“So why did you drag me along for your date with your girlfriend? I mean, I’m happy to get a free meal, but you know I’m socially anxious.”
On the road, Yu Qing and Li Ming walked side by side, stopping at the traffic light.
He looked at Li Ming’s calm face, a bit puzzled.
Ever since that awkward incident on Tuesday, Li Ming’s attitude towards Yu Qing had been strange.
Although he tried his best to hide it, he wasn’t exactly an Oscar-winning actor.
The occasional look in his eyes still sent chills down Yu Qing’s spine.
Do you guys know?
There’s a ghost living in our dormitory.
Thanks to him, Yu Qing really didn’t dare use the Black Pearl these days.
Before, he’d sometimes think that even if he used it one more time, any changes wouldn’t be too drastic, given how slowly the pearl shrank.
But the last change, while big, was still nothing compared to the earlier subtle ones.
After all, turning from a slightly handsome boy into a peerless genius with the aura of Nan Liang overnight—anyone could tell something was off.
But overall, it was still manageable.
Actually, even a complete transformation wouldn’t matter that much.
At that point, he could just do what male leads in novels did: put on heavy makeup to look ordinary, use a chest binder to hide the goods, and speak in a hoarse voice.
That way, he probably wouldn’t be discovered by others…
Like hell!
What kind of godly plot turns an average boy into a peerless beauty overnight, and then lets them survive in a boys’ dormitory like it’s nothing?!
Are all the roommates blind?!
Besides, if your whole appearance changes, what about the dormitory’s access control system?
You can’t possibly claim makeup can fool that too, right?
If you had that kind of skill, why would you still be in college?
Though the topic had gone off track, the gist was the same.
If Yu Qing didn’t intend to make the final decision, then using the Black Pearl again came with significant risks.
Ever since coming back from the rehearsal room the day before yesterday, Yu Qing had been thinking about this.
Should he stop transforming?
Basically impossible.
Yu Qing had long since gotten a taste for it.
Suppressing the urge for a short time was fine, but going too long without releasing it could really mess with his body.
What’s more, the previous attempts had left him strangely fascinated by all things female, as if discovering a new world.
That deep, soul-pleasing joy had already tainted him.
So now, there was only one option left—using a new film.
Yu Qing had speculated before: if the transformation ability of a Black Pearl was cumulative, would switching to a new Black Pearl reset the process?
With this in mind, Yu Qing had once again picked up that mysterious camera for a closer look, but just like before, he found nothing wrong.
And if things kept going like this, there probably wouldn’t be any progress.
So rather than tiptoeing around due to the side effects of the current Black Pearl and hesitating over the camera’s unknown costs, only to end up failing completely, Yu Qing decided to use a new film one more time.
And in his plan, the top candidate for the new film’s use remained Fu Yi.
But the final decision wasn’t made, so it dragged on until now—until today, when Li Ming dragged him out, which was also a chance to get some air.
Back to the present.
“I told you, it’s a gathering, not a date.”
Hearing Yu Qing’s grumbling, Li Ming pushed his glasses up, speaking helplessly.
“My girlfriend brought a few girls on her side.
I can’t just show up empty-handed, can I?
Zhang Li Haoxuan is busy with job applications, and another friend already has a girlfriend.
They can’t make it.
I only have a few friends.
If none of them go, who else can I bring?
You wouldn’t let your buddy be the only guy in a group of women, left to die, right?”
“You brought several girls? You’re really something!”
Honestly, it’s not that I’m stingy or don’t want to help you.
The green light came on.
Yu Qing put on a surprised, even suspicious, expression as he crossed the street with the crowd.
Once on the other side, he grabbed Li Ming’s shoulder, turned him around, and half-joked.
“But are you sure you won’t say something dumb like ‘men pay for everyone’ at the table?
If you insist on being a sucker, I can help clean up your mess, but let me give you some advice: no matter how much you spend, girls who don’t like you will just think you’re an idiot with too much money.”
You couldn’t blame Yu Qing for overthinking.
His social experience eating with unfamiliar women was nearly zero.
Most of his knowledge came from hearsay or online jokes.
Though he didn’t take internet stories as gospel, in today’s unpredictable society, it’s better to be cautious.
Otherwise, you’d end up regretting it and looking like a clown.
Li Ming was stunned by Yu Qing’s words, then realized what he meant and couldn’t help but smile.
He explained:
“I’m not dumb enough for that. Forget the ‘men pay’ thing—it’s not even AA. At these gatherings, everyone pays for their own order. Besides…”
He paused, glanced around, then pointed at Wu Yue Plaza not far away, continuing.
“Besides, we’re eating at a buffet this time. Everyone just buys their own ticket. That’s it.”
Asking girls out to eat at a buffet?
You’re unbelievable.
Yu Qing tugged at the corner of his mouth but didn’t say more.
Indeed, Li Ming always acted shy and innocent, but he was sharper than anyone inside.
Worrying about him was pointless—better to think about how to avoid messing up in front of him in the future.
“Fine, fine, you’ve thought it through. By the way, do you know which girls are coming?”
The two entered the mall and got on the elevator.
About to have a meal with a bunch of girls, Yu Qing couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.
Through the reflection on the elevator’s wall, Yu Qing checked his current appearance.
After the Black Pearl’s transformation, he wasn’t exactly stunning, but at least somewhat delicate.
Well, though it sounded odd, the term ‘delicate beauty’ felt off for a guy.
But it couldn’t be helped.
The Black Pearl’s changes basically turned him into a junior schoolgirl, so even becoming more attractive made him look more feminine.
Now, at a glance, he was clearly male, but might make others suspect he was a tomboy.
But it didn’t matter.
If he wasn’t afraid of being discovered too soon, Yu Qing even wanted the changes to be more obvious.
That way, even without fully transforming, he could satisfy his new interests.
Besides, what if a pretty girl happened to like his type?
Once he became a full-on schoolgirl, he could find a mutual crush and sleep in the same bed—wouldn’t that be great?
Just imagining lying comfortably on a pillow with a pretty girl on top…
Wait!
Yu Qing frowned, realizing something was off.
Why did he subconsciously picture himself as the one lying down?
It must be a mistake, right!