After working part-time at the internet café that morning, strolling through the park in the afternoon, and that strangely intimate moment in the fitting room, Jiang Xuehan finally returned to her dorm. Her calves ached terribly. She hurriedly boiled water, poured it into a basin, and soaked her feet, gently scrubbing the dirt off her pale soles.

"Haha, Xiao Han, that pose reminds me of a term—‘toe-scratching big guy’," Wen Jiaqi teased from the side.

"Not a big guy—a toe-scratching *cutie*," Xia Ziying chimed in, bored. "But Xiao Han acts kinda tomboyish sometimes. And her style’s so neutral. Was she one of those ‘fake boys’ back in high school?"

"You’re right! If not for her soft, doll-like face, she’d totally look like those tomboys I know!"

Jiang Xuehan scratched her head awkwardly. She *was* male—at least in her heart—and naturally resisted feminine mannerisms and clothes. The thought of wearing frilly skirts and acting cute made her stomach churn.

She knew being cute was a streamer’s secret weapon. But acting like those girls? No thanks.

Still, to some men, petite girls with delicate features and androgynous styles were like Haibara Ai—perpetual lolis with a unique charm. Like a plate of stir-fried radish: light, crisp, never cloying, never boring.

Hmm. Wu De, the current e-sports club president, definitely fell into that "some men" category.

He was gaming with his buddies in his dorm, yet his mind kept drifting to a certain genius girl gamer’s smile. He couldn’t wait to see her again, to play together… and maybe do some *other* fun things after.

Jiang Xuehan had no idea someone was fantasizing about her. She’d just finished her "toe-scratching duties," and with nothing else to do, she booted up her PC, logged into her streaming account, and continued her rookie streamer journey.

Her live room was still nearly empty, but over a hundred users had followed her. That meant notifications would ping them the moment she went live next time.

*Baby steps*, she told herself. Rome wasn’t built in a day. After swallowing that mental pep talk, she browsed the latest news about streamers and the e-sports scene, scanning for trends. Maybe a new viral game could give her channel a boost.

Just then, something soft draped over her shoulders. "Xiao Han, let’s shower together?" Xia Ziying asked, already holding her toiletries.

"Together?" Jiang Xuehan turned, startled. "But Ziying, don’t we have private showers?"

"Taking turns wastes time! The public bathhouse is close, super cheap—just one yuan per wash. Why not go there?"

"Public bathhouse?" Jiang Xuehan blinked, realization dawning. Her cheeks flushed. "B-but it’ll be full of naked girls… isn’t that… awkward?"

Xia Ziying burst out laughing. "Puh-lease! You’re a girl too! Yeah, your chest is flat, but no one’ll mistake you for a guy!"

"Uh… um…"

Jiang Xuehan froze, torn. Her inner angel and devil clashed:

*Angel: "You can’t go! You’re a man! Peeping on girls is unforgivable!"*

*Devil: "Shut it! You lost your ‘parts’—you’re a girl now. What’s wrong with a girls’ bath?"*

*Angel: "But you’ll turn back someday! This’ll stain your soul forever!"*

*Devil: "Get real—it’s just a bathhouse!"*

As the battle raged, Xia Ziying grew impatient. "Xiao Han, hurry up! I’ve been standing here forever!"

Wen Jiaqi, already packed, intervened. "Easy, Ziying. Xiao Han seems hesitant. Maybe it’s *that time of the month*? Let’s go without her."

"Oh! Sorry! Qi Qi and I’ll head out first then!"

After they left, Jiang Xuehan remembered *that time*. She frantically checked her period tracker app.

*Damn it.* Her fourth period was due the day after tomorrow. Another round of misery awaited.

Her biggest gripe about this female body? The monthly visitor. She’d have to wear snug panties with pads, endure that weird heavy ache in her lower belly. Every time she stood up, it felt like a leaky faucet—unbearably gross. And she’d have to change pads constantly, or risk ruining sheets and pants.

No cramps, thankfully. But the annoyance started three days early: bloating, chills, sudden sadness, lost appetite. It lasted days—a monthly edition of existential dread.

*Sigh. Why do girls even have periods? So troublesome…*

Wait. Had she just missed something important while obsessing over her period?

Right—the bathhouse. *No way.* She wasn’t staying a girl forever. For a guy, sneaking into a women’s bath was a moral stain… at least, that’s what Jiang Xuehan believed.

Where was Li Xinglan anyway? She hadn’t gone with the others.

Guys always noticed pretty girls. Jiang Xuehan was no exception.

Their latest roommate seemed prickly, but her looks were undeniable. It wasn’t love or anything—just… curiosity.

Hmm? Li Xinglan was gaming with headphones on. The screen showed *PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds*—the hottest competitive game right now.

She played fiercely, eyes locked on the screen, fingers flying over mouse and keyboard. She hadn’t even noticed someone behind her.

Her aim was solid for a girl—she’d taken down four enemies before a camping bastard in the grass ended her run. 21st place this match.

"Damn it…" Li Xinglan muttered, pulling off her headphones and smoothing her messy hair. Only then did she spot Jiang Xuehan. "Jiang Xuehan? Why are you lurking behind me?"

"Just call me Xiao Han. Nothing much. Bored. Watching you play."

"What’s there to watch?" Li Xinglan’s face stayed cold, her tone distant.

"Girls who play shooters are rare."

"Rare doesn’t mean nonexistent. You stream this game too, right?"

"Oh. You noticed." Jiang Xuehan scratched her head shyly. Being observed by a pretty girl warmed her heart.

Li Xinglan doused that warmth instantly. "I didn’t *notice* you. I just saw your screen. And FYI—I solo queue. Don’t ask to squad up."

*Wow. Rude.* If not for Li Xinglan’s idol-level looks, Jiang Xuehan would’ve walked away already.

Defeated, she shuffled to the bathroom for a quick shower, washed her clothes, hung them to dry, and climbed into bed early. She scrolled through her phone, killing time.

Half an hour later, her roommates returned, giggly and suddenly close—proof that bare-all bonding worked wonders.

Sadly, they’d changed into pajamas separately in the bathroom, too shy to show off. Jiang Xuehan missed her chance to size up their figures.

Though… did girls sleep without underwear? She wasn’t sure. But Xia Ziying’s chest swayed realistically as she walked.

If Jiang Xuehan jumped down now and untied that pajama top, she could…

She glanced at her own skinny arms and gave up.

Truth was, she slept commando too—a habit from her boyhood days. Her flat chest, hidden under loose pajamas, was as flat as a board. Good enough to double as a mousepad.

She didn’t mind. At least sleeping on her back felt pressure-free.

Tomorrow was the official start of school. Meeting new classmates, advisors, homeroom teachers… hopefully no trouble.

Jiang Xuehan didn’t care much about diplomas. But she needed this dorm to stay stable. She’d rather not spend another night battling mosquitoes under the stars…

Volume 1: A Fresh Start - End