Chapter 5: If I Go Bald, Will You Still Love Me? (5)
The next morning, rumors of a transfer student coming to Class One spread quickly. The boys hoped for a beautiful girl, while the girls wished for a handsome boy. Of course, some with inside information already knew the newcomer’s gender, but they were happy to stir up excitement.
Lu Xiaoran nudged Bai Yao and whispered, “Zhao Yuan didn’t come to class today.”
Following Lu Xiaoran’s gaze, Bai Yao noticed an empty seat in the classroom, presumably Zhao Yuan’s.
Lu Xiaoran spoke in a conspiratorial tone, “I heard something happened in the boys’ dorm last night.”
Bai Yao lowered her voice as well. “What happened?”
“In Dorm 404, after study hall, the boys returned to find the floor covered in blood-soaked entrails...”
Bai Yao asked curiously, “Were they having hotpot in the dormitory?”
“Oh, no, not animal organs—human organs!” Lu Xiaoran replied.
Bai Yao covered her mouth and let out an exaggerated “Wow.”
Lu Xiaoran could tell Bai Yao was treating this as just another story, but she couldn’t help but press on, describing it vividly: “The boys pushed open the door and immediately smelled blood. As they went further in, they found bloody organs in the bathroom. They were scared out of their wits and rushed to get a teacher, who then called the principal.”
“Did they call the police?” Bai Yao asked.
Lu Xiaoran shook her head. “The boys in that dorm were traumatized. The teachers called their parents, but their families all said they didn’t have time to come, and told them to focus on their studies at school.”
It seemed that at this school, all the parents were strangely obsessed with academics. Even if something happened to a student, as long as they could walk and talk, their parents wouldn’t take them home. It was as though they were left here to fend for themselves.
“So what happened next?” Bai Yao asked.
“The teachers switched them to another dorm for now, but I doubt they’ll show up in class for a few days. They probably just want to rest.” Lu Xiaoran lowered her voice even further. “Yao Yao, do you know what the key point is?”
Bai Yao whispered back, “What is it?”
“Zhao Yuan is also from Dorm 404, and he hasn’t been seen since last night.”
Lu Xiaoran gave herself goosebumps just saying it. She glanced nervously around and whispered, “Yao Yao, I really think our school is haunted.”
Bai Yao was shocked. “Really?”
Lu Xiaoran could tell from Bai Yao’s theatrical reaction that she didn’t believe her. Frustrated, she continued, “How many supernatural incidents have happened here? How many people have just disappeared from this school for no reason?”
Bai Yao asked, puzzled, “Didn’t you say before the girls’ dorm was haunted? I’ve been living there just fine. Now the boys’ dorm is haunted too?”
Lu Xiaoran replied, “Well... ghosts get bored staying in one place. Maybe it went to visit the boys’ dorm for a change!”
With a mysterious smile, Bai Yao said, “Xiaoran, let me tell you a secret.”
Lu Xiaoran listened intently. “What is it?”
“Schools are usually built on graveyards.”
Lu Xiaoran was speechless. Now she was sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
Just then, the bell for morning study rang. The teacher led a girl into the classroom. She was sweet and innocent-looking, and though she seemed a bit shy facing so many unfamiliar faces, she tried her best to introduce herself naturally. “Hello everyone, my name is Lu Zhizhi. I hope you’ll all take care of me from now on.”
The applause from the girls was half-hearted, but the boys’ enthusiasm was overwhelming. After all, they were used to dazzling beauties like Bai Yao, so a pure and unassuming girl was a refreshing change.
Lu Xiaoran had already gathered information on the transfer student. “Lu Zhizhi comes from an ordinary family. Recently, her dad won a huge lottery prize and overnight became rich. He spent a lot of money to get Lu Zhizhi into our school.”
In short, she was a girl with no real background. For someone like her, a single misstep in this school could easily make her a target.
Bai Yao was certain now: Lu Zhizhi was the heroine. An immediate sense of crisis welled up inside her.
After class, a girl with long, straight black hair walked in from the corridor. She smiled sincerely at Bai Yao. “Yao Yao, I heard your class has a new student. All the girls in school are sisters, so we’re planning a welcome party for her tonight. Will you join us?”
It was Friday. Even though Saturday wasn’t a holiday, students were free to socialize on Friday through Sunday evenings.
This girl was Bu Zhongyao, the belle of the neighboring class. Bai Yao had always outshone her, making their relationship rather complicated. Bu Zhongyao was always looking for ways to stand out. Now that Class One had a new student, she took the lead in organizing a welcome party—what a surprise.
Incidentally, it was Bu Zhongyao who had previously spread rumors that Bai Yao’s looks were artificial and that she had designs on other people’s boyfriends.
Bai Yao glanced to the side. Bu Zhongyao’s friends were enthusiastically chatting up the new student, as if they were long-lost sisters.
Bu Zhongyao suddenly remembered something and added with a smile, “Oh, I’ve also invited classmates from my class. Shen Ji should be coming too.”
Bai Yao smiled. “You’re inviting me to your party?”
“Of course! We’re sisters, aren’t we? I had to invite you.”
Bai Yao replied slowly, “Then you must know I have high standards for parties. All the parties I’ve hosted used only the best of everything in the world. Zhongyao, as my dear friend, you mustn’t lower the standard and let people laugh at us.”
Bu Zhongyao’s smile stiffened for a moment. Everyone knew Bai Yao spent money like water; she’d spend more on a single party than most of them spent in months. But she couldn’t admit defeat, so she forced a smile and said, “Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed.”
After Bu Zhongyao and her friends left, Lu Xiaoran said to Bai Yao, “That witch is definitely up to something inviting you. I heard her boyfriend has a thing for you.”
Bai Yao picked up a utility knife and snapped it a few times. “If he’s not afraid of me castrating him for real, he can be as bold as he likes.”
Lu Xiaoran felt a phantom ache just thinking about it.
Lunchtime was lively in the cafeteria. Shen Ji sat beside Bai Yao, staring at her without blinking.
Bai Yao checked his calligraphy workbook. Seeing he had obediently copied out two sets, she placed her drumstick in his bowl. “Not bad. Keep up the good work.”
A smile immediately broke out on Shen Ji’s face. He took a big bite of the drumstick and mumbled, “Yao Yao, I studied really late last night.”
Bai Yao added sweet and sour ribs to his bowl next. Shen Ji loved meat, especially sweet meat, so she praised him generously. “Shen Ji, you’re amazing. You’ve worked hard. Eat more.”
Shen Ji nodded eagerly. “Mm, I’ll eat more!”
Bai Yao glanced to the side and suddenly asked, “Do you feel anything for that girl over there?”
He was still gnawing on the drumstick, not even looking up. “No feelings.”
He was clearly brushing her off.
Bai Yao cupped his face and turned him to face Lu Zhizhi, who sat on the other side. She asked again, “Well? How do you feel when you see her?”
Shen Ji looked confused. “What kind of feeling?”
“You know...” Bai Yao mimicked his words, “The kind of feeling where you want to eat her.”
He replied, aggrieved, “Yao Yao, I’m really picky. I don’t eat just anyone. Other than you, I don’t want anyone else.”
With him gazing at her with those Bambi-like eyes, Bai Yao’s heart melted. She immediately scooped all the meat from her plate into his bowl.
Shen Ji looked at the pile of meat, his eyes brimming with gratitude. “Yao Yao, you’re so good to me.”
Bai Yao sat closer and said, “Remember, you’re only allowed to eat me, not anyone else.”
Shen Ji nodded earnestly, pressed her hand to his cheek and promised, “I won’t eat anyone else, only Yao Yao. If I’m lying, may my body be torn apart.”
Bai Yao was speechless.
Her boyfriend’s oaths were certainly... unique. But—so cute!
She grinned and pinched his cheeks, making him giggle from the tickle.