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The morning air felt crisp against Lu Guang's skin, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the sun filtering through the partly cloudy sky. The neighborhood nestled beneath their window was painted in soft pastels—flowers dotted yards, and the faint sound of children's laughter floated in from a distance. This tranquil morning wrapped around Lu Guang like a familiar embrace, settling soothingly in the corners of his mind. With each soft breath, he inhaled calmness, a stark juxtaposition to the activity taking place within the photographic study.

Inside, time seemed to slow as Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi devoted themselves to their shared task. The atmosphere in the room felt distinctly theirs, infused with the scent of old books and chemicals used in developing photographs. Sunlight filtered in through the dusty windowpanes, casting an intricate web of light across their workspace—a sanctuary of creativity where the chaos of the outside world faded into the background.

"Hand me that camera, will you?" Lu Guang asked, his focus shifting from the developing tray and the progress of the images to a collection of vintage cameras piled haphazardly on a shelf.

"Sure, but can you believe we actually got that family picture completed last week?" Cheng Xiaoshi replied, his voice laced with a hint of nostalgia. "I still can't believe we got everyone to stand still long enough for it!"

Lu Guang chuckled softly, his fingers deftly cleaning the lens of an old DSLR camera. "You were more of a distraction than a help during that shoot, you know? I almost had to shout at you to get everyone's attention."

"Yeah, yeah," Xiaoshi waved a hand dismissively, his grin infectious. "But the way I could put your serious face into a mini panic was totally worth it."

Lu Guang couldn't suppress a smirk as he recalled the chaotic moments from their brief photo session. It had indeed been a visual masterpiece, one encapsulating playful chaos and love, but he knew just how perilous their task had been—keeping their restless friends aligned in a single frame. They both: Lu Guang the earnest artist and Cheng Xiaoshi the ever-enthusiastic jokester, made an unlikely yet perfect pair.

Their reverie was interrupted when the door swung open, and Qiao Ling bustled in, her presence so lively it was almost electric. "Boys, we have a job!" She announced, her bag slung over one shoulder, overflowing with paperwork.

"A job? On a day like this?" Cheng Xiaoshi moaned dramatically, feigning dismay. "C'mon, can't we just enjoy a peaceful morning?"

Qiao Ling rolled her eyes, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "The world doesn't wait for your moments of bliss, Xiaoshi. A woman named Hui needs your help. She's about to sign divorce papers, but she's feeling torn, and she can't seem to find the closure she needs."

"Ah, divorce, the ultimate emotional rollercoaster," Cheng Xiaoshi exclaimed, his tone light despite the gravity of the matter. "What's next? Should we send her a bouquet of roses with a note saying 'Congratulations on your freedom'?"

"Attention, Xiaoshi," Qiao Ling replied, urging him on. "Hui has observed that her soon-to-be ex-husband has been making quite a fuss to save the relationship, and yet she feels stuck in a routine. They were partners for a long while, and she does care for him. But she needs to understand if there's something salvageable in their relationship before she takes the leap."

"Ashamedly sweet, really," Lu Guang remarked softly, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "Perhaps she just needs a kick-start—a moment of clarity."

"Exactly! So I need you two to help her pinpoint what's going wrong—and perhaps, what could go right again," Qiao Ling continued. "Convinced her to allow you both to delve into this memory of theirs."

The landlady handed the duo a picture before walking out of the room, murmuring something about how hardheartedly Xu Shanshan was taking her PhD classes lately. Lu Guang inspected the photograph, it was somewhat old—tiny moisten dots around the corners, as if some liquid had been spilled on it. On the frame, stood a couple—she had long wavy auburn hair and small mole right in the middle of her chin, while he had shoulder-length black hair and a little scar on top of his right eyebrow. They were grinning, staring into each other's eyes lovingly. They seemed happy.

"Right, Lu Guang?" Xiaoshi nudged his partner with a teasing grin, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let's save the day one couples' therapy session at a time!"

Lu Guang arched an eyebrow, the corner of his lips barely tugging upwards. "Let's keep the therapy jokes to a minimum, shall we?" He stated with a stern demeanor. "Remember our rules: Firstly, you only get 12 hours; secondly, follow my lead and change nothing; and thirdly, past or future... Just let them be."

"Got it, capitan!" the dark-haired boy saluted with exaggerated fervor before bursting into laughter... and then promptly slapping his palm against Lu Guang's in a celebratory high-five. The waggish, yet flinty moment of camaraderie was as natural as breathing for them, a sign flashing through their friendship that no matter the emotional weight of their tasks, they were in it together.

In an instant, as if flicking a switch, the room blurred around them, and Cheng Xiaoshi felt a force tugging at him—the familiar pull of entering the past. The world twisted and turned, colors swirling into a kaleidoscope of emotions until he found himself standing before a starkly different reality.

He was inside Hui's body.

"Whoa! I can feel everything! Wait, is that my—give me a moment!" Xiaoshi exclaimed in his mind as he clumsily adjusted to the sensations flooding through him. His voice was a little softer, a little different, but the familiar irony of the situation enveloped him in a fit of giggles. "I'm in a woman's body! It's so incredibly... different!"

"Make haste, Cheng." Lu Guang's voice reverberated through his mind, sharp and directive. "We have a job to do here."

Cheng, still adjusting to his new shape, rolled his eyes despite the laughter bubbling inside of him. "Alright, alright! I'll focus." he replied, mentally mumbling about how much more fun it was to tease Lu Guang. He turned, finding Hui's husband in the living room, a handsome man with gray warm eyes gazing fondly at him. Well, her.

"Hey, you..." Cheng spoke breathlessly, leaning into the role. "You have the most captivating eyes," he added, enjoying the moment a bit too much and pushing it.

The husband blinked, surprise flitting across his features, but soon amusement overtook him. "And you have a beautiful smile." As he came closer, Cheng's heart raced—a delicate, surreal thrill coursing through him. "May I?" the man asked, leaning closer, anticipation hanging in the air like a heady perfume.

"Wait, Lu Guang! I'm not ready for this!" Cheng panicked internally as the man leaned in, and their lips were barely an inch apart.

"Stay in character." Lu Guang urged again, his voice calm yet insistent, a tether that pulled Cheng's chaos in line.

"Oh my God—" Cheng felt the emotional wave crash heavier upon him, fingertips tingling with fear and exhilaration. He could almost feel the heat radiating from the man beside him, invading the sanctity of his own space.

Then, in an act of unexpected mercy, Cheng blurted, "It's getting late for work!" The words spilled from him, the idea of escape burning in his veins.

To his palpable relief, the man chuckled, running a hand through his hair, full of nervous energy. "True," he agreed, stepping back and shaking his head as if to clear it. "I should let you get ready."

But, before he left, Hui's husband leaned in again, brushing his lips against Cheng's cheek in a gentle kiss—a mark of familiarity that set Cheng's heart racing. "Take care, Hui," he said with warmth as he waved goodbye, letting the door click shut behind him.

Once alone, Cheng exhaled a long-held breath like a deflating balloon. "Finally!" he rejoiced, pacing the room. "That was way too intense."

"But we still have work to do," Lu Guang reminded him, now calm and methodical. "Focus on what you two shared. What are the little things? What do you notice about him when you lie next to him at night?"

Cheng nodded, sighing as he wandered into the kitchen. It was a clean space—it felt cozy, but as if they had recently shared a meal, the remnants of dishes resting in the sink. "He... loves to cook?" he pondered aloud, talking more to himself than to Lu Guang. "Yeah, he makes this spicy stir-fry that is to die for."

"Good observation," Lu Guang replied, and then projected an image of the husband's face. "What else?"

But before Cheng could continue, the air shifted. A sudden chill washed over him, causing him to stop mid-thought. He glanced around, the familiar comfort of the room now feeling as if it were shrouded in threadbare curtains of dread. "Uh, Lu Guang? Something feels off."

"Let it be," Lu Guang insisted, though a hint of caution distorted his usual calm tone.

Xiaoshi shrugged it off. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sidetracking again." Just as he shifted toward the living room, a piercing shiver ran down his spine, a shadow of tension draping over him.

"What was that?" he murmured cautiously, sensing a presence lurking just beyond his range of perception. From the corner of his eye, something flickered—a faint yellow-orange wave dancing delicately across the living space.

Xiaoshi felt an instinctual tug at his gut; something wasn't right.

Then, a small piece of paper drifted mid-air, spiraling downwards. In a split second, he reached out, catching it before it could meet the ground. His heart raced as he turned it over, revealing beautifully inscribed calligraphy.

"Who are you?" it read.

"Lu Guang!" Xiaoshi called out through their connection, his mind racing. "What the hell does this mean?"