Just then, a clear, melodious voice sounded behind her: "Xiao Han? Is club activity over?"

Jiang Xuehan turned to see Li Xinglan standing alone by a camellia tree, backpack slung over one shoulder. Poised and graceful, the breeze lifted her long hair like loose silk ribbons. For a moment, Xuehan simply stared, transfixed.

When no reply came, Xinglan walked closer with a sigh. "Xiao Han, what’s got you spaced out? You said you’d go to the e-sports club tonight, right?"

Xuehan snapped back to reality. "Ah, yes! Xinglan, why are you back from the library so early?"

"I just borrowed a few books to read slowly." As she spoke, Xinglan’s usually cool expression softened with a faint smile, bright as winter plum blossoms. "Let’s head back to the dorm together."

Walking beside the tall, stunning girl, Xuehan felt a strange flutter in her chest. Her gaze drifted to Xinglan’s fair, delicate hand. Swallowing hard, she tentatively reached out and took it.

*So… smooth and cool… like holding a bar of soap, but softer, with a faint electric current tingling through it.*

Lately, Xuehan had grown used to holding hands with Xia Ziying and Wen Jiaqi—no longer nervous like the first time she’d touched a girl’s hand. But Xinglan’s hand felt different. Though the texture was similar, that subtle current made her cheeks flush and heart race. *If I were still a guy, I couldn’t just… grope like this. Guess being a girl has its perks?*

Xinglan merely blinked in mild surprise before accepting the gesture. After all, holding hands was normal between girl friends. She chatted casually, "I know you hate the public bathhouse too. You shower first when we get back, then me. Don’t stay up too late."

Xuehan nodded shyly, curiosity bubbling up. "Xinglan… why don’t you like the bathhouse either?"

"No special reason. I just don’t want so many people seeing my body—even other girls. You feel the same, right?"

"Mm-hmm…"

Xuehan lied. She wasn’t afraid of being seen; she was embarrassed about staring at other girls’ naked bodies. Even without her manhood, a guy’s pride remained.

After a few steps, she remembered her errand. "Xinglan, I need new clothes. You have great style—help me pick some?"

"Of course! But why shop so late? Stores might close soon."

"I’m a new e-sports club member. Tomorrow’s recruitment day, and the captain wants me to look pretty to attract members."

She hid the bonus money detail—no need to seem greedy in front of a beauty.

"Then let’s hurry before stores close. I’ll help you choose!"

A bustling commercial street lined the west gate of campus—restaurants, clothing boutiques, barbershops, internet cafes. After days together, Xinglan guessed her petite roommate wasn’t well-off. She led Xuehan to a department store’s clothing section and handed her a white short-sleeved dress with a tiny bear print on the chest. "Try this. You’ll look adorable!"

"Eh? A dress? No way."

"You said you wanted to look pretty. Girls in summer wear dresses!"

"No…"

No matter how Xinglan coaxed, Xuehan refused. In her mind, she was still a man—with zero "weiniang" tendencies. Men in dresses? Weird.

Sighing, Xinglan picked out loose blue denim shorts and a white chiffon blouse. "Fine. This is cool, cute, and skirt-free. Happy?"

Though still feminine, this outfit felt more acceptable. Xuehan took it and slipped into the fitting room.

The shorts showcased Xuehan’s slender legs. When she emerged, countless male eyes locked onto them—some even licking their lips greedily. *If they could lick freely, they’d wear her legs raw.* Even Xinglan crouched down, pinching Xuehan’s thigh with playful envy. "Your legs are gorgeous! Hiding them under long pants is such a waste."

"I don’t like men staring…" Xuehan shifted awkwardly. "Is this… enough?"

"Not even close! Looking good isn’t just about clothes." Xinglan tugged her arm. "Come on."

Next came a cute hair tie, platform sandals, lip balm. Finally, a salon trimmed Xuehan’s overgrown bangs and painted her nails a vibrant shade. Tiny changes, yet when Xuehan faced the mirror, she froze: *Am I really this cute?*

Her newly trimmed bangs framed her face playfully. Cherry-pink lip gloss added life to her pale cheeks. Shoulder-length hair twisted into two sweet braids. Delicate collarbones peeked above the lace neckline. Her freshly painted nails gleamed against fair skin. And those slender legs—smooth, cool, almost appetizing. Same face, same flat chest, but like a beauty filter had been applied. She radiated idol-like charm.

Now Xuehan understood why girls loved makeup and accessories—they truly amplified allure.

"See how much cuter you are?" Xinglan leaned over her shoulder, hands on Xuehan’s. "You’re the cute type. Wear loose tops. Braids suit you best. And your pale skin needs bright lip gloss—maybe foundation and highlighter too…"

Xuehan nodded vaguely, distracted by the sweet, alluring fragrance drifting from Xinglan. Girls really did smell nice. With Ziying or Jiaqi, she’d caught whiffs of shampoo and soap—but this was different. It made her restless. Xinglan’s scent was even sweeter. Was it her imagination?

Walking back to the dorm, Xuehan blurted out, "Xinglan… we’re friends now, right?"

"Obviously. Why else would I waste so much time helping you?"

"You seemed… like a cold, aloof lady when you first arrived. Beautiful but hard to approach."

Xinglan’s expression cooled slightly. "I trusted too easily before and got hurt. I never planned to make friends in college—I just wanted to escape home. But you kept helping me. My heart isn’t stone. I notice things."

*She’s full of stories.* Xuehan’s curiosity flared. "Xinglan… will you tell me about your past?"

"No. We’re friends, but some things stay private."

"Because you’re afraid of being hurt again?"

Xinglan didn’t answer directly. She sighed softly. "You know, the people who truly hurt you aren’t enemies. They’re friends. It’s not that I don’t trust you… I’m just afraid."

"I see…"

Xuehan dropped the subject—but her curiosity burned brighter than ever.