The situation was serious. She really should keep her distance from Tang Zhe!

Sure, she was on estrogen medication for post-surgery treatment, but the effects shouldn’t be this obvious. It was terrifying.

"Slow down! What are you even doing?!"

Li Mo snapped, halting her fingers on the piano keys. Her impatience cut through the violin melody.

They’d learned instruments together as kids. But Tang Zhe’s family couldn’t afford a piano, and he’d quit earlier—neither had the temperament for music. Li Mo only lasted longer because her strict maternal grandfather forced extra lessons.

Their mismatched skills meant settling for simple duets. They’d perform whichever piece felt most polished.

"Come on, these tiny mistakes don’t matter. Barely anyone will actually listen, and even fewer would notice," Tang Zhe argued. Li Mo’s standards were unrealistically high. His technique couldn’t keep up, but her nitpicking over minor flaws was relentless.

He wasn’t wrong. Li Mo herself hated performing and barely practiced. She was just picking fights. After yesterday’s awkwardness, Tang Zhe grated on her nerves more than ever.

Compounding it, her grandfather had delivered a piano at dawn. Exhausted from the morning chaos and forced straight into practice after breakfast, she found Tang Zhe’s clumsy playing unbearable.

Thankfully, the apartment’s soundproofing spared the neighbors their disastrous duet.

They barely synced for the opening bars—a drop in the bucket for a four-minute piece.

"This is all your fault. We accomplished nothing today."

"Yeah, yeah."

Tang Zhe was used to his childhood friend’s unreasonable moods. He played along, amused by her frustration when he refused to argue back.

After lunch, Li Mo’s mom spoke without hesitation, ignoring Tang Zhe’s presence as she cleared dishes: "Mo Mo, head to the mall after eating. It’s time to buy new… things. I don’t know your size, so you’ll have to go yourself."

Li Mo froze mid-dishwashing, shooting her mom a reproachful glare. *Don’t let him figure it out.*

"Buy what? I’ll tag along," Tang Zhe chimed in. "If we’re not practicing this afternoon, I need to get out anyway. I’ll head straight back to campus after."

*Phew… clueless as ever.* Relief washed over Li Mo—but there was no way she’d let him accompany her. Buying bras was private. Even if he knew her secret, no guy could stroll into a lingerie store without blushing.

"You go by yourse—"

"Actually, going together is fine," her mom interrupted with a knowing smile. "I’ll give Mo Mo extra allowance. You can grab snacks too."

*Letting this kid get away with it… but better him than some stranger.* Last night’s glimpse of her daughter’s flustered face had her daydreaming about wedding bells. Her husband would sob at the ceremony—he pretended indifference, but she knew he ached to reconnect. He’d been moping for days after hearing their daughter resented his silence. *Adorable. They really take after each other.*

"Mom! How can you let him come? What if someone finds out?" Li Mo hissed once the dishes were away.

"Won’t you just chicken out before reaching the store?" Her mom saw right through her. Li Mo’s habit of bundling up even around family spoke volumes.

"Well… maybe, but—"

"Send him off on some errand. Get it done fast." Her mom’s expression turned stern, hands pressing Li Mo’s shoulders. "Listen. Ill-fitting bras stunt growth. If you stay flat forever, I swear I’ll ram my head into your chest and die."

"That’s messed up! No way!"

*Since when did her threats get this weird? And my chest’s not made of steel!* Li Mo bit back a dozen retorts under her mother’s glare. She’d have to agree—but she didn’t trust that scheming smile.

"What’re you buying anyway? After that, let’s hit the internet café," Tang Zhe said as they left. His mind was already on gaming. Last night’s canceled session had left him restless.

"Is gaming all you think about?" Li Mo frowned. She’d outgrown the addiction, but his withdrawal pained her.

"And you," he teased.

"Ew. Gross."

His terrible timing struck again. The joke hit Li Mo like a jolt. Her face burned. She kicked him without thinking, then yanked her cap brim low to hide her flushed cheeks. *Not normal. Not normal. Must research how to fix this later.*

"Huh? What else is there? You actually wanna *shop*?" Tang Zhe remained oblivious, pitying her "boring" life without games.

"After I… buy stuff… maybe…" Her voice trailed off. Anxiety tightened her chest. She edged closer to him in the crowded mall, clinging to his presence like a shield.

"Whoa! My stomach’s killing me!"

On the second floor, Li Mo doubled over, clutching her abdomen with a pained grimace. She looked seconds from bolting for the bathroom.

"Dude! Did your mom poison the food?!"

"I’m done for…" She patted his back weakly. "Tonight’s class notes… are all on you…"

"I’ll wait for you."

"Get lost! I’m not having you listen to me *go* outside the stall! Just buy random stuff and head to the net café!"

A chill of pure menace shot down Tang Zhe’s spine. He shoved a tissue pack into her hand. "Stay strong, bro. I’ll be at the café next door."

"Got it."

The moment he vanished around the corner, Li Mo straightened up, scowling at his retreating back. *Clueless idiot.* She took a deep breath.

*Alright. The real battle begins now.*