Ning Chu’s dorm wasn’t dirty. It was just incredibly messy.

Wang Jie’s desk was covered in all kinds of cables, and takeout boxes he’d accumulated over the weekend were piled both inside and around the trash can. Zhang Shaoqing’s underwear was hanging right off the bed frame. Wen Yang’s desk, on the other hand, was neat—but only because he didn’t have much stuff.

Ning Chu’s obsessive-compulsive streak came and went. Sometimes his desk got so messy that his things formed a little mountain, but after a while, he’d start finding it more and more unbearable. Then he’d set aside an entire afternoon to clean up, organizing everything until it was all in perfect order.

The rain outside was getting heavier. The wind whipped the downpour around, turning the hallway and balcony into danger zones.

The clothes hanging on the balcony were already completely soaked, which put an end to any thought Ning Chu had of rescuing them. Back in the dorm, he slumped into his chair like a salted fish.

“We’re cleaning.”

“I want to take a shower. I feel all sticky.” Ning Chu muttered as he took off his training jacket, tugging at the collar of his T-shirt with a look of disgust. “I’m soaked all over.”

Wen Yang had only just sat down. Hearing Ning Chu complain, he looked up without thinking.

Between the sweat and rain, Ning Chu’s white T-shirt clung to his skin, making his small, slender frame look especially delicate.

Even the subtle muscles on his chest looked fairly developed from the side. His hair was still dripping wet, and raindrops trickled down the soft contours of his face, gathered at his chin, then fell onto his delicate collarbones.

Ning Chu wiped his face with a towel. Sensing someone’s gaze, he looked over at Wen Yang. His thick, water-beaded lashes trembled as he blinked in confusion.

Wen Yang felt oddly guilty and quickly looked away. “Maybe take a shower later? Let’s clean up first.”

“Get up and clean already.”

“Yeah, yeah! Get moving!”

After hearing one reminder after another, Ning Chu glanced back at the others—only to find his roommates’ butts practically glued to their chairs. They were all calling for everyone to clean, but none of them were lifting a finger.

So Ning Chu got up without a hint of guilt, grabbed a change of clothes, and came up with an excuse. “I’ll clean the bathroom while I shower. You guys can take care of the rest!”

Before anyone could object, he’d already dashed into the bathroom.

Every time he showered, his heart sank.

He took off his shirt and pants, then expressionlessly felt the faint softness on his chest. The tingling sensation in his little red beans made him shiver. Then he looked down at his always-underwhelming little guy…

He sighed and looked at the half-length mirror mounted on the wall in front of him, gazing at his own pale, soft, delectable-looking reflection.

That pretty, boyish face was still as cute as ever, with no sign of becoming handsome. He looked like a weak bottom.

Thank goodness there wasn’t a gay romance plot in the book!

Otherwise, before he even turned into a girl, his own story might’ve started early.

He’d only been sweating and getting rained on, so it was more of a quick rinse than a proper shower. It took just a few minutes for Ning Chu to change into a dry T-shirt and shorts, and he even gave the bathroom tiles a quick scrub and mop.

When he walked back into the dorm, the other three had started cleaning too.

“I’ve taken care of the bathroom.”

“I’m done over here too.” Wen Yang set down the broom just then. “Sweeping should be enough, right? Do we really need to mop?”

Zhang Shaoqing picked up the trash and headed out. “It’s not even a tiled floor. What’s the point of mopping?”

Huh. So I wasn’t the only one half-assing it.

And Wang Jie was still tidying up his messy desk. He hadn’t helped with the dorm cleaning at all.

Ning Chu gave his already-neat desk a quick tidy, then dropped into the chair in front of his computer. He was about to order takeout for lunch when he shifted uncomfortably in his shorts.

A little tight…

Especially when he bent over, sat down, or lifted his legs—any big movement made the fabric cling tight to his butt, as if the slightest extra stretch might split the shorts.

The first time he’d messed with the plot, a layer of soft flesh had appeared on his chest. The second time, his hips had gotten wider, making the pants that had fit him just right feel a little too tight.

That was why he’d hurried to buy another set of pajamas over the weekend. They were supposed to arrive today.

What about next time?

Worry was written all over Ning Chu’s face. He was a little lost. If he went along with the plot, sooner or later he’d turn into a girl and get thoroughly railed. If he messed with the plot, he might turn into a girl even sooner…

If he ran away, though, he was worried about what dangers he might face without Wen Yang’s protagonist plot armor.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

Someone suddenly knocked on the door. A noisy commotion rose from the hallway, interrupting Ning Chu’s thoughts.

As the door opened, the instructor, Han Jingye, and an unfamiliar middle-aged administrator walked into the room. A crowd of students lingered outside, peeking in to see what was going on.

Ning Chu quickly stood up and nervously swept his eyes over every corner of the dorm.

The beds were made, the trash was gone, and the dorm had just been tidied up. It wasn’t messy…

It should be fine, right?

But why was the counselor here again?!

He could clearly feel Han Jingye’s gaze landing on him more often than before. That only made him more nervous. He was afraid Han Jingye might stop going after girls and start going after him instead.

Han Jingye also shot him a puzzled glance.

Why does this student hate me so much? He even seems a little afraid of me.

“Not bad, but you need to clean the balcony too.” The instructor always wore a stern expression and didn’t look easy to get along with. “Military training is canceled today. If it’s still raining tomorrow, gather in the lobby on the first floor of the teaching building.”

“Got it,” Wen Yang replied. He followed the instructor out and saw both him and the counselor off.

As soon as the door shut, the others couldn’t hold back their excitement.

“No military training this afternoon! Wen Yang, let’s queue up for duos!”

“Sure!”

“Count me in!”

The three of them sat down at the computers and opened the game, ready to play together. Ning Chu looked from one to the other, then couldn’t help speaking up. “I wanna play too.”

“Then come on! Hurry up and log in!”

Unlike Zhang Shaoqing, who was always in a rush, Wen Yang sounded relaxed. He nodded. “Last time, I couldn’t carry you on my own. Surely the whole dorm can manage it this time, right?”

“Of course! I’ve watched a bunch of tutorials lately!”

Ning Chu puffed out his chest, full of confidence, and grinned. “Since we don’t have military training this afternoon, why don’t you guys carry me a few more times today? That way you won’t complain if I want to play later.”

“Huh?” Wen Yang froze. “Well…”

Seriously? The instructor had only just canceled military training for the afternoon, and you’re already thinking about which girl to take on a date?!

“You going on another date?” Zhang Shaoqing turned and asked on Ning Chu’s behalf, teasing Wen Yang. “Man, you’ve always got a girl asking you out whenever you’re free. Share some of that luck with us, will you?”

Well played!

Ning Chu silently gave Zhang Shaoqing a thumbs-up. For the first time, he felt that the guy’s smart mouth could actually come in handy.