Chapter 34: Weird Campus 3 Nian Nian
The man named Qi Ye stirred. Hesitating, he approached Xu Nian and the girl, saying timidly, “Can… I join you?”
He saw their small group and wanted to help even the numbers.
Xu Nian gave him a cold glance. “No need.”
“Alright…”
Wilted by her icy, almost frosty stare, he shrank back, retreating to Ran Feng’s side.
“Anyway, I hope we can share clues,” Ran Feng said amicably.
Xu Nian considered, then nodded. “Fine.”
Ran Feng suggested, “How about introductions?”
A man from the trio scratched his head. “I’m Yuan Shen.”
The woman beside him, fiddling with her manicured nails, said lazily, “Qi Dong.”
The last man hesitated. “I’m Zhang San.”
“Wow,” Qi Ye blurted, “Lawless Zhang San.”
“Tch.”
Zhang San frowned, annoyed. He hated that reaction to his name.
“Haven’t asked yet—what’s your name?” The girl beside Xu Nian sparkled with curiosity.
“Xu Nian.”
“I’m Shen Musi~” the girl chirped. “Can I call you Nian Nian?”
Xu Nian’s face darkened instantly. “No.”
“Not allowed…?” Shen Musi pouted, lashes fluttering, her pretty black eyes pleading.
“No,” Xu Nian said firmly, pushing away the arm clinging to hers and turning away.
Only one person called her that…
Facing away from Shen Musi, her usually calm eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness.
Shen Musi reached out but stopped short of touching her clothes, fingers hovering.
After a struggle, she lowered her hand.
Slow and steady.
A flash of obsession crossed her eyes, quickly hidden, replaced by a gentle smile. “You can call me Sisi.”
The others, done with introductions, began exploring the classroom.
“These desks are covered in graffiti. So tacky,” Qi Ye muttered, crouching by a desk scribbled with dense writing.
Qi Dong, lounging with legs crossed, admired her fresh manicure. “Let people write what they want. Why’s it your business?”
“…” Qi Ye, tall but timid, clammed up, sulking in a corner, mentally cursing her.
Yuan Shen stood by Qi Dong like a knight, his short-sleeved shirt showing off muscled arms.
Intimidating.
Qi Ye glanced at Yuan Shen’s bulk, then his own scrawny arms, deciding to steer clear.
“Strange… every horror game I’ve played had five players. Why seven this time?” Ran Feng’s gaze subtly lingered on Xu Nian and Shen Musi.
Xu Nian noticed but didn’t bother justifying herself.
Let him suspect.
Shen Musi shot him a mocking smile when Xu Nian wasn’t looking.
Xu Nian missed it, focused on the situation.
Nothing had happened yet.
She wasn’t rushed. The Young Lady was here—she was sure.
She didn’t know where she hid, but given time, she’d slip up.
Heh, I’ll make her pay.
Kissing and running? Classic player move.
Knock, knock, knock.
The classroom door rattled unexpectedly.
All eyes turned to it.
Through the door’s glass, the corridor was empty.
Shen Musi, startled, hid behind Xu Nian, her hand brushing hers.
A jolt like electricity ran through Xu Nian’s hand, making it curl instinctively.
A sudden thought struck.
Shen Musi’s hand was warm.
“Maybe… a clue?” Ran Feng directed, “Qi Ye, check it.”
Qi Ye shook his head, timid. “No way.”
“Qi Ye, teamwork, remember?” Ran Feng pressed.
“No, Peak Bro, I’m scared. You go…” Qi Ye pleaded.
Xu Nian ignored their bickering, striding to open the door.
Empty corridor, as before.
A black box sat on the floor, unlocked.
No one had wanted to open the door earlier, but now they crowded around.
Yuan Shen scratched his head. “What’s this?”
Zhang San said, “You open it.”
Qi Dong glanced at Qi Ye, lingering on the outskirts. “Let that big idiot do it.”
Yuan Shen nodded. “Good idea.”
Zhang San called, “Hey, Qi Ye, open the box.”
Giving him no chance to refuse, they shoved Qi Ye to the front, beside Xu Nian.
A slender hand opened the box.
Not Xu Nian’s. Not Qi Ye’s.