On a bed devoid of sheets, the short-haired girl lay nestled in the embrace of the long-haired, blue-eyed girl.
She was clad in adorable white bear pajamas, her eyes closed, brows furrowed in a tight knot. Reddened eye sockets and faint tear streaks stood out starkly against her pale skin.
She appeared as delicate as a fragile porcelain doll.
A soft, subtle song resonated through the bedroom, while sunlight streamed onto a corner of the desk. The entire room exuded a profound tranquility, a beautiful tableau of peaceful days.
Jia Qianrou, Yun Ning, and Fang Miaoging arrived at dormitory 406 after receiving the message, only to find this very scene.
Unanimously, they slowed their steps, pausing at the doorway.
Ying Zhiyu gently stroked Huang Xiu’s forehead. Turning, she whispered, “She just managed to fall asleep. Let’s come back later.”
The trio nodded, retreating from the room to the living room. Some sat, some stood, exchanging glances.
Upon receiving Ying Zhiyu’s message, the three had rushed over, taking temporary leave from their classes. It was quite a coincidence that they met in the stairwell.
However, in another sense, it was no coincidence at all.
Their shared, profound concern for Huang Xiu had orchestrated this unexpected encounter.
They looked at each other with eyes that softened subtly.
“I never imagined Huang Xiu had such a side to her,” Fang Miaoging murmured, sitting on the sofa in the living room, a hint of bewilderment in her voice.
The usually bright and cheerful Huang Xiu had, in the dead of night, suffered a sudden mental breakdown, weeping in self-isolation, her face etched with fragility.
If she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, Fang Miaoging would never have believed it.
For the first time, the image of the girlish Huang Xiu and the boyish Huang Xiu sharply diverged in Fang Miaoging’s mind.
The Huang Xiu she saw now was no longer the Huang Xiu she knew; she had become far more fragile and sensitive.
“Mental breakdowns are unpredictable,” Jia Qianrou sighed softly, a trace of annoyance in her heart.
If only she had been a little more perceptive that morning, she might have noticed Huang Xiu’s distress earlier. Perhaps her condition wouldn’t have escalated to this point.
“It might also be related to stress. She’s always put a lot of pressure on herself,” Yun Ning said gravely.
He understood Huang Xiu’s burdens perfectly: the confusion about her own gender after transformation, the difficulties adapting to different social interactions across two distinct genders.
These pressures, though masked by a demanding academic schedule, became a potent fuse for a mental breakdown when she was mentally exhausted.
“A lot of pressure…”
Upon hearing this, Fang Miaoging finally realized the extent of confusion and stress Huang Xiu’s transformation had brought her.
“Since things have come to this, regardless of how much pressure Ah Xiu was under before, what we can do now is help her recover from this mental breakdown,” Jia Qianrou stated calmly.
“Moving forward, as the people closest to Ah Xiu in this school, we must pay extra attention to her mental state, intervening early, especially during critical periods like her menstrual cycle.”
Yun Ning and Fang Miaoging nodded in unison.
He was Huang Xiu’s senior male student and combat partner; she was Huang Xiu’s senior female student, high school classmate, and best friend. “Closest” was an apt description—they were well aware of their roles.
“Should we go in together later, or separately? Should each of us spend some time alone with Sister Ah Xiu?” Fang Miaoging asked. “Personally, I think going in separately would be better.”
She harbored a concern that if too many people were present, Huang Xiu might feel overwhelmed and her anxiety would double.
“I think it would be more effective if each of us accompanied Ah Xiu individually, letting her feel our constant presence,” Jia Qianrou said, arriving at the same conclusion from different reasoning.
Yun Ning fell silent for a moment before finally saying, “As for me, I’ll go in with you two at the very end…”
“No, Senior Yun. You should go in alone too. Are you trying to avoid suspicion?”
Yun Ning’s expression stiffened. He didn’t answer, clearly having been hit where it hurt.
A man and a woman alone in a room, especially when the woman was vulnerable…
In the past, he wouldn’t have thought much of it; it was only natural for a senior student to care for their junior.
However, just last week, because of Wen Erya, rumors had spread about him and Huang Xiu on the forum.
Though Huang Xiu had repeatedly said she didn’t mind, he still had to consider that factor.
“Huang Xiu isn’t someone who dwells on things. She told us before that she doesn’t blame you or resent you. She’s always regarded you as a friend, a trustworthy senior,” Jia Qianrou’s voice was calm, yet tinged with a hint of tenderness.
“When your junior is vulnerable, should a trustworthy senior truly shy away from entering her room alone just to avoid suspicion? Is that truly right?” She pressed him, her questions striking at Yun Ning’s very soul.
Fang Miaoging seized the moment to add her support.
“You’ve watched Huang Xiu every step of the way, even knowing her longer than I have. Honestly, your comfort might even be more effective than mine and Ah Rou’s combined.”
As she spoke, she emphasized “Huang Xiu,” the implication unmistakable.
Yun Ning understood. His eyes rippled, and he fell into a struggle within himself.
He had witnessed Huang Xiu’s journey firsthand.
From her first transformation to her complete change; from male to female; from the identity of Huang Xiu to Huang Xiu; from high school student to university student…
It could be said that he had been present at every significant milestone in Huang Xiu’s life since her awakening, never once missing an event.
He was, among everyone, the one with the deepest bond to Huang Xiu, and the most likely candidate to truly enter her inner world.
“Alright, I’ll go,” Yun Ning nodded emphatically.
He wasn’t a cold or overly reputation-conscious person. It was precisely his excessive worry for Huang Xiu that led him to overthink, causing a chaotic feeling in his heart.
“With Senior Yun stepping in, that’s naturally for the best,” Jia Qianrou clapped her hands.
Having made up his mind, Yun Ning formulated further plans.
“I’ll go back and grab some things. If Junior Huang wakes up, you two go in first to keep her company. I’ll be right back.”
He finished gravely. Without waiting for their replies, he turned and left the living room, leaving the two women exchanging bewildered glances.
“Senior Yun…”
Fang Miaoging watched Yun Ning’s retreating back, her expression odd. “He didn’t run away, did he?”
“He shouldn’t have. Yun Ning isn’t that kind of person.”
Though Jia Qianrou hadn’t interacted much with Yun Ning, the high regard Huang Xiu always showed when speaking of him suggested that Yun Ning was absolutely a trustworthy individual.
“By the way… did you have ‘that’ in mind when you suggested Senior Yun go in alone?” Fang Miaoging looked into Jia Qianrou’s eyes, a hint of a sly smile on her face.
“Don’t lie; I can read your micro-expressions.”
“You’re right,” Jia Qianrou admitted readily, lowering her voice. “Ah Xiu is a lovely person. I noticed this early on. She gives her kindness almost unreservedly to everyone who treats her well.”
“Honestly, a girl like her is too easily deceived by scoundrels. So, since she lacks love, I’ll give her someone worthy of it, someone who can offer her a good future, someone to accompany her and love her throughout her life.”
“While we are best friends, we can’t be with her forever.”
“Is that so…”
Fang Miaoging’s expression grew peculiar, and she couldn’t help but inwardly laugh. Huang Xiu truly lacked love and was indeed full of kindness.
But the probability of her being deceived by a scoundrel was minuscule. Her psychological defenses were probably stronger than any other girl’s.
However, considering Jia Qianrou didn’t know Huang Xiu’s past, Fang Miaoging thought it was understandable.
Moreover, Jia Qianrou’s last sentence truly resonated with her.
Huang Xiu needed someone to love her, to constantly provide her with emotional support, and to help her recognize her own identity and gender.
‘Brother Xiu, since I can’t be with you, let me help you find someone who can.’
Fang Miaoging narrowed her eyes, smiling inwardly, then added, “Yun Ning is a good candidate, but I still need to observe him more. It won’t be that simple, I imagine.”
“Of course. You can know a person’s face, but not their heart. Choosing Yun Ning now is just making do,” Jia Qianrou sighed.
If Huang Xiu’s mental breakdown hadn’t erupted so quickly, she wouldn’t have been so hasty in trying to find a boyfriend for her dear friend.
“After this, we’ll form a united front. Our goal is to find Huang Xiu a good boyfriend.” Fang Miaoging extended her right hand.
Jia Qianrou’s face held a hint of helplessness, but under Fang Miaoging’s gaze, she obediently extended her own right hand.
The two hands stacked together, then pressed down firmly.
“Oh, and the name will be the ‘Ah Xiu Love Frontline,'” Fang Miaoging added.
“Whatever you say,” Jia Qianrou replied.
After discussing this, the two waited a while longer, then saw Yun Ning rushing back, carrying a computer bag.
“I’m here. Has Junior Huang woken up?” he asked as soon as he entered.
“No,” Jia Qianrou shook her head.
“Let’s wait a bit longer. She barely slept all night, so she won’t be up that quickly. Senior Yun, please sit down and rest first.”
Yun Ning nodded and sat, placing the computer bag beside the sofa. He noticed the two women’s gazes fixed on the computer bag, clearly curious, but he offered no explanation, merely smiling.
Another half hour passed. It was almost time for morning classes to end when the three’s phones vibrated.
Fang Miaoging glanced at her phone and announced, “Huang Xiu is awake. Ying Zhiyu asked us to come in, so I’ll go first.”
Yun Ning and Jia Qianrou nodded, watching her rise and walk into the bedroom without looking back.
****
“Sister Xiu Xiu, I’m here! Didn’t expect that, did you?” Fang Miaoging said with a smile as she approached the bed.
“I brought you some good news!”
She sat on the edge of the bed and winked at Ying Zhiyu. The latter understood, gently moving Huang Xiu’s head to the side and softly saying, “Ah Qing is here. Let her keep you company for a bit, alright?”
She knew Huang Xiu wouldn’t refuse.
Having observed Huang Xiu’s expression just moments before, she had seen that while Huang Xiu’s body had flinched slightly when Fang Miaoging entered, the joy on her face was undeniable, and her despondency had diminished a little.
Just as she had guessed, Huang Xiu lowered her head and quietly replied, “Okay,” not refusing. Ying Zhiyu stood up, somewhat relieved, then stumbled slightly as her legs had gone numb.
‘Damn it, I’ll definitely make Sister Xiu Xiu give me a thorough massage later to make up for today,’ she thought, giving Fang Miaoging an encouraging look.
Then she quickly exited the bedroom, using her [Vibrant Life] Void Art to restore the door to its original state. Of course, since the hinges were damaged, the wooden door could only be placed next to the frame, but it still provided a bit of privacy for the two.
In the living room, Jia Qianrou immediately asked Ying Zhiyu upon seeing her emerge, “How are things inside?”
“Sister Xiu Xiu brightened up considerably after seeing Ah Qing. You should all go in one by one later; it will help a lot,” Ying Zhiyu whispered, then immediately exhaled a sigh of relief.
Sister Xiu Xiu today had worried her to death, but now that she was finally seeing an improvement, she relaxed completely and returned to her usual self. She immediately leaned on Jia Qianrou, seeking praise.
“How was it, Ah Rou? Wasn’t little Yu absolutely invincible and reliable today?”
Jia Qianrou offered timely praise. “Truly! You were incredibly capable today!”
Ying Zhiyu’s performance today had indeed exceeded her expectations; she had been remarkably reliable.
“Of course!”
Ying Zhiyu hummed contentedly, clinging to Jia Qianrou and playfully teasing her. The latter could only laugh helplessly.
Amidst their playful banter, Ying Zhiyu noticed Yun Ning sitting quietly at the other end of the sofa, staring intently out the window, lost in thought.
****
Because the door wouldn’t close properly, there was no soundproofing.
Though Huang Xiu and Fang Miaoging’s conversation in the bedroom was quiet, the three in the living room could still hear snippets.
From the gradually livelier chatter, they could sense that Huang Xiu’s condition was steadily improving.
Their hearts finally settled significantly.
About half an hour later, Fang Miaoging leaned the wooden door, which had been propped against the doorframe, back into place and stepped out.
She looked at Jia Qianrou and Yun Ning, saying, “Ah Rou, you go first. Sister Xiu Xiu’s condition has improved quite a bit.”
Jia Qianrou nodded, not hesitating for a moment, and rose to enter the room.
Watching Jia Qianrou’s back disappear, Fang Miaoging turned to Yun Ning and whispered, “Senior Yun, we’ve pretty much done our best. It’s up to you to finish the job in one go.”
“Alright,” Yun Ning said simply.
Another long wait ensued. Wednesday morning classes had completely ended, and many students had even finished lunch.
The three in the living room could hear the sounds of students walking and chatting together from the corridor.
Fang Miaoging rubbed her stomach and asked Ying Zhiyu, “I’m so hungry, Ah Yu, are you hungry?”
“No…”
Ying Zhiyu wasn’t in the mood to eat and was about to say she wasn’t hungry when Fang Miaoging suddenly pinched her.
Looking up, Fang Miaoging winked.
She instinctively changed her answer. “I’m a little hungry too.”
“Junior students, if you’re hungry, go eat first. I’ll stay with Junior Huang for a while,” Yun Ning said, not noticing their small actions.
“It’s fine, we’ll wait for Ah Rou to come out and eat together,” Ying Zhiyu replied with a smile, pinching Fang Miaoging’s arm with her right hand.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Before she finished speaking, the door, which had been propped against the frame, was moved aside, and Jia Qianrou emerged from the bedroom.
“Senior, I’m done here. You can go in now,” she said.
“Ah Rou, let’s go eat first. My stomach is growling,” Fang Miaoging said, pulling Ying Zhiyu to her feet.
Jia Qianrou understood Fang Miaoging’s intention. “Senior Yun, we’ll go eat first. We’ll pack some food for you and Ah Xiu later.”
“Alright.”
Yun Ning, suspecting nothing, watched the three leave. After they closed the main door, he took a deep breath, grabbed his computer bag, and entered the bedroom.