The Whirlpool of Debt and a ‘White Moonlight’

Zhou Yi’s initial skepticism towards the game was steadily giving way.

“Xiao Qi! Can you find out where Chen Hao is right now?”

[Of course! Xiao Qi will now activate the ‘Lost Lamb’ precise location service for you~]

A translucent screen instantly unfurled before Zhou Yi’s eyes.

On the screen, a pale-faced Chen Hao was huddled in a corner of the rooftop, his hands trembling as he frantically replied to a barrage of debt collection messages.

“Next week! I’ll pay it back as soon as I get my part-time salary next week! Please, just a few more days’ grace!”

After repeated assurances, a brief silence settled, only to be shattered by a ‘ding’ from his screen, startling him so badly that his hand jerked, nearly dropping his phone.

Upon seeing that the sender was Lin Yating, Chen Hao immediately exhaled a sigh of relief, an involuntary smile gracing his pale features.

[Brother Hao, are you busy? I’ll treat you to bubble tea after class~]

[I have something to take care of right now…]

[It’s fine~ You do your thing! Cute.jpg]

Chen Hao stared at the cute avatar, lost in thought for a moment.

Before he could even reply, another new message popped up.

[But… my phone’s been lagging a lot lately, I’m so afraid I’ll miss your messages. Wistful.jpg]

The moment he saw those words and the wistful emoji, Chen Hao abruptly stood, his head thudding against the wall.

Yet, he seemed oblivious to it, his eyes bloodshot as he frantically scrolled through his contacts, finally stopping at [Campus Loan – Manager Liao].

Just as his trembling finger hovered over the dial button, a ‘ding’ resounded!

Zhou Yi’s message suddenly flashed across the screen:

[Haozi, where did you disappear to? Old Zhang is taking attendance!]

Chen Hao tapped on the message, the madness that had just ignited in his eyes slowly extinguishing as he slumped back down.

Back in the classroom, Zhou Yi, having witnessed this, could no longer maintain his composure; that message had indeed been sent by him.

He was now one hundred percent certain: this cursed game was real!

Chen Hao, trapped in the whirlpool of online loans, was real;

And that vampire-like Lin Yating, she was absolutely real!

Recalling the conversation he had just seen on Chen Hao’s phone, Zhou Yi felt an inexplicable rage surge to his head.

He irritably tugged at his hair, “‘Damn it! Does this woman absolutely have to drain him dry?! And Chen Hao, that idiot, does he not know how to say ‘no’?'”

Jiang Chen, noticing his unusual behavior and the muttered, nonsensical curse, gently poked his arm with a pen cap and slid a note towards him.

“Possessed?”

Zhou Yi gazed at the flamboyant handwriting on the note, suddenly seized by an urge to spill everything—the game, the tasks, and all of Chen Hao’s messy affairs.

Ultimately, however, he merely scrawled a hasty reply: “‘Stomach ache.'”

Old Zhang’s lecture gradually faded into a blur as Zhou Yi’s mind became completely muddled, his temples throbbing.

He could almost envision Chen Hao pressing the dial button to call the loan manager, those usurious contracts coiling like venomous snakes.

What if Chen Hao actually borrowed from them…?

…Even if he did borrow, it was none of Zhou Yi’s concern!

He already had two major troubles inexplicably hanging around his neck; he could barely protect himself.

Besides, weren’t all these troubles ultimately brought upon him by Chen Hao’s suicidal simp mentality?!

Furthermore, if he were to interfere in this mess again… what if he failed once more?

What even more outrageous punishment would that morally bankrupt system mete out?

Currently, it was ‘Pair of Aces’; next time, it might be a ‘Full House’!

Would he even survive that?

Zhou Yi shook his head, forcing himself to stop thinking, yet a heavy feeling persisted in his chest.

To make matters worse, the classroom felt even more stifling.

Outside, the sun climbed higher inch by inch, its rays scorching the desks through the window, and the temperature steadily crept upwards.

As if by cruel coincidence, the air conditioning today was the ‘stuffy’ kind, merely wheezing out lukewarm air that felt like someone breathing hot breath directly onto one’s face—utterly nauseating.

Having finally endured two classes, he felt as though he was on the verge of being steamed alive.

The oppressive jacket made Zhou Yi dizzy, his back already drenched in sweat.

Seizing the moment when Old Zhang turned to write on the blackboard, he furtively unzipped his jacket slightly to let in some air.

A cool breeze had barely slipped beneath his collar, before he could even exhale in relief, when the girl beside him suddenly turned her head.

“Are you alright?” the girl whispered, observing his flushed face. “Your face is so red…”

Startled, Zhou Yi fumbled to pull his zipper back into place, forcing out a smile uglier than a grimace.

“‘N-nothing’s wrong! It’s just… I suddenly feel a bit cold…'”

The girl glanced at the blazing sun outside the window, then at Zhou Yi’s tightly bundled jacket, and silently turned her head back, a hint of unspoken words in her expression.

Zhou Yi felt utterly helpless, on the verge of tears, as he slumped half-dead onto his desk, questioning his very existence.

Just as the dismissal bell finally rang, Jiang Chen stood up and casually pulled Zhou Yi, who was practically sprawled in his seat, to his feet.

“Come on, to the infirmary.”

“No, no, no!” Zhou Yi exclaimed, startled, quickly pulling away from him.

How could he possibly go?

Going to the infirmary was no different from walking to his death!

“Why are you still stubbornly holding on when you’re this wilted?”

“‘Really, I’m fine. I-I’m just a little sleepy…'”

He let out a dry laugh, then a sudden idea struck him.

“‘Oh, right, aren’t you going to the basketball court for training this afternoon? Why don’t you take your brother along to mooch some air conditioning? The AC over there is ridiculously cold.'”

Jiang Chen frowned, looking at Zhou Yi’s jacket, then reached out to feel Zhou Yi’s forehead.

“Are you sure you don’t have a fever?”

“‘Fever, my foot!'” Zhou Yi playfully dodged his hand, then casually slung an arm over Jiang Chen’s shoulder.

“‘This classroom is like a steaming basket right now; it’s going to be hot no matter what, so we might as well go mooch some higher-grade AC from your place.'”

By the time the two arrived at the basketball court, it was already buzzing with activity.

In preparation for the upcoming inter-school league, the training matches were in full swing, and the stands were packed with throngs of spectators and cheerleaders.

Zhou Yi, who wasn’t there to watch the game anyway, immediately ducked and slipped into the furthest corner, comfortably slumping into a seat.

As the cool air caressed his sweat-dampened nape, he contentedly narrowed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

“‘Blissful…'” He squinted, feeling as though he had finally come back to life.

Just before drifting off, he happened to glance up and catch Jiang Chen executing a beautiful turnaround jump shot on the court, immediately eliciting a burst of applause and cheers from the crowd.

He, too, grinned.

****

The sound of the final whistle stirred Zhou Yi from his cool, deep slumber.

He stretched languidly, a satisfied smile gracing his face as he slowly ambled down the stands.

“‘Free air conditioning truly is amazing…'”

He looked up, his gaze meeting Jiang Chen’s sweat-streaked face, a pair of clear, bright eyes regarding him with a hint of a smile.

“Had enough of the cool air?”

“‘Absolutely blissful!'” Zhou Yi beamed, slinging an arm over Jiang Chen’s shoulder.

“‘Come on, since you played so hard today, your old man will treat you to an iced cola….'”

Just then, a girl in a pale blue dress approached with elegant, small steps.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, giving her the appearance of a fresh and delicate white flower.

In her hands, she carried a bottle of mineral water and a towel.

A shy blush colored her cheeks as she walked directly up to Jiang Chen, her voice so soft it seemed to drip with sweetness.

“‘Jiang Chen… I’m Lin Yating from the Faculty of Arts. We discussed the anniversary celebration plan at the last Student Union’s cultural and external relations department meeting, do you remember me?'”

Zhou Yi was just about to nudge Jiang Chen with his elbow, teasing him about attracting another admirer, when he nearly choked on his own saliva upon hearing the name “Lin Yating.”

“‘Cough, cough, cough!'” He covered his mouth, his eyes wide as he stared at the girl before him.

‘So… she’s Lin Yating?!’

‘No way.’

‘This is the ‘white moonlight’ who has Chen Hao utterly infatuated?’