"No way, no way," Xuye Cheng quickly refused.

He Xiaohan flashed another gentle smile. "If you ever really need help, feel free to ask me anytime."

Xuye Cheng silently scoffed to himself. What did this guy even think love was?

He was pushing it like a sales clerk hawking goods.

Though he’d roomed with He Xiaohan for ages, Xuye Cheng had known his true colors for a long time. Before, he’d only felt a bit annoyed by He Xiaohan. But as a friend, the guy was actually pretty decent—except for his fickle heart.

A player’s a player, whatever. Hanging out as friends was genuinely comfortable, so Xuye Cheng hadn’t minded much.

But this time, he’d messed with his ex-girlfriend. Back when Xuye Cheng was with Ji Qingying, he’d truly cared.

He admitted he still… couldn’t quite let go of those feelings for her.

He knew he hadn’t fully shed the identity of "Ji Qingying’s boyfriend" yet.

So Xuye Cheng really felt like an idiot.

He grabbed today’s outfit from his closet, changed swiftly, and headed straight out the door.

Pulling out his phone, Xuye Cheng saw Zheng Wenxuan’s reply.

"What’s up, my sweet Cheng?"

Xuye Cheng was speechless.

"You’re useless now. Scram."

"*Whimper* *whimper*, my sweet Cheng’s so cruel! I was eating and didn’t see it."

"Got it. Stop grossing me out," Xuye Cheng replied, adding a disgust emoji. "A grown man whining like that? Be a real man. Cut the flashy nonsense."

After sending the message, Xuye Cheng turned off his phone and walked to a small stall in the cafeteria corner. He ordered a bowl of beef lamian.

By the time he sat down to eat and picked up his phone again, Zheng Wenxuan had sent another message.

"I’m planning to find a part-time job for the next two days. Make a few hundred bucks. Then I won’t worry about cash for gacha this month."

Xuye Cheng read it and typed back, "Go for it." Then he settled into his seat.

Since that mask could pull off such insane, lifelike effects, cross-dressing to work at that café should be totally doable too.

Saying he’d cosplay for views and cash sounded tricky. With roommates always around, pulling it off would be tough.

"Where’s that café you mentioned again?" Xuye Cheng asked.

"What, you’re actually considering it?" Zheng Wenxuan replied, adding a goofy emoji.

"Just thinking of checking it out," Xuye Cheng shot back smoothly, expecting exactly that reaction.

"Walk one street forward from the convenience store where you are."

"Got it."

He’d see for himself what kind of place offered such high pay and only hired girls.

As Xuye Cheng slurped his noodles, he thought: Better not pull that thing out in the dorm again. Feels dangerous. If anyone spotted it there, he’d be totally screwed.

Come to think of it, the mask only worked when he wore it.

Everything was getting weirder and weirder.

He had no clue who the original owner was.

But since it was in his hands now, Xuye Cheng figured he might as well use it.

He sighed. I wonder if it has side effects?

So far, probably not. He’d worn it overnight and felt fine.

Finishing his noodles slowly, he decided to chalk it up to insane good luck—like some novel protagonist stumbling on a golden finger.

Xuye Cheng felt ridiculously good about himself.

When he finished eating and stood to leave, he realized he’d forgotten his ID. He had to rush back to the dorm.

Zheng Wenxuan and He Xiaohan were both chilling in the AC.

Zheng Wenxuan grinned as Xuye Cheng opened a drawer and grabbed his ID. "Sweet Cheng, I’m craving bubble tea. Grab me a cup, please?"

Xuye Cheng stared coldly at the grinning Zheng Wenxuan. "There’s a bubble tea shop on campus."

"That one sucks. Go get me one from outside. There’s a place right by the gate."

Xuye Cheng was exasperated. "Order delivery yourself. I’d have to wait ages in line."

"Pleeease~" Zheng Wenxuan whined, twisting awkwardly.

Xuye Cheng looked disgusted. "Don’t think I don’t know you can’t even be bothered to leave the dorm building."

Zheng Wenxuan chuckled. "I’ll treat you to one too. Fair deal?"

Xuye Cheng frowned again. "Is it really worth it? Paying for two cups just for one drink? That’s a total rip-off."

Zheng Wenxuan sighed deeply, his voice dropping to a low, oddly charming tone. "I’m just looking out for you."

Xuye Cheng nearly gagged.

"Fine, fine. I’ll go," he relented. But as he turned to leave with his ID, He Xiaohan called out.

"Grab one for me too, thanks," He Xiaohan said. "Any pearl milk tea is fine. No ice."

Xuye Cheng almost refused. But remembering He Xiaohan had brought him breakfast before, he gave in.

"Okay. I’ll bring them back later."

Zheng Wenxuan immediately pouted.

"What? You agree so fast when Lao He asks?" Zheng Wenxuan whined, looking wounded.

Xuye Cheng thought Zheng Wenxuan was nuts.

"It’s just that—"

Zheng Wenxuan: "You’re biased!"

He Xiaohan: "You’ve got ulterior motives!"

The already annoyed Xuye Cheng fell silent.

"Why are you butting in?" he snapped.

He Xiaohan gave an innocent shrug. "Just humoring a kid. Don’t mind it."

Zheng Wenxuan’s eyes instantly reddened. "Next to Bro He, I really am just a little kid. Haven’t even dated many girls…"

Xuye Cheng wanted to slap him.

To his shock, tears actually rolled down Zheng Wenxuan’s face.

"I had a girlfriend once. She called me disgusting and dumped me because I rushed things."

He Xiaohan chuckled softly. He glanced subtly at Xuye Cheng, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "That girl never liked you," he said, offering one. "Want a smoke?"

Zheng Wenxuan hesitated, then took it.

"If a girl truly likes you," He Xiaohan continued, lighting his own cigarette and stepping onto the balcony, "she wouldn’t dump you over something like that. Like, if you’ve been dating forever but never even held hands or kissed? Yeah, she definitely doesn’t like you."