Tong Xiaosong doesn’t like Gu Xuan because the first time he was bullied was by Gu Xuan.
He doesn’t know when he offended Gu Xuan, but on the day Gu Xuan publicly confessed, some people looked at him as if they wanted to tear him apart.
Facing someone’s confession for the first time, he felt lost and guilty for rejecting the person. However, he truly doesn’t know what it means to like someone, and he doesn’t want any interaction with Gu Xuan.
He just wants to study, to walk out of this dark and long road, and to go to a sunny place with his mom and sister.
Unexpectedly, on the way back to the dormitory that night, a few girls dragged him into a corner.
He doesn’t know why girls would have such strength, to pin him against the wall and slap him fiercely.
His cheek burned from the pain, his vision blurred, and he vaguely saw a person smoking in the shadows by the wall.
Between the glowing embers of the cigarette, he saw that person’s face—it was Gu Xuan.
After what felt like an eternity, the girls finally stopped. After scolding him with many words, they left with high spirits.
The expensive sneakers stepped into the mud and came to his side.
“Tong Xiaosong, promise me. After being with me, no one will dare to bully you again.”
The confusion and guilt he felt when rejecting the confession during the day turned into a mockery in an instant.
It turned out… the person treated him as nothing more than a toy.
But he felt guilty for not rejecting the person more formally for most of the day.
Later, in almost every instance of bullying he faced, there was the shadow of Gu Xuan.
Gu Xuan treated him as if he were taming a disobedient prey.
With cruel and intense methods, he forced him to submit, to obey.
Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would bury himself under the covers and let tears flow.
Their lives seemed so exciting, so why did they have to trample on others?
***
After finishing dinner in the cafeteria, Tong Xiaosong silently returned to the dormitory alone.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The other three hadn’t returned yet, and on the dormitory table were oranges and a knife for peeling them.
Ktf bgjcufr kfgf ybeuta ys atf batfg atgff, jcv tlr ujhf qjrrfv bnfg atfw. Lf rlifcais rkjiibkfv.
Pc atf wbecajlcr, remt atlcur kfgf cba qjgalmeijgis gjgf, yea tfgf atfs kfgf regqglrlcuis fzqfcrlnf.
Kjxlcu j vffq ygfjat, tf rtloafv tlr ujhf jkjs ogbw atf bgjcufr.
Dfmjerf tf vlvc’a vjgf ab erf atf vfrx, tf teuufv tlr ybbxr jcv uba bcab atf yfv.
Turning on the small lamp on the bed that was halfway broken, it was something he picked up from the trash—something someone else didn’t want.
He liked the school’s trash bins because he could always find some good things in them.
With the curtain drawn around the bed, it felt like he had entered his own fortress.
Tong Xiaosong finally lifted his head, looking at the dim light emitted by the small lamp as if gazing at the sun.
The naturally curly stray strands of hair softly hung on his pure forehead. His dark yet hollow eyes reflected bright spots of light, adding a touch of vulnerability and despair.
After a moment, Tong Xiaosong finally shifted his gaze and looked at the books.
***
With a bang, the door opened, and familiar yet chaotic footsteps entered, mixed with the laughter and banter of the three.
“That ghost thing really asks about everything?”
“They say it can answer about anything, and it’s surprisingly accurate.”
“No way, I’m really curious now.”
“Wanna give it a try today?”
“Do we have to go to the old building? Can’t we do it here in the dorm?”
“They say the old building is more eerie, making it easier to summon.”
Tong Xiaosong quickly turned off the small lamp, placed the books under the pillow, closed his eyes pretending to be asleep, but his ears were keenly listening to the sounds outside.
Zhu Fan: “Hey, it seems the scaredy-cat is asleep.”
Cui Jian scoffed, “Sleep my ass. If he’s asleep, I’ll eat the desk.”
The sound of a lock being pulled rang out, and the curtain was pulled open. Tong Xiaosong tensed up.
In the next moment, a large foot in shoes kicked Tong Xiaosong in the waist.
“Ugh!” Tong Xiaosong was instantly in pain, cold sweat breaking out. He twisted his face, gritted his teeth, but couldn’t make a sound.
Cui Jian: “Sleep my ass! Get up!”
Tong Xiaosong breathed shakily for a few moments, covered his waist, and climbed down from the bed, standing silently with his head bowed by the bedside, saying nothing.
Seeing Tong Xiaosong in this state, Cui Jian’s anger surged, “Who the hell are you trying to show that defiant look to?”
Cui Jian lifted Tong Xiaosong’s chin and ruthlessly slapped his cheek, producing crisp slapping sounds.
Tong Xiaosong’s eyes flickered, “I… ”
“No bullshit!” Cui Jian backhandedly delivered a slap.
A sharp sound!
Tong Xiaosong’s face turned to the side, his whole body swaying. His teeth collided with the inner wall of his mouth, filling it with a taste of blood.
“Get lost!” Cui Jian kicked Tong Xiaosong to the side of the table.
A dull sound.
Tong Xiaosong’s vision darkened, his forehead throbbing with pain from the impact.
He grabbed the table to pull himself up, and a fragrance wafted into his nose.
Looking up, the first thing that caught his eye wasn’t the brightly colored oranges but a shiny, glittering knife.
The knife was dazzling, tempting him with an impulse to pick it up and resolve everything.
Feeling like he got burned, he immediately averted his gaze, turned his back to the table, tightly clasped his hands, and dared not recall the fleeting image.
Cui Jian took off his T-shirt and threw it on the bed, then found a thick hoodie to put on.
Zhu Fan rummaged through the desk, “Pen… paper… anything else?”
Zhao Shanyi said, “Just these two, for a pen pal. Besides pen and paper… oh right, candles! Don’t forget to bring two white candles.”
Zhu Fan grumbled, “Damn, where are we supposed to get white candles in the dorm?”
After saying that, Zhu Fan’s gaze turned to Tong Xiaosong, his eyes brightened, “Hey, you go buy two white candles.”
Tong Xiaosong nodded with his head down, “Okay.”
Zhu Fan scoffed, “Scaredy-cat,” and then focused on the pen in his hand.
After changing clothes, Cui Jian saw Tong Xiaosong still standing in place. Irritated, he said, “What are you doing? Go already!”
The attention of the three was now all on Tong Xiaosong.
Tong Xiaosong stammered, “Money…”
Zhu Fan rolled his eyes, “I’ll give it to you when you come back.”
Tong Xiaosong said, “I, I don’t have money. I need to get it first.”
Cui Jian walked toward Tong Xiaosong, anger on his face, “No money? What if we find money on you today?”
Tong Xiaosong nervously tried to step back but was blocked by the table. Helplessly looking back, the gleaming blade once again attracted his gaze.
Suddenly turning his head back, he vigorously shook it, “P-please, I beg you…”
Zhu Fan exaggeratedly wailed, “Fuck… it’s like we’re the bad guys!”
Zhao Shanyi squinted his eyes, full of malice, “Cowardly and stingy, really embarrassing us men! Search him! If you find even a penny, stuff it in his mouth! Make him eat it!”
The three rushed towards him, and Tong Xiaosong immediately covered his pants pocket.
It was as if they were given a signal; six hands restrained Tong Xiaosong while crazily tearing at that pocket.
“No, no! That’s… that’s money my sister earned from selling potatoes…” Tong Xiaosong’s voice had a hint of tears.
In the struggle, almost subconsciously, he grabbed the knife that had imprinted itself in his mind and fiercely swung it forward.
“Damn!”
The three immediately backed off, stunned. They stared blankly at the knife in Tong Xiaosong’s hand.
Zhao Shanyi and Cui Jian’s clothes were torn, and there was a shallow cut on Zhu Fan’s hand, slowly oozing bright red blood.
Damn the protag is tragic, alright. And from my experience with the extreme bullying genre he’s about to get more tragic for attacking the bullies.
Damn, but where are the ghosts??? I’m waiting 🙃
good! I thought MC was a total doormat. He’s finally showing some spine.
Seriously, what is wrong with you?
This level of disdain for victims really isn’t healthy, you should work that out with a professional
ur kinda sick in the head
You should just drop the story. You’re actually disgusting
These shitheads make me so mad with their elementary level of bullying ughhh. This is not gonna end well for our mc 😩
Seriously tho….. what’s the point of bullying someone???? My blood boiled read this chap
Same, Bullying is the one thing that triggers my absolute rage. I have no sympathy for bullies no matter how violent their payback is. And i hope it is.