"Pfft—!"
Paimon spat out a mouthful of Fat Otaku Happy Water the moment she heard Han Feng.
"W-What?! Random gender changes?!"
Her eyes were as wide as saucers.
There's a reward like that?!
That's terrifying!
Then… should I even read that manga tomorrow?
What if I end up changing gender too?!
That would be beyond embarrassing!
"There are so many rewards… I probably won't be that unlucky."
Paimon hurriedly comforted herself.
Otherwise she'd be scared before even trying.
If Boss Han found out, he'd definitely laugh at her.
"Boss Han's rewards are getting stranger and stranger…"
Lumine's expression was equally complicated.
Earlier there was supposedly a reward that could cause multiple married couples to swap souls.
Now there was one that could change your gender.
Even if it only lasted three days—
In Lumine's mind, Steins;Gate had officially joined Your Name in the "Blacklisted Manga Vault."
Never reading it.
Ever.
Any similar manga in the future?
Also banned.
"Boss… can I refuse this reward?"
After a long silence, Xingqiu forced a bitter smile.
He hadn't transformed yet—but who knew when it would happen?
What if it happened in public?
That would be instant social death.
He didn't want to live in constant anxiety for three days.
"Sorry, rewards can't be retracted once issued."
Han Feng shook his head, then offered advice.
"But you don't have to worry too much. Just stay somewhere secluded for three days."
"Oh?"
Xingqiu's eyes lit up.
That… actually makes sense.
As long as I stay somewhere safe and out of sight—
Even if I transform, no one will know.
"But where?"
He quickly started planning.
Liyue Harbor was definitely out.
Too many people.
If word got back to his family, he'd be finished.
That left—
The wilderness.
He could prepare supplies, build a temporary shelter.
…Just in case, maybe bring some women's clothing too.
In no time, Xingqiu had mapped out a full survival strategy.
"Wow, your mental resilience is impressive. You accepted that fast."
Paimon stared at him in admiration.
If it were her, she'd be crying, making a scene, threatening to hang herself—
Then locking herself indoors forever.
"What choice do I have?"
Xingqiu sighed.
If he had options, he wouldn't choose this either.
As for blaming Boss Han?
He wouldn't dare.
Anyone capable of distributing such rewards so casually was clearly no ordinary person.
As the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, Xingqiu had enough insight to recognize that.
Besides—
It was only three days.
He could endure it.
At least it wasn't permanent.
If it were permanent…
He didn't even want to think about it.
"Hey, don't overthink it. There was an Adeptus named Cloud Retainer who got a Slime Experience Card for seven days!"
Paimon grinned mischievously.
Just thinking about that adorable slime made her want to laugh.
"Cloud Retainer came here too?"
Xingqiu was stunned.
As a Liyue native, he obviously knew the Adepti.
Even she had visited this shop?
This manga store really was extraordinary!
Wait—
Did Paimon just say the Adeptus turned into a slime?!
That's way worse than my situation!
At least I'm still human!
Compared to becoming a slime—
Gender swapping suddenly didn't seem so tragic.
Ah…
Comparison truly is the thief of sorrow.
Instant emotional recovery.
"See? So don't worry so much. Besides, you haven't even—"
Paimon froze mid-sentence.
"Holy—!"
Before their eyes—
Xingqiu's hair suddenly lengthened, cascading down his back.
His facial features softened, becoming even more delicate and adorable.
If not for his current male clothing—he would look exactly like a beautiful young girl.
"I… transformed?"
Feeling the changes in his body, Xingqiu immediately realized what had happened.
Even his voice had become softer and lighter.
"See for yourself."
Han Feng flicked his finger, and a mirror materialized in front of him.
Inside, though, Han Feng couldn't help but sigh.
As expected.
Xingqiu was born for this.
His female form's appearance skyrocketed several levels.
"This is… what I look like after transforming?"
Xingqiu examined himself curiously.
Having mentally prepared himself earlier, he was surprisingly calm.
Instead of anger, he felt… intrigue.
Honestly—the visuals weren't bad.
If his mother saw this, she might actually make him grow his hair out permanently.
Appreciation aside—acceptance was another matter.
"Since the transformation already happened, I'll advance my plan."
He made his decision immediately.
Perfect timing too.
Night had fallen.
Easier to act unnoticed.
"Boss, I need to make preparations now. If anyone sees me like this, I'm done for."
"Go ahead. Just be careful."
Han Feng nodded.
"Oh—and I have one sentence for you."
"Please, Boss."
Xingqiu straightened up seriously.
Words from a master like Boss Han must contain deep wisdom.
He had to treat them with respect.
Han Feng cleared his throat and declared solemnly:
"A man should either wear a suit and strategize the world,
or wear a military uniform and guard the land.
And if all else fails—
wear women's clothing and wreak havoc everywhere."
"Pffft!"
Lumine and Paimon burst into laughter.
Boss Han was too wicked!
Xingqiu was already suffering and he still teased him!
"Th-Thank you, Boss…"
Xingqiu's lips twitched.
He didn't quite understand what a "suit" was—
but the first two lines sounded dignified.
As for the last one—
Wear women's clothing and wreak havoc everywhere.
That line…
Was absolutely poisonous.
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