Cowardly Follower (01)

East University.

Inside the stadium, a friendly basketball match is in full swing.

The first half had just ended, and the athletes were taking a 15-minute break. The spectators, tired of clapping and cheering, picked up their phones and casually opened a short video app.

"The trending topics are exploding again; things aren't going well lately."

The boy speaking was wearing a basketball uniform and looked like a substitute player. He clicked on the top-ranked entry.

#Wild animal mutation causes injuries, death toll reaches 7#

A teammate leaned over and took a look. The video was from a surveillance camera. On a highway, a small-looking wild deer crashed into a car, then smashed through the window and began tearing at the people inside.

The scene was too gory; even after being censored, it still felt cruel.

"This deer is so small, yet it managed to overturn a car. The video must be a composite."

"That's possible. But with the volcanic eruption a while ago, acid rain in Dong'an last month, and this happening again this month, could it be the end of the world?"

"They said they'd come back in 2012, and that's been over a decade."

The boy smiled indifferently.

Every year, countless natural and man-made disasters occur around the world. As long as it's not in their own city, most people simply treat it as news, forget about it after a few days, and don't care. They certainly don't think it will happen to them.

"Hey, stop looking at your phone, look at the third seat in the row in front of us."

Both of them turned their gazes in that direction at the same time.

What came into view was a section of fair calf, slender and thin but not withered, the sock completely covering the ankle, with the soft flesh at the edge slightly bulging.

Her skin was radiant and fair, as if it would ooze moisture at the slightest touch.

The knees were all pink, and a little flesh was puffing up as the owner stretched.

My gaze traveled upwards inch by inch until I saw half of a delicate and beautiful profile.

Even from this distance, the eyelashes are clearly visible, like a light feather fan, casting shadows onto the pink under-eye area.

Her cheeks were slightly chubby, and her face was misty.

The boy stared, stunned. When he came to his senses, his ears burned instantly, and he coughed, "Who... who is this?"

Another person whispered, "I made a few inquiries, she's in the math department, a freshman this year, her name is Song Xueci."

"Oh, I remember now, it's that little lackey Chen Jun recently took on. His hair was so long before, I didn't notice, so this is what he looks like..."

"He's been at the stadium for three days, sitting there staring at our Brother Lu the whole time."

"Could it be that she's taken a liking to Brother Lu? With Brother Lu's temper, he'll probably stay single forever."

"Brother Lu's mouth is like it's coated with poison. Song Xueci seems timid enough; I hope she doesn't end up crying when he rejects her."

"Hey, I haven't even confessed yet! What if I'm not here to see Lu Zhoucheng, but someone else?"

The boy who said this had a hint of expectation in his voice.

Xue Ci, sitting in the front row, was completely unaware of their conversation.

He was struggling with his first task in this new world.

After successfully completing three small worlds, Xue Ci was promoted from a novice to a junior employee, and 11 also leveled up, expanding the range of worlds she could accept.

This world is rated A-level. Although it's set in a school, a natural disaster involving zombies won't be far off.

As the difficulty level increases, the corresponding task points will also increase.

Xue Ci had only seen zombie movies in films, where the terrifying scenes provided sensory stimulation, but she had never actually experienced a world teeming with zombies.

I was nervous for several days after I got the costume.

Fortunately, the next month will be safe.

But he wasn't idle during this time either; in fact, his task was quite arduous—he needed to win over Lu Zhoucheng, the most handsome guy at East University, and then take the initiative to break up with him.

To pursue someone, you need to understand them first. These past few days, besides watching Lu Zhoucheng's basketball games at the gymnasium, Xue Ci has also been browsing posts on the school forum.

There are many popular posts about Lu Zhoucheng, with most people commenting that he's "aloof and unattainable," "cold-faced," "such a handsome guy, it's a pity he has a mouth," "it would be great if he were mute," and "pretending to be handsome."

Lu Zhoucheng is a junior this year. During his freshman year military training, someone took a picture of him and posted it on the confession wall. His indifferent profile picture during military training made him an instant celebrity at East University.

Countless people were drawn to it, but after learning the details, they all backed away.

Lu Zhoucheng was arrogant and undisciplined, looking down on everyone.

An anonymous, enthusiastic netizen claiming to be Lu Zhoucheng's childhood friend replied, "The other person hates physical contact with others and dislikes clingy, spoiled types the most."

Luckily, I'm not one of them.

Xue Ci gained confidence.

11: [Host, we need to pretend to deliver water to Lu Zhoucheng.]

Xue Ci: [Okay.]

The reason I say "pretending" is because I couldn't actually deliver it.

Xue Ci plays a character who is timid and cowardly, only daring to secretly admire someone. She fell in love with the eye-catching Lu Zhoucheng as soon as she entered university, and after half a year of unrequited love, she cautiously confessed her feelings to him.

Lu Zhoucheng agreed to date him only out of pity. After they got together, they almost never went on a date alone, and Lu Zhoucheng was even more unwilling to have any physical contact with him.

He then realized that Lu Zhoucheng didn't like him. After being sad for a few days, he was disheartened and took the initiative to break up with him.

We had only been dating for about a month.

Xue Ci's arrival in this world was accidentally delayed; currently, Lu Zhoucheng has already noticed him and added him on WeChat.

I need to hurry up and catch up with her.

Xue Ci up.

On the other side, in the rest area on the stage.

"Hey, Old Lu, isn't that guy a freshman in our department?"

Lu Zhoucheng tightened the cap of the mineral water bottle and wiped away the water droplets that had rolled down his Adam's apple. The boy was dressed more conservatively than any of the other players on the field, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt under his loose-fitting number 7 jersey.

Compared to the still-naive male college students, his physique was noticeably more mature. Judging from the muscle lines on his arms and calves alone, he must have a broad back and a narrow waist under his clothes.

Following the other person's gaze, Lu Zhoucheng looked over and saw a very fair-skinned boy among the crowd of people delivering water not far away.

His body was wrapped in oversized sportswear, making him appear even thinner.

She was holding a bottle of water, standing there, looking at him with a blank expression.

Lu Zhoucheng looked away.

"He seems to be looking this way, is he going to bring us water?" his companion exclaimed excitedly. "I think he's been here for three days now!"

"You've got so much free time."

Lu Zhoucheng spoke calmly.

"What's his name?" His companion scratched the curly hair on his head, his ear tips turning slightly red.

Lu Zhoucheng slightly raised his eyelids, seemingly uninterested. "I don't know."

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and saw that the boy hadn't handed over the water; he seemed to have returned to his seat.

I've been here for three days, but I haven't dared to come and deliver water yet.

Despite being so timid, her eyes remained fixed on him.

Lu Zhoucheng scoffed lightly.

casual.

Anyway, he was wearing a lot of clothes.

The second half of the match lasted forty minutes.

The mathematics department won the competition effortlessly, crushing their opponents with overwhelming strength.

"Wow, Old Lu, why are you playing so aggressively today? You're not giving up a single point!"

Lu Zhoucheng said casually, "Just play your normal game."

He didn't participate in the team's discussions, but walked to the rest area alone, seemingly waiting for something.

Five minutes later, as if he hadn't waited, he finally turned around and glanced at the audience.

Someone else has taken a seat in the front row.

*

Xue Ci was on her way back to her dormitory.

Logically speaking, with only a few days left until he and Lu Zhoucheng officially started dating, he should have asked for Lu's WeChat today.

But... I haven't done my calculus homework yet.

It's due tomorrow.

Xue Ci didn't even watch the second half of the game before rushing back to her dormitory.

After finishing my advanced math assignment, my roommate Duan Zeran happened to come back.

The boy had a gentle and handsome appearance, but he had grown to 1.9 meters tall. His shirt bulged slightly on his chest, and the muscles hidden beneath his clothes revealed boundless explosive power.

Duan Zeran is the protagonist of this world.

Like the protagonist in a typical disaster drama, the system's information shows that he is of noble character and easy-going personality.

Duan Zeran activated his water-based superpowers and also possessed the cheat ability of having a spatial storage space, leading his classmates to fight their way out of the encirclement and be rescued.

In contrast to the protagonist, Xue Ci is a cowardly cannon fodder in this world, always dragging everyone down, and the protagonist also faces danger several times while saving him.

The two have a good relationship.

Duan Zeran walked over. "Didn't you go to watch the game today?"

Xue Ci her head back, her lips curving into a smile, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of coquetry. "I came back to do my calculus homework, look! I finished it in just one hour!"

Those light-colored eyes sparkled, as if waiting for praise.

Duan Zeran paused for two seconds, then smiled and said, "Impressive."

Xue Ci was very satisfied.

Duan Zeran handed over the plastic bag in his hand. "Want some ice cream? I just got back from outside and bought some."

Xue Ci lowered her eyes and carefully selected.

Duan Zeran stared at that face, feeling that something was wrong with her.

He and Song Xueci were only nodding acquaintances before. But in the past few days, Song Xueci seemed to be very clingy to him. When she talked to him, she would stare at him with wide eyes. When she encountered homework she didn't understand, she would hold his arm and say in a very soft voice, "Please, please." When she saw that he was thirsty, she would directly hand him her water cup, not caring at all that the water stains she had sucked were still left on the rim of the cup.

Duan Zeran's Adam's apple bobbed, and after seeing that the person had made their choice, he quietly returned to his seat.

He and Song Xueci were in the same row, their beds were next to each other, but Xue Ci slept on the side against the wall.

A quick glance reveals my roommate leaning on the back of a chair, munching on an ice cream.

Its mouth is very small, and its cheeks bulge out when it bites.

Her lips were frozen red, with bits of melted, milky-white ice cream still clinging to the corners.

However, it was quickly licked clean.

Duan Zeran's eyelids twitched violently, as if he had thought of something.

So far, if Song Xueci is dependent on him, then these behaviors are normal.

But he's not normal.

Duan Zeran lowered his head.

His brother had stood up as soon as he smelled the flower-like fragrance emanating from Song Xueci.

This has been the case for the past few days.

Xue Ci didn't notice what this virtuous protagonist was thinking. The weather in May wasn't hot, and he was halfway through his ice cream when he complained it was too cold and didn't want to finish it. But it was given to him by Duan Zeran, and it wouldn't be appropriate to throw it away in front of others.

Just as I was worrying, I heard Duan Zeran suddenly ask, "Can't you eat anymore?"

Xue Ci and whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Duan Zeran stood up. "Give it to me, it attracts bugs easily in the dorm, I'll throw it outside for you."

The sticky liquid from the melting ice cream had already dripped onto Xue Ci's fingers. Without further hesitation, he handed the ice cream to the other person.

Slender, white, and bony fingers brushed against him lightly, Duan Zeran's back instantly felt like it was on fire.

His fingers gripped the popsicle stick so tightly they turned white.

After leaving the dormitory, Duan Zeran stared at the teeth marks still left on the ice cream.

moment.

Take a big bite down there.

Author's Note:

Another pervert, ugh.

Although Lu Dog pretends to be innocent, he's actually one of the more naive ones.

Two more slices haven't come out yet.

The word count is a bit low, so the second update should be around 3 or 4 AM... Please check back tomorrow.