Crossdress Ch15

This touched on a topic Xu Yan wasn’t very familiar with, but he figured that nowadays, whether you’re working or studying, the pressure is huge. It’s not uncommon for people to have physical or psychological issues—some hidden condition or secret—totally normal.

Besides, it was a matter of personal privacy. Xu Yan had no intention of digging deeper and just replied out of politeness.

[Yanyan]: If you’re feeling troubled, gege, you can talk to me. I’ll listen seriously and promise not to tell anyone.

[year]: You really don’t get it?

[Yanyan]: I do~

[Yanyan]: [Cat reading seriously.jpg]

When he didn’t get a reply after a while, Xu Yan suddenly remembered something and switched to his main account to message the luxury shop assistant.

[Xu Yan]: Jiejie, when will the parts for the Spade K lighter arrive? I dropped by the store last time—just wanted to check the progress on the order.

It had already been over a week. Even if they had to contact the European manufacturer, there should’ve been some update by now.

[Clerk]: So sorry, darling~ The manufacturer still hasn’t responded. The model you have is a global limited edition, so there’s no stock. You may need to wait a little longer, okay?

[Xu Yan]: Alright, can you please notify me as soon as there’s an update? Sorry to trouble you.

[Clerk]: Totally understand how eager you are~ I’ll push them for an update again 

[Xu Yan]: Thank you, jiejie!

[Clerk]: You’re welcome, darling 

By the time class ended, year still hadn’t messaged back.

When the bell rang, Xu Yan immediately grabbed his bag and pulled Shen Nanli along to leave, afraid Zhou Zhengyi would corner him again. The two squeezed through the crowd and had just stepped onto the tree-lined path when someone tugged at Xu Yan’s backpack strap from behind.

Xu Yan’s patience had nearly hit its limit. He yanked the strap free and turned around, snapping,
“Can you stop following me—!”

“Junior,” Lin Xingxian retracted his hand, smiling, “Sorry, did I scare you?”

Xu Yan was indeed startled. His attempt at a fierce frown hadn’t relaxed yet, making his normally soft and dewy doe eyes narrow into slits, and his lips form a thin, red line.

Unfortunately, it had no intimidation factor at all. He looked like a kitten trying to be fierce toward its owner—adorably harmless.

Xu Yan instinctively glanced past Lin Xingxian.

Wen Sinian was standing beneath the trees just behind him, the shade casting his sharp features into darkness. Moonlight spilled through the leaves, creating shifting patches of light and shadow on his defined face.

He said nothing, gaze lowered and calm.

But if one looked closer, there was a heavy sense of pressure and scrutiny in that gaze, like he was trying to pierce through Xu Yan’s delicate surface to see the truth beneath.

Xu Yan only met his eyes for a second before hurriedly looking away.

“Sorry, senior. I didn’t realize it was you—I thought it was someone else…”

“I saw how fast you ran after class—almost couldn’t catch up. Is someone following you?” Lin asked, glancing over his shoulder and spotting Zhou Zhengyi still hovering at the building entrance.

Xu Yan saw him too and quickly pulled Shen Nanli closer to hide behind the two seniors.

Wen Sinian subtly moved sideways, just enough to block Xu Yan’s figure from view.

Zhou Zhengyi looked around a couple of times, didn’t see anyone, then slung an arm around his buddies and walked off.

Xu Yan puffed out his cheeks in relief, then turned to ask, “Senior, is there something else you needed?”

“Yes, yes!” Lin Xingxian quickly said. “I wanted to ask a favor. Are you free sometime soon?”

“I might be a little busy, but it’s okay. You can tell me what it is first.”

“Remember I asked if you could help find a girl from your class to pose as a figure model? I looked over my last painting and wasn’t satisfied. I want to redo it and need another model.”

Xu Yan asked, “Do you want someone from our class again? Someone I know?”

“Yep. From your class. You know them.”

As he spoke, Lin Xingxian started rummaging through Wen Sinian’s bag and pulled out a clear glass water bottle, shoving it into Xu Yan’s hands.

“This time, can it be you, Junior?” Lin smiled. “I think you’re perfect. If you can help me out, I’ll work around your schedule and even pay you—1,000 yuan a day. Totally fair, right? Please? Pretty please?”

He sounded sincere, and 1,000 yuan a day was no small amount. Xu Yan was clearly tempted.

Lin Xingxian pressed further: “It’s really simple. You just have to pose a bit, that’s all. What do you say?”

Xu Yan hesitated, asking cautiously: “Senior… you’re not drawing the, um, nude kind of figure study, right?”

He’d seen those on TV—many required models to strip down completely.

“Of course not! You’ll be clothed,” Lin Xingxian chuckled, ruffling his hair. “You’re so cute, Junior.”

Xu Yan relaxed and nodded, “Okay then, I’ll do it.”

Lin Xingxian was so happy he almost went in for a hug—but before he could, Wen Sinian yanked the back of his collar so hard he nearly toppled over.

Xu Yan didn’t notice the small tussle. He was looking down at the bottle in his hands, where the label read “Icelandic.”

Noticing his hesitation, Lin Xingxian snatched the bottle and stuffed it directly into Xu Yan’s bag.
“Take it! Don’t be so polite with your senior Wen. It’s a gift.”

Xu Yan looked up, surprised and a bit confused. His eyes went round and bright again as he glanced at Wen Sinian.

Maybe it was the innocent look on his face—so open and easy to read—that made people feel happy just looking at him.

“Mm,” Wen Sinian’s lips curled ever so slightly. “It’s for you.”

***

 

On the way back to the dorm with Shen Nanli, Xu Yan was still trying hard to recall the night of the party when he got drunk. Who drank the bottle of water from his bag?

Did he drink it himself? Or had he already given it away?

He couldn’t remember at all. Damn it.

Drinking is bad. Drinking causes trouble.
He swore he would never drink again.

A few days later, Xu Yan finally received his package.

He waited until his roommates were out, then opened it in the dorm.

It was a wine-red, fitted, modern-style qipao. The waist was cinched tight, the collar embroidered with pearl buttons, and the soft fabric slid over his pale arms like melting cherry jam.

He held it up in front of him and stood before the full-length mirror on the balcony. The size seemed about right—he should fit into it just fine.

He drew the curtains closed, took off his clothes, and got ready to try it on.

Just as he pulled down his pants, a sudden “ding-dong” sound broke the silence.

Startled, Xu Yan froze, almost tripping over the pants at his ankles. He stared wide-eyed toward the door in alarm.

Then came another “ding-dong” from his desk. Glancing at his phone screen, he remembered he had turned the ringtone back on today. It was just a message notification.

His heart, which had almost leapt into his throat, finally settled. He decided to ignore the message and change clothes first.

He undid all the pearl buttons on the qipao, pulled the zipper halfway down the back, and carefully lifted it up to slip into it.

Once inside, he stood barefoot on the cold tile floor, facing the mirror as he tried to fasten the collar buttons.

One by one, the small, smooth pearl buttons were deftly secured by his fingers. Soon, the buttons across his chest were all done.

But there was still a hidden zipper in the back, starting from the nape of his neck and running down to his lower back.

Xu Yan struggled for a while but could only pull the zipper up to just below his shoulder blades. It felt stuck in the fabric and wouldn’t budge any further.

With both arms twisted awkwardly behind him, he strained to grab the zipper pull, rising onto tiptoe in a futile attempt to close it.

After several failed attempts, his fingers aching, he gave up. With no one to help zip him up, he had to leave the collar half-loose, exposing a wide swath of his pale, delicate nape and upper back.

He glanced in the mirror. If he only took front-facing photos and angled his shoulder slightly, it wouldn’t show.

He picked up his phone to take pictures and saw that the earlier message had come from his alt account. He tapped to check.

[year]: Feeling a little annoyed.

[year]: When are you posting again?

Perfect timing—he was just about to take photos.

[Yanyan]: I’m about to post soon~ 

He switched to the camera, straightened his skirt, adjusted the side slit to make sure it didn’t show too much, and posed carefully to highlight the dress’s slim-fit cut. The hem hugged his long legs—since he was taller than most girls, a good portion of his calves were bare.

He took selfies for a while, trying various angles, and selected the one he was most satisfied with.

Another message came in.

[year]: Send the unedited version.

Xu Yan remembered his promise. He sent the fresh, unfiltered original—no edits, completely real.

The photo started just below his neck. The vivid red flowed down his slim chest, cinching tightly at the waist and flaring out slightly at the hips, finally resting on his smooth, pale calf.

He wore no shoes—his bare feet were so white they seemed to reflect light. His toes curled slightly from the chill of the tile floor—adorably pitiful.

He looked like a begonia flower blooming against creamy porcelain—delicate, trembling, as if a light breeze could blow it down.

Even though the slit revealed no skin, the clean, elegant look carried a subtle allure, stirring the imagination.

As Xu Yan was adding filters and choosing background music, another message arrived.

[year]: First time wearing a qipao?

[Yanyan]: Yes! What do you think, gege?

[year]: Stand with the slit side showing.

Xu Yan turned sideways in the mirror, keeping his upper body forward while angling his hips and legs, then snapped a photo.

[Yanyan]: Like this? Is it prettier?

[year]: More angle.

Xu Yan twisted further. The slit now faintly revealed a bit of pale skin.

[Yanyan]: How about now?

There was no reply for a moment. Xu Yan stared at the mirror. It did look better than the first one. Encouraged, he tried harder and asked again.

[Yanyan]: Then… this one?

The dress opened slightly at the slit, revealing a hidden glimpse of leg. The vibrant red fabric trailed upward from his long, pale calf. The intense saturation of the color, coupled with the soft folds at his waist, made his waist and hips all the more striking…

Xu Yan looked left and right, unsure how to improve further. He decided to post the last one.

Just before switching apps, the reply finally came:

[year]: Send the first one.