Chapter 6: Jealousy (5)

Emerging from Room 204B of Men’s Dormitory Building 4, Jiang Shengsheng was lost in her own thoughts until she collided with a hard, muscular wall.

She raised a hand to cover her aching nasal bridge, her tear-filled eyes clouded with mist as she looked up at the man who had suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What’s wrong?" Jiang Shengsheng asked in a muffled voice. "Why did you stop?"

"Do you think they are the culprits who framed Song Wu?" Song Qingxiu’s expression flickered with something peculiar, which he quickly masked.

He had never told anyone—not even the other players in his faction—that it felt as though he had lost a portion of his memory. It was strange; the feeling of losing control was unsettling, though he regained his composure quickly.

Lowering her head, Jiang Shengsheng missed the look on his face. She thought for a moment, then shook her head, only to nod immediately after.

Her contradictory reaction made Song Qingxiu chuckle. "Yes and no? I don’t think they did it directly, but they are suspected of being indirectly involved."

He felt a pang of sentimentality; he hadn't expected someone like Song Wu to be backstabbed, or even isolated and bullied.

Only when players fully immersed themselves in their roles could they have a chance to see the truth. By embodying the character of Song Qingxiu, one could begin to understand Song Wu—the quintessential "golden child" of others' expectations.

Before Jiang Shengsheng could respond, a clear voice called out from behind them: "Older sister?"

The two turned around in succession. Seeing Xi Jinyuan, Jiang Shengsheng’s lips curled into a smile. She stepped forward and asked, "Classes haven't ended yet. Did you get out early?"

Xi Jinyuan smiled but didn't answer. His bright eyes shifted to the man standing behind her. His smile deepened, though a sense of wariness and provocation welled up in his eyes. "Have you eaten, sister? Would you like to go to the cafeteria with me? My roommate found a pretty good place."

Jiang Shengsheng hesitated, as she had originally intended to treat Song Qingxiu to a meal to thank him for his help.

Sensing her hesitation, Xi Jinyuan’s smile faltered. He looked up at Song Qingxiu. He had to admit, his "sister" was incredibly charming, always attracting all sorts of exceptional men. It was truly a headache.

Meeting Xi Jinyuan’s undisguised provocation and displeasure, Song Qingxiu let his lowered lashes hide a fleeting, dark glint in his eyes, and he offered a faint smile in return. To Xi Jinyuan, this was nothing short of blatant defiance.

His hand, hanging at his side, tightened until Jiang Shengsheng waved a hand in front of his face, snapping him back to reality. "Are you not wanting to go?"

"I asked Senior Song for a favor today and promised to treat him, so maybe next time," Jiang Shengsheng explained.

When Xi Jinyuan’s innocent puppy-dog eyes suddenly dimmed, Jiang Shengsheng bit her lip. She turned to Song Qingxiu and asked uncomfortably, "How about we all just go together?"

Song Qingxiu... naturally had no objections. Receiving those provocative looks again, he gave a silent, cold scoff, the mirth in his eyes turning icy. *He is just an NPC,* he thought, *so why do I feel so bothered?*

On Friday, Jiang Shengsheng finished her classes early and prepared for her livestream. Sitting at her computer desk, she wore an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved top; the cold air from the AC kept the room cool, so she didn't feel the heat.

"Hi babies, good afternoon."

Meanwhile, in a dark room in the city, the man sitting before a screen curled his lips. The cold, white light cast upon him revealed a look of fervent obsession in his eyes. His bony fingers gently brushed against the screen where the woman’s pretty face appeared. The man let out a low laugh. "...You are mine."

Jiang Shengsheng suddenly sneezed. Seeing the scrolling comments, she laughed. "The weather forecast says a strong cold front is moving in next week, babies. Remember to bundle up."

She worked as a chat streamer, usually rambling about this and that; her fan base wasn't huge, but they were quite active.

["Wife is so beautiful today! Mwah!"]
["Wife should bundle up, too. I remember you're in the north, right? It should be even colder there."]

The comments didn't scroll too quickly—something Jiang Shengsheng had requested so she could respond to most of them. As the stream neared its end, she felt relieved that the fan who had left the strange comments earlier hadn't reappeared.

Suddenly, a new comment popped up, and the words caught in her throat, nearly choking her.

["Wife is wearing a cute plaid skirt today; it’s so pretty! I want to kiss your mouth! I want to hold you in my arms. Don’t get close to any other dogs, wife, or else husband will go crazy..."]
["I followed you to the cafeteria today and ordered the food you like, heehee. It was so great to be close to you; I want to feed you with my own mouth."]

Jiang Shengsheng’s expression froze. Glancing at the time, she hurriedly began her closing remarks: "Thank you all for your love. That’s it for today’s stream. If you like the streamer, please follow and remember to show your support~"

With that, she quickly shut down the stream.

Sitting in her soft gaming chair, Jiang Shengsheng rubbed her arms, shivering in disgust as she tried to shake off the sticky sensation of being watched. Then, the words from the comments surfaced in her mind. Her slightly stunned brain processed the details: "followed to the cafeteria," "ordered food you like," "close contact."

Jiang Shengsheng felt the chill in the room intensify. They had gone to the cafeteria early today; most students were still in class, and there were only a handful of people there. The number of people sitting near her could be counted on one hand.

Afraid to delve any deeper, she patted her cheeks and grabbed a change of clothes to head to the bathroom.

Song Wu, the ghost, appeared at irregular intervals. When she felt a cold, ghostly chest press against her back and powerful arms wrap around her waist, she felt as if she had become immune to it.

Until she caught the scent of blood filling her nose.

"You're hurt?!" The woman in his arms turned around, her small face filled with worry.

The handsome man curved his lips, narrowing his long, slender eyes like a cat receiving affection from its owner. He loved the feeling of being watched and cared for by his lover; it was a trap dripping with sweet honey, laced with poison—once caught, there was no escaping.

His icy, piercing fingers gently caressed her lips. Song Wu leaned down and kissed the corners of her mouth repeatedly. "You’re wearing makeup today. You look beautiful."

Hearing his non-sequitur, a nameless rage surged within Jiang Shengsheng. She swatted his arms from her waist and, seeing his stunned expression, hardened her face. "Did you kill someone?"

"Do you wish I hadn't?" Song Wu kicked the question back to her. He tucked a stray lock of hair that had fallen onto her cheek behind her ear.

Jiang Shengsheng stared at him, trying to read something in his expression, but she failed. "I don't. Harmful ghosts cannot enter the cycle of reincarnation. I don't want you wandering the human world."

Unfortunately, Song Wu was quite happy to do so.

He chuckled nonchalantly, shaking his head at her angry, glaring expression. "Since you don't like it, baby, of course I won't do it. On the contrary, I was merely acting on behalf of heaven."

Jiang Shengsheng was half-skeptical of Song Wu's words. She knew that when Song Wu said he wouldn't do something, he wouldn't; after all, during their relationship, he had always been unconditionally doting toward her.

As for the so-called "acting on behalf of heaven," she remained doubtful.