The Midnight Tryst in the Woods

Just then, the system’s voice suddenly rang out: [While you were sleeping, the live-stream was cut off again, and my connection with you was forcibly severed. Are you alright?]

Ye Shengge sat on the bed in a daze, not saying a word. His exquisite, watery eyes were filled with a hollow blankness, looking as piteous and helpless as a lost kitten.

One look at this reaction and it was clear something had happened. But he did not want to talk about it.

The system did not press him and changed the subject: [The boss of this dungeon is not to be underestimated. I have been forcibly disconnected from you twice now. You must be extra careful, complete the mission as quickly as possible, and leave this place.]

The first time, the system thought it was just an accident and didn’t take it to heart, even providing a free upgrade to the live-stream room. But after the second occurrence, it quickly realized the dungeon boss was behind it.

The uncontrollability of this boss was far too high—high enough to sever the link between a system and its player. Though the duration was short, it was enough to cause a lingering fear.

The system had no doubt that if this continued, given the boss’s level of interest in Ye Shengge, he would eventually find a way to keep him in this dungeon forever.

By then, it would be too late.

However, no matter how anxious it felt, the system was barred by rules from revealing the correct answers to Ye Shengge. Everything depended on his own efforts.

Hearing about leaving the dungeon, Ye Shengge’s eyes lit up, and he instantly perked up.

At this point, he could no longer afford to care about shame. He immediately told the system about what happened in the “dream” and the abnormalities in his body. Finally, he asked piteously: [System, does the dungeon boss want to eat me?]

The system was so shocked it sent three exclamation marks in a row.

It never expected the day would come when this simple-minded little fool would finally “get it.”

Then, it heard the fool’s next sentence: [Like eating pork? First skinning and gutting me, then turning me into food.]

The little fool’s eyes were red, and his voice trembled. As if afraid the system wouldn’t believe him, he quickly added: [Otherwise, why would the boss lick me? He must think my skin is tender and easy to bite into.]

The system didn’t know how to answer that.

It couldn’t very well tell this naturally slow-witted darling, “Ah, yes, the boss definitely craves your tender skin, but his definition of ‘biting into you’ is entirely different from yours.”

In the end, it only said dryly: [He won’t. Go eat lunch first.]

Hearing the system say “he won’t,” Ye Shengge’s heart immediately settled. He finally remembered Jiang Yan, whom he had left hanging.

Even though chatting with the system only took a few seconds, he still felt it was impolite to ignore someone. Just as he was about to apologize, he was interrupted by Jiang Yan’s boisterous voice.

“What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” Seeing Ye Shengge staring blankly at him without speaking, Jiang Yan strode to the bottom of the bunk, pacing in circles with worry.

Mu Jinran, who was reading at the desk, closed his book as well. His gaze landed on Ye Shengge as he followed up on Jiang Yan’s words: “Were you frightened by what happened this morning?”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan hurriedly tried to comfort him: “This morning was just an accident, don’t be afraid. As for that anonymous message in the group, it’s just someone playing ghost to scare people. Worst case scenario, even if it’s real, I’ll protect you. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

“Let’s eat first,” Ye Shengge said, shaking his head, not wanting to say more.

If the pervert who touched him while he slept was truly the dungeon boss, Mu Jinran and Jiang Yan—two ordinary people—definitely wouldn’t be able to detect him. There was no point in saying it and upsetting them.

“Right, right, eat first. I specifically went to the cafeteria and got a bunch of dishes; there’s bound to be something you like.” Seeing Ye Shengge finally willing to acknowledge him, Jiang Yan followed his lead, the smile never leaving his face.

At this moment, he lacked even a hint of the rebelliousness and hostility he had when they first met. He was as obedient and clingy as a tamed large breed dog, retracting his terrifying fangs and claws to show his master his softest, most vulnerable belly.

If anyone else who knew Jiang Yan saw this, their jaws would hit the floor.

“Thank you.” Even from the top bunk, Ye Shengge could see the table piled high with takeaway boxes. He realized that when Jiang Yan said “a bunch of dishes,” he likely meant he had bought one of everything from the cafeteria.

Thinking of this, he felt a bit embarrassed: “Should I transfer some money to you? This must have cost a lot.”

Actually, he had wanted to say this in the morning, but every time he mentioned a transfer, Jiang Yan would block him.

“No need, no need. Do I look like someone who lacks this bit of money?” Jiang Yan rejected him without hesitation, then added somewhat awkwardly: “But if you really want to reward me, that’s not impossible. I don’t want money, just… don’t ignore me.”

To Jiang Yan, as long as Ye Shengge was willing to talk to him, he had already received a priceless reward. How could he take money? He’d much rather spend money on Ye Shengge.

This request wasn’t difficult for Ye Shengge. He nodded and said to Jiang Yan, whose emotional intelligence was occasionally non-existent: “Okay, as long as you don’t say things that make me unhappy anymore.”

In fact, when Jiang Yan helped buy breakfast, Ye Shengge realized this person was completely different from what he had imagined. He had slowly begun to let down his guard and drop his rejection.

If Jiang Yan didn’t constantly speak ill of Mu Jinran, he wouldn’t have ignored him at all. He might have even treated him as an equal friend to Mu Jinran once they got close.

Jiang Yan didn’t know what he had missed out on due to his low EQ and impulsiveness. Just hearing Ye Shengge say he wouldn’t ignore him was enough to make him ecstatic.

Because he was in a good mood, even when Ye Shengge invited Mu Jinran to sit and eat with them, he rarely picked a fight. Instead, he magnanimously stated there was enough food for Mu Jinran to eat as he pleased.

The three of them had a very harmonious and pleasant lunch.

To Ye Shengge, Mu Jinran and Jiang Yan were now both his friends. If they continued to be at each other’s throats, he would be very troubled being stuck in the middle.

Seeing the two of them finally getting along, the smile on his face became much brighter.

After the meal, Ye Shengge planned to continue sleeping to conserve energy, but he worried about the dungeon boss coming back to harass him. He went to entrust Jiang Yan, who had the most free time: “If I act strange while sleeping, don’t hesitate—wake me up immediately.”

Though he didn’t know why the youth said this, Jiang Yan patted his chest and promised: “Don’t worry, I’ll be right here watching you.”

On the side, Mu Jinran keenly noticed that his mental state wasn’t great. He frowned and said: “Sleep. You need the rest. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Hearing these words, Ye Shengge suddenly felt relieved. He believed that with someone guarding him, the dungeon boss wouldn’t dare do anything to him.

The reality was exactly as he expected.

Without the boss’s interference, Ye Shengge slept incredibly peacefully. Even his dreams were sweet, and he slept until nightfall.

Dinner was again eaten in the dormitory.

After eating, Ye Shengge leaned against his bed restlessly, focusing intently on the time displayed on his phone screen.

As soon as 10:00 PM hit, Mu Jinran, who was reading, and Jiang Yan, who was busy gaming, both went to the bathroom to wash up. It looked like they were heading to bed.

Only then did Ye Shengge’s racing heart slowly return to a steady beat.

Admittedly, catching up on sleep during the day was very effective.

While Mu Jinran and Jiang Yan lay in their beds sleeping, Ye Shengge hid under his covers, wide awake and nervously watching the countdown on his screen.

At 11:00 PM, Mu Jinran and Jiang Yan were sound asleep.

The dormitory was silent, save for a few faint, steady sounds of breathing.

Ye Shengge climbed down from the top bunk with extremely light movements. He was incredibly nervous, terrified of waking Mu Jinran who slept on the lower bunk.

Thankfully, heaven was on his side. The process of getting down and opening the door went smoothly without waking anyone.

Seeing the dormitory door successfully closed, Ye Shengge let out a long breath, then tiptoed away, quickly heading for the woods.

The system asked: [Do you need the chat open?]

Ye Shengge looked at the entrance of the woods not far away and shook his head: [Just talk to me.]

The chat content was often too explicit; he was too embarrassed to look.

The system didn’t refuse, seemingly agreeing.

Ye Shengge took a deep breath and stepped firmly into the woods.

The woods tonight were even darker and quieter than last night. The moonlight was completely blocked by thick foliage. The further he walked, the darker it became, until he eventually couldn’t even see the path.

If it weren’t for the system’s encouragement, the timid and darkness-fearing Ye Shengge would have long ago been too weak-kneed to walk.

But the small amount of courage he had managed to muster was instantly deflated like a punctured balloon when someone suddenly hugged him from behind.

“Who is it?”

Ye Shengge turned his head tremblingly, trying to see who was holding him.

However, his eyes had not fully adjusted to the darkness, so he could see nothing but the person’s rough outline.

The man, who held his waist tightly, had no sense of personal space at all. Relying on being taller and stronger, he held Ye Shengge firmly in his arms, his hot breath fanning against his ear: “You finally came.”

Ye Shengge froze, then realized that the man holding him was the anonymous person who had invited him out.

The anonymous man was slightly dissatisfied with his daze. He tightened his grip on the youth’s waist, forcing him to stand flush against him.

Ye Shengge could clearly feel the man’s calloused fingertips lightly stroking his vulnerable, forced-up neck.

“Don’t space out in front of me, or I will get very angry.”

The voice was hoarse, sexy, and filled with danger.

Having said that, the man suddenly lowered his head to take the youth’s earlobe into his mouth, licking and nibbling it provocatively.