I wasn’t surprised at all.
In schools across the city, plenty of people must have seen me before.

Liu Yu pulled a carton of milk from his drawer, sliding it toward me: “Guess it’s true what they say—girls transform at eighteen.”

“Mm…”
I didn’t owe anyone an explanation about my changes.
They’d probably mock me as a freak or something neither man nor woman.

I pushed the milk back: “Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”

“Keep it. Drink it when you want.”
Liu Yu’s guilt-ridden expression made me certain something had happened between us before.

But surviving was hard enough—how could I remember everyone I’d crossed paths with?

Zeng Xin looked skeptical: “Trying to get close to Zhixia, huh? Playing the long game?”

Liu Yu crossed his arms: “I’m serious.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly.
Urgent footsteps echoed from the door.

“Zhixia!”
He Zhi shouted, scanning the room but not spotting me right away.

I waved: “Over here.”

He was so excited he looked ready to hug me.
Liu Yu stood, blocking him: “Calm down, man.”

He Zhi swallowed hard: “You’re okay—that’s such a relief.”

I nodded lightly, saying nothing, and looked down at my manga.

My aloofness left He Zhi crestfallen.
According to their plan to take turns hosting me, I should’ve been at his place by now.
That must be why he felt regret.

I needed to keep my distance.
Maybe I was a walking disaster.

He Zhi stood there, staring quietly for a moment, giving a weak smile: “If it weren’t for you…”

I cut him off: “This all started because of me. Go back to class.”

He froze, then asked: “Have you gotten a phone? Got WeChat or QQ?”

“Not yet.”

The class bell rang.
He Zhi, looking like he’d been hit, turned and left.

Zeng Xin watched him go, chuckling: “That guy’s clearly into you.”

I vaguely sensed it but got goosebumps.
As the homeroom teacher entered, my first real class began—Chinese.

The teacher was great, lively, and often cracked jokes.
I listened intently, diligently copying notes from the board, even if I barely understood her classical Chinese analysis.
Rising above was my only goal.

After class, I stretched, savoring the joy of my first lesson.
Zeng Xin was on her phone, likely reading manga, and turned to me: “Wanna look together?”

I nodded: “Sure.”

She glanced at Liu Yu: “Switch seats.”

Liu Yu got up and left without a word.
Zeng Xin sat, feeling the chair’s lingering warmth, and placed a textbook under her before setting her phone between us, our shoulders touching.

I shyly flinched—my first time so close to a girl my age.

As a kid, I’d stand near peers, watching them play with action-packed toys like spinning tops, transforming robots, or yo-yos, praying they’d notice me and let me join.

It never happened.
They’d chase me off with stones, and over time, I grew deeply insecure.
After Grandma passed, entering puberty, I’d secretly watch pretty girls from afar, fantasizing about making something of myself and marrying someone beautiful.

Now, I was confused.
How could this body date a girl?
The wolf’s torment left my thoughts a mess, often escaping into pleasant fantasies.

Looking at Zeng Xin’s profile, I wanted to be her friend.
My gut told me she was a good person—she shared her manga and helped me.

After hesitating, I asked cautiously: “Zeng Xin, can we be friends?”

She didn’t hesitate: “Of course! Let’s hit the cafeteria together after morning classes.”

The maid had given me a meal card.
My eyes sparkled, and I flashed a dazzling smile: “Great! I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Zeng Xin froze, then shrank back: “That smile could slay anyone—guys or girls. You’re dangerous.”

I didn’t get what “slay anyone” meant—probably a compliment on my looks.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t move, let me snap a pic for the class group chat.”

“Go ahead.”
I made a peace sign.
Zeng Xin held the shutter: “Change poses… Your smile’s so forced.”

“Huh?”
I faltered: “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Look.”
She handed me her phone.
I fumbled, swiping clumsily, and saw a melancholic, stunning beauty staring back.
I gazed, entranced.

“Stunned by your own beauty? Hahaha!”
Zeng Xin doubled over, her loud laughter drawing eyes.

She grabbed her phone, announcing: “I’m posting it to the class group. Check it out.”

Classmates pulled out their phones, visibly stunned.

Zeng Xin gave a thumbs-up: “When the sports festival comes, you’re a shoo-in for campus beauty.”

“Campus beauty?”
I blinked.
She explained: “It’s a North High tradition. Each class nominates someone with good looks and character as a role model, voted on by the whole school. People don’t know other classes well, so it’s become a beauty contest.”

I pursed my lips: “I don’t want to compete…”

“The winning class gets points at the sports festival. Everyone will push you forward. Our class’s current beauty, Zhang Chun, doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

Following Zeng Xin’s gaze, I saw Zhang Chun staring at me, her eyes hostile, like she wanted to devour me.

Zeng Xin whispered: “She’s super petty. Everyone knows she’s got a crush on Liu Yu. Keep your distance from your deskmate to avoid trouble.”

I nodded stiffly, not wanting to provoke her.

Two classes passed, and morning dismissal arrived.
Zeng Xin grabbed me, jogging: “Hurry, or we’ll miss the good food!”

I touched the jade pendant under my shirt, a mischievous smile spreading.

To Grandma in heaven—I made my first friend at school. She loves manga, is full of energy, and cares for me.