Yan Liuzhuan was still upstairs, engaging in a purely platonic self-examination, while Rinka and I sat in silence on the redwood sofa downstairs.

I hadn’t forgotten how she suddenly exposed my identity, and neither had she, which made the atmosphere a little awkward.

Based on my earlier speculation, just like how Zhao Zhao’s feelings toward me changed after becoming Xiao Lei, Rinka must have reignited her feelings for Yan Liuzhuan after turning into a girl.

That would explain why she was upset that Yan Liuzhuan chose me as a model—she was jealous.

But she knew I was a guy. So why was she jealous of me?

More importantly, I was now her last hope of meeting the so-called "Divine Emissary," which meant she wouldn’t dare to offend me.

I don’t want to sound too pragmatic, but our relationship has definitely taken on a new dynamic.

With all this in mind, whether from a moral standpoint or in terms of leverage, I have the upper hand.

"Kai-chan, about earlier... I’m sorry."

I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely apologetic, but looking at her like this, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything harsh.

I suppose she knows me well, knowing that I’ll fall for the soft approach… But come to think of it, I seem to fall for both soft and hard tactics..

"It’s a little late for that. Now Yan Liuzhuan knows about me."

"Then let me treat you to dinner tonight~ Kai-chan, can you forgive me?"

Hmph!

Thinking you can buy me off with just a meal? How ridiculous!

Go ask around in the urban village—who doesn’t know that I, Chang Kai, stand tall with an iron will? How could I possibly bend my back for a mere five pecks of rice¹?

"There’s a really popular all-you-can-eat BBQ place near my place. Let’s invite Yan Liuzhuan and go there together?"

Meat.

BBQ.

All-you-can-eat BBQ.

"I’m in, I’m in! Your dear brother Kai is a magnanimous man and won’t hold grudges over something so trivial!"

I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m easily bribed—I simply cannot resist the divine power of BBQ.

"Hehe, Kai-chan, you really are easy to understand… Compared to that, sometimes even I don’t understand myself."

As she spoke, her gaze dropped slightly, and an almost imperceptible sorrow and grievance lingered on her face—like Lin Daiyu mourning fallen blossoms².

She was right. I didn’t understand her. But that didn’t stop my heart from pounding at this small, endearing gesture.

Though being physically male, I had always believed that deep down, she was a kind and understanding girl—my little angel, Rinka. After all, every moment spent with her had been pleasant, without a single conflict.

But now, I realized my understanding of her might have been too superficial.

"Rather than saying I’m easy to understand, I’d say you’re too complicated."

Yan Liuzhuan’s footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs.

She had her male school uniform draped over her bent arm, along with a pair of uniform trousers and even some boxer briefs. A white cloth was wrapped around her chest like a bath towel as she made her way down.

She gave Rinka a cold glance, then looked at me. "This body has a near-perfect physique. If I could replace the head with Chang Kai’s, it would be the ideal art model."

"Don’t say terrifying things with such a straight face!"

"Liu-Liu, we’re planning to go out for BBQ tonight. Want to come?"

"Not today. This body only lasts until midnight. It’s an excellent subject—I need to capture it while I still can… Hmm, Chang Kai, can you come back another time?"

So she planned to paint herself first instead of me? Well, that made sense, considering her new form would disappear by midnight.

"If I don’t have to undress, I don’t mind coming back."

"Undressing? I can do that myself. After all, my body is perfect."

Such narcissism. She really was satisfied with this transformation.

I wasn’t sure what her criteria were, but judging from the silhouette beneath the white cloth, I still felt that Tian Xi’s figure was more impressive. Her waist was slimmer, and her chest was bigger.

Maybe artists see things differently from us ordinary folk.

"So, does that mean we can leave now?" I asked.

"Mm. Take care. I won’t see you out."

"Huh? Kicking us out so quickly, Liu-Liu? You wouldn’t be planning to do something indecent with yourself, would you?"

"No. I just don’t want any distractions while I paint… Speaking of which, I do need a favor. My strength isn’t quite enough right now—could you help me move the master bedroom’s full-length mirror up to the attic?"

"Huh? Oh, sure." I glanced at Rinka. She didn’t seem to have any objections and even pointed me toward the master bedroom.

The mirror was lighter than expected, but it was still quite tall. Moving it alone would’ve been tricky, so I tilted it sideways, and Yan Liuzhuan and I carried it upstairs together.

After placing the mirror by the window, Yan Liuzhuan picked up her phone and waved it at me.

"Chang Kai, let’s exchange contact info. I could look you up in the school directory, but it’s easier if you just give it to me."

That reminded me of the three rules I set for myself this morning. Come to think of it, I still didn’t know where Rinka lived.

"Well, I’ll be heading out then… Hmm?"

Just as I was about to leave, I felt a soft grip on my arm. Yan Liuzhuan had grabbed me.

Artists really do have nice hands—long, slender fingers, pale and delicate.

But after stopping me, she just stared, not saying a word. It made me a little self-conscious.

Jeez, is my charm really this overwhelming? She just turned into a girl and is already falling for me?

I’m such a sinful man.

…Even I didn’t believe that.

"Yan, is there something else?"

"…Be careful when dealing with Rinka."

She warned, her expression as unreadable as ever.

"That child has worn a mask for so long, she’s lost sight of her true self."

I was genuinely surprised.

A mask… So, what Rinka presented to others was just a carefully crafted façade?

I had already noticed something off about Rinka’s personality, but this confirmed it.

What shocked me more, though, was that the ever-stoic, iron-faced Yan Liuzhuan would actually say something like this.

I suddenly recalled something Rinka had told me before.

"He’s a pretty contradictory person. He takes rules very seriously, but he’s surprisingly emotional. I mean, overly rational people can’t really create art, right?"

Was this warning part of that emotional side?

Had this deeply hidden sensitivity surfaced because she had turned into a girl?

"I’ve noticed Rinka’s situation too. I’ll keep an eye out."

Yan Liuzhuan nodded, crossing her arms beneath the white cloth wrapped around her chest, pushing up a rather deep cleavage.

"I once tried to remove her mask, to tear away the pretense… but I failed. If you can—"

"Got it. Leave it to me."

"Thank you. Rinka is in your hands."

The long-haired girl with her signature side-parted bangs had, for the first time, smiled at me. Under the golden glow of the sunlight, she looked like a holy angel descending from the heavens.

My heart pounded violently. Adrenaline surged through my body.

This feels like… a heart attack!

The normally cold and distant Yan Liuzhuan smiling like that was absolutely lethal—like the first breeze of spring thawing away the last of winter.

And yet, as quickly as spring had come, it faded. Her lips lowered into their usual flat line, and the chilling winds of winter returned.

"You know," I muttered, "you actually look pretty good when you smile."

At my words, she hesitated, lowering the arms she had been crossing over her chest. For the first time, she looked genuinely flustered.

"…Thanks."

And as she let go—

The white cloth slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor.

Winter had arrived once more.