Suddenly Became a Boy – What Should I Do? - Chapter 73.1

“Your flowers? Your girlfriend?”

Zhang Jianguo stared at Lin Xin’s beaming face, then at Cheng Shiyin’s joyful expression. He was completely unaware of when the bouquet had returned to its rightful owner. After a long pause, the only thing he could say was, “What a coincidence!” The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself.

As Zhang Jianguo reflected on his romantic journey, he realized the timeline from first attraction to bitter rejection had been unreasonably short. Standing in the cold wind, his tall frame shrank slightly, and the vibrant red tracksuit he wore faded to gray. A gust of wind scattered imaginary sand, making him feel like an insignificant speck. Looking at the radiant couple before him—their youthful faces glowing with collagen—he couldn’t help but think, “What am I but a ridiculous fool to insert myself into this scene?”

Covering his face with his sleeve, Zhang Jianguo fled the scene, wailing like a child. The wind from his dramatic exit even sent fallen leaves flying into Lin Xin’s face.

“Let them stay as a bookmark for your memories,” Cheng Shiyin chuckled, pulling a leaf from the bouquet and carefully inserting it among the flowers. The red and green complemented each other beautifully.

Just as Zhang Jianguo re-entered the school grounds, a group of mischievous children—clearly not eager to head home—emerged from nowhere, effectively blocking his escape.

“Go, Mr. Zhang! You can do it!”

“Don’t run away, Mr. Zhang! Giving up is not what a real man does!”

The children had no idea why Zhang Jianguo gave up. They only knew that if you liked someone, you should go for it. Running away without a fight wasn’t an option in their eyes. Circling around Zhang Jianguo, they bombarded him with their innocent honesty.

Zhang Jianguo’s gaze hardened as he looked into the fiery determination in the children’s eyes. Their unyielding passion reignited his own. Retreating along the same path, he returned to Lin Xin and pointed dramatically at him, shouting, “I challenge you to a duel!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, it was as though every child in the world had begun cheering for him. Their excitement rivaled their reaction to summer vacation announcements.

A second-grader in a white princess dress, wearing little leather shoes, marched over. Squeezing through Lin Xin’s legs, she squatted down, rummaged through her bag, and triumphantly pulled out a pair of white gloves. Handing them to Zhang Jianguo, she said earnestly, “Don’t forget your gloves, Mr. Zhang.”

Yes, this was the missing piece Zhang Jianguo hadn’t realized he needed. He took the gloves with a flourish and flung one heavily at Lin Xin, hitting him squarely on the chest. Though it didn’t strike his face, Lin Xin found himself wondering, “What kind of medieval European drama is this? What kind of backwater kingdom is Zhang the princess of? Such a grand gesture!”

“Haha…” Cheng Shiyin failed to stifle her laughter. Seeing her bright, crescent-moon-shaped smile, Lin Xin suddenly thought, “If making her laugh like this means going along with the charade, then so be it.””

His competitive spirit ignited, Lin Xin picked up the glove and responded, “Fine, I accept your challenge!”

“Great!”

The children swarmed Zhang Jianguo, attempting to lift him triumphantly. But given the size difference, it was Zhang Jianguo who ended up lifting the kids instead. Still, the chaos filled everyone with joy.