It's complicated

Chen Yi was secretly delighted, but then his expression darkened. Why am I happy?

"T-then, can we discuss this tomorrow?" Churong wasn't ready for this.

"Tomorrow?" For some reason, Chen Yi felt that she was trying to run away.

"Y-yes. I still have to prepare a visual outlook." Churong's palms were sweaty from his lie. He knew he wasn't good at it but hoped that the other would take the hint. He needed to prepare himself!

She is running away, Chen Yi's eyes darkened in alarm. But then he realized he needed the time as well to sort out his complicated feelings. "Alright," he thought for a moment. "I'll pick you up."

Three heads jerked up in surprise, eyes wide and brows raised. They couldn't believe Chen Yi's voice had softened with care. Had Chen Yi finally let go of his first love? They exchanged glances, silently trying to figure out what sort of situation this was.

Churong jolted in surprise. "N-no need! Just tell me where to meet." Chen Yi, please don't give me a heart attack.

Chen Yi furrowed his brow again. He was desperately suppressing the urge to grab the girl. Not knowing why he was so interested in her was frustrating, especially when his mind should be occupied with Ling Xie.

"Alright," he reluctantly agreed. He would see her tomorrow one way or another, since the party was scheduled in three days.

Churong breathed in deeply and let it out in relief. But his heart was still in turmoil. He had to put on his best act tomorrow to continue fooling Chen Yi. What will Chen Yi think when he learns that I am Ling Xie? Churong felt like crying. He didn't want to see Chen Yi's disgusted face if the truth ever came out.

The group continued to plan the party, while workers busied themselves with their assigned tasks. One girl was concentrated on her job, and one guy was watching her intently, while three other pairs of eyes observed them as if they were watching a live drama.

The next day.

"Mom, you have to make sure I REALLY look like a girl," Ling Xie said for the nth time.

His mom cupped her cheek with a troubled expression. She wasn't troubled by why her son was suddenly so adamant about looking like a girl. What troubled her was the fact that there was nothing else she could do. He was more feminine than real girls out there. The only thing left that made him a guy was the tiny stick between his legs.

"Xie'er do you want a sex change?" Her mom said with a deadpan face.

"God, Mom! No!" Ling Xie's face turned as red as a ripe tomato. He became anxious that his mom might actually make him undergo surgery. After all, his stubbornness came from her.

His mom was only half-serious, but seeing her panicked son, she relented—reluctantly.

"Okay, okay. Let's hurry, or you'll be late."

Ling Xie still felt an ominous sense of danger lingering in his heart. But with time running short, he let himself be dolled up.

He thought about ways to make himself more girly, but could only think of one thing: hypnotism.

'I'm a girl. I'm a girl. I'm a girl. I love gossip. I have periods. I like cute things. I'm into men. I'm a girl. I'm a girl. I'm a girl.'

Ling Xie backtracked.

He liked men even when he was acting like a guy, so he should be fine with that one, right?

If it's cooking, he can at least make the food look edible. Don't know about the taste, though.

He's also pretty gossipy, so that scratches gossip off the list.

And cute things are justice. Period.

As for having periods...

...should I act moody?

"Ah—" Ling Xie stumbled into a door frame.

Luckily, before he could plant his face into the ground, a hand steadied him, saving him from disaster in his red pumps.

He had been so immersed in his own world that he didn't notice he had already arrived at Thousand Lotus Loft. Even more surprising was that he had come here subconsciously.

"Thank you," he said, looking at his savior, only to meet a pair of alluring blue eyes gazing at him with a hint of obsession. It all felt strangely like déjà vu.

"Watch where you're walking." Chen Yi's heart almost leapt out of his chest when he saw that Churong was about to get hurt. He grabbed her warm hand—her warmth contrasting with his cold one—and softly pulled her toward their reserved room.

Churong felt conflicted. Why is Chen Yi interested in Churong? Doesn't he like me? Churong is just my mask. Will Chen Yi chase after Churong this time? What about me?

Chen Yi led Churong up to the third floor, to the executive room that only he could access. He closed the door but then felt a tug on the edge of his shirt. When he turned around, he saw Churong on the verge of tears. Panicked, he asked, "W-What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

Again, déjà vu. Churong didn't like it at all. His assumption that Chen Yi was a playboy was only growing stronger.

"Mr. Chen Yi, I hate fling relationships." He gave a bitter smile.

Chen Yi's eyes widened. His mind instinctively raced to come up with a proper explanation, because something in his gut told him he should. "No, no," he shook his head, "Churong, believe me. In all my life, I've never been in a relationship." Feeling that this wasn't enough, he added, "I've only ever liked two people."

Churong's ears twitched. Two people...? Churong and Ling Xie?! He suddenly felt like he was in heaven, but quickly doused the thought with cold water. Won't he be disgusted when he finds out my secret? He didn't want to risk it. What if Chen Yi left him?

A pang of pain struck Churong's chest. He hated the idea. He really liked Chen Yi. He liked the obsessive glint in his eyes, even though he knew he shouldn't.

I never knew I was so selfish. So greedy.