His parents hoped he would get a good job in the future, be able to support the family, buy a big house for them to live in, get married early so they could have a grandchild…

Just thinking about all this filled Xu Yecheng with an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.

It wasn’t that he rejected the idea, but did his parents not care that he, too, had things he wanted to accomplish? He had dreams once, but they were labeled as “impractical,” “a waste of time,” “bad for his studies,” and so they were buried.

Maybe his life was just meant to follow that script: go to an ordinary university, get a graduation certificate, then be like everyone else—find an ordinary job, get married, have children, and take care of his parents.

He wanted to escape, but what ability did he have to change this predetermined path?

His mom always said that just supporting him alone cost them a thousand yuan every month—wasn’t that already too much?

Xu Yecheng didn’t want to know what she really thought, nor did he feel like guessing.

After listening to her complain for a few minutes, his eyes drifted blankly toward the distant construction site. His mother’s fragmented nagging felt like a language he could no longer understand.

“That’s it then, Mom, I still have things to do.” Once he felt she had complained enough, he said this, planning to end what he considered a completely meaningless conversation.

“Okay, go busy yourself,” his mom said, then hung up.

Xu Yecheng exhaled again. His mood dipped even lower.

He hated this kind of life.

Even though it was peaceful and comfortable, just like a monthly subscription group chat: 8'5７6634;!42 — it had no highlights at all. He kept telling himself to be content, but every day felt the same, even more tiring than the last.

Recently, things had become unusual—because he had inexplicably gotten that mask.

But it felt like everything became more troublesome.

Once he adapted again, he would fall back into the same cycle—part-time job, studying, exams—repeating endlessly.

Why was he only twenty yet already living like an overworked corporate drone? The energetic, lively life of a university student? Not for him—he didn’t even have the money to be energetic.

The world of that little video platform was much simpler and happier.

Xu Yecheng calmed himself, then sat down in front of his computer. 8" 5? 7", !6 ,'6 ;3 "!4 "4: ２

Time passed quickly when you were rotting away in the dorm. After lying on his bed for a while, he glanced at the time—already dinnertime.

He had an 8 a.m. class tomorrow…

He checked his schedule, then forced himself up and got ready to go for a run.

Run, come back, wash clothes, then eat.

He put on his headphones and jogged out of the dorm toward the track. Many couples were strolling along the walkway, but he ignored them, headphones on—he had Kana Hanazawa to accompany him on his run. Those guys with girlfriends were the real losers.

The sky was gloomy that afternoon, so it should’ve been cooler, but he still felt a suffocating heaviness as he ran.

His stamina wasn’t bad. Yet seeing the counter barely hit a thousand meters while he was panting like a dog…

His pace used to be a little above six minutes. Now it slowed to six-thirty.

What the hell? Was it because of all the late nights recently?

He really felt exhausted—not normal exhaustion, but like all strength had been drained from his body.

He slowed down and walked a bit to recover.

Sweat dripped down his face. His throat burned, his lungs felt stuffed, breathing was difficult.

He finished the remaining distance slowly.

He definitely needed some supplements—he felt way too weak.

Dripping in sweat, he walked back to the dorm and opened the door, only to see Zheng Wenxuan and Liu Xianlin glued to the computer screen, occasionally letting out impressed noises.

He wiped his sweat and took a drink. One glance at the screen confirmed it—an adult romance film.

He looked at the exposed waist and the interaction between the actors, but the exhaustion washing over him quickly drowned out any inappropriate thoughts.

“Wenxuan, didn’t you say you quit? Why are you watching again?” he asked as he opened his luggage to grab clean clothes.

Zheng Wenxuan cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m just watching. Not doing anything. Relax. Trust my self-control.”

Xu Yecheng snorted and headed into the bathroom.

Zheng Wenxuan shot a glance at Liu Xianlin. Liu noticed and looked back, equally puzzled.

“Do you think he’s been acting weirdly pure lately? Did something happen?” Zheng Wenxuan whispered.

“Didn’t you say he ‘finished’ for half an hour yesterday? Being calm today is normal,” Liu teased. “Not everyone is like you—thinking with your lower half every day.”

Zheng slapped his shoulder. “You’re in the same mud pit as me, so don’t act righteous.”

“Whatever, just watch. The one who finishes is the loser’s son.”

“Deal.”

When Xu Yecheng came out, He Xiaohan was already seated and reading.

He Xiaohan looked up and asked, “Did you sign up for the activity?”

Xu Yecheng nodded, rubbing his damp hair. “Yeah.”

“Follow me for field research in a couple of days. No rush. I need a break first,” He Xiaohan said, flipping a page.

“No problem. Just pick a time that works,” Xu replied, grabbing a hairdryer and heading back into the bathroom.

……

The things he bought arrived the next day.

He scarfed down dinner and rushed to the campus delivery station to grab them—before anyone noticed anything strange.

Shoes, clothes, and a clay mask for Zheng Wenxuan—big and small packages filled his arms.

He wasn’t sure why he felt excited. The packages were nothing special.

But holding them made his arms sore.

When he returned to the dorm, he realized he forgot his key…

Sighing helplessly, he put everything down and started scrolling short videos at the door.

Clothes should be washed before wearing, right?

He thought about it. Underwear couldn’t be sent to the laundry—he’d wash them in the dorm and blow-dry them.

Might as well try the outfit in the dorm. If it didn’t work, he could return it.

Just then, He Xiaohan walked up beside him.

“Why did you buy so much stuff?” He asked as he unlocked the door.

“Just… random things,” Xu replied casually, gathering the packages and carrying them inside.

He Xiaohan didn’t question it further.

Xu shoved everything into the wardrobe with a bit of guilt and placed the gift for Zheng on the desk.

He Xiaohan started doing math homework—like a machine. Xu truly felt He Xiaohan was terrifying. Who did homework right after class? Wasn’t the whole point to wait until the deadline?

With how capable he seemed, why was he at the same average university as them?

Xu was curious, but not enough to bother asking.

Afternoon was perfect—both roommates had class, so he could fiddle with everything undisturbed.

As He Xiaohan went to fill his water bottle, he spotted a small package left at the door.

Xu was just finishing putting away the other packages when He handed the small bag to him.

Xu froze for a second. Then He Xiaohan said, “Dropped this at the door. Your package.”

Xu took it—then heard He Xiaohan chuckle.

“‘Little Cheng Who Can’t Wake Up’… cute name.”

Xu stiffened. His face heated instantly, ears turning red.

“Can you not read that out loud…” he muttered helplessly.

He Xiaohan cleared his throat. “I’m just telling the truth.”

“Then why don’t you write ‘Little Han Who Can’t Wake Up’ on your next package?” Xu shot back.

He Xiaohan’s lips curled. “Sure. Then we’ll match.”

“Bro, you have social-cringe disease.”

“I think you understand that disease better than I do,” He replied, sitting down. “Right, Sleepy Little Cheng?”

Humiliation surged through Xu.

“Can you NOT… take jokes too far?”

He Xiaohan nodded. “It’s just the two of us anyway, so a bit of teasing is fine.” He paused. “You can tease me back when you catch my weakness one day. I don’t mind.”

Xu thought he was crazy.

He and Zheng teased each other too, but something about He Xiaohan just annoyed him differently.

One day, he’d definitely get back at him.

He Xiaohan fell silent and worked on his math calmly.

Xu stuffed the package into the wardrobe, the quiet dorm forcing him to recall that embarrassing moment over and over.

He didn’t want to remember, but couldn’t stop.

He Xiaohan’s annoying smirk replayed in his mind. The joke had felt humiliating, but it kept resurfacing.

That was just the kind of person Xu was—he replayed sadness and embarrassment repeatedly, mentally exhausting himself.

He exhaled, trying to calm down.

He checked the group chat—8"5!7663",4.42—then tried to shift his focus.

He sat down and opened a game.

He Xiaohan paused at a question and suddenly grew curious.

What on earth had Xu bought?

The soft, spongy, elastic texture through the packaging instantly reminded him of something.

No way.

Based on what he knew of Xu, he shouldn’t be the type to buy women’s underwear… right?

He shook the thought away and continued writing.

As Xu played, a worksheet suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

He looked up—He Xiaohan had placed it in front of him.

“I’m heading out. Just put it on my desk when you're done,” He said.

Xu blinked, nodded, hesitated a second, then said thank you just as He walked out.

He paused and chuckled again before leaving.

Xu didn’t get it at all.

Once the door closed, he checked the time. Both roommates were still in class.

He was gone too—perfect time to try the women's clothing.

Heart pounding, Xu opened the wardrobe and took out the packages. For some reason his heartbeat quickened, his palms warmed, and even his breathing felt uneven.

What was this strange sense of anticipation?

He tore open the package and pulled out a bra, instantly flushing with embarrassment.

God, he felt like such a damn pervert.

Next package—panties, skirts, and other clothes.

He took a deep breath, feeling short of breath.

It was just clothing—get a grip, Xu.

He nervously glanced at the door, then tossed all the packaging into the trash.

Even though it was still hot in the south during October, no need to rush with layering.

He pulled out the mask and put it on. That familiar sensation washed over him, and his body grew slender again.

Finally, he had taken this step.

If everything went well after trying it on, he could go find the shop manager.

———

Only one update today, but this chapter is longer.

The pace will pick up a little.