Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Xuehan arrived at the front desk of Silver Moon Internet Cafe.

Located on a bustling commercial street near the east gate of Donghai University, the cafe was spacious and bright. Rows of brand-new computers stood neatly aligned, alongside a dedicated private booth area. Though it was only early afternoon, the place was packed—over two-thirds of the terminals occupied. Most patrons were immersed in *PUBG*, shouting over the din:

"Enemy at N20! Second floor, red house!"

"Who am I? Where am I? Who killed me?!"

"Geez, another loot crate drop. I’m never jumping School again."

"Hahaha! Is this guy a monk or what? Missed me with every single shot!"

……………………

Jiang Xuehan scanned the room, her gaze lingering with quiet nostalgia.

Once, she’d been like these gamers—laughing with friends in internet cafes, diving into intense squad matches. But that was in the past…

She shook her head subtly, composing herself. Approaching a staff member, she offered a polite smile. "Hello, I’m Jiang Xuehan. I have an interview scheduled."

"Oh, the manager mentioned you. Follow me."

She was led to the staff lounge at the back. A stout man in his early forties waited there, greeting her with lukewarm indifference. "Prompt, aren’t you? Sit."

"Manager Yuan," Jiang Xuehan bowed slightly before taking a seat. "I’m Jiang Xuehan. I saw your job posting online and am very interested in this position."

Manager Yuan sipped his tea, expression unchanged. "Did you bring your student ID as agreed?"

"Yes."

He examined the card. "You look sharper in person."

Jiang Xuehan had washed off her makeup before coming—she’d never liked the feel of cosmetics on her skin. Now, her face was bare and pale.

"My skin lightened over break," she replied neutrally.

He handed back the ID, studying her carefully: simple student haircut, clean face free of makeup, petite frame around 160cm. She wore an oversized white T-shirt, neutral jeans, and blue-and-white canvas shoes—all cheap, off-the-rack items.

"Your family isn’t well-off, is it?" Manager Yuan blurted out.

Jiang Xuehan paused, then nodded faintly.

He took another sip of tea, eyes still on her. "Hmm. You present well. A diligent student type—no tricks. But… you seem frail?"

"No! I’ve never been sick!"

"Not illness. Stamina. The job doesn’t require heavy lifting, but you’ll stand most shifts. Can you handle that?"

*He’s worried about* that*?* Jiang Xuehan almost smiled. Back when she was male, she’d worked ten-hour shifts at a restaurant without rest. This was nothing.

Satisfied, Manager Yuan swiftly signed her on as a part-time employee. The contract matched the online terms: either party could terminate with one week’s notice. They scheduled her shifts around her esports club training—daytime slots starting tomorrow.

One last task remained: moving her luggage.

She took the bus back to the convenience store where she’d worked, staying at the register until closing at 9 PM. Then she approached the owner. "Auntie Chen, personal reasons mean I can’t continue working here. Thank you for everything."

A flicker of surprise crossed Auntie Chen’s face before she smiled warmly. "No trouble. I’ll hire someone new—though they might not be as hardworking as you." She pressed a stack of red bills into Jiang Xuehan’s hand. "Here’s this week’s pay, even if it’s incomplete."

Jiang Xuehan’s nose stung as she accepted the money. "I’m sorry for the sudden notice. I’ve caused you trouble."

"Nonsense. Child, listen to Auntie: go back to school. At eighteen, life’s just beginning. Someone clever like you shouldn’t spend it serving people like me."

"Thank you, Auntie Chen…"

Though technically just employer and employee, Auntie Chen had always treated her with quiet kindness—never prying into her past. In this cold, glittering city, it was a rare trace of warmth.

Jiang Xuehan kept her secret. Impersonating a student was illegal. Fewer who knew, the better.

Later, struggling with her luggage back to the dorm, she sighed inwardly at her diminished strength. *Being a girl really cuts your stamina.*

By 10 PM, the dorm room was still empty—her new roommates hadn’t arrived.

Efficiently, she reassembled her desktop PC, unpacked toiletries, and wiped sweat from her brow. A shower was essential.

Lucky for her, Room 7 had its own tiny bathroom. The thought of communal showers with strangers made her shudder.

After locking the door, she undressed shyly before the mirror.

A petite frame stared back: flat-chested, narrow hips, but an elegantly slender waist forming a subtle S-curve. Her legs were perfectly shaped—enough to make any leg connoisseur lose their composure. Not stunning at first glance, but quietly pleasing. Her delicate features and pale skin stirred an instinct to protect.

Three months as a girl had normalized this body—even handling her period three times. Jiang Xuehan felt nothing unusual anymore.

Under the shower spray, water washed away sweat and exhaustion.

Dressed in neutral blue-and-white checkered pajamas, she hung her damp T-shirt and cotton bra to dry. Lights off, she climbed into bed.

The hallway was silent—only occasional shuffling footsteps broke the quiet. Few freshmen had arrived today.

Exhausted from poor sleep and a long day, Jiang Xuehan yawned repeatedly. She glanced at the three empty beds. *If only I could stay alone here…* Freedom without fear of exposure.

Of course, the university wouldn’t allow that luxury. Three roommates would arrive soon. *Just don’t cause trouble,* she thought, drifting off.