Early that morning, after seeing Yue Feather off, I got busy right away.

Today was my first day working at the ice cream shop. Though my shift started late, I still felt nervous. I had housework to finish—cleaning, laundry—and needed to hang the clothes out to dry.

It was summer. Showering and changing clothes daily was the norm.

The worst part was shoes. Yue Feather’s smallest pair was size 38; his current ones were size 40. Even the 38s swam on my feet. They clomped and clattered with every step—loud, uncomfortable, impossible to walk fast in without tripping.

After some thought, I chose slippers instead. Most were one-size-fits-all. Still loose, but better than sneakers. Showing up to work in slippers felt weird, though…

Maybe I’d buy shoes at the night market after work. Otherwise, leaving the house would be impossible.

But my pockets were empty. Should I… ask for an advance on my wages?

I rubbed my temples, frustrated. How do you even ask for that? With a sigh, I decided to wait a few days.

Come to think of it, Yue Feather’s living expenses were probably running low too. Near month’s end, money always got tight.

I wore the same outfit: his school uniform. For once, I appreciated China’s gender-neutral design—baggy enough to hide my figure.

I’d never cared much about my body when I was a man. But having nipples show through fabric? That still felt… not great.

Sunlight flooded the streets as people bustled past. Lively, but not overwhelming.

This was downtown in a small city. Outskirts were quieter. Unlike big cities—every district packed, always.

I liked this balance. Too many people felt suffocating. Too few felt lonely. This was just right.

That’s probably why I loved small towns.

The morning breeze carried heat. Even at eight a.m., the sun blazed fiercely.

And this was only June. July’s scorching heat would be torture.

Just thinking about our home—no air conditioning—made me shudder. How did people survive summers like that? Could you even sleep without AC?

Thirty degrees was bearable with an electric fan. But at forty? The fan might as well be useless.

I reached Zhongshan Park. The ice cream shop’s shutter was still locked. Dessert shops opened late. I waited under the eaves, fanning myself patiently.

“Mm… Little girl, you’re here? What’s your name again?”

“Silver Bell.” I answered carefully. First impressions mattered. Stay patient. Smile. No one likes a grumpy coworker—I’d be here awhile.

“Ah, morning! Been waiting long?”

“Not really.” I lied. I’d been here nearly an hour.

Never show impatience. First impressions mattered.

I’d navigated society longer than Yue Feather. My social skills were smoother. These tiny lies? Just armor for daily life.

“Come at 9:30 from now on.” The young woman smiled. Pretty, almost wrinkle-free. Only her weary, world-worn eyes hinted she was a mother.

She could pass for a college student. That mature charm of a married woman drew even my gaze.

“By the way—where’s Xiao Qing?” I asked, remembering yesterday’s little girl.

“Oh, him? At kindergarten.”

“I see…”

“Come in! Slow day today. I’ll teach you ice cream making. Cashier work’s easy—you know that, right?”

“I should manage.” I left room for error.

Adults always kept an exit strategy. Absolute promises meant no retreat. Only reckless kids spoke in certainties.

“Huh. School uniform?”

“Yeah… no other clothes at home.”

“And slippers? Why slippers?”

“Uh…” I forced an awkward smile. A chance. “Not much money…”

“Parents gone? Dropped out to support your little brother?” Xiao Qing’s mother asked gently.

“Mm.” I gave a soft, noncommittal hum. Another adult trick. My high schooler face sold the lie.

Adult world—so filthy with little lies.

I just wanted her sympathy. An advance for shoes. Harmless lies were the gentlest kind.

Shame pricked me. Lying over something so small… yet the habit felt automatic.

“Buy shoes tonight. And new clothes.” She stroked my hair, voice tender. Her touch startled me—memories of my own mother, long faded, flickered.

“No, really—” I pulled back. Was I playing hard to get? Or just moved, unable to trick her?

“Don’t be shy. It’ll come out of your wages. Is three hundred yuan enough?”

She held out three pink bills. My eyes darted. I took only one.

“One hundred’s plenty.”

“Take it all.”

“Really, one hundred’s fine…” Guilt over the lie made me refuse the rest.

Still, at these prices, a hundred yuan could buy night market clothes. Prices from this era were hazy in my memory.

Next: ice cream training. As an apprentice, I was dead weight. No real value yet.

So I learned fiercely. Eager to earn my keep.

My job was simple: cashier and ice cream making. Maybe handing out flyers later—but that’d be easier.

Her husband was busy with a branch store. He only showed up that afternoon, replacing her while she picked up Xiao Qing.

By day’s end, I knew their names. Though I still called them “Boss” and “Boss Lady.”

Both surnamed Su. He was Su Ronghuai. She was Su Yuanyuan. Their accents marked them as outsiders.

Weekday business was slow. Crowds only came after school and work.

This hire was for summer prep. Zhongshan Park would swarm with tourists. Sometimes they’d push carts to the beach. They needed hands.

But only for two or three months.

A shame. This shop paid well for the era.

After Su Yuanyuan brought Xiao Qing back, Su Ronghuai left again. The branch store was under renovation—he had to supervise. Prevent shoddy work.

Trust between people was so fragile.

“Pretty big sister~!” Xiao Qing’s tiny backpack bounced as she barreled into my arms.

I adored well-behaved kids. Especially this soft, glutinous-rice-cake of a child. She smelled faintly of baby powder. Sweet.

But “pretty big sister”? I sighed inwardly. “Handsome big brother” would’ve thrilled me more.

I glanced down at my chest. Another sigh.

“Why sigh, pretty big sister?” Xiao Qing tilted her head.

“No reason. Just thinking how cute you are.” I ruffled her hair, lifting her up. “What’s your name again?”

"I'm Su Yuling~ Mom says it's 'rain' from rainy days and 'clear' from sunny skies~"

"That's a lovely name."

"'And what's the big sister's name?' Xiao Qing asked, rubbing her little face against my chest and tickling me."

"'Me? I'm Silver Bell. 'Silver' as in the color, and 'bell' as in a tiny bell.'"

"'What's that?' Xiao Qing asked adorably, placing her index finger on her lips and tilting her head."

"'Well... it's...' I teased her, laughing as I began to explain."

"Actually, I've always... really wanted a daughter..."