Colleagues noticed that Lu Yan, the fool, had undergone a significant change recently. It was evident in how he washed himself until he smelled sweet every night before cheerfully heading out.
He was practically strutting like a peacock in full display, as if the words "looking for a mate" were written all over his face—it was downright unbearable to watch.
Lu Yan couldn’t care less about the stares from his inseparable brothers. The more jealous they were, the more smug he felt. After all, no one else in the world could be as lucky as him, winning the affection of the one and only Xia Miao!
"She’s just one game away from leaving, isn’t she?"
At the old gardener’s words, Lu Yan’s light footsteps faltered.
Such were the rules of this mist-shrouded world: survive five games, and you could walk out of this terrifying Crimson Moon Academy.
Xia Miao was only one game away from freedom.
No matter what, Lu Yan would never let Xia Miao die, nor would he allow anyone else to kill her. So her survival was certain—meaning her departure from this world was inevitable.
The old gardener sighed. "Lu Yan, you two were never meant to walk the same path."
As night fell, Xia Miao hurriedly pushed open the window. She tidied herself up, then sat on the bed, her eyes fixed expectantly on the window, wondering what pose he’d use to climb in today.
But tonight, she waited and waited, yet the boy’s shadow never appeared.
She wondered if he’d gone to work again, but that wasn’t like him—he always told her beforehand.
After sitting restlessly for a while, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed to the window, sticking her head out to peer into the darkness. Her vision wasn’t sharp enough to make out anything in the pitch-black night.
Xia Miao lost her patience. "Lu Yan, get your ass over here!"
Only the sound of the night wind answered her.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. Furious, she stomped back to the bedside table, rummaged through it, and pulled out several unopened boxes of condoms. Storming back to the window, she thrust her hand out. "If you don’t show up right now, I’m throwing all these away! And I’ll never have fun with you again!"
"No!"
A crouching figure emerged from the tree—a boy dressed entirely in black. He had been lurking among the branches, watching silently, but her threat forced him to scramble into view.
Xia Miao withdrew her hand. "Get in."
She walked back, carelessly tossing the boxes onto the desk before plopping onto the bed.
Lu Yan climbed through the window, steadying himself as he stood. The sight that greeted him was the girl he adored, arms crossed, face expressionless. Instantly, he felt the weight of pressure, his courage crumbling as he awkwardly shuffled toward her, limbs stiff.
Xia Miao couldn’t stand his pitiful act. She kicked at him. "What’s your problem? Are you trying to break up with me?"
"No! I don’t want to break up!"
Xia Miao was livid. "Then why were you planning to hide from me all night? Lu Yan, if you don’t give me a proper explanation, I won’t forgive you!"
Lu Yan wasn’t used to being yelled at like this. His dead-fish eyes shimmered as he stared at her, looking utterly miserable.
The moment Xia Miao saw his expression, her anger faltered. She deflated, her earlier fierceness hollow. "I’m not even the one who should be upset here. What are you sulking about?"
Lu Yan muttered, "You never used to scold me like this. They said once someone takes your innocence, they’ll get bored and stop liking you."
Xia Miao paused. "When did I ever say I was bored of you or didn’t like you anymore?"
Lu Yan seemed to have entered an emotionally fragile state, his aura dimming. He hung his head, fingers nervously picking at his clothes, tormenting his nails bit by bit.
"You’ll leave me eventually."
Xia Miao didn’t understand where this idea came from. She leaned in, tilting her head to catch a glimpse of his lowered face. "Wait, are you actually crying?"
Lu Yan turned away. "No."
But the wilted cowlick on his head told a different story.
Xia Miao wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. Being enveloped in his scent always made her feel safe.
"Idiot, you’re the first guy I ever gave a perfect score to. Can’t you have a little more confidence in yourself?"
Lu Yan’s eyes flickered, finally meeting hers again.
Xia Miao continued, "You’re my first love, you know. Do you understand what that means? You’re the first person I’ve ever liked—you’re incredibly important to me. I’d never abandon you."
Lu Yan’s heart pounded erratically, the chaotic drumbeats echoing in her ears.
The words "first love" held devastating power, even for a monster.
"Xia Miao… won’t leave me?"
"Of course not!"
Lu Yan gently cupped her face. After a moment, a faint trace of amusement surfaced in his lifeless eyes. He didn’t say whether he believed her or not, but even if it was a lie, the fact that Xia Miao was willing to sweet-talk him meant he must hold a special place in her heart.
And that alone made him happy.
Xia Miao picked up one of the small boxes, barely containing her excitement. "So… wanna do it?"
The boy’s body burned up again, his shyness returning—but his hands moved swiftly to undress. "Yes!"
Lu Yan could tell Xia Miao was indulging him tonight. She introduced him to several new techniques, using both hands and feet to pleasure him multiple times before finally welcoming him into her warmth.
There were no actual flames around them, but the air felt scorching, filled with burning red embers. His body seemed on the verge of melting, yet each time he teetered on the edge, she pulled him back, the blissful sensations assuring him he was still whole.
Lu Yan cried out several times, "No more… Xia Miao, I can’t take it."
"Liar." Her fingers found a sensitive spot, and he tensed. She giggled. "See? You’ve still got energy left."
He covered his face with both hands, stifling any more humiliating sounds.
By the early hours of the morning, they finally settled down.
Xia Miao, thoroughly satisfied, sprawled out and fell into a deep sleep.
The boy, like a broken little wife, curled up beside her, his damp gaze glued to her, unmoving.
Every moment with her was pure ecstasy.
Lu Yan wondered again—she must possess some kind of magic. How else could he be so utterly defenseless?
The notes dancing in his chest all spelled out her name. He leaned in closer, stealing a secret kiss.
A night breeze swept in, rustling the curtains.
Xia Miao vanished.
Lu Yan sat up in bed, his head bowed, expression unreadable. The bed, which had felt cramped with two, now seemed unbearably empty with just him.
A wisp of black mist drifted in, reminding him—tonight’s game was his to host.
For Xia Miao, this night's game would be the final one.
