Chapter 39

Chen Jingshen looked at the darkness in his palm and obediently stopped breathing.

A few seconds later, his nose was released.

'Are you stupid? You cover your nose but can't use your mouth?' Yu Fan's fingers found his chin and patted it lightly twice. 'Breathe!'

Only when the person beneath him started breathing again did Yu Fan look away.

The people outside knocked on the sedan for a long time but showed no sign of coming in. Yu Fan's patience ran out. He loosened his hand over Chen Jingshen's eyes a little and was about to go out and see what was happening.

The next moment, the sedan curtain was yanked open with a 'shua' by a pair of pale hands! The red light from outside illuminated the inside of the sedan—

The NPC's hands braced on both sides, her ghost face—countless times more terrifying than before—thrust itself in high-definition, uncensored detail right into Yu Fan's face.

She opened her bloody mouth and let out a piercing scream that came straight at him.

No matter how brave Yu Fan was, he couldn't handle it in this enclosed space, especially since this NPC clearly came for revenge—her scream was ten times louder than before.

Fuck.

Yu Fan's hand, which had just moved away a little, slammed back down, covering Chen Jingshen's eyes again.

The next second, Chen Jingshen's arm, which was braced behind him, suddenly bent and covered his eyes too.

The female ghost NPC's scream didn't stop for a long time.

She lifted the 'hair' in front of her face, stared at them for a few seconds, then slowly backed away, still savoring the moment, letting out low 'ugh' growls as she exited.

Yu Fan's vision was completely dark, and he felt his eyelids grow warm. For a very brief moment, all his mind could register was the temperature and scent of Chen Jingshen's palm.

The moment the horror music stopped, Chen Jingshen's hand let go.

A coolness hit his eyelids, and Yu Fan snapped back to reality. He almost immediately let go, bent over, stood up, pushed the sedan curtain aside with his fist, and quickly walked out.

He happened to run into the other three who had come out looking for them.

'Holy shit, this lighting is way too hellish...' Wang Luan'an was scared but couldn't help looking around, blinded by the red lights on the ground.

Yu Fan stood in the light, his skin and white shoes stained with an unnatural red.

Seeing him, Zhang Xianjing asked, 'What were you two doing? I've already performed the exorcism for you and came back.'

'...Got chased,' Yu Fan said succinctly.

Zhang Xianjing said, 'Oh, and the top student?'

Yu Fan didn't answer her. He just turned around with a stiff face, roughly grabbed the sedan curtain, and said, 'Come out, no more ghosts.'

Chen Jingshen, half-bent, leisurely emerged from the wedding sedan.

Zhang Xianjing: '?'

Just as Zhang Xianjing was feeling that this scene was indescribably strange, someone patted her shoulder.

Wang Luan'an: 'Jing, let's go. The last part is done, we're getting out.'

After exiting the escape room, the owner personally brought them tea and water, along with a payment QR code and a feedback form, saying that filling it out would give them a 20% discount.

While filling out the form, the owner couldn't help glancing at the tallest boy.

His slender fingers held the pen, and he scanned an option on the paper with a cold expression.

'How scary do you think Ghost Wedding Scenario is?'

His finger lifted and checked the last box: 'Ultra terrifying! Scared me to death!'

Below that was a blank space for feedback. Chen Jingshen thought for a second and scribbled:

[Satisfied.]

The owner collected the survey forms, beaming with a face full of spring, hesitating as if wanting to say something, and saw the group out the door.

By the time they came out of the shop, it was completely dark. The group discussed it and decided to go eat hotpot.

Wang Luan'an was assertive; as soon as they sat down, he grabbed the menu and took charge of ordering. Zhang Xianjing occasionally leaned over to offer suggestions.

Yu Fan got up to prepare a dipping sauce. When he came back, the only seat left was next to Chen Jingshen.

'Jing, why don't you sit next to the top student?' Wang Luan'an said, looking at Zhang Xianjing who had pulled a chair over to sit in the aisle. 'The waiters are walking back and forth with dishes; they might dirty your dress.'

'No, I'm more comfortable sitting by myself.' Zhang Xianjing asked, 'Yu Fan, what meat do you want? Let Wang Luan'an order it for you.'

'Whatever.' Yu Fan sat down in the empty seat and casually placed his dipping sauce on the table.

After ordering, Wang Luan'an leaned back on the sofa, let out a long breath, and announced, 'I'm never playing an escape room again in this life.'

Yu Fan said, 'Let me make it clear: I'm not going to accompany you and Zuo Kuan to the bathroom again. You two take care of each other.'

'Come on, Yu Fan, weren't you scared too?' Zuo Kuan couldn't help saying.

Yu Fan: 'Me? As if.'

'Don't try to deny it. We all heard you. When you were doing that last duo task, we heard you shouting from far away,' Zuo Kuan mimicked his voice, yelling, 'Chen Jingshen! Chen Jingshen!'

Yu Fan: '...'

After imitating, Zuo Kuan even confirmed with the person opposite: 'Right, top student?'

Yu Fan slapped his chopsticks onto the bowl, and the bowl let out a fragile clink.

So Chen Jingshen said, 'I didn't hear anything.'

Zuo Kuan: '...'

Yu Fan still felt annoyed thinking about it. The two-star rating he'd just given that escape room was too generous; he should have given half a star.

Wang Luan'an and Zuo Kuan started arguing about who was the biggest coward in the escape room. Yu Fan resisted the urge to add Chen Jingshen to that option, picked up his water glass, and took a gulp of cold water. Suddenly, he felt the person next to him glance his way.

'Did you grab the wrong seasoning?'

Yu Fan paused slightly, looked down, and said, 'What's wrong with it?'

Chen Jingshen fell silent, as if briefly recalling something. 'You can eat cilantro?'

The hotpot restaurant was noisy and bustling.

Yu Fan's cup was still in the air. Caught off guard by the question, he turned and asked, 'Why wouldn't I be able to?'

Chen Jingshen held his gaze for a few seconds before finally saying, 'Nothing. Not many people around me like it. Some people are even allergic to it.'

Yu Fan said, 'Oh. I was allergic to it when I was little, but it suddenly went away after I started middle school.'

Chen Jingshen picked up a hot towel to wipe his hands and said flatly, 'I see.'

The hotpot restaurant was very lively at this hour. They sat for about ten minutes before the dishes were slowly brought to the table.

Halfway through the meal, Wang Luan'an suddenly raised his teacup. 'Top student, thanks a lot for helping me this time. When the exam results came out, my dad was so excited he kept sending me money... Since I figured you can't drink, I didn't order any alcohol today. Come, I'll toast you with tea instead. Thanks for your selfless dedication!'

'You're welcome.' Chen Jingshen picked up his teacup and clinked it with his. As he pulled back, he glanced at the person beside him.

Yu Fan held his chopsticks, not lifting his head, seriously cooking meat.

Wang Luan'an downed his tea in one gulp, then couldn't keep his hands to himself and nudged the person next to him playing with his Mobile Phone. 'Zuo Kuan, I'm not gonna say you're not a brother, but we're sophomores now. You really don't want to buckle down with us? Don't end up at some technical school next door while Yu Fan and I get into a top university hand in hand.'

Zuo Kuan shook off his hand. 'Get lost, get lost. You couldn't get into a top-tier university even if you tried.'

'I'm serious. Why don't you try studying? I worked hard for two weeks, and I feel like studying really isn't that hard.'

'Fine, you work hard on your own.' Zuo Kuan finally put down his phone, picked up his chopsticks, and called out, 'Yu Fan.'

Yu Fan: 'Speak.'

'There's a girl in our class who asked me for your WeChat,' Zuo Kuan said. 'I gave her your contact info.'

Yu Fan's eating motion paused. He immediately remembered what the neighboring homeroom teacher had said in the office.

So she really did come looking.

He instinctively wanted to look at the person next to him, but as soon as he turned his head slightly, he caught himself. Why the hell am I looking at him?

Yu Fan subtly straightened his head again and frowned. 'Did I give you permission to share it?'

'No choice. If I don't hand you over, I won't have homework to copy in the future,' Zuo Kuan said cheerfully. 'Don't worry. If she actually sends a request, just reject it. It's not like you have to accept.'

Yu Fan couldn't be bothered to argue with him and continued cooking hotpot with his head down.

After they were full and satisfied, Wang Luan'an paid the bill and asked the waiter for the receipt. Then he asked if anyone wanted to go smoke.

Yu Fan: 'You guys go. I'll wait here for the receipt.'

The moment the three left, a burst of lively cheering came from the table in front.

Chen Jingshen looked ahead lazily. At the next table, it seemed like someone was confessing, and it looked like it had succeeded—a boy and a girl shyly hugged each other.

The phone in his pocket buzzed. Chen Jingshen withdrew his gaze, took it out, glanced at it, his expression turning cold, and directly locked the screen.

The waiter brought the item over. The person next to him said thank you, then pushed back his chair and stood up.

Chen Jingshen stood up too. After waiting two seconds, he realized the person in front of him hadn't moved.

Yu Fan hesitated for a moment before calling him: 'Chen Jingshen.'

'Mm.'

Yu Fan picked up his teacup and awkwardly raised it in front of him.

Chen Jingshen raised an eyebrow and picked up his cup as well.

Just as Yu Fan was about to clink glasses with him, he saw Chen Jingshen's hand suddenly pull back a little, and then he turned his head to look at the next table.

Yu Fan frowned and followed his gaze in confusion—

A boy and a girl had their arms intertwined and, amid the cheers of others, drank a cross-cupped wine.

Yu Fan: '...'

Yu Fan reached out expressionlessly and forcefully clinked glasses with him, sloshing the tea in Chen Jingshen's cup. 'Keep looking if you want to die.'

-

After the meal, the group disbanded on the spot.

After watching the others get into their cars, Yu Fan turned around and walked back.

This street wasn't far from his home; a ten-minute walk would get him there.

He took out his phone and transferred half of today's expenses to Wang Luan'an.

[Wang Luan'an: ? Why are you transferring me money?]

[-: Didn't we say we'd treat together? I'll split with you.]

[Wang Luan'an: I was just saying that casually. It's fine, my dad transferred me a lot of money. Today's on me!]

Although Wang Luan'an hadn't known Yu Fan for long, they were close, and he knew a bit about his family situation.

[-: Take it. Stop talking nonsense.]

Wang Luan'an thought it over and finally accepted it.

[Wang Luan'an: Then next time I say I'm treating, don't split with me.]

There were few pedestrians on the small path Yu Fan was walking. He took out a cigarette from his pocket and was about to light it when his phone suddenly chimed again.

This Wang Luan'an is so long-winded...

[s: [photo]]

Great, here comes someone even more long-winded.

Yu Fan bit the unlit cigarette, opened the photo, and saw a dimly lit car interior, like a casual snapshot.

[-: ?]

[s: It's very dark in the car. I'm a little scared.]

[-: ??]

[-: Scared of what? Isn't the driver sitting up front?]

[s: I took a look. The driver looks like that NPC from earlier.]

[-: ...]

[s: Can we video call?]

[-: No.]

[s: Okay.]

Yu Fan was about to throw his phone into his pocket.

[s: It's okay.]

[s: I just got touched by a ghost today. I'm a bit scared. I should be better in a few months.]

[s: Sorry for bothering you.]

'...'

Yu Fan held the cigarette between his lips and stared at these messages for a while.

He picked up his phone and put it down, put it down and picked it up again. After cycling through this a few times, he put on his earphones with a fierce expression, gritted his teeth, and made a video call.

The other side answered instantly.

Because he was walking on the road, Yu Fan held his phone very low, so the angle was really not great.

He looked down at Chen Jingshen with an irritated expression. 'With such little courage, do you need your parents to guard you when you sleep at night?'

Chen Jingshen said, 'There's no one at my home.'

Without thinking, Yu Fan blurted out, 'I'm not going to video call you to sleep.'

There was a few seconds of silence in the earphones.

Yu Fan: '...'

What the hell am I rambling about?

'No need either.' After a while, Chen Jingshen's voice came through. Maybe because he'd been sitting in the taxi for a while, his voice sounded a bit tired. 'I have Fanfan to keep me company at home.'

Yu Fan: 'Can you change your dog's name?'

'A bit difficult. It's been called that for years.'

Yu Fan walked on the road with one hand in his pocket. Occasionally he passed a few people walking their dogs. He would always unconsciously glance at them, feeling that none of those pet dogs were as good-looking as the one at Chen Jingshen's home.

They chatted intermittently, with occasional half-minute silences in between. When there was no sound in the earphones, Yu Fan would instinctively look down, and then meet Chen Jingshen's eyes through the phone.

After a few times, Yu Fan couldn't help it and said coldly, '...Stop staring at me.'

'Mm.' Chen Jingshen obediently looked away for a moment, then quickly looked back. He asked, 'Did that girl add you?'

'What?'

'That girl from Class Eight.'

'No.'

Chen Jingshen said flatly, 'Would you get together with her?'

Yu Fan was stunned.

What's what?

He frowned. 'No. I don't even know her.'

Chen Jingshen hummed, his voice dropping a little. 'Then what kind of girl do you like?'

'...How would I know?' Yu Fan quickly glanced down at him, then after a few seconds added, 'Anyway, I don't like anyone right now.'

'You will in the future.'

'...'

'Once you have a girlfriend, you won't be able to video call with me anymore,' Chen Jingshen said. 'And you won't be able to sit together with me either.'

Yu Fan: 'Who would care about that...'

'Mm, but I don't want to see you with someone else.'

'I'll ask the teacher to change seats.' The taxi was driving on a small road, and dim yellow streetlights flashed alternately across Chen Jingshen's face. He lowered his eyes, his voice flat.

Yu Fan: 'I...'

Chen Jingshen: 'The letter I wrote you before... you can throw it away too. I didn't spend long writing it, and I didn't revise it many times.'

Yu Fan: '...'

'And the award on the blackboard—'

'I fucking said I'm not getting a girlfriend!' Yu Fan couldn't take it anymore. He raised the phone to his mouth and interrupted him. 'And I don't like any girls!! If you want to video call, just call me! If you want to sit next to me, then sit! Stick the award wherever you want!! What are you being so wishy-washy and long-winded about?!'

Yu Fan finished shouting in one breath and panted heavily twice. He looked up and saw that passersby and dogs were all staring at him in surprise.

...If I ever video call Chen Jingshen on the street again, I'm a dog.

There was no sound in the earphones.

Yu Fan, trying to save face, turned into the nearby Public Park. He took out his Mobile Phone to check it, but the screen was pitch black — Chen Jingshen had blocked the camera.

Yu Fan frowned and called out, 'Chen Jingshen?'

After a few seconds, the other side responded deeply, 'Mm.'

Yu Fan: 'Did you hear what I just said?'

'I heard you.' Chen Jingshen said flatly. 'I understand.'

Suddenly feeling something was off, Yu Fan stared suspiciously at the phone. 'Chen Jingshen, show me your face.'

'...'

The next second, the finger covering the camera was moved away.

Chen Jingshen's phone was positioned a bit low, only showing the lower half of his face.

Chen Jingshen pressed his lips together, silently confronting him for a moment. Then he finally couldn't hold it in anymore and raised his hand slightly to cover his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing lightly.

Twice.

Three times.

Yu Fan: '...'

For a moment, Yu Fan forgot what he had just shouted that could make Chen Jingshen laugh like this.

'Chen Jingshen, if you laugh again, you're dead.' He said darkly. 'Hold your phone properly.'

'Mm, I didn't mean to.'

Chen Jingshen struggled to lift his phone and met his eyes for two seconds.

Chen Jingshen turned his head to look out the window, then quickly looked back.

He seemed to suppress it for a moment, but in the end, he couldn't hold it in, so he lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse from holding back laughter. 'Yu Fan, I really—'

Suddenly, there was no sound after that.

Yu Fan stood dumbfounded in the park, holding his phone and waiting for him for a while. Then he suddenly realized what was happening and, before Chen Jingshen could say the next word, frantically pressed the end call button!

Beep. The video call ended.

There was wind in the park at night.

Yu Fan's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was pressed against his eardrums, and his whole head was burning.

He stood there for a while to calm down, rubbed his face, took out the cigarette from earlier, put it in his mouth, lit it with trembling hands, and started circling the big tree next to him.

It was fucking strange to say.

Chen Jingshen clearly hadn't finished that sentence, but Yu Fan felt like he had heard it.

He heard Chen Jingshen sitting in the taxi, facing the wind by the window, with the driver's strange look up front.

Chen Jingshen sat in the flickering streetlight and said.

Yu Fan, I really—

I really, really like you.