After all, that guy used to dash to the library daily during freshman year. Zheng Wenxuan defended their lazy crew to He Xiaohan, only to get told to go find girls there.
So as the slacker ringleader, he didn’t really mind. As long as no one secretly burned out behind their backs, they stayed good friends.
But when He Xiaohan snagged the scholarship later, Zheng Wenxuan was dumbfounded.
Xuye Cheng wasn’t as lazy as Zheng Wenxuan, but he mostly just scraped by to pass.
He strolled leisurely back to the school gate, then realized something crucial.
He’d forgotten to buy bubble tea.
Xuye Cheng sighed helplessly and ambled across the street to the shop.
He needed proper rest; tonight’s shift would be grueling.
Thinking this, he reached the shop, ordered two cups, and waited at the door.
He pulled out his phone—store manager accepted his friend request.
"Honey, our male staff’s full," she messaged. Her profile pic was McDull; his was an anime-style long-haired girl.
"Uh..." Xuye Cheng instantly felt awkward.
How to start?
"Are you a cross-dresser too? If yes, you can join," she added with an Anya’s smile meme.
Xuye Cheng was completely baffled.
"Huh?"
"No need to be shy. Many girls hold back, so we’re short-staffed. Guys work great too—but you must look convincing and fake a girl’s voice."
"I’ll think about it..." Xuye Cheng replied after a long pause.
Seriously, what a weird world.
"If you’re a college student, I’ll pay extra and schedule shifts around your classes," she pressed eagerly.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Xuye Cheng felt tempted.
Extra pay? On top of that?? He almost teared up with gratitude.
"Your bubble tea’s ready~" the staff called. "To-go, right?"
Xuye Cheng nodded. They packed it and handed it over.
He took it and turned to leave.
Not craving bubble tea himself, he hadn’t ordered an extra cup.
"If you decide to come, dress up, bring your ID, and find me at the entrance. I’m the one handing out flyers in a maid uniform," she messaged with a heart emoji.
Xuye Cheng was surprised reading this.
The maid-uniform flyer girl was the manager??
That’s hardcore.
Xuye Cheng still felt it was embarrassing.
I’ll think about it...
As he hesitated, shouts came from behind.
"Hey! The guy ahead!!"
Xuye Cheng turned. A girl ran up, holding a cup of bubble tea.
Bent over and panting, she said, "This... is for you..."
Xuye Cheng froze, his expression turning troubled.
Was she giving him bubble tea?
Wow, his first time being approached like this.
And she wasn’t bad-looking either.
But... he should stay cool. Acting too eager might scare her off.
"Uh, I already have some, thanks..." Xuye Cheng said, shaking his two cups.
After catching her breath, she straightened up. "No, the taro paste one inside is mine. They mixed it up."
"Huh?" Xuye Cheng stood petrified.
"Uh... you okay?" she asked softly, seeing him frozen.
Xuye Cheng coughed awkwardly and handed over both cups. "Fine..."
She took her cup and kindly put his back.
"Thanks, classmate~"
"N-no problem."
Watching her leave, Xuye Cheng felt a flood of embarrassment surge through him.
When had he become so overconfident?
No girl would ever give him bubble tea like that.
Xuye Cheng covered his face with a bitter smile, ashamed of his self-delusion.
Though the girl noticed nothing and no passersby watched, he still felt utterly humiliated.
Sighing helplessly, Xuye Cheng quickly slunk back to his dorm.
Inside, another roommate had arrived.
It was Liu Xianlin. His buzz cut and prominent cheekbones gave a tough-guy vibe.
But he was actually a bit naive.
Xuye Cheng walked in. He Xiaohan, at his computer, flashed a warm smile. "Thanks." He took the bubble tea.
Zheng Wenxuan, sprawled on his bed, sat up. "Back already?" He crawled to the edge. "Hand it over, my precious."
Xuye Cheng showed no extra expression. After He Xiaohan took one cup, he passed the other to Zheng Wenxuan.
"Love you, mwah." Zheng Wenxuan took it, bombarding him with affection.
Xuye Cheng stayed speechless. Though Zheng Wenxuan said this daily, he still couldn’t handle it.
Snapping back, he noticed Liu Xianlin staring.
Xuye Cheng frowned. Liu Xianlin smiled. "Yecheng, haven’t seen you in days. You look way hotter now."
Xuye Cheng was confused by the random compliment.
"How so?"
"You seem a bit fairer." Liu Xianlin examined his face seriously.
"Yeah, I noticed too," Zheng Wenxuan chimed in.
Xuye Cheng felt puzzled again. He scratched his head and walked to the bathroom mirror.
Seeing his reflection, a strange feeling rose in him.
Hard to describe...
Xuye Cheng stared. The acne on his cheeks had faded significantly.
He looked left and right, still sensing something off.
His gaze fell on his eye corner. He spotted a mole near his right eye...
He was slightly taken aback. When had he had this mole?
He touched it; it was real.
No wonder he felt weird.
