Chapter 3: School
Chen Cheng and An Yuan were high school seniors this year.
Classes ran from 7 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, with only Sundays off.
Such a brutal schedule… and now she had to go through it all again?!
Honestly, repeating senior year might be an even bigger nightmare than turning into a girl.
On her first night after crossing over, Chen Cheng sat in front of the computer, pulling an all-nighter. Her eyes were bloodshot, but she wasn’t the least bit sleepy.
She curled up in her chair, resting one foot on the seat while hugging her knee. The thought of going to school filled her with dread, and every time she glanced at the clock, an impending sense of doom crept over her.
"Ten minutes left…"
She shut off the game, stood up, and paced around her room anxiously. Her gaze fell on the school uniform and underwear laid out on the bed, and she ran a frustrated hand through her hair.
"What kind of messed-up situation is this?! Why did I have to turn into a girl?!"
She had no memories of this world, but it was obvious that her social life as a girl would be completely different from her past life.
“Chengcheng~ time for breakfast!”
Just past six, her mom knocked gently on the door, urging her to get up.
“…Okay.”
No matter how much she resisted, she had to face reality sooner or later.
Dragging her exhausted body out of the chair, she struggled to put on the bra, slipped into her school uniform, and trudged out of the room with dead-fish eyes.
"Why is my chest this big…?"
If she were flat, she might not even need a bra. She wasn’t used to the feeling of being so… restricted.
Standing in front of the sink, Chen Cheng stared at the mirror, letting out a long, hopeless sigh.
The girl in the reflection had delicate features and a pure, innocent face, but her slightly upturned eyes carried a flirtatious charm, like blooming peach blossoms. With a curvy figure to match, she looked like the kind of girl who would bring chaos to any household.
A classic fox-like beauty. Exactly the type of face she had wished for in her past life.
She put on a pair of glasses. Instantly, the alluring glow in her eyes was toned down, transforming her into a quiet, studious girl.
"Meh, not bad."
After brushing her teeth and washing up, she walked into the bathroom with the toothbrush still in her mouth, leaving the door wide open. She pulled down her pants and instinctively got into position to—
…only to grab at nothing.
“Eh?”
Even after a whole night, she still wasn’t used to this body. Her brain kept thinking she was still a guy.
After twenty-seven years of habits, how could she adjust so quickly?
By the time she wandered into the dining room, the table was already set with a bowl of stewed ribs and a side of milk, eggs, and bread.
Boiled eggs…
Chen Cheng instantly frowned and turned her head away in disgust. The second she sat down, the strong eggy smell hit her nose.
“At least fix your hair. Eat quickly, or you’ll be late for class.”
Her mom picked up a comb from the table and walked behind her, carefully tidying up her messy, bird’s-nest-like short hair.
“You didn’t wash your hair last night, did you? It’s so greasy… How can a girl be this sloppy? If you’re not eating the egg, leave it. I’ll have it later.”
She kept nagging, but her movements were gentle.
Chen Cheng’s head bobbed along with the comb. “Ouch! Be gentle.”
“That’s what you get for not washing your hair.”
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Her mom paused, setting down the comb as she walked to the door, mumbling, “Who is it this early in the morning?”
Chen Cheng suddenly had a bad feeling. She peeked toward the entrance.
“Good morning, Auntie!”
“An Yuan? What are you doing here?”
“I came to walk Chengzi to school—”
Before he could finish, her mom shot him a glare and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Both Chen Cheng and An Yuan jumped.
“Chengcheng, you should spend less time with An Yuan.”
Chen Cheng nodded without hesitation. “Yeah, I’m not close to him.”
Now that she was a girl, her relationship with An Yuan was no longer that of sworn brothers. Her mother was even more cautious around him, as if afraid he’d take advantage of her precious daughter.
In her past life, An Yuan was the perfect child in her mother’s eyes, practically an adopted son.
Well, well, well, looks like things have changed!
Chen Cheng suddenly felt much better, like she had finally gotten some payback.
“I’m done eating!”
“You haven’t finished your milk.”
“There’s no time, I’ll be late!”
“Don’t forget your lunch money!”
Not wanting to keep An Yuan waiting, Chen Cheng grabbed the money, dashed to her room for her backpack, and rushed out the door.
The chilly morning air hit her face as soon as she stepped outside. An Yuan was nowhere in sight. She slipped on her white sneakers, said a quick goodbye to her mom, and left.
Her home was in an old, run-down apartment complex from decades ago. She lived on the seventh floor, no elevator. The stairwell was plastered with all sorts of advertisement stickers, and even some of her childhood doodles were still visible.
There had been talk about installing an elevator, but even after ten years, nothing ever came of it.
By the time she reached the fourth floor, she finally spotted An Yuan.
He was sitting by his door, playing on his phone. Hearing her footsteps, he sighed and stood up.
“Your mom really doesn’t like me.”
“She even told me not to hang out with you. Let’s go.”
“Wait!” Suddenly, the door behind him swung open.
An Yuan’s mom stepped out, beaming as she stuffed a handful of strawberries into Chen Cheng’s arms. “Here, eat these on the way. They’re washed.”
“???”
Chen Cheng and An Yuan exchanged confused glances.
“Take your time, okay? If you need help, ask An Yuan. Don’t be shy… And don’t listen to your mom! My son’s grades are great. If you hang out with him more, maybe you’ll get into a good university too. Come over anytime!”
“Uh… thanks, Auntie.”
“No need to thank me!”
At twenty-seven, An Yuan wasn’t naive, he immediately saw through his mom’s intentions. With an exasperated sigh, he rolled his eyes and dragged Chen Cheng down the stairs.
To be fair, in this world, Chen Cheng really was beautiful, with a graceful figure and a natural charm that men couldn’t resist.
But to An Yuan, she was still his brother. There was no way he could see her any other way.
Glancing at her clueless, beaming face, he shook his head. This idiot really doesn’t get it.
“Your mom is way too nice to me,” Chen Cheng said smugly. “I almost feel embarrassed~”
“You should be worrying about school instead.”
Her grin disappeared instantly. Her face darkened as she muttered, “I don’t wanna go to school… I don’t wanna go to school…”
The school wasn’t far, about a thirty-minute walk or a ten-minute bike ride.
"Did you bring your bicycle lock key?"
“…I forgot! Should I go back?”
“There’s no time. Just ride with me.”
An Yuan picked up his pace toward the bike parking. Chen Cheng had to jog to keep up. “Hey, slow down! You’re taller now, I can’t keep up!”
She used to be just half a head shorter than him. Now, she barely reached his chin.
“You mean you’re shorter.”
Unlocking the bicycle lock, An Yuan pulled out his bicycle. The moment he settled onto the seat, Chen Cheng wasted no time hopping onto the back. The sudden weight shift made the bicycle wobble.
“Warn me before you get on!”
“Let’s go! …Wait, can you even ride this thing?!”
It had been years since An Yuan last rode a bike. As he pushed off, the handlebars wobbled uncontrollably. Panicked, Chen Cheng grabbed onto his waist and yelled, “Don’t crash and kill us! Who knows if I’d get another chance to reincarnate?!”
“Shut up.”
“I haven’t even yelled at you for last time yet!”
Luckily, Chen Cheng was light. After a few adjustments, An Yuan regained control and smoothly merged onto the bike lane.
That’s when he suddenly became aware of something pressing against his back, soft curves, warm and gentle. A faint, sweet fragrance drifted to his nose, stirring an unfamiliar sensation in his chest.
…Which was immediately followed by disgust.
Damn it! He was reacting to his brother again! Stupid teenage hormones!