I’m a Girl, He’s a Psycho, and This is Fine

Shi Mu's parents were both in the clothing business. It was a moderately successful venture that yielded a decent annual profit. For the sake of Shi Li's fragile health, her father had purchased a house in the Huadu community on the outskirts of Lingcheng. This gated villa complex, nestled against the quiet slopes of Lingshan, was known for its exclusivity and privacy. Although it was remote, it offered peace and seclusion—ideal for someone with a weak constitution.

The car pulled into the villa's gate and rolled to a stop in front of the house.

Shi Mu stepped out, raising her eyes to take in the sight of the unfamiliar two-story home. She exhaled deeply and followed Shi Li inside.

A heavy atmosphere greeted them in the living room.

Her parents sat on the couch, their faces dark and tense. Across from them stood a sharply dressed woman in a black suit, her posture crisp and her gaze icy. Behind her stood Fu Yunrui, looking timid and uncomfortable—like a reprimanded child.

Shi Mu instantly recognized the scene.

In the story, the Fu brothers had taken their mother's surname. After a bitter split between their parents, Fu Yunshen and their father had been driven out, while Fu Yunrui remained with their mother—being trained as her successor.

This woman, cold and commanding, was undoubtedly Fu Yunrui's overbearing mother: Fu Qian.

Hearing footsteps, all eyes turned toward the doorway.

"We're back," Shi Li said casually, dropping his schoolbag on the side table.

Father Shi's expression remained stony. "Ali, go upstairs."

Shi Li's lips curled slightly in a faint smile. Without another word, he turned and ascended the stairs.

Now, Shi Mu stood alone in the cavernous living room with the three adults.

Suddenly, her mother stood and slapped her hard across the face.

Shi Mu flinched and turned her head just in time to avoid the full force of it. Her mother, taken aback by Shi Mu's reflexes, grew even more furious. She raised her other hand and slapped Shi Mu again—this time connecting cleanly with the other cheek.

Tears welled up in Shi Mu's eyes from the sharp sting.

"Did I raise you just so you could seduce boys? You're a girl—how shameful!" her mother shouted, trembling with rage. "Even if you're shameless, we still have to take responsibility for you!"

Shi Mu had always had a poor reputation, but no one expected her to go so far as to lure a boy to a hotel—especially someone like Fu Yunrui, whose family wielded far more power than theirs. As small-time businesspeople, the Shi family couldn't afford to offend them.

Fu Qian finally spoke, her voice steady and cutting. "Mr. and Mrs. Shi, I'll say this only once. Our Yunrui is too naive and easily manipulated. That is his fault. But you've failed in your duty to properly discipline your daughter. I strongly advise you to control her, and not let her interfere with Yunrui's life again. If this happens a second time—don't blame me for what comes next."

She then cast a cold, disdainful look at Shi Mu—as though she were little more than an insect.

"Yunrui, we're leaving."

Fu Yunrui bit his lip and glanced nervously at Shi Mu. "I brought back your schoolbag…"

"Yunrui!" Fu Qian snapped, her tone sharp.

Startled, he quickly followed her out the door without another word.

Once they were gone, Shi Mu's grandmother came down the stairs.

The old woman had always disapproved of Shi Mu. After this scandal, she was downright disgusted.

"This girl is nothing but trouble," Grandma muttered. "We shouldn't keep her in this house any longer."

Her mother glared at Shi Mu. "Go back to your room."

Without a word, Shi Mu picked up her schoolbag and turned away.

To the family, Shi Mu—who could see ghosts and carried Miao witchcraft in her blood—was a cursed being. Her grandmother firmly believed she was dangerous and forbade her from sharing meals or even the same space with the other children.

Her bedroom had been relocated to the attic.

It was a cramped, narrow space with only one small skylight. In the winter, it was damp and cold. In the summer, dry and suffocating. A tiny bathroom was partitioned off in one corner.

Shi Mu tossed her bag onto the bed and stripped off her outerwear, down to her pink bra. As she reached to unclip it, a sudden noise made her turn.

A girl stood leaning in the doorway, arms folded, a smug expression on her face.

It was her younger sister, Shi Rong.

"So, you really tricked Fu Yunrui into going to a hotel?" Shi Rong asked.

She had just started high school and was the school's most admired beauty. With her sweet face and stellar grades, she was a model student to teachers and a beloved daughter to their parents.

But only Shi Mu knew how manipulative, mean-spirited, and self-absorbed her sister truly was.

Shi Mu rolled her eyes. "None of your business." She turned away and slipped off her shorts.

"You—" Shi Rong started to scold, but froze when she realized Shi Mu had stripped completely. Her face turned red. "You… You shameless thing! I haven't even left yet and the door is still open! Why are you getting naked!?"

Despite herself, her gaze drifted involuntarily over Shi Mu's form.

Shi Mu was thin and underdeveloped due to years of malnutrition. Still, her skin was pale and radiant under the sunlight. Her legs were particularly eye-catching—long and straight, the kind that could walk a Victoria's Secret runway.

Shi Rong felt a pang of jealousy. Though her own features were more delicate, her skin was darker and her stature much shorter. She couldn't compare.

"Why are you still standing there?" Shi Mu asked flatly.

"Whatever! Who wants to look at you anyway?" Shi Rong snapped and stormed out, slamming the door.

Shi Mu turned and went into the bathroom.

Under the stream of warm water, the fatigue from the day began to melt away. She scrubbed off her heavy makeup and studied herself in the mirror.

Sharp chin, high nose bridge, defined eyebrows, peach-shaped eyes, and light pink lips—her features were striking and cold, with a touch of allure.

In the future, many would call her the most beautiful woman in Lingcheng. Men from all walks of life would try to claim her beauty, only to suffer for it.

She ran her fingers through her hair. The dyed red strands had already started growing out, revealing dark roots. With scissors from her drawer, she chopped off the messy strands in a few quick snips.

After rinsing the broken hair off, she stared at her reflection: a short, messy haircut. It made her look more like a rebellious young man than a girl.

After her shower, she walked back to the room. Her phone buzzed—it was a message from Fu Yunrui on WeChat.

Fu Yunrui: Shi Mu, are you okay?

Fu Yunrui: I didn't tell my mom… She found out my card was linked to her phone when I was trying to pay.

Fu Yunrui: I swear I didn't tell her anything. Are you angry?

Shi Mu replied: How much was the hotel room?

Fu Yunrui: 248. Why?

Shi Mu checked her pocket money. She had exactly 48 yuan left.

Her parents never gave her a bank card. She usually received cash, if anything at all.

Without hesitation, she marched to Shi Li's room.

After knocking several times, he finally opened the door. He had changed into a white shirt and shorts, looking calm and aloof.

When he saw her standing there—now with short hair and an unfamiliar look—a flicker of surprise crossed his face. They were twins, after all. Right now, they looked uncannily similar.

Shi Mu extended her hand. "Transfer 200 yuan to my WeChat. I'll pay you back later."

He raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly will you use to pay me back?"

"..."

Her tone turned cold. "I said I'd pay you back, so I will. Are you going to lend it or not?"

He sneered and closed the door in her face.

Moments later, her phone buzzed.

Shi Li: Sent you 250. Don't pay it back.

"…"

So arrogant.

Shi Mu immediately transferred the 250 to Fu Yunrui with a message:Here's 250. You don't have to pay it back.

Fu Yunrui: ???

Then, she blocked him.