By age, Nangong Ruihui was two months older than Mu Yao. Mature beyond her years, she faintly glimpsed in Mu Yao a shadow of her own past—that delicate, uniquely girlish innocence.

Night fell. After unfastening her bra post-shower, Nangong Ruihui collapsed face-first onto the pillow. Her soft curves pressed into an irregular shape against the neatly folded quilt.

"Mu Yao… Yao Yao… Yao…"

Mumbled indistinctly, the breathy words barely escaped through her nose. Mu Yao’s image refused to fade—even during her shower, her thoughts had drifted to what Mu Yao might be doing right then.

Nangong Ruihui’s long-dormant heart stirred anew. This feeling wasn’t quite romance, nor deep friendship… more like… a kindred spirit?

She couldn’t quite name it. Chances to truly know Mu Yao were few—but as desk mates, they spent more time together than with anyone else.

Time would reveal who Mu Yao really was. Maybe her kindness was just a passing whim.

…

"Ta-da~ Mu Yao, how do these pajamas look?"

Zhou Yuan, who’d been admiring herself in the full-length mirror, hurried over the moment Mu Yao returned and shut the door.

"Cute~"

Zhou Yuan’s online-ordered pajamas had arrived the very next day. Seriously efficient delivery—even non-local! Local orders probably arrive same-day.

Light purple, 100% cotton, with a Totoro anime print on the front. To Mu Yao, though, it looked suspiciously like a giant rat. She just couldn’t tell the difference.

"Hah, too half-hearted! Go on, feel it."

"F-Feel what?" Mu Yao took half a step back.

"My pajamas, obviously! What were *you* thinking?"

"Oh…"

The fabric was wonderfully soft—no exaggeration. Pajama material rarely disappoints, and this was extra fluffy.

"By the way," Zhou Yuan added, "next time, don’t leave the toilet seat up. I know it’s fine for you since you’re a guy, but other girls would get suspicious. No girl uses the toilet standing up!"

Crucial reminder. Girls’ dorms weren’t as chaotic as boys’, but visitors did drop by. Better warn Mu Yao early, while the semester was still fresh.

"So I have to sit down…?"

"Exactly! Sit! If I catch you leaving it up again, I’ll beat you senseless!"

"Fine, I’ll sit. Since when does a fan yell at their idol like that…"

"'Cause I’m a hate fan. Haha!" Zhou Yuan laughed mischievously.

"Huh???"

"A hate fan’s still a fan! Don’t sweat it. We’ve got bigger things to handle."

Without giving Mu Yao a second to react, Zhou Yuan—still in her pajamas—pinned him to her bed. Faces drew closer. Mu Yao nearly instinctively wrapped arms and legs around her.

"W-What are you doing…?"

"Ugh, headache. You know *nothing* about the female body. Today’s your crash course. Spend too long with everyone like this, and you’ll get exposed."

Zhou Yuan frowned. This was part of her mission: zero slip-ups before the idol reboot launched. If anyone discovered the famed "Long Xueer" was actually a boy? Disaster. Mu Yao’s reputation—and Leji Entertainment’s—would shatter.

Paparazzi lurked everywhere. Even though Mu Yao wasn’t officially signed yet, teaching him to pass convincingly as a girl was non-negotiable. Otherwise, headlines would scream: *Leji Entertainment deceived the public with a boy in drag.*

Mu Yao was naturally cute; in girls’ clothes, even more so. Only his understanding of female physiology, psychology, and subtle mannerisms needed refining.

"So? How’d it feel?"

After a brief hug, Zhou Yuan released him and sat on the bed’s edge.

"Comfortable~"

"Ew—basic training, dummy! Spot anything else off later? I’ll correct you again."

"I know. I’ll do my best not to get found out."

Exposure would bring Mu Yao nothing but trouble. Zhou Yuan was right—even in the dorm, vigilance mattered. Just thinking of his little sister steeled his resolve.

At noon, Mu Yao received a transfer from her: the exact money he’d left before leaving, fully refunded. Note: *Bro, eat well. You’re at a prestigious school.*

Warmth bloomed in his chest. While he worried for her, she worried for him too. He’d never mentioned the school—she’d definitely coaxed it from Mom.

Family expenses remained. He just wanted his growing sister to eat better. Every yuan was earned from winter break part-time jobs.

"Come look! Someone posted about you in the academy forum. Replies are piling up—a post from an hour ago already has 500+ comments."

"Huh?! What does it say?" Mu Yao leaned in quickly.

"No caption. Just old Long Xueer photos side-by-side with yours, asking if it’s the same person."

"They’ll figure it out… Oh no."

"Nah. Your promo shots had light makeup, and your current style’s totally different. Just firmly deny it if asked."

------

1F: Damn, if that’s not Long Xueer, I’ll eat my hat!

2F: From our academy? Pretty cute~

5F: Did OP delete the post?

6F: Ultraman Tiga suddenly appeared on the forum yelling, "The person above and below should get together!"

7F: What’s it to me…

…

18F (Zhou Yuan): What’s so great about Long Xueer anyway.

------

"Pfft—was 18F *you*? How dare you say I’m not good-looking!" Mu Yao laughed.

"Told ya—I’m a hate fan. A spy *within* hate fans. Even use alts in the fan club to gauge support. Data matters."

"I don’t get it… But I know you’d never hurt me."

"Obviously. My dream? Be your manager. Your fame = my skill. So rewarding—like your son getting into a top university."

"What a *perfect* analogy," Mu Yao said, thumbs-up raised while mentally ranting at Zhou Yuan ten thousand times.

Everything seemed to glow with promise. Mu Yao felt deeply content. Happy to have Zhou Yuan as a friend—and even his desk mate, Nangong Ruihui.

Beneath the moonlit sky, he whispered a wish: *May my little sister live healthy and strong.* Nothing mattered more.