"Hello~ Long Xueer. Hmm… no, wait—I should call you Mu Yao now." In the principal’s office, a mature woman in black stockings beamed with genuine delight at the sight of Mu Yao.

"Hello, Principal Long Yue. I heard you’re one of Leji Entertainment’s presidents? I’ve never seen you before."

"Totally normal. Personnel shifts at the Leji Group happen fast—anyone without talent gets weeded out quickly. I only got hired half a month ago myself. No need to be nervous, okay~"

Leji Entertainment, officially Jinglan Leji Culture Media Group Co., Ltd., is Jinglan City’s largest cultural media conglomerate. As a publicly listed company, it raced from angel funding to Series C in under a year. Its future is boundless, operations now span overseas, and it’s backed by one of the city’s Four Great Clans.

Twelve days ago, Long Yue received an urgent assignment: a once-beloved national idol would enroll at Yingshengya Academy, and she was to ensure his safety. Becoming principal was the most secure cover.

Beyond the old rivalry between the Nangong and Mu Clans, the Four Great Clans have long competed fiercely. Yet that doesn’t stop companies under rival clans from nurturing Mu talent. Profit makes even enemies cooperate—let alone the so-called "healthy competition" among clans.

The principal holds less authority than the academy’s board chairman, but he rarely intervenes. Even if he noticed, he’d stay silent. The Nangong Clan, now top-ranked, has no time for trivialities. The chairman’s role is ceremonial—sometimes he only shows up once every three years.

"Principal, who’s this young lady beside you?" Mu Yao asked, noticing the girl standing quietly next to Long Yue.

"Oh! Forgot to introduce her. This is Zhou Yuan, daughter of another Leji Entertainment president. Same age as you—I’ve arranged for you two to room together."

"A spy…?" Mu Yao murmured with a wry smile.

"Hahaha, don’t phrase it so harshly! She might become your manager someday. This comes from higher-ups—to keep communication smooth."

"Principal… you know I’m a boy, right? Why room me with a girl?"

"Ask her." Long Yue turned her head aside and gestured toward Zhou Yuan, who’d been staring fixedly at Mu Yao since he entered, as if washing her hands of it.

"Ah!! It’s really Long Xueer—in the flesh! I finally met you! I’m your die-hard fan! I kept your fan club alive for three whole years! I’m so glad you’re making a comeback!"

Without hesitation, Zhou Yuan threw herself onto Mu Yao’s petite frame and planted an enthusiastic kiss on his left cheek, bubbling with emotion.

"Three years… So you’re why the fan club never disbanded… I’m just happy someone still remembers me. Don’t worry—I’ll keep my distance while we live together. I promise not to bother you." Mu Yao murmured shyly.

"No—please *do* bother me~" Zhou Yuan’s eyes shimmered.

"…"

Mu Yao lifted his gaze to the snow-white ceiling, thoughts swirling.

*Three years ago…*

Back then, the Mu Clan ranked above the Nangong Clan. Then one day, Mu Yao’s father—the clan head—announced he’d take his three elder sons on a business trip. They vanished without a trace. The only sign they existed? A monthly remittance of two thousand yuan sent in his father’s name. Even that stopped too soon. His brilliant, devoted mother, worn thin by worry, saw her hair turn white overnight.

Mu Yao couldn’t understand. They had enough money. Was ambition worth shattering a family? That man didn’t deserve to be called husband or father.

After his father left, the Nangong Clan surged to unshakable dominance. The Mu Clan plummeted—nearly erased from the Four Great Clans’ roster, saved only by the Nangong’s persuasion.

At thirteen, Mu Yao stepped up. He submitted photos and documents to Leji Entertainment’s audition—and shockingly passed. Chosen from tens of thousands, he became a priority trainee.

Debuting as "Long Xueer," he spent two whirlwind months mobbed by media the moment he stepped outside. Tabloids overflowed with gossip. His photoshoots featured girlish fashion; "Long Xueer" was publicly female. Female fans admired her style; male fans adored her looks.

Leji Entertainment profited massively. The scout who found him earned a promotion. Mu Yao earned well too.

Retirement was his mother’s wish. His two months’ earnings could support the family for over a decade. Seeing her son exhausted, she couldn’t bear it.

Mu Yao didn’t mind. He disliked the spotlight. If Mother asked, he’d obey.

Leji expressed regret but promised to keep "Long Xueer" on ice—welcome back anytime.

He thought the "Long Xueer era" would fade quietly. He’d return to ordinary life. Then came the blow: his younger sister’s severe heart condition. Two major surgeries drained every yuan he had. At his lowest, he secretly ate cheap steamed corn buns and dough drop soup so Mother and Sister wouldn’t worry. Thankfully, her condition stabilized.

Industry rule: retired idols can’t return within three years. For those three years, Mu Yao trained relentlessly. Leji Entertainment offered the "Idol Relaunch Program" contract.

He’s deeply grateful. With relaunch imminent, hiding his true gender is non-negotiable. Yingshengya Academy is the perfect starting point.

Without this contract, his sister’s next crisis would be unaffordable. This is a brother’s duty—and the fans’ lingering hope.

His sister dislikes attention and has zero interest in clan succession. Outside the family, no one knows she’s the Mu Clan’s daughter. The world only knows the Mu Clan has four children.

Impersonating a girl also fulfills the clan’s unspoken duty: a major family must present a daughter. Even as the lowest-ranked clan, they cling to that shred of dignity.

"Just imagining a boy living in women’s clothing for three years—*and no one can find out*—makes me so excited~" Zhou Yuan flashed a wicked grin.