September 11, Thursday

Yesterday's heavy rain had completely cleared the skies, and today was bright and sunny. Even so, I was still holding an umbrella while sitting in my wheelchair. Why?

"Achoo!"

Because Zhao Zhao, who was pushing my wheelchair, had caught a cold and was sneezing non-stop. Without the umbrella, I’d be showered in his spray—like a toxic rain. I’d be bald in no time.

"Ugh, Commander, my nose is all stuffed up. Can I take a sick day?"

"Get a grip. It’s just a light cold. You think the baldy’s gonna approve that? No way."

"But what if I spread it to our classmates? I’m thinking of everyone here."

"Don’t try to sound so noble. You just don’t want to go to class."

He looked at me all self-righteous and said indignantly, "How can you say that? Do I look like that kind of person? ... Achoo!"

Sevenfold Solar Shield! (Umbrella Defense!)

Well, it was kind of my fault he got sick, so I offered, "If you’re really miserable, you can swap out with Xiao Lei during lunch break. It won’t cure it, but it should give you some relief."

Despite the spiritual link between their bodies, they were functionally independent. If Zhao Zhao was sick, Xiao Lei wouldn’t be affected.

But things didn’t go as planned. Just as lunch started, senior Li Jianlian showed up carrying his lunchbox. Since he hadn’t been working part-time lately, he looked a lot better—dark circles gone and no longer ghost-pale. More human, less vampire.

Excitedly, he announced, "I can finally start work this afternoon!"

Zhao Zhao asked, "Did your maid outfit arrive?"

That sounded weird.

"Yeah, the owner texted—it’s coming today and asked if I’d stop by."

"Of course you will!" Zhao Zhao responded, then added, "You brought your girl clothes, right?"

Still weird.

"Sure did."

I was going to hand over the keys to the old house so he and senior could go together, since Zhao Zhao was the one who recommended the job. But I really wanted to see senior in a maid outfit too. Guess I’m going.

Zhao Zhao’s cold wasn’t too bad; he was normally pretty healthy. But fall colds are usually viral—if he passed it on, it wouldn’t stay a simple cold.

So he grabbed meds and a white surgical mask from the school nurse.

After school, right outside the gate, the upperclassman instinctively headed to the public restroom to change, but Xiao Lei—already changed—rushed over to stop him.

"Wait, senior! No need to use the restroom today. We’ve got a better—well, relatively better—place for you to change."

"Where’s Zhao Zhao?"

"He wasn’t feeling well, so he went home first."

This Xiao Lei hadn’t used the bookmark—Zhao Zhao was too sick and said, “I don’t want to exist right now.”

Senior didn’t mind taking a taxi, especially since walking to the Tianping Commercial District took over 40 minutes. For a 100 yuan per hour wage, taxiing made more sense—time saved was money earned.

"Driver, just stop by the bridge up ahead."

Senior was perplexed but still followed us into the underpass. The uneven stone path jostled my wheelchair, making the ride a bit uncomfortable.

Under the bridge stood two small prefab units, about 40-50 square meters each. One was where Old Feng used to live, with a bed and wardrobe (though no bedding), the other was a storage room—there was a refrigerator there, though now completely empty.

I handed senior the keys that Fei gave me. "You can use this as your changing room from now on. It’s not fancy, but it beats a public toilet, right?"

He hesitated. "No rent?"

"Remember that senior from the girls’ campus who gave you the job idea? She rented this place. She’s quite generous and doesn't want your money."

"Then I really want to meet her and thank her properly."

"Sure, I’ll arrange that someday."

The key Fei gave us was for Old Feng’s old room—it had a curtain and a tiny toilet. Senior glanced around, then yanked the curtain shut.

Turns out the curtain had some bug-eaten holes. Not huge, but big enough to peek through. He didn’t notice them… not that I’d peek, of course. I’m a man of integrity.

Xiao Lei wouldn’t let me peek either.

Senior went in. Senior then came out… as a fluttery long-haired girl wearing a beige knit top and jeans. Tch. Still no skirt.

"Do I really need Xiao Lei to help every time I change? Isn’t that a bit much?"

It was true—if this part-time job became a long-term gig, Xiao Lei couldn’t tag along every time.

"Once things settle down, just call me or Zhao Zhao. She can operate remotely."

"Huh? Why call you two?"

"Because… she has to keep her divine emissary mystique."

Senior tilted his head. Not sure if he understood.

I turned and whispered to Xiao Lei, "Go get yourself a new phone. You’ll need it after you split permanently anyways."

She flipped her skirt pocket inside out. "No money. Should I get a part-time job at the manga cafe too?"

"Eh? You want a job too, Xiao Lei?" Senior sounded surprised.

"Please. You think that the owner would hire someone with your figure?"

But when we arrived at the cafe, she really did ditch me in the café booth and went to talk to the owner.

Somehow, three minutes later, she got hired.

Senior looked a little hurt—she had a better figure but barely passed the interview.

Xiao Lei gave me the smug look of a girl who’d just slapped you with receipts. "Next time, think twice before you doubt my credentials. I’ve been to more maid cafés than I can count. I know the otaku crowd better than they know themselves."

Makes sense. Zhao Zhao’s super familiar with the owner.

"Besides, even if I’m flat, there’s still a niche market. It’s all about scarcity value."

Scarcity, huh? More like the owner thought he found a gem… turns out it was a gremlin.

"Isn’t this a long-term gig? You planning to stay on?"

"The owner said I could come in whenever I want. Super chill." Since when was this cafe so loose on part-timers?

She clenched her fist. "I’m gonna earn back every bit of money that idiot Zhao Zhao spent here!"

That girl’s eyes were full of yuan signs. Does the owner even realize what kind of person he hired?

Speak of the devil—the bald old man showed up with a milk tea and set it in front of me.

"On the house." He stroked his beard and gave me a grandfatherly smile. "Kid, you’re here with Changpu again? Coming all the way out in a wheelchair… you like her, huh?"

"No, no, not like that. I just wanted to see senior in a maid outfit."

He changed the subject. "When your leg heals, wanna work here? Cute crossdressing maids are rare. I bet you’d be super popular."

Yep. This owner is totally sus.

"I refuse!"

Sure, I wore girls’ clothes multiple times as my clone, but my real body’s got standards. The clone’s behavior is just a side effect of the notebook’s subconscious correction… or so I keep telling myself.

My flat-out refusal seemed to disappoint the owner. Hope he doesn’t throw me out.

Thanks to Miss Xiao Jiu’s help, senior came out in a new maid outfit. Since her hair was already a mix of black and white, the monochrome uniform suited her perfectly.

Though it followed the classic black-and-white maid theme, the skirt was ultra-short. Her pale, silky legs were wrapped in sheer white tights, practically glowing like gourmet parfaits.

It was her first time wearing a skirt and stockings—diving straight into high embarrassment territory. Her face, usually pale, was now cherry red.

Part of that bashfulness came from Xiao Jiu—being dressed by your own sister can be… awkward.

"Damn, that’s pretty legit." Xiao Lei whistled like a sleazy regular. Senior’s face became even redder.

"Geez, don’t say that!" she whimpered, voice soft like an ASMR stream.

Xiao Jiu giggled, "She’s too cute. When she was changing, she was so shy, like a little animal. I bet she doesn’t even dare go to public baths."

Bathhouse? Yeah, no way. Wonder what Xiao Jiu would think if she found out this was actually her little brother.

The owner, thoroughly satisfied with the look, clapped his hands, stroked his beard again, and said:

"Alright everyone, let’s come up with a maid alias for this cutie."