Phoenix Mountain was located in the suburbs, not too difficult to climb. In fact, many young people with time to spare often chose it for a casual hike.
The president of the hiking club was a senior student, cheerful and talkative. Since this was his last organized activity before graduation, he had planned every detail meticulously.
After reaching the summit, they would spend the night there, watch the sunrise together the next morning, and take a beautiful group photo.
Perhaps because it was the off-season, the mountaintop was unusually empty, with no other guests—just their club members. But that was fine; it almost felt like they had the entire mountain to themselves.
"Everyone, rest up first. We’ll have a barbecue tonight!" the president announced.
A few people responded half-heartedly, already exhausted from the climb.
But when they spotted the lone boy taking photos in the distance, their energy instantly surged, and they rushed toward him.
"Fu Lan, are you thirsty? I have water!"
"Fu Lan, I brought snacks! Want some?"
"Fu Lan, the weather’s been great lately. The stars tonight will be amazing—let’s watch them together!"
……
The crowd surrounded Fu Lan, their expressions fanatical, like devotees worshipping a deity. Their fervor was unsettling, even eerie, but to those whose perceptions had already been warped, nothing seemed amiss.
Lin Baobao was still dazed. This was only her second time meeting Fu Lan, so she wasn’t as deeply "attached" to him as the others. Yet, her gaze was involuntarily drawn to him.
As she felt the pull, a strong sense of confusion washed over her.
In her memories of her past life, Fu Lan had never existed. Yet here he was, wielding an almost divine influence and allure. It filled her with an inexplicable unease.
It was as if she had once believed herself to hold an omniscient perspective, only for something beyond her control to emerge. Feeling afraid was only natural.
Lin Baobao had originally joined the hiking club for Leng Jingshen. After her rebirth, she had considered quitting, but then she reconsidered—why should she be the one to leave?
She was no longer the timid, weak Lin Baobao of the past. There was no need for her to avoid Leng Jingshen like some guilty fugitive.
Leng Jingshen watched Lin Baobao, his lips tightening.
He didn’t understand it himself. Before, when Lin Baobao had clung to him, he’d found it annoying. But ever since she stopped paying him attention, he couldn’t help chasing after her with his eyes.
Lin Baobao really had changed. She was confident and independent now. More importantly, she treated him like a stranger.
Had she fallen for someone else?
Noticing how often Lin Baobao stared at Fu Lan, Leng Jingshen felt an inexplicable irritation. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but the feeling was unbearable.
"Hey, Lin Baobao," Leng Jingshen walked over, blocking her line of sight.
Lin Baobao frowned. "What?"
"My family said they want you to come over for dinner during the break," he said.
Lin Baobao was surprised. In the past, she’d shamelessly clung to Leng Jingshen, begging to visit his home, only to be met with reluctance. Now, the tables had turned?
Her gaze flickered toward Luo Xiaoluo, who was chatting with someone else. She steeled herself. "I’m busy. No time."
That’s right—she needed to keep her distance. Leng Jingshen and Luo Xiaoluo were a pair. She wasn’t about to get tangled in their messy drama.
As she turned to leave, her foot caught on a pebble. She stumbled, nearly falling, but Leng Jingshen quickly wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest. Lin Baobao looked up, meeting his eyes, and her heart betrayed her with a traitorous flutter.
He might be a scumbag, but damn, he was good-looking.
Luo Xiaoluo had always been the club’s second-in-command, usually enthusiastic about activities. But today, she was off. Not only was she disengaged, but whenever someone approached her, she immediately redirected them to the president. She desperately needed a corner to repent.
She was guilty. She knew Fu Lan was Xia Miao’s boyfriend, yet she couldn’t stop staring at him!
Back when she and Xia Miao used to read those dramatic novels about female leads being betrayed by their best friends, Luo Xiaoluo had boldly declared she’d never be that kind of person!
Sure, Xia Miao had a terrible temper, a princess complex, and was ridiculously self-absorbed—but she was easy to please. A few compliments about her looks, and she’d be all smiles. Luo Xiaoluo had fully intended to ride Xia Miao’s coattails for life!
So of course she’d never dare covet the young mistress’s man!
Yet Luo Xiaoluo didn’t understand why she couldn’t help looking at Fu Lan, why strange impulses surged within her, urging her to fawn over him like the others.
She knew she wasn’t some paragon of virtue, but she’d never imagined she could be this despicable!
To actually "fall" for the young mistress’s boyfriend—she wanted to cry from sheer self-loathing!
Without hesitation, Luo Xiaoluo retreated into her tent, drawing all the curtains. She curled up on the bed, pulled up a photo of Xia Miao on her phone, and placed it reverently by her pillow, deep in repentance.
Maybe it was psychological, but just looking at Xia Miao’s picture seemed to calm her restless heart.
"Fu Lan, look at me!"
"No, Fu Lan, look at me!"
"Fu Lan, over here!"
……
The clamor of the swine grated on Fu Lan’s nerves. For the first time, he didn’t bask in their adoration—only irritation.
"Get lost, you brainless slugs polluting the air!" he snapped, shoving past them without a second glance.
The smiles on their faces faded as they slowly gathered, staring after Fu Lan’s retreating figure. Their obsession didn’t wane—it grew, twisting into something darker.
"I want him… If I kill him, he’ll belong to me alone, won’t he?"
As the madness spread, Leng Jingshen and Lin Baobao—still locked in their embrace—suddenly seemed infected by the same virus. The pull between them weakened, and against their will, their eyes drifted toward Fu Lan’s departing silhouette. Slowly, fascination crept into their expressions.
"If only he could be mine…"
