"It's mostly because I'm broke…" Xu Yecheng said helplessly. "Otherwise, I'd definitely be living way better than this."
Zheng Wenxuan patted Xu Yecheng on the shoulder and let out a deep sigh.
"A real man must labor his muscles, starve his flesh, and empty his body… Only then can he explode in silence and snag a better girl."
Xu Yecheng's expression twisted into something between disbelief and amusement.
"Can you not spout that nonsense in broad daylight?"
"It's crude but true," Zheng Wenxuan insisted, sighing again. "Guys like us—who aren't exactly handsome—gotta have money and depth."
Xu Yecheng checked the time: 9 a.m.
"By the way, why are you back already today?" He walked over to his desk and picked up his toothbrush.
"Missed you," Zheng Wenxuan said with a flamboyant grin.
"Get lost, Nantong," Xu Yecheng muttered in disgust, squeezing toothpaste onto his brush. "Seriously though—what's in that box you lugged in?"
"Adult stuff. Kids shouldn't ask," Zheng Wenxuan waved a hand dismissively.
Xu Yecheng chuckled. "Oh, really? Last time I brought you breakfast, you chased me around calling me 'Dad.'"
"That was under clear mutual benefit," Zheng Wenxuan shot back. "Under those conditions, I was willing to *grudgingly* acknowledge you as my father." He rummaged through the package, then looked up. "Lend me your utility knife."
"Call me 'Dad.'"
"Dad!"
"Good boy~ My obedient son," Xu Yecheng said smugly. He walked over to his desk, opened the right drawer, pulled out the knife, and handed it to Zheng Wenxuan, who was crouched on the floor. Then he headed into the bathroom.
Standing at the sink, Xu Yecheng stared into the mirror. Back was his usual face—slightly acne-prone. His features weren't ugly per se, but his thick lips and somewhat flat nose gave him an unremarkable, forgettable look.
Ever since his breakup with Ji Qingying, he'd let himself go—staying up late, neglecting his appearance—and it had dragged his already average looks even lower.
But why had the mask suddenly fallen off just now?
And what exactly *was* that mask?
He couldn't fathom it. How could something so supernatural exist in this world?
Everything felt increasingly unreal.
Yet… he now possessed something that could literally transform his appearance.
He just didn't know what to *do* with it yet.
Honestly, aside from turning himself into a cross-dressing queen, it didn't seem particularly useful.
Still—he'd keep it. Even if he didn't understand its purpose now, there'd probably come some absurd, inexplicable moment when it'd be just the thing he needed.
Outside, Zheng Wenxuan was tearing open the package. Xu Yecheng rinsed the toothpaste foam from his mouth and stepped out of the bathroom just as Zheng lifted the box flaps.
Curious, Xu Yecheng peeked inside—and froze.
A flesh-toned object… and what looked like a wig…
"Holy crap!!" Zheng Wenxuan, realizing his mistake too late, slammed the box shut.
He looked up—and met Xu Yecheng's mischievous, knowing grin.
"Xuan, I never knew you were into buying women's clothes! That's some next-level kink," Xu Yecheng teased.
Zheng Wenxuan's face darkened. "You're the one who wears women's clothes! I'm a rugged dude—why the hell would I wear that?!"
Xu Yecheng patted his shoulder sympathetically. "It's okay. Everyone's got their quirks."
Zheng Wenxuan smirked. "Want me to put on black thigh-highs for you?"
Xu Yecheng hadn't expected him to go that far.
His mind instantly conjured the image:
He himself was lean and slender, but Zheng Wenxuan was solidly built—taller and easily over 130 pounds.
Now picture that burly frame, those thick, muscular legs… wrapped in sheer black stockings…
*X-rated.*
Xu Yecheng broke out in goosebumps.
"That's too… philosophical. I'll pass."
Zheng Wenxuan nodded. "You'd look better in them anyway."
Xu Yecheng gave him a weird look. "I'm a rugged dude too, you know."
"Sure, with those stick-thin legs of yours. If you cover your face, I might actually enjoy the view."
"So you only get turned on if you *don't* see my face? You're genuinely disgusting."
"That's a compliment, dumbass. You wouldn't get it."
"So what's *actually* in there? I still think it's women's clothes."
Zheng Wenxuan frowned. "I told you—it's adult stuff."
"Then I'll go tell everyone you secretly bought a whole wardrobe of dresses," Xu Yecheng threatened playfully.
"Fine! I'll tell you—but you *cannot* leak this secret."
Xu Yecheng thumped his chest. "My honor's on the line. You can trust my integrity."
Zheng Wenxuan's expression turned awkward. He slowly opened the box again and pulled out his "adult item."
Xu Yecheng yelped in shock, stumbling backward and nearly toppling into a chair behind him. He barely caught himself before falling flat on his ass.
Zheng Wenxuan burst out laughing. "Seriously? That dramatic?"
Xu Yecheng blinked, finally processing what he was seeing.
"…Is that your inflatable girlfriend?" he asked, stunned.
"There's a saying: 'See it, don't say it!'" Zheng Wenxuan snapped, shoving his "girlfriend" back into the box. "Now you know. If you breathe a word, I'll pin you to the bed and make you wear a maid outfit."
Xu Yecheng stared, speechless.
"What kind of threat is that?"
"I won't say anything, don't worry," he added quickly.
Zheng Wenxuan calmly stashed the box in his storage cabinet.
"Why not blow her up and take a look?" Xu Yecheng asked, steadying himself.
"Blow *your* head!" Zheng Wenxuan grumbled, standing up. "It's embarrassing as hell."
"You know shame? Since when?" Xu Yecheng shot back. "But why'd you have it shipped to campus?"
"Wrong address," Zheng Wenxuan sighed. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have rushed back so early."
"Ah, makes sense," Xu Yecheng nodded. He could understand—inflatable girlfriends were… relatable. Very relatable.
He grabbed a facial tissue from his desk and headed back into the bathroom.
Zheng Wenxuan's eyes suddenly caught something on the floor—a mask-like object.
His face lit up. He bent down and picked it up.