Cowardly Follower (07)

Two hours after the message was sent, there was still no response from the other side.

Lu Zhoucheng, with his pitiful self-esteem that had been repeatedly trampled upon, remained calm and collected, staying up all night playing games in the dormitory with his roommates.

In the game, they kill anyone who gets in their way, showing no mercy whatsoever.

His roommates were a huge drag on his life, but Lu Zhoucheng didn't scold them. Instead, they all praised him, saying, "Your temper has improved a lot since you started dating. You've learned to take care of people."

Lu Zhoucheng twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile more terrifying than looking at a dead man, "We broke up."

"Huh? What happened?"

"Weren't you meeting my parents this weekend?"

"And you spent the afternoon together, didn't you? Don't you have a good relationship?"

During a break in the game, several people surrounded Lu Zhoucheng and asked him questions. Seeing that he didn't say a word and his face was ashen, they all shut up.

It's obvious they've been played.

They hadn't expected that such an innocent-looking young man Song Xueci would be capable of playing with emotions.

But... even being played is kind of fun, right?

If you keep pestering her after the breakup, you might get slapped.

The four of them played games all night and didn't go to sleep until dawn. When they woke up in the evening, they found that Lu Zhoucheng's eyes were red and he hadn't slept at all.

However, this is just the beginning.

For the next few days, Lu Zhoucheng neither ate nor drank. On the surface, he seemed to be playing games, but in reality, he was grinding himself to death. He became noticeably haggard, his heartbreak leaving him looking like a ghost.

His roommates couldn't persuade him, so they had to call the basketball team to talk to him.

The team members were shocked to learn that Lu Zhoucheng and Song Xueci up.

They broke up after only a few days?

Moreover, judging from how Lu Zhoucheng showed off his affection for his wife recently, their relationship should have been very good.

However, outsiders can't really interfere in matters of the heart. Seeing Lu Zhoucheng still staring at his phone, one of the team members advised, "Stop looking at it. If you've broken up, you've broken up. Be more carefree."

Lu Zhoucheng looked like he was dying from heartbreak, but he still stubbornly insisted, "I was just online, I didn't check the messages."

"..." The teammate didn't call him out, "Let's go, let's go drink, we'll forget about it after we drink!"

"Song Xueci can't see you like this. You should at least go out so he can see you."

Lu Zhoucheng finally stood up.

There was a barbecue stall at the back gate of the school. The group poured drinks for each other. Lu Zhoucheng looked like a handsome but disheveled guy, and he seemed aloof, but he got drunk after just two drinks.

After getting drunk, he became much more honest and stopped being stubborn; even his voice was choked with sobs.

"Damn... I've been played."

The team members were making a fuss, and some of them advised him to take it easy, since his first love was at least with Song Xueci.

"What do you know!" Lu Zhoucheng's eyes were red as he roared like a wronged husband, "He saw everything about me! I lost my first kiss! I even got my private parts whitened for him... How could he just dump me like that? What did I do wrong? I really don't know! But I'm definitely worthless now, and I have no choice but to wait for him to take me!"

The handsome man, disregarding his image, revealed some inside information, attracting the attention of several other tables around him.

Especially things like "whitening that area".

His teammates, fearing he might say something even more shocking, immediately covered his mouth.

"Why don't you go ask him again? I think Xue Ci is quite soft-hearted; maybe if you beg him, you can get back together."

I never imagined that the aloof and unattainable Lu Zhoucheng could love so humbly. What's the difference between this and putting a dog leash on yourself?

"Yes, I should ask him why he broke up with me." Lu Zhoucheng, drunk and having long since abandoned any sense of pride, took out his phone and typed something down.

"Why do you want to break up? I've given you everything. You think I'm ugly in certain areas, and I promise I'll try my best to wash them clean from now on. But if they're still dark purple, please don't be disgusted. Have you found someone else? Who is it? Is it your roommate? You can find someone else, but please don't break up with me. Please, please don't break up with me! I'm willing to do anything!!"

I typed a bunch of words in a blur, then tapped send with trembling fingers.

The next second, a very bright and conspicuous red exclamation mark came into view.

"Brother Lu, you..."

The team members all fell silent.

Because Lu Zhoucheng looked so pitiful at this moment. He was usually such an arrogant person, but it was as if someone had taken away his toughest bone.

His eyebrows and eyes drooped, as if they would shatter at the slightest touch.

*

After sending that breakup text message, Xue Ci waited anxiously all night.

According to the original plot, Lu Zhoucheng would feel relieved upon receiving the news.

But now the Fang Ming in a serious relationship... Xue Ci is even afraid that the other person will come to his dorm and drag him out.

Fortunately, Lu Zhoucheng seemed to have accepted the matter calmly, and the night passed peacefully.

Xue Ci breathed a sigh of relief.

The school was too big, and he didn't see Lu Zhoucheng again for several days after he left for class.

"Xiao Ci, why haven't you been going out lately?" Duan Zeran asked casually, "Has Lu Zhoucheng been very busy these past few days?"

Xue Ci made no attempt to hide it. "We broke up."

Duan Zeran froze, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he quickly suppressed it, revealing a worried expression. "What's going on? Weren't you two getting along really well?"

Xue Ci felt guilty again after being told that.

He slumped over the table, offering a perfunctory reply, "Not really suitable."

Duan Zeran patted his shoulder and gently comforted him, "It's better to break up sooner rather than later if you're not compatible. Maybe you'll meet someone more suitable in the future."

Xue Ci nodded. "Thank you."

The moment the words were spoken, the plot changed.

[With the protagonist's comfort, you quickly recovered from your heartbreak. Having lacked love since childhood, you began to like the protagonist because of the gentleness he showed during this time.]

[However, this time you don't plan to confess; you just want to secretly admire her from afar.]

Xue Ci was surprised. Was he really playing the honest guy role? How could he have fallen for someone else so quickly?

11: [Host, having multiple boyfriends is definitely not a problem!]

Xue Ci: "..."

Thankfully, I don't need to date anymore.

Xue Ci pursed her lips.

He didn't want his lips to get sore from being kissed anymore.

After the story data was updated, a mission immediately appeared.

[You need to show your crush on Duan Zeran during this period; the more you do, the easier it will be to refresh the quest.]

Xue Ci skillfully handed the snacks to Duan Zeran.

Duan Zeran asked reflexively, "Are your legs sore?"

Xue Ci was stunned for a moment, then realized that giving him the snacks was a return gift from Duan Zeran after massaging his legs.

But not this time.

Before he could speak, his knees were lifted up by the other person.

The progress bar has increased by one level.

Xue Ci's eyes lit up.

After successfully breaking up with Lu Zhoucheng, the progress of their relationship has stalled.

As if she had found a new direction, Xue Ci snuggled against Duan Zeran's arm.

Duan Zeran paused slightly, then tightened his knuckles, his fingers sinking into her smooth, snow-white skin.

It looked like it could overflow from between your fingers.

I wish I could hold Xue Ci on my lap and kiss her like this.

*

A few days later, the class broke out with the flu and half of the students had fevers, but Xue Ci and her roommates, who seemed to have the protagonist's aura, haven't been infected yet.

Duan Zeran took this matter very seriously, taking his temperature three times a day, dispensing his medication, and always keeping hot water in his thermos.

However, this situation has become common and has occurred all over the country.

People thought it was just a common flu and didn't pay much attention to it.

Schools didn't close, and shops outside were packed with people every day.

Duan Zeran reports the situation to the counselor every day. Some students who are afraid of catching the flu go back to their dormitories after class and do not linger outside.

Xue Ci stayed obediently in the dormitory.

I was doing my homework when my phone vibrated twice.

Xue Ci opened the message; it was from Chen Jun, asking where he was.

After breaking up with Lu Zhoucheng, Chen Jun, seeing that he had lost his backer, became even more aggressive, even instructing him to do something like stepping on Yu Cheng's face.

Blocking someone directly or not replying would be considered out of character (OOC).

Xue Ci helplessly sent the other person a message: [In the dormitory.]

Chen Jun: [I'm downstairs, come down.]

None of her roommates were there, Xue Ci went downstairs alone.

From a distance, he could see that Chen Jun had a cast on his arm and two henchmen beside him.

"I didn't realize you dumped Lu Zhoucheng on your own initiative?" Chen Jun stared intently at that face, then sneered, "And who did you find this time?"

Xue Ci didn't reply to these questions, but asked him quietly what was wrong.

She still looked timid, her little face tense.

Chen Jun really liked Xue Ci's expression; it gave him a strange sense of satisfaction. After a moment, he asked, "Do you know Yu Ming?"

Since they shared the same surname, Yu, Xue Ci could guess. "Yu Cheng's older brother?"

"What brother? He's just a bastard."

After Chen Jun finished cursing, he explained his purpose. Apparently, Yu Ming wanted him to help monitor Yu Cheng, who shared a dormitory with him, and offered him a reward.

Xue Ci shook her head, finding a reason. "I'm not familiar with Yu Cheng."

"Not familiar?" Chen Jun gave a wicked smile. "Weren't you very protective of that bastard? He was as obedient as a dog in front of you, even daring to defy you."

The resistance Chen Jun mentioned likely refers to his wrist being broken.

Xue Ci thought that perhaps Yu Cheng had already awakened some of his supernatural abilities at that time.

The boy's absent-minded look made Chen Jun feel embarrassed. His lackey always sided with that bastard, and his gaze never lingered on him.

"You don't believe me?" He chuckled. "Then I'll take you to him."

Xue Ci opened her lips slightly, and then heard the voice of the mission echo in her mind.

[Chen Jun is determined to retaliate against you and Yu Cheng, so he has you perform an act of humiliation against Yu Cheng.]

Please complete Yiyi according to his instructions.

Xue Ci pursed her lips, when she suddenly heard the sound of the vine breaking.

He glanced at the henchman behind Chen Jun, whose ears suddenly turned red when he saw Xue Ci staring at him. "W-what are you doing?"

Xue Ci frowned and pointed to his feet. "You stepped on a sapling."

The younger brother paused for a moment, then looked down and realized he was standing on a dying honeysuckle vine. He scratched his head, gave a slow, "Oh," then moved aside and looked at Xue Ci's face again.

Chen Jun glared at the henchman behind him. "You're quite obedient, aren't you?"

The underling abruptly changed the subject. "Boss, should we... should we take him away now? Yu Cheng is still trapped in the toilet by our men."

Chen Jun didn't say anything more.

Xue Ci was surrounded by them and walked towards the teaching building without saying a word.

As final exams approach, students who haven't caught the flu are staying in their dorms or the library.

There weren't many people on the road.

It's still the restroom on the first floor of the teaching building.

The door was tightly closed. After Chen Jun pushed it open, Xue Ci saw about ten people surrounding Yu Cheng in a corner. After all, everyone had witnessed Yu Cheng's strength last time. Chen Jun wanted revenge but was afraid that he was not strong enough, so he called more people this time.

However, everyone was clean and had no wounds, so it seemed that they had deliberately trapped him there, waiting for him to humiliate him.

Yu Cheng's face was expressionless at first, but his expression changed slightly when he saw Xue Ci enter.

Xue Ci stood there nervously, waiting for Chen Jun's instructions.

"Take the phone out of his pocket."

After Chen Jun finished speaking with a wicked grin, his underlings started to cheer. A group of people surrounded Xue Ci, and someone pushed her from behind, causing Xue Ci to crash directly into Yu Cheng's arms.

hiss--

It hurts so much...

Yu Cheng's whole body stiffened, and Xue Ci's palm struck his bone directly.

His eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Xue Ci lowered her eyes and stared at her reddened skin, looking rather pitiful.

The crowd fell silent instantly, all staring at Xue Ci. Someone remarked, "So delicate." Xue Ci was clearly taken aback, then looked at the person who had spoken.

The boy's eyes and brows were wet, and his cheeks were flushed.

The underling being stared at suddenly stammered, "I... no, I didn't push him!"

"I didn't push you!"

"It wasn't me either!"

The henchmen rushed to defend themselves, fearing that Xue Ci had misunderstood them.

"Shut up!"

Chen Jun was furious and berated the group. He had just seen clearly that it was Yu Cheng who caught Song Xueci.

The reason I cornered them here today is to prove one thing.

"Quickly search this bastard's pockets!"

Chen Jun raised his voice, urging him on.

Xue Ci trembled with fright. Hearing the OOC warning, she glanced apologetically at Yu Cheng, then reached out and rummaged in his shirt pocket.

There was nothing else, just a handkerchief.

Xue Ci looked somewhat familiar.

Suddenly I remembered—this was from the batch of old clothes he had thrown away.

Yu Cheng... what are you doing with his old clothes?

Xue Ci subconsciously looked up and met Yu Cheng's gaze. The other man's eyes were fixed on him, carrying the damp, sticky feeling unique to rainy weather.

Xue Ci's shoulders trembled slightly, and she averted her gaze.

He didn't care about any of that, turned around and whispered to Chen Jun, "The search is complete..."

Chen Jun still didn't let it go. "The pants pockets."

Xue Ci turned around with difficulty and reached into Yu Cheng's pants pocket.

The other person was wearing faded jeans that had little elasticity, and Xue Ci practically groped him against his skin.

Only one phone was found.

Xue Ci around, laid out the things, her eyes red. "Is it okay now?"

Chen Jun didn't look at him, his gaze fixed on Yu Cheng. He suddenly chuckled softly, "I felt something was off about you last time... Sure enough, you bastard! You dare to like Song Xueci? What are you doing stealing Song Xueci's things? To smell them? Or to masturbate? I see you're already hard... You damn bastard! Would you get aroused if Song Xueci stepped on your face?"

Xue Ci's cheeks flushed red from these filthy words.

He couldn't help but frown. "Stop talking."

Chen Jun's expression froze. "You feel sorry for him? Why aren't you kicking him?"

Seeing this, the henchmen around him immediately restrained Yu Cheng.

Yu Cheng seemed to have no intention of resisting, letting them do as they pleased, her eyes fixed on Xue Ci.

Xue Ci motionless for a long time.

My brain has been screaming "OOC" (Out of Character) warnings three times already.

moment.

The boy's soft voice drifted out.

"I don't want to."

Chen Jun and his underling were both stunned.

Xue Ci pursed her lips tightly, her lips turning white with fear, yet her gaze held a hint of coldness.

"I don't want to bully him."

Sorry, this mission failed.

[The cowardly follower character's out-of-character (OOC) exceeds 20%.]

[Further punishment has been arranged for the host.]

Xue Ci tensed up instantly. Before he could even be punished, he felt himself being pulled hard from behind.

He was practically lifted up.

Yu Cheng supported his thighs and held him in her arms like she was holding a child.

"You--"

Xue Ci had just opened her mouth when she heard the window shatter with a loud bang!

He turned to the side, his breath catching in his throat!

A giant plant vine shattered the glass window, its tendrils piercing one of the henchmen's chest before lifting him into the air, blood splattering everywhere!

The group of people were stunned until hot blood splattered on their faces before they realized what had happened!

The door was closed, shutting out the wailing and howling from inside.

Xue Ci's vision began to sway, and the feeling of weightlessness made him uncomfortable. He subconsciously wrapped his arms around Yu Cheng's neck.

The other person was very strong and easily grabbed him with nimble movements.

The corridor receded rapidly.

A few drops of blood were on Yu Cheng's clothes, but Xue Ci's face and hands were clean.

The entire school building was filled with howling sounds.

Once outside, Xue Ci could see that the surrounding plants were all suspended in mid-air, wildly writhing and manipulating among the crowd.

Have the plants mutated?

Even though she had seen similar scenes in holographic games, the sight of blood everywhere still made Xue Ci feel nauseous.

His cheeks turned pale, and he buried his face in Yu Cheng's shoulder.

Yu Cheng held the person tightly with one hand, freeing up the other to be ready for battle at any moment.

Fortunately, they made it back to their dormitory without any major incidents.

The dormitory area remains quiet and peaceful, and the plants are all doing well.

The dormitory manager, seeing their fleeing appearance, even asked them a question.

Before they could figure out what was going on, they simply asked the other person to close the door securely.

Once she sat down in the dormitory, Xue Ci was completely exhausted.

Duan Zeran asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Yu Cheng succinctly stated. "Some plants have mutated and can kill people."

The remaining two both paused, their expressions freezing.

Although it's unbelievable, strange things have been happening a lot lately, and besides, Yu Cheng isn't a liar.

Duan Zeran looked at Xue Ci's pale face, tore off a piece of chocolate, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Then I patted his back to comfort him.

"It's okay, we're all here, don't be afraid."

Xue Ci danger and regained some strength.

Wu Feng and Duan Zeran outside in the corridor to check the situation.

Yu Cheng suddenly moved closer and reached out to him. "My things."

Xue Ci was stunned for a moment before realizing that the other person was referring to what he had just found in the toilet.

He was still clutching these things tightly in his palms, which were covered with a thin layer of sweat.

Yu Cheng took the phone, along with the handkerchief.

After realizing what had happened, Xue Ci remembered that the handkerchief was his.

How could this be...?

He opened his mouth, but remembering that the other person had just saved him, he swallowed back what he wanted to say.

The two who went out to check the situation returned quickly. Duan Zeran suggested that while waiting for the school's notification, they should carry weapons in the dormitory so that if the mutated plants really came to the men's dormitory, they could increase their ability to protect themselves.

It seems that some people in the class group have also experienced this.

The messages kept refreshing.

Xue Ci was looking at her phone when 11's voice suddenly rang out: [Host, Chen Jun and his group have all met their demise.]

Upon hearing Chen Jun's name, Xue Ci suddenly remembered that she still had to accept system punishment.

His shoulders trembled nervously. "[... What will my punishment be?]"

11: [Sorry, host, I can't find you at the moment. I've placed two protective amulets on you, which can block ordinary pain. How are you feeling now?]

Xue Ci was just exhausted from being frightened, but she didn't feel any pain: [The punishment probably hasn't started yet.]

His nervous appearance led everyone to believe he was frightened by what had just happened.

Duan Zeran told him to go lie down on the top bunk and rest properly. He said there were guards in the dormitory, and they would call him immediately if anything seemed wrong.

Xue Ci trusted the protagonist a lot, and her head felt heavy.

Without further hesitation, she crawled into bed.

He didn't sleep well. When he woke up and got out of bed, his head was clear, but his chest felt tight and swollen.

It's a very strange feeling.

It felt like something was about to burst out of my chest.

"Xiao Ci, how are you feeling now?"

Xue Ci had just woken up, had a musty, damp scent all over him. His three roommates couldn't help but gather around and ask about his health.

"I feel a little unwell." Xue Ci lowered her eyes. "My chest feels a bit tight."

Duan Zeran's gaze moved down from Xue Ci's beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and he asked with concern, "Do you want me to take a look at you?"

Author's Note:

Afterwards -- do you want me to help you suck it up? [pity][pity][pity]

The character card shows Nami wrapped in bandages, her clothes soaked, and she's crying pitifully. [Pity][Pity][Pity]