The man Liang called “Uncle” truly looked the part…

Staring at that fresh, verdant plant profile picture on WeChat, Liang was *this* close to muttering “damn” under his breath.

But people his uncle’s age tended to keep simpler profile pics anyway. He didn’t care—he just waited silently, a faint thread of anxiety humming beneath his skin.

And maybe… a tiny spark of anticipation?

Himself…

What was wrong with him?

As silence stretched, regret flickered. Why ask his own uncle about this?

She was just some streamer he’d never even met.

And even if he learned her identity… with this weird fixation brewing inside him, wouldn’t he just end up bothering her again?

Ugh—

He knew his flaws too well. Frustrated, he raked a hand through his hair—only to realize the three-minute recall window had already passed.

Though… Ali-chan…

She really was kinda cute.

*Sigh.*

Just as Liang typed to cancel the request, a reply popped up.

Not a “got it,” not a “wait”—just the verdict:

“Can’t find her. Might not be in the system yet, or it’s an unverified account. Want me to report it for a ban?”

Liang’s lips twitched.

Wait…

He didn’t even reply first? Just dove straight in?

Uncle, your efficiency is unreal!

Pulling a night shift, bored stiff, when your nephew’s WeChat buzzed?

*Ahem.* Guess I *did* do him a solid.

But…

“Can’t… find her?”

How? Platform rules required real-name verification for any active streamer.

Liang froze, brow furrowed—but said nothing.

Maybe his uncle’s database was incomplete. Syncing took time.

Ali’s account *was* new—level gave it away. Freshly registered. Probably not synced yet.

He nodded slightly and typed back:

“No need, really. Thanks for checking, Uncle. Good night.”

“Hey, kid! Random much? Got your eye on a streamer? Ah Liang? When you visiting your old uncle?”

Ignoring his uncle’s bored chatter, Liang tossed the phone aside and sank into thought.

What’s going on…

Ali-chan suddenly felt… mysterious.

…

*Snap!*

In the dead of night, the living room light flared on. Lin Ling stood frozen mid-crouch, water glass clutched tight, head turned like stone toward her younger brother, Lin Yu.

…

Awkward silence thickened the air. After a long pause, Lin Yu’s handsome face—utterly undone by those resentful dead-fish eyes—softened into weary resignation. He sighed.

What…

*That’s* his reaction?

Lin Ling’s mind reeled. She’d braced for panic—caught mid-transformation!—but he looked… completely unfazed?

Huh?!

*She* was the one trembling!

Hands shaking, she lifted the glass, sipped water to steady herself.

Lin Yu walked over with a sigh, took a sip too, and muttered:

“Don’t sneak around at night. Sounds exactly like a burglar broke in…”

“Huh?!”

Lin Ling, still trembling beside him, blinked. Numbly nodded. Then—something felt *off*. She grabbed the hem of Lin Yu’s shirt as he turned to leave.

“Yu… do you… really know me?”

Lin Yu glanced back, a black line practically etched on his forehead. *What’s wrong with her now?*

But the more Lin Ling thought—why so calm?

Hello?! A strange girl just appeared in your house!

Even if…

Even if she’s kinda cute, that’s no reason to drop your guard!

Could… could he *recognize* her?

How?!

Huh?!

“What are you talking about?” Lin Yu tilted his head, genuinely confused.

Lin Ling snapped. Straightened up. Leaned against the bookshelf. Planted hands on hips. Pointed fiercely at her own face.

“Yu! I’m your older brother! I’m Lin Ling! I turned into a girl!”

“…”

Huh?! Why *that* look?!

Lin Yu stared like she’d lost her mind.

Lin Ling’s lips twitched. The room grew ten times more awkward.

After a long silence, Lin Yu turned away, muttering:

“Weren’t you always a girl…?”

He walked back to his room.

*Click.* The lock engaged.

Only then did Lin Ling process it.

Then—

Deeper confusion swallowed her.

What…

*Always* a girl?

She bolted to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and stared into the mirror.

The chill sharpened her thoughts. New memories surged—

Not just memories…

Basic life knowledge. *Of course* she’d lived as a girl for over a decade.

Slowly, it dawned on her.

Her…

Her world had been rewritten by the System.

Here, Lin Ling had *always* been a girl—from birth.

Family, teachers, encounters—all unchanged. Gender-related moments simply vanished, as if the System patched bugs on the fly.

Was this a parallel world? Or had the System altered how the world saw her?

Eyes closed, she breathed deep. Then opened them.

Staring at the beautiful girl in the glass… disbelief flickered.

This…

Is this really me?

Lin Ling. Existing in the world… as a girl?

*Eep.* A little unsettling, sure.

But this time…

Remembering tonight’s confession, she clenched her fist.

Decision made: Starting today, she’d become the most dazzling, beloved girl around!

With *this* face? No way she’d waste it!

*Ugh.*

…Though.

Got brushed off by her brother *again* tonight.

How is it—even as a gorgeous girl—their relationship’s still this strained?

*Mm.*

Yep. No matter the world… little brothers stay stubbornly un-cute.

Why couldn’t the System have made *him* the little sister?

Damn System.