“A girl?”

“Yeah. It might sound a bit abstract, but I’ve always felt there was a subtle difference between me and other boys. I don’t dislike the things most guys like, but I’m usually more drawn to the little trinkets and trends popular with girls… But you know how it is. When I was young and clueless, I always thought being called ‘girly’ was a terrible thing.”

Wei Zhen was willing to open up, so Chen Yuan listened quietly.

He hadn’t asked, but since Wei Zhen wanted to talk, it meant he’d been bottling this up for a long time. He needed to vent to someone. If this was truly a secret he couldn’t tell anyone, who could he possibly confide in? Probably no one at all.

Wei Zhen spread his hands. “Because of that mindset, I had a normal time in elementary, middle, and high school, just like most people. Up until the middle of high school, it seemed like aside from being a bit more sensitive and gentle than the usual carefree guys, and getting along better with girls… there was no real, substantial difference.”

“That’s true. I’ve always thought you were a very gentle person, Zhen. I’m not just saying that,” Chen Yuan said comfortingly.

Wei Zhen forced a smile. “I’m happy you think so. As I got older, the barrier between guys and girls wasn’t as pronounced. A lot of my friends didn’t tease me for getting along well with girls. Instead, they’d ask me to dig up info on their crushes, and some even asked me to deliver a Love Letter for them.”

“Being able to get along with girls is definitely something to be jealous of. After all, high school is when those first feelings of romance start to stir and you want to start dating.”

“Exactly. Later, for a school performance, I was forced to fill in for a female classmate because I was the right height. It was from that moment that I discovered wearing women’s clothes made me really happy.”

“Happy?” Chen Yuan was a little stunned.

“Yes, incredibly happy. You might not be able to understand the feeling. It’s like I’m dressing up a beautiful Barbie doll. Compared to the plain, unremarkable me as a boy, I suddenly felt like I was radiating with infinite brilliance.” Wei Zhen seemed a bit shy, lowering his head and not daring to meet Chen Yuan’s gaze. “It started with just dipping my toes in, but later, I gradually learned that more and more guys had the same hobby as me. Every one of them was beautiful. They were truly living as a second self. So, I started experimenting a bit more.”

“So you’re saying there are quite a few guys who like to cross-dress?” Chen Yuan asked, puzzled.

“Of course. Here, let me show you.”

Wei Zhen’s interest was piqued. He pulled his phone from his pocket, opened a very unfamiliar-looking app, went to his ‘following’ list, and randomly tapped on a profile.

Chen Yuan leaned over curiously. As Wei Zhen’s finger swiped across the screen, a series of photos appeared.

The more he looked, the more amazed he became, his eyes gradually widening.

In the photos, all the boys were wearing cute little dresses, and some were cosplaying as anime characters. You could say they had fair skin and beautiful faces, with small, delicate features, no different from pretty girls.

“These are guys???”

“Yep.”

Chen Yuan was completely shocked. He had never known anything about this before. Wei Zhen had just opened the door to a whole new world for him.

The two of them chatted.

The owner’s wife bustled over, carrying a tray with a light step.

“BBQ’s ready! Careful, it’s hot!”

“Alright.”

The lamb skewers, sizzling and dripping with grease, and the golden chicken wings, brushed with a layer of oil, gave off an intoxicating aroma. For a moment, the two forgot their previous conversation and started grabbing the metal skewers to feast.

Having revealed his innermost secret and seeing that it didn’t provoke any revulsion from Chen Yuan, Wei Zhen felt much happier than when he’d first arrived at the BBQ place, all down in the dumps. Even his appetite had improved.

After eating for a bit, Chen Yuan took the initiative to pour some beer and clinked glasses with Wei Zhen.

That was when it dawned on Wei Zhen.

“Oh right, we’ve only been talking about me. Yuan, I haven’t even asked what you’re doing in Lanjing. School hasn’t started yet, has it?”

“Forgot to tell you. I found a company to do a part-time job with.”

“A part-time job?” Wei Zhen’s brow furrowed for a second before relaxing. “What a coincidence. I only went home for three days over the New Year holiday. I’ve been staying here doing a part-time job too.”

“Is it that high-paying hourly job you mentioned?”

“Yeah… What kind of job did you find? Are you short on cash lately?”

“Not exactly short, but there are some special reasons.” Chen Yuan wiped a bit of beer foam from his lip. “I’m an intern at a company.”

“Oh~” Wei Zhen had a look of instant understanding. “I get it. You’re in a relationship, so you need more money.”

“COUGH COUGH COUGH—”

“If you really want to make money, you should come work part-time at the shop with me. Being an intern is usually exhausting and the pay is terrible.” Wei Zhen studied him for a moment, a cunning glint suddenly appearing in his eyes. “I think you’d be a perfect fit for a part-time job at my shop. With looks like these… tsk tsk tsk…”

Chen Yuan recoiled slightly, on guard.

‘What kind of part-time job has to do with your looks?’

‘This feels a little shady.’

What he didn’t know was that Wei Zhen was already fantasizing about dragging Chen Yuan into the fold, putting him in a maid outfit, and forcing him to work at the shop.

‘Chen Yuan would definitely be a huge hit! Not only is he handsome, but he’s also 1.8 meters tall. A maid like that is a rare find on the market.’

“No, no, no, I’ve already found a job. I’m starting tomorrow,” Chen Yuan said, waving his hands in refusal.

“Is that so…”

A flash of regret crossed Wei Zhen’s eyes. His fantasy was shattered.

Overall, their chat was a happy one. They were already good friends, and now that they knew each other’s secrets, Chen Yuan could also open up about some of the troubles in his relationship. Their bond had undoubtedly grown even closer.

The dinner came to an end as the two of them drained the last dregs from their beer bottles.

It was over.

When it was time to leave, Wei Zhen insisted on generously paying the bill. He didn’t know about Chen Yuan’s family situation and felt a magnanimous sense of being the wealthier one. Earning a lot from his part-time job gave him that confidence.

“Well, Yuan, my ride is here. I’m heading back to school.”

“Okay, be safe on your way back.”

“Mhm, you have to come visit my shop when you have time! I’ll play games with you, buy you coffee… Besides, the girls at the shop are all really pretty.”

“We’ll see about that,” Chen Yuan said, scratching his head.

After Wei Zhen left.

Chen Yuan walked alone down the streets of Lanjing at night, carrying his laptop bag and clutching his slightly bloated stomach, his steps slow.

Fengting District wasn’t far. Walking slowly, it would still only take about ten minutes.

It was a good chance for a post-dinner walk to digest his food.

Passing an overpass, he saw group after group of married couples, old men and women, and young lovers, either holding hands or walking their dogs as they headed for a stroll in the park.

For a moment, Chen Yuan couldn’t suppress a wave of longing for Jiang Ning.

‘How wonderful it would be if she were here by my side right now.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep