Her voice was as clear as flawless spring water, instantly recognizable even in the noisy crowd.

Yue Feather looked up. He saw Silver Bell standing by the flower bed at the school gate, wearing his oversized uniform. It draped on her like a quilt, yet made her look even cuter.

He hurried over, surprised and confused. Feeling scorching stares from all around, he lowered his head and whispered, "Why did you come out?"

"I was bored at home. Came out for a walk and ran into you."

"What a coincidence... right at the school gate, just as I finished class..." Yue Feather forced a dry laugh, hinting at fate. But his subtlety was lost on Silver Bell.

This was peak dismissal time. Students crowded the gate, their eyes fixed on Silver Bell. Boys with weak willpower stood frozen, staring blankly.

Muffled grunts rose from the crowd—girlfriends "disciplining" their boyfriends.

Everyone envied Yue Feather. He alone stood close to Silver Bell. Not clearly a couple, but proximity meant hope.

A flower on dung.

That phrase flashed through countless minds.

"Wearing our uniform—is she from a grade one class?"

"Never seen her before. A girl that pretty can’t be forgotten."

"Maybe she’s just low-key?"

"I think I’m in love at first sight."

"Bullshit. You say that about every pretty girl."

"She’s prettier than TV stars!"

"Stars wear makeup. She’s prettier barefaced!"

Murmurs swirled, all about the mysterious Silver Bell.

Ji Fan rushed over, eyes wide. He scanned her head to toe, then sucked in a breath. "Whoa... such a beauty... Yue Feather, you know her?"

"Y-yes..."

"You sly dog! Good fortune! Pretending to be single at school, but you’ve got a stunner!"

"A-ah, no! Not my girlfriend..." Yue Feather waved his hands frantically. Being misunderstood warmed his heart, but admitting it might cost him Silver Bell’s friendship.

"Not?" Ji Fan frowned. "Then what?"

"Uh... she’s..."

"Spit it out! Stop stuttering!"

...

I looked up at Ji Fan—nearly 1.8 meters tall—and recalled high school. A relieved smile touched my lips.

My altered past was improving. Ji Fan, once a rare friend, hadn’t drifted after that incident. We were becoming true buddies.

"Spit it out!" Ji Fan’s impatient voice snapped me back. Yue Feather stammered helplessly.

"We... live together..." Yue Feather blurted, avoiding the question. Ji Fan’s jaw dropped, eyes bulging.

"Holy crap? Cohabiting?" Ji Fan gasped, disbelieving. His tall frame made the shock comical.

Seeing Yue Feather flounder, I stepped forward. "I’m his sister."

"Sister?"

"Cousin sister. I’m Silver Bell. Nice to meet you." I extended my hand. A meeting across time?

"Hello! I’m Ji Fan." He shook my hand lightly, then pulled back. Usually chatty, he turned shy around strangers—better than Yue Feather.

"See you next time." I waved, smiling. So much to say, but my role forbade it. Yue Feather would help Ji Fan later.

"Goodbye..." Ji Fan watched my back wistfully until I turned the corner. His burning gaze finally faded.

I flushed. Was he interested in me?

Vain as it sounded, this body was stunning. His reaction was normal...

If I were still male, I’d stare just like him. Pity it’s me.

Without this body, I’d never meet such a girl. I knew my old self—utterly ordinary.

Ancient wisdom on matching social status held truth.

I didn’t take Yue Feather straight home. It was Friday; we had time. I led him to Zhongshan Park nearby.

Today’s mock exam results were out. He’d failed badly.

In my memories, he’d stared at Murong Qiuyu during the test. Days earlier, she’d fallen into my arms—sparking wild fantasies in my younger self.

Simply put: he overthought her interest, daydreamed, and lost focus.

Just to be safe, I asked gently, "How’d you score today?"

"Huh? How do you know..." Yue Feather muttered, confused. "I never told you..."

I froze. My thoughts raced ahead—I’d skipped setup. As his "sister," I shouldn’t know this.

Luckily, he shrugged it off. I’d need to act more carefully, like a true performer.

"...Terrible," he admitted glumly. Honest at this age, no lies or bravado.

The world line shifted slightly, but not enough. He’d still failed, surely mocked at school.

I’d met him at the gate to boost his confidence—to show he wasn’t alone.

Maybe I’d pretended to be his girlfriend a little. It’d help him—and my plans.

I’d need to pick him up often, to meet Zhan Qi for the next phase.

"Oh! The young man from yesterday!" A woman leaned from the park’s ice cream shop, waving excitedly. "Come for ice cream?"

"Ah?" Yue Feather startled. "N-no, just visiting the park—"

"Nonsense! Since you’re here..." She beamed. "Is that your girlfriend?"

"M-my sister..."

We couldn’t refuse. At the shop, a tiny girl pounced into Yue Feather’s arms. She nuzzled his stomach, cooing, "Big brother~"

"Ah... um..."

"Her name’s Xiao Qing," the mother smiled. "She adores you."

"Uh... really?" Yue Feather laughed awkwardly.

"Husband, this is the boy who saved Xiao Qing yesterday."

"Oh! Fine lad."

"H-hello... I’m Yue Feather..."

Kitten-like girls were irresistible. Even I wanted to pat Xiao Qing’s head.

I’d never felt fatherhood before.

"What’s your name, dear?"

"Silver Bell. Silver like coins, bell like the sound."

"Got it! Yue Feather—chocolate for you. Silver Bell—strawberry. Unlimited refills!"

"Too kind," I said, about to ask the price. But their proud gazes stopped me.

For some, payment insults generosity. I accepted silently, though I disliked freebies.

Truthfully, I preferred Yue Feather’s chocolate. Strawberry was too sweet.

I disliked sweets.

Though this body’s tongue seemed sensitive to sugar.

Yue Feather answered the couple’s questions stiffly, enduring Xiao Qing’s clinginess. He hated this. Honestly, so did I.

I’d just learned to force myself through it.

Suddenly, I spotted a job posting stuck on the door of an ice cream shop.

"Wanted: One store mascot (promotional events, handing out flyers, making ice cream, etc.). Requirements: pleasant features, sweet appearance preferred, under 25. Full-time or student part-time positions available."

I’d been job hunting all day. But every place demanded an ID or other documents. The ones that didn’t require them involved heavy labor—my body just couldn’t handle it.

I don’t remember small towns being this strict about child labor back in 2004.

Still, a solution appeared. This ice cream shop needed a store mascot... It felt weird, but I had to admit it was the perfect fit for my current body.

Plus, with Yue Feather as their daughter’s savior, my chances would definitely improve.

Decision made—I’d ask.

"Excuse me, are you hiring?"