Chapter 2.2: Family Shadows

It was late at night. Everyone in the Shi household was asleep—except Shi Mu.

Her attic room glowed dimly under the soft lamp. She sat on her bed, wide awake.

Now that she had a second chance at life, she had to face its complications. This body was cursed. When she turned eighteen, the charm insect inside her would fully awaken. Her body's desires would intensify, and she'd begin uncontrollably drawing men in—until she consumed their energy entirely.

In the original story, the female villain had even killed her own brother to survive.

Shi Mu rubbed her forehead. "System, what do I do if I… want a man?"

[Then have one,] the system replied blandly.

"But I want to maintain my moral integrity!"

[Why bother with morals if you've already got a man?]

"…That's… not wrong."

But no, she couldn't fall for some guy just because of his chest muscles.

The charm insect inside her craved masculine yang energy. It fed on it. But if her own body could generate enough yang energy, perhaps it would stop tormenting her.

Shi Mu narrowed her eyes.

"What would happen if I became… a man?"

[...Host, are you planning gender reassignment?] the system asked nervously.

She was.

But of course, it wouldn't be easy. And she wasn't just thinking about surgery.

No—she had a plan.

"If I can become a boy, I can be brothers with Fu Yunshen... problem solved."

[Host… what exactly are you planning?]

She grinned.

"I'm going to infiltrate Yingnan High School as a boy. Watch me."