Chapter 25: Come Prepared(Remake)
Soon, a file landed on Zhou Ting’s desk. He scanned its contents, his brow furrowing.
He glanced at Li Xian, skeptical. “You sure you’re not messing with me?”
Li Xian’s face froze, and he waved his hands frantically. “Boss, I wouldn’t dare! The investigation is absolutely accurate.”
Zhou Ting scoffed, tossing the file in front of him. “Then explain this. What do you mean ‘Lin Xiaoxiao turned into a woman overnight’?”
Li Xian stammered, unable to clarify.
He’d seen plenty of weird things, but this was a first. Yet, all results were triple-checked—there couldn’t be a mistake.
Zhou Ting rubbed his temples, waving him off. “Get out.”
After Li Xian left, Zhou Ting stared at the file, his doubts deepening. He couldn’t believe it.
Turning into a woman overnight? Ridiculous.
*
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoxiao headed to the library after arriving at school.
A text notification pinged. It was from Zhou Yang: “Rooftop, now.”
Puzzled, she sent a question mark.
He replied with a photo.
Her heart stopped. It was her and Zhou Ting at the café, acting intimate—his face mosaiced.
Her fingers trembled as she typed, “Where’d this come from?”
“Someone sent it anonymously. Come up, we’ll talk.”
Lin Xiaoxiao’s stomach churned. She considered bolting.
Did Zhou Yang know the man was his dad? Was he waiting to confront her?
The more she thought, the more panicked she felt. Who took the photo? Why?
But she didn’t run. What’s done is done, even if sleeping with his dad was wrong.
She headed to the rooftop, spotting Zhou Yang gaming. He saw her but didn’t pounce as she’d feared, instead sizing her up.
Unnerved, she spoke first. “W-why are you staring?”
His expression was complex but earnest. “Lin Xiaoxiao, don’t worry. I won’t judge you.”
She blinked, realizing something, and cautiously probed, “So… you’re not mad?”
He tilted his head, confused. “Why would I be? As a friend, I support you, even if you’re… going down a wrong path.”
Her being the first “gay” friend was thrilling for him.
He stepped forward, patting her shoulder.
Her lips twitched, but she relaxed. He clearly didn’t know the man was his dad, though his words felt off.
“Who sent the photo?” she asked.
He shrugged, showing her his phone. “Dunno. They added me, sent it, then deleted me.”
Her heart sank. What was their goal?
As she pondered, Zhou Yang asked curiously, “So, who’s the guy? Do I know him?”
Her face froze, guilt flashing in her eyes, but she hid it well, scoffing, “Y-you wouldn’t know him. Let’s drop it. Aren’t you going to class?”
He grumbled at her deflection but didn’t press. “Class? Skipped it. Wanna hit the internet café? My treat.”
She shook her head, hesitating. “You skip so much, won’t you fail finals?”
He waved it off. “I’ll retake them. Oh, if you need help with the photo thing, let me know.”
Touched, she nodded. “Thanks, Zhou Yang. You really don’t mind having a friend like me?”
He grinned, patting his chest. “Of course not. I don’t ditch friends.”
Her eyes gleamed mischievously. “Then let’s hug!”
His face stiffened, and he turned to leave, his steps ruthless.
She laughed softly. Teasing him was fun.
She had no leads on the photographer. The account was likely untraceable.
Resigned, she went to the library, then to the café where she and Zhou Ting had been.
After explaining her request, the staff pulled up the surveillance footage, which was kept for half a month.
As the footage played, she spotted something. “Stop.”
The screen paused, revealing the photographer.
But disappointment hit—the figure, in a hat, was too blurry due to distance and lighting. She could only tell it was a man.
Uneasy, she wondered if he was still following her.
With no mood to linger, she headed back to Zhou Ting’s place.
Expecting him to be out, she was surprised to see his shoes.
Glancing at the empty living room, she relaxed.
Though she’d asked him to ease up at his office, and he’d agreed, she still couldn’t keep up.
She tiptoed toward her room.
But as her hand touched the doorknob, a large hand grabbed her collar, lifting her up…