Chapter 23: A Completely Unfamiliar Environment

“Quick! Let’s head into school first!” Xiaoqing saw the Painted Skin Ghost being dragged away by the delinquents, and immediately pulled me forward.

I was still a little confused, so she explained, “The ghost didn’t start a fight with those delinquents, which means it’s still cautious. It won’t act recklessly in public. We need to stay where there are people around.”

I remembered how the ghost first targeted me—luring me to the rooftop to confess before attacking. Xiaoqing’s reasoning made sense.

For a moment, I even felt a strange sympathy for the delinquents—they had willingly dragged the ghost into an empty alley. A reckless decision, yes, but it helped me immensely.

We hadn’t gone far when I heard terrified screams coming from the alley. Soon, the screams turned into agonized shrieks. Oddly, the people on the street ignored it, going about their business as if nothing had happened.

I didn’t dare linger. Following Xiaoqing, we quickly entered the school. I had little doubt that the reckless delinquents were already… “finished” in that alley.

For those who had bullied me before, I felt some grim satisfaction at their demise, but their deaths meant it was my turn to face danger. A feeling of tragic inevitability washed over me.

When I finally snapped out of my thoughts, Xiaoqing had already led me to the classroom—not my old 2nd-year Class C, but the top-tier 2nd-year Class A, her own class.

“Ah, Yubing, and Xiaoqing, good morning!” Several classmates greeted me immediately. Only then did I realize that, in the eyes of others, I was now the school beauty, Xia Yubing—not the original Luo Xiao.

“Hello,” I replied, flustered, trying to greet them without revealing anything. Passing by, I heard a girl whisper, “Strange… Yubing seems… different from usual?”

I had no clue how Xia Yubing normally interacted with classmates—her tone, her personality, even how she spoke. How could I possibly mimic her?

Xiaoqing guided me to a spot by the window in the second-to-last row. Sitting down, she leaned close and whispered, “I’ll go find the senior first and explain your situation. At noon, I’ll take you to see her. Remember, don’t be alone—don’t give the ghost an opening.”

“Wait! Don’t go!” I grabbed her arm. If she left, I’d be alone in an entirely unfamiliar environment, with the ghost looming over me.

“Calm down, Xiao-gege. I’m not going to the senior yet. She needs time to prepare a way to fend off the ghost. As long as we stay among people, it won’t act recklessly,” Xiaoqing reassured me.

She didn’t say aloud what I already suspected: even if the ghost were determined to act in public, what could she do alone?

Nearby, I overheard some girls whispering. My hearing must have sharpened; one said, “Xia Yubing and Xiaoqing get along so well? I rarely see them talk together.”

I let go of Xiaoqing. She gave me a nod and an encouraging look before walking away. I avoided interacting with anyone else, staring blankly out the window.

Then I saw it—the Painted Skin Ghost, disguised as me, entering the school gates. This time, it wore a school uniform instead of the casual clothes from earlier. Where it got the uniform, I didn’t need to speculate—those delinquents were likely already dead.

The moment it stepped onto campus, it lifted its head toward me. That chilling, sinister gaze—it was certain it was looking straight at me, aware that I could see it.

Sure enough, it could sense my location. I didn’t know how, but it lingered, following my direction across the playground toward the teaching building.

I dared not look directly. I hoped the ghost truly wouldn’t act in public. If it were determined to kill me, I couldn’t stop it for even a second.

After Xiaoqing left, a wave of unease overwhelmed me. Alone in an unfamiliar classroom, no friends nearby, the ghost’s threat like a blade at my back—I felt stranded on a storm-tossed island, helpless.

Suddenly, a hand tapped my shoulder. I almost jumped out of my skin. Turning, I saw a girl, ordinary but neat-looking.

Seeing my startled reaction, she too flinched. “Xia Yubing, why are you so jumpy? I just wanted to borrow your homework.”

I hadn’t even thought about homework yesterday. I didn’t even know Class A’s assignments. I could only make an excuse: “Sorry, I forgot to bring it.”

“Forgot? That doesn’t sound like you. Can I ask you a few questions?” She looked like she was on familiar terms with Xia Yubing.

“Sorry, I’m not feeling well today. Ask someone else,” I said firmly. The more I spoke, the more I risked exposure.

“Alright, take care of yourself,” she said, then walked away. I rested my head on the desk, pretending to sleep, avoiding further interaction.

Soon, Xiaoqing returned, excited. “The senior agreed to see you at noon! We just have to wait until then to go to the Paranormal Club.”

Class had started, and Xiaoqing had to return to her seat. Neither of us had done yesterday’s homework—we simply claimed we had forgotten it at home.

The teacher frowned but, seeing Xia Yubing and Xiaoqing’s normally good grades, only scolded lightly: “Don’t forget next time,” and let it go.

Class A moved quickly, and I could barely keep up. After class, I wanted to step outside for air.

At the staircase, I saw it again—the Painted Skin Ghost, standing there, eyes fixed on me.

Every time I saw that familiar yet terrifying expression on what was once my own face, a chill ran down my spine. It felt as if a ghost had possessed me.

Even more, its aura was darker, colder. Nearby students instinctively felt a chill, rubbed their arms, and avoided it.

It had likely killed those delinquents, feeding off them, which made its aura even darker. In the already gloomy school hallway, its presence was terrifying.

Its target was clear: me. At this rate, I had no chance of seeking the senior.