Gu Lin's POV
Something had changed.
Gu Lin sipped her coffee slowly, standing in front of the kitchen sink, staring at the same tiled backsplash they'd had since moving in.
At first, she thought it was just her imagination.
A week ago, her adopted brother had still looked… well. Unpleasant was too strong a word. But forgettable? Definitely.
The kind of boy you passed by five times in a hallway and still couldn't describe to a sketch artist.
But now?
No acne. Not even scars.
His skin had smoothed over like a peeled lychee—pale, tight, oddly healthy. His aura had changed too. That heavy silence that used to cling to him like mold was gone. Replaced by a kind of quiet confidence she couldn't pin down.
And it wasn't just his skin.
His waist had slimmed.
His back had straightened.
She had noticed the outline of his physique one night when he stepped out of the shower in nothing but a towel, bathrobe clinging to damp skin.
She'd flushed and barked at him to put on clothes. But even now… that image hadn't left.
Was he taller, too?
She'd sworn she could see his collarbones more clearly today, so. . .sexy, in that innocent charming way.
And the way he smiled just now—
That wasn't the smile of some background character.
That was the smile of someone becoming something.
Gu Lin exhaled through her nose and rubbed the back of her neck.
She didn't know what was going on.
But maybe…
Maybe she should stop treating him like the same forgettable shadow she'd lived with for the past year.
Just maybe.
+
The sky was just beginning to lighten. Thin clouds streaked the horizon, dyed pale gold.
Gu Xi sat at his usual spot on the park bench, wiping the sweat from his brow with the hem of his shirt. His breathing was even. His legs tingled faintly—tired, but not sore.
He tapped open the panel.
[Status]
Strength: 25
Wisdom: 42
Charm: 40
Physique: 40
Vitality: 38
Active Quest: "Male God's Body" — Progress: 31%
⚠ No gains registered from this morning's exercise.
Just as he expected.
"…So that's it, huh."
One percent gain.
No stat point. No new notification. Just… the system telling him he was treading water.
The honeymoon phase was over.
He leaned back on the bench, towel draped around his neck. The fresh morning air cooled his skin, but his mind was already turning.
"I need a harder routine."
Push-ups, sit-ups, running—it was all too elementary now. If he wanted to keep improving, he'd need to increase reps, reduce rest time, maybe even start some resistance training.
And the diet…
"The body is built in the gym, but it's refined in the kitchen."
He muttered the phrase to himself, a mantra he'd picked up back in his old world.
If he wanted the gains to show, he'd need to start tracking carbs, sugar, protein ratios—everything. No more eating three buns just because they were warm. From now on, it was lean meat, whole grains, and maybe he'd finally try that spinach oatmeal recipe.
...And even then.
Even if he went full beast mode, hit every macro, every rep…
There would be no broad shoulders, no hulking traps, no eight-pack abs.
Because this was a matriarchal world.
And male bodies here?
Were delicate.
Trim waists. Slender necks. Perky butts. Subtle definition at best.
Basically—femboy chic.
Gu Xi closed his eyes, suppressing the scream inside.
He wanted to be cut, not… cute.
But what could he do? Biology in this world was stacked against him. Most men here were shaped like K-pop idols halfway through a juice cleanse. The worst part?
Women, by contrast, were built. Big-boned. Toned backs. Chiseled arms.
They had curves too, of course—but not the type he was used to seeing. Here, men were the ones with hourglass shapes.
And boobs?
Women flaunted theirs like medals of honor. Size was a source of pride—just like how guys in his old world flexed about the size of their—
…Well.
You get the idea.
Also, society didn't care about women's nipples.
But men's?
Sexualized.
Delicate. Off-limits. Constantly framed, decorated, or covered. Gu Xi remembered seeing bra ads targeted toward men—"Protect your purity. The soft shell series, now in lace lavender."
He nearly threw up in the supermarket.
"What the hell is this planet?"
He was still stewing when a voice broke through his thoughts.
"U-um… excuse me?"
A girl stood in front of him, shifting nervously from foot to foot. Short haircut. Peach-colored lips. School uniform ironed to perfection.
She looked like she'd rehearsed this for days.
"…Yes?"
"Can I, um… add your W*chat?"
Gu Xi blinked.
Then, without emotion: "No."
Her expression froze.
"Oh… o-okay…"
She turned and hurried back to her group of friends, who were snickering behind their hands.
"Didn't I tell you?"
"You actually asked?! Bold!"
Gu Xi sighed.
He took out his phone and glanced at the screen. His reflection stared back—clean skin, sharper chin, faint blush from the morning workout. His bangs were damp, curling naturally across his forehead.
"...Am I really at that level now?"
He didn't feel any different. But maybe the Charm 40 and [Youthful Beauty] were finally doing their thing.
Still, being cute enough to get hit on first thing in the morning?
No thanks.
His alarm buzzed.
Time to head home.
+
The cab ride was quiet. Again.
But this time, something changed.
Gu Xi had expected Gu Lin to hop out first, as usual.
But instead, she stayed seated, arms crossed, looking out the window.
He didn't move either.
"…You first," he said.
"No, you."
"…Why are we doing this?"
They both sighed.
In the end, they stepped out together.
And the school gate erupted.
"It's Gu Lin-jiejie!!"
"She's here! So hot today—!!"
"Wait, wait—who's that guy next to her?!"
"Is he new?!"
"He's cute—like, really cute?!"
Gu Xi didn't react.
He kept walking, expression flat. But internally, his soul was curling into a ball and crying.
He could hear the fanboys whispering.
"Don't tell me they're dating—?!"
"Is he her boyfriend?"
Gu Lin glanced sideways at him.
He met her eyes. Then looked away and said, "Ignore them. They'll scream themselves out."
A few steps ahead, at the other edge of the courtyard, Chang An stood in her sports uniform, water bottle in hand, hair still damp from morning training.
She turned at the commotion.
The moment her eyes landed on Gu Xi, her brows twitched.
It was him.
The same boy from the library. Again.
Except now, he looked different.
Noticeably different.
His jawline was cleaner. His eyes sharper. That same body that had bumped into her chest looked… more defined.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Two days.
How could someone change so much in just two days?
Still—
Not her problem.
They likely wouldn't meet again.
She turned away.
+
Library, Five Hours Later
"Watch it—!"
Boing.
Right into her chest. Again.
Gu Xi stepped back immediately, rubbing his forehead.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Chang An stared at him, deadpan.
"You again?"