Chapter 21: If I Go Bald, Will You Still Love Me? (21)

With the repeated cries of “Queen!” from Zhongyao Bu and Guyue Shuo, Bai Yao had completely lost herself. It had to be said, your enemies often know you best; after years of rivalry, Zhongyao Bu knew well what Bai Yao liked.

Once Bai Yao agreed to help them after school, the group arranged to meet beneath the boys’ dormitory. Bai Yao glanced at Xuanyuan Mo. “Why are you here too?”

Xuanyuan Mo replied, “I’m having nightmares as well.”

Bai Yao recalled and realized that was indeed the case. Xuanyuan Mo clearly hadn’t rested well; his handsome face was haggard, making Zhongyao Bu feel a surge of pity.

Zhongyao Bu said, “Xuanyuan Mo, we’ll definitely find a solution. If there’s really no way…”

She choked back a sob, dramatically leaning toward Xuanyuan Mo. “Then we’ll have to meet again in the next life!”

Guyue Shuo grabbed Zhongyao Bu’s arm, hugging her tightly as he wailed, “Xiao Yaoyao, don’t give up! We’ll all survive this!”

Zhongyao Bu’s ears hurt from his shouting.

Xuanyuan Mo ignored the eccentric couple, his probing gaze settling on the young man beside Bai Yao.

Shen Ji was gnawing on a packet of jerky. Facing Xuanyuan Mo, he even flashed a pure, friendly smile.

Bai Yao quickly stepped forward to shield Shen Ji. She had no intention of letting Xuanyuan Mo corrupt her boyfriend. “Alright, since everyone’s here, let’s get going.”

At the moment, they had the most information about Zhao Yuan, so they decided to investigate him first. Guyue Shuo kept urging, “Hurry up, you guys! I only have two days left—I don’t want to die!”

Zhongyao Bu said, “What are you shouting for? Look at how calm Xuanyuan Mo is!”

Guyue Shuo glanced at Xuanyuan Mo in frustration, muttered a few words, and fell silent.

Zhao Yuan disappeared from his dormitory, so naturally, they had to check there. After Zhao Yuan went missing, Guyue Shuo was reassigned to another room and never returned.

Girls weren’t allowed in the boys’ dorm, so Guyue Shuo took the initiative to distract the dorm warden, letting the others sneak in.

The room was locked, but fortunately, Guyue Shuo had handed in a key before and still had a spare. He opened the door, and a damp, gloomy air rushed out.

Zhongyao Bu couldn’t help but remember seeing Zhao Yuan that night. She trembled, wanting to hide behind Xuanyuan Mo, but he ignored her. She thought of hiding behind Bai Yao, but Shen Ji looked at her quietly, making her feel uneasy and afraid to approach.

Why wasn’t Guyue Shuo coming yet!

It would have been nice to huddle together for warmth.

Downstairs, after coaxing the dorm warden, Guyue Shuo hurried upstairs, only to bump into a classmate.

Wei Suo, wearing new glasses, lowered his head timidly upon seeing Guyue Shuo; clearly, he’d been bullied by him before.

Guyue Shuo straightened up arrogantly, glanced disdainfully at Wei Suo, and as they passed each other, he heard Wei Suo say, “I heard you’ve been troubled lately.”

Guyue Shuo stopped. “What did you say?”

Wei Suo pressed himself against the wall, not daring to look at Guyue Shuo, and mumbled, “They say you’ve been haunted by Zhenzi.”

Guyue Shuo forced himself to stay calm. “What nonsense are you spouting? I haven’t done anything wrong, why would a ghost haunt me?”

Wei Suo replied, “Vengeful ghosts don’t only harm those they hate.”

Guyue Shuo tried to maintain composure, determined not to lose face in front of Wei Suo, but his pale face betrayed him.

He hadn’t attended classes recently, spending every day asking around about the cursed female ghost. Others naturally guessed what was going on.

Guyue Shuo still cared about his reputation. When he put on a stern face, he could still muster some authority. “My business is none of yours. Don’t spread rumors, and stay away from Zhongyao Bu.”

Guyue Shuo continued upstairs.

Wei Suo called from behind, “Don’t you want to break the seven-day death curse?”

Guyue Shuo stopped involuntarily.

Wei Suo said, “I’ve researched a lot. If you see Zhenzi, you’ll die in seven days. But if you have someone else see Zhenzi, the curse transfers.”

“Of course, not just anyone will do.” Wei Suo lowered his voice. “It has to be someone closest to you.”

—

Zhongyao Bu stood by the door, quietly asking those inside, “How’s it going?”

Bai Yao crouched down, examining the black stain on the floor. “We’re looking, don’t worry. We’ll definitely have time to help Guyue Shuo.”

Zhongyao Bu replied, “Who cares about him! I’m worried about myself.”

She glanced at Shen Ji. “And Bai Yao, are you sure your boyfriend isn’t here just to cause trouble?”

Shen Ji, bored, squatted beside Bai Yao, drawing on the floor. Who knew where Bai Yao had gotten the chalk, but she gave it to Shen Ji for entertainment.

He’d drawn several chibi girls, and from the skull hairpin on the long-haired ones, it was clear who he was depicting.

Bai Yao pulled out her phone, snapping photos of his drawings, praising him without restraint. “Shen Ji’s art is beautiful! He could debut as a professional artist!”

Shen Ji pressed his lips together in a shy smile, looking both bashful and adorable.

Zhongyao Bu could hardly bear to watch.

Suddenly, Xuanyuan Mo spoke up. “If this stain really is blood, with such a large amount lost, there’s no way the person survived.”

Zhongyao Bu folded her arms. “Right? I told you we saw a ghost that night! Bai Yao, you just wouldn’t believe it!”

Bai Yao pouted. “What if it’s someone else’s blood?”

Zhongyao Bu said, “You’re so stubborn!”

“Yao Yao,” Shen Ji held Bai Yao’s hand and asked sweetly, “What are we looking for?”

Xuanyuan Mo said to Bai Yao, “You haven’t told him what we’re searching for?”

Bai Yao had indeed forgotten. Shen Ji insisted on tagging along when he heard she had business today, but never asked what it was, so she forgot to explain.

Bai Yao clarified, “We’re searching for internal organs.”

Shen Ji tilted his head. “Why not check the cafeteria? They prepare lots of meat every day—there must be plenty of organs in the kitchen.”

Zhongyao Bu started, “We’re not—”

Bai Yao clapped her hands. “That’s right, we should look in the cafeteria!”

Zhongyao Bu’s mind was full of question marks. “Bai Yao, what do you mean by that?”

Bai Yao explained, “In the dream, Zhao Yuan kept asking you for organs, but he never specified which kind.”

She cupped her boyfriend’s face, smiling brightly. “Shen Ji, you’re so clever! You’re my darling!”

Shen Ji’s lips curled shyly, but he lowered his gaze bashfully, tugging at his shirt, and muttered softly, “Yao Yao, please don’t call me darling in front of everyone. I’m so embarrassed.”

Xuanyuan Mo: “…”

Zhongyao Bu: “…”

What kind of elementary school couple is this?