Chapter 21: Disguised as a Woman

From the moment he started work until now, Jiang Zheng hadn't taken a single bathroom break. This was the perfect time to go.

Inside the restroom, Jiang Zheng stared at the system's rewards, lost in thought. Once again, it was a choice between two options: “Pianist” and “Focus.”

Recalling his own experience playing the piano, Jiang Zheng understood the specific functions of these two skills. He was quite tempted to choose “Pianist”—after all, his ability to pick up and perform new pieces on the spot was thanks to this skill. If he selected “Pianist” and used the system to shore up his theoretical weaknesses, it wouldn’t be too difficult to become a true pianist.

Besides, playing the piano was lucrative. Just today, he’d earned ten thousand yuan for a single performance. He still had a business card in his pocket, which could lead to tutoring opportunities—another way to make money.

The temptation was undeniable. With this skill, he wouldn't need to rely on his family anymore; he could support himself and even help out at home.

Soon, Jiang Zheng took a deep breath and decided to choose the “Focus” skill.

Compared to “Pianist,” “Focus” didn’t provide any immediately visible benefits. The reason he chose it was that he believed its potential far surpassed that of “Pianist.”

He had the system—he wasn’t content to be just a pianist. He hadn’t yet decided what kind of person he wanted to become, nor did he want to define himself so quickly. He was still young and could afford to try different things.

While “Focus” didn’t bring direct advantages like “Pianist,” its utility was much greater. To Jiang Zheng, the most significant benefit was in learning.

He tended to be easily distracted, but with the “Focus” skill, he could improve his study efficiency. The advantages of learning faster were limitless.

Furthermore, after today’s events, he was determined to study more and accumulate knowledge. He never knew what kind of missions the system might present, so it was never wrong to keep learning and accumulating. Otherwise, if he failed a task due to a lack of preparation, he would only regret it later.

One shouldn’t only look at short-term gains—the vision must be long-term. The ten thousand yuan he earned today was enough to last him for a while.

With his decision made, Jiang Zheng stopped thinking about the rest.

He didn’t claim the reward right away, intending to wait until he returned to school. Knowing the system’s quirks, there was bound to be some unexpected twist during the claiming process.

After finishing in the restroom, Jiang Zheng washed his hands and got ready to return to work. Though he’d already earned his money, he still felt it was important to finish today’s part-time job—basic integrity, after all.

As he left the washroom, he saw a sweet-looking girl approaching. She looked vaguely familiar. He quickly remembered—he’d seen her at the banquet earlier. The ladies’ restroom was nearby, so she was probably heading there. Jiang Zheng wasn’t conceited enough to think she was looking for him.

The girl noticed Jiang Zheng as well, looking slightly surprised. She’d seen him perform at the banquet, and hadn’t expected to run into him here.

As they passed each other, the girl smiled at him. Jiang Zheng returned the smile, but neither spoke.

The girl entered the restroom. A moment later, another person arrived—a woman with wavy long hair, wearing a schoolgirl uniform paired with black stockings. She headed straight for the ladies’ restroom, passing close by Jiang Zheng.

Suddenly, Jiang Zheng frowned and grabbed the person.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The voice was sharp, with a hint of forced roughness.

“I’m asking what you’re up to,” Jiang Zheng said, his brows furrowed.

“I’m going to the restroom, obviously. What else would I be doing? Let me go or I’ll shout harassment!”

Jiang Zheng sneered. “The restroom, huh? Which one?”

“Are you insane? Of course the ladies’ restroom!” the person replied indignantly.

Jiang Zheng narrowed his eyes. “Oh? And what’s a man doing heading into the ladies’ restroom?”

A flicker of panic flashed in the person’s eyes, but was quickly replaced by composure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t know? Then let me be clearer—you’re a man dressed as a woman, trying to enter the ladies’ restroom. What are you planning to do?” Jiang Zheng’s tone was sharp.

The commotion quickly drew others' attention. Two cleaning ladies approached. One of them immediately said, “Young man, let go of the lady.”

Jiang Zheng replied, “Auntie, this isn’t a young lady—it’s a man.”

“A man? Dressed like that? Isn’t that perverted!” exclaimed one of the cleaning ladies.

“I’m not a man, I’m a woman,” the person insisted.

“If you’re a man or not, you can explain that to the police. Auntie, could you call the police?” Jiang Zheng said.

At the mention of the police, the person could no longer keep up the act and grew visibly nervous.

“Hey man, let’s talk this out. No need to bother the police if nothing’s wrong. Look, just let me go and I’ll leave right away,” the person said in a lowered voice.

Jiang Zheng narrowed his eyes, suspicious. This person seemed far too afraid of the police—just the mention of it made him panic.

“If you have anything to say, save it for the police,” Jiang Zheng replied.

The person’s face darkened, and he lowered his voice menacingly. “Kid, you’d better let go. Don’t push your luck, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“So you’re trying to threaten me now? I don’t care what you say. You can explain everything when the police arrive,” Jiang Zheng retorted.

A man dressing as a woman and heading for the ladies’ restroom—it was clear he was up to no good. Jiang Zheng couldn’t act on his own suspicions, but he could hand the man over to the authorities.

Seeing that Jiang Zheng was neither intimidated nor persuaded, the man suddenly jerked his arm free, catching Jiang Zheng off guard. He bolted, making a run for it.

Jiang Zheng reacted instantly, reaching out to grab him, but was a split-second too late—his hand only caught the man’s wig.

With a sharp tug, the wig came off, revealing a cropped head underneath.

“My goodness! He really is a man!” one of the cleaning ladies exclaimed.

Jiang Zheng took off after him. His physical abilities had recently improved—though he looked ordinary, his fitness now surpassed most people. In just a few steps, he caught up, grabbing the man by the shoulder, determined not to let him go. The man twisted his body and swung a punch at Jiang Zheng.

Ordinarily, that punch would’ve been hard to dodge, but Jiang Zheng’s dynamic vision had also improved. He sidestepped easily.

As they struggled, something fell from the man’s pocket. Noticing this, the man’s face changed dramatically and he lunged for the item.

Jiang Zheng was a fraction too slow to grab it first, but thinking quickly, he kicked the object away.