The Serpent of Eden (4)

“Arrested? R-really?”

“Wow… over a school fight? Why make such a big deal out of it?”

The four girls at the neighboring table reacted with exaggerated shock.

“Let me tell you something else.”

Suddenly, the girl who started the conversation lowered her voice, speaking in a hushed, mysterious tone.

“A few days ago, an officer came to Teacher Li’s office to ask questions. I was there doing makeup work.”

The others immediately leaned in, intrigued.

“No way! What did they say?”

“Basically, Mo Li denies bullying Bai Mian, but You Xi won’t let it go. They couldn’t reach an agreement, so the police station sent someone to investigate…”

“…But… wasn’t it bullying?” one girl asked hesitantly.

“I think so too. Who does that to someone?” another agreed.

“That Bai Mian girl hasn’t been to school in half a month, right? She’s probably transferring. Now I actually feel bad for You Xi. She stood up for someone, but the victim’s hiding—won’t even show her face.”

“Exactly. If Mo Li really did it, why doesn’t the victim just come forward and say so?”

“Right, right…”

What they said after that, Bai Mian didn’t remember.

When she came to her senses, she was sitting in a bathroom stall.

With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed You Xi’s number.

“Hey, Xiao Mian?”

“…Xiao Xi.”

“Yeah, it’s me. What’s up?”

You Xi’s cheerful voice came through—she sounded genuinely happy Bai Mian had called.

“Um… I just remembered something. Do you remember what we talked about at my place the other day?”

“Hmm?”

There was a brief pause—she seemed to be trying to recall.

“Hehe… we talked about so much that day. Which part do you mean?”

“If there’s anything I can do to help you, you have to tell me.”

“…That’s it,” Bai Mian said.

“Oh yeah, I remember. But why bring it up now?”

“Well…”

Bai Mian had planned to tell You Xi what she’d just overheard. To discuss how they could expose Mo Li’s bullying.

It had been over half a month. Though she was still afraid to return to school, afraid to face the classmates who had mocked her and flipped through her work with sneers—she believed that for You Xi, her only friend, she could find the courage to face reality, to overcome her fear and weakness.

But just before she spoke, a small thought—selfish, private—rose in her mind.

—If I don’t say anything… will You Xi ask for my help?

They had made a promise. A real friend would reach out when they needed her. If not…

A faint hope, mixed with fear of the unknown, made Bai Mian change course.

“…Is there anything you need help with right now, Xiao Xi?”

“…” A pause on the other end.

That silence made Bai Mian’s heart leap—like a spark of hope.

“No, don’t worry about me! I’m doing great now. So if there’s anything, just tell me!”

“If it’s for you… I’ll do anything.”

With a voice full of longing and plea, Bai Mian voiced her deepest desire.

She wanted You Xi to ask for her help—so her worth could be proven, so the balance of their friendship could be restored.

It had to be this way. No—only this way.

But from the other end of the line came You Xi’s quiet, firm reply:

“There’s nothing special going on right now.”

“You just focus on getting better, okay? When you feel ready, come back to school… We’re still students, after all. I think that’s best.”

“…I see.”

Before the tears could fall, Bai Mian ended the call.

At first, she felt anger.

But soon, understanding its root, that anger turned into self-loathing and denial. Deep despair spread through her.

All the painful emotions pooled beneath her feet, opening a black abyss where she could stare into her own weakness and helplessness.

…Everyone looks down on me. Everyone despises me.

Then, as if to numb herself, a coldness spread from her core, enveloping Bai Mian completely.

Unlike when she curled up alone in her room, she had never felt such profound loneliness.

A sense of being cast out, rejected by the world.

The bonds she once cherished. The belief that she was cherished. All connections, all memories—severed, fading from her mind.

“…Hahahaha… hahahaha…”

How long had passed? A laugh—raw, unfiltered, shameless—jolted her from the unbearable nightmare.

It was vulgar, as if all decency had been kicked aside.

“You could’ve just said it… but you had to test her. And now… now… hahahaha…”

“What’s so funny?!”

The Dreamfiend in her bag ignored her anger, laughing uncontrollably.

“Playing pretend-friends, then breaking down like this—so pathetic, so broken… Bai Mian, you’re a born clown. Hahahaha…”

“Shut up! It’s not pretend!”

Bai Mian reached into her bag and grabbed the Dreamfiend, squeezing it in her palm.

“…If not… then… others… ignore you… don’t need you…”

Even deformed, barely able to form words, the Dreamfiend didn’t drop its mocking tone.

“Shut up…”

Bai Mian cried. Sometimes, the truth was what you didn’t want to face.

“…Powerless… insignificant… forever… until… death… ha… ha…”

“SHUT UP!”

Bai Mian hurled the creature to the floor. It splattered like烂泥, shattered beyond repair. Already on the brink of death, it couldn’t heal itself.

“I’m… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

Crying, Bai Mian apologized to the broken mass, its single eye still twitching.

“Haha… girl… you can be… cruel after all…”

“I’m sorry, I…”

Bai Mian covered her face, shielding her eyes. She couldn’t bear to look.

“…You just… aimed your anger… at the wrong target…”

With its last ounce of strength, the Dreamfiend spoke:

“If I die… you’ll keep sinking… powerless… for your whole life… while the one who should be punished… faces no consequence…”

“…Do you… think that’s okay… girl?”

Asked this, Bai Mian slowly lowered her hands from her face.

“…Then… what should I do?”

“…This is… your last… chance…”

“…Do you… want… revenge?… Want the power… to destroy… all of this…?”

With its final strength, the Dreamfiend trembled, stretching its tentacle toward Bai Mian.

…Never thought I’d die on a public restroom floor.

In its final moments, Dreamfiend felt a sudden, absurd humor.

It didn’t last. Its consciousness faded. The tentacle began to fall.

…No. Not yet.

A soft, cold hand reached out—and grasped it.