Four young women, just turned eighteen, strolled side by side down the street. They formed a stunning summer sight, drawing constant stares, drooling glances, and sneaky phone snaps.
Naturally, most eyes locked onto the tallest, most curvaceous girl. She radiated the beauty and charm of a TV idol.
Of course, some men with peculiar tastes fixated on the petite, pale girl in the middle. They leered at the faint bulges under her loose white T-shirt, grinning creepily.
Though three months had passed since Jiang Xuehan became a girl, she still wasn’t used to those lecherous stares. But what could she do? She dressed as neutrally as possible—oversized tees and wide-leg pants, just like when she was a guy. Wearing a bra was unavoidable; summer fabrics were too thin, and visible nipples would be mortifying. Her face? No way she’d wrap up like an Arab woman in headscarves and veils.
Li Xinglan, however, was long accustomed to such attention. She’d occasionally flash a disdainful smirk, clearly unimpressed by the drooling males trailing her.
Getting to the forest park sparked a small debate among the four roommates from Dorm 312. Wen Jiaqi and Xia Ziying pushed for the bus, while Li Xinglan insisted on a taxi. The deciding vote fell to Jiang Xuehan. After hesitation, she chose to “betray friendship for beauty,” siding with Li Xinglan.
Taxis cost more but offered comfort and speed. Twenty minutes later, they’d bought tickets and entered the park gates.
This forest park lay close to Jiang Xuehan’s old home—just a twenty-minute bus ride away. Back then, little Meng Han often visited with his sister and parents. Those warm memories still lingered vividly. Sadly, the old house had been sold to cover hospital bills. His father rented a small place nearby, but Jiang Xuehan hadn’t returned since dropping out and leaving home over a year ago.
Wen Jiaqi, the snack-loving one, quickly spotted the barbecue spot on the ticket’s map. “Look!” she chirped excitedly, pointing. “Turn left—it’s just ahead. Let’s go!”
Li Xinglan scoffed coldly. “Chubby girl only thinks about food. You’ll eat yourself to death someday.”
“What did you say?!” Wen Jiaqi, usually easygoing, flared up at the “fat” comment.
Li Xinglan never backed down. “You *are* fat. Same height as Xiao Han, but easily fifteen pounds heavier.”
“I’m not! Xiao Han, how much do you weigh?”
“Eighty-five?”
“Let me calculate… huh. Exactly fifteen pounds…”
The day was unusually cool. The four girls wandered with the crowd, snapping casual photos beside statues and vibrant flowers. Wen Jiaqi chattered nonstop, while quieter Xia Ziying probed Jiang Xuehan’s personal life. After yesterday’s cafeteria incident—where Jiang Xuehan had defended her—Xia Ziying’s affection ran high. She held Jiang Xuehan’s hand, leaning close. The soft warmth of another girl kept Jiang Xuehan’s cheeks flushed pink.
Li Xinglan remained aloof, goddess-like. She occasionally snapped scenery photos on her phone, ignoring the others’ chatter. Jiang Xuehan, though, kept trying to engage her—asking about favorite foods, drinks, celebrities—to ease the tension. But whenever family came up, Li Xinglan fell silent, clearly avoiding the topic.
Why did Jiang Xuehan bother with this cold, sharp-tongued roommate? Simple: male instincts. Such a gorgeous girl? Looks came first. And those curves… Wen Jiaqi and Xia Ziying would never feel that way; girls rarely admired beautiful, arrogant peers.
Ahead, a boy around seven or eight toddled past, one hand in his mom’s grip, the other clutching cotton candy. An ordinary park moment, yet it pierced Jiang Xuehan’s heart. Her mother’s death anniversary was near.
When Jiang Xuehan was little Meng Han, his mother had said a person dies three times: in the hospital, at the funeral, and lastly, when no one visits their grave. Jiang Xuehan would prevent that final death. As long as she breathed, she’d visit her mother’s grave, chatting with the woman now in heaven.
Suddenly, a small hand pinched her cheek. She turned to see Xia Ziying eyeing her jealously. “Xiao Han, how’s your skin so fair? Not a tan all summer?”
“Uh, just genetics?” Jiang Xuehan did zero skincare. To her, this female body was merely a tool for revenge and rise—a temporary weapon. Once her goals were met, she’d reclaim her old self as Meng Han.
Xia Ziying sighed wistfully. “You know the three most envied girls? Those who never gain weight, never tan, and stay youthful forever. You’ve got two, Xiao Han. So lucky.”
“But karma’s fair!” Wen Jiaqi chimed in. “Look at Xiao Han’s chest—it’s flatter than a boy’s!”
“Pfft, not *that* flat. There’s a little bump. Maybe she pads it?”
“Haha, Xiao Han, confess—do you stuff it?”
Jiang Xuehan facepalmed internally. Why did girls obsess over chest size? Small was practical—easy walking, comfy sleeping on your back. Though, for future girlfriends, bigger was better.
Li Xinglan, who’d been glued to her phone, cut in icily. “Hey. Is it polite to judge a friend like this? Breast size’s genetic. Hard to change naturally. Ever consider her feelings?”
Wen Jiaqi and Xia Ziying froze. “We were just joking! So serious?”
“Jokes need limits.”
Jiang Xuehan was torn—amused yet touched Li Xinglan defended her. “Stop it. It’s just friendly teasing. I don’t mind.”
“Exactly! Xiao Han doesn’t care, so why act all righteous?” Wen Jiaqi shot back, regaining confidence.
To halt the Dorm 312 showdown, quick-witted Jiang Xuehan pointed ahead. “Look—the barbecue camp’s right there. Let’s queue up!”
