The World Has Changed Sex

Cang Xia is a twenty-one-year-old university student whose life is upended when a mysterious global event causes every human on Earth to undergo an overnight gender transformation. Cang Xia, who identifies as female, wakes up with a male body and genitalia, while her ex-boyfriend Wei Shenjun, a chauvinistic man she had just broken up with, transforms into a woman who menstruates. The story begins with Cang Xia navigating this surreal new reality, discovering that her female classmates have also transformed into men, and that societal norms, infrastructure, and even inanimate objects have shifted to align with the new gender dynamics. Her dormitory, once filled with feminine cosmetics and colorful clothing, is replaced by austere, masculine items, and she is forced to adapt to using standing urinals and dealing with the absence of her period, which had previously caused her severe dysmenorrhea.

The core conflict arises from the bitter breakup between Cang Xia and Wei Shenjun. Before the transformation, Wei Shenjun had demanded physical intimacy in exchange for the financial support he provided, leading to a heated argument and their split. Cang Xia had sarcastically wished for him to experience her pain, and the transformation seemingly granted this wish. Wei Shenjun struggles immensely with his new female physiology, particularly the humiliation of menstruation and the societal expectation that men must now provide for women. He becomes obsessed with reclaiming his dignity and financially punishing Cang Xia for what he perceives as her gold-digging behavior during their relationship. He publicly posts a detailed ledger of his expenses on campus bulletin boards, labeling her a freeloader and demanding repayment of 250 yuan, which sparks a public feud between the two.

As the story progresses, Cang Xia is forced to find part-time work to support herself, as her parents, influenced by the new social norms, refuse to provide her with extra money, stating that girls must be raised with hardship. She takes a job as a cafeteria server, where she coincidentally encounters Wei Shenjun and his roommate Liao Wei. Meanwhile, Wei Shenjun’s life deteriorates as he grapples with his new identity, suffering from severe menstrual cramps that land him in the infirmary. Shi Yinsong, a popular and academically excellent student who harbors feelings for Cang Xia, assists Wei Shenjun during this crisis, creating a complex love triangle. Shi Yinsong’s calm and capable nature contrasts sharply with Wei Shenjun’s volatile and insecure behavior, drawing Cang Xia closer to him.

The narrative explores the inversion of traditional gender roles, highlighting the absurdities and challenges faced by both parties as they adjust to their new bodies and societal expectations. Cang Xia finds a strange liberation in her new form, enjoying the freedom from menstrual pain and the ability to move through the world without the same constraints she faced as a woman. In contrast, Wei Shenjun is consumed by shame and rage, unable to accept his vulnerability. The story follows their escalating war of words and actions, from public shaming to petty revenge, while also delving into the broader societal changes and the evolving dynamics between Cang Xia and Shi Yinsong. The plot thickens as Cang Xia’s past with Wei Shenjun is scrutinized by their peers, and she must navigate the stigma attached to her while trying to build a new life in this transformed world.

Key turning points include Wei Shenjun’s public humiliation over the sanitary pads Cang Xia sends him, his subsequent breakdown and hospitalization, and the growing tension between him and Shi Yinsong. Cang Xia’s decision to work and become independent marks a shift from her previous reliance on Wei Shenjun’s financial support. The story also introduces the mystery behind the global transformation, hinting at deeper forces at play beyond mere physical changes. As Cang Xia and Wei Shenjun continue their bitter rivalry, the narrative sets the stage for potential reconciliation or further conflict, while Cang Xia explores a budding connection with Shi Yinsong. The ending of this section leaves the characters in a state of flux, with Cang Xia gaining confidence and independence, Wei Shenjun struggling with his new reality, and Shi Yinsong emerging as a pivotal figure in Cang Xia’s life. The story maintains an objective tone, focusing on the characters’ experiences and interactions without moralizing or offering resolutions to the larger mystery of the transformation.