My girlfriend isn't as cute as me.

But it's not her fault. Lin Jiu used to stare at her chest at the cashier, and she thought she hadn't noticed. That little pervert always puts on a serious face, but she's already figured him out.

In reality, Lin Jiu was only staring at the fresh milk that Wang Yuting was holding. It was all because Wang Yuting always chose milk that was close to its expiration date, which meant that Lin Jiu had no milk to drink and her growth had stopped.

"So, what kind of person are you, really?"

Wang Yuting gently touched Lin Jiu's cheek; his skin was so smooth it didn't look like a boy's. Regarding the mystery of Lin Jiu's gender, Wang Yuting had initially had some doubts, but she had secretly peeked at him a few times last night when she was wiping his body and changing his clothes.

People can't be seen.

This is Wang Yuting's new perspective on Lin Jiu.

She just squatted down in front of the sofa, looking at him curiously.

Wang Yuting first met Lin Jiu a year ago. At that time, she had just come to S City from her hometown. She was like a country bumpkin who knew nothing about the world, and there were many sights she had never seen before.

Compared to my hometown, where you can't see a single person on the streets by 9 pm, this city is still lively even in the middle of the night. Various barbecue stalls are open on the streets, and occasionally someone will do somersaults in front of the store. The lights of McDonald's and KFC make people feel at ease and walk on the street with peace of mind.

With high hopes for the big city, Wang Yuting moved into the house her parents bought for her and began a new life.

However, real life isn't like a shoujo manga. A job you pass an interview for can suddenly become unavailable, forcing you to rearrange all your plans. Because she's not a local resident, she constantly faces setbacks in her job search. She finally lands a managerial position at a shopping mall, only to be overwhelmed by the enormous workload.

During that period, Wang Yuting was so exhausted that she would fall asleep in the entryway as soon as she got home. She didn't do any housework, and she didn't even eat properly. The kitchen was spotless, like a brand new house. Later, fearing that she would make the same mistake again, she prepared a pillow and blanket in the entryway. As a result, she often slept there, saving herself the trouble of climbing back to her room.

This kind of life lasted for nearly a month. Just when Wang Yuting was about to give up and wanted to quit her job and go home, she met Lin Jiu at a convenience store.

"You've worked hard."

A simple sentence, coupled with the most dazzling smile in the world, made Wang Yuting feel that life could go on again.

Unbeknownst to Wang Yuting, after she left, Lin Jiu greeted the next customer with the same smile and strongly recommended, "Miss, you work so hard, why not treat yourself to a vanilla ice cream? The convenience store is having a promotion right now: buy two ice creams and get a free plush toy."

From then on, Wang Yuting would go to the convenience store almost every day to buy something and observe Lin Jiu.

Lin Jiu's serious and responsible attitude towards work, his ever-present confident demeanor, and his flawless, refined appearance—all these qualities made him irresistibly charming. The way he stood on a small stool, straining to reach the cigarette holder, was enough to make anyone want to hold him close and cherish him. Wang Yuting was unconsciously drawn to him; although they rarely spoke, she felt happy every time she saw him.

Because Lin Jiu always looked at the soon-to-expire milk with a worried expression, Wang Yuting was touched by his concern. So, every time she went out, she would pick out fresh milk to take home. Because of drinking so much milk, Wang Yuting felt she had grown quite a bit, and her bra size was no longer suitable, meaning she would probably have to spend more money to buy new ones. But seeing the smile on Lin Jiu's face as he scanned the code on the milk, she felt it was all worth it!

"You need to get better soon."

Wang Yuting pinched Lin Jiu's cheek; it felt so good, she couldn't bear to put it down.

"Hmm? What's that burnt smell—did I forget to turn off the stove?!"

When Lin Jiu forced his heavy eyes open, he saw Wang Yuting, who was covered in dust and dirt.

"...What time is it now?"

"It's three in the afternoon, and you're not sleeping well. Did you have a nightmare?"

Wang Yuting said worriedly. She helped Lin Jiu sit up and then poured him a glass of warm water.

"Thank you, I can drink it myself..."

"No, listen to me, open your mouth."

"Uh……"

Seeing Wang Yuting's determined gaze, Lin Jiu obediently leaned over and drank.

Surprisingly, this seemingly carefree girl is actually quite attentive when it comes to taking care of others.

Lin Jiu thought he would choke on the water, but under Wang Yuting's deliberate control, he drank very slowly. His parched throat was moistened by the water, and his complexion gradually improved.

Perhaps because he had taken a nap, Lin Jiu felt a little better, and his hazy consciousness became much clearer. He felt an unusual sensation on his forehead, reached out and touched it, feeling a delicate, gritty texture on his fingertips.

"Children's fever-reducing patches?"

"You're an expert, you even noticed that." Wang Yuting took out the torn packaging paper from the plastic bag.

"This is a great product. It works by vaporizing the water in the gel to dissipate excess heat from the body, thus lowering body temperature. It reduces fever quickly, has a good cooling effect, and is safe and non-toxic," Lin Jiu murmured.

Perhaps because of his excellent memory since childhood, Lin Jiu often had fevers as a child. Back then, he hadn't learned how to manage his memory, nor did he have the concept of building a bookshelf; he basically just memorized everything he saw. Sometimes, things he didn't understand as a child, he now finds unbearable to recall.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me."

"It's okay, this is what I wanted to do!"

"..."

Why are you so good to me?

They helped me defeat the bad guys, gave me food, and took care of me.

Lin Jiu subconsciously wanted to ask, but a sense of unease crept in, fearing she might receive an answer she hadn't anticipated.

"Um, where's the restroom...?"

Lin Jiu asked somewhat embarrassedly. He had slept all day and now that he was fully conscious, he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"The washroom is over there, it's inside." Wang Yuting smiled and took the blanket off him, preparing to help him stand up, but she suddenly felt Lin Jiu's body stiffen.

Wang Yuting asked, "What's wrong?"

Lin Jiu took a deep breath and slowly asked, "...Excuse me, what kind of dress am I wearing?"

"This is my favorite dress! It's so comfortable to wear!"

"No, that's not the point."

Lin Jiu looked at the dress that clung to his body and gradually fell silent. The dress was so long it covered his legs. So the question was, were his legs short, or was the dress just too long?

No, it's not a perfect fit.

There is a significant difference in bust size that is difficult to overcome.

Lin Jiu silently turned her head to look at Wang Yuting's chest.

How old are you?!

Chapter Ten: Because I Like You

"..."

Lin Jiu felt conflicted.

After simply washing his face with soapy water, he looked at himself in the mirror.

The highly transparent dress made her skin appear snow-white, and her slender hands were as fair as jade, her skin as white as freshly peeled water chestnuts.

Her clear, bright eyes were like amber, honey-colored, and wax-shine. A tiny beauty mark under her left eye added to her charm. Her jet-black hair, undone for a long time, cascaded down her shoulders, the ends slightly curled up, and it exuded a pleasant fragrance.

Lin Jiu touched his face, tilted his head slightly, and showed a helpless expression. It was a face that was so familiar that it felt like he had returned to five years ago... That's right, he stopped growing five years ago.

This matter has always been a source of pain for Lin Jiu.

The idea that boys mature later and suddenly grow taller in middle school is a lie.

From that time on, Lin Jiu never saw her mother again, and naturally, she no longer had to wear the clothes her mother liked.

Wearing a skirt again now, I feel less ashamed and more... a little happy?

How can it be!

Who would be happy about this!

It's just a piece of clothing that looks expensive!

I'm not envious at all, and I'm not excited at all!

Lin Jiu shook his head violently, turned on the tap, and splashed water on his face again to try and clear his head.

"Ugh."

Lin Jiu had just opened the frosted glass door to the bathroom when he saw Wang Yuting.

"sorry!"

"No, um, why should I apologize?"

"I changed your clothes without your permission..."

Wang Yuting belatedly realized why Lin Jiu had suddenly shown that expression. Most boys would feel resistant to this kind of thing, right? Wearing girls' clothes and stuff... But she had no choice! There were no boys' clothes in her house, and her other clothes were too big for Lin Jiu; if she wore a top, she couldn't fit into her pants.

Compared to the petite Lin Jiu, Wang Yuting has a slim waist and long legs, looking like she stepped out of a fashion magazine cover. She can make even ordinary clothes look elegant and fashionable.

"No, you did nothing wrong."

Lin Jiu looked intently at the girl in front of him.

Although she didn't know why he was so kind to her, nothing she did hurt him.

If Wang Yuting hadn't taken him home, helped him change his clothes and wipe his body after he caught a cold and fever from being caught in the rain, and given him a fever-reducing patch... then Lin Jiu's birthday might have become his death anniversary.

Including Wang Yuting's "Hu Gua Shattering Skull Kill" that knocked Liu Hua down, this is the second time she has saved him.

Lin Jiu doesn't like owing people things, but that doesn't mean he won't pay them back.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome!"

This enthusiastic response left Lin Jiu somewhat at a loss for words.

Lin Jiu couldn't think of anything he had that made the other person go to such lengths for him, but he kept it in mind.

In my mind, the book about "Wang Yuting" on the memory bookshelf has unknowingly become a little thicker.

“I bought some cold and fever medicine at the pharmacy. I don’t get sick often, so I don’t know much about this stuff…” Wang Yuting rummaged through the plastic bag, full of energy, “So I asked the clerk to write down how many times a day and how many pills to take on the medicine box. She said it’s best not to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do you have an appetite now?”

Lin Jiu remembered the terrifying smell coming from the kitchen. He instinctively wanted to shake his head, but his stomach still honestly made the sound of the author of Hedgehog Cat.

"Cuckoo-"

This time the sound was noticeably louder than last night's.

"Good boy, good boy." Wang Yuting smiled and touched Lin Jiu's belly, but quickly realized that her action was too intimate and quickly withdrew her hand.

"Wait a moment, I'll go get the porridge. Please put the thermometer under your armpit for at least five minutes!"

"Uh-huh."

Lin Jiu clutched her stomach and silently returned to the sofa, maintaining her bent-over posture.

Don't ask, the answer is that my little brother is restless.

The thermometer was placed on the table. Lin Jiu skillfully shook it, loosened the short sleeves of her dress, and then tucked the thermometer under her arm. The icy feeling made her shiver unconsciously.