Xuye Cheng was led out of the café by her hand. Her gaze fell on the road, a hint of hesitation in her expression.

"Yuwei, are you from S University?"

Dou Yuwei shook her head. "I’m from the neighboring university. How could I possibly attend a place like S University..."

Xuye Cheng thought it made sense. At her school, not to mention the lack of handsome guys, the number and quality of girls were quite poor.

"Also, why does Ningning call me Yuwei?" Dou Yuwei frowned, a trace of displeasure on her face.

Xuye Cheng was slightly surprised.

"Then what should I call you?"

"Just call me Doudou. It’s so much more affectionate," Dou Yuwei said, a smile appearing on her face.

Xuye Cheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, Doudou."

Unfortunately, Xuye Cheng was actually a guy. Even with this appearance, the word "Doudou" came out of her mouth mechanically stiff, like a robot reading it.

Doudou’s entire face scrunched up instantly.

Seeing her expression, Xuye Cheng’s look turned puzzled.

"What’s wrong?" Xuye Cheng responded with a hint of confusion.

"I feel Ningning is a bit strange," Doudou said after a pause. "Maybe because you’re an engineering girl?"

Xuye Cheng immediately felt flustered. "Huh? What’s strange?"

"You’re the first girl to pronounce my nickname so formally..." Doudou cleared her throat lightly. "Others say ‘Doo~doo~’, but you say ‘Dou-dou’."

Xuye Cheng rubbed her forehead. Why care about such details? Still, she cleared her throat and mimicked Doudou’s rhythmic tone. "Doudou~"

Hearing her own soft voice, a shiver ran down Xuye Cheng’s spine. The thought of her, a big man, producing such a cute sound caused a strong inner shock.

This feeling... was just as damn frustrating as learning Guanyin Bodhisattva is actually male.

Doudou nodded in satisfaction.

"That’s how it should be. Ningning, you look so cute; your personality should match your appearance to attract boys," Doudou said earnestly.

Xuye Cheng’s face darkened instantly.

What? Personality matching appearance, being liked by boys?

A strong sense of disgust rose in her heart.

Uncontrollably, images flooded her mind.

Zheng Wenxuan, using cheap hair gel that cost only 9.9 yuan with free shipping, slicked his hair until it shone. He held a bouquet of roses and winked at her.

"Xuye Cheng, I like you."

It was utterly shocking...

Xuye Cheng’s vision went black. She was puzzled why she’d imagined such a scene.

Seeing Xuye Cheng’s stiffened expression, Doudou’s look turned worried.

Had she said something wrong?

Doudou’s expression grew nervous.

"Ningning?" she asked softly.

"Huh? What?" Xuye Cheng snapped back, her expression slightly awkward.

"Ningning, you’re not angry, are you?"

"Of course not. What would I be angry about?" Xuye Cheng replied nonchalantly, easing Doudou’s worries.

Sure enough, her personality still needed work...

Xuye Cheng felt that if this continued, she’d be exposed.

At the very least, she needed to know how a normal girl would handle things.

"I thought you were angry. Pointing out others’ flaws does seem wrong," Doudou said with difficulty.

Xuye Cheng was instantly moved. Doudou was truly a good girl!

"Mm, I think I do need to change some things..."

Seeing her troubled look, Doudou instantly understood.

"I see. Ningning, don’t worry—I’ll definitely help you!"

Seeing Doudou’s determined face, a faint smile appeared on Xuye Cheng’s lips.

What a hassle...

Xuye Cheng thought helplessly: just trying to make a living, and she had to figure out how to be a girl.

After all, she didn’t want to be exposed. She couldn’t afford to lose such a lucrative opportunity.

"Um... Ningning, were you raised as a boy before?" Doudou tentatively asked.

These words flustered Xuye Cheng.

It wasn’t accurate, but it hit close to the mark.

"Uh, why do you think that?"

After a brief pause, Xuye Cheng replied calmly.

"I had a classmate raised like a boy since childhood—a tomboy," Doudou said, her gaze on Xuye Cheng’s face. "But Ningning doesn’t seem like that."

"I feel you’re more girly than her, and you have long hair."

Xuye Cheng instantly felt his male dignity trampled.

What? So she was less manly than a tomboy?

Xuye Cheng felt a bit defeated.

Come on, this long hair wasn’t her choice—it was a starter pack gift she never wanted.

"Also, Ningning’s name sounds lovely, gentle and peaceful~ it really matches your looks."

Though the praise wasn’t for her true self, Xuye Cheng felt a bit elated.

Yet, while her heart leaped, a corner of it seemed to collapse inward...

"Thank you," Xuye Cheng said softly, her voice crisp and gentle, unexpectedly pleasant.

"By the way, where are we going?" Doudou asked as they crossed the intersection.

Xuye Cheng had planned to return to school but remembered she needed to change this dress.

Having Doudou along would help...

After all, entering a women’s clothing store alone still made her uneasy.

"I want to buy clothes. What about you, Yu... Doudou?" Xuye Cheng pronounced "Doudou" with deliberate rhythm.

Doudou frowned again, then demonstrated the pronunciation.

Xuye Cheng repeated after her.

But Doudou’s expression still seemed off.

"Is there a problem?"

Doudou shook her head. "No. It’s just... ironic that a girl prettier than me is learning from me."

Xuye Cheng smiled awkwardly. "Is that so..."

Doudou sighed. "Forget it. Let’s go—I’m free. A clothing store is just ahead. Their styles are good and prices reasonable."

Relief showed on Xuye Cheng’s face. What Doudou didn’t know was that Xuye Cheng cared only about the "reasonable prices."

Xuye Cheng never had high demands for clothes.

Durable, not scary-looking, not flashy—that was all she needed.