Chapter 17 – Campus Arc: A Glamorous Romance – The Cinderella Sweetheart’s Endless Love (17)
To avoid raising Bai Tang’s suspicion, Hudson only scared him a little to gain some small benefits. For the most part, whenever a terrifying scene appeared, Hudson would cover Bai Tang’s eyes. During the more predictable parts of the movie, he would patiently peel sunflower seeds and nuts for Bai Tang.
Bai Tang treated Hudson’s embrace like a cozy squirrel nest, lazily curling up against his chest under a blanket, munching on snacks. If it weren’t for the occasional ear-piercing screams and sudden ghostly appearances, it would have been perfect.
By the time the movie ended, it was already late. Hudson wouldn’t allow Bai Tang to stay up all night, and Bai Tang was more than happy to escape from the horror films.
After washing up, Bai Tang lay on his bed, his bright, watery eyes wide open as he stared at the stark white ceiling.
There was nothing he could do—every time he closed his eyes, the horrifying images from the movie flooded his mind. He was scared. If only Qiu’er were here…
Bai Tang connected to the system. “Qiu’er, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Freed from its “time-out corner,” the system looked dazed. Its usual bright white glow had dimmed significantly, and it mumbled incoherently, “There’s a ghost… There’s a ghost… Hehe… Come play with me~”
“Qiu’er, are you okay?” Bai Tang noticed something was off. He wrapped the system in his spiritual energy, trying to assess its condition.
“Come play with Miss Antina~ Hehehe~~~” The system lifted its head, its expression eerily identical to the ghostly boss Antina from the movie. Its eyes flickered with madness.
“Qiu’er, Qiu’er, don’t scare me like this!” Bai Tang called out anxiously. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he quickly commanded, “Initiate full-body scan mode.”
A cold, mechanical voice responded after scanning the system: [Scan complete. Mental instability detected. Possible personality split due to extreme psychological trauma—secondary personality activated for self-protection.]
[Recommended action: Initiate treatment.]
“Treat it! Treat it now!” Bai Tang hurriedly pressed the confirmation button. If it weren’t for him, the system wouldn’t have gone insane from watching horror movies with him.
Feeling guilty, Bai Tang watched as the system was taken away for treatment. Then, he continued staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
He seemed to see a blood-red vortex slowly forming on the stark white ceiling. Within the vortex, a pair of sinister eyes emerged, mocking him with a low, eerie chuckle.
Bai Tang’s entire body stiffened. Slowly, he pulled his blanket up—covering his nose, then his eyes.
Don’t look for me. Don’t look for me…
Soft rustling sounds came from Bai Tang’s bed, and Hudson vaguely heard a faint whimper.
“Tang Tang, Tang Tang.”
“Mmm~” Bai Tang’s voice was muffled and small from under the blanket.
“Don’t hide under the covers—you’ll have trouble breathing.” Hudson gently pulled the blanket down, revealing a pair of watery, red-rimmed eyes, looking weak and helpless.
D*mn it, how did I forget that my little squirrel is so timid?
Hudson cursed himself inwardly and softly coaxed the little squirrel who had shrunk back under the blanket. “Tang Tang, I got a little scared after watching the movie. Can I sleep with you?”
Hearing this, Bai Tang peeked out from the blanket again, glanced at him, and softly mumbled, “Okay… but just this once.”
He scooted backward, but the cold mattress beneath him made him shiver, instantly reminding him of the girl being dragged away in the alley. Realizing there wasn’t enough space in front, he cautiously moved back a little more.
The dormitory’s single bed was barely big enough for two people. Fortunately, Bai Tang’s frame was rather “petite,” so it was just manageable.
The faint masculine scent from the male lead filled his senses—a warm, sunny fragrance that made Bai Tang feel at ease.
He curled up into a ball, and the steady warmth from the person beside him seeped through. With his eyes closed, the terrifying ghost from the movie no longer haunted his thoughts. Slowly, his breathing evened out, and he drifted into sleep.
Author’s Note:
Finished watching the horror movie. Are you scared? Come on, cry for me—cry! (Just kidding~)
??? What’s he trying to convince his parents of? Marriage? This ML is so fast. No hesitation, no confirmation, he didn’t even woo the MC yet. What confidence…much wow