The three of us sat idly in chairs, sipping drinks and watching Lao Han play basketball.

The game was completely one-sided. On court, no one could stop Lao Han once she moved—she scored effortlessly, like she’d activated god mode.

Since I arrived, Huang Li’s team hadn’t sunk a single basket. Every time the ball reached Lao Han, she’d dodge and fake out defenders with ease. Huang Li tried blocking her a few times and even stole the ball once or twice—but it always ended in a foul. Lao Han’s team racked up points from free throws alone.

After a while, halftime arrived. Huang Li gave a wry smile, waved, and walked with the other guys to the opposite sideline. I recognized them all—same faces from last time Lao Han’s team played. Everyone was there except Xue Ling, that cross-dressing guy.

Lao Han wiped sweat from her face with a bright smile, strolled over, and plopped down beside me. I shifted slightly to make room. She playfully pinched Xiao Yao’s cheek and grinned. “I thought you didn’t like basketball. What brings you here?”

Her shoulder-length hair was tied in a ponytail. Damp strands clung to her temples, slightly messy; sweat traced her fair neck. I stared a moment, then looked away.

Xiao Yao, perched on my lap, pouted and shook her head to dodge Lao Han’s fingers. I scratched my cheek. “Just came from Grandpa’s. Going home felt pointless, so I dropped by.”

Lao Han nodded toward the court. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” I sighed, pulled a drink from the plastic bag, and handed it over. Without glancing, she popped the cap and gulped deeply.

Watching her drink, I figured she was parched from running the court.

After a pause, I said, “Grandpa wants to see you.”

Silent, eyes fixed on the court, she gulped again—half the bottle vanished.

I took a sip. “How long will you hide it? Paper can’t wrap fire. Might as well come clean.”

Holding the bottle, Lao Han gazed thoughtfully at the court.

Across the way, Huang Li and the guys had rested long enough. Halftime over, they chugged water, rolled up their sleeves, and headed back.

Lao Han let out a soft sigh, stood, and murmured, “Easy for you to say…”

I froze.

“Still not convinced?”

She glanced at the eager guys, swapped on a cheerful smile, and walked back onto the court.

I watched her slender back fade into the court, sipped my drink—

Lao Han must be hurting inside.

She surely wanted to see Grandpa too. But what happened to her… raising a grandson for years, only to become a granddaughter? Never mind if Grandpa would believe it…

Even if he did, could he accept it?

Her parents worked abroad her whole life. Only Grandpa raised her. Her bond with him ran deeper than mine…

My words just now… yeah, they sounded cold.

Truth was, she was suffering the most.

Lao Shen propped his head, watching us silently, lost in thought.

I sat another half hour. Seeing Lao Han show no sign of resting, I sighed and stood.

I’d only come to check in. Ming Hai and Long Ge were home alone—neither cooked. I had to get back and make dinner.

Lao Han still dominated the court with flashy moves. The guys struggled for a few points, but defeat was inevitable.

I watched a bit longer and left. Lao Shen just said we hadn’t met in ages—let’s hang out sometime.

Xiao Yao pouted, tugging my sleeve. I coaxed her: “I’ll take you shopping in two days, buy pretty clothes.” Only then did the little girl reluctantly let go.

X High was a fifteen-minute walk from home.

Back home, only Long Ge was there, glued to her game. Ming Hai was out—fetching luggage from her old dorm, Long Ge said. Though our age, Ming Hai was in college. She also needed to process withdrawal for her old identity…

That male identity was unusable now. She’d enroll under a new one. Complicated, but her wealthy family could handle it. Still… how would she explain becoming a woman to her parents?

I sat on the sofa awhile, then pushed up and headed to the kitchen.

I’d watched a Japanese omurice tutorial online. Since Long Ge hadn’t eaten, I spent fifteen minutes cooking. Turned out well. She was still gaming—hadn’t eaten since morning. I flipped the omurice onto a plate, drizzled ketchup, and carried it to her room.

Inside, Long Ge’s fingers clacked the keyboard; her face nearly touched the screen.

*That’ll wreck your eyes…*

I set the tray down. She stayed glued to the screen. I sighed, gently turned her head toward the chair back. She shot me a helpless look and sat straight.

I lit a cigarette, watched her grind the abyssal dungeon. The omurice sat untouched. “Eat while it’s hot. It’ll get cold.”

She ignored me, cigarette dangling, keys clattering. Then stubbed it out in a tin can—*Damn it. That can again… Next restock: skip canned pork, grab instant noodles.*

She yawned, stretched—revealing a sliver of pale stomach.

I glanced, felt a silly urge to poke it. Looked away.

Long Ge sat listlessly, finally picked up the spoon. Stared at the steaming omurice, then shot me a surprised look. “Not bad. You could be a housewife.”

I took a drag. “Nah. You’d suit it better.”

She smirked—used to my teasing—and scooped a bite. I watched quietly. I’d mixed fish floss into the rice, added soy sauce for color, tossed it with ketchup after cooking. Plump grains. I was proud.

After one bite, she looked up, surprised.

I raised my brows. She ducked her head, eating faster this time—

Hmm. Her focus said it worked. Since she liked it, I’d buy more eggs next time.

If she got tired of it, I’d switch it up. Cooking’s one thing I’m confident in.

I sat beside her, propping my head, watching her eat.

She finished the whole plate in under five minutes—generous portion: three-egg wrap, stuffed full with nearly half a pot of rice.

She set the spoon down, wiped her mouth contentedly. “Delicious.”

Hearing that made me smile.

I stood slowly, cleared the tray. She shifted to let me pass. Ash covered her desk. I grabbed a cloth, wiped it clean, joking, “Like it? Wait for next time. I’ll make more.”

Long Ge hesitated, then said softly, “Lao Lu.”

My mood had lifted with her quick meal. “Yeah?”

She stared at the desk, then the screen—avoiding my eyes. I waited, puzzled.

After silence, she murmured, “I’m moving out day after tomorrow. An internet café near X High… they provide meals and lodging.”

My hand stilled on the cloth. Then kept wiping.

I chuckled low. “Uncomfortable staying here?”

She looked down, hesitated, met my eyes. “It’s comfortable.”

Table clean. Just the tray, bowl, spoon left.

I turned the bowl in my hands. “Then why leave?”

Long Ge sat cross-legged in her swivel chair, head down, ruby-red eyes fixed on the desk.

After a long pause, she smiled faintly.

“Living here, eating your food, wearing your clothes… I shouldn’t keep burdening you.”

“Besides—do you think I’m a pet dog? Feed me, clothe me… you planning to support me forever?”

I exhaled, straightened up. Desk clean now.

Placed the cloth on the tray, stood, voice light:

“I can afford it.”