A Morning of Surprises and Encounters

The girl in the photo was beautiful and captivating, with black hair, an aquiline nose, almond-shaped eyes, and a beauty spot beneath her eye. She wore a skirt that barely covered her legs, looking up at the camera with a nonchalant gaze and a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Her lipstick was applied with noticeable inexperience, yet it was undeniably alluring. Su Yan could tell from the background that the photo was taken inside a dormitory. He never expected that a casual remark about a ‘mature woman’ would prompt Lu Lin to dress up as a girl and send him a photo in the middle of the night. Moreover, how did Lu Lin know exactly what to say, even preparing the outfit in advance?

[. : You’re awake.]

Su Yan’s fingertips brushed over the photo, still in a daze. He hadn’t moved from his position since waking up, and his phone was on do-not-disturb mode. How did Lu Lin know he was awake at this hour? Did Lu Lin truly understand him, or was it just his imagination?

[. : Why won’t you talk to me?]

[. : Why won’t you reply?]

[. : Why are you ignoring my messages?]

…

Su Yan’s phone suddenly displayed dozens of messages. He realized he couldn’t avoid it any longer and decided to calm Lu Lin down.

[. : I’m so hurt that you’re ignoring me.]

When Su Yan read this message, his emotions were a complex mix. Lu Lin was standing outside his bed curtain, startling a few other roommates who had just gotten out of bed. Unable to resist, Su Yan pulled back the curtain, curious about Lu Lin’s expression as he sent that message.

Lu Lin seemed to have anticipated Su Yan’s action. When Su Yan peeked out, Lu Lin flashed a confident smile and mouthed a message. Su Yan inexplicably understood the words: ‘You can’t escape.’ Su Yan wished he hadn’t comprehended them.

After seeing Lu Lin, Su Yan retreated back into bed, closed his eyes, and tapped the send button.

[sy: I need a few days to think.]

He expected Lu Lin to pressure him, but to his surprise, Lu Lin replied instantly.

[. : Okay.]

The brief tranquility might not last.

Soon, it was noon, and his roommates were all awake. Su Yan had already finished his morning routine and eaten breakfast. He received a delivery notification, but since he hadn’t ordered anything recently, he wondered who might have sent it. It was possible that it was from a neighbor, a friend studying abroad, or his parents in Sanya.

However, as he checked his phone, he felt a chilling gaze lingering on the back of his neck, making him feel like prey awaiting its fate. Yet, when he turned around, he saw nothing but roommates going about their business.

The school’s delivery station was quite far from his dorm, so he was glad he had added some delivery assistants on WeChat before the semester started. In this weather, walking to pick up the package would have been unbearable.

He lay in his dorm for half an hour, and the delivery assistant had already brought the package to his dorm and taken a photo. Grateful, Su Yan generously tipped the assistant ten times the usual amount. The assistant was thrilled to encounter such a generous customer.

After lying in bed for a while, his fluffy auburn hair became even more tousled. Song Xingyu, who had just returned with food, helped him carry it in and asked, ‘Whose package is this?’

Su Yan’s expression was listless as he replied weakly, ‘Mine.’

The package was a striking blood-red color, so intense it would have startled anyone seeing it at night. Yet, the shipping label clearly displayed his name and phone number. Hesitantly, he used a small knife to open the package, revealing its contents and causing his heart to race. Despite his external calm, his flushed ears betrayed his nervousness.

The large package was filled with red-dyed lavender, and in the center lay a disturbingly realistic severed hand. It even had goosebumps. Su Yan wondered if he had accidentally triggered a mechanism when he cut the package, as blood now seeped from the hand, filling his vision with red and a pungent metallic scent.

Su Yan’s face paled, his beautiful eyes widening in shock. He gasped for breath but couldn’t speak, his fingertips growing numb and a chill spreading throughout his body. Since he hadn’t made a sound, his roommates remained unaware of his plight. However, when he turned around, he found himself face-to-face with Lu Lin, who had somehow appeared behind him.

Lu Lin’s fingers were long and elegant, with a ring on his index finger. The ring’s interior bore faint letters, matching the earring Lu Lin was wearing. He stroked the ring and looked up at Su Yan, who had finally noticed him. Lu Lin’s smile was devoid of warmth, and his voice, though youthful and clear, held an unsettling edge.

‘Speak, who sent you this, Suyan?’

His tone was theatrical, and his words filled Su Yan with both fear and exasperation.

‘Who hurt you?’

Su Yan found Lu Lin’s false concern nauseating. As his emotions settled, he squatted down and picked up the blood-red severed hand. Initially, the sight had been shocking, but Su Yan wasn’t easily intimidated.

He carried the hand to the bathroom, where water flowed with a steady ‘splash, splash’ sound. His slender, pale fingers scrubbed the hand until all traces of fake blood were removed. He then dried it and tossed it onto his bed.

Lu Lin: ‘…’

It seemed he had met his match. Su Yan, unruffled, even managed a sweet smile for Lu Lin.

‘It’s a gift from someone I like.’

This time, it was Lu Lin who lost his composure. His hand stopped moving, and his almond-shaped eyes narrowed dangerously, though he said nothing. Su Yan had been right; Lu Lin had sent the threatening package.

However, the best way to deal with a crazy person was to play dumb. Su Yan, though timid, enjoyed horror movies. Despite his initial shock, he soon grew angry, wishing he could tear apart the prankster.

Su Yan ignored the stunned Lu Lin and climbed back into bed, using the clean severed hand as a pillow while playing on his phone. He was quite skilled at playing dumb.

He had thought the incident was over, but just a few minutes later, Lu Lin reappeared at his bedside. Su Yan muted his phone, curious about Lu Lin’s next move. His initial fear had turned to indifference. He had overestimated Lu Lin’s terror.

It wasn’t just an overestimation; the memory of the original plot had been transmitted to his mind, causing a searing pain that felt like blades cutting into his flesh.

Footsteps approached, and this time, Lu Lin didn’t just stand there. He pulled back the curtain and stared coldly at Su Yan. Su Yan, puzzled, wondered what he had done to offend Lu Lin.

Lu Lin’s gaze traveled from Su Yan’s feet to his face, finally resting on the beauty spot on his neck, then moving to his slightly parted lips and trembling eyelashes. Su Yan felt as if insects were crawling over his skin. Unable to bear Lu Lin’s stare, he was about to ask what he wanted, when Lu Lin leaned in.

His strong hands gently lifted Su Yan’s head, bringing their faces so close that they could see each other’s pores. Su Yan furrowed his brow, and in an instant, Lu Lin forcefully snatched the severed hand and tossed it into the trash can. His expressionless face showed a flicker of anger. Su Yan’s throat felt dry, and he was at a loss, unable to fathom Lu Lin’s intentions.

Why did he throw away his new ‘pet’? Was he jealous? Jealous of the severed hand? Top-tier idiot.

Lu Lin seemed furious and didn’t say a word, remaining by Su Yan’s bedside. That was just fine with Su Yan.

Lunch break soon passed, and Su Yan, who had the habit of taking a nap, woke up to find several messages on his phone. Fearing they were more threats from Lu Lin, he opened them to discover they were from his childhood friend, Qi Nian.

[Qi Nian: I’m back in the country. Let’s hang out, or I won’t have time later.]

[Qi Nian: What are you up to?]

[Qi Nian: Did you see my message? I said I’m back in the country.]

All sent half an hour ago.

Su Yan’s eyes were half-closed, his mind still foggy. After a moment, he understood that Qi Nian was inviting him out. Qi Nian was someone he had known since middle school. Their families were of similar status, and they shared similar interests and personalities. However, Qi Nian had left for overseas studies in high school and planned to complete his university education abroad.

Qi Nian was also gay, but he didn’t care about his friends’ sexual orientation and didn’t understand the concept of a ‘gay prodigy.’ He only knew that many people called Qi Nian a ‘gay prodigy.’

Su Yan brushed off these thoughts, feeling guilt for thinking poorly of his friend. He typed a simple ‘good’ and sent it.

Qi Nian immediately sent back an address: Cyber Game Arcade in Haishi. Their school was in a prime location in Haishi, unlike some schools in the suburbs or rural areas, making it quick to get anywhere by taxi.

Half an hour later, he arrived at the arcade. Located on the third floor of a large mall, Su Yan spotted the flamboyant Qi Nian as soon as he stepped off the escalator. With his bright pink hair, Qi Nian’s pale skin was accentuated. He was currently half-bent over, smiling warmly at a child playing a video game.

‘Hello, prodigy.’

Su Yan walked over and slapped Qi Nian’s back, his tone soft yet laced with amusement. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and their meetings had been infrequent since Qi Nian left for overseas studies.

Su Yan’s slap was neither too hard nor too soft, but Qi Nian dramatically exclaimed, ‘This is mall bullying!’

‘And why are you using that nickname again?’ Qi Nian pouted.

Qi Nian had never questioned the origin of the ‘gay prodigy’ nickname, always assuming it was Su Yan teasing him for being dumb, as he had gone abroad to ‘polish’ his image.

‘Big brother, do you want to play?’

The soft-spoken child tugged at Qi Nian’s sleeve, ‘My mom said even poor people deserve to enjoy life.’

This comment made Su Yan burst into laughter, relieving the tension that had built up throughout the day.

Qi Nian’s expression was kind, though his mouth twitched slightly. He squatted down to eye level with the child, patiently asking, ‘Brother has money, you play on your own.’

‘Big brother, you don’t need to pretend. Come play with me.’

The child’s soft hands gripped Qi Nian’s fingers and handed over their last few coins.

Qi Nian: ‘…’

Su Yan laughed so hard he could barely breathe. He pointed at Qi Nian’s pink hair, ‘Maybe it’s because of your unconventional hair color?’

Qi Nian wanted to say, ‘You don’t know anything,’ but his newly cultivated elegance prevented him from speaking so crassly.

Qi Nian also wore a bunny hair clip, loosely holding his bangs. He turned to Su Yan and said, ‘I need to go to the bathroom to calm down.’

Qi Nian rushed off to the bathroom, and Su Yan was about to remind him, ‘Your backpack is still on your back…’

Less than ten minutes later, Qi Nian returned, the child and his mother having already left. Qi Nian’s breathing was rapid and shallow, his forehead beaded with sweat. He opened his mouth as if to say something.