Chapter 2

Qiao Chuchu’s words piqued the curiosity of everyone in the room. Some people even put down the tools they were working with and collectively turned to look at the guest seat where Si Xiang was sitting.

In this synchronized movement, everyone noticed the curious and gossipy expressions on each other’s faces, and it was clear they all had the same thought: it seemed like everyone here could hear the voice.

Although no one knew exactly why this was happening, they weren’t inclined to dig into the cause. All they were interested in was Si Xiang’s gossip!

Si Xiang, who was being referred to as an “old man,” was wearing a high-slit ^[1]cheongsam (also known as qipao, 旗袍) is a traditional Chinese dress, known for its elegant and form-fitting design. It features a high collar, a straight or slightly flared skirt, and is often … Continue readingcheongsam, her figure alluring and seductive. Her long, slender legs were smooth and fair, flawless down to the tiniest detail, the type of legs that every girl would envy and admire.

Could someone with such long legs really be an “old man”? It didn’t seem possible, no matter how you looked at it.

Everyone: Hurry up! What’s going to happen next?!

Qiao Cen was also curious, scratching his head. He even leaned closer to Qiao Chuchu to ask about the gossip, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out. It was like some invisible force was sealing his lips.

It had been the same at home. Whenever he tried to ask about any gossip, he couldn’t speak.

Obviously, there was some powerful metaphysical force linked to his sister. He guessed that this metaphysical force came from the system she mentioned, and the gossip she heard was also from the system.

Bai Yun’s gaze towards Si Xiang was cold and unfamiliar, making Si Xiang feel uneasy. She tried to explain, “Yunyun, I—”

She wanted to stop Qiao Chuchu as well, “Qiao Chuchu, you—(sound muted) beep—”

She was horrified to realize that whatever she tried to say was being silenced by an invisible force. To others, it only appeared as though she was angrily glaring at Qiao Chuchu.

Live chat discussion:

【My intuition as a woman—does Si Xiang have some hostility towards Qiao Chuchu?】

【I saw Si Xiang glare at Qiao Chuchu several times. Did they have a grudge before?】

【It shouldn’t be the case, right? Isn’t Si Xiang a fan of Qiao Cen? She should have no conflict with Qiao Chuchu, since she’s part of the family.】

The metaphysical force was relentless, and Si Xiang couldn’t stop it, her panic intensifying.

Qiao Chuchu’s voice rang out again.

【Got it.】

【Ah, so she used to be an old man. In order to get close to Bai Yun, she cruelly underwent gender reassignment surgery in another country, and had plastic surgery all over her body. She turned into a big beauty.】

【I knew it! It’s impossible to tell she used to be an old man. The surgery was quite successful. She’s been in online relationships with eighteen boyfriends, all rich second-generation heirs, who are crazy about her. I wonder if they’d still like her if they knew she used to be an old man?】

【I’d love to see their reactions, but Si Xiang is so good at hiding it—she’s managed to keep it a secret for so long.】

【Online dating has its risks—after all, you never know if you’re talking to a person or a ghost.】

Qiao Cen couldn’t stop nodding in agreement. Online dating indeed has risks, and big ones at that. He had seen countless news stories about online relationships going wrong.

Everyone: !!!

No way! Is it true? Did Si Xiang really undergo gender reassignment surgery and become a beautiful woman? The surgery was surprisingly successful!

Some people remembered how they felt the first time they saw Si Xiang and wanted to ask her for an autograph, now regretting it and wanting to slap themselves.

Now, all they wanted to know was, is there more to the story?

Bai Yun’s gaze also shifted from calm to astonished, seemingly unable to believe that someone so close to her was hiding such a secret.

“Yunyun, no, it’s not like that, you have to believe me…”

Si Xiang’s face shifted from pale to green, as if her true self had been exposed in front of everyone.

When she felt the scrutinizing gazes from Bai Yun and the others, it became clear: everyone could hear Qiao Chuchu’s voice!

【I didn’t scroll the page earlier, turns out there’s more to the story! Si Xiang’s gender reassignment to get close to Bai Yun was actually for…】

“Ah!” Si Xiang screamed, trying to interrupt Qiao Chuchu’s voice. When everyone turned to look, she quickly smiled and explained, “Sorry, I dropped my teacup.”

But no one was interested in her act. They were more eager to hear what Qiao Chuchu would say next.

Qiao Chuchu: 【A grown man can’t even hold a teacup? Looks like gender reassignment surgery is a bad idea, it’s always better to just stay true to your natural self.】

Si Xiang: “…”

That voice was so annoying!

How could she make it stop?

Qiao Chuchu: 【Hmm, where was I? Oh yes, Si Xiang’s purpose in getting close to Bai Yun was to get revenge! And the reason for the revenge was…】

“Ah!”

It was once again Si Xiang screaming.

She tried to stop Qiao Chuchu’s voice, but as she stood up and took a few steps, she tripped over her own feet and fell flat on the ground.

Qiao Chuchu: 【Oh dear, she tripped on flat ground! This must be the downside of using ^[2]“Height-increasing insoles” are special shoe inserts designed to add extra height to the wearer. They are typically made of materials like foam or silicone and are placed inside shoes to … Continue readingheight-increasing insoles. I saw earlier that Si Xiang is only about 1.6 meters tall, relatively short among the men. She must have felt self-conscious, so she forced herself to grow ten centimeters taller. Her long legs are now carrying more weight than they should.】

The audience was stuffed with gossip, more than they could handle. Si Xiang looked so normal, but the gossip was piling up!

Qiao. Everyone who’s ^[3]“eating melons” (吃瓜) in Chinese slang refers to the act of watching a scandal or gossip unfold, similar to how people might sit back and enjoy a spectacle. It originates from a saying … Continue readingeating melons. Cen: Is there more? Is there more? Keep going!

The live chat was bustling with excitement.

【Uh, what’s going on with Si Xiang? She looks pretty, but why does she seem a bit slow-witted?】

【Why is Bai Yun’s best friend still sitting there calmly after Si Xiang fell? Weren’t they close before, based on the photos Bai Yun posted on Weibo? Is it just a fake sisterhood?】

【Am I the only one who noticed that Qiao Cen is different now? He looks so well-behaved, kind of cute actually.】

—

Si Xiang had already lost her composure, and Bai Yun, who was standing next to her, furrowed her brows. After all, Si Xiang was her guest, and it was her face on the line.

Even though she too wanted to know what else Si Xiang had been hiding from her, it shouldn’t have been in front of everyone, letting them laugh at her for no reason.

Bai Yun stood up and helped Si Xiang back to her seat. “Are you okay?”

“Yunyun, I’m fine.” Si Xiang was almost moved to tears by her support.

Bai Yun felt a pang of sympathy as she saw Si Xiang’s pitiful look. They had spent so much time together, their relationship had always been great. They had similar interests, liked the same books, the same food, and shared many things in common…

The two had hit it off instantly and become good friends in no time. After that, things naturally progressed—they ate and stayed together, traveled together, slept together, shared secrets, and became irreplaceable to each other. They even made a promise to do something cool when they turned 25.

But now, there was a voice telling her that everything might have been a lie, even Si Xiang.

This was hard for her to accept.

Bai Yun helped Si Xiang sit on the couch and then checked her leg. Her ankle was scraped.

She turned to the director and said, “Director, could you bring some iodine and gauze?”

The people eating melons noticed that the director’s interest in the gossip hadn’t died down yet, and he reluctantly called for someone to fetch the gauze. “Xiao Li, hurry up!”

The iodine and gauze were soon brought, and Bai Yun personally applied the medicine to Si Xiang’s injury, her movements gentle.

Just then, after hearing all the gossip, Qiao Chuchu’s sighing voice rang out again.

【Bai Yun is so good to Si Xiang, but too bad—Si Xiang is just acting.】

【If Bai Yun knew that Si Xiang was her half-brother, would she still treat her the same?】

Bai Yun froze. What is she talking about?!!

The gossiping crowd was equally stunned. 【What’s going on? They’re half-siblings?! Someone, please explain!】