Xuye Cheng was slightly startled. The girl continued, "Hi there, classmate. We're doing a short survey. Could we take just a few minutes of your time?"

Xuye Cheng felt a bit nervous. Behind the mic-holding girl stood another classmate with a camera. This wasn't some casual chat-up.

"Okay," Xuye Cheng replied. The girl's face instantly brightened into a smile.

"Just a few questions. Answer based on your real situation. Which year are you in?"

"I'm a sophomore," Xuye Cheng said.

"How much monthly allowance do you get from home?"

Xuye Cheng blinked in surprise. "A thousand yuan."

The interviewer's expression turned slightly shocked. "Where do most of your daily expenses go?"

Xuye Cheng blinked again. "Just food, I guess. I have a part-time job on campus, so I make about fifteen hundred total."

"Oh? Do you save money regularly?"

Xuye Cheng nodded. "Yeah. I put aside around a hundred each time I get paid."

"Do you invest? Like buying funds or other financial products?"

"No..."

After a few more spending questions, the interview ended. Xuye Cheng received a small clay figurine.

"Thanks for your help!" the girl smiled. "Wish you a great day! Bye!"

"Mm, you're welcome," Xuye Cheng replied politely.

Only when the group walked far away did Xuye Cheng head toward the campus supermarket.

It's the start of the month. Treating myself to two bags of chips shouldn't be too much, right?

Thinking this, Xuye Cheng reached the snack aisle, grabbed one bag of grilled meat flavor and one of tomato flavor, then headed to checkout.

Seeing the long queue, Xuye Cheng instantly regretted it.

How did I dare show up like this in such a crowded spot...

A headache throbbed.

But putting the chips back and leaving now would draw even more attention, right?

Sighing inwardly, Xuye Cheng joined the end of the line.

"Need anything else?"

Xuye Cheng froze. He Xiaohan's voice came from behind.

Goosebumps prickled Xuye Cheng's scalp. Why does this guy pop up everywhere?

"Mm, no. This is all," came Ji Qingying's voice too. Xuye Cheng kept eyes glued to the phone, clutching the clay figurine. He Xiaohan straightened up, spotting Xuye Cheng ahead. A trace of something flickered in his eyes.

Her again...

He Xiaohan noticed the two chip bags in Xuye Cheng's hand. From the back, it looked like she was scrolling on her phone.

The line inched forward. Xuye Cheng scanned the QR code with a phone tap, paid, and hurried out.

Back in the lab building, Xuye Cheng changed clothes. The moment the mask came off, a familiar sensation washed over, melting all tension.

Being myself is the most comfortable.

Xuye Cheng exhaled, stretched after dressing, and felt a little odd as his vision rose slightly—back to male form.

Finally settled.

Xuye Cheng shouldered the bag, heading for the dorm.

He Xiaohan parted ways with Ji Qingying. By the time he reached the dorm, everyone was already there.

Xuye Cheng leaned against the desk, munching chips. He Xiaohan frowned. A bag of grilled meat flavor sat beside Xuye Cheng's hand.

What a coincidence.

He Xiaohan walked to his own desk.

"Bro Cheng, finished the math test?" He Xiaohan asked.

Xuye Cheng, watching a video, paused with a slightly awkward smile. "Forgot... I'll start now and return it soon."

"No rush. Just checking."

"Where've you been, Lao He?" Zheng Wenxuan called from his bed.

"Out with my girlfriend. Just bought some stuff," He Xiaohan grinned.

A wave of discomfort hit Xuye Cheng again.

He logged into another WeChat account, setting a new profile pic and nickname.

Something cute for the pic. A soft, girly name.

The female name Xu Wanning...

Xuye Cheng hesitated internally.

What nickname to pick?

Something poetic this time.

After the "Little Cheng Never Wakes Up" fiasco, Xuye Cheng aimed for less cringe.

Ning'an.

He typed it in, then swapped "An" for the rarer "An" character.

Yeah, that had an artsy vibe.

Adding an English period at the end—his little quirk.

Perfect.

He sent the WeChat ID to the shop manager. Added to a work group, Xuye Cheng was instantly flooded with welcomes.

"New sis is so cute! @NingAn."

"Welcome, new sis~"

"Welcome welcome~"

Xuye Cheng felt queasy. They'd already assumed he was a girl...

Guilt prickled. Was this online catfishing? His first time ever.

He almost typed a greeting but held back—less talk, fewer mistakes. Better to lurk.

"Everyone post next week's class schedule. I'll arrange shifts," the manager announced.

Xuye Cheng frowned, pulling up his schedule to share.

"Wow, you're in engineering?" A girl @'d him, amazed.

Xuye Cheng checked her nickname: "It's DouDouAh." Probably a bubbly girl.

BeerBellyFairy: "Respect!"

ShopaholicGirl: "Respect!"

...

"Not really..." Xuye Cheng typed carefully after a pause.

It's DouDouAh: "Only heroes major in engineering as girls."

ShopaholicGirl: "Totally."

It's DouDouAh: "The manager said you're super cute. I'm already excited!"

Scanning the girly nicknames, Xuye Cheng realized his poetic one felt out of place.

No—*he* felt out of place.

"No, no," Xuye Cheng typed, flustered.

It's DouDouAh: "See? She's modest. Must be a total beauty with that artsy name~"

A chill ran down Xuye Cheng's spine.

Wait—wasn't I the wolf in the sheep pen? Why did it feel reversed?

"Alright, Xiao Ning is genuinely pretty. I was smitten this afternoon. Get ready to be dazzled, everyone!"