Chapter 16: My Name is Jiang Cheng

“Mm… yes, Teacher Ma. My son isn’t feeling well and needs to take a week off. Mm… alright, and my niece will come to report in at that time. All the materials are prepared. Okay, thank you, Teacher Ma.”

Jiang Xiaoyue hung up the phone and gave a thumbs-up to the girl beside her.

The two of them then broke into silly laughter together.

Jiang Cheng took out the school uniform she found in the suitcase. It seemed whoever sent these things had already anticipated this situation…

No—it was already arranged.

11:06:29.

The countdown on the wristband was still continuing.

The previous missions had only added a single day each time, so after completing this one, she would only have about three or four days of transformation time left.

If the reward time wasn’t enough, the result would still be the same in the end.

For a moment, Jiang Cheng thought—maybe she should just give up.

But perhaps because of a faint obsession in her heart, she ultimately chose to resist these chaotic rules.

“Do you want Mom to take you there tomorrow?”

“No need. I’ll just go find Teacher Ma directly… Besides, it’s no different from going to school as usual.”

Though Jiang Cheng said that, she couldn’t help feeling nervous inside.

Jiang Xiaoyue probably sensed her unease and gave her daughter a warm hug.

Ever since she became a girl, Mom loved hugging her even more.

“It’s alright, Xiao Cheng. No matter what you become, you’re always the same in Mom’s heart.”

Jiang Cheng buried her face in her mother’s embrace and nodded gently.

The mother and daughter made a hearty dinner together.

“Then let’s celebrate your smooth day tomorrow.”

“Mom, you have to do great at your new company too.”

“Of course. Our family will only get better.”

After finishing dinner, Jiang Xiaoyue went to take a shower first. 

Jiang Cheng tidied up the dishes in the kitchen.

When she came out, she glanced at her phone and saw several unread messages.

She wiped her hands clean and opened them—it was a message from Wang Ziyue.

【Need to talk to you about something】

【Missed call】

【?】

【You there?】

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and sent an emoji.

In her office, Wang Ziyue put down her documents as soon as she heard the ding of the message notification.

On the screen was a little bear knocking on a door, with the caption “Coming~”.

Wang Ziyue saved the sticker, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

She had given herself a day to calm down, but in the end, she still couldn’t resist messaging Jiang Cheng.

Not knowing how to start the conversation, she had simply called—but no one picked up.

Wang Ziyue frowned, thinking irritably that Jiang Cheng might be with her “cousin.”

Even now, Wang Ziyue couldn’t confirm if Jiang Cheng and Jiang Cheng’s “cousin” were actually dating.

She wanted to ask, but felt it unnecessary…

Whatever their relationship, whether Jiang Cheng’s sacrifices for her “boyfriend” were too much—it wasn’t her place to worry about.

But all that frustration disappeared once she received Jiang Cheng’s message.

She convinced herself—it must really just be her cousin.

Jiang Cheng kept staring at the phone. After she sent her message, this time, it was Wang Ziyue who didn’t respond.

After a moment’s thought, she made a call instead. This time, Wang Ziyue answered quickly.

“Hello.”

Wang Ziyue’s voice had a faint magnetic tone through the receiver.

“You didn’t see my messages?” 

Jiang Cheng asked after a brief daze.

“I saw them.”

Wang Ziyue’s response was casual. Jiang Cheng could hear the click-click of high heels from her side.

“Did I disturb your work?”

“No. I’m just moving to a different seat.”

Wang Ziyue leaned back on the sofa. 

On the coffee table were some candies.

Clearly Mo Nono’s favorites. 

She frowned, fiddled with them, then thought of something.

“Do you like sweets?”

Jiang Cheng hadn’t expected that question. It took her a while to reply.

“Not really, just average.”

“Me neither.”

Wang Ziyue said firmly, making Jiang Cheng laugh. 

She didn’t understand how that was relevant—but somehow, it felt like a bridge between them.

Maybe it was because she was Jiang Cheng now, but talking with Wang Ziyue was surprisingly easy, even relaxing.

“Xiao Cheng? Are you on the phone?” 

Her mom’s voice came from the hallway.

She’d called several times, but Jiang Cheng hadn’t heard her.

When she came to the living room, she saw her daughter holding the phone close to her ear.

“Ah… Mom, I’m just handling something.”

A hint of panic flashed across Jiang Cheng’s face, which Jiang Xiaoyue quickly caught.

If not for the unusual circumstances, she might’ve suspected some bad boy was trying to sweet-talk her naive daughter.

“Well, finish up and then take a shower. You still have school tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Jiang Cheng nodded.

Wang Ziyue could tell there was some noise on the other end.

“Your family?”

“Mm, my mom’s talking to me.”

“Mhm.”

“It’s getting late. I should shower and get ready for school tomorrow.”

“You’re back in school?” 

Wang Ziyue asked suddenly.

Only then did Jiang Cheng realize she’d slipped up.

“Kind of…” she said vaguely, relieved that Wang Ziyue didn’t press further.

“And you? How have you been lately?”

“Me? Besides work, what else is there? Might have a business trip soon.”

Wang Ziyue spoke patiently.

Sharing these little slices of life like this doesn’t feel bad at all, she thought.

“A trip? Will you be gone long?”

“Why do you care?”

“Uh, just curious~” Jiang Cheng’s own sweet tone startled her.

Her unconscious act of sajiao—that playful, girlish softness—made her feel strange.

Wang Ziyue also seemed slightly off balance but oddly pleased.

“Maybe about a week.”

“A week, huh.” 

Jiang Cheng quietly sighed in relief. 

Her transformation would last about a week—if Wang Ziyue was gone, that would keep things safe.

She also needed to warn Wang Yu not to blab about her situation.

She still remembered that vague “tip” from before—it was unclear but worrying.

“When you’re back, want to go out and have some fun?”

“We’ll see.” Jiang Cheng didn’t want to get too close. Her identity wasn’t fit for deep connections.

Wang Ziyue’s expression soured a little.

Being rejected so directly by the girl made her feel an odd sting of defeat.

She couldn’t help comparing herself again to that “cousin.” 

What did he have that she didn’t…

A knock knock came at the door.

After a few more words, they ended the call.

“Come in.” 

Her tone had turned serious again.

Secretary Fang entered, handing her the HR documents organized by the headhunter.

“President Wang, after this business trip, will you go to the new company for interviews?”

“We’ll see. Can this trip be shortened to five days?”

Wang Ziyue flipped through the papers page by page. Her fingers paused on one photo.

“I’ll make arrangements,” the secretary replied, checking the schedule.

When she looked up, she noticed President Wang’s expression seemed off—but it vanished in an instant.

Wang Ziyue looked back at her, and the secretary quickly lowered her head.

After about a minute, Wang Ziyue finally spoke. “Contact Principal Zhao for me. Tell him I have something to discuss.”

She placed the documents on the desk and closed her eyes. The secretary quietly left, closing the door behind her.

President Wang must be thinking about something serious, Secretary Fang thought as she left.

***

The next morning, Jiang Cheng arrived at school thirty minutes earlier than usual.

From the moment she stepped through the gate, countless eyes followed her.

Normally, she drew attention for being the top student of her grade.

But now, her appearance added even more to that attention.

She tried to ignore the stares and headed straight to Teacher Ma’s office.

“Mm, Jiang Cheng, right? Your aunt is Jiang Cheng’s mother, right… You two even share the same name. How’s your cousin doing?” 

Teacher Ma joked with a smile.

“He still needs rest.”

Teacher Ma nodded, then glanced at the girl beside her.

Too pretty… The kind of pretty that even girls would like.

Teacher Ma was relieved that Jiang Cheng’s stay was temporary—otherwise, her class would become chaos.

Especially with Wang Yu in her class… trouble was guaranteed.

The rumors about Jiang Cheng’s supposed romance had died down recently after confirming it was just a misunderstanding.

But now another “Jiang Cheng” appeared. Teacher Ma couldn’t help thinking about teenage restlessness again.

“Jiang Cheng, let’s focus on studying, alright?”

“Yes, teacher, you’re right.” Jiang Cheng didn’t quite know why, but she nodded earnestly.

She only wanted to get into a good school and ease her mom’s burden in the future.

Teacher Ma smiled kindly, patting her shoulder.

“By the way, Teacher Ma, please keep my relationship with my cousin confidential.”

Teacher Ma nodded knowingly.

“Don’t worry, I understand.”

Following Teacher Ma, Jiang Cheng entered the classroom.

The teacher looked around at the students reciting their lessons and clapped her hands.

“Everyone, pause for a moment. We have a new student joining our class temporarily. Please be friendly.”

From the back row, Wang Yu called out teasingly.

“Teacher Ma, what’s with the formal intro? Is she some kind of beauty?!”

Laughter broke out among the boys.

Teacher Ma glared at him.

“Enough! Quiet, all of you! Jiang Cheng, come in.”

The girl outside stepped in, her name still echoing in everyone’s ears.

Wait—Jiang Cheng? 

The same name as their top student?

As soon as she entered, the whole class collectively gasped.

Silence followed.

No one dared to make noise, afraid to disturb this cool yet sweet-faced girl.

Jiang Cheng’s expression stayed calm. She knew most of them already and walked confidently to the blackboard to write her name.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Jiang Cheng. I like studying.”

“Little sis?! Why is it you?!” 

Wang Yu stood up, shocked.

Jiang Cheng gave him a disdainful look and made a shushing gesture.

Guess I won’t have time to warn him not to talk nonsense anymore.

Remembering Jiang Cheng’s earlier request, Teacher Ma quickly intervened.

“Wang Yu, enough! Come to my office after class!”

The morning self-study ended amid laughter and chatter.

Jiang Cheng sat at her cousin’s usual seat. 

After class, waves of classmates crowded around, leaving her overwhelmed.

Girls who rarely spoke to her before now gazed at her admiringly, asking endless questions.

“Jiang classmate, can I call you Cheng Cheng? You’re so cute…”

Jiang Cheng rubbed her forehead. 

Wasn’t the class monitor supposed to be more serious than this?

“Yeah! Your skin’s so nice too. What products do you use?”

She listed a few brands—all from the mysterious suitcase.

“I’ve tried those too… but my skin’s not as good as yours.”

Jiang Cheng shifted awkwardly as one of them reached to touch her face.

This is nothing like how I imagined school would be…!

Her reserved attitude didn’t drive the girls away—if anything, it made her seem even more charming.

I feel like I’m drowning in a field of flowers, she thought, and I can’t breathe.

“Make way, make way! Teacher Ma said don’t crowd the new student. Sis, you okay?”

“Wang Yu, calling her sis already?”

“Of course, she’s my Jiang—ahem, my goddess.”

“That’s gross.”

“Ugh—!”

Wang Yu’s buddies joined in the banter, clearing away some of the crowd.

Jiang Cheng glanced at him secretly, only for him to notice and flash a bright grin.

“Still gross,” Jiang Cheng said mercilessly.

More laughter followed at Wang Yu’s expense.

When the bell rang, the noisy energy finally settled down.

It’s only the first day… Jiang Cheng sighed inwardly and pulled out her textbook from her bag.