As evening classes let out, An Han and Wu Dongming walked side by side out of the teaching building.
He tried hard to walk normally again, but those girlish mannerisms felt etched into his genes. Unless he consciously corrected himself, the slightest lapse would bring them back without him even noticing.
“Haven’t we just seen each other yesterday?”
“What’s up?” An Han asked with a deliberately blank expression, feigning nonchalance.
“You’re acting even more girly today.”
A twinge shot through his chest. He forced a smile. “No way! Are you blind?”
“Maybe cross-dressing unlocked some weird trait in you.”
“…”
An Han turned his head away. Truth was, the dress hadn’t unlocked any trait—just a bizarre system.
To steer the topic off himself, he quickly asked, “Aren’t your parents visiting tonight? Where’s your rental girlfriend? Not here yet?”
“She’s from another school. Just got out of class. Won’t arrive till after seven.”
“Pretty? How much?” An Han pressed curiously.
Wu Dongming pulled out his phone and showed him the photo. “Honestly? Not as pretty as you in that dress.”
*Even without it, I’m still better-looking.*
“Your mouth never says anything nice!” An Han shot back irritably. “With a face like yours, anyone pretending to be your girlfriend’s already doing you a huge favor!”
They bantered as usual, but Wu Dongming’s gaze stayed fixed on An Han.
They spent so much time together daily that subtle changes slipped past unnoticed—until now. Recalling how An Han used to look, Wu Dongming realized just how much he’d changed in one week.
“Ever since you cross-dressed last week, you’ve been off,” he muttered. “You used to just be a jerk. Now… trying to become a girl?”
The words hit a nerve. An Han kicked out, fury blazing. “Get the hell out! I’m not supporting you next game!”
*This friendship is over!*
An Han kept telling himself he was getting *more handsome*—not this. Wu Dongming’s blunt jab about the system left him utterly flustered.
“No! You *have* to support me! Random supports are dumber than pigs,” Wu Dongming hurriedly placated him. “I’m just looking out for you, okay?”
“Bullshit!”
Still bickering, they reached the east gate.
From afar, Wu Dongming spotted his parents held up by security. He ditched An Han and rushed over.
“I’m heading back!” An Han called after him. Only then did his tense shoulders relax.
*Cafeteria first.*
Ever since buying that dress, his allowance ran thin. For the rest of the month, cheap cafeteria meals were all he could afford.
He’d barely taken a few steps when Wu Dongming’s voice rang out again.
“An Han! Come here!”
*What now?*
An Han turned. Wu Dongming stood beside his parents, waving eagerly on tiptoe.
Normally he’d ignore it—but manners demanded otherwise. He jogged over.
Silently sizing up the elderly couple, he smiled politely. “Hello, Uncle, Auntie.”
They looked well into their fifties—likely late-in-life parents.
*No wonder they’re so hung up on his love life.*
Gone was An Han’s usual boisterousness. He forced a smile for them and shot Wu Dongming a confused look.
*What’s happening?*
“Mom, Dad—this is An Han, the one I mentioned,” Wu Dongming introduced him, winking exaggeratedly.
*How the hell should I know? Read my eyes!*
“An Han?” Auntie paused, then beamed, wrinkles crinkling. “Oh! The one who called you ‘husband’ on the phone?”
“Yeah! I told you it was a joke—you wouldn’t believe me.”
Auntie studied An Han, nodding repeatedly, grinning ear to ear. “Very good. Very good.”
A chill ran down An Han’s spine. He sidled closer to Wu Dongming, tugged his sleeve. “What’s going on? Why’s your mom so happy?”
“No idea.”
“You think… she wants to adopt me as a godson to split the inheritance ’cause I’m too handsome?”
“Dream on!”
Their whispered exchange only made Uncle and Auntie glow brighter.
That look sent shivers down An Han’s spine—and even Wu Dongming felt a sinister vibe.
“Mom, let’s grab dinner?” Wu Dongming hastily changed the subject. “There’s a good spot behind the gate.”
“Sure. An Han’s joining us too, right?”
*Wait—why invite me to a family dinner?*
Wu Dongming shot An Han a bewildered glance, scratching his head. “He’s heading to the dorm.”
“I already ordered takeout. Probably at my dorm by now,” An Han added with a polite smile.
Auntie looked surprised. “But we agreed to eat together tonight. Why order takeout?”
An Han froze. A sinking feeling crept in.
*Do they think I’m Wu Dongming’s girlfriend?*
He knew he looked delicate lately—but short hair barely covering his brows? Definitely not girly.
*Unless it’s my posture?*
Plenty of tomboy girls looked like delicate boys these days.
He glanced down at his chest.
The jacket hid it poorly. A subtle curve remained—amplified by two rounds of system-enhanced physique. Being mistaken… wasn’t impossible.
Before he could speak, Wu Dongming slung an arm around his neck, shamelessly grinning. “Yep! An Han—my girlfriend!”
“???”
An Han stared, utterly bewildered.
*After all I’ve done for you, you screw me over like this?*
Wu Dongming’s triumphant grin vanished the moment An Han smacked the back of his head.
“Ow! You actually hit me?! I was joking!” Wu Dongming yelped, clutching his head.
“Auntie,” An Han said without glancing at him, “Wu Dongming and I are just friends. *Guys.* His real girlfriend arrives around seven.”
“A guy?”
“Yes!” He slapped his chest firmly. “One hundred percent male!”
