"Mainly 'cause I'm broke..." Xuye Cheng said with a helpless shrug. "Otherwise, I'd be living way more comfortably, for sure."

Zheng Wenxuan patted his shoulder and let out a heavy sigh.

"A real man’s gotta toughen up—work his body, starve his flesh, empty his spirit... only then can he explode from the silence and snag a better girl."

Xuye Cheng’s expression instantly twisted into something odd.

"Can you *not* spout this nonsense in broad daylight?" He barely held back a laugh.

"Crude words, solid truth," Zheng Wenxuan sighed again. "For us guys who aren’t exactly handsome? Gotta have cash and depth."

Xuye Cheng checked the clock—9 a.m.

"Wait, why’re you back so early today?" He walked to his desk, grabbed his toothbrush.

"Missed you." Zheng Wenxuan flashed a flirty grin.

"Scram, weirdo." Xuye Cheng rolled his eyes, squeezed toothpaste onto the brush. "Seriously though—what’s in that box you lugged in?" His gaze landed on the cardboard crate.

"Adult business. Kids shouldn’t poke their noses in." Zheng Wenxuan waved a hand dismissively.

"Oh, come *on*. Remember when I brought you breakfast and you were chasing me yelling ‘Dad’?" Xuye Cheng chuckled.

"That was under *very* specific beneficial circumstances," Zheng Wenxuan said, flipping through the package before glancing up. "Lend me a utility knife."

"Call me Dad."

"Dad!"

"Such a good boy~ No wonder you’re my favorite son." A flicker of pride crossed Xuye Cheng’s face. He opened the right desk drawer, pulled out the knife, handed it to the crouching Zheng Wenxuan, then ducked into the bathroom.

At the sink, he stared into the mirror. Same old face—scattered pimples, thick lips, a slightly flat nose. Utterly unremarkable.

Add late nights and post-breakup neglect after splitting with Ji Qingying, and even his once-decent looks had taken a hit.

*Why did the mask just fall off?*

*What even is this thing?*

He couldn’t wrap his head around it—something this supernatural actually existing.

Everything felt... off.

But... he *did* have this thing that could change his face.

Though honestly? Felt like its only use was turning him into some cross-dressing legend.

*Keep it.* Even if useless now, there’d probably be... some random moment it’d matter.

Hearing Zheng Wenxuan tearing open the box outside, Xuye Cheng rinsed his mouth, stepped out—and froze.

A flesh-colored lump. Something that looked like a wig...

"Holy crap!!" Zheng Wenxuan slammed the lid shut, flustered.

He looked up. Xuye Cheng wore a sly, knowing grin.

"Wenxuan... buying women’s clothes? Damn, you’ve got *interesting* hobbies."

Zheng Wenxuan’s face darkened. "You wear them! This isn’t women’s clothing! I’m a rugged guy—why the hell would I?!"

Xuye Cheng patted his shoulder sympathetically. "It’s okay. Everyone’s got quirks."

Zheng Wenxuan smirked. "How about *you* in black stockings? Interested?"

Xuye Cheng hadn’t expected such shameless boldness.

His mind instantly conjured the image: Zheng Wenxuan—over 130 pounds, thick muscular legs wrapped in sheer black stockings...

*Too much.*

Goosebumps prickled his arms.

"Way too much. Hard pass."

Zheng Wenxuan nodded. "Yeah, I’d rather see *you* in them."

Xuye Cheng’s expression soured again.

"I’m a rugged guy too," he said flatly.

"Please. With those skinny calves? Cover your head—I *might* appreciate it."

"So you’d only vibe if you didn’t see my face? You’re genuinely gross." Disgust twisted Xuye Cheng’s features.

"That’s a *compliment*! You wouldn’t get it," Zheng Wenxuan shot back, equally revolted.

"So what’s *actually* in there? Still think it’s women’s clothes."

"I said—adult stuff." Zheng Wenxuan frowned.

"Then I’ll spread the rumor you secretly bought a dress." Xuye Cheng grinned wickedly.

"Fine. But swear you won’t leak it."

Xuye Cheng thumped his chest. "Cross my heart. Trust my integrity."

Zheng Wenxuan’s cheeks flushed awkwardly. He opened the box and yanked out the "adult item."

Xuye Cheng jolted back.

"Whoa!" He stumbled, bumped the chair behind him, barely catching himself before collapsing.

Zheng Wenxuan burst out laughing.

"Really...?" he muttered, exasperated.

Xuye Cheng squinted. Recognition dawned.

"...Your inflatable girlfriend?" he finally asked, stunned.

"There’s a thing called *seeing but not saying*!" Zheng Wenxuan shoved it back in. "Now you know! Leak this, and I’ll pin you down and make you wear a maid outfit."

Xuye Cheng blinked, speechless.

"What kind of threat is *that*?" he muttered. "Relax. I won’t tell."

Zheng Wenxuan calmly stowed the box in the cabinet.

"Why not blow it up and peek?" Xuye Cheng steadied himself.

"Blow *your* head! So embarrassing," Zheng Wenxuan grumbled, standing up.

"You *know* shame?" Xuye Cheng shot back. "Then why ship it to campus?"

"Wrong address," Zheng Wenxuan shrugged helplessly. "Otherwise I wouldn’t’ve rushed over this early."

"Ah." Xuye Cheng nodded. *An inflatable girlfriend... yeah. Totally get it.*

He grabbed a face towel from the desk and slipped back into the bathroom.

Zheng Wenxuan’s eyes lit up at a mask-like object on the floor. He reached down and picked it up.