Sunlight slipped through the crack of the window, drawing a bright line across my face and making me frown awake. My heavy eyelids fluttered open, and the first thing I saw... was the boy lying next to me, clinging onto me as if I were some stuffed toy.

Without thinking, I shoved him off and sat bolt upright.

"Get up. It's morning. How can you sleep like a rock?"

As I spoke, it suddenly hit me: today, I didn't wake up to my mother's voice... but to sunlight. Such a small thing, yet enough to ache straight through my chest. A wave of longing for her washed over me.

"I woke up before you," he said flatly. "I just wanted to hug you. But... the way you talk sounds strange."

Propping his chin on his hand, he tilted his head, studying me like I was some foreign creature.

"Your face is quite pretty too, not like a man at all."

Then his eyes drifted downward—utterly natural, utterly shameless.

"But that little 'frog' down there convinces me you really are male."

I jolted as goosebumps exploded across my skin.

"That's just a normal morning reaction for men! Pervert!"

This crazy brat.

"Physio... logy?"

He blinked his big round eyes, innocent to the point of being infuriating.

Grrr—
My stomach, empty since yesterday, growled pathetically.

"I want breakfast."

As he said that, he stomped his feet on the ground like a five-year-old begging for candy.

I didn't bother replying, only shot him a disdainful look.

"Do I look that bad?"

He coughed awkwardly, stood up, and dusted off his clothes.

"Let's go eat."

"You got money? Treat me too?"

I asked with a kind of naïve shamelessness even I wanted to slap myself for.

We just stared at each other for a long moment, as if one of us had spoken an alien language.

Then, suddenly, he lunged at me, rummaging all over.

"Hey—hey! What's wrong with you?! That tickles!"

I burst out laughing.

He yanked out a purple pouch of coins and held it up in front of my face, eyes filled with utter contempt.

"Unbelievably stingy."

I clapped my hands with a loud smack.

"Saved from starvation! Hooray!"

I really didn't know I had money on me.

We headed to the market together. The morning breeze was cool, voices bustled around us, and the drifting scent of food filled the air—so lively that I couldn't help but think... this wasn't so bad.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Huh?"

He snapped, "Your name!"

I froze—completely forgot about that part. But after reading enough transmigration novels, I knew exactly what suited me.

"Bach Xoa. And you, kid?"

"Kien Hac."

He only reached my shoulder—probably middle-school age if this were my world. A tiny brat in ancient robes. The thought made me chuckle.

"After we eat, go home to your mother," I said gently.

"I don't remember the way."

Liar. Definitely hiding something. Let's see...

I mentally jotted that down.

Another strange thing: everywhere we went, men and women alike kept looking at me with... appreciation.

Weird. Did transmigration come with a beauty upgrade?

Noon arrived with a scorching heat. I wasn't sleepy, but I still spread a blanket on the floor for Hac to nap. Kids need their sleep to grow.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Fanning you. Sleep. I'm not napping."

I waved the fan lightly, sending cool breezes over him. Fifteen minutes later, he drifted off. I stood up and headed to the stream behind the house, looking for shade.

I was just enjoying myself when a tall, handsome man strode in hurriedly.

"Let's do it."

I blinked.

"Do... what?"

"You said ten taels of gold was enough for that. How many times already? Why're you asking again?"

...Oh. I get it now. I transmigrated into a male escort.

Dear mother, why is my life like this... and at such a discount, too?!

"I quit. Go home!"

I yelled, defending my bodily freedom with all my soul.

"Don't joke."

He lunged toward me, clearly ready to force himself on me.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Three stones flew in rapid succession, smacking his head, back, and leg.

"Let him go."

The voice behind me was low and commanding enough to make even me shiver.

Where did this brat come from? Don't tell me this guy's taste had shifted toward minors?!

"He's my son," I blurted out through gritted teeth.

Both Hac and the man froze, mouths hanging open.

Me? I just wanted to eat a handful of poisonous leaves so I could die quickly and escape the humiliation.

"That's enough. Go home. And stop coming here. I'm officially... retired."

I pointed at him and declared.

"...Fine. I don't want you to hate me."

He sighed and left, but not without shooting Hac a glare.

Hac glared right back—the two of them staring each other down like rival mountain gods, sparks flying.

I could only sit in the corner and mentally spray hairspray... to keep my expression fixed.

Then I put on my best innocent grin.

"It's not what you think. Just a misunderstanding."

"I don't care."

He dropped that one line and went back inside to sleep.

I let out a long breath, lighter than shedding an entire mountain.