Volume 1 / Chapter 78: The Cheerleading Bodysuit

The class monitor had arrived even earlier than Mò Xuěyáo.

Right now, she was quietly nibbling at her breakfast.

“Monitor! How did you sleep last night?” Mò Xuěyáo called out as she stepped into the classroom.

“Pretty well.”

“Didn’t feel too suffocated or anything?”

“Not really.” Lǐ Wǎnyán shook her head, as if last night’s dreams had completely faded away.

But of course, that wasn’t true.

She just didn’t like to let others worry about her.

She always felt like burdening others with her emotions was inconsiderate—like spreading a sickness no one asked for.

That’s how Lǐ Wǎnyán had always been.

Zhōu Yǒng walked in shortly after Mò Xuěyáo.

Besides him, there was only one other boy already inside—Ān Ruòsù.

Ān Ruòsù was scribbling all over a textbook with a neon highlighter. From a distance, he looked intensely focused, but up close, it was clear he was just doodling aimlessly.

The book in his hand wasn’t even a core subject—just an art appreciation book. Probably a way to unwind a bit.

Everyone had their own stress relievers. Mò Xuěyáo, for example, liked fidgeting with small objects when nervous or bored.

Zhōu Yǒng and Ān Ruòsù weren’t exactly close friends, but after military training, they’d become fairly familiar with each other. Without hesitation, Zhōu Yǒng plopped down next to him and extended his right hand. “Ān Ruòsù, smell this.”

“Huh? Smell what?” Ān Ruòsù blinked in confusion.

“Just smell it, you’ll see.”

Looking reluctant, Ān Ruòsù gave his hand a quick sniff. “...Smells like something fried?”

“No other scent?”

“Like... food?”

“No no, I mean like a floral scent. Like the fragrance of a young girl!”

“...Didn’t smell that.” Ān Ruòsù shook his head, baffled.

Mò Xuěyáo, who had just sat down, was facepalming in silence.

What on earth was Zhōu Yǒng doing? Did he seriously think a handshake could retain someone else’s fragrance?

Even if someone wore perfume, there’s no way the scent would transfer that easily, right?

“You just don’t appreciate the finer things in life,” Zhōu Yǒng said with mock regret, oblivious to Mò Xuěyáo’s reaction. He pressed his hand to his nose and inhaled deeply, swaying like a man in a drunken daze before collapsing into his seat.

Was this sheer shamelessness, or genuine obliviousness?

Mò Xuěyáo gave a helpless shake of her head. She reached into her backpack for some homework—only to remember that military training had just ended. There wasn’t any.

And today was the school sports meet. Probably no homework tonight either.

Students were thrilled, of course. The only concern might be whether the teaching schedule would fall behind.

—Though that kind of worry usually only plagued high-achievers.

Still, even those students probably weren’t too anxious. They could always self-study ahead anyway.

As time passed, more students trickled into the classroom.

Today, though, most of the early birds were girls. Although they were all still in school uniforms, they somehow looked... prettier than usual.

Had they all suddenly blossomed overnight?

Mò Xuěyáo rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was misremembering how they usually looked.

“Huh? Xuěyáo, you didn’t put on any makeup?” asked a surprised Wáng Jiālè.

“Make... up?”

“Yeah! We’re part of the cheer squad today, remember!”

“What does that have to do with makeup?” Mò Xuěyáo still hadn’t caught up.

“Duh! Cheerleaders have to look their best, of course.” Wáng Jiālè pouted. “Honestly, Xuěyáo, how are you even a girl if you don’t know this? Even Tián Xīnnán —who usually looks like a panda—put on makeup today!”

“So that’s why her face looked whiter than usual...”

“Her makeup’s way too thick,” Wáng Jiālè said proudly, puffing out her chest. “Mine’s just right. Heavy makeup is too much, but light makeup only works if you’re already pretty to begin with.”

“She’s wearing heavy makeup?” Mò Xuěyáo hadn’t noticed. She looked Wáng Jiālè up and down. “You’re wearing makeup?”

“Looks like Xuěyáo’s never put on makeup before~” Mo Xiǎoxiào giggled behind her hand.

“Exactly! But if she can’t tell, that means my technique is really good.” Wáng Jiālè looked even more pleased.

“Xuěyáo might not notice, but the rest of us can,” Mo Xiǎoxiào said, studying Wáng Jiālè’s face. “You’ve got tinted lip balm, lightly drawn brows, a pale foundation, and a dab of blush. Super cute.”

“Mmm-hmm! Pretty good, right?”

“Very cute.”

After a pause, Mo Xiǎoxiào turned to her. “Xiǎoxiào, did you do your makeup too?”

“Yep! Just a little. Some sheer pink lipstick, touched-up brows, and a hydrating primer.”

“......” Mò Xuěyáo stayed quiet. In her mind, makeup was something only associated with older women—not boys. Boys who put on lipstick would be called "sissy", so she’d never even tried it, aside from a red dot on her forehead during kindergarten performances.

No wonder so many girls came early today.

They probably didn’t want to ruin their makeup in the crowded buses or by sweating on the way.

“Is everyone wearing light makeup?” Mò Xuěyáo asked.

“About half and half,” Mò Xiǎoxiào replied.

But to Mò Xuěyáo, it was all the same. She couldn’t tell heavy makeup from light unless it was really overdone.

“But Xiaoyáo, you’re so pretty even without makeup. Totally showing us all up,” Wáng Jiālè muttered enviously.

“Probably because Xuěyáo has sharp and delicate features,” Mò Xiǎoxiào observed.

Just then, their usually-tardy homeroom teacher, Yè Wén , appeared at the classroom door. She clapped loudly. “Girls~ If you’re here already, come with me to pick up your cheer squad props~!”

And just like that, the moment arrived.

Mò Xuěyáo’s heart began to race.

She had no idea what the cheerleading outfit would look like, but she really hoped it wouldn’t be too revealing.

It was cold, after all. Surely they wouldn’t make them wear skimpy outfits in this weather?

Then again... on sunny days, it did get warm enough to sweat under the sun.

And cheerleaders had to move around—even light activity could make you sweat.

So maybe it wouldn’t feel cold even if the outfits were revealing?

While Mò Xuěyáo was worrying about the uniform, the other girls were just as curious about what they’d be wearing.

“These outfits were rented, so don’t go damaging them! Check your size and try them on,” Yè Wén said, leading them to the girls’ locker room beside the indoor gym. She pointed at the bags on the floor.

“Hmm... Tián Xīnnán, there might not be one in your size.” Her brutally honest words drew a wave of stifled giggles.

“You won’t know until you try,” Tián Xīnnán huffed, unwilling to give up.

Even though the result probably wouldn’t change...

There were only three sizes: S, M, and L. Nothing bigger.

With Mò Xuěyáo’s petite 158 cm frame, S fit just right.

She could wear M, but it’d look a bit loose.

The material was stretchy, so as long as the size wasn’t too far off, it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

Physically, maybe. Mentally, though? That was another story.

“Can I... not wear this?” she gulped and asked.

To her surprise, the other girls chimed in:

“Yè Wén, this outfit’s way too weird!”

“Tight bodysuits... I’m supposed to wear that?” Wáng Jiālè looked flustered.

“This is... too much...” Mo Xiǎoxiào added nervously—her larger bust would definitely be emphasized by the tight fit.

The outfit wasn’t revealing in terms of skin. It was warm, too.

But in another way, it might’ve been worse than a crop top.

“Oh come on, it’s just once a year! Sports day is the perfect time to look cute, right? Besides, I’ve already paid the rental fee—don’t waste it!”

“...True...” The girls looked at each other.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to wear it. They were just embarrassed.

They were waiting—for someone to go first.

And that person was Huā Yínyín.

Without a word of protest, she confidently pulled on the white bodysuit with red stripes, and then slipped on the ultra-short skirt that barely reached her thighs.

Even though the one-piece design prevented wardrobe malfunctions, it still felt a bit... scandalous.

“Nice, nice! Looks great!” Huā Yínyín spun on the spot, then turned to Mò Xuěyáo with a wink. “Xiaoyáoyáo, how do I look~!”

Her round little face, curvy figure, and ridiculously large chest compared to her short frame made for an overwhelming sight.

Bodysuits were made for figures like hers.

If you were too skinny, you couldn’t pull off the sexy look.

With the first one down, the others followed.

Suddenly, the locker room turned into a spring blossom field—flesh everywhere...

—Though Mò Xuěyáo wasn’t sure if that phrase was really appropriate here. Still, it was the only one that came to mind.

Pale skin everywhere made her eyes blur. Flustered, she hurried to change into her own suit.

The bodysuit had some thickness to it, and an extra padded layer around the chest—so no risk of anything showing through.

“My size is about the same as Xuěyáo’s,” Wáng Jiālè said, adjusting her barely-there chest.

“……”

“Xuěyáo’s figure is actually quite nice—just a bit flat up top,” Mo Xiǎoxiào smiled, hand over mouth. “But Lè Lè’s different. Total baby body.”

“Wah!” Wáng Jiālè jumped forward and poked Mo Xiǎoxiào’s dimples in protest. “My figure’s great too!”

“Hmm... maybe not sexy, but definitely adorable,” Mo Xiǎoxiào teased, tugging at her cheeks.

Watching from the side, Mò Xuěyáo was speechless.

She suddenly thought—if someone fell for Wáng Jiālè... would that count as being into little girls?

Because honestly, Wáng Jiālè still looked like a seventh grader.

At least she could look like she belonged in ninth.