Chapter 16: If I Go Bald, Will You Still Love Me? (16)

Lately, a sense of unease had spread through the campus. The reason was simple: an ever-growing number of ghost stories were being whispered from one end of the school to the other. As rumors grew more outrageous, the principal was forced to address the students in an assembly, attempting to reassure them with a passionate speech. But no matter how fervently he spoke from the stage, the students below had minds of their own.

As with all such assemblies, there were always students whispering among themselves. Lu Xiaoran, ever well-informed, stood beside Bai Yao and murmured, “Yao Yao, did you hear that Gu Yue’s been acting really strange lately?”

Bai Yao asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

Lu Xiaoran replied, “He keeps saying he’s seen ghosts, and he even got a death threat call. He’s been hiding in his room for days, too scared to come out.”

Bai Yao showed not a trace of sympathy. “He can’t just pretend to be like this to escape punishment.”

Lu Xiaoran continued, “And in one of the lower grades, another student has disappeared.”

Bai Yao yawned, responding carelessly, “News like this, when all the facts aren’t clear, is rarely trustworthy.”

Lu Xiaoran marveled at Bai Yao’s composure. Most people would feel at least a little unsettled upon hearing such things, but Bai Yao seemed utterly unaffected.

The assembly ended and everyone began to disperse.

As Lu Zhizhi made her way back, she accidentally bumped into someone. Fortunately, that person steadied her, preventing her from falling.

She quickly looked up. “I’m so sorry…”

When she saw who it was—a boy who had caught her—she froze.

Xuan Yuanmo’s features were strikingly handsome, flawless in every way. Standing so close to such a good-looking boy, Lu Zhizhi couldn’t help but blush.

Xuan Yuanmo withdrew his hand. After a moment’s thought, he said, “You’re the new transfer student in Class One.”

Lu Zhizhi’s face grew hotter. She nodded. “Yes, I saw you at the last gathering.”

Xuan Yuanmo noticed Bai Yao passing by. He didn’t say anything more to Lu Zhizhi, but walked over to call after Bai Yao.

Lu Zhizhi watched as Xuan Yuanmo and Bai Yao stood together. She was reminded again of how so many boys and girls had been fawning over Bai Yao lately. Bai Yao’s face remained proud and unchanged, clearly enjoying the admiration.

Recently, Lu Zhizhi had become keenly aware of how everyone seemed to exclude her. Was it because, unlike so many others, she refused to flatter people like Bai Yao or Bu Zhongyao? Even her roommate said they couldn’t get along, and the dorm supervisor had told her to move to Building B. Lu Zhizhi knew that Building B was old and run-down, nothing like the much nicer Building A. It was just another form of bullying.

Looking again at Bai Yao, surrounded as if she were the moon among stars, Lu Zhizhi saw all too clearly the hypocrisy of those around her.

Turning toward the classroom building, she unexpectedly stumbled upon a scene of bullying in the neighboring class.

Bu Zhongyao was leading a band of girls, looming over a boy who had fallen to the ground. Her words were especially cruel. “Wei Suo, don’t let me see your disgusting face again. Next time, I won’t let you off so easy.”

After issuing her threat, Bu Zhongyao stomped on the glasses that had fallen to the ground and strutted off with her group.

The boy on the ground seemed terrified, but he didn’t make a sound. He groped around for his broken glasses, and a hand reached out to place them in his grasp.

Lu Zhizhi asked gently, “Are you okay?”

Wei Suo put on the cracked glasses. When he saw the girl crouching beside him, he hung his head in shyness. “I’m fine, thank you.”

Lu Zhizhi was indignant. “Bu Zhongyao went too far! To bully someone like that… Don’t be afraid, I’ll go with you to tell a teacher.”

Wei Suo shook his head. “No, it’s just a small thing. I don’t want to tell the teachers.”

Lu Zhizhi sighed. She understood that those who were bullied at school often didn’t dare to report it, fearing even harsher retaliation.

Wei Suo glanced at Lu Zhizhi again and asked softly, “Are you the new student in Class One?”

Lu Zhizhi nodded. “Yes, I am. Hello, my name is Lu Zhizhi.”

Wei Suo removed his glasses, fiddling with the cracked lenses. He seemed very shy, unable to meet her eyes. “Welcome to our school. There are lots of interesting stories here, like Sadako who curses you with a glance, the Chopstick Spirit who can predict the future, and the art room that grants wishes…”

Lu Zhizhi couldn’t help but repeat, “An art room that grants wishes?”

Wei Suo gave a bashful smile. “Let’s exchange contact info, new classmate. I think we’ll get along well.”

Meanwhile, under the shade of a tree, Bai Yao faced the school heartthrob who had sought her out.

She answered his question, “I haven’t seen Zhao Yuan since that night. Do you need something from him?”

Xuan Yuanmo frowned slightly. “I asked Bu Zhongyao. She said that ever since that night, she’s been having nightmares. In her dreams, Zhao Yuan asks her to help find something he’s lost. When she asks what he’s looking for, he opens his shirt and shows a hollow chest—he wants to find his internal organs.”

Bai Yao was unmoved. “Zhongyao is just timid. Hearing so many rumors, her mind’s filled with them day and night.”

Xuan Yuanmo said, “But I’ve been having the same dream as her.”

Bai Yao was startled, covering her mouth in surprise. “You two are so in sync?”

No way. Xuan Yuanmo didn’t seem like the type to get involved in such a messy love triangle.

Seeing Bai Yao’s expression, Xuan Yuanmo guessed what she was thinking. He was silent for a moment before saying, “There’s nothing between me and her. I came to ask if you’ve been having the same dream.”

Bai Yao’s look grew even more peculiar.

Xuan Yuanmo said, “Please, don’t imagine some threesome situation—I’m not that depraved.”

Bai Yao replied, “If you’re not, then how do you even know about threesomes?”

Xuan Yuanmo: “…”

Bai Yao went on, “I have a boyfriend. Don’t try to hint at anything. I’m not interested in being part of your games.”

Xuan Yuanmo was beginning to understand why others found themselves at a loss for words around Bai Yao. Her perception of the world was unlike anyone else’s—she seemed to live entirely in her own reality, brimming with an almost excessive confidence and self-importance.

Xuan Yuanmo asked, “So you haven’t had that kind of dream, right?”

Bai Yao shook her head. “No.”

Xuan Yuanmo’s frown deepened. He and Bu Zhongyao had both started having nightmares after encountering Zhao Yuan that night. By all logic, Bai Yao should have been afflicted too, yet she was not.

Now Xuan Yuanmo wasn’t sure what to believe. Was it really as the rumors said? Had he encountered something supernatural, haunted by ghosts? But if the three of them had faced the same thing, why was Bai Yao the exception?