Chapter 29: Crisis? Crisis!

The alarm went off.

Bleary-eyed, Zhou Ming felt his entire body hollow and aching, completely drained of strength.

After a long moment, he climbed out of bed, pulled aside his clothes, and examined his condition: his torso and limbs were covered in dense bruises and cuts, and there was a large purple welt on his abdomen.

‘Damn, so the damage really does transfer into reality!’

Remembering his careless attitude last night, which had forced that thing to torture him repeatedly, Zhou Ming felt nothing but regret.

‘A conscious entity—I really can’t underestimate it. Its desire for revenge is way too strong.’

‘It even targeted an eighteen-year-old like me!’

‘And it doesn’t fight fair… Monster, I suggest you watch your step!’

Cursing aside, Zhou Ming’s head still throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t stay panicked. He calmed himself with deep breaths so he could think more clearly.

He picked up his phone to document the evidence, but when he saw the photo showing his body perfectly intact, he couldn’t help frowning.

He looked down, even reached out and touched his skin. There really was nothing wrong.

‘Was it an illusion?’

How was he supposed to collect proof and report this to the Lantern Bearers?

‘A sentient being is definitely more troublesome.’

Getting out of bed, Zhou Ming walked around to test himself. When he confirmed that his body was truly fine, his heart sank.

He texted Zhang Chuanlei, citing discomfort to ask for leave, and then sent a message to Jiang Jialie, asking if she had encountered that thing last night as well.

After washing up and changing clothes, Zhou Ming quickly called Gadelia.

He needed to call in backup.

It couldn’t be helped—that thing was too insidious. He had to solve this through unconventional means.

After waiting a few minutes, the call finally connected.

“Mmm~ Zhou Ming, what’s up?”

Gadelia’s voice carried a groggy nasal tone, thick with lingering drowsiness.

“Gadelia, do you have time now? I’ll come find you.”

With that, he hung up.

He hurriedly called a ride and rushed to Gadelia’s place.

On the way, Jiang Jialie replied.

Not knowing whether to feel relieved or despair, Zhou Ming decided not to dwell on it for now.

“Mm, is it urgent? Then come straight to my place. Call me when you arrive.”

***

When the door opened, Gadelia, still fighting off sleep, managed to pour Zhou Ming a glass of water.

“Mmm! Zhou Ming, what did you come to see me about?”

It was obvious she was about to collapse.

He had just started speaking when Gadelia leaned against the sofa and fell asleep.

Zhou Ming shifted his body, about to stand up, but the sofa’s rebound caused her to tip toward him.

He quickly reached out to catch her.

Soft. Warm.

He could faintly see light pink lace.

Zhou Ming immediately averted his gaze, gently set Gadelia back on the sofa, and slapped himself hard.

Smack!

The wicked thought that had just risen in his heart was forcibly suppressed.

‘We’re not even together yet, and I’m thinking about taking advantage of her?’

‘Zhou Ming, what are you thinking!’

He couldn’t let her sleep on the sofa—what if she caught a cold? What if she rolled off?

He slapped himself again, his mind now clear, free of any distraction.

He slipped one arm under her armpit, supporting her upper body, and the other under her knees, lifting Gadelia in a princess carry to bring her back to her bedroom.

It was only a few steps, but it felt like an eternity to Zhou Ming.

Gadelia was very light—even without trying, he could see her prominent collarbone.

And in the space between his breaths, he caught the faint scent of her body.

He laid her gently on the bed, covered her with the quilt, and then took a look around the room.

The walnut floor was covered with a soft carpet. Beside the wall stood a tall, gilded mirror with delicate carvings. The curtains were half-drawn, letting in a few rays of sunlight. The beige walls were adorned with plaster bas-relief lines, and floor lamps and wall lamps were distributed throughout.

‘Damn, I just dirtied her carpet with my shoes. She’s probably going to kill me later.’

Looking at Gadelia’s peaceful sleeping face, Zhou Ming suddenly remembered her ability.

‘That constant noise that won’t leave her ears?’

How did she normally fall asleep?

Zhou Ming’s heart suddenly ached.

He recalled how, back when she was taking care of him in the hospital, she had managed to sleep.

Was it sympathy, or pity?

Zhou Ming couldn’t tell.

He just instinctively reached out his hand, nearing Gadelia’s face, but just before his fingers touched her cheek, he jerked it back.

He began to examine his feelings for Gadelia.

Was it merely gratitude and a desire to repay a life-saving debt? Or was it a longing for warmth in the midst of prolonged torment?

He thought he could barely endure that kind of torment himself.

And what about Gadelia?

Before meeting him, she had still been trying her best to live—perhaps lonely, pained, helpless—but she could only bear it in silence.

His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed, his hands clenching and then slowly releasing.

He wanted to help Gadelia, but…

There was hesitation in his heart.

He didn’t want to approach her for that reason, nor did he want her to approach him for that reason.

Youth’s longing for love was always pure, unable to tolerate any impurity.

Zhou Ming thought, what should love be?

A chance encounter, a meeting of eyes, an ordinary greeting, love at first sight, mutual companionship.

It wasn’t an exchange of benefits, nor a forced probing—it was a heartbeat, an unconditional devotion.

Reality was often cruel, but those pure-hearted boys and girls still chose to believe in that spark of the heart.

Returning to the living room, Zhou Ming sat on the sofa, hands clasped together, pondering how to face Gadelia next.

Emotions were truly difficult.

Suddenly, he slapped himself again.

‘What time is it now, and I’m still thinking about this nonsense? Dealing with that thing is the real priority—otherwise, if I lose my life, what’s there to talk about?’