Sometimes bad luck strikes like choking on cold water. Though Su Yuan grew up under the red flag in New China, she was not a strict atheist. Human civilization seemed insignificant against the vast cosmos, our understanding of it barely a drop in the ocean.

Then again, mythical idols might not exist, but who could deny the possibility of advanced life in other forms.

Fate had its own plans. Though fatalism was not popular in reality, it fit perfectly here. What was joy turning to sorrow. What was paradise masking hell. The world was about to show Su Yuan its beautiful yet cruel essence.

“What外援. What are you three talking about” Yang Xiaowei approached just as they spoke, eyes gleaming with gossip.

“Xiao Wei, perfect timing” Gao Jun grinned. “We are discussing Su Yuan. Look at her smug face, thinks Yehan’s backing makes her untouchable. We will show her today that self reliance matters most”

Gao Jun saw Yang Xiaowei as the ally he needed to counter Su Yuan and Ji Yehan.

“Who is twisting facts” Su Yuan thought grimly. Yang Xiaowei loved chaos, he would surely side with Gao Jun. True enough, after hearing Gao Jun’s version, Yang Xiaowei joined his camp. “Su Yuan and Yehan gang up on poor Gao Jun. Disgraceful”

Gao Jun swelled with confidence. “True friendship exists. Xiao Wei, you have restored my faith in this cruel world”

Yang Xiaowei nodded solemnly. “Gao Jun is right. Peng Jie needs a harsh lesson. Did you know his nickname in Economics. Little Piano Prince. Young, rich, talented, countless naive girls fall for him. It breaks my heart”

“They deserve it” Su Yuan shot back. “Only pain teaches wisdom. And I will not impersonate a girl to save others. I am not stupid enough to get sold and count the money for my buyer”

“How heartless” Gao Jun’s righteousness flared. “As the Buddha said, If I do not enter hell, who will. True heroes make sacrifices. If I could, this noble duty would be mine”

“You are just bored”

“Wrong. Saving one life surpasses building seven pagodas. Grass turns green for virtue, flowers bloom red for kindness. Goodness conquers all”

Yang Xiaowei clapped enthusiastically. “Well said”

“…Thus, a virtuous person ignores trivialities. As the saying goes, No child sacrificed, no wolf caught. No chastity abandoned, no mother made”

“Shut up. I have no time for your nonsense. If you want to be a mother, do it yourself” Su Yuan walked off, books hugged tight. She knew Gao Jun just craved an argument.

“Only if I had a child and chastity to lose” Gao Jun called after her.

Su Yuan ignored him. Ji Yehan and Yang Xiaowei exchanged amused glances and followed.

Economics Department, Class Three.

“Peng Ge, I confirmed it, Su Yuan is definitely male. I asked several classmates. They all vouch for it” A chubby boy whispered to Peng Jie.

“Absolutely certain”

“No doubt”

Peng Jie’s distant gaze refocused. He stroked his chin. “Fascinating. Unconventional. Self liberated. Girls like that are rare, and thrilling”

The chubby boy froze. Evidence meant nothing to his boss. “Peng Ge, think carefully, Su Yuan is a boy”

“Silence. Have you seen such a beautiful boy”

If Room 330’s occupants heard this, they would laugh. Before her transformation, Su Yuan had been exactly that, a stunningly pretty boy.

“He just looks girly” the boy muttered.

Peng Jie shot him a cold look. For the first time, their partnership felt strained. Anger simmered in his chest, his chosen woman kept being called a man. He did not know why she dressed as a boy, and her quirk reduced competition, but this blindness infuriated him.

“My affairs need no commentary from you”

The boy clamped his mouth shut. If Peng Ge would not listen, so be it. Do not blame me later. The thought of helping him pursue a hermaphrodite made him nauseous.

He took a deep breath. His father’s career depended on Peng Jie’s father. This bond could not break. “Since you are set on Su Yuan, I suggest a strategy”

“Speak” Peng Jie narrowed his eyes.

“First, how to pursue her, your experience handles that. Second, how to stop others. If everyone thinks she is male, let us keep it that way”

Peng Jie studied his aide. The plan made sense, but worried him. “Su Yuan is unique. My usual tricks will not work”

“I cannot help there”

“There is always a way. Every girl has a weakness” Confidence returned. A cool smile touched his handsome face. Tough tactics had failed Su Yuan. Time for warmth, empathy, generosity, integrity, something would stick.

His only regret, his tarnished reputation. Should not have been so charming. Twelve ex girlfriends earned him fame but now complicated things. Should he embrace darkness, obsessive relentless pursuit.

“Peng Ge, your biggest threat is Su Yuan’s three roommates. Living together breeds sparks. We must prevent that”

Peng Jie froze. “Right”

“Xiao Pang, find out who is close to Su Yuan. Tear those bonds apart, any way you can”

“Leave it to me” Xiao Pang grinned. This ruthless Peng Jie was the one he knew. Chasing women was just a game, why care about methods.

Though helping him chase a man, feels strange.

Time raced like a truck vanishing into exhaust fumes.

Physical education class. Two classes, seventy students, split by gender under two teachers.

“What. Three laps around the track to warm up” The burly PE teacher’s announcement drew groans from the boys.

A standard four hundred meter track. Twelve hundred meters just to start. For students lacking fitness, this was torture.

“Complain again and step forward. I will excuse you” The teacher, massive in a tracksuit, whip and roster in hand, glared. His face darkened at their protests.

Silence fell instantly. Everyone remembered the last time someone volunteered. That student ran the laps anyway, then spent a week cleaning the gym and sports fields. No one dared challenge him now.

Thirty boys formed two ragged lines and began jogging.

Su Yuan almost smiled. University students lacked exercise, it was normal to grumble. But whining like scolded wives, ridiculous. Teachers would not indulge you.

She had started morning runs with Ji Yehan and Gao Jun. One or two laps were easy, but three before warming up, still daunting. She kept quiet, complaints changed nothing.

“You. Stop” The teacher pointed at Su Yuan.

“Yes, teacher”

“You do not run”

Su Yuan’s eyes widened. So did the boys beside her. A few favorites of the teacher protested. “Lao Gao, no special treatment”

“Run your own race” He glared, then turned to Su Yuan calmly. “Join Teacher Liu’s class”

Teacher Liu taught the girls.

Confused, Su Yuan watched as a woman in a white tracksuit approached, whistle glinting at her neck. She studied Su Yuan, then nodded. “Follow me”

[!--EndFragment --][!--StartFragment --]Sometimes bad luck strikes like choking on cold water. Though Su Yuan grew up under the red flag in New China, she was not a strict atheist. Human civilization seemed insignificant against the vast cosmos, our understanding of it barely a drop in the ocean.

Then again, mythical idols might not exist, but who could deny the possibility of advanced life in other forms.

Fate had its own plans. Though fatalism was not popular in reality, it fit perfectly here. What was joy turning to sorrow. What was paradise masking hell. The world was about to show Su Yuan its beautiful yet cruel essence.

“What外援. What are you three talking about” Yang Xiaowei approached just as they spoke, eyes gleaming with gossip.

“Xiao Wei, perfect timing” Gao Jun grinned. “We are discussing Su Yuan. Look at her smug face, thinks Yehan’s backing makes her untouchable. We will show her today that self reliance matters most”

Gao Jun saw Yang Xiaowei as the ally he needed to counter Su Yuan and Ji Yehan.

“Who is twisting facts” Su Yuan thought grimly. Yang Xiaowei loved chaos, he would surely side with Gao Jun. True enough, after hearing Gao Jun’s version, Yang Xiaowei joined his camp. “Su Yuan and Yehan gang up on poor Gao Jun. Disgraceful”

Gao Jun swelled with confidence. “True friendship exists. Xiao Wei, you have restored my faith in this cruel world”

Yang Xiaowei nodded solemnly. “Gao Jun is right. Peng Jie needs a harsh lesson. Did you know his nickname in Economics. Little Piano Prince. Young, rich, talented, countless naive girls fall for him. It breaks my heart”

“They deserve it” Su Yuan shot back. “Only pain teaches wisdom. And I will not impersonate a girl to save others. I am not stupid enough to get sold and count the money for my buyer”

“How heartless” Gao Jun’s righteousness flared. “As the Buddha said, If I do not enter hell, who will. True heroes make sacrifices. If I could, this noble duty would be mine”

“You are just bored”

“Wrong. Saving one life surpasses building seven pagodas. Grass turns green for virtue, flowers bloom red for kindness. Goodness conquers all”

Yang Xiaowei clapped enthusiastically. “Well said”

“…Thus, a virtuous person ignores trivialities. As the saying goes, No child sacrificed, no wolf caught. No chastity abandoned, no mother made”

“Shut up. I have no time for your nonsense. If you want to be a mother, do it yourself” Su Yuan walked off, books hugged tight. She knew Gao Jun just craved an argument.

“Only if I had a child and chastity to lose” Gao Jun called after her.

Su Yuan ignored him. Ji Yehan and Yang Xiaowei exchanged amused glances and followed.

Economics Department, Class Three.

“Peng Ge, I confirmed it, Su Yuan is definitely male. I asked several classmates. They all vouch for it” A chubby boy whispered to Peng Jie.

“Absolutely certain”

“No doubt”

Peng Jie’s distant gaze refocused. He stroked his chin. “Fascinating. Unconventional. Self liberated. Girls like that are rare, and thrilling”

The chubby boy froze. Evidence meant nothing to his boss. “Peng Ge, think carefully, Su Yuan is a boy”

“Silence. Have you seen such a beautiful boy”

If Room 330’s occupants heard this, they would laugh. Before her transformation, Su Yuan had been exactly that, a stunningly pretty boy.

“He just looks girly” the boy muttered.

Peng Jie shot him a cold look. For the first time, their partnership felt strained. Anger simmered in his chest, his chosen woman kept being called a man. He did not know why she dressed as a boy, and her quirk reduced competition, but this blindness infuriated him.

“My affairs need no commentary from you”

The boy clamped his mouth shut. If Peng Ge would not listen, so be it. Do not blame me later. The thought of helping him pursue a hermaphrodite made him nauseous.

He took a deep breath. His father’s career depended on Peng Jie’s father. This bond could not break. “Since you are set on Su Yuan, I suggest a strategy”

“Speak” Peng Jie narrowed his eyes.

“First, how to pursue her, your experience handles that. Second, how to stop others. If everyone thinks she is male, let us keep it that way”

Peng Jie studied his aide. The plan made sense, but worried him. “Su Yuan is unique. My usual tricks will not work”

“I cannot help there”

“There is always a way. Every girl has a weakness” Confidence returned. A cool smile touched his handsome face. Tough tactics had failed Su Yuan. Time for warmth, empathy, generosity, integrity, something would stick.

His only regret, his tarnished reputation. Should not have been so charming. Twelve ex girlfriends earned him fame but now complicated things. Should he embrace darkness, obsessive relentless pursuit.

“Peng Ge, your biggest threat is Su Yuan’s three roommates. Living together breeds sparks. We must prevent that”

Peng Jie froze. “Right”

“Xiao Pang, find out who is close to Su Yuan. Tear those bonds apart, any way you can”

“Leave it to me” Xiao Pang grinned. This ruthless Peng Jie was the one he knew. Chasing women was just a game, why care about methods.

Though helping him chase a man, feels strange.

Time raced like a truck vanishing into exhaust fumes.

Physical education class. Two classes, seventy students, split by gender under two teachers.

“What. Three laps around the track to warm up” The burly PE teacher’s announcement drew groans from the boys.

A standard four hundred meter track. Twelve hundred meters just to start. For students lacking fitness, this was torture.

“Complain again and step forward. I will excuse you” The teacher, massive in a tracksuit, whip and roster in hand, glared. His face darkened at their protests.

Silence fell instantly. Everyone remembered the last time someone volunteered. That student ran the laps anyway, then spent a week cleaning the gym and sports fields. No one dared challenge him now.

Thirty boys formed two ragged lines and began jogging.

Su Yuan almost smiled. University students lacked exercise, it was normal to grumble. But whining like scolded wives, ridiculous. Teachers would not indulge you.

She had started morning runs with Ji Yehan and Gao Jun. One or two laps were easy, but three before warming up, still daunting. She kept quiet, complaints changed nothing.

“You. Stop” The teacher pointed at Su Yuan.

“Yes, teacher”

“You do not run”

Su Yuan’s eyes widened. So did the boys beside her. A few favorites of the teacher protested. “Lao Gao, no special treatment”

“Run your own race” He glared, then turned to Su Yuan calmly. “Join Teacher Liu’s class”

Teacher Liu taught the girls.

Confused, Su Yuan watched as a woman in a white tracksuit approached, whistle glinting at her neck. She studied Su Yuan, then nodded. “Follow me”