Lu Yu gazed at the person pinning him down, his expression calm.

Lin Beixing, however, was far from composed.

She gripped his wrist, her body still frozen mid-motion from snatching the phone.

Due to her constitution, Lin Beixing’s hands had always been icy since childhood.

Now, holding "her own" cold hand and staring at "her own" serene face, her heart hammered wildly.

Lu Yu’s eyes swept briefly over "himself."

He’d never realized his own body could be this strong—strong enough to keep him from even lifting his head.

Or maybe it was just Lin Beixing’s body: soft, weak, yielding like cotton.

He studied "his own" almond-shaped eyes.

Even without effort, they held a natural tenderness—a quiet devotion in their gaze.

Hmm. Lu Yu admitted it: he was kinda handsome.

He’d never examined his own face this closely before.

No wonder some guys muttered behind his back about him being flashy. How could someone so harmless and laid-back provoke that?

Under Lu Yu’s unwavering stare, Lin Beixing grew flustered.

Logically, he was just looking at his own face—but it still felt deeply awkward.

“You pushed *me* down… why are *you* blushing?”

Lu Yu’s voice, light and even, drifted into her ears.

Lin Beixing jolted awake, snatched back the phone, and released his wrist.

Lu Yu sat up slowly.

He instinctively reached to brush his trousers—then froze at the sight of "his own" smooth ankle.

Instead, he gave the skirt hem a symbolic pat.

He was in a girl’s body now. Adaptability had never been his weakness.

“What were you doing on the rooftop?”

Just a casual question—but Lin Beixing’s sudden silence felt off.

“Nothing…”

“Oh…”

Lu Yu hesitated.

If this was truly a soul swap… then Lin Beixing’s body *had* been on the rooftop.

Not just on it—but right against the chain-link fence.

One more step, and she’d have fallen.

He wanted to ask more, but her closed-off expression said *don’t*.

…Still kinda handsome.

Lu Yu glanced at his own cool, composed face. A rare flicker of self-appreciation.

“So what now?”

He turned to Lin Beixing.

She sat on the floor, legs tucked sideways in a distinctly girlish pose.

…Habits like that wouldn’t change overnight.

Just like how *he* was cross-legged—nothing like the school beauty’s usual elegance.

“…I don’t know,” Lin Beixing murmured, shaking her head gently.

Logically, *he* should take charge—being the guy and all.

But he was occupying *her* body. He had to respect her voice.

Since she offered none, he decided.

“Let’s go. Cafeteria.”

He slapped his thigh and stood.

“How can you even *think* about eating?!” Lin Beixing’s mind was fraying.

She’d never imagined swapping bodies with a guy. Never imagined living as a “man.”

“And starve instead?” Lu Yu shot back.

“Until we figure this out, we accept reality. Survive first. Solve later.”

Lu Yu never carried worries. Straightforward. Clear.

“Coming?” he pressed.

Lin Beixing hesitated.

“…Okay.”

Lu Yu shoved the iron door open.

A door he usually opened one-handed now demanded both hands and full effort.

*Creak.* It swung inward.

He strode downstairs without looking back.

Bright rooftop to dim stairwell—his vision flickered black for a heartbeat.

Lin Beixing drew a deep breath. A strange, fresh-start feeling washed over her.

...

During the descent, they silently agreed:

1. Play each other’s roles—for safety.

2. Never act out of character. Protect each other’s image and relationships.

3. No peeking. Eyes closed during unavoidable moments (like restrooms).

Lu Yu found rule three trivial. Health class covered the basics. He was fine.

But Lin Beixing? Entrusting her body to a near-stranger… fear was natural. He understood.

Jiangshui No.1 High School’s stairwells were dim but spotless—steps scrubbed thrice daily by duty students.

Lunch break.

Lu Yu’s stomach growled as they walked down together.

Lin Beixing alone drew 90% head-turns.

Add Lu Yu? Instant 100%.

She was the undisputed school beauty.

He was the unofficial “school heartthrob.”

Side by side, every passerby glanced twice—then erupted into gossip, jaws slack.

“Wait, isn’t that—?”

“Lu Yu and Lin Beixing?!”

“HUGE tea!”

“Nooo, my goddess!”

“Whoa!”

Amid the murmurs, one shrieking male voice cut through:

A guy sprinted up, grabbed "Lu Yu’s" arm, and shook him hard.

“BRO! Did you sleepwalk into love?!”

“Lu Ge, what happened?!”

“Women slow your rank climb!!!”

It was Ren Jie—Lu Yu’s deskmate and ride-or-die buddy.

Eyes wide, voice trembling with emotion:

“I saw you sleeping soundly, so I let you rest!” He waved the takeout box. “Brought your fave—two drumsticks!!”

“I left for *ten minutes* and you’re already… ahem… *claimed* by Class Rep Lin?!”

Ren Jie’s heart swelled. His bro had *finally* leveled up!

“Ren—"

Lu Yu tried to speak—but a soft, girlish voice came out.

Dazed, Lin Beixing shot him a desperate look.

Lu Yu swallowed his pride.

“Ren Jie, keep the food. Lin Beixing and I are heading to the cafeteria—teacher asked me to guide him academically. Thanks for the meal; he’ll repay you.”

“WHOA—SIS-IN-LAW?!”

His attempt to clarify only cemented Ren Jie’s conviction.

The school beauty *defending* his bro?!

Ren Jie’s eyes welled up. “Sis-in-law! So kind!”

Lu Yu: "…"

“Classmate, you’re mistaken.”

He forced Lin Beixing’s signature gentle smile.

“Sis-in-law! Lu Ge’s a bit slow—please be patient!” Ren Jie wiped his eyes, chest puffed. “If he ever hurts you, I’ll back *you* up!”

Lu Yu’s fist clenched… then relaxed.

Break the agreement now, and the act collapses.

“Ren Jie,” he said softly, smoothing his tone, stilling his twitching brow. “We’re just discussing studies. Senior year. Teacher’s request.”

“…Oh. Really?”

Ren Jie peeked at "Lu Yu."

Expressionless. Sharp brows radiating familiar aloofness.

Right. His bro wouldn’t even claim a waifu in a 2D game. Chasing the school beauty? Impossible.

Relief washed over him. “Got it. I’ll transfer the drumstick money.”

Lin Beixing gave a stiff nod—mimicking Lu Yu’s mannerisms *eerily* well.

Like she’d studied him for years.

“Hmm…” Ren Jie frowned, still uneasy.

He thrust the box into "Lu Yu’s" hands. “You and… Class Rep Lin… share these. I’m full.”

Elbow nudge. Whisper: “Once you win her over, treat me, bro. God-tier success awaits~”

Then he vanished.

Lin Beixing stood frozen. "Lu Yu’s" famously stoic face now held a faint blush.

“What’d he say?” Lu Yu asked.

“N-nothing!” She shook her head hard.

Too many students around. She shoved his back. “Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yu followed lazily.

*Whoa.* That shove nearly sent him tumbling. Strong girl.

He glanced at the lingering, gossiping crowd.

Yeah. Things were about to get complicated.