Chapter Fourteen: A Strange Scent
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The locals loved a spectacle; crowds gathered in multiple concentric circles, packing the spacious cinema lobby to the brim, forcing the staff to struggle just to squeeze inside.
When the cinema security arrived, the onlookers knew the show was over and reluctantly began to disperse.
Xiao Xiao watched the departing girl’s back, a cold and strange smile lingering stubbornly in his mind.
“Third brother, you’re not seriously interested in that girl, are you? Come on, she’s not bad looking, but...” Zhuge Yun caught Xiao Xiao’s lingering gaze and immediately took on a serious, almost parental tone to admonish him.
Ah, his roommates were all so troublesome; what could he do?
Zhuge Yun wore a worried motherly expression.
Xiao Xiao was momentarily taken aback, somewhat amused and helpless. “I’m not interested in her.”
“Really? Then why keep staring at her?”
“...By coincidence, I was just daydreaming.” Xiao Xiao scrambled for an excuse, finally managing one, but judging by Zhuge Yun’s expression—like “don’t try to fool me”—he knew it was a poor attempt.
Xiao Xiao sighed inwardly, relieved Zhuge Yun didn’t press further, though the other’s knowing, sympathetic look clearly meant he was imagining something far removed from the truth.
Forget it, Xiao Xiao decided to ignore it.
After all, time reveals a person’s true nature, and he had no way to explain anyway.
...
It was just a chance encounter with some commotion, though the protagonists of the spectacle had been encountered more than once.
Except for Xiao Xiao, the others quickly shrugged it off and happily wandered through the mall.
As for Xiao Xiao, even if he cared, in the end, it was just curiosity; he was always open-minded. Since the mystery couldn’t be solved for now, he wouldn’t dwell on it.
The mall was brightly lit, clean and clear, with a sweet fragrance wafting through the air.
People came and went, faces bright and carefree, quickly erasing the strange smile that had haunted Xiao Xiao’s mind.
...
Because they had eaten too much dinner, Zhang Jiajia suggested walking back to school to help digestion.
No one objected; after all, it was only about half an hour on foot.
By now the moon was high, its gentle light flowing softly through the dark sky.
The air was slightly chilly, with winter gradually approaching.
As they chatted, somehow the conversation veered back to the protagonists of the cinema incident.
“I think,” Luo Xiaoluan said seriously and with great importance, “that girl abandoned the husband, threw herself into the arms of the gilded second male lead, then also hooked up with his rival—the third male lead. This sparked a battle between the first and second male leads and deepened the conflict between the second and third male leads. Maybe it will even lead to a ‘world war.’”
Her tone carried a hint of regret, lamenting that she couldn’t witness it firsthand.
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“Hmm, makes sense. Why do I feel like that’s exactly what happened?” Xu Ying turned her head, finding her friend’s wild speculation oddly plausible.
“Pfft~” Wu Ya chuckled, “But if that’s true, they better watch out for getting burned by their own fire.” Just like the scene at the cinema today, wasn’t it?
Fortunately, this time only an arm was injured; next time, who knew what might happen.
“Actually, that girl’s pretty impressive.” Zhang Jiajia showed some admiration.
“Is that so? Thanks.”
Suddenly, a soft, seductive female voice came from behind, startling everyone so much they shivered. They instinctively turned around, and even Xiao Xiao, who hadn’t spoken, looked shocked and awkward—let alone the few girls who had been chatting lively moments before.
Being caught talking "bad" about someone by the person herself was truly a test of character.
The girls’ faces went blank, their bodies stiffened, and for a moment they simply froze there.
Xiao Xiao was the first to recover, smiling apologetically at the girl: “Sorry, they meant no harm.”
“Oh~” The drawn-out tone was ambiguous.
Hearing Xiao Xiao speak, Xu Ying and the others blushed deeply.
“Sorry, we...” Xu Ying and the others faltered, realizing that while they hadn’t really spoken ill of the girl, speaking behind someone's back and being caught was their fault. Yet besides apologizing, they didn’t know what else to say.
“Sorry, they didn’t mean it.”
“We’re very sorry.”
“Sorry.”
Zhang Bo and the others quickly chimed in to apologize on their behalf.
They had just been commenting on an interesting event they’d seen online, a harmless little chat.
Who would have thought that while the girls had been enthusiastically discussing the matter, the subject herself would suddenly appear? Even though they hadn’t said anything truly bad, the teasing tone had some disrespect, making the girls nervous facing the person herself.
“Alright, I get it.” The girl’s stern expression suddenly softened, revealing a faint smile.
“Huh?” Everyone was confused.
“I forgive you all.” The girl smiled warmly. “Besides, you were praising me, right?”
“Uh, yes, yes.” Was that really praise? Never mind, as long as the subject wasn’t upset.
“Thank you, and sorry again, we didn’t mean any harm.” Xu Ying and the others gratefully acknowledged the girl’s generosity and apologized once more.
“Alright, alright, it’s best to just laugh it off.” Zhang Bo summed up.
“What’s this ‘grudge’ nonsense about? It’s just a small thing.” Zhuge Yun muttered on the side.
“Hehe,” laughter filled the air, and the atmosphere truly relaxed.
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...
“What are you doing here? Alone, too?” Xu Ying blurted out without thinking, as soon as the matter was settled.
“Uh, sorry, Xu Ying, no offense.” Wu Ya tugged at her; that silly girl didn’t need to mind others so much.
“No problem. Are you Xu Ying? I’m Ruan Rou, I’m heading back to school.” The girl, Ruan Rou, gestured behind her.
Everyone turned and realized they had unknowingly arrived at the school gate.
Heh, Xu Ying and the others felt they’d done quite a few foolish things tonight.
“Oh, you’re from our school too?” Wu Ya smiled a little dryly.
“Yes.” Ruan Rou’s head tilted slightly, her brows curved, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
Xiao Xiao found it hard to look directly; he felt Xu Ying and the others’ inner turmoil.
Yet as they drew closer, the night breeze brushed by, carrying faint wisps of scent from Ruan Rou. Xiao Xiao caught that familiar, deeply impressing aroma—seemingly seeping from her very bones, sweet yet tinged with a decayed, musty undertone.
“Smells so good.” Zhuge Yun spoke seriously on the surface, but secretly nudged Xiao Xiao’s arm, signaling him with a low, somewhat enchanted sigh.
“Yeah, this perfume smells amazing.” Zhao Lu also quietly agreed.
“Dummy, maybe it’s her natural body scent.”
“Really?”
...
Listening to the two whispering nearby, Xiao Xiao frowned with some puzzlement. Fragrant?
It was indeed fragrant, but like overripe fruit on the verge of rot, the heavy sweetness carried a shadowy, morbid undertone that made him feel... nauseated.
He took a few steps aside, tilted his head to inhale fresh air, then turned back—only to meet the girl’s eyes, which held a certain meaningful glint.
A pang of unease struck his heart but quickly faded. When he looked again, the girl was saying goodbye to Xu Ying and the others.
He watched as she casually turned to bid farewell to their leader and then to him.
He returned her smile politely.
As she turned to walk through the school gate, he slowly withdrew the curve of his lips, his gaze thoughtful.
...