chapter 4: pervert

My stomach was bloated, my throat was hoarse, and my face was flushed red from all the singing and dancing.

Even though this world was different, the music scene hadn't changed much. Sure, some singers and bands were different, but most of the classics were still the same.

Honestly, I had way too much fun.

I glanced at the digital screen on my terminal—it was already 12 PM.

My two-hour karaoke session was up.

I looked at the leftover food on the table. Wasting food was a sin, even in another world. I called the staff over and asked them to pack it up.

A few minutes later, a young worker brought back my neatly packed leftovers—along with a live crab.

"Here, sir. This is a small gift from our karaoke lounge," the staff member said with a polite smile.

But…

Why was he staring at my face like that?!

I could feel his eyes lingering, his expression a little dazed.

I felt so awkward.

I wasn't used to people looking at me like I was a rare national treasure.

I just muttered a quiet "thanks" and quickly left the karaoke place.

Center of Attention (Unwillingly)

The moment I stepped onto the street, I felt it.

People.

Staring.

At.

Me.

Whispers floated in the air.

"Wow, that person is so pretty!"

"Are they a model? Their skin is glowing!"

"Such a delicate face… a true white moonlight!"

I was not okay.

I had never been the center of attention in my past life.

This level of public scrutiny was too much for me to handle.

I hunched my shoulders and clutched my stomach, trying to look as unnoticeable as possible.

My gaze drifted to the bag of packed food and the random crab in my other hand.

What was I even going to do with a live crab?

And the leftovers… I didn't want to waste them. Maybe I should give them to a beggar?

But now that I thought about it—

I hadn't seen a single beggar all day.

Was this world really so advanced that there were no homeless people?

Curious, I pulled out my terminal and quickly searched the internet.

The results popped up instantly.

➤ Begging is illegal in broad daylight. Most beggars stay near slum areas, under bridges, or in dark alleys.

Oh.

So that's why I hadn't seen any.

Still, this meant I couldn't just find someone easily.

As I kept walking, I thought about my foster family.

They were poor.

Should I just bring the leftovers back to them?

…

No.

I refused to give my ".parents" secondhand food.

If I was going to bring food home, I'd buy them something fresh. The original owners parents has taken good care of him. Even after having money how can I give them my left overs.

But now I think I should think about what I should do next it was only 12 pm right now sooo.

First things first—shopping.

I twirled a strand of my soft, fluffy hair.

"I think I need a haircut. And a skin treatment. Hehehe, I'll just blow through all this money in one day!"

—A Few Hours Later—

"Aaaah… I feel so REFRESHED!"

I stretched my arms, feeling brand new.

Skin? Glowing.

Hair? Perfectly styled.

Face? A refined white moonlight beauty.

I strutted towards the shopping mall with confidence.

As a girl in my past life, I had always been drawn to pretty dresses.

But as a guy in this life…

…I was still drawn to pretty dresses.

My inner girl woke up with a vengeance.

In my past life, I never had the privilege of buying whatever I wanted. I just wore whatever my parents sent to my boarding school.

But now?

I was FREE.

I grabbed several dresses and rushed into the fitting room.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I admired my reflection.

"Who would've thought… I'd finally be able to wear beautiful dresses… after TRANSMIGRATING AS A MAN?! What an IRONY!"

I sniffled dramatically.

A staff member approached.

"Miss, do you need help putting on the dress?"

I froze.

OH HELL NO.

If they found out I was a man trying on dresses, they'd think I was some kind of pervert!

A shiver ran down my spine.

I quickly shook my head. "N-No, I'm good!"

After trying on several, I settled on one dress—a delicate white lace dress with intricate embroidery.

It was beautiful.

It was also 500 yuan.

…

I bought it anyway.

But I also needed normal clothes.

So I grabbed a baggy t-shirt with a cute bow on the back and a pair of stylish pants.

After paying for everything, I immediately changed into my new outfit.

Then I checked my wallet.

…

I was broke.

I didn't even have enough left to buy a bottle of water.

I sighed heavily, carrying my shopping bags and the packed meal in my hands.

It was already 6 PM.

I had wandered around the mall for HOURS.

My stomach grumbled.

I couldn't wait to eat that crab at home.

I figured my foster mom would have already made dinner by now, so I quickened my pace.

----

The sun had already set by the time I finally found my way home.

I turned on the flashlight on my terminal since the streets near my house weren't well-lit.

The area was quieter than before.

Dark.

A little too empty.

As I walked steadily, I suddenly heard a low, drunken grunt behind me.

And then—

A hand grabbed my ass.

I froze.

The strong scent of alcohol hit my nose.

A slurred voice whispered beside my ear.

"Beautiful lady, what are you doing in a place like this?"

"This place doesn't suit you… Come home with me, and I'll satisfy you fully."

…

…

…

WHAT. THE. HELL.