However, I have my principles. To be precise—my principles as a man.

"Impossible!" I hastily shot back, dead serious. "This is way too weird! How could a guy like me possibly suit being a female model?"

"Silly kid, it’s not about suitability anymore. It’s that you… *must* become a female model!"

"So why?!"

"Because you can’t repay the debt! Because you’re already homeless! Right now, you have no choice but to follow our company’s arrangement!"

"Ugh!"

Me—broke, powerless, talentless—was I really supposed to earn money by pretending to be a female model?!

"You’ve got great potential for cross-dressing, my boy. Uncle’s got a sharp eye for talent~"

Hey, hey! Don’t say that in such a creepy-uncle tone!

"And if you sign this contract, I’ll immediately use my underworld connections to get those debt collectors and that weird body art performer away from your home. Just pay the interest on time starting next month—I guarantee they won’t bother you again~"

Devil! This is absolutely the devil’s temptation!

"Just say yes, and money, peace, a wonderful new you, and a fascinating new world will all come calling~"

I don’t want a "wonderful new me" or some "fascinating new world"!

This sounds like a giant pit I’m doomed to fall into!

"Of course, we don’t force anyone. Just pay the breach fee by the deadline, and we part ways." Cheng Shun pinched his cigarette calmly. "Oh, you might not know—Mr. Wang Bili is one of our signed artists. We’d be thrilled to fund his new body art film… and coincidentally, the assistant performer happens to be you, Xiao Xi! Decide anytime—you’re free to leave."

I…

Slumping my shoulders like a defeated rooster, I sank back into the chair, voice trembling. "Why? I’m already this miserable… why trap me further? Don’t you have any compassion?"

"Kids these days… such a hassle." Cheng Shun exhaled a thick smoke ring, pulled out his phone, muttering, "Let me find Mr. Wang Bili’s number… A dedicated old artist like him is always on call."

"Wait! Uncle Cheng!"

I lunged to stop him. After a long inner struggle, I sighed. "Can… can I think it over? Please… just a little more time…"

I faintly sensed this cross-dressing shoot would be a turning point. Once I surrendered, a new door would swing open—and my quiet, ordinary life would slip away forever.

Silence hung heavy in the air.

"I need to report this… to someone… before I can answer."

"So who *is* this 'someone'…?"

"My superior."

…

Are you serious? Why state the obvious?

"Hello? Ahem… Young Miss… Yes, he’s right here in my office. Some matters need your decision."

Young Miss?

Just say her full name! I’m curious!

"He signed the contract but still resists the shoot… Ah, I really did threaten—no, *explain* the stakes…"

You said "threaten"! You totally did!

"Ah, understood… Mm… Okay…"

Uncle Cheng Shun sighed and hung up.

"So… what’s my arrangement?" I asked weakly, heart pounding.

I clung to one last hope—they’d let it slide, pretend the contract never existed—

Wearing a dress *and* being filmed for the internet? I just couldn’t accept it!

As my anxiety swirled, Cheng Shun let out a strange chuckle and stood. "Let’s go."

"Huh? Where?"

"To meet the Young Miss."

"Young Miss?"

Bewildered, I trailed him out of the office and into the elevator. Destination: Floor 35—the building’s highest level.

The elevator crawled upward. My heart churned with tangled emotions.

Even if the mysterious Young Miss spared me… did I really have a choice? Home was off-limits. I’d fled without my phone. Leaving now… I’d probably sleep on the streets tonight.