With a subtle, indescribable sense of anticipation even he couldn’t explain, Yu Qing wandered to the Old Photo Studio behind the school right after class the next day.
He chose the self-service development package—he’d rather fumble through it himself than talk to the old master.
In the cramped Darkroom, only the Red Safety Lamp emitted a faint glow, and the unique chemical scent of Developer Solution and Fixer Solution lingered in the air.
Somehow, the environment put Yu Qing at ease, as if he’d been cut off from the outside world.
Following the steps from memory, he carefully fed the film into the developing tank, controlling temperature and time.
Though his movements were clumsy, his focus was intense.
The rinsing process went smoothly.
Watching the images slowly appear in the clear water—sunset, red walls, a fat cat—each carried the unique texture of film.
A small sense of accomplishment slowly swelled in his chest.
Until the last one.
It was Fu Yi’s Photo.
The moment the water washed over the photo paper, Yu Qing’s heart gave a sharp jolt.
Something was wrong.
The other Photos floated obediently, absorbing water and becoming clearer.
Only Fu Yi’s curled up, edges shrinking in an instant, as if seized by some invisible force.
Her bright smile and the background twisted and collapsed at an unnatural speed!
Color was no longer color, light no longer light—everything spun and merged violently, as if sucked into a tiny black hole, until finally—
“Tap.”
A barely audible yet crisp sound of something dropping into water.
The photo paper, once holding a smiling face, vanished from the tank without a trace.
In its place was a round bead about the size of a fingernail, resting at the bottom.
Its entire surface was a deep, ink-black, as if it could absorb all light.
Smooth and impossibly glossy, it reflected a mysterious sheen under the Red Safety Lamp.
Its texture didn’t seem ordinary at all—more like a kind of dark gemstone no one had ever seen.
What happened?
Yu Qing’s breath caught, pupils widening.
Almost on instinct, he glanced around to confirm he was alone in the Darkroom.
His heart thundered in his chest, blood rushing to his ears with a buzzing noise.
Not an illusion.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
With trembling fingers, he reached into the water and fished out the Black Pearl.
It felt cold, hard, and perfectly round, with a weight and coolness like jade—but somehow deeper.
Clutching the bead tightly, the chill helped clear his scrambled mind.
The Camera… it was the Camera’s problem!
Yu Qing quickly ran through everything he knew about the Camera.
Obviously, no Camera in the world could turn a developed Photo into a Black Pearl!
He glanced at the other perfectly normal landscape shots in the tank.
So, does it only target portraits?
Or only living beings?
Or… just “Fu Yi”?
The thought sent a chill crawling up his spine.
Yet powerful curiosity and the fantasy of mysterious powers temporarily outweighed his unease.
Yu Qing scrutinized the Black Pearl in his palm, searching for clues.
He squeezed it, but it didn’t budge—a hardness beyond belief.
Under the red light, he thought he could see deeper currents swirling within, so much that staring too long made him feel as if his mind might be pulled inside.
What’s it for? He had no idea.
There was no manual, and no supernatural sign popped up to offer hints.
Unable to figure it out, Yu Qing had no choice but to dry the Black Pearl and slip it into the inside pocket of his jacket, pressing it against his chest.
The icy touch seeped through the fabric, like a silent secret.
He hung up the rest of the normal Photos to dry, tidied up the workspace, made sure not to leave any trace of strangeness, and then left the Photo Studio as if nothing had happened.
Outside, the afternoon sun was blinding.
Yu Qing unconsciously touched the Black Pearl in his pocket, the cold foreignness constantly reminding him of the bizarre scene he’d just experienced.
He had to tell Fu Yi the Photo was gone.
How to explain? Say it got ruined? Operational error?
He took out his phone and opened the Chat Interface with Fu Yi—filled with mostly white chat bubbles and a few scattered green ones.
His finger hovered over the Screen, struggling with what to say.
He typed, deleted, typed again.
[Yu Qing]: Junior, sorry, your Photo… I think I messed up during development and ruined it… [Crying Face.jpg]
He sent a crying emoji in hopes of softening the blow.
Not long after, his phone buzzed.
[Fu Yi]: Ah? What a shame!
It’s okay, senior!
That old Camera was probably too complicated!
Just take another one for me next time!
[Head Pat.jpg]
Seeing her instant reply and completely unconcerned tone, Yu Qing’s guilt only deepened.
Even knowing Fu Yi was always this friendly to everyone, he couldn’t help but hold onto a tiny hope that he might be special.
It was an inevitable, otaku’s hope buried in his heart—even if he knew it was impossible.
So he instinctively didn’t want to disappoint or sadden Fu Yi.
[Yu Qing]: My fault.
I’ll buy you a milk tea as apology next time.
[Fu Yi]: Yay, yay! I’ll remember that! It has to be a super large cup!
[Happy Spin.jpg]
After the brief conversation, Yu Qing breathed a sigh of relief—at least he’d gotten away with it for now.
He put his phone away and decided to head back to the Dormitory for a while to calm his rattled nerves and think about what to do with the Black Pearl.
He walked with his head down, deep in thought, not paying much attention to his surroundings.
He did vaguely notice, though—it seemed like more people than usual were looking his way?
Passing a glass display, he thought he glimpsed a tall, slender reflection in the corner of his eye, but he didn’t pay it any mind.
His shoes felt a bit loose, but Yu Qing quickly forgot about them, too focused on the Black Pearl. Nothing else mattered.
It wasn’t until he habitually walked to the Dormitory building, looked at the Surveillance Camera, and prepared to scan his face to open the familiar Glass Door, that he subconsciously glanced up at the Camera Screen above the entrance—
A face appeared clearly on the screen.
It was a stunningly beautiful, ice-cold face.
Pale skin, high nose bridge, shapely lips, and large, bright eyes that radiated a chilling sense of distance.
Long, ink-black hair, a few strands draping along the cheeks.
This face… Yu Qing knew it too well!
Though different from usual—colder and more intimidating—there was no doubt.
It was Fu Yi’s face!!!
Yu Qing froze on the spot, blood seeming to turn to ice.
He blinked in disbelief and shook his head hard.
On the Screen, the “Fu Yi” there mimicked the exact same motion, with the same shocked and confused expression.
A wave of cold shot from his feet to his skull.
Yu Qing shakily reached up and touched his own face.
The sensation—smooth and delicate—was completely different from his original skin!
On the Screen, the “Fu Yi” did the same.
With a buzzing sound, Yu Qing’s mind went blank.
Shocked, or perhaps excited, or maybe both.
He abruptly lowered his head and looked at his body.
He was still wearing his usual gray hoodie and brown shorts, but… his shoulders seemed narrower?
His frame smaller?
And at his chest… there was an unnatural swell, pushing the Black Pearl in the inside pocket even closer to his skin.
The icy touch was painfully clear!
No wonder… no wonder so many people were looking at him on the way!
They hadn’t been looking at “Yu Qing” at all!
They were staring at “her”—with Fu Yi’s face, wearing men’s clothes, cold and beautiful!
Panic washed over Yu Qing like freezing water, but thankfully his impressive endurance kept him from collapsing on the spot, sparing the junior’s reputation.
Instinctively, Yu Qing pulled up his hood to hide the striking face, and quickly left the male Dormitory.
Body swap?
Or just transformation?
Yu Qing’s heart was pounding hard enough to burst, a strange excitement flooding his mind.
There was only one thought echoing wildly.
The bead!
It was the bead!
The chill on his chest was fading, but Yu Qing could still feel the Black Pearl pressing under his clothing, rolling up and down as he hurried, the movement rubbing against a newly sensitive area and sending tingles through his body.
His face under the hood flushed bright red.