Chapter 251 : I Smell a Trap♂
“No, I can’t stay depressed like this any longer!”
Qian Xu lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Ever since he had messed things up during his visit to Zhou Xiaoxiao’s place, he’d been in a slump, completely unmotivated and feeling like life had lost its luster.
Honestly, he really did like Zhou Xiaoxiao, his childhood friend. Even if it was just one-sided, his feelings for her were genuine.
But now, it seemed there was no hope left. He suspected her parents’ opinions of him had plummeted, and as for Zhou Xiaoxiao… her glances and expressions made it painfully clear that her heart was completely captured by that irritatingly effeminate rival. No matter what he did, all she saw was that guy.
“Sigh~”
Qian Xu realized he couldn’t keep going like this. Since his hopes were dashed, it was time to move on from Zhou Xiaoxiao and the shadow of rejection. Maybe he needed a break, a trip to clear his mind—and who knew, maybe he’d meet someone new along the way.
He glanced at the calendar on the wall, his eyes falling on the circled date next weekend.
Then he remembered. Next weekend, there was supposed to be a big convention. He’d initially planned to invite Zhou Xiaoxiao to go with him, but now, it didn’t seem necessary.
“Well, I’ll just go alone.”
The thought settled in his mind, and he realized it had been a long time since he’d worn women’s clothing, which he’d avoided while pursuing Zhou Xiaoxiao. This could be his chance to go to the convention in a cute outfit and maybe make a few female friends as “a girl” himself.
Once he learned their interests and got their contacts, he could switch back to his male self to get closer to them. With all the inside info he’d have, wooing them would be a breeze.
With that, he rolled out of bed, walked over to his wardrobe, and opened it. Inside hung his neatly organized men’s clothes.
He pushed these aside to reveal a hidden door at the back.
Opening this concealed section, he revealed an entire stash of women’s clothes, wigs, shoes, jewelry—everything he needed. The wardrobe had been custom-made, with the inner section hidden from view, creating an impressively spacious setup.
Since he still lived with his parents, he kept these things well-hidden. If they found out about his love for cross-dressing, he’d be in serious trouble.
“Convention… I’ll go in a dress and unwind!” he thought, feeling reinvigorated.
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“What’s going on with Xiao Feng?” Chu Mengyao muttered, frowning as she watched her little brother giggling to himself. He’d been like this all morning. Earlier, he’d been sullen, as if something was wrong. But after she came back from the restroom, he’d turned into this giggling goofball. What could’ve happened to change him so quickly?
Seeing her interest, Ling Ning shrugged and said, “Who knows? Maybe he’s had an epiphany.”
“An epiphany about what?” Chu Mengyao narrowed her eyes, sensing something unusual. Ling Ning’s comment piqued her curiosity, so she decided to investigate.
Without hesitation, Chu Mengyao got up and approached her still-giggling brother.
Watching Chu Mengyao go, a sly smile crept onto Ling Ning’s face, and she closed her eyes, silently offering three seconds of sympathy for little Chu Feng.
Not that she was worried Chu Feng would spill the beans. If Chu Mengyao found out she was behind this plan, she’d probably just give her a thumbs-up for it—after all, they were siblings.
At that moment, the café door opened, and a young woman in a mask walked in.
Seeing that familiar figure and mask, Ling Ning didn’t need a second look to know who it was.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Huh? Isn’t this a coincidence, Ling Ning? I was just out for a stroll, decided to get a coffee, and ran into you here,” Bai Yiyue replied with feigned surprise. Her acting skills, honed from years of stardom, were on full display.
Ling Ning gave her a skeptical look, but Bai Yiyue’s disguise was thorough. With the mask covering her face, it was hard to tell.
“Fine, come on in,” Ling Ning said, leading Bai Yiyue to a table tucked away in the far corner, where a nearby rack helped shield her from prying eyes.
Bai Yiyue’s gaze never left Ling Ning, who was dressed in a maid uniform. She’d heard about Ling Ning’s part-time job here, but this was her first time seeing her in the outfit. The sight of her in a maid uniform was stirring something in her, a barely containable urge.
“What would you like?” Ling Ning asked, handing her a menu.
Bai Yiyue took it and skimmed through the options, a hint of disappointment crossing her face. “Hey, Ling Ning, don’t they offer any… um… ‘real’ maid services here?”
“Excuse me?”
“You know, like a kiss from you, or a lap pillow, or maybe even… you as a sleep companion,” Bai Yiyue said with a straight face.
Suppressing the urge to punch her, Ling Ning replied with a deadpan expression, “I’m sorry, miss, but we’re a respectable establishment. If you’re looking for those kinds of services, head out the door, turn right, and walk about a kilometer—you’ll find what you’re looking for there.”
She was referring to the city’s largest red-light district nearby. When she’d first arrived in this world and was job-hunting, someone had suggested she consider a “job” there, but she’d declined instantly.
“Fine~ If that’s the case, then just bring me something, anything. I’m starving.” Bai Yiyue’s expression drooped when she realized Ling Ning wasn’t going along with her joke, her voice filled with mock disappointment.
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Author’s Note:
Here’s a recommendation for my bro’s novel The Sword Chronicles of Alibaba/阿里布达剑游记 by Qingdi-senpai.
A tale about a righteous young hero, traveling across the multiverse, restoring order and healing the sick, and ushering in a new era.
Not yuri this time~