The survivors could be dragged into the slaughterhouse at night, while during the day, they had to role-play, sitting in classrooms like students. Many of them were listless, drowsy and barely able to stay awake.
Xia Miao, however, was in high spirits—though she wasn’t exactly a model "student" either. Instead of paying attention, she frequently picked up a small mirror to admire her stunning beauty, using it as a way to comfort herself through the dull and tedious class hours.
After class, her deskmate tugged at her and said, "Miaomiao, we should go to the club activity now."
Xia Miao froze for a moment. "Club activity?"
"Yeah, didn’t we join the journalism club together?"
Her deskmate was an adorable girl with a round face named Fang Keai. Judging by her words and actions, Xia Miao’s character setting seemed to be her close friend, and they had apparently joined the same club.
Xia Miao reacted sluggishly before finally standing up and following Fang Keai. "Oh, right. There’s an event in the club."
Among the students, there were both survivors and NPCs. Many survivors would suddenly be assigned certain roles by the NPCs. Rumor had it that a survivor who once acted against their assigned role had their body explode like a balloon on the spot. Because of this, the survivors quickly learned that they had to maintain their personas.
This was a crucial part of the role-playing game.
Lin Gaoshan had been keeping a close eye on Xia Miao’s movements. He had heard that a few nights ago, she had entered a game dominated by the Headless Woman. That night, many people had died—yet she had survived completely unscathed!
It didn’t make sense!
Lin Gaoshan was convinced that Xia Miao must have some special life-saving item. Otherwise, there was no way a petite woman like her could survive the game.
After all, it wasn’t like the monsters would spare her just because they fell for her beauty!
Seeing Xia Miao leave the classroom, Lin Gaoshan quickly stood up, intending to follow her. But a male student walked over and blocked his path.
"Lin Gaoshan, we’re on toilet-cleaning duty today. Where are you going?"
Lin Gaoshan’s face darkened at the words.
"The school festival is coming up, so we need to make a video introducing our school. I’ll handle the script, and you’ll be in charge of filming and recording," Fang Keai said.
Xia Miao followed Fang Keai to the activity room in the complex building and took the camera from her. She nodded and asked, "So, where should I film?"
Fang Keai thought for a moment. "Just shoot some of the school’s most distinctive spots—places that are memorable and representative. That would be best."
Xia Miao wasn’t familiar with the school at all. How was she supposed to know where to film?
But Fang Keai was busy with her own tasks and didn’t give her much guidance—she was just an NPC handing out missions.
Xia Miao decided to start by looking around nearby. She wandered through the complex building until she reached the deepest part of the fourth floor, where she heard strange noises coming from behind a door.
She stopped in her tracks and glanced over curiously.
The door shook violently before suddenly bursting open as something inside slammed against it. A swarm of black rats surged out like a tidal wave, creating a horrifying scene.
Xia Miao instinctively stepped back. Just as her back was about to hit the wall, an arm slid behind her, cushioning the impact before pulling her into a young man’s embrace.
At the same time, the boy raised his lifeless eyes and growled, "Scram!"
The sea of black rats, densely packed and writhing, didn’t dare approach the spot where the boy stood. They had appeared suddenly, and now they scrambled up the walls, leaped out the windows, and vanished just as abruptly.
Xia Miao was still dazed, unable to process what had just happened.
Lu Yan patted her cheek. "Did it scare you stupid?"
He didn’t hold back his strength, and Xia Miao heard two sharp pats before feeling a sting on her face. Without hesitation, she swung her fist at his face—only for Lu Yan to swiftly catch her wrist.
He smirked triumphantly. "You’ve already punched me twice. Did you really think I’d let you hit me a third time?"
Xia Miao grinned and suddenly lifted her foot. Immediately, Lu Yan clamped his legs together, clutching his groin in pain as he grimaced.
"Xia Miao, have you lost your mind?!"
Xia Miao said coolly, "Minus two points."
He had only just reached eight points, and now two were already gone!
Pressing his lips together, he didn’t dare say another word.
Xia Miao crossed her arms and lifted her chin with a haughty "Hmph." "But since you showed up just in time to play the hero, I’ll add ten points."
The gloom on his face instantly brightened. "Now I have sixteen points!"
Xia Miao gave a dignified "Mm" in response.
Overjoyed, he suddenly thought of a brilliant way to earn more points. His eyes darted around mischievously, clearly scheming something.
Xia Miao pointed at him. "If you deliberately put me in danger just so you can 'save' me, and I find out—I’ll deduct a hundred points."
His smug aura instantly deflated. Avoiding her gaze, he muttered, "As if I’d do something that boring."
Xia Miao ignored him and headed for the rooftop with the camera in hand.
Lu Yan walked beside her, hands stuffed in his pockets, exuding an aloof "I don’t care about anyone" attitude. But his eyes kept drifting toward Xia Miao’s lips. Every time she seemed to sense his gaze and turned to look, he would quickly avert his eyes—only to resume staring the moment she faced forward again.
Xia Miao finally couldn’t take it anymore. Stopping on the stairs, she turned to glare at him. "What the hell do you want?"
Lu Yan stiffened like a kid caught red-handed, his tough-guy act crumbling instantly. "W-what do you mean? You don’t actually think I want you to kiss me again, do you? Hah! Ridiculous! The nerve of this woman, thinking so highly of herself!"
Xia Miao stared at him blankly, watching his performance with deadpan amusement.
Belatedly realizing how embarrassing he sounded, Lu Yan’s proud posture gradually slumped. Trembling, he grabbed the drawstrings of his hood and yanked them tight, pulling the fabric over his bandaged face until only his eyes peeked through the gap.
It was utterly ridiculous.
Xia Miao cleared her throat. "Come here."
His eyes, devoid of light, peered at her eerily from beneath the hood.
Xia Miao bit her lip before stomping her foot in frustration. "Idiot, don’t make me say it twice! I’m embarrassed too, you know!"
Realizing what she meant, his eyes lit up. He quickly climbed two steps to stand in front of her.
Xia Miao reached out and loosened the tightly drawn hood, freeing his face. When her fingers brushed against the bandages, the rough texture of the gauze seemed to give her a bit of courage.
Lu Yan obediently bent down, his expectant, puppy-dog eyes silently begging for her to take advantage of him. But just as he thought she was about to kiss him—
Wham!
Xia Miao abruptly yanked the bandages aside, exposing his lips, and then stood on her tiptoes to crash into him.
And she meant crash.
After all, neither of them had much experience—every move was driven purely by hormone-fueled impulse.
She bumped against the jagged edge of his teeth and winced. "That hurts! No more kissing!"
Startled, the boy quickly cupped the back of her head and pulled her back before she could retreat.
Their lips met again, breaths mingling in a messy tangle. Neither remembered to close their eyes, leaving them staring wide-eyed at each other before flushing crimson, hearts pounding as if their whole bodies were about to combust.
A moment later, a startled gasp echoed in the hallway. "You used your tongue? Minus ten points!"
