Chapter 42 : Weird Campus 11 Share

Yuan Shen dragged Qi Dong to Zhang San’s side. “Brother, you okay?”

Zhang San glanced at him silently, not answering.

Did he need to? Couldn’t Yuan Shen see?

Sweat dripped down his cheek, mixing with the blood on his pants. Pain sapped his strength to respond.

Seeing no reply, Yuan Shen, bored, returned to his seat with Qi Dong.

Finally recovering, Zhang San shakily stood, reaching for Ran Feng. “Give it back.”

It was his clue. Why should Ran Feng take it?

“No plans to share?” Ran Feng dangled the key, pulling it back as Zhang San reached.

Under Zhang San’s chilling glare, Ran Feng added, “Friendly reminder: one person alone can’t escape a horror rule game.”

“I’ll share! Just give it back!” Zhang San snapped.

Ran Feng, used to controlling clues, smirked. “How about I hold onto it for you?”

Zhang San’s face fell, glaring.

The pain sharpened his mind, a plan forming. Feigning compliance, he said, “Fine, no problem.”

He glanced at Yuan Shen and Qi Dong. Yuan Shen caught his look, awkwardly pretending not to notice, whispering to Qi Dong.

No loyalty, huh? Ignoring me getting screwed over?

Zhang San’s knuckles whitened, veins pulsing at his temple, past betrayals flashing in his eyes.

Yuan Shen and Qi Dong always excluded him, like an invisible barrier. If he hadn’t feared being an outcast, why would he have stuck with them?

If they treated him like this, they couldn’t blame him for…

Xu Nian followed Shen Musi’s gaze, catching her watching the scene with interest, eyes dripping with mockery.

She seemed fascinated by human ugliness—souls so vile they’d make fine fertilizer for a garden.

These filthy souls tempted her to reap them herself.

But rules couldn’t be broken.

“Here.” Xu Nian handed her a notebook.

Shen Musi blinked, surprised.

“You said you couldn’t do last class’s homework. Use mine.”

“Oh, awesome!” Shen Musi took it, voice bright, and before Xu Nian could react, planted a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, deskmate!”

Caught off guard, Xu Nian’s heart raced, chaos swirling. She instinctively scooted away.

Shen Musi noticed, sliding her chair closer.

Not confirmed as the Young Lady, yet Xu Nian…

Shen Musi’s faint bath scent drifted over, spiking Xu Nian’s panic. She flipped her textbook aimlessly, mind elsewhere.

If her feelings for the Young Lady stemmed from resemblance to her, what was this racing heart near Shen Musi?

Was she a player, falling for anyone?

She’d always known she was rotten to the core.

She couldn’t drag Shen Musi down. Xu Nian resolved to keep her distance, whether Shen Musi was the Young Lady or not.

A tug on her sleeve.

Shen Musi’s watery eyes trembled, biting her lip nervously. “Deskmate, do you hate me?”

“No… maybe a little.”

The words twisted on her tongue.

Tears welled in Shen Musi’s eyes, a crystal drop falling onto her blue skirt. Her hand fell limply from Xu Nian’s sleeve.

A pang of sourness hit Xu Nian, hardening her resolve to stay away.

Shen Musi’s head bowed, eyes cold.

Slow approach not working, huh?

No matter. Soon, she’d have Xu Nian all to herself.

Two days left.

A neatly folded handkerchief appeared on the desk. Shen Musi looked up, surprised, but saw only Xu Nian’s dark hair from behind.

She sidled closer. “You don’t really hate me, right?”

Xu Nian didn’t answer.

Outside, the endless corridor stretched. After class, players lingered in the classroom, idling.

“From the schedule and lessons, we woke up on the first day’s afternoon. Two classes later,” Ran Feng pointed outside, “it’s almost dark.”

The sun hung half-set, golden light stretching their shadows across the room.

Click.

The ceiling lights flared. Qi Ye, at the switch, grinned. “Following Rule 2.”

[Rule 2]: Keep the classroom well-lit.

He’d turned on the lights to comply.

Ran Feng gave an approving nod, addressing the group. “Don’t forget Rule 5.”

[Rule 5]: Don’t linger in the classroom after school ends at 7 p.m.

The quartz clock in the corner read: 6:48.

“But…” Yuan Shen frowned, confused. “If we can’t stay, where do we go?”

Qi Dong added, “Don’t say we didn’t warn you—there’s a ghost in the bathroom.”

Except for Xu Nian and Shen Musi, everyone gasped.

So that’s why Yuan Shen and Qi Dong returned disheveled.

“Then we’ll need this.” Ran Feng held up the key, glancing at Zhang San, who’d scooted far away. “What do you think?”

“Think? I think it’s great,” Zhang San hissed through gritted teeth.

Qi Ye, now beside Ran Feng, asked, “But what’s the key for?”

Unchained, he moved freely.

Ran Feng eyed him, a twinge of envy for his freedom—no deadweight partner. “Probably opens a door. Not the exit key, though. Those aren’t this easy to get.”

Silence fell.

“There’s only one locked door here, right?” Xu Nian spoke up, puzzled by their debate.