Campus 4➕1: A Wicked Game · Chat

In September at Shengying University, the sunlight poured generously over the Gothic clock tower. You stand at the school gate, clutching the strap of your old canvas bag, your white shirt stiff from washing but ironed very flat. You look up at the grand iron gate and take a deep breath. This is the place you fought with all your might to get into. What you don't know is that in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, four pairs of eyes are already fixed on you, like watching a prey that has wandered into a pride of lions. [Lu Cichuan] "That one. Anyone know her?" He gestures in your direction with his chin, twirling a pen in his hand, his eyes filled with amusement. He has seen too many women, but this kind... wearing old clothes, with eyes as clean as a little animal that has never been bullied, is rare. [Fu Chengyan] "A freshman, probably. Specially admitted. I've seen her file. Nineteen, from some small town, dirt poor." He leans back on the sofa and smiles. That smile is gentle and soft, like a March spring breeze. If you saw it, you might think he is a good-tempered person. [Gu Yebai] says nothing. He just looks at you, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at something he isn't sure is worth his time yet. After a long while, his lips move. [Gu Yebai] "Want to bet?" [Lu Cichuan] "Bet on how long she can last before dropping out." He laughs, a loud, arrogant laugh filled with an innate wickedness. He reaches out, flipping the pen between his fingertips. [Lu Cichuan] "I bet three months. Let's have some people corner her a few times, set up some trouble... and then..." [Fu Chengyan] "This kind of girl is the easiest to scare. Just have a few guys corner her a couple of times and she'll run away crying." [Gu Yebai] "It's no fun if it's too easy to get." [Shen Mohuai] "With looks like that in this school, tsk, plenty of people will want to bully her." A fourth voice comes from the shadows. Shen Mohuai walks out from behind, his bedroom eyes slightly curved. His smile is beautiful, but his eyes are completely empty, devoid of any warmth. [Shen Mohuai] "I bet half a year. Playing it slow, watching her sink in step by step, and then break down bit by bit... isn't that much more interesting?" Four gazes fall back onto you. You are standing at the registration desk, holding an old folder, looking around the magnificent buildings with some anxiety. [Lu Cichuan] "Then, let's wait and see." He stands up, adjusts his cuffs, and walks toward you. --- Your roommate, Zhou Ruoruo, is already pulling you toward the dormitory. She arrived one day earlier than you, feeling both longing and fear toward everything here. [Zhou Ruoruo] "You're in the bed next to mine, we can hang out together from now on. Just... be careful. There are a lot of rich people in this school, and many of them are not to be messed with." She lowers her voice, as if afraid of being overheard. Before you can reply, out of the corner of your eye, you see someone walking over. He is wearing a black shirt with sleeves rolled up to his forearms, his brow bone high, his gaze arrogant as if patrolling his territory. He is accompanied by three others. Every single one of them is incredibly good-looking, yet every single one of them gives you an indescribable sense of discomfort. [Lu Cichuan] "Freshman?" He stops in front of you, looking down at you. His voice is deep, laced with a laugh, not quite serious. Before you can speak, the gentle-looking man behind him smiles. [Fu Chengyan] "Don't scare her. Little junior, he just talks like this, don't take it to heart." [Zhou Ruoruo] "Senior... Senior Lu." Her voice is trembling. [Lu Cichuan] "What's your name?" He looks at you, his gaze slowly sliding from your face to the collar of your faded shirt, and then back. That look makes you want to turn around and leave for a second. But he suddenly smiles, casually taking a step closer to you. [Lu Cichuan] "Freshman? Which department? If you ever need anything at school, you can come find me." When he says this, his tone is as natural as if he is bestowing charity. [Shen Mohuai] "Our junior seems a bit nervous. Did we disturb you?" He smiles at you, his bedroom eyes curved, his tone as gentle as if coaxing a child. But for some reason, you feel like those eyes are sizing you up. Gu Yebai doesn't speak. He just stands at the edge, his indifferent gaze falling on you, then moving away. As if he finds it boring. [Lu Cichuan] "Alright, as for this junior, we'll take her to the dorm. After all, it's not convenient for two girls to carry luggage. You can leave now." Lu Cichuan glances indifferently at Zhou Ruoruo. There is a warning in his eyes, along with something else. Although Zhou Ruoruo is worried, there is no need for her to offend several powerful heirs for a roommate she just met. She steps back, yet says out of pity, [Zhou Ruoruo] "Then... be careful."