June 28, Monday—a bright and sunny day again.

After a week as an apprentice, I started to look the part of making ice cream.

Truth was, it wasn’t that complex. You just needed steady nerves. Panic when crowded? No good.

Monday stayed leisurely. Only one customer all morning.

Ice cream shops swing like that—crazy busy or dead quiet.

But summer break neared. Soon, it’d be packed daily.

“Silver Bell~”

“What is it, boss lady?” I looked at Su Yuanyuan, puzzled.

“Xiao Qing’s out of school now. Could you pick her up?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Delivery’s coming soon. I need to pay and check stock. Can’t leave.”

“Oh… sure. But why so early today?”

“Kindergarten’s on summer break. It’s close—straight down this road, past three lights, right at the second, then left at the next.”

That didn’t sound close at all…

But I couldn’t refuse the boss lady. I sighed and accepted.

Anyway, stuck in the shop all day was boring. A walk might be nice.

My sneakers were cheap stall buys. Thin soles. After a few steps, my feet ached—like walking barefoot. Even flip-flops felt better.

Way too flimsy. Pure corner-cutting.

Stall goods? You get what you pay for.

“Oh, take an umbrella. Sun’s harsh out there.”

Umbrella?

Sunny day? I’m a guy. Scared of tanning?

I almost refused, but Su Yuanyuan’s next words stopped me.

“Xiao Qing has a congenital eye condition. Strong sunlight hurts her.”

“Oh… got it.”

The umbrella didn’t cool me, but blocking the sun felt shady. Maybe just in my head.

Summer heat was brutal. I really didn’t want to go out. The shop’s AC and fans were a safe haven. Sometimes after work, I dreaded going home—no AC there…

The ground burned like a hot skillet. My paper-thin soles did nothing. My feet felt cooked.

That short walk stretched endlessly in the heat.

Finally at the school gate, I let out a slight sigh, wiping my forehead—barely any sweat.

This body was weird. Felt hot but sweated little. A boy would’ve been soaked.

The kindergarten gate swarmed with parents rushing during lunch break. The crowd made the air stuffier.

A little girl in a sweet light-blue dress stepped out. Behind her, other kids followed. A teacher watched closely, checking every adult. Suspicious? She’d ask questions.

After all, if a stranger took a kid, parents were liable.

I spotted Su Yuling instantly. Among the girls, she was the prettiest dressed—and naturally cute.

If I had a daughter, I’d dress her like that for kindergarten.

But… having a daughter meant marrying a man?

No way. Disgusting… Hmm… I’ll dress Yue Feather’s daughter then.

Yeah, I’ll make sure Yue Feather and his wife have a daughter.

“Xiao Qing~” I waved. She looked up, spotting me.

“Silver Bell sister!” After I taught her my name last time, she remembered. She yelled excitedly, leaping into my arms. Her little head rubbed my chest. Stray hairs tickled my nose. I sneezed.

“Are you Su Yuling’s parent?”

“Ah… no. Picking her up for her parents.”

“Who are you to her?” Her teacher asked firmly.

“I… work at her parents’ ice cream shop.”

“Su Yuling, do you know her?”

“Yes! Silver Bell sister~” She climbed higher, rubbing her face against mine.

Seeing how close we were, the teacher relaxed. A few quick questions, then she let us go.

“Why is Silver Bell sister picking me up? Where’s Mommy?” Su Yuling tilted her head.

“Hmm? Your mom’s busy.” I set her down, holding her small hand. “Let’s go back to the shop.”

“Okay!”

Maybe summer break, or maybe me picking her up—Su Yuling was extra excited today. She hopped as she walked. Adorable.

“Slow down!” I gripped her hand tight, stretching the umbrella to shield her. “Watch for cars.”

“Mm…” She nodded, slowing. Probably cautious after almost getting hit before.

Kids’ feet tire fast. Soon, Su Yuling whined, “Silver Bell sister, I’m tired…”

“Want me to carry you?” Just a kid—I could handle it. “But… your backpack?”

Kindergarteners had backpacks, though empty.

“Carry me on your back!”

“Okay.” I squatted. She climbed on.

Her calling me “sister”? I didn’t correct her. This body was female. “Brother” would sound weird.

“I’m on, Silver Bell sister!”

“Alright, off we go~” I stood wobbly. “You hold the umbrella, Xiao Qing.”

“Mm-hmm.”

This body was weaker than I thought. Carrying a kindergarten girl felt tough. But I could manage. Gritting my teeth, I’d make it.

The walk felt longer now.

Su Yuling in her pink-blue dress clung to my back. Her trust made me feel like a dad.

If my parents had given me a little sister, maybe I wouldn’t have taken years to overcome my shyness.

But something rubbed my back. Not her thighs—more like fingers. Her hands held the umbrella though. How?

And it didn’t feel like just one finger.

Weird. Maybe stiff lace on her dress?

Distracted, the walk didn’t drag. Finally back at the shop, I sighed in relief.

“We’re here.”

“Thank you, Silver Bell sister~!” She kissed my cheek. Just a six-year-old, but it made me blush.

Come to think of it, first time a girl kissed me.

I glanced at her dress, wondering which lace had rubbed my back.

Not stiff—just slightly thick fabric.

But no matter how I looked, nothing stood out.

Ah well, probably my imagination. I brushed it off.

Life’s full of tiny doubts. Many are trivial, maybe illusions. Being too curious tires you out.

Luckily, I’m not that type.

“Mommy… I need to pee…” Su Yuling squeezed her legs together, looking shyly at Su Yuanyuan.

“Park toilet. Silver Bell sister can take you.”

“But… I can’t hold it…”

Thank goodness she held it. Otherwise, she’d have peed on me.

I like cute girls, but I’m no pervert who enjoys that.

“Green belt behind the shop. Go there. Silver Bell sister can block for you.”

“Mm… okay.” Su Yuling nodded softly, looking pitifully at me.

She’s just a kid, but still a girl. Is it okay to pee anywhere?

But thinking she was about to burst, I nodded in agreement. Everyone has moments they can't hold back, after all. I just needed to cover for her.

So Xiao Qing and I headed behind the store to a U-shaped green belt area. It was a dead-end path nobody usually took—just a scenic spot.

Still, wouldn't a girl feel the grass poking her butt if she squatted to pee here?

Then I saw Su Yuling standing, lifting her skirt. Just as I wondered what she was up to, a little white, tender caterpillar appeared in my sight...

I truly hadn't expected she could pee standing up.

Even more unexpectedly, she was actually a girl.

So it wasn't a hallucination earlier—it was Xiao Qing's... well, you know...

"Weiniang... Luoli?"

Is it really alright to dress a boy as a girl from such a young age? What if he grows up still wanting to be a girl? I couldn't help but feel concerned.