“Is this table 9?”
Inside a bar, Ji Haotong was once again forced by his mother into a blind date. He lowered his head to check the table number in his hand once more. Seeing the person nod, he finally sat down and then looked up at the woman sitting across from him.
An off-shoulder top, a fishtail skirt, a small white bag slung over her shoulder, stepping in a pair of high heels—she exuded that commanding big-sister aura. She looked quite good, with an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, delicate features, probably about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.
“Hello, may I ask if you are…?” The woman, noticing Ji Haotong sizing her up, smiled first and then politely extended her right hand in greeting.
Since she was his blind date, no matter what, he should at least go through the motions. Ji Haotong returned her smile, reached out, gently shook her small hand, and then released it.
“Ji Haotong.”
“Tang Xueting.”
After their introductions, neither of them said another word, each doing their own thing.
Ji Haotong could clearly sense that the woman named “Tang Xueting” across from him had only given him a few cursory glances before withdrawing her gaze, as if she wasn’t particularly interested in him.
Is this… playing hard to get?
Ji Haotong couldn’t help but think of his last few dates—there was the soft and cute girl-next-door type, the naïve student type, the flirty gal type who would drape herself on him and call him “Onii-chan” the moment they met, and now this playing-hard-to-get, cold, domineering older-sister type.
Well, that was fine too. After half an hour, he could leave.
As for his mother’s wish to have a granddaughter,
Ji Haotong figured she could wait a while longer. These years were his career’s prime, and things like wives and daughters were nowhere near his priorities.
Tang Xueting frowned slightly, an orange plastic straw at her lips. The pale pink liquid mixed with a little crushed ice as she sipped it. She drank her custom cocktail while gazing at some corner of the bar, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes, lost in her own thoughts.
Ji Haotong grew curious and followed her line of sight. There, a server was weaving through the bar’s varied crowds—a delicate face, petite figure. At first glance, one might think it was a girl.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Ji Yuennian—who had seventeen years of male experience but was now a long-haired big sister—was being thoroughly berated by Jiang Chi, the so-called great artist.
“You call that crossdressing? You call that art? You call that feminine charm? Any random woman on the street, dressed up, would have more of a big-sister vibe than you!!”
“You can’t even walk pigeon-toed! How can you call yourself a woman!!”
“Letting you take art photos is just a waste of my camera’s memory!!”
Contrary to Ji Yuennian’s imagination—just dressing up and standing there for photos—Jiang Chi, as if he truly was an artist, demanded all sorts of poses, and if anything was off, he would start a round of harsh criticism!
But Ji Yuennian couldn’t even talk back. This was part of her gentleman’s agreement with Jiang Chi: she’d help him take artistic photos to make up for deceiving his feelings, and Jiang Chi would, after that, write off all their issues and return the silver coin to her.
Ji Yuennian still hoped to study that coin and find a way to turn back into a man.
So, even though she felt countless grievances inside, she could only passively endure it all.
For the thirty-fifth outfit change, this time, Ji Yuennian went for a sexy, domineering big-sister style: off-white Chanel-style jacket + hip-hugging mini skirt + blue-gray satin blouse + black sheer stockings + wine-red pointed stilettos.
The jacket had long sleeves, keeping her warm and accentuating her arm lines. The sexy V-neck design revealed an alluring collarbone, showcasing feminine charm. The fitted mini skirt hugged her hips tightly, outlining a perfect silhouette.
The blue-gray satin blouse paired with the jacket and skirt maintained that seductive, elegant big-sister vibe while adding a hint of mystery.
The sheer black stockings subtly revealed the lines of her legs, and the pointed wine-red stilettos elongated her legs, making them appear even longer.
Standing under the spotlight, after countless rounds of criticism, Ji Yuennian was a little timid. When Jiang Chi approached with the camera, she instinctively closed her eyes.
Unexpectedly, there was no harsh criticism, humiliation, scolding, or attack as she anticipated. Instead, a warm, large hand rubbed her head. A man’s voice, with a hint of approval and praise, sounded in her ear: “Not bad this time. Much better than last.”
“Really?” After so much criticism, even Ji Yuennian began to doubt herself.
“Of course,” the man said. “Right now, you are truly beautiful. Even I feel a little moved.”
“But there’s still room for improvement. My earlier criticisms were to help you show an even more perfect self.”
“Ji Yuennian, as a woman, you’re a natural fit for the spotlight on stage, for others’ admiration and attention.”
Is he… complimenting me?
He’s complimenting me.
He’s complimenting me!
Hearing the man’s words, she opened her eyes and saw the laughter in his. At once, her cheeks flushed red and she turned her head away in embarrassment.
Am I really that amazing?
I really am!
Born to stand under the stage’s spotlight, to bask in others’ worship and praise, to hear them shout her name, intoxicated, infatuated, going mad for her!
Ji Yuennian suddenly felt her mouth dry. She licked her lips, her gaze showing a hint of longing and fascination.
Witnessing all this, Jiang Chi’s lips curled into a smile.
Now he finally understood why male psychology was often considered a branch of child psychology.
What followed was, naturally, the time for Jiang the Great Artist to shoot art photos. Ji Yuennian followed his requests—sitting, standing, leaning, lying, lazily reclining, arching her back… so many poses, impossible to list them all.
And when the sample photos were printed, Ji Yuennian rested her little head on Jiang Chi’s shoulder, gazing at the photos of the long-haired, full-of-feminine-charm big sister on the paper, her face flushing red.
But when she met the man’s blue, mischievous eyes, she unconsciously straightened her back, her chest heaving a little, looking justified and proud.
“So… so how is it? Pretty, right!”
“You said any random woman on the street would have more of a big-sister vibe than me! No way, whatever else you say, my looks are top-notch!”
“Saying I’m not as good as a real woman—you’re the one with no taste.”
Ji Yuennian vented all her earlier grievances, while Jiang Chi acted humble and accepting, satisfying her vanity and self-esteem to the fullest.
“Grrr~~” Suddenly, the big sister’s stomach grumbled at the worst possible moment.
Ji Yuennian awkwardly covered her stomach.
Jiang Chi raised his brows, looked at her embarrassed face, and chuckled, “Go take a rest. I’ll make dinner. You were wonderful and beautiful today.”
Praised again, a trace of pride flashed in Ji Yuennian’s eyes. She nodded, turned, and walked toward the bedroom, humming a light song.
Watching the long-haired big sister’s lively silhouette, Jiang Chi’s gaze flickered with complexity. Then, he turned and walked into the kitchen.
Back in her room, Ji Yuennian changed into her casual clothes and lay on the bed, browsing short videos, completely unaware that, in the kitchen, Jiang Chi was quietly pouring a packet of powder into the simmering soup.
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