Ji Yu's consciousness gradually cleared. Down below, the three guys were still immersed in their own games, none of them aware that the "hidden gem" in their dorm had already woken up.
She was about to turn over and get out of bed, but before lifting the mosquito net, she instinctively tucked her hair back into her cap—as if only by doing so could she feel a bit of safety.
"Tang Li, can you toss my clothes in here?"
Her voice, as clear as an oriole's song, rang out in the dorm room. All three guys lifted their heads at the same time, looking toward the silhouette behind the purple mosquito net.
"Hey, not wearing clothes?"
"Isn't that a bit…"
Of course they knew Ji Yu was only asking for that jacket on Tang Li's desk that none of them dared touch, but still, it was second nature to tease.
Tang Li tossed the clothes inside, then called out to her, "You've got two short classes for your broadcasting department this afternoon. I won't go with you. Come find me at the gym at four-thirty."
After Ji Yu had finished getting dressed, she bent down and crawled out of bed. Hearing that Tang Li wouldn't be going with her, she let out a quiet sigh.
Truthfully, she still wished Tang Li would go with her—otherwise she'd be walking into class alone, and if someone figured out she was a girl, it could turn into a huge problem. On paper she was still a male student; suddenly showing up as a female—who would believe that?
Still, since it was a small class in her own department, bringing someone from outside would feel a bit strange, so she let it go.
She glanced at the two tall, thin guys behind Tang Li and guessed they were his original roommates, instantly becoming more reserved.
"Hello, I'm… a friend of Tang Li's."
It wasn't just Ji Yu who was acting reserved—when she was there, even the air seemed to mind its manners.
They didn't crack any familiar jokes about her and Tang Li's relationship; instead, they politely, even comically, introduced themselves like gentlemen. Zhang Jun was just about to say something when Tang Li had already handed Ji Yu the book Impromptu Speech and Commentary.
"Ten minutes left. The classroom's not close—better get going."
She could clearly hear the coolness in his tone and had no idea what had caused it.
Once she had her cap on and dashed out of the dorm building, the three guys stood on the balcony, watching the figure in the black baseball cap.
"What's with the sudden cold shoulder? Trying to be the aloof, high-cool type now?" In barely a week, the three of them had gotten close enough to joke about anything—boys' friendships form fast.
Tang Li's gaze followed the cap until the figure disappeared beneath a tree and out of sight. "We're friends. At least for now, I don't dare like her."
Turning around, he leaned both elbows on the railing, his eyes fixed on the half-finished cup of iced cola on the table by the dorm entrance.
The smiling old man on the logo… and the bead of sweat on his forehead.
"To put it bluntly, I'm probably her only good friend. I can't risk ruining that. Otherwise, I might not even have her as a friend in the future."
The damp spot on the ground spread.
He had waited a long time, thought a long time, but in the end, the conclusion he came to didn't satisfy him.
He didn't know how to date, had never been in a relationship. But there was one thing he did understand—love wasn't a one-sided wish. It required both people to work at it together.
Love, at its best, turns two people into lifelong confidants. That was the kind of bond they had now, but if he clumsily approached it as romance, it would likely backfire.
At least for now, Ji Yu was still comfortable enough to take her afternoon naps on his bed. That was enough.
…
The torment and excitement of the counselor's surprise in-class public speaking test was cut short by the bell just before Ji Yu's turn came up.
It wasn't dinnertime yet, but in school, once class was over, it was "time to eat" by default—even if no one had ever made that a rule.
In class, there was a plump girl Ji Yu had noticed.
"A woman is not the moon—she has her own light."
"A woman does not live only for a man—she has her own pursuits."
"A woman is complete on her own—love and career are equal."
It was hard to imagine such lines coming from a spur-of-the-moment speech. The plump girl—Li Ranguo, if Ji Yu remembered correctly—stood confidently at the podium, holding the mic and speaking with poise. Ji Yu couldn't help but admire her.
So what if you're a girl? You live just the same, breathing the same air under the same blue sky.
When Li Ranguo smiled, dimples appeared on her cheeks. She might not have been beautiful, but her presence and uplifting words struck something in Ji Yu's heart.
The baseball cap had finally completed its mission.
Under a day of sunshine, the damp ground had dried, though a few small puddles still mirrored the long-haired figure clutching the cap in her right hand.
She took two deep breaths, hugged her books to block the sun, and looked toward the tall, round structure of the gym.
Maybe it was because she was a girl now, but even walking with the same stride as before, she drew all kinds of glances—admiration, envy, curiosity.
Curiosity about whether this classmate was still single.
Her long hair swished against her back with each step, making a soft, brushing sound that matched her steady footsteps. For the first time, Ji Yu felt… comfortable.
But the moment she stepped into the gym, a chill wrapped around her. In summer, a gym was never short of active young men, and the palpable testosterone naturally attracted plenty of girls.
On the basketball court, a tall, muscular guy stood just beyond the three-point line. Faced with two defenders, he leaped confidently to shoot…
It didn't go in. Not even the backboard.
From afar, Ji Yu saw him click his tongue with a frown, then turn back to play defense.
She glanced at the scoreboard—45 to 48—then quietly slipped out, hugging her books, after watching Tang Li run and sweat for a moment.
"Tang Li, what's up with you lately? You keep missing. It's the second half—your hands should be warmed up by now."
A boy about Ji Yu's height patted Tang Li on the shoulder, concern behind his mock-criticism.
Tang Li looked down at his hands, shaking his head in frustration. The sweat on his hair seemed to steam away, clearing his head.
"Just playing around. Doesn't matter."
During halftime, every time he took a drink of water, he'd notice girls on the opposing team's side glancing his way. It made him want to laugh.
"It's just the start of the semester. If you're still missing shots like this by the October games, they'll kick you off the team." The teammate gave a friendly warning before standing up to get back on the court.
"Tang Li!"
The clear, bright voice called from behind him. When he turned and saw those blue, light-catching eyes, he immediately knew who it was.
"Ji Yu? You took your cap off?"
"Don't worry about that—here, have some water."
His teammates, realizing he still hadn't returned to his spot, turned to see the tall guy grinning and chatting with a pretty, bare-faced girl, a half-empty bottle of water in hand.
"This water… tastes weird. Where'd you buy it?"
Tang Li gave a helpless laugh, studying the orange drink in his hand—it was definitely the orange juice brand he'd grown up with.
"Oh, just regular orange juice… and a packet of popping candy."
"Huh?" Tang Li was stunned, leaning closer as if to ask why she was trying to poison him.
The smell of sweat was so strong that even when she'd been male, Ji Yu wouldn't have been able to stand it. She waved her hand to clear the air, frowning as she gave him instructions.
"Hurry up and finish the game. We'll go buy groceries and cook. I skipped lunch—if I'm starving later, I won't even be surprised."
He bent to put the juice back in her hand, holding her gaze for a second. "Looks like you've accepted being a girl now? That's good."
To Tang Li, it was just a friend's relief at seeing another friend let go of their worries. But to outsiders, it looked like a scene straight out of a couple's sweet moment.
Feeling the lingering fizz from the candy in his mouth, he wiped his face with his shirt and strolled back onto the court to finish the game.
…
At the supermarket, Ji Yu carried a very masculine-looking shoulder bag, picking over the fresh produce. Tang Li followed with a bag full of vegetables and meat, grinning as he watched her slyly peel off a few wilted cabbage leaves.
"You know how you changed?"
"Uh… probably from a dream?"
Ji Yu answered casually. Over the past few days, nothing in her life had felt different—except for that one vivid dream with real pain.
"I don't really get it… but you sure you're fine? Maybe you should get checked at the hospital?"
"No, I'm fine. I know my own body. Besides, if I go in, they might just cut me up for research…"
The afternoon supermarket wasn't crowded, and being near campus meant most shoppers were couples renting nearby.
Ji Yu and Tang Li were just another pair in the crowd. Their chatter dissolved into the background noise without drawing attention.
"Tang Li."
The warm, slightly husky voice called him. He turned and saw Student Council President Mo Yachen pushing a cart full of snacks.
"Well, President Mo. Didn't expect you to eat junk food."
Tang Li had a habit of being familiar with everyone—even the face of Yuyang University got the same treatment.
"I thought you lived in the dorms? What brings you to the supermarket… and with all these groceries? Cooking for your girlfriend?"
"Well…" Tang Li hesitated. On the student council's paperwork, Ji Yu was clearly listed as male.
Ji Yu returned with a bag of eggs and smacked his back.
"Dummy, who are you talking to?"
She stepped to the side and saw Mo Yachen in silver-framed glasses, pushing them up slightly to reveal the tear mole at the corner of his right eye.
"Mo… senior?"