Thump.

Back in the dorm, Lixin collapsed onto the bed. The soft mattress let out a muffled thump.

“………………”

Silence hung heavy in the air. He’d meant to rest, but sleep refused to come.

“Sigh… guess I’ll take a shower…”

After lying there a while, Lixin decided to wash up. Though it was still morning, the autumn heatwave blazed outside. Sweating heavily after just one trip out, that was why he couldn’t sleep…

Grabbing fresh clothes, Lixin stumbled toward the bathroom. Drowsiness had crept in despite the failed nap.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, Lixin sighed deeply at the beautiful face looking back. He began undressing…

Hmm… truth be told… this body didn’t quite match her appearance. Freed from baggy clothes, the girl’s figure was technically curvy—but the curves were subtle. That’s why even a loose uniform could hide her shape completely.

“Ahhh—”

A long, heavy sigh escaped Lixin. How much frustration and despair did it hold? Hard to say if it was for the gender swap… or the lack of curves.

Under the shower spray, she still felt awkward at this stage. It was her own body, unchanged for years—yet she never got used to it. Like now…

“Mmph…”

Soap slipped onto her chest. A careless touch sent a strange jolt through her. A flush instantly spread across her face… Eyes snapping shut, she resigned herself to it and scrubbed faster, rougher…

Alright… just this last spot…

Five minutes later…

*Blub blub blub…*

Face crimson, eyes glazed, Lixin floated in the tub, blowing bubbles…

………………………………………………………………

“Ready?”

“Yes. We’re prepared to move anytime.”

“Patience~ As the Chinese saying goes: haste makes waste. Let them enjoy a day or two of peace. The opening ceremony in three days… that’s our perfect moment.”

“Understood.”

“Then… we must ensure…”

………………………………………………………………

A sudden chime from her watch jolted Lixin upright in the tub—*damn*, she’d fallen asleep in the bath! Luckily, the water had gone cold. A hot spring would’ve been fatal.

Great. She’d *definitely* thank the caller properly.

“HOLY CRAP, LIXIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! I’VE BEEN BANGING ON YOUR DOOR FOR AGES!”

The ear-splitting roar made her swallow her earlier thought.

“Ten minutes. I’m in my dorm.”

She hung up hastily. The watch showed she’d slept a full hour. Soaked and sticky, she needed to dry off fast.

Right on the ten-minute mark, Lixin opened the door to let Qin Fan in—the guy had been pacing like a caged animal outside.

“So… why’re you here *again*?” It wasn’t even eleven. Way too early for his usual mooching routine.

“Heh heh… don’t be so cold! We’ve known each other forever. I just wanted to check on my buddy after your meeting with the Principal, y’know?”

*Stare…*

Qin Fan squirmed under Lixin’s dead-fish stare and looked away.

Perfect. That confirmed her suspicion.

“First,” she held up a finger, “I left the Principal’s office over an hour ago. You know exactly how long those meetings take.”

“I was just worried something might’ve taken extra time!”

Ignoring his excuse, Lixin pressed on: “Second, your eyes keep darting around. You sound guilty. Third! *Because* we’re childhood friends—I know you better than you know yourself! Spit it out! What annoying task do you need me for?!”

“Uh…” Damn, she saw right through him. No point denying it now. Time to sweeten the deal.

“Uh… sorry, bro. My bad. Lunch is on me today—order whatever you want. Consider it an apology, yeah?”

Lixin’s dead-fish stare softened slightly.

*Gotcha!*

Seizing the moment, Qin Fan rushed on: “So… it’s not *too* troublesome, really! Cleyna called the second I got back, dragged me to the Student Council. We’re planning the opening ceremony in three days, and they assigned me crowd control and security… But I can’t handle it alone! So…”

“No. Get out.” She’d just remembered Qin Fan’s Student Council position. And she already knew what he’d ask. Hard refusal.

“How about I cover all your expenses on ceremony day?” Bargaining began.

“Piss off. I’m not that cheap.”

“What if I cover meals for the next three days too?”

“I think you’ve misunderstood something…”

“A WEEK! That’s my final offer—broke student here…”

“No problem. I’ve got it covered.”

*Perfect.* A whole week of free meals. She’d just slack off and let Qin Fan handle the real work.

*Flawless plan.*

What she didn’t know: Qin Fan was the real winner. Lixin ate like a bird—watching her struggle through a single sausage bun at breakfast proved that. Feeding her cost pennies. But Cleyna? That shameless Brit would’ve bled him dry *and* dumped triple the workload on him…

And to prevent Lixin slacking off? He’d prepared thoroughly.

“Deal! Then come register at the Student Council with me.” He stood up.

Lixin frowned. She’d just showered. No rest. No nap.

“No. You go for me.” She wasn’t sweating through another trip outside.

“I’m begging you, boss! Stop being so lazy! It has to be you—it’ll take two minutes!”

Qin Fan sounded desperate. Lixin sighed. She’d already agreed. No backing out.

“Fine. Wait downstairs. I’ll be down soon.” Her hair was still damp, only roughly towel-dried.

“Okay, hurry!” After all that arguing, he was exhausted. He left without another word.

“Ugh… so tired…”

Drying her hair drew a hermit-level sigh from Lixin. She cranked the dryer to max and finished fast.

“I’m cutting you all off someday,” she glared at her black hair. Empty threat. She’d tried—only for it to grow back overnight like it’d been fed miracle fertilizer. No choice but to keep it.

After a quick check for wardrobe malfunctions at the door, she grabbed her keys and left. Wallet? Unnecessary. Someone was treating her…

But… who could explain the commotion outside her dorm building?