Chapter 45:Weird Campus 14: Dream Again

The person on the bed wore a faint smile, one Xu Nian had never seen.

Shen Musi tucked the blanket around Xu Nian, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Gazing at the sleeping Xu Nian, her eyes softened with tenderness, laced with a touch of madness and obsession.

Who are you thinking of, Xu Nian?

Her hair grazed Xu Nian’s ear as she leaned closer.

Let’s see…

—Dream—

“Nian Nian? Nian Nian?”

A woman’s voice drew near. Xu Nian struggled to open her eyes, finding herself led by a woman’s hand.

The woman’s face was unclear, but a tear mole marked her eye. Her voice, like a spring fountain rippling over stones, chimed, “Nian Nian, I’ve been gone so long. Miss me?”

Xu Nian’s nose stung. She nodded heavily, voice muffled. “Yes.”

So much.

The woman gently cupped her face, her smiling eyes making Xu Nian’s heart skip.

Her face drew closer, warm breath brushing Xu Nian, her pulse racing.

“No… stop!”

As that haunting face neared, Xu Nian turned away, dodging the kiss.

“Nian Nian?”

Her heart churned—yearning clashing with self-loathing. Reason screamed to push the woman away, but…

Resolved to do it, she reached out, only for the scene to blur, the tear-moled woman fading.

Before she could react, the world spun.

She faced the Young Lady.

That captivating face loomed close, golden hair spilling over her shoulders, lips a cold line.

“Fila, I…”

Words crowded Xu Nian’s throat, unsaid.

The Young Lady’s eyes blazed with possessive fury, her hand caressing Xu Nian’s face. “Who is she? You faithless player!”

Speechless, Xu Nian let her decide her fate, closing her eyes for punishment.

A sharp nip on her lips. “Good girl, open your eyes.”

Xu Nian obeyed, eyes misty with desire, gazing dazedly at the Young Lady.

Oh no, I’m getting used to this…

The Young Lady lifted her chin, kissing her again, her familiar scent overwhelming, leaving Xu Nian dizzy, flushed pink, lost in the tender trap.

—Dream End—

Consciousness muddled, a thin sweat coated her.

Xu Nian stirred, feeling soft, warm lips like jelly against hers, lingering in a haze, mistaking it for the dream.

“Fila…” she murmured, dazed.

The kisser froze, pulling back, ending it.

Carefully, they lay beside her, resting on the pillow, tracing Xu Nian’s pale profile by moonlight, sleepless all night.

She’d seen Xu Nian’s dream.

Who was that woman?

The tear mole…

Was Xu Nian’s special treatment just because of that mole?

Her brows furrowed, a dull ache spreading through her chest, weakness consuming her.

Afraid to wake Xu Nian, Shen Musi stifled any sound, avoiding movement.

She curled up beside her, clutching her heart, feeling the pain.

It’d been so long since she was human. A heart could hurt this much.

Her gaze, complex, lingered on Xu Nian. They were side by side, yet Xu Nian felt worlds away. From the start, Shen Musi chased her shadow, but Xu Nian never paused for her, not even for a moment.

Xu Nian, what am I to you?

Xu Nian stirred briefly, then sank back into sleep. The dreams left her disoriented, the soft lips convincing her it was still a dream. She slept until dawn.

Waking, Xu Nian felt refreshed.

She’d slept deeply, early for once, breathing easier. A rare good rest.

The Young Lady usually kept her up till midnight, draining her.

Moving to rise, her hand brushed fabric. She froze.

Shen Musi slept beside her, faint shadows under her eyes hinting at exhaustion.

The dream flooded back. Xu Nian’s face burned with shame.

Dreaming that next to Shen Musi?

Had she talked in her sleep?

Fearing to wake her, Xu Nian edged inward, breathing lightly.

Her heart fluttered, then she realized—Wait, wasn’t she supposed to sleep on the floor?

A soft laugh dissolved in the air. Xu Nian stifled a chuckle.

So Shen Musi had snuck onto her bed in the dark.

Not so innocent after all.

She’d wait for Shen Musi to wake and hear her excuse.

As time passed, Xu Nian realized she’d never waited so patiently for someone to wake.

If it were Fu Ruxue, she’d have kicked her off the bed.

Shen Musi was… different.

Her emotions tangled. They’d known each other one day, yet…

She gave up. Fine, I’m a player.

Classroom

Morning sunlight bathed the room. A neatly dressed man sat casually, hands limp at his sides.

His torn clothes revealed mangled flesh, blood soaking his chest, spreading outward.

Crusted blood stained his mouth, his corpse bearing a stiff, faint smile, as if he’d seen something beautiful before death.

A hand pushed the door open.

Halfway, it froze, a gasp escaping at the sight.

The door closed silently.