Early the next morning, I—sleeping right by the window—caught the first ray of sunlight on my cheek. The warm glow filtering through a gap in the curtains gently coaxed me awake.

"Haaah—" I stretched and yawned.

Sitting up on my pillow, I glanced around the dorm. Only Xu Qianqian and I remained. Qin Xue had woken earlier and left; Xu Qianqian was still dead asleep from last night’s drinking.

"Little sleepyhead," I teased, poking her cheek with a hint of playful revenge. She swatted unconsciously at the air but didn’t stir. Shrugging, I picked up her phone from the nightstand.

7:20 a.m. One hour and ten minutes until Qin Ning expected me. No cutting it close—I’d better get ready now.

Yesterday’s shower hadn’t fazed me—towel, shampoo, body wash, whatever. But last night, toothbrush in hand, soft bristles against my lips, I froze before the mirror.

Would using it count as an indirect kiss with Su Xiaoxi? Logically, per the universal principle that matter shapes consciousness, it was just me kissing myself. Nothing to fuss over.

Still, I couldn’t cross that mental line. I bought a new toothbrush at the convenience store. Ten yuan wasn’t steep, but it slashed my balance from seventy-seven down to fifty.

After all, two meals and the downtown fare had already taken their toll.

After washing up, I combed my hair carefully in the mirror. No ponytail today—loose, straight hair felt more *morning*.

I found a tiny rabbit hairpin in the closet and clipped it casually to the left side.

The air held a faint chill. Instead of going bare-legged like yesterday—showing off my long, fair legs—I pulled out a pair of thin white thigh-high stockings.

"Only someone this weird puts on stockings before even changing clothes," I chuckled wryly to myself.

I’d never cross-dressed before. Zero experience with silk thigh-highs. Squeezing my delicate feet in took ages, terrified I’d rip the fabric. Turned out I’d overestimated this body’s strength and underestimated the genius of silk stockings.

*Pat.* The cuff settled gently against my thigh. Task complete.

I changed into yesterday’s outfit: an off-shoulder T-shirt and soft cotton shorts. All set.

First day of part-time work—let’s go!

At Century Center, the massive store remained closed to customers. I slipped through the staff entrance and headed to the third-floor office. Qin Ning was already waiting.

"8:29," she glanced at the clock. "Two minutes from being late."

I offered an awkward smile, too embarrassed to reply. My morning routine had dragged—mostly wrestling with those thigh-highs.

*Too careful. Broke as I am, even white thigh-highs cost money.*

Qin Ning’s gaze drifted down to my legs. "You look nice today."

Flattered, yet thrown. "But… it’s the exact same outfit as yesterday," I whispered.

"I wasn’t talking about your top or shorts," she pointed. "The stockings."

"..."

*Was I just teased?*

"To change the subject—" I jumped in quickly, "—is the store not opening today?"

She nodded. "Opens in a week. We’re interviewing candidates."

Perfect timing. Finals start in three days, last three days—store opens right after.

But if it’s not open yet… why call me in? Couldn’t ask bluntly.

"Um, Sister Qin Ning," I said carefully, "If interviews are happening today… is there anything I can help with?"

*This is the art of professional speak!*

"Of course. You’re here to interview."

"…Huh?"

Her reply deepened the confusion.

"You’re the interviewer. Hard to grasp?" Her sharp gaze swept over me.

*Me?* No—this wasn’t about comprehension. After a pause, I just asked: "Why?"

"It’s your team. You pick the people," Qin Ning snorted. "Did you expect me to do it?"

*My team?!*

"Wait, Sister Qin Ning… you don’t mean…" My lips trembled slightly. "You want me to be the…"

I couldn’t say it.

She finished calmly: "Yes. You’ll be the boss of this store."

"But—"

"I’ve decided. No debate," she cut in. "Don’t overcomplicate it."

*This absolutely needs debate.* I let out a wry smile. "Sister Qin Ning, I truly appreciate your trust. But I’m just a part-timer. Still in university—this is only a summer job."

I expected her to relent. Instead: "So what?"

"…Huh?"

"University isn’t that demanding. Drop by occasionally after term starts. Name one store where the boss must sit onsite all day."

Her words left me speechless. Honestly… she had a point.

"Unless you hire fools," she added coolly, "I’m confident they’ll learn the daily routines to keep this place running smoothly by summer’s end."