Chapter 197: The Jinxed Piano

Hearing Yi Zhiqiu’s words of comfort, I felt a slight easing of my shame, yet the urge to crawl into a hole remained overwhelming. I felt I had no face left to stay there.

“I… I need to get to class!” I stammered, then spun around and fled in a desperate rush.

Yi Zhiqiu seemed somewhat uneasy. He reached out as if to stop me, but ultimately held back, merely saying, “Be careful. Don’t run too fast.”

Ignoring his words, I bolted from the small grove. Many students watched in astonishment as the usually graceful and quiet campus belle sprinted out, her clothes disheveled and her face flushed crimson.

Tomorrow, I imagined, all sorts of rumors would surely spread. But I couldn’t concern myself with that now. I simply ran, nonstop, towards the teaching building, only slowing my pace as I neared my classroom.

I hurried back to my seat and quickly tidied my clothes. Xiao Qing, noticing my return, walked over and asked, surprised, “Brother Xiao, why are you back? Didn’t you take Yi Zhiqiu to that urban legend?”

“Yes, I’m out. It’s fine. He’s still there, researching the urban legend,” I explained, my words a little disjointed, as I simultaneously pulled out a tissue to wipe the dampness from between my legs.

Witnessing my action, Xiao Qing instantly flushed crimson. “What exactly did Yi Zhiqiu do to you?!” she demanded, her voice agitated.

“Hey! Don’t shout so loudly!” I hissed, quickly lowering my voice. But it was too late. Many classmates were already looking our way, their whispers growing louder.

“I’m sorry, I… I got a little carried away, but that Yi Zhiqiu, he didn’t actually do that to you, did he?” Xiao Qing asked in a hushed voice, though her urgency was palpable, seemingly oblivious to the murmurs of our classmates.

Xiao Qing knew the trigger and release conditions for the ‘Lovers’ Rendezvous Urban Legend’—Mo Qingyan had told her. I hadn’t realized how much she cared.

“No,” I reassured her, “I… I handled it myself to get out.”

‘It’s too embarrassing to talk about. Even now, after it’s happened, admitting it still makes my face burn. If Xiao Qing hadn’t been so agitated, I would never have confessed.’

“Is that so? I’m sorry, Brother Xiao, I overthought things.” Xiao Qing finally calmed down. “That’s good. Music class is about to start. Let’s tidy up quickly and go together.”

“Oh, Xiao Qing,” I began, testing the waters, “I wanted to ask, if, just if, Yi Zhiqiu had really done something to me, what would you have done?” Xiao Qing’s previous outburst had given me a very unsettling feeling.

“I would kill him.” Xiao Qing’s voice turned instantly frigid, an intense murderous aura emanating from her. I had encountered that aura before: on the face of the stitched-up monster, in Fia’s eyes during her sleepwalking, and from Ms. Liu carrying the black plastic bag.

It was genuine killing intent, an energy that only manifested when one truly desired to take a life. It made me tremble, instinctively wanting to distance myself from Xiao Qing.

However, this killing intent was fleeting. Xiao Qing quickly reverted to her usual girl-next-door demeanor, offering a wry smile. “Though saying that is useless. I can’t defeat Yi Zhiqiu at all. I was just joking.”

‘Just joking? I don’t think so. I couldn’t have mistaken that killing intent. She truly harbored murderous thoughts. I had always thought Xiao Qing was just a pure, good child, but now it seems she’s quite dangerous.’

“Don’t talk so much. Music class is starting soon. Let’s hurry, or we’ll be late.” Xiao Qing pulled me to my feet, and I noticed other classmates were also leaving the classroom.

As we walked towards the music room, descending the stairs, I saw Mo Qingyan approaching from behind. Once she was close, she immediately asked, “I sensed you broke the urban legend’s confinement. Where is Yi Zhiqiu now?”

“He should still be in the small grove, researching the urban legend. He won’t come to the teaching building. But my reputation… strange rumors will probably start circulating tomorrow,” I sighed.

“It’s fine. Your task is complete. Don’t worry about your reputation either; there will be big news soon, and your affairs won’t spread. Rest assured,” Mo Qingyan said, patting my shoulder.

“Eh? What news?” I asked, puzzled. My intuition told me it was related to the upcoming concert. I had suspected this ever since I discovered Bai Yue used Gu worms to control Lin Qianyue.

However, Mo Qingyan and Bai Yue had remained tight-lipped about the matter, and I couldn’t force them to tell me, so I could only guess.

“Nothing, you’ll know soon enough. This is all thanks to you. Just enjoy the concert,” Mo Qingyan said, patting my shoulder again before turning and walking in another direction.

Soon, we arrived at the music classroom, or rather, it was more like a small concert hall, large enough to accommodate an entire grade of two to three hundred students seated, albeit a bit crowded. The stage was also spacious enough for a wind band to perform.

Thick soundproof carpets covered the floor and walls of the music classroom. Various instruments were stored in racks and cabinets along the walls; we sometimes used the school’s instruments during music lessons.

By now, the second-year students had gathered in the music room. As I took my seat, the first thing I noticed was an unsettling aura emanating from the stage.

A piano was positioned on the performance stage, angled towards the audience. Due to its weight and frequent use, the piano was rarely moved and always remained on stage. Previously, when I attended music class, the music teacher often played it.

But this time, the piano emitted a familiar aura of Yin energy. After careful thought, it felt very similar to the Pixiu wood carving in my home, but this aura was also filled with a rampant, frenzied sensation.

It was a Jinx Object, and likely one that had seen blood, an activated Jinx Object. Just as Mo Qingyan used vital essence to activate my Pixiu, that piano had also been tampered with.

Recalling earlier, I had recommended the coffin shop owner to Mo Qingyan. After her visit, she mentioned buying something good and thanked me, saying that if this endeavor succeeded, it would be all my credit.

Connecting the dots, Mo Qingyan had bought a Jinx Object and then used it to modify that piano. Why? What was she planning to do?

I wanted to go on stage and inspect what had been done to the piano, but Xiao Qing pulled me back. “Brother Xiao, what are you doing? Sit down quickly; music class is about to begin!”

The teacher and a group of students were busily arranging instruments on stage. They wouldn’t allow me to go up and examine the piano. I could only return to my seat.

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