After a blissful afternoon nap—thanks to the solid rest—I actually sat through both my major class and Computer English without missing a single word.

Computer English was fine; difficulty matched college entrance exam level. With high school English memories from two lifetimes fused together, I could follow easily. But Data Structures? Total chaos. Maybe my brain changed after becoming a girl? Textbook diagrams made sense. The words made sense. But the moment lecture linked image to explanation—*poof*—my mind went blank.

What even is an array?

A stack?

This linked list thing?

How do these even work inside a computer?

Microcontrollers? Computer architecture? Databases? How’s any of this tied to data structures?

And these homework problems—how am I supposed to solve them?!

In my past life, I majored in German at a no-name first-tier university back home—neither elite nor prestigious. That left me with little edge after graduation. I tried several German-required jobs. Either the company folded, or—like I said—the coworkers or bosses were just… weird. I quit on my own.

Post-grad life? KFC server. Pastry apprentice. Pet shop groomer (cats, dogs, even foxes). Food delivery rider. Flyer distributor. Online novelist. Never once touched anything "computer science."

Data Structures wasn’t just gibberish to Bi Xinxue—it was a canyon I couldn’t cross either.

"This stuff needs innate talent!" I muttered after class, clutching the *Data Structures* textbook on my walk back.

Like how guys often game better by nature, or some pick up MOBAs instantly—talent weighs heavy.

Last life? I played intense 3D games for hours, zero motion sickness. Now? Five minutes into PUBG—graphics not even top-tier—and nausea, dizziness, stomach revolt hit hard. Just staring without vomiting was my limit. How compete?

Others? Born with razor-sharp logic. Love mechanics. Love code. Mastered microcontrollers or Minecraft redstone before high school. By college CS? They’re already light-years ahead.

Picking a major boils down to two words: *talent* and *interest*.

Talent aside—*interest* often means *purpose*. Some lack talent but get hooked after hacker novels or news about legendary coders. Others? Broke. Know CS grads earn well. Link "learn coding" to "buy a house." Forge motivation. Even without talent, time grinds skill.

Me? Zero talent. Zero interest. Just gotta pass exams and redraw my future.

"Xiao Xue… do you think I can actually comfort him?" Chen Xiaorui babbled beside me, nerves fraying. "He’s 29. Fresh breakup. Is he gonna be super irritable?"

"What should I wear? Act cute? Or… go mature-sister mode?"

"Take precautions. Pocket knife. Personal alarm. Better safe than sorry," I said flatly.

"If he suggests somewhere secluded—refuse."

"Guys post-breakup are usually low. Don’t overthink. Just comfort. Say stuff like, ‘That girl dumping you over gaming? Terrible taste. How’d she not see the boss’s worth?’"

"But… I almost broke up with Qing Ge over gaming too. Isn’t that me criticizing myself?"

"Pfft. It’s a transaction. Play the part. A few fake words for cash? Worth it."

"Hmm… yeah, I guess!"

Convinced, she brightened. "Okay! I’ll mimic those companion-streamer videos—flatter the boss. Xiao Xue, you’ve got a booking tonight too, right?"

"Yeah. Client in Nan Nagi District."

My gig: be "girlfriend" for two hours to Lu Yun, a young guy working near Nan Nagi Port.

His Hua Li Mao profile used an 8-digit QQ—high level, icons glowing. Qzone posts had normal friend interactions. Online search: automation management grad, corporate drone. Games sometimes. Watches anime. Lurks in Graphics Card Bar and Tulading Bar fishing for hardware deals. Calls himself a "junk collector."

No records of online flaming. Works at a state-owned enterprise by the port. Seems… decent.

His request? Simple: 90-minute movie, snacks at a diner, stroll by the docks while he vents.

More orders lately = more choices. For safety, I pick clients who seem reliable and tasks that feel straightforward.

"Nan Nagi? Mostly ports, right? Oh! Seafood! Their crayfish is amazing!"

"Crayfish isn’t seafood."

I blinked. "I’m hitting the library. Coming?"

"Why?"

"Check out books."

Glanced at phone. "Not 6 PM yet. Borrow books, head back—plenty of time."

"Only an hour?! Eat, taxi… no outfit change?"

"Nah. Wearing this."

"Lucky. Being pretty lets you get away with anything."

She sighed enviously, waving at the library fork. "I’ll eat, shower, change. Just thinking about the client… my hands are shaking."

"Relax. Like performing a skit as a kid."

"I never performed! I was chubby—teachers skipped me."

"Then practice for future career: toasting leaders."

"We’re coders. Do we *really* need to accompany clients for drinks?"

"Who knows? What if your client’s a drunk?"

I smiled. "Seriously though—stay safe. Girls must protect themselves."

"Got it. Safety first."

Chen Xiaorui pouted, unsure if jealous or grateful. "Xiao Xue… you’re so thoughtful."

"Pfft. I’m just scared no one’ll treat me to beef claypot rice again."

"…"

Vanilla Vocational College was unremarkable—but its brochure boldly claimed: "Home to Vanilla City’s largest campus library."

I checked twice. No "…or so" tacked on.

Vanilla City: mega-metropolis. Its *biggest* campus library… in a vocational college? False advertising? Still… our library *was* huge.

After parting with Chen Xiaorui, I stood before the five-story library. Doors grander than any campus building.

Professional computer system. 24/7 AC. 360-degree camera coverage. Two lifelike stone lions guarding the entrance.

Nestled at campus heart, lakes on both sides, flower fields front and back—*rippling streams, whispering pages, blossoms in full glory*.

Yet… barely any students inside.

I pushed the door. Cool air and old-book scent washed over me.

First floor: e-reading room. Second floor+: physical books. I headed straight for the stairs.

Today’s goal: books on voice mimicry, body care, skincare.

Dorm life revealed the "wild girls" rarely sleep before 12:30 AM. Sometimes, after heated chats about risqué topics, silence doesn’t fall till past 1 AM.

That quiet hour? Perfect for reading. For growing.

What I lacked most: beauty, skincare, body-shaping knowledge—topics utterly foreign to my past male self.

Talks with Jiang Yuqing and others, plus Bi Xinxue’s memories, made it clear: cosmetics and skincare aren’t optional for girls. To feel confident. To connect. I had to learn.

*The Complete Guide to Soybean Cultivation*. *Corn: A Mysterious Crop from Outer Space*. *UFOs and Crop Circles*…

How is this shelved? Agriculture to sci-fi astronomy? Wild.

Still scanning shelves for beauty books, footsteps approached. A tap on my shoulder.

"Huh?"

I turned. Lu Tianxing—the Martial Arts Club’s legendary Sanda captain.

"My schedule’s packed. Booking me? Next week."

I slid the book back. Glanced at him.

Unbothered, he peeked at *The Complete Guide to Yoga* in my hand. "With a figure like yours, still doing yoga? Leaving zero room for other girls."

"Thanks. Just browsing."

I eyed *Celestial Bodies and Black Holes: Interstellar Travel* in his grip. Said nothing. Walked to the next shelf.

Med student. Martial artist. Astronomy enthusiast. What a weirdo.