Chapter 23: Why are you so shy?

The “girl” in the mirror wore light makeup.

Her shoulder-length black hair was soft and smooth.

Her cheeks were fair with a rosy flush.

She wore a delicate black-and-white traditional maid outfit.

Am I… actually this good-looking in drag?

Snap out of it.

I’m a guy, standing tall and proud.

Getting mesmerized by my own cross-dressing?

What am I thinking?

I took two deep breaths.

Fighting intense embarrassment, I stepped out.

I stood in front of Zheng and the others.

“Young Master Lu—no, Sister Lu, you look amazing!”

“I knew your features and build were perfect for this.”

“I was right.”

“You could rival An Xue Ruo.”

“If you went to school like this, you’d be the third campus beauty.”

“Get lost.”

“Wear this to school?”

“You’d all laugh me to death.”

I crossed my arms in front.

I bowed slightly to Sister Yan, asking politely.

“How do I look, Sister Yan?”

“Passable?”

I’d refused to work in a maid outfit at first.

But Sister Yan’s offer was too good.

For a first-time worker like me, it was a lot.

“Very pretty.”

“I’m impressed.”

“You look better than actual girls.”

“Worth the high pay.”

“But your voice needs work.”

“A maid needs a girly voice.”

“I’ve practiced voice modulation before.”

“Try it, Xiao Lu.”

“Raise your pitch, like this—ah~.”

“I’ll try.”

“Ah~.”

“Yes, like that.”

“Pull your lips back, relax your tongue.”

“Like this?”

“Uh~ ah~.”

“Exactly!”

“You’re a natural, Xiao Lu.”

“Soft and sweet, no trace of effort.”

“No one would guess you’re a boy.”

“Go try serving a customer.”

She pointed to the door.

A boy my age walked in.

I took a deep breath.

Suppressing my nerves and shyness, I approached him.

“Good evening.”

“What would you like?”

He glanced at me.

A faint blush spread across his face.

He stammered.

“One… black coffee.”

“Less… sugar, less milk… thanks.”

“Okay, please wait.”

I returned to the counter, whispering.

“I didn’t blow my cover, did I?”

“I’m dying of embarrassment.”

“No, no, Young Master Lu.”

“You’re too good-looking.”

“You made the customer shy.”

“Exactly.”

“You’re stunning like this.”

“No one can tell you’re a guy.”

“What’d he order?”

“Black coffee, less sugar, less milk.”

“I’m still freaking out.”

“What if someone recognizes me?”

“I’d die of shame.”

“Zheng, if you blab, we’re done.”

“Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”

“I swear.”

“Be confident, act natural.”

“You’re a total beauty, Xiao Lu.”

“Just a bit flat-chested.”

“Go serve the coffee.”

I pushed down my anxiety and embarrassment.

I picked up the coffee Sister Yan placed on the counter.

I walked slowly to the customer’s table.

I set the coffee gently on the wooden surface, staying calm.

“Your coffee, sir.”

“Please enjoy.”

“O-okay… thanks.”

Buddy, why do you look more nervous than me?

Did a guy like me really make you shy?

I kept a smiling face as best I could.

I turned back to the counter.

Sister Yan patted my shoulder and gave a thumbs-up.

“Nice job.”

“You’re surprisingly perfect as a maid.”

“That’s it for today.”

“Come back tomorrow for your first shift.”

“Don’t be late.”

“Awesome, thanks, Sister Yan.”

“I’m gonna change.”

When I got home, Sister Yuan had dinner ready.

The living room smelled of warm food.

She sat at the table, staring at her phone.

She looked up when she heard me.

“You’re back.”

“Come eat, it’s getting cold.”

“You were so slow, Xiao You.”

I sat at the table.

She’d already served my rice, chopsticks ready.

“It’s only seven.”

“That’s early.”

“Early?”

“Leaving you out there alone?”

“I was worried.”

“What if some bad woman tricked you?”

“I’m not a kid.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t need to worry so much.”

She picked up a piece of braised pork.

She placed it in my bowl.

Her leg stretched out, brushing against mine.

“Not having you by my side…”

“Not seeing you all the time…”

“It makes me uneasy.”

“Especially now that you’ve got secrets you won’t share.”

“If you know, it’s not a secret.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll tell you eventually.”

“Just not now.”

“But I’m still uncomfortable.”

“Unhappy.”

“You’re slipping out of my control.”

“No way.”

“You need to make it up to me.”

“I can’t live under your wing forever.”

“Even if you’re okay with it, I’m not.”

“What kind of compensation do you want?”

I set down my chopsticks.

I looked at her, lost in thought.

“Then… when I kiss you tonight, no resisting.”

“No closing your lips or teeth.”

What?

You’re not planning to French kiss me all night, are you?

“No way.”

“You’d probably grope me too.”

“I wouldn’t sleep a wink.”

“And I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Why do I owe you?”

“Oh?”

“You’ve got a woman’s scent on you.”

“It’s faint, but still.”

“You’re lucky I haven’t pinned you to the table.”

I just talked to Sister Yan for a bit.

You can smell her on me?

“I… I just spoke to a girl.”

“How’s your nose so sharp?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“You hid meeting another woman.”

“Not biting you is me being merciful.”

“You want to negotiate?”

…Fine, no escaping tonight.

“Alright, do what you want.”

“Just don’t keep me up too late.”

“I’ve got class tomorrow.”

“No big deal.”

“My class isn’t till the afternoon.”

“Even if I skip work, no one would care.”

“I’d get chewed out by other teachers.”

“Don’t you care about my safety?”

“Just tell them you’re my brother.”

“They’d go easy on you for my sake.”

“Maybe just a warning.”

“But if you say you’re my boyfriend, I’d be thrilled.”

“I’d be the class’s main gossip.”

“Do you know how much attention ‘your brother’ gets at school?”

“I don’t really know.”

“I don’t care what they think.”

“I just want you as my brother and my boyfriend.”

Telling the class you’re my sister is bad enough.

Saying you’re my girlfriend?

You don’t care about my social life at all, do you?

Oh, right.

With your status and background, you don’t need to fear anything.

*TL Note: The maid outfit job reflects a popular Chinese subculture trend, where themed cafes (e.g., maid cafes) draw on anime/manga aesthetics, with staff dressing in costumes to enhance the customer experience, highlighting Lu You’s humorous yet awkward predicament.