Chapter 65: The Lingering Mystery and a Forced Favor

It was rather strange. We had clearly agreed to go shopping after dinner, yet now she was actively pulling me back home.

Moreover, on the way home, Huang Beifeng kept clutching her right wrist with her left hand. This posture brought back a memory from my middle school days.

When I still dressed as a boy, girls confessing to me would often hold one hand with the other, appearing unexpectedly shy.

However, I doubted that was the case here. It seemed more likely that something had happened to her right wrist, perhaps she was covering it due to pain.

Yet, Huang Beifeng’s face revealed nothing, and she refused to show me her right wrist, leaving me clueless about the actual situation.

This only intensified my curiosity about what exactly had transpired during the brief period I had lost consciousness.

****

Upon our return, the moment I opened the door, Huang Beifeng suddenly darted inside. In a mere breath, her figure vanished from sight.

‘Hmm? Such an unusual action. It truly seemed peculiar.’

Carelessly closing the door, I searched the living room for a moment but found no trace of Huang Beifeng. It appeared she had either retreated to her room or headed to the bathroom.

Her haste to return made me wonder if it was *that* time of the month. But if it truly were, why would she indulge in sweets and cold drinks? That would only torment herself.

‘Therefore, that couldn’t be it. A wave of inexplicable irritation washed over me. What in the world had happened?’

****

“Phew, that’s a bit better,” Huang Beifeng murmured.

Gazing at her wrist, now coated in ointment, she felt the pain recede slightly. Lacking an ice pack, she had applied it hastily, knowing she would still have to wait.

After all, water needed time to freeze, and without any other tools, this was her only recourse.

With her wrist tended, she now needed to recall precisely what had transpired to cause Mu Rong Luo Ye’s sudden transformation.

She remembered clearly: everything had been fine until the masked figure entered. It was after the masked figure produced a compass-like object, and then put it away, that Mu Rong Luo Ye had changed.

‘Could it truly have been the object’s influence? It made no sense. How could a mere compass wield such power? It sounded like something out of science fiction.’

Yet, to call it a coincidence was equally impossible. Could a mere coincidence transform someone into a completely different person? Furthermore, the force with which Mu Rong Luo Ye had struck her was far beyond what she knew him capable of.

‘So, if coincidence was out of the question, then the compass truly was the culprit?’

For now, she could only accept this possibility. But with so many people present, why had only Mu Rong Luo Ye been affected? She and Mu Rong Luo Ye had grown up together; she knew he wouldn’t intentionally provoke anyone.

‘So why had the masked figure singled him out?’

With a multitude of questions swirling before her, Huang Beifeng found herself momentarily at a loss. The information was too scarce and too chaotic; she had no idea where to even begin her investigation.

If only she knew the masked figure’s identity, everything would become much simpler. Yet, the masked figure’s actions were exceedingly strange.

While they certainly drew attention, uncovering their true identity remained a daunting task.

‘Unless she could find someone who knew their identity. Did such a person truly exist?’

After a moment of simple contemplation, she realized such a person did indeed exist. Though, she wasn’t quite sure how to approach them.

‘Very well, she would first try to build a good rapport, then find an opportune moment to inquire.’

Beyond applying the ointment, Huang Beifeng also found a roll of bandages and wrapped them around her wrist. Such household first-aid kits were conveniently available in every room.

With her wrist bandaged, it was perhaps a little too conspicuous. She changed out of her school uniform, rummaged through her closet for a moment, and pulled out a long-sleeved hoodie to put on.

The sleeves were neither too long nor too short, perfectly concealing the bandage on her wrist.

Pushing open her room door, she stepped out. Remembering their plans to go out with Mu Rong Luo Ye and the others tomorrow, she decided she should discuss with him what pretty dress he should wear.

Arriving at Mu Rong Luo Ye’s room, she pushed the door open to find him engrossed in a game, as usual.

The moment Huang Beifeng pushed open the door, I naturally heard it, but I had no time to spare for whatever she intended.

Even from the corner of my eye, I could see her heading towards my closet, seemingly inspecting the various colorful little dresses hanging there.

She kept pointing at me from time to time; I had no idea what she was planning, but none of it concerned me. ‘Playing my game was far more important, wasn’t it?’

Just as I was preparing to dive the enemy ADC for a decisive kill, Huang Beifeng unexpectedly clapped me on the shoulder.

That single pat was disastrous. My hand twitched, my skills misfired, and the enemy seized the opportunity, rooting me under their tower. The outcome was predictable: I had essentially flashed in to hand them a free kill!

I whirled around to face Huang Beifeng, just about to demand why she had interrupted my game, when to my surprise, she merely extended a finger and pointed at the pile of clothes on the bed.

‘What?! Not only did she make me give away a free kill, but now she wanted me to try on those dresses? Absolutely not!’

Ignoring her, I shifted my gaze back to the screen. Yet, behind me, Huang Beifeng’s expression seemed to have suddenly changed.

I risked a quick glance back. Huang Beifeng was looking at me with a slight, upward curve of her lips, her left arm outstretched. I swallowed, a little stiffly.

In a suicidal attempt, I tried to avert my gaze once more. But since my gaming chair swiveled, Huang Beifeng effortlessly spun me around, forcing my eyes to meet hers.

Our eyes locked. I nervously swallowed, wondering what in the world this girl was planning.

‘This was my promotion match! I had just turned the tide from a losing position, finally gaining some advantage. But whatever she wanted, she needed to be quick! No dawdling; I couldn’t afford to go AFK in a promotion match!’

I watched Huang Beifeng anxiously. Her throat bobbed, as if she were about to speak. After a long, tense standoff, Huang Beifeng simply pointed towards the bed behind me.

“Don’t forget, you promised me three favors,” she said.