"No! I don't want to!" Lixin screamed wildly, struggling to escape Cleyna's clutches.

"Don't even think about it! You're not getting away today!" Cleyna's hands clamped down like iron pincers, pinning Lixin firmly in place.

"Qin Fan..." she pleaded pitifully.

"We're brothers, right... just spare me this once, buddy...?"

Lixin widened her eyes desperately, trying to break Qin Fan's resolve with a teary-eyed look.

But Qin Fan had known her for years; how could he be swayed by a face he'd seen daily?

He turned his head away, eyes darting, mumbling incoherently—his meaning clear:

Sorry, Lixin. I have to sell you out today. You'll just lose some dignity in there. If I help you, I can't stop that super-strong girl, and I'll lose my life too...

"Qin Fan! I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"

Lixin's voice faded inside the changing room. Cleyna tossed a bundle of blue fabric in, then slammed the door shut. "I'm guarding this door," she called. "If you don't change today, you're not coming out."

Oh Buddha... Qin Fan silently prayed for her.

"Ugh..." Inside, Lixin stared at the blue bundle, her mind caught in a tough choice.

Option one: Just wear it. My face is thick enough; losing dignity won't hurt.

Option two: Beg that witch outside for mercy.

Option three: Stay locked in, see who outlasts whom.

Option four: Fight her.

Option one was reluctantly possible. Option two? Impossible—Cleyna wouldn't relent. Option three? She'd lose for sure. Option four? Better not.

"BANG BANG BANG!" Kicks rattled the door.

"Done yet?! How long to change clothes?!"

Ew... Lixin admitted she was scared. Better obey...

Two minutes later, the door opened.

"Wow~"

A light blue dress adorned Lixin. Slightly puffed sleeves covered her armpits. The snug chest accentuated her modest bust. Thigh-length pleats fell perfectly. Two bows decorated it: a small white one at the neckline, a large matching one on the back. With her loose black hair and flushed cheeks, she radiated girl-next-door charm.

Only her sneakers clashed with the look.

"H-how... do I look? Ugly? I'll change back..." Blushing fiercely—her first dress since becoming a girl—Lixin ignored Qin Fan and Cleyna's gasps and turned to flee.

"After all this, you still run?" Cleyna grabbed her arm, yanking her back.

"Wahhh, big sister, please spare me..." Lixin nearly sobbed.

"No way!" Cleyna refused sternly.

Qin Fan watched with glee. Usually, Lixin made him lose face. Now, someone finally tamed her. Haha.

"Miss, your shoes," a shop assistant said, handing Cleyna a box.

Cleyna thanked her, then pinned Lixin onto a soft stool. "Take off your sneakers. Put these on."

"Huh?" Dread surged. Lixin opened the box—holy crap, white high-heeled sandals with three-centimeter heels stared back.

"Um... can I skip this?"

"No."

She'd die. Wearing these, would she even walk again?! Cold sweat poured; she froze.

"Need help changing?" a voice floated above.

"I'll do it now, please don't..." Bowing to dark forces...

...

"Tap-tap." Lixin stood, testing two steps. Uncomfortable, but the low heels caused no pain or stumble.

"What do you think?" Cleyna asked Qin Fan.

"Not bad. Cute. Way better than her usual uptight look."

Lixin caught the schadenfreude in his praise but felt happy—it was better than imagined. Still, she hated this outfit.

"Wait." Cleyna's eyes sharpened. "This dress set came with a hair clip. Where is it?"

"W-what clip? You're mistaken..."

"Hand it over." Cleyna held out her palm.

Lixin surrendered it fast. "I... don't know how to wear it."

"I'll help." Cleyna clipped the blue-and-white butterfly pin into Lixin's hair. The accessory polished her look, banishing plainness.

"Don't change back," Cleyna warned. "Wear this out, or else." The words stuffed Lixin's protest back down her throat.

"Go pay now," Cleyna waved, settling onto the stool.

Lixin stood dumbfounded. After all that forcing... she still had to pay herself?!