As her sister-in-law had said, she couldn’t afford to be alone now. If she didn’t follow Yingyu Chi, Jianglai might end up homeless—she didn’t even know where to stay.
Without an ID, everyday life was full of hurdles. Before Jianglai could overthink it, Yingyu Chi had already ushered her home like a duckling being herded into line.
Yingyu Chi lived in a compact one-bedroom apartment near her office. Though small, it was fully functional—more than enough space for two. Best of all, the living room and bedroom were separate. *I can sleep on the couch*, Jianglai thought.
While Jianglai was still scanning the room, Yingyu Chi produced a brand-new pair of slippers and knelt before her.
"These are fresh."
"Okay…"
Jianglai instinctively reached for them, then froze. Yingyu Chi’s own slippers were crisp blue—but hers were pink. Adorably pink. With a cartoon kitten on each toe.
A wave of resistance washed over Jianglai. She’d always hated overly cute things.
Yingyu Chi caught her hesitation and grinned. "It’s the only spare pair I have. If you don’t like them, you can wear mine, dear brother-in-law."
"No, no!" Jianglai shook her head fiercely. *No one will see them anyway. Stealing my sister-in-law’s slippers would be childish.*
Between two bad options, she chose the lesser evil.
Even with a female body, Jianglai still felt like a man inside. That would never change.
That’s why, aside from buying properly fitting shoes, she still wore her old clothes. Only this kept her grounded. Only this reminded her who she truly was.
Yingyu Chi watched Jianglai—still bundled tightly in her coat, faint alcohol lingering on her skin—and smirked. "I’ll grab you clothes. Why don’t you shower first, my dear sister-in-law?"
Jianglai frowned. "Must you tease me too?"
"Can’t help it. Your expressions are just… delicious."
Unlike before, every flicker of emotion now played across Jianglai’s face. Yingyu Chi wanted to memorize them all. The tear-streaked girl at the stairwell would live in her heart forever.
Jianglai almost glared—but as Yingyu Chi disappeared into the bedroom, she silently headed to the bathroom. Hot water filled the tub. She hadn’t properly washed since last night, especially not this alcohol-soaked shirt.
Shedding her coat, she sniffed the collar. Beneath the booze lingered a delicate perfume. *Xu Ruobing…* Last night’s drunken haze flashed back. *I almost…*
In the mirror, she undid the top button of her white shirt. There, stark against her pale neck—a vivid love bite.
*Still here?*
If her sister-in-law saw this… Jianglai scanned the cabinet beside the mirror. *Concealer. I’ll cover it after the shower.*
Last night’s memory? Just a dream. It would never happen again.
—
Steam curled upward, fogging the bathroom into a milky haze.
Jianglai sat submerged in the tub, face softened by warmth. She watched the water ripple, wondering why Yingyu Chi was taking so long with the clothes.
Her slender fingers trailed the surface, making soft *shush-shush* sounds. No matter how she stared at these porcelain hands—they were undeniably feminine.
*Will I never change back?*
*Must I live as a woman forever?*
The cramped space pressed in. Her chest tightened; each breath felt heavy.
She pressed a hand against her sternum—and realized, with a jolt, that yes, a fuller chest did make floating easier.
Between the reduced height, weaker stamina, and this suffocating heat… even bathing felt exhausting.
—
—
In the bedroom, Yingyu Chi had ransacked her entire closet. *What adorably humiliating outfit should I give my brother-in-law?*
Clothes spilled across the floor, yet she groaned inwardly. *Why did I never buy cuter things?*
The thought of Jianglai’s usual icy expression trapped in frilly pastels—*that* contrast, that reluctant submission—sent a thrill through her.
A lifelong singleton, Yingyu Chi had devoured enough niche literature to fuel very specific fantasies.
*Crash!*
A loud thud from the bathroom snapped her head up. She sprinted to the door—silence followed.
Yingyu Chi yanked the handle. The door opened just a crack before two slender hands slammed it shut from the other side.
A strained voice seeped through the gap, slow and tight with restraint:
"I’m fine. Just… slipped."
Jianglai didn’t want her to worry. But through that narrow slit, Yingyu Chi glimpsed a slender silhouette against the steam.
