skin Mask was perfect, especially one made by an alchemy beginner like me. I’d flown under the radar at school precisely because I was so forgettable—only Hippo, my closest friend, sensed something wrong. But Mom knew me inside out. I’d need a solid cover story. Maybe bandages on my face? Claim I’d tripped and scraped my skin. Give her days to adjust before the truth…

*Click-clack.*

Keys turned in the front door lock.

Weird. Who else had a key? Before I could think, the door swung open. Mom stood frozen in the doorway, staring at me on the sofa. Shock flashed across her face. "Who are you? Why are you in my house?"

"Mom, it’s me, I’m—"

I choked off. A horrifying realization hit: I’d removed the Skin Mask and one-way glasses before showering. To her, this face was a total stranger.

*Damn it.* Wasn’t she due back *next* Friday? Why so early?

Silence stretched. Mom’s expression shifted—then softened into a knowing smile. "Little girl, you’re A-Tong’s girlfriend, right?"

*Huh? What the hell?*

Her smile widened. She sat beside me. "Only a month abroad, and A-Tong’s found such a pretty girlfriend. I’m not old-fashioned—you can date. Just don’t let grades slip." She glanced around. "Where is he? Hiding because he’s scared of me?"

My brain short-circuited. As she moved toward my bedroom, I jumped up, blocking her path. I forced a smile. "A-Tong… isn’t home right now."

The alchemy-made Skin Mask sat openly on my desk. If she saw it—

"Not home? At this hour?"

"Uh… I craved midnight snacks. He ran out to buy some."

"That boy," Mom chuckled, warmth returning to her eyes. "Always looking after girls. I came back early to surprise him. Don’t tell him I’m here. Let me unpack first. We’ll wait for him together."

She wheeled her suitcase into the other bedroom. I seized the moment—stashed the Skin Mask and glasses, then scrambled for a new plan.

All my careful prep was useless. Mom’s surprise attack left me cornered. Trapped in my room, I wracked my brain.

Confess now? But I’d just said "Wu Tong" was out buying snacks. Backtracking would destroy my credibility.

Just as panic peaked, Mom finished unpacking. She called me to the sofa, beaming, and took my hand. "Girls today are so bold—calling me ‘Mom,’ wearing A-Tong’s pajamas. Planning weddings already? Good. I hate how young people keep breaking up, delaying marriage forever…"

I’d never been this mortified. Her doting gaze—meant for a future daughter-in-law—felt like a physical weight.

Thankfully, I knew Mom well. I spun a flawless story: I was "Lin Xueqi," a classmate won over by "Wu Tong’s" relentless pursuit. I pitched my voice higher, turning my naturally neutral tone girlish. She bought it. She gushed about "Wu Tong’s" brilliance—even bragged about his childhood calligraphy awards.

Thirty minutes crawled by. Mom checked the clock. "This child… buying snacks shouldn’t take this long. I’ll just call him."

*No!* My phone sat on the bedroom desk. One ring would expose everything. I shot up. "Auntie—it’s almost 11. My parents will worry if I’m out late. I’ll message Wu Tong myself."

Mom stood, disappointed. "You’re right. Safety first for girls. Wait—I just flew back from Tanzania. Brought local specialties. Let me pack some for you…"

While she busied herself, I slipped back to my room. Best to vanish for now. But I wore pajamas. Changing into my old clothes would raise suspicion.

Thankfully, Xu Wanqing’s gifted dress still hung in my closet. Shoes? Slippers would do. I stuffed essentials—wallet, phone, glasses, the Skin Mask—into an opaque bag.

When I emerged, Mom held a gift bag. Her eyes lit up seeing "her daughter-in-law" in a modest dress, standing gracefully by the door. Laugh lines crinkled at her eyes. "Here, Xiaoqi. Take these. Don’t be shy. That silly Tong—making a girl wait this long. I’ll scold him properly when he gets back."

*Mom… why do I feel more precious to you as your daughter-in-law than as your actual son?*