Xiaohan's rental apartment wasn't far from here. She'd specifically moved after Chunan bought a place in this area. The rent near the city center was steep, but she could scrape by with careful budgeting.

After all, she often got to mooch free meals at Chunan's.

Lately, though, she hadn't visited much. First, overtime at work. Second, her scarce free time went to guitar lessons. Naturally, no time for Chunan.

Chunan rarely left home unless necessary. He wouldn't seek Xiaohan out for no reason. So they hadn't met in a while.

He felt he'd become more of a homebody since streaming. But it wasn't a bad thing.

Xiaohan's place was messier than last time—but not dirty. She wasn't great at many things, yet hygiene mattered to her. Otherwise, Chunan would've kicked her out first—he had mild OCD.

The mess meant clothes scattered across the bedroom and clutter filling half the room. Mostly online trinkets.

Oh, and her precious guitar lay on the bed, tucked under a blanket.

Chunan barely suppressed the urge to turn and walk away.

"You knew you were moving. Why not tidy up first?"

Xiaohan laughed it off. "I only found out about the breach recently... My mind was full of how to trick you—ahem, get your help. No time to pack. After you agreed, I got teleported to you. You know the rest."

Chunan raised an eyebrow. "So you only became like this recently?"

"Yeah. The system acts on the next host's aesthetics after confirming you..." Xiaohan's expression turned odd. "But your taste isn't bad. Wait—isn't this your dream wife's look from before?"

Chunan: "..."

True. But that dream felt shattered. His dream wife had been possessed by this guy.

He sighed, pushing pointless thoughts aside. "Do you remember your old self?"

"... No."

"You don't?"

"Hmm." Xiaohan nodded. "The system blurred my memories. Most show me like this now. Some private... um, intimate moments are totally fuzzy."

Maybe that's why becoming a girl didn't bother her as much—though some resistance remained. She'd never lose her principles, like being someone's tool.

Chunan understood. Well, this change was thorough.

He stopped asking, walked into the bedroom, and started packing. "Let's tidy. When will you fix this messy habit?"

Xiaohan grinned. "You'll handle it now."

She'd thought herself tidy until living apart from Chunan post-graduation. Only then did she realize he'd kept things clean. Alone, her true mess emerged.

But tossing clothes around wasn't so bad, right? This felt like home! She convinced herself easily.

Of course, if Chunan tidied her clothes, she'd be thrilled. She'd even call him Dad!—She had before, plenty of times.

The room looked chaotic, but Xiaohan owned little. With all clothes useless now, useful items were pitifully few.

After packing, Chunan eyed the clothes pile on the bed. "What about these?"

Xiaohan shook her head. "Can't wear them now. Do whatever."

Her current body was much shorter. Though she'd forgotten her old face, she recalled being 174 cm tall.

Why so clear? She'd wanted 175 cm—hoped six years, never reached it. Now she'd regressed.

Chunan paused. "Donate them. Do good."

"Here, donation bins actually help people. In the orphanage, our clothes came that way. Time to give back."

Xiaohan agreed readily. "Sure. Bin's downstairs. Let's drop them now."

Chunan hesitated. "Got money left?"

"Yeah. Bank card's fine. Why?"

"Buy clothes later."

He had no women's wear. Couldn't let this guy wear one outfit forever—or go naked. He'd accept the latter.

Xiaohan's expression stiffened for seconds. She mumbled agreement, then grabbed the clothes. "Donate first."

Finishing took time. After confirming nothing was left, Xiaohan returned the keys to the landlord. She and Chunan headed home.

A clean break from the past. But really, no difference. Her best friend was still here.

Chunan's 120-square-meter apartment had three bedrooms and two living areas. Prime location near downtown—a lucky catch with tenth-anniversary and ten-thousandth-member discounts. Otherwise, the down payment might've been impossible.

Half the space sat unused. Master bedroom for sleep, living room for streaming. The other bedrooms were storage. Beds existed, but making them sleepable took effort.

Chunan wouldn't help. "Pick a room and tidy it yourself. I'm prepping today's stream."

Freeloading on meals and expecting room service—he wasn't that kind.

Xiaohan was thrilled. Comfier than her rental, no rent. Any bedroom was hers!

But seeing the two rooms' states killed her joy.

"Chunan... help me?"

"No." He didn't hesitate.

Xiaohan whined, voice trembling, tears welling. "Can you let a girl clean this mess? Covered in dust, face smudged—do you like that?"

"It's 'dusty from travel'."

"..." Her tears dried up.

They stared. Chunan knew this guy wouldn't tidy today. "Fine. Couch for you tonight."

Xiaohan: "... No basic respect for a girl? Shouldn't I get the bedroom?"

Chunan retorted, "Are you even a girl?"

"How not?! Look at these!" Xiaohan rubbed her chest. "Fake?!"

"Then can I fuck them?"

"..."

Silence stretched. Xiaohan muttered, "Your bed's big. Let's squeeze together?"