"Liu Shishi... you bastard..."

"Oh? You seem really mad."

Liu Shishi flashed a fake smile, pointing at the gauze on her face. "I don’t hit girls—that’s my rule. But I can’t just take it lying down, right?"

"You..."

Speechless.

Li Mo had held this grudge since being ambushed during evening self-study. Now that class was over, he’d cornered Liu Shishi alone in the hallway to demand answers. Yet here he stood, completely tongue-tied.

Logically, she’d only retaliated after he injured her. He’d do the same in her shoes. He shouldn’t blame her. But something still felt off.

Ah—right. The cross-dressing performance.

"You shameless jerk! You didn’t say it outright, but forcing me to perform in women’s clothes? That’s just exposing me!"

"Shh... keep it down. Someone might hear."

Liu Shishi pressed a finger to Li Mo’s lips. "Strangers will think you’re naturally a girl. Friends will just assume you’re cross-dressing. What’s there to fear?"

"...Stay away from me."

Suddenly, this girl felt utterly creepy. She was totally flirting with him.

"I’m curious why you cross-dress as a boy. But you’d never tell me anyway. I won’t pry. As long as you’re a girl, I accept it."

Huh?

Wait—had she just said something wildly bold?

"Anyway, I’ll head back to my dorm. Your little boyfriend should be out soon. Bye~"

"Who’s my boyfriend?! Are you insane?!"

Li Mo’s roar didn’t stop Liu Shishi. Only now did he realize he’d achieved nothing. Useless.

"Holy crap, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere."

Just as Li Mo turned to check on Tang Zhe, Tang Zhe rushed over, visibly anxious.

"I was settling scores with Liu Shishi—"

"I should be settling scores with *you*!"

Tang Zhe had almost forgotten the whole mess after evening study. But Li Mo’s words reignited his fury. "Damn it! I was just enjoying the show, and you dragged me into it! I can’t even sing!"

"Aren’t we bros? Those other guys are useless. I’m counting on you to back me up."

Li Mo tried to brush it off, slapping Tang Zhe’s stomach lightly. "I trust you, bro."

The feel was unexpectedly solid.

Hard. This guy was ripped. Even through his clothes, the slap sounded crisp.

So envious... Before becoming a girl, Li Mo had never had such a manly physique—not even briefly. Back then, he relied on sheer grit, not strength, to win fights.

And Tang Zhe had casually blocked that PE student’s punch... So unfair...

Li Mo pouted unconsciously. "What did Teacher Zhu want?"

"Ugh! Don’t ask!"

Tang Zhe realized Li Mo had a knack for hitting sore spots. "She asked about my sexuality! Do I look gay? She told me to keep ‘appropriate distance’ from you. No more roughhousing."

"Pfft—HAHAHA! Karma’s a bitch! HAHAHA—"

Just hours ago, Tang Zhe had teased Li Mo with that same question. Now the homeroom teacher had blindsided him.

Hilarious.

"It’s your fault! If you don’t build some muscle, I’m doomed. Normal bro stuff? To her, it’s flirting. I froze—like she’s scared I’ll fall for you? I, Tang Zhe, only go for cute, pretty girls. You? Never. Damn."

"Huh? Are you saying I’m not good-looking?"

Li Mo didn’t know why, but he slightly frowned at Tang Zhe’s words. Then his expression shifted to playful mischief. He lifted Tang Zhe’s chin with a slender finger, voice coy. "That hurts my feelings, you know."

His eyes sparkled with flirtation. His tone dripped with faux vulnerability. Add the faint, irresistible feminine pheromones he couldn’t control, the empty hallway, the dim lights...

"Holy crap, stop! I’m scared."

The tension was thick. If Tang Zhe didn’t know Li Mo was biologically male, sparks—or worse—might fly.

Li Mo was already dangerously alluring. In this pose, any other guy would’ve lost control instantly.

"HAHA! You’re so funny. Afraid I’ll eat you? I’m a straight man—I’m not into you. Relax!"

Laughing, Li Mo kicked Tang Zhe’s butt to shoo him forward. He wasn’t sure why he’d teased him. Maybe a flicker of irritation when Tang Zhe said he’d never be interested. Or just wanting to see his flustered face. Either way, the prank worked. He was happy. That was enough.

For *that* stuff? Just avoid it. Pretend to be the ordinary, slightly girly-looking boy he used to be. Better for everyone.

"Let’s game again tonight. Teacher Zhu was around all evening—I didn’t get to play enough."

"Give it a rest. Don’t you have exams to study for?"

They walked out of school. It was so late that all the tricycle taxis and shared bikes near the gate had vanished. Chatting idly, they took a side path toward the main road to catch the last bus.

"Besides, you need more practice. With your skills, I’d be too good for you."

"Screw you! Don’t call me a noob!"

Li Mo kicked him again, sparking Tang Zhe’s complaints. "Can’t even take criticism? You’re acting like a unreasonable woman... Wait—crap! I forgot my phone."

He’d meant to show Li Mo his lost game points. But patting his pockets, he realized it was left in his desk.

He couldn’t survive the night without it.

"Go get it then."

"Okay, wait here. If we miss the bus, I’ll treat you to a taxi ride back."

"Stop dawdling. Go!"

This guy dragged out five-minute tasks until they’d miss the last bus.

Seeing Li Mo raise his foot again, Tang Zhe bolted back to school. At this speed, he’d return in ten minutes.

Truth was, he hated leaving Li Mo alone in this dark, empty spot.

But... he’s a grown guy. Should be fine.

Li Mo, ever lazy, plopped onto the roadside curb after Tang Zhe left. Scrolling his phone, he waited.

If Tang Zhe offered to pay for a taxi? Even better. Li Mo had never taken one home before—night fares were crazy expensive.

Hiss...

But...

Sitting here alone, the chill air made his skin crawl. Something felt deeply unsettling.