The class was already in their final year of high school. With only one and a half days off each week, homeroom teacher Ms. Zhu hoped they’d use the time wisely—resting properly or reviewing lessons. "Don’t let your condition worsen over this break," she declared sternly from the podium, setting down her files.

Her eyes immediately landed on class monitor Liu Shishi, the face of their class, who had a bandage on her cheek and kept glancing toward Li Mo. Ms. Zhu had initially suspected Li Mo, but if he’d really done something, the class would’ve been in an uproar by now. It didn’t add up. She’d just hint at it here and ask privately later.

That new student wasn’t simple either—he was rubbing his forehead while grinning foolishly at Li Mo. This week felt bizarre. Why was everyone staring at that troublemaker Li Mo? Liu Shishi’s glare was expected—he’d surely provoked her again—but the new student’s state was off. Clearly beaten, yet not angry. Just smiling.

As homeroom teacher, Ms. Zhu had to watch students’ mental health too. She’d need to talk to the new kid privately. She refused to believe her class hid not just heterosexual couples, but same-sex ones too. The thought was terrifying.

"*Ahem.*"

She cleared her throat twice—silencing the lingering buzz of chatter and shaking off her own unease. "Since the sports festival is in half a month, and there’s always a talent show the first night… I’ll finalize our performance now."

The class erupted. Ms. Zhu’s head throbbed. These kids had zero patience. She thumped the podium twice. "*Thud. Thud.*" "We’ve done group choir performances the past two years. Everyone’s tired of it. Some always slack off. And with exams coming, we can’t waste study time. So this year…" Her eyes narrowed at the usual suspects hunched over their desks, trying to disappear. "Li Mo, you and your friends will handle the show."

"???"

"*Ooooh—*"

The class burst into cheers and groans—some gleeful, some worried. The upside? No grueling rehearsals eating into break time. The downside? Sending *them* on stage meant social death for the whole class after the show.

"Teacher! We don’t know how to perform!"

"Yeah! We’re just laborers—fine for backstage grunt work! Putting us on stage is just embarrassing!"

Before Li Mo could protest, his friends jumped up. They weren’t wrong. They knew they were delinquents. Performing would only humiliate them.

Ms. Zhu hesitated. She’d wanted to punish their past laziness, not crush their dignity. Being mocked school-wide *was* cruel.

"Teacher."

"Hm?"

Liu Shishi raised her hand coolly. "Li Mo plays piano. He could perform solo."

The auditorium had a rarely used piano—few public-school students could afford lessons. Li Mo had learned at his wealthy maternal grandfather’s house.

"*Li Mo* plays piano?" Ms. Zhu was stunned. Pianists were usually disciplined, focused types. Li Mo’s two years of chaos defied that image. How could *he* play?

"No! I can’t!" Li Mo shot back. He wouldn’t be tricked into a solo act.

"Bull! When Class 3’s pianist got sick last year’s show, *you* filled in!"

"Holy crap, Liu Shishi! We had a deal—you wouldn’t tell!"

True. Li Mo had been bribed with a week of free gaming snacks to play hidden behind the curtains. Only Liu Shishi, prepping backstage as monitor, had seen him. He’d paid her a day’s meals to keep quiet. The traitor!

"Oh? I only keep *one* secret for you. Your choice?" Her smile was razor-sharp.

"You—*dishonorable*—"

So that secret wasn’t buried. Liu Shishi held his newest, deadliest leverage—and was cashing in *now*. Damn her!

"...Fine. I’ll do it."

"Hold on, Teacher. One more suggestion!"

"...Speak."

Ms. Zhu’s temples pounded. She’d been too shocked to stop their bickering. How embarrassing.

"I propose Li Mo performs in a dress. He’d stun everyone."

"Liu Shishi! Don’t push your luck!!"

"*Enough!*" Ms. Zhu snapped, cutting off their clash before it turned physical. "Since Li Mo plays piano, he’ll perform. Cross-dressing… is optional."

"I absolutely won’t—"

"*Ahem. Ahem.*"

Liu Shishi coughed pointedly. *Behave.*

Li Mo froze. Forced to dress as a girl… or exposed as a boy-turned-girl freak. Damn it all!

"...I’ll wear the dress. But I’m not going alone!" Humiliation demanded company. He grabbed Tang Zhe beside him. "He’s performing too!"

"Huh???" Tang Zhe’s jaw dropped. He’d just been enjoying the show.

"Sure. Whatever you arrange." Liu Shishi propped her chin on her palm, smirk widening. "An elegant, beautiful princess needs a handsome partner anyway. Perfect fit."

"???"

*I meant for him to wear a dress too!*

That wicked woman—! He’d never let her off the hook.