It had been nearly a week, yet the girl still refused to leave her room.
"Mo Mo, it’s been a week. Go out for a walk," Wang Jiawen called, knocking on her daughter’s door. Lately, she’d felt like a pig farmer tending to livestock—Li Mo wouldn’t budge from her room, sleeping and eating in a cycle. All Wang could do was deliver meals on time and coax her gently.
Li Mo hadn’t explained what happened, but thankfully, Tang Zhe had filled Wang in. She’d been frantic with worry. The only silver lining was Tang Zhe’s timely arrival—nothing had been exposed. Otherwise, Li Mo would’ve shut down completely.
*Sigh…*
Another knock. No response, as usual. Wang sighed, turning away. Should she call her husband back urgently? Or request another week’s leave for her daughter? School could wait. Her child’s health mattered more. Forcing her to class now was impossible.
*Click.*
But this time, the unexpected happened. Maybe there’d just been a delay—Li Mo actually opened the door.
"What time even is it…?" Li Mo muttered, rubbing her messy black hair, dark circles faint but visible under her weary eyes. She glared at her mom for knocking so early.
"WOW—MY GIRL—YOU’RE FINALLY OUT!"
Before she could finish, her mother lunged into a bear hug. While others were cat people, Wang was a daughter-sniffer, burying her face against Li Mo’s flat chest, nuzzling and rubbing like a cat. *Smells fresh… She showered last night. Good kid. So tidy. So proud.* Though… it felt a bit bony. Nothing like cuddling Tang Yunmeng back in the day.
"Ms. Wang, you’re acting like a creep. This brings back bad memories—you owe me for this."
"But I’m not like *those* people…"
"ANYWAY! I’m heading out. Let me wash up first, okay?"
Li Mo pried her mother’s head off—it felt glued on with superglue—and stormed back inside, SLAMMING the door shut.
*Huff…*
Inside, Li Mo didn’t rush to the bathroom. She leaned against the door, taking a deep breath.
*Not so bad.*
She hadn’t been physically hurt. Her identity was safe. After nearly a week, she’d processed what she could. The real reason she’d stayed locked away? Fear of facing *that* again.
Only when she pinpointed that fear did she realize, miserably…
She might have developed… a tiny bit of… social anxiety.
Mixed with a hint of…
Male phobia.
It had taken her ages to admit it. *Her*, a former guy, scared of men? Absurd.
Calm now, she washed up efficiently, grabbed the most covered-up outfit she could find, and headed out.
*Courage test.*
"No breakfast?" Her mom intercepted her near the kitchen.
"...Yeah."
*Hungry.*
"Look at you—a perfectly lovely girl. Why won’t you take care of yourself? You’re not even in class today."
Li Mo sat obediently, munching baozi and sipping soy milk. Her mother, restless, dashed to her room and returned with hair tools. Standing behind Li Mo, she began braiding. "Such beautiful hair. Perfect length for styles. After graduation, I’ll take you to a salon."
"I was gonna cut it. Too long for school."
"NO!" Wang cut her off sharply. "Wear a wig if you must, but hair is a girl’s life! After growing it this long? A buzz cut would be hideous!"
*Hideous…? Apologize to every guy with a buzz cut!*
"Clothes next."
The braid was simple—just a small side plait. Wang thought it looked adorable on her petite daughter. She’d almost suggested light makeup… but no need. Natural beauty. *So jealous.*
"Eh… clothes are fine… really…"
Li Mo had accepted her new identity, but her mom’s fashion taste? Wearing those outside still felt impossible. Only baggy, covering clothes gave her security.
Her mother was relentless. Dragged back to her room, Li Mo watched helplessly as Wang flung open her closet and pulled out an outfit she’d never seen.
"When did you stuff this in here?!"
Her wardrobe had been completely overhauled without her noticing.
"You never shop, so Mom had to step in. Try it. See? Not even pink."
No flashy cute styles—Wang feared drawing attention after what happened. Low-key was safer.
"Uh… the pants…"
"They’re perfect. I’ll wait outside."
*SLAM!*
*No arguing with that…*
But this outfit… though…
………………
………………
*Click.*
"…Weird?"
"Mm-mm! Not weird at all! My taste is flawless—this looks amazing!"
The brown hoodie swallowed Li Mo’s petite frame, falling mid-thigh. Only the hem of her denim shorts peeked out beneath, paired with thick black tights.
*Cold weather. Warm. Covered. Perfect.*
"Shoes are by the door. Be safe. Come home early. Call me IMMEDIATELY if anything happens."
"…Okay."
*Black-and-white high-tops? How’s Mom’s style still this young?*
*Ugh…*
But her own reflection mattered more.
First time stepping out in proper girls’ clothes. The novelty thrilled her—until outside. Strangers’ gazes pricked her skin like needles. Discomfort flooded her. She yanked up her hood, head ducked low, marching blindly forward.
*Wanna go home.*
*No. If I run now, school’ll be suicide. Gotta reset…*
Lost in thought, she wandered into a nearby commercial district.
"...Nah."
*Too advanced. Too crowded. Not ready yet.*
*What karma did I rack up in my past life…?*
*Buzz.*
Her phone vibrated in the hoodie pocket. A lifeline. She pulled it out—Tang Zhe’s message:
"Still hiding? I’m shopping here. Want me to grab you food?"
*Shopping? It’s Saturday. Shouldn’t you be in class?*
She opened the photo he sent.
"!"
Unbelievable. The background was unmistakable—and in the crowd, a suspicious figure in brown hoodie, lurking like a thief.
*Holy shit!*
