Chapter 103 Relationship, Don't be silly, as expected, he has the [key]...

Perhaps because of their large numbers, these students seemed completely unnerved, even though they were embarking on a dangerous adventure into the city's eerie world.

They chatted excitedly the whole way from the main campus in the east to the international campus in the west.

"Have you found the answers to your drafting assignments? Let me borrow yours to copy them."

"Wow, that new professor is really strict about catching students copying assignments. Be careful, if he catches you, he might fail your course and you won't be able to get into graduate school."

"Speaking of further education, a junior from my high school got her results for an exchange program last month, and she's already on a government-sponsored scholarship to study abroad! I'm so envious."

“My aunt recently immigrated with her family. Just thinking about how my cousin, that brat, doesn’t have to take exams makes me so angry I could grind my teeth.”

"I'm so angry I could grind my teeth! Let me tell you, my team's female AD carry was dragged down by that jungler who was promoted from the second team. They lost a game and the other team got three kills, so she got a lot of flak on the forums."

Just listening to this content, Fu Ze and Yuan Jianxing, both working professionals, felt a wave of "youth" wash over them.

Just then, a girl in the group came over and greeted Fu Ze: "Excuse me, what's your major? I don't think I've seen you before."

Knowing that his voice was now very distinctive and that he might be recognized by these young people who spent all their time online, Fu Ze coughed and deliberately changed his voice as he replied, "We're from the college next door. We happened to hear that there was an adventure activity being organized at V City University today, so we came to join in the fun."

The girl nodded knowingly: "No wonder you didn't bring anything."

"See, see, we were right!" The two girls who were walking ahead of her suddenly turned around and walked backwards, looking at each other with pride. "Someone with such style couldn't possibly have never been on a confession wall. If he has, I'm sure I'll recognize him."

Another person chimed in, "And it will definitely happen more than once."

Pushing aside her two roommates who had suddenly started joking around, the girl who greeted Fu Ze first noticed Yuan Jianxing walking silently beside him.

Compared to Fu Ze, whose outstanding appearance is immediately apparent upon closer inspection, Yuan Jianxing, with his average-looking face, did not attract much attention.

But she still very politely asked, "And who is this?"

Yuan Jianxing simply replied, "His friend."

This is an answer that sounds correct and sufficient as a response.

The girl clearly accepted the reply, but Fu Ze seemed somewhat dissatisfied with it.

He had wondered before, when he went home with Hara Mihoshi, what would happen if someone asked what their relationship was?

Despite numerous speculations, based on Fu Ze's understanding of Yuan Jianxing's personality, the other party would most likely choose "friend," a statement that would be neither wrong nor subject to further questioning.

...

Well, I was a little annoyed after hearing Hara Mihoshi say that.

...

No, Fu Ze couldn't tolerate this kind of humiliation!

Raising an eyebrow, Fu Ze looked at Yuan Jianxing with great disappointment, his tone becoming aggrieved: "Huh? We're still just friends?"

The moment these words were spoken, it was like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, instantly creating ripples.

The first to be affected were the three girls who had spoken to the two earlier and were now planning to quickly return to the main group.

They immediately slowed their pace and listened intently to this conversation, which seemed to contain a lot of information.

Although V City University has a very inclusive and open atmosphere, it is not common to hear a male student asking another male student about their relationship status in public.

At the same time, guided by the principle of "share the melons and eat them," they also spread this shocking news in the activity group.

【Li Zhou】: Help! Does anyone know anyone from the next college? I need to know the personal information of these two boys at the back of the line within five seconds!

【Egg who doesn't want to talk】: What a domineering CEO's statement. What did these two do to you?

[Passerby A]: To put it simply, the short boy was asking the tall boy what their relationship was.

[Passerby A]: Moreover, the tone was particularly mournful and poignant; you can imagine it for yourselves.

[Suhe]: Oh my god! Really?! *gasps out*

[All I want to read are pre-orders ww]: Based on my more than ten years of experience reading novels, I guarantee that these two are definitely up to something!

[Random Thoughts]: I completely agree. By the way, I'm into handsome men and beautiful women. I won't criticize or contradict them.

After this spread, the attention of almost everyone in the group was drawn to it.

These sudden changes in the students' restlessness clearly did not escape Yuan Jianxing's notice.

But for a moment, he really didn't know how to deal with this situation.

Because of factors such as personality, personal experience, and behavior, he rarely became the focus of gossip, whether in school or at work, let alone emotional gossip.

After a moment's thought, Yuan Jianxing chose to "capture the king first," directly addressing the key to the problem.

So he said to Fu Ze, "Stop fooling around."

...Well, that sounds rather weak and feeble, but that's really all he knows how to say it.

Clearly, Fu Ze wasn't buying it at all.

"I don't think I'm being unreasonable." Seeing that Hara Kensei seemed a little hesitant, he became even more uninhibited. "I even spent the night at your house and slept in your bed, and we're still just friends?"

Before Fu Ze could finish speaking, several students in the line ahead uttered sighs of indignation.

Correspondingly, in their minds, Yuan Jianxing had become a scumbag who started a relationship and then abandoned the woman, refusing to take responsibility.

Hearing this immediate positive feedback, Fu Ze became even more courageous in battle.

“I’ve been wearing the anklet you gave me the whole time and have never taken it off.”

Upon hearing this, the students' gazes all shifted downwards, landing on Fu Ze's ankle.

And sure enough, they found there an anklet that was very inconspicuous at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be quite professional.

Good heavens, they're being irresponsible and then resorting to coercion?!

Hara Mihoshi: ...

He wanted to clarify that it was a tracking device that everyone who held the "key" but was allowed free movement had to wear, and it had nothing to do with his own will, nor was it any special item.

But it cannot be explained.

Fu Ze didn't care; he just wanted to add fuel to the fire.

"So what exactly do I have to do before you're willing to give me a title?" His voice was tinged with sobs.

At this point, the team, which was already moving at a snail's pace, came to a complete stop.

Everyone present stared at Yuan Jianxing, as if if he couldn't give a satisfactory answer on the spot, they would swarm him and beat the scumbag to rid the people of this scourge.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yuan Jianxing closed his eyes.

Fu Ze stood to the side, smiling smugly.

It's rare to see Yuan Jianxing in such a predicament; we must take a closer look.

Just then, Yuan Jianxing seemed to have made up his mind and opened his eyes.

"Okay, then, you decide which nickname you like, and I'll call you that from now on." He grabbed Fu Ze's shoulder, forcing him to look at him. "Boyfriend? Darling? Baby?..."

etc? !

"Madam? Master? My darling?..."

The situation suddenly reversed, and now it was Fu Ze who was at a loss.

Yuan Jianxing ignored this and continued, "Little Ancestor? Head Manager? Your Highness?..."

"That's enough, that's enough." Fu Ze tried to cover Yuan Jianxing's mouth, but the other party grabbed his wrist.

"If you don't like Chinese, English is fine too. Honey? Darling? Sweetheart?..."

After reciting a variety of nicknames for nearly a minute, Hara Mihoshi finally took a breath.

“I’ve given you so many choices.” He looked down at Fu Ze. “You have to pick one.”

Although Yuan Jianxing was wearing a generic face with standard parameters, Fu Ze could still imagine the true expression under the other party's suit.

The more you imagine, the richer and more real it becomes.

Finally cornered with nowhere to retreat, Fu Ze's gaze darted around as he stammered, "Just call me by my name..."

"Really? Don't go back on your word and start arguing with me again in a couple of days."

"……real."

The onlookers were stunned by this unexpected turn of events.

【。 ，。】：Is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like I've become part of some kind of play?

[To Utopia]: You are not alone.

[doc]: +1

【Oxygen-deprived sea monster】: Hehe, what a cunning young couple.

Although the students in the group were heartbroken because they had been scammed, they still offered their sincerest blessings on the surface.

"99! 99!"

Let's wish the newlyweds all the best!

Congratulations!

Just then, the tone of the group chat changed.

【Peach Doesn't Bear Fruit】: I'm speechless. My supervisor called me to discuss my research topic.

[Peach Blossom Not Bearing Fruit]: Screenshot.jpg

【CHAr39d】: It's a Friday, or the eve of the school anniversary holiday, and I want to talk to you about my research?

[Muyun]: Even worse news...Me too...

Under the powerful intervention of this terrifying being, the mentor, several people gradually withdrew from the adventure.

This also includes the trio who initially approached Fu Ze.

Before leaving the adventure, they very kindly gave their flashlights and talismans to Fu Ze and Yuan Jianxing.

"As expected." Fu Ze spoke calmly, fiddling with the seemingly legitimate-looking talisman, as if he had foreseen this all along.

Yuan Jianxing was given a scarab beetle model that was so realistic that he felt a little uncomfortable. He was in an awkward situation where he didn't know whether to throw it away or keep it.

"How so?" he asked, stuffing the scarab beetle into his pocket and forcing himself not to think about its existence.

"Let's keep watching." Fu Ze casually stuffed the talisman into Yuan Jianxing's other pocket and continued to keep everyone in suspense, "This one in ten thousand probability is still very difficult to encounter."

As the procession moved forward, many more students returned to the main campus for various reasons.

The team's numbers dwindled so drastically that even the leader, who was striding ahead, sensed something was wrong.

Turning around, he said in a relaxed tone, "Comrades, we are in sight of victory. Let me count how many people are left."

The answer was very touching—behind him was a desolate scene, with only his two classmates from another school remaining.

Upon closer reflection, the team leader suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and even the expression on his face as he looked at the library not far away changed.

Fu Ze seemed completely oblivious to this, and even urged, "Why aren't we leaving?"

Having someone with you is better than having no one at all.

And if you can't even make it to the end, you shouldn't be the leader of this adventure!

With that thought in mind, the team leader gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and set off again with the remaining two.

However, as they continued their journey, the team leader naturally shielded Fu Ze and Yuan Jianxing in front of him.

Fu Ze and Yuan Jianxing chose to see through it but not say anything, and naturally took over the task of being the vanguard.

And so, the three of them finally arrived at the V City University Library, which was rumored to be "always under renovation and forever inaccessible." They climbed over the fence that had changed color from being exposed to the wind and sun and officially went inside.

The library was designed in a classical style, with dozens of towering Doric columns lined up in front of it.

Behind these magnificent pillars lies the library, which is only half-finished.

Dust-covered materials, blueprints, and tools were piled haphazardly on the ground.

In the center of the ground floor, where miscellaneous items were piled up, there was a huge gap.

It was pitch black, and looked like it had no bottom.

After carefully observing for a while, the team leader, feeling that nothing had happened, became smug again, "This ghost story isn't as mysterious as the rumors say."

To prove his point, he took a series of selfies with the library interior as a backdrop and then posted the photos on social media.

[Team Leader]: The library is off-limits, check-in successful √.

Within a minute of him posting on his WeChat Moments, many people liked and commented on it.

【Young Bo Jiu】: Team leader, don't you think your presence is a bit too bright and glaring?

【Mustard Seed Abundant Harvest】: Team leader, don't you think your presence is a bit too dazzling?

【Hanzhou Gujiu】: Team leader, don't you think your presence is somewhat dazzling?

Upon closer inspection, the team leader realized that the couple from another school had somehow ended up in his photo.

The two people strolled leisurely in the moonlight streaming through the Gothic window, making me, the absolute center of the photograph, seem out of place.

[Team Leader]: ...You guys are really something!

After saying goodbye, watching the team leader leave indignantly, Fu Ze, who had taken off his mask, casually asked Yuan Jianxing, "By the way, has your adjudication bureau summarized any rules for determining whether someone possesses a [key]?"

Yuan Jianxing replied with some shame, "Not yet."

Fu Ze nodded: "Then we can retrieve that student's information later and register it in the system for future reference."

"Does he have the key?" Yuan Jianxing immediately looked at the leader's back.

Fu Ze held up a finger and waved it from side to side. "If he didn't have the [key], he wouldn't have been able to get here."

etc? !

Yuan Jianxing suddenly realized that something was wrong.

What does it mean that "it's impossible to get here without the key"?

"It's exactly what you think," Fu Ze said, as if to put it definitively.

“He has the key, and I have the key.” He pointed the finger that had been raised at the ground at Yuan Jianxing’s chest. “You have the key too.”

? !

These words struck Yuan Jianxing like a thunderbolt.

Fu Ze, however, remained quite calm about it.

"Chief, when did you realize that you could tell 100% whether someone was lying when you were face to face?"

Following Fu Ze's prompting, Yuan Jianxing began to try to recall.

He first clearly discovered that he had this ability when he was sent to juvenile detention for smashing the head of the beast who bullied his mother with his saxophone.

Back then, with my musical future ruined and in a terrible mood, I exposed those who lied to the executive officer one by one through the glass.

Therefore, he was chosen by Xu Xiezhi, who used her connections to get him out of the juvenile detention center and take him under her wing, eventually leading him to become an executive officer.

Noticing the change in Yuan Jianxing's expression, Fu Ze didn't say anything more, but simply walked lightly to the unfinished openwork floor.

A very steady breeze, carrying a familiar coolness, blew from bottom to top and from the inside out, causing Fu Ze's hoodie and trouser legs to billow out.

"So this [key] really only appeared a few months ago?"

As he asked the question, he raised both arms, his whole body moving so lightly it seemed he was about to fly.

Putting the matter of the key aside for now, seeing that Fu Ze's feet were already half-suspended in the air, Yuan Jianxing took several large steps forward and reached out to pull Fu Ze back to safety from the edge of the pit.

"Watch your step, stay away from that pit over there."

Unexpectedly, Fu Ze dodged Yuan Jianxing's hand as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

"This is what I wanted to show you."

Before he could finish speaking, he turned and fell backward, plummeting straight down into the deep pit.

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Author's Note: All student IDs appearing in this article were taken from the comments section [doge head with rose] (as of the time of writing).

There's even a sham author in there! [Oh, oh, oh]

If any readers don't want me to appear, please let me know, and I will sincerely revise the text.