After the class ended, the students gradually left the classroom, leaving only Yu Deng and Lu Yan inside.
The blue curtains were a bit dull, and the dim sunset poured in through the window, casting a soft light on Yu Deng's profile, making his delicate features appear even gentler.
During the kiss earlier, Yu Deng had unknowingly been pulled into Lu Yan's arms and seated on his lap. He hadn't realized that his seat had changed.
Lu Yan tightened his embrace, feeling a sense of satisfaction fill his heart.
Yu Deng's head was still dizzy from the kiss. Leaning against Lu Yan's chest, he took a while to recognize that Lu Yan had addressed him, furrowing his brows. "Lu Yan, don't call me Teacher Yu, it sounds so weird."
Yu Deng couldn't pinpoint why it felt strange, but it just made him uncomfortable.
Lu Yan readily switched to another title. "Then, how about Little Deng Teacher?"
"Mm..." It seemed a bit better than the previous one, but still a bit awkward.
Yu Deng wasn't someone who could hide his emotions, and Lu Yan easily read his thoughts from his expression.
After a brief pause, Lu Yan tentatively called, "Deng Deng."
After saying it, Lu Yan subconsciously held his breath, waiting for Yu Deng's reaction.
"Hm?" Yu Deng seemed to accept the new nickname well. "Why do you keep calling me that?"
A smile appeared in Lu Yan's eyes. "Are you satisfied with my performance just now, Deng Deng?"
Yu Deng was relatively satisfied with this top student's performance.
Maybe it was because he was currently suffering from skin hunger, but Lu Yan's gentle and lingering kisses made Yu Deng feel very comfortable.
Yu Deng didn't hesitate to give an evaluation. "The kiss was pretty good, quite comfortable. But next time, don't bite me."
—Next time.
Just a simple sentence like that made Lu Yan's anticipation ignite, making him forget all his hesitations and fall deeper into desire.
"...Okay, I'll be careful."
Lu Yan buried his face in Yu Deng's neck, inhaling deeply, unable to resist leaving a faint bite mark on his pale neck.
"Hiss... I said, don't bite me."
Yu Deng pushed on Lu Yan's chest, complaining, "I just praised you, and now you're making me uncomfortable."
Lu Yan knew when to stop, lowering his eyes and admitting his mistake, "I won't move anymore."
The sky outside had already started to darken. Yu Deng didn't want to stay in the classroom any longer, so he urged Lu Yan to carry him out.
Lu Yan quickly packed up Yu Deng's bag and expertly carried him on his back. Yu Deng rested his head on Lu Yan's back, looking back at the classroom.
Their classroom desks and chairs were a bit old, and because of all the desks and books scattered around, the floor was also piled with various large boxes, making the room look quite cramped.
Yu Deng looked down the corridor and suddenly felt a sense of fear.
There were very few people left in the teaching building, and he had actually stayed in the classroom alone to make up lessons... It seemed that knowledge could make people blind!
The sky darkened quickly.
They arrived at the school path next to the teaching building. Just as they were about to leave, Yu Deng suddenly heard a voice scolding someone.
"Look at your performance on this test. You lost five points on such an easy question. Why did you still make a mistake? You dropped twenty places in the last monthly exam. I've already reminded you to adjust quickly, so why can others do it but you can't? Do you still have the face to continue studying? Honestly, I'm very disappointed."
The speaker was a male teacher Yu Deng hadn't seen before. The person being scolded was a short-haired girl, who covered her face in pain, her test paper falling to the ground, as if she was at her breaking point.
After the male teacher finished speaking, he shook his head and walked away, leaving the girl standing there.
Yu Deng only listened for a few sentences, but he could already feel the suffocating, heavy sense of despair hitting him head-on.
He still didn't understand why someone would so harshly and rigidly deny another person's effort.
Yu Deng looked at the girl and felt like she was going to break.
The next second, the exaggerated description in Yu Deng's mind surprisingly turned into reality.
— Crack.
The girl's cheek suddenly shattered, the flesh turning into fragments that fell to the ground, then transformed in mid-air into pieces marked with a red cross.
She no longer had a face, but the bones of her features remained in their original place. Her two eyes were hollow and lifeless, her mouth wide open as if laughing, but large tears kept rolling down her face: "I've tried so hard…"
The sky had completely darkened, and the shattered girl now looked like a ghost or monster. She lifted her head, staring directly in Yu Deng's direction.
[Holy crap, baby's first-person perspective is so scary, I knew there had to be a ghost or monster in this difficult scenario.]
[I wonder if she'll be aggressive. Damn, it looks like she's coming towards us. Lu Gou can protect baby, right?]
[Probably. But looking at this girl, it's really sad.]
This was the first time Yu Deng had seen such a bizarre scene in this scenario.
It really was an abnormal situation, sob.
Yu Deng trembled at the sight, unable to control his tears, and his eyes quickly filled with water.
"Lu, Lu Yan…"
"Don't be afraid, just don't look at her." Lu Yan's tone was steady, as if he had seen such things countless times before.
Yu Deng shook, trying to calm himself. After a few seconds, he glanced at the crying girl in the distance and suddenly felt very sad. He whispered, "I… I want to go over there a little."
Lu Yan was confused, but still did as he was asked.
Yu Deng pursed his lips, got down from Lu Yan's back, and picked up the test paper that had been soaked on the ground.
As someone who wasn't very smart, and who was often called a fool, Yu Deng could deeply empathize with the despair of studying to the point of collapse, unable to meet expectations no matter how hard you tried.
He held a defensive item in his hand and gently handed over the test paper and a pack of tissues.
The girl froze for a moment.
"You're doing great." Yu Deng whispered. "Don't listen to that teacher's nonsense."
The girl stayed silent even longer, then suddenly raised her hand.
Yu Deng, wary, held the item in his hand, ready to use it at any moment. But the girl only took the test paper, gave Yu Deng a deep look, and her lips moved without sound.
Yu Deng blinked. The girl's face had already returned to its original form, as if the bizarre and terrifying scene had just been his imagination.
"...Thank you."
The girl silently put on her backpack and walked towards the school gate.
Yu Deng stood quietly for a few seconds before turning to look at Lu Yan.
Lu Yan seemed even more silent than before, his expression complex, as if he wanted to say something to Yu Deng.
But in the end, he said nothing. Instead, he kissed Yu Deng lightly on the forehead: "Let's go, I'll carry you back to the dorm."
"Okay…"
Yu Deng lay on Lu Yan's back, gazing at the school for the first time, deeply feeling like he was in a giant cage.
Yu Deng suddenly wondered, where would these students go after school? If there was something wrong with this school, why would they still come back?
…
Yu Deng was full of confusion and emotions as Lu Yan took him back to the dorm.
He could still walk, as long as he went slowly, he wouldn't fall. But Lu Yan insisted on carrying him back.
Yu Deng couldn't figure out why Lu Yan was being so obedient compared to yesterday, so he decided not to think too much.
"Mr. Wang said the dormitory application will be approved next Monday, so I won't be at school tomorrow." Lu Yan seemed a bit worried. "Does your foot still hurt?"
"It hurts, but it's much better than yesterday."
Yu Deng wasn't too concerned. He still had his roommate, Zhuang Lin. Worse comes to worst, if he really needed to move or run, he could temporarily use a potion to recover.
Lu Yan rubbed Yu Deng's head, pausing for a moment, before leaving the dorm building.
Zhuang Lin sat at his desk, watching their interaction, displeased, and put on his headphones, pretending not to care.
Since there was no evening self-study, Yu Deng returned to the dorm relatively early. After showering, he sat at his desk, trying to sort out the clues and the plot.
He bit the pen and stared blankly: "Tongtong, the clues are so messy…"
System 01 sighed: [You can analyze them by combining the tasks you already have.]
Tasks? Yu Deng thought for a moment and remembered his main task.
From the main task, he could already identify two obvious features of Guihuai High School. The first was the very clear and strict rules—there were school-wide rules, and specific places had their own corresponding regulations.
Looking at the punishment in the cafeteria, breaking the rules led to terrifying consequences.
The second feature was... the abnormal pursuit of grades?
Yu Deng thought about his classmates' diligence, the attitude of the school leaders and teachers, and the girl he met in the evening, and felt that his guess was probably correct.
But what about the other things? Like the comprehensive evaluation mentioned at the class meeting, and the fight he had seen—how did they relate to his task?
Yu Deng thought for a moment about his side mission.
Based on his experience from the previous two instances, side missions were usually related to the main story.
So, what could his side mission mean? Yu Deng felt like he was close to figuring it out, but there was still one key detail missing.
His brain began to feel heavy from all the thinking, so he had to stop for a while. He slowly got up, intending to get some hot water from the water dispenser.
He was somewhat distracted and tripped over a shoe on the floor, stumbling forward. Thankfully, Zhuang Lin reacted quickly and caught him. Zhuang Lin didn't know what to say, "Hey, can you be more careful when walking?"
[Ding. Triggered Zhuang Lin's side mission (3): Let Zhuang Lin give you a massage.]
What kind of strange mission was this? Yu Deng was puzzled.
Oh well, it didn't matter. He had been writing problems and notes all day, so his wrists and shoulders were sore.
Yu Deng leaned into Zhuang Lin's arm, his shoulder supported, and softly said, "Zhuang Lin, your hands are too heavy… Lighter, yeah, this pressure's just right, press a few more times."
Zhuang Lin subconsciously followed Yu Deng's words and massaged a few more times until Yu Deng let out a soft hum of relief. Only then did Zhuang Lin realize what he was doing. Annoyed, he withdrew his hands and stepped back.
Yu Deng had already heard the notification for task completion and no longer cared about the massage. Instead, he directed his good roommate, "Zhuang Lin, carry me upstairs, I can't get up."
"…Didn't you go up yourself yesterday?" Zhuang Lin said this, but seeing Yu Deng holding the ladder with a pitiful look, he walked over anyway.
Yu Deng urged, "Yesterday was yesterday, today I can't move. Zhuang Lin… hurry up."
Yu Deng was truly the most delicate person Zhuang Lin had ever seen. Every time he went to bed, he had to carefully change into thin, comfortable sleepwear.
Zhuang Lin lowered his head and could see the skin underneath the loose sleepwear, faintly noticing the cherry-pink spots.
Oh, Zhuang Lin also saw the marks on Yu Deng's neck.
The sour, bitter feeling grew stronger.
The tall and handsome young man couldn't resist Yu Deng's coquettish request. Without saying a word, he picked him up and placed him on the bed, about to let go.
"Zhuang Lin, don't move yet."
Yu Deng had now become proficient at judging whether his skin hunger symptoms had flared up.
Just like now, that overwhelming desire appeared suddenly without any warning.
Yu Deng unreasonably grabbed Zhuang Lin's arm and snuggled close, pressing against him a few times.
Zhuang Lin's temple throbbed with veins, "Yu Deng!"
Yu Deng was startled by his tone, "Why are you yelling at me…"
"I only called your name, why does that mean I'm yelling at you?" Zhuang Lin was so angry he could barely stand it, but he couldn't do anything to Yu Deng, so he deliberately said, "Should I call you 'baby'?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhuang Lin surprisingly felt that the term was quite fitting.
However, Yu Deng had already been called that many times before, so he was used to it: "Hmm?"
Zhuang Lin was both angry and excited, and softly called again, "Baby."
Yu Deng, hearing this, tilted his head in confusion but didn't refuse Zhuang Lin's nickname: "What's up?"
Zhuang Lin didn't reply. He was struggling to suppress the overwhelming emotions he was trying to ignore, but they were about to explode.
Zhuang Lin finally admitted to himself that he was a pervert.
To hell with being a straight guy, to hell with already having a boyfriend. From the moment he saw Yu Deng, he was captivated and wanted his attention.
Even if it meant acting like a dog.
...
Tonight, the dormitory building was just as normal, with no strange noises like the ones Yu Deng had heard on the first night.
Yu Deng was really exhausted these past few days.
After finding out that there were no classes on Sunday, the tension from being in the dungeon and the fatigue from thinking hard during his attempts to solve problems wrapped around him like a tidal wave.
He quickly fell into a deep sleep.
He intermittently dreamed, with various fragmented and disjointed images flashing through his mind, causing him to toss and turn in his sleep.
But unlike Yu Deng, Zhuang Lin had no intention of sleeping.
Since their beds didn't have curtains or mosquito nets, and they lay head-to-head, Zhuang Lin could sit up and, in the dim light, see the blanket next to him bulging, noticing the curled-up figure of the handsome boy inside.
Even Yu Deng's quiet sleep, his shallow breaths, disturbed Zhuang Lin's thoughts.
Time ticked by, and it was already the early hours of the morning.
Yu Deng, mumbling in his sleep, called out, "Zhuang Lin..."
His voice was soft, but the dorm was quiet, and Zhuang Lin's attention was entirely on him, so he caught Yu Deng's call immediately.
Zhuang Lin's already precarious self-control finally shattered. All the excuses he'd used to convince himself to stay away from Yu Deng vanished.
Zhuang Lin could no longer sit still.
The old bunk bed creaked slightly.
Zhuang Lin moved quietly, using the metal railing of the bed to climb up to the top bunk next to him—Yu Deng's bed.
The bunk beds at Guihuai High were standard size; they were large enough for one person, but with Zhuang Lin, a tall and leggy athlete, added, it felt cramped.
The air felt thick and heavy with heat.
Zhuang Lin's heart pounded. In the dim light, he traced Yu Deng's face with his eyes.
Yu Deng's sleeping face was peaceful and beautiful, like a sleeping goddess. His cheek was pressed against the pillow, slightly flushed.
His full lips were slightly parted from his murmured words, inviting a kiss. Yu Deng had no idea that the man who lusted after him had climbed into his bed.
Zhuang Lin watched for a long time before, like a starving beast, carefully leaning over, gently resting his weight on his beloved boy, afraid to fully press down.
His hot, rapid breaths fell on Yu Deng. Zhuang Lin slowly drew closer, his high nose bridge tentatively touching Yu Deng's cheek, then pressing his cheek against his.
After a silent moment of intimacy, Zhuang Lin was no longer satisfied with such simple touch.
He adjusted his position, clumsily and nervously kissing Yu Deng's cheek, slowly moving to his lips, lightly sucking on the plump, soft flesh.
The sweetness and pleasure he'd never experienced almost overwhelmed him.
"Mmm..."
Yu Deng stirred, turning his head and rolling away as Zhuang Lin attempted to invade his mouth.
But in doing so, Yu Deng's face was now fully facing Zhuang Lin.
And because of his movement, the thin blanket slipped down slightly.
Yu Deng's pajama buttons had already been loosened by accidental brushing, revealing his beautifully shaped collarbone and the delicate skin below.
Zhuang Lin swallowed hard, staring intently at Yu Deng, slowly lowering his head to bite Yu Deng's collarbone.
The area quickly became damp, leaving a fresh red mark.
With Yu Deng's collar open, the slightly cool air seeped in, and with Zhuang Lin licking and biting, Yu Deng unconsciously trembled. He let out a few dissatisfied hums through his nose.
"Baby."
Zhuang Lin gazed intently at the sleeping boy, his eyes filled with obsession. He reached out and very gently pushed aside the slightly askew pajama top.
The pink nipple was fully exposed to the air.
The mischievous dog, sneaking a midnight snack, lowered his head and took the nipple into his mouth, nibbling and licking.
A tingling, slightly painful sensation spread from that spot, engulfing Yu Deng in an indescribable feeling.
He was still deeply asleep, but his body trembled uncontrollably from the teasing.
Physiological tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, blurring his delicate beauty, his fair cheeks flushed red.
Yu Deng whimpered, shifting uncomfortably.
Zhuang Lin held Yu Deng down, stroking his back. His low voice was husky, and he coaxed him with an unprecedented gentleness.
"Baby, let me have a taste."
"..."
In his heavy sleep, Yu Deng's bizarre dream shifted. He was being pawed at by a dark, shadowy dog.
This dog was terribly mischievous, constantly pawing at him, its tongue rough, and it even tried to lick him there.
...Pervert!
Yu Deng was about to be driven mad.
He was so tired and sleepy, why was this happening to him...?
Yu Deng first reached out to push away the restless dog—of course, in reality, he was pushing against Zhuang Lin's head, his fingers tangling in Zhuang Lin's neatly cut hair.
Yu Deng pushed hard, but the dog didn't move, instead becoming even more excited, and nipped him again.
Yu Deng let out a disgruntled hum, and finally slapped at the dog, trying to drive away the creature licking him in his sleep.
"Bad guy..."
Slap!
A soft slap landed on Zhuang Lin's face.
Because his sleep had been disturbed, Yu Deng's slap held a hint of annoyance. But his sleepy strike lacked power; the sound was loud, but the impact was light.
Zhuang Lin froze for a few seconds.
He didn't feel pain at all; instead, he felt shamefully more aroused. His earlier rather unrestrained actions subsided slightly, but his gaze remained intensely hot.
He hung his head, his voice hoarse as he pleaded,
"Baby, hit me again. It feels so good, so amazing."
A sleeping Yu Deng wouldn't, of course, fulfill this request...and a waking Yu Deng probably wouldn't either; he'd just blush and scold him with limited vocabulary.
Zhuang Lin could imagine Yu Deng's reaction.
"Baby, thank you for the reward," the tall boy said in a husky voice, his eyes excited and burning with passion. "Can I do it again?"
"..."
Yu Deng could vaguely hear some sounds, but he just took them as part of his dream.
His skin was softer and whiter than fresh snow; the pink, trembling flesh was already glistening with wetness.
Yu Deng, with a slight sob in his voice, mumbled indistinctly,
"...Bad dog!"
Zhuang Lin heard Yu Deng's scolding and remembered the bold words he'd spoken earlier.
He lay down submissively like an obedient dog, without a shred of guilt, and said,
"Woof."