Tao Qing's words were like a hammer, mercilessly smashing the protective shield that Qi Yan had barely built.

Qi Yan looked at Tao Qing in disbelief, and after a long time he murmured in a low voice: "You..."

"Sorry, I just... suddenly figured it out." Tao Qing's voice was very light: "You don't need to be afraid, it's not a big deal. For example, I wanted to use the family store to start a clothing business, but my family disagreed and said I was a spendthrift... But now they have seen my achievements and won't say anything more."

After a pause, seeing that Qi Yan had no intention of answering, Tao Qing continued: "Have you ever thought about opening up a world for yourself?"

Many people said that he was like a traitor. In this case, why not really be a traitor?

Qi Yan remained silent until Tao Qing sighed in disappointment, and then he slowly spoke.

"It's different. My situation is different from yours."

"What's the difference?"

"Not s..." Qi Yan's eyes flashed with a lonely light: "You also saw me last night, my usual self."

Tao Qing's eyes flickered, and he didn't continue to persuade him.

Yes, if it was just solo splay, these wouldn't be a problem... But it's very obvious that Qi Yan's usual attire doesn't match his gender. So, Tao Qing's guess is not that comprehensive.

After a long time, Tao Qing suddenly patted Qi Yan's shoulder, and when he looked over, she raised a brilliant smile: "Okay, don't think too much. I'll treat you to dinner!"

"Huh?" Qi Yan shouted in panic: "No, I'm already very happy that you can let me rent clothes for free. You don't need to treat me like this. I'm just a stranger..."

"What stranger? You are now the living sign of my store!" Tao Qing pointed to the camera hanging around his neck: "Let's go, the number one spokesperson of my store, let's go eat hot pot."

After saying that, without allowing Qi Yan to refuse, he pulled him up and walked out of the venue.

[The male protagonist's basic favorability towards Qi Yan is 20. The male protagonist's favorability towards Qi Yan +10, current favorability: 30]

The surrounding shops are almost full because of the comic exhibition. Tao Qing took Qi Yan for a long time, but they couldn't find a vacant seat.

Qi Yan was wearing a fiery red robe, with his snow-white shoulders slightly exposed. Although he was eye-catching when walking on the street, there was not much surprise, because there were too many people walking on the street, and passers-by were already used to it.

"See, there's no need to be afraid." Tao Qing smiled: "Don't blame me for talking too much, but I really want to tell you that it is really beneficial for you to take this road."

"...I think so too."

"So..." Tao Qing's eyes flashed with cunning: "There is no place to eat nearby, let's take a taxi to a hot pot restaurant I like!"

"Is it...far from here?" Qi Yan showed a hint of resistance.

"A little, but it doesn't matter." Tao Qing suddenly held Qi Yan's cold hand: "I'm here, don't be afraid." She

just wanted to take care of him, help him, give him courage, so that he could face his own preferences, but when it came to Qi Yan, her cheeks suddenly blushed, and she lowered her head in panic.

Seeing his look, Tao Qing also felt embarrassed. He just wanted to let go of Qi Yan's hand, but he felt the other party's five fingers quietly clasped his palm, as if wanting to shake his hand back silently.

After thinking about it, Tao Qing still didn't let go of his hand, and continued to hold it like that until the two got in the taxi.

[Male protagonist's favorability towards Qi Yan +5, current favorability: 35]

The driver did not ask much about the customer who was picked up near the comic exhibition venue, as if he was used to it. He stopped talking after asking the destination.

Qi Yan also felt more at ease, perhaps because the interaction with Tao Qing just now gave him some courage.

The hot pot restaurant was not particularly far from the comic exhibition venue, about three bus stops away. After Qi Yan got off the bus, he attracted a lot of onlookers.

"Hey, is there another comic convention? My daughter asked me for money to go, so I told her."

"My son said the same thing. I don't know what these kids are thinking about. They think they are so beautiful when they go out with makeup like this!"

"They don't study and just do these weird things."

"Hey, they are still going out like this..."

...

One after another of the discussions came into Qi Yan's ears. He lowered his head in silence, trying to pretend not to hear, but he was not deaf after all.

It's always like this, no matter if they are dressed as a slut or dressed as a woman, there will be all kinds of discussions when they go out.

- This woman looks so strong and strange, she can't be some kind of super-strong woman, right?

- Looking at her, she looks like a man... Haha, can't she really be a man?

Qi Yan doesn't understand, are people like this destined to be unacceptable?

He didn't want to be a woman, and it had nothing to do with transgender. He just liked women's clothing, and that attitude towards life and dealing with things.

Women's clothing made him inexplicably confident, and he also knew that the world would not allow him, a man, to wear women's clothing, so he chose this path...

But now, he still couldn't escape other people's gossip.

"Don't think about it." A clear and elegant voice suddenly came to his ears, standing out from the discussions: "Although you can hear it, you must not think about it. You are yourself, I asked you to eat hot pot, just blame me, and you must charge me a lot when you order food later!"

Qi Yan was amused by his words.

Covering his lips with his hands, hearing the inhalation of some men around him, Qi Yan thought that this might be a good thing.

"Okay, then I want to eat shrimp noodles."

"No problem, I like shrimp noodles too."

Qi Yan looked at Tao Qing's profile, and suddenly poked his forehead in distress: "Hey, since you like to eat it too, it's not like I'm ripping you off... No, I have to look at the menu."

"Pfft, okay!" Tao Qing smiled: "That's right, it's more energetic."

Entering the hot pot restaurant, there are many empty seats inside. Facing the waiter's surprised eyes, Qi Yan was able to remain calm.

The two were arranged in a seat near the inside, and Qi Yan felt more at ease.

"Their shrimp noodles are really delicious." Tao Qing said: "If you're not full, order more and you'll be full."

Qi Yan rarely smiled and ate the food in his pot in silence.

They became friends inexplicably, and Tao Qing once again felt that it was the right choice to open a splay-related store.

The activities at the comic exhibition in the afternoon were not very attractive, and some of the programs were not very good, but the singing and dancing performances of several people were good. Tao Qing took a lot of photos and was anxious to go back to the store to choose, so he didn't plan to stay at the venue for the evening activities.

"I'm going back, what about you?"

Qi Yan looked at Tao Qing, then looked around, and then responded: "I'll go back with you."