Chapter 91: The Innermost Bedroom
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: The Innermost Bedroom
I was eating the dinner I’d ordered, seemingly a bit too engrossed in the TV, and didn’t realize Dongli Yiren had come downstairs until she reached the living room.
"Oh? You’ve made your choice?" Once I snapped out of it, I tried to hide the slight embarrassment of being caught staring at the screen and quickly struck up a conversation.
"Yes. The room at the very end," Dongli Yiren said with a nod. She walked around the coffee table and sat on the sofa opposite me.
"The lighting isn't great back there, and it’s quite a walk from the stairs," I remarked casually.
However, I wasn't particularly surprised that she chose the innermost guest room. After all, being at the far end meant the least amount of foot traffic; it was unlikely anyone would ever just happen to pass by her door.
This would minimize the chances of anyone hearing whatever she was doing inside. As for what she might actually be doing in her bedroom... well, I couldn't exactly say that out loud.
I didn't know Dongli Yiren that well, so it wouldn't be right to make wild assumptions.
A young man who has just reached adulthood naturally has a desire to understand his own body, let alone one who has suddenly had their gender swapped. Regardless of whether they’re willing to accept the reality, failing to understand their new physical anatomy would definitely impact their daily life later on.
"I... I like dark places."
"Alright then, suit yourself." I glanced at her, tossed my empty takeout box into the trash, and followed up with a question. "But it’s already this late. Aren't you going to eat something to tide you over?"
"Tide me over..." Hearing this, Dongli Yiren subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, then looked at the clock on the living room wall. "Ah? Is it already that time?"
"What did you think? You should probably order some takeout. The academy cafeteria is quite far from here. Or you could go out and grab a bite at a street stall, though delivery fees around here are pretty steep."
"I... I, uh... I don't have the habit of eating dinner." After hesitating for a few seconds, Dongli Yiren stammered out a lie that even I didn't believe.
Her initial reaction was the natural response of someone realizing it was mealtime, but for some reason, she had clearly changed her mind.
Was she too excited because she just got her Witch Four-Piece Set?
She didn't look the part. Was she out of money? But she had just transferred money to me earlier, so that shouldn't be it.
"Really? Skipping dinner isn't good for your health." I gave a token bit of advice and prepared to get up and leave. Whatever her reason was, if she insisted, there was nothing I could do.
I couldn't exactly force her to eat, could I?
I wasn't that bored.
She didn't seem as fun to tease as Quan Xiuzhu; she gave off a sense of distance. My initial assessment was that she was still very conscious of the "men and women should keep their distance" mindset.
Once she’s fully "fallen," things will probably get better.
Rather than dwelling on that, I was more interested in what my other roommates would be like. Since Dongli Yiren had made the first move, the others would likely be arriving soon.
Still, I had to admit, those arriving at this stage were either girls who came of their own volition or freshmen who had been "tricked" into coming. I was starting to wonder if this villa would end up being filled entirely with boys.
The academy probably took that into consideration. Even if their bodies were now girls, their mindsets weren't necessarily there yet. Forcing them in with actual girls would only lead to unnecessary trouble and unhappiness for everyone.
Besides, putting a group of gender-swapped boys together might actually lead to some mutual sympathy.
They wouldn't cause trouble and might even comfort one another. It sounded like a perfect arrangement—in theory, at least.
Since it was Dongli Yiren’s first night, I broke my usual routine and didn't take a full bath. I just gave myself a quick sponge bath and washed and conditioned my hair.
I’d leave the experience of a proper bath to Dongli Yiren.
It was a golden opportunity to shed one's clothes and have a frank, honest encounter with one's own self!
I didn't think Dongli Yiren would refuse.
Sure enough, under my "encouragement," she reluctantly trudged into the bathroom. Unfortunately, she didn't have a change of clothes yet.
But that wasn't my problem. I just wanted to watch her take a bath.
Wait, no!
That’s not right. I was simply curious about how long it would take her to bathe in that body. It was pure curiosity.
It wasn't some perverted act of voyeurism!
I just hoped she wouldn't make any strange noises while she was in there.
After seeing Dongli Yiren safely into the bathroom, I walked away. I’m a gentleman; I wouldn't peek.
I simply stood around the corner, leaning against the wall to listen to the commotion. I have to say, this is a bit of a skill in itself.
The water in the bathroom splashed loudly. I could almost picture her clumsily trying to manage her wet hair, struggling to get it to look the way she wanted.
But how could long, wet hair ever be obedient?
Even I find washing my hair a bit of a chore to this day, so it must be even worse for Dongli Yiren.
After listening for a short while, I found it boring. Dongli Yiren wasn't doing anything strange at all.
Better to go back to my room, sleep early, and wake up early. Tomorrow, I had to keep working at the bakery to make the big bucks!
A while after I left, a short, sharp moan escaped from the bathroom. However, the sound of the water mostly masked it, and since it was cut off abruptly, it was obvious that Dongli Yiren had covered her mouth just in time.
As for what she was actually doing, no one would ever know.
* * *
The night passed without incident.
To be safe, I had even locked my door and windows. I didn't think Dongli Yiren had the guts to try anything—nor did she have the "tools" to commit a crime—but you can never be too careful.
When I woke up in the morning, I found that Dongli Yiren was already up. With a biological clock like that, she truly was a top student worthy of the Three Great Rivers.
However, after one night, her hair had become incredibly frizzy. I guessed she must be a restless sleeper who tossed and turned on her hair; otherwise, it wouldn't look quite so "free" this morning.
"Up so early, Dongli Yiren? Heading out for something?" I greeted her habitually, mostly out of politeness.
"Huh? No... no. I’m just used to it. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I got up." Dongli Yiren seemed equally surprised that I was up so early. After all, school hadn't started yet, so there shouldn't be anything to do.
"I see. Well, if you’re bored, you can walk around the academy. There are plenty of interesting places to see."
After finishing my morning routine and tidying myself up, I prepared to head out. I wanted to get to the bakery early to see if I could snag some free breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, I wondered where Dongli Yiren was going to eat.
She didn't eat dinner last night either. Was she trying to live on air?
"Um... wait! You’re going out?"
"Yeah, for my part-time job. A mature girl should find ways to support herself," I said with a casual smile. Looking at her, though, she seemed like the type who could live quite well without ever needing a job.
I was a little jealous.
"A part-time job? Wait! Where do you work?" Dongli Yiren’s eyes widened as she asked urgently.
"Just a bakery nearby. Can't talk, I’ve got to go. If you don't want to go out, remember to hold down the fort."
With that, I shut the door, leaving a hesitant Dongli Yiren behind.
Dongli Yiren thought it over, her gaze shifting toward the front door. After a few seconds of internal struggle, she opened the door and followed me out.