On Sunday morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a narrow band of light across Yu Qing’s desk.
He scrolled through his phone out of boredom, yet there was an itch in his heart, as if scratched by a cat.
The Black Pearl hidden deep within the Book Shelf seemed to pulse with its own heartbeat, calling out to him with a seductive whisper.
It had been ten whole days.
He had tried to drown that strange craving with daily games, classes, and joking around with his roommates, but with little success.
That feeling of becoming “Fu Yi” was like an addictive poison, silently eroding Yu Qing’s will.
His fingers slid across the screen unconsciously.
Suddenly, a message @All Members popped up in the Class Group Chat— a notice from the Learning Committee Member.
Yu Qing glanced at it indifferently, ready to swipe it away, but his eyes suddenly froze.
The message mentioned this semester’s Traditional Culture Practice Group street survey activity, suggesting that all groups should complete it soon.
And for the group Fu Yi belonged to, the scheduled time seemed to be today.
His heart skipped for no reason, a vague premonition gripping him.
Almost at the same time, his phone vibrated.
A message popped up in the Project Group Chat from Zhou Min, the glasses-wearing girl:
[Zhou Min]: @All Members Don’t forget, everyone! Meet at the West Gate at nine this morning for the survey! I’ve got the questionnaires and materials ready.
Below were several replies of “Received.”
Yu Qing stared at the screen, his finger hovering in the air.
He didn’t reply “Received.”
As a mild social phobic, he had specifically told the group he didn’t like participating in such activities.
Because of his contribution to the plan, everyone readily understood.
So, Yu Qing didn’t need to go to this event.
And once Fu Yi left the School with the group, there wouldn’t be a second Fu Yi inside…
As the time crept closer to nine, there was still no sign of Fu Yi in the group chat.
A mix of anticipation and unease spread in Yu Qing’s chest.
Driven by an urge he couldn’t resist, Yu Qing stood up, changed into an inconspicuous black jacket, put on a mask, and left the dormitory.
He told himself he was just going to stroll near the West Gate, just “happening” to pass by.
Five minutes past nine, West Gate meeting point.
Zhou Min and Lin Wei had already arrived.
Along with them were four others—two boys and two girls.
Six people huddled together, chatting and occasionally looking around, anxiety plain on their faces.
“Why isn’t Fu Yi here yet? Can’t get through on the phone either.”
A short-haired girl complained, kicking at the stones by her feet.
“Yeah, we agreed on nine. She’s usually very punctual,” another boy chimed in.
Zhou Min frowned, dialing again, then took her phone away from her ear and shook her head.
“Still off.”
Yu Qing hid behind a large tree a dozen meters away, his heart pounding.
Can’t be reached?
Yu Qing felt a flicker of disappointment, but then it dawned on him.
Can’t be reached—does that mean not at School?
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but all were soon replaced by a growing, dangerous impulse.
Just this once!
The phrase slithered into his mind like a snake.
Yu Qing practically ran back to the dormitory, locked the door, his heart beating wildly.
His roommates were all out, leaving only his ragged breathing in the empty room.
With trembling hands, he dug out the metal box from deep within the Book Shelf.
The cold Black Pearl fell into his palm, and that familiar, shivering chill surged through his body.
His vision blurred, his body reformed.
Seconds later, the face in the mirror was Fu Yi’s flawless visage.
Taking a deep breath, Yu Qing tried to suppress his excitement and began searching for the clothes he’d bought online.
Finally, she chose a casual outfit Fu Yi might wear.
A milky white knit sweater, light blue straight jeans, and a pair of white sneakers.
Simple, fresh, and perfectly vibrant.
Lastly, Yu Qing put on a mask and a baseball cap, lowered the brim, gathered her hair and tucked it under the cap, then draped her loose jacket to hide her figure.
She followed behind others, slipping out of the dormitory building without a sound.
She planned to walk around the quieter areas of campus, get her thrill, and head back.
Dressed like this, as long as she was careful, no one would find out.
The sunlight was warm.
A breeze carried the scent of early summer grass.
Walking along the road, even with her face covered, the lightness of this body and the occasional glances she felt made Yu Qing’s heart race.
A mixture of guilt and excitement coursed through her veins.
She kept her head down, avoiding the crowds as much as possible, following the tree-lined path toward the Artificial Lake.
“Yiyi?!”
A surprised voice called out from a fork in the road ahead.
?
No way, bro, even here?
Yu Qing froze.
She quickly lowered her head, ready to leave at once.
But her arm was already seized by Zhou Min, who was still holding her phone, the call interface with Fu Yi displayed.
But the screen showed the phone was off.
Zhou Min only glanced at it before hanging up.
A look of shock—and a bit of relief—spread over Zhou Min’s face.
“It’s really you! Where did you go? Your phone’s off too! You’re an adult, how can you go out without your phone? We’ve been waiting for you forever!”
It’s over.
Yu Qing’s mind went blank.
Her cheeks burned under the mask.
She instinctively tried to shake off Zhou Min’s hand and run, but her legs felt rooted to the ground.
Zhou Min stared at Yu Qing in confusion, her tone a mix of complaint and urgency.
“Hey, don’t just stand there! Everyone’s waiting! Hurry, you’re the last one!”
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Yu Qing’s wrist and started pulling her toward the West Gate.
“W-wait, I…”
Yu Qing struggled, but couldn’t think of a decent excuse.
“Wait for what? If we wait any longer the whole morning will be over!”
Zhou Min gave her no chance, her strength surprisingly strong.
“And you, too. Why didn’t you come to the meeting point if you were here? Why are you hiding here by yourself? Wearing a mask, are you uncomfortable?”
“I… have a bit of a cold.”
Yu Qing squeezed out a weak excuse, forced to walk along.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
Now it was too late to run— that would only look more suspicious.
What do I do what do I do what do I do!
What if we run into Mei Xue? Am I exposed?!
I’ll be arrested as a pervert!
Yu Qing’s mind was in chaos, imagining all sorts of social death scenarios.
No, maybe they’d send me to a lab and dissect me, or torture me until I spilled the secret of the camera.
“Got a cold? Is it serious?”
Zhou Min slowed down, looking at her with concern.
“Can you hang in there? Or do you want to rest?”
Go back? Change back?
No… If I go back now, how do I explain suddenly showing up?
Besides, Zhou Min would definitely tell others that “Fu Yi” came and left again.
If the real Fu Yi showed up later, everything would be a mess.
The arrow was drawn, and it must be released.
I can only hope Mei Xue really isn’t at School!
Yu Qing gritted her teeth and forced herself to mimic Fu Yi’s slightly coquettish tone.
“It’s fine, just a stuffy nose. Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep everyone waiting!”
Zhou Min looked at her suspiciously, as if “Fu Yi” was acting strange today, but didn’t press further, pulling her along faster.
At the meeting point, the other two group members were already impatient.
Seeing Zhou Min dragging “Fu Yi” over, the short-haired girl immediately complained.
“Finally, our princess shows up! We’ve nearly turned into dried fish out here!”
“Sorry, sorry!”
Yu Qing apologized quickly, doing her best to sound energetic and give Fu Yi’s usual apologetic smile.
“I got held up, sorry for keeping everyone waiting!”
She quietly watched the reactions of the other four.
The short-haired girl just pouted.
The two boys rubbed their noses, looking away with red ears.
The last girl, sitting and playing on her phone, nodded to Yu Qing without a word.
It really works?
If I were an hour late, I’d get chewed out, wouldn’t I?
No, they’d probably never even wait for me.
The power of this body is terrifying.
Zhou Min handed out questionnaires and pens.
“Okay, everyone’s here, let’s get started. We’ll split up and walk along Xuefu Road toward the Commercial Street, interviewing people about their understanding and views on local traditional crafts and intangible heritage projects…”
With the tasks divided, the seven-person Project Group began their survey.
The beginning was the hardest.
At first, the interviews didn’t go well.
On a weekend morning, most pedestrians hurried by, few willing to answer “boring” questionnaires from a group of students.
After being waved off by five or six people in a row, morale started to dip.
“This is impossible…”
Lin Wei groaned, sprawled on a stone bench with her hands over her face.
“No one even looks at us.”
“It’s normal. Let’s keep at it.”
Zhou Min adjusted her glasses, trying to encourage everyone, but her brows were also knit.
Yu Qing looked at the questionnaire in her hand, then at the stream of hurried passersby.
She took a deep breath.
She knew this couldn’t go on.
Since she was forced to stand here, she had to do something.
Recalling Fu Yi’s confident but friendly manner, she approached an elderly woman resting on a bench.
“Hello, grandma,”
Yu Qing bowed slightly, giving a bright Fu Yi smile she’d practiced countless times in her head.
Her voice was sweet and polite.
“We’re students from Jiangzhou University, conducting a survey about traditional culture. May I ask you a few questions?”
The old woman looked Yu Qing up and down, then broke into a smile.
“My, what a pretty girl! Sure, ask away, grandma’s got time.”
Success?
Yu Qing forced herself to keep smiling, starting the questions.
The old woman not only answered patiently, but also reminisced about traditional festivals from her youth.
Seriously, bro? Is it all about looks?
The interview went smoothly, leaving the group stunned.
“Way to go, Yiyi!”
Lin Wei clung to Yu Qing’s arm, rubbing it against her chest.
“You’re amazing!”
Yu Qing gave a dry laugh, inwardly screaming.
It’s not me—it’s this face!
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, things changed.
When Yu Qing took the initiative, the rejection rate dropped sharply.
A busy aunt carrying groceries slowed down at Yu Qing’s apologetic smile.
“Oh, a student survey? Not easy, not easy. Go ahead, but keep it short.”
Likewise, a young man with headphones, looking aloof, tried to dodge, but stopped and answered briefly when he saw her face.
Even a stern-faced businessman, scolding a subordinate, softened when “Fu Yi” politely explained her purpose, squeezing out a few minutes to fill the questionnaire.
Are you all this weak to pretty faces?
Yu Qing maintained her flawless smile on the outside while ranting inside.
When I was Yu Qing and did these surveys, I’d get more eye-rolls than clouds.
Gradually, Yu Qing found her rhythm.
The expressions and tones she’d imagined Fu Yi might use flowed out naturally.
She livened the atmosphere, encouraged teammates, and guided strangers with ease.
Honestly, Yu Qing even started to enjoy the control and efficiency of “acting.”
Zhou Min recorded data nearby, her eyes showing a hint of surprise as “Fu Yi” handled people skillfully.
Today, Yiyi seemed more… proactive than usual.
And maybe it was just the cold, but there was a faint awkwardness beneath the energy.
But the thought faded quickly, attributed to the ups and downs of being ill.
With Yu Qing’s involvement, progress soared.
In less than two hours, they’d finished all the surveys.
“Amazing! We went above and beyond!”
Lin Wei excitedly counted the questionnaires, looking at Yu Qing like she wanted to kiss her.
“All thanks to Yiyi!”
The boys smiled at Yu Qing too, obvious admiration in their eyes.
Yu Qing pulled off her mask and exhaled deeply.
After acting for so long, she felt more exhausted than after ten straight rounds of games.
She massaged her stiff cheeks and waved her hands.
“It’s nothing, everyone worked hard…”
Her voice trailed off.
Her gaze had accidentally drifted to the corner of the street.
She froze.
Across the road, a familiar tall figure stepped out of a black car.
It was Fu Yi herself.
She wore a neatly tailored dress with a blazer, as if she’d just come from a formal event, her head down, checking her phone as she headed toward School.
!!!!!!!!!!
Yu Qing’s blood ran cold.
Her mind went blank, flooded with terror.