"Rong was four, willing to share a pear…"
"An Le, you're the host of the house. Your cousin ca all this way, so why don't you let her play with your toys?"
"An Le, you're the older sister. You should give way to your younger brother."
"An Le, the kids from the South District... who knows what their families do? The outside world is chaotic; don't get into argunts with them."
"An Le, you just transferred back to China from Linn. You're new here, so focus on your studies and don't ddle in others' business."
"An Le, students at Yuanyue School co from wealthy families. If anything happens, your parents can't afford the consequences, so…"
"An Le, just mind your own business and don’t provoke others."
These kinds of admonitions were sothing An Le had heard repeatedly from her teachers and parents.
From a young age, they had taught her to be kind, to be yielding.
The rules of propriety told An Le: if you always think of others, they will surely reciprocate.
So, An Le never said anything that might upset others, never did anything that might hurt others, never got into conflicts, and never fought for anything.
When the kids from the South District played pranks and stole from others, she thought: if I don't stop them, won't the victims feel hurt? Even if it ant losing friends and playing alone, it didn’t matter.
When Pu Shuwen, the wealthy classmate, bullied her daily, she thought: if I resist, won’t it trouble my hardworking parents? Even if it ant being mocked and ridiculed, it didn’t matter.
When Xiao Huan and Ying Gong Tong appeared to be close, she thought: if I confess to him, won’t it trouble them? Even if Xiao Huan ended up staying with Ying Gong forever…
Was it wrong to act this way?
But why, every ti she put others first, did she never receive the "pear" in return?
In the past, she would excuse herself: at least others were happy, and their happiness was her happiness.
But now, here in the crystal—
No, here in the nurse's office.
"Xiao… Xiao… ugh…"
"President…"
As An Le hesitated and finally called out to Xiao Huan, a sharp pain tore through her heart, shattering her excuses.
A buzzing noise grew louder in her ears, drowning out even the reactions of Little Finger beside her.
"President? Are you also a student at Yuanyue Academy?"
"……"
"…Hey? Are you okay?"
The next second, Yan Huan’s face ca closer, filling her dazed eyes. Startled, she quickly straightened up like a cadet called out during military training.
"Y-Yes!"
"Are you feeling unwell?" Yan Huan smiled wryly and asked.
"No… I’ve just never been in a haunted house before, so I’m a little… scared…"
Yan Huan glanced at the cold sweat dripping from her forehead but didn’t press further.
"I see…"
He shifted his gaze from her to survey the sealed room around them, finding it odd that no note was provided with instructions for escape.
What does this an? Are we supposed to figure it out ourselves?
Right, this was a haunted house. Based on earlier analyses, there’s likely a way out hidden sowhere.
Who knows how far Spencer’s abilities extend.
"Let’s start by seeing if we can find an exit. This setup is probably similar to an escape room—search for clues, and we should find a way out."
"Okay… got it."
An Le pursed her lips and obediently followed Yan Huan’s instructions, searching for any clues nearby. She glanced at Little Finger on her shoulder and found it rolling its eyes, as if it were fuming.
"……"
"Are you in the sa class as Spencer?" Yan Huan suddenly asked as he examined the blood-stained sheets for hidden writing.
An Le stole a glance at his striking profile under the dim light, and though he couldn’t see her, she nodded.
"Yes… about what happened with Spencer earlier, I’m sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing for her mistakes?"
"Because… Spencer is my only friend…"
Yan Huan raised an eyebrow in surprise and turned to look at her.
"You’re friends with her?"
An Le bit her lip and quickly defended Spencer.
"Although she’s a bit reckless… I don’t think she’s a bad person…"
"Not bad…"
What a joke—Spencer, not bad?
If she’s not bad, I’ll eat my words.
To Yan Huan, among the known Modifier users, Spencer was undoubtedly the most difficult to deal with.
Her behavior was erratic and highly aggressive. Tactics that worked on Ye Shiyu or Bai Yi—like guilt or mutual recognition—would likely have zero effect on Spencer.
What was even more alarming was that, unlike others, Spencer’s Modifier didn’t seem to have a cooldown period.
It’s as if she’s in a berserker mode the whole ti—completely uncontrollable.
"Really… Spencer helped
when I was most helpless. I’m grateful to her… I don’t want to lose my only friend, so…"
Yan Huan didn’t look back and simply asked,
"So no matter what she does or says, you’ll blindly follow? You’ll even apologize for her mistakes?"
"……"
Could it be that Spencer is just using you to achieve this outco?
She might pop up later and take photos for all I know…
But with her IQ, could she really pull that off?
While Yan Huan pondered, he found a severed plastic hand pointing to the other side of the bed. He used his phone’s flashlight to reveal a button marked with bloody symbols.
"Found it…"
He pressed the button, and the bed at the back of the nurse’s office slowly moved, revealing a half-height passageway.
So, it really is like an escape room.
With his flashlight still on, Yan Huan inspected the low passage and said to An Le,
"Even if you’re friends, her mistakes aren’t yours to atone for. Apologizing on her behalf is the bare minimum.
"If she makes an even bigger mistake in the future, would you still pay for her consequences?"
An Le clutched the bag in her arms and, staring blankly at Yan Huan, replied,
"I… I would do my best…"
Yan Huan stared at her in disbelief.
"Are you serious?"
Is she under the influence of Spencer’s stupidity halo or sothing?
"Huh?"
"Never mind. While I can’t interfere with how others live their lives, as the Student Council President of Yuanyue, I suggest staying away from Spencer.
"And always putting others first won’t lead to good outcos."
It wasn’t just about Spencer; it was also the Modifier issue.
Staying near a Modifier host without resistance is like being a toy.
Behind him, An Le was struck by Yan Huan’s words, as if she had heard them before.
But from where? She couldn’t recall.
Before An Le could respond, Yan Huan nudged ow-chan off his shoulder and instructed ntally,
"ow-chan, scout ahead. Let
know if you find anything."
"ow~"
ow-chan darted into the passageway. Yan Huan bent down to enter the low tunnel, then turned to An Le.
"Let’s go. The side doors are all locked. We’ll check this path."
"Alright… President…"
An Le hesitated, clutching the black bag tightly, and followed Yan Huan’s hunched figure.
The eerie wind in the passageway howled but was blocked entirely by Yan Huan’s silhouette.
An Le stared at his back, her lips trembling as she asked,
"President… is thinking of others wrong? Why… why does it never lead to good outcos?"
Yan Huan paused briefly, not intending to explain much. But considering Spencer’s Modifier issue…
Forget it. If I can save one, it’s worth it.
Sighing, he moved forward while sharing a personal story.
"When I was young, I lived in the South District. There was a childhood friend I was very close to."
An Le’s eyes widened in shock.
"Childhood… friend?"
Back then, Xiao Huan only played with her, saying other kids were too childish…
Could it be… he still rembers ?!
Her heartbeat quickened as she stared at his back in the darkness, eyes sparkling with hope.
"She was just like you—always putting others first, afraid of rejection, and avoiding conflict."
"Thinking of others… is that wrong?"
"It’s not wrong, but you have to understand that it often ans going against your own will…"
Originally, Yan Huan only wanted to advise the girl behind him to stay away from Spencer. But as he spoke, he couldn’t help but recall the girl who used to follow him everywhere as a child.
He rembered her na—An Le.
Yan Huan paused mid-step, his tone slowing down.
"Generally, people like that are accustod to seeking validation by pleasing others, hoping for reciprocation.
"If others respond as expected, they feel imnse joy.
"Even if the return is far less than what they’ve given, they convince themselves it’s worth it.
"But when there’s no reciprocation, they endure the pain and deceive themselves, waiting for the next mont of charity."
Why had Yan Huan noticed that girl back then?
Because he was the only one who saw how she silently gave and silently hoped.
Call him selfish if you will. In an orphanage with no one to rely on, who wouldn’t like a childhood friend who always cared for you and listened to everything you said?
But deep down, Yan Huan always knew one truth. That’s why he’d tirelessly told this silly girl the sa lesson repeatedly.
And today, these words might resonate with the lonely girl behind him, who clung to Spencer like a lifeline.
"That kind of thinking is weak. Always putting others first won’t lead to good outcos.
"People need to be stronger, braver. Go after what you want instead of always sacrificing yourself and waiting for fate to hand it to you."
At that mont, An Le was certain—she had heard these words before.
Who had told her?
Her mory suddenly resurfaced: it was the day she parted ways with Xiao Huan.
She had cried and cried, consud by the thought of never seeing him again. She didn’t know how to make international calls, how to return to Linn, or how to et him again…
Her fears overwheld her, leaving her in tears.
In her panic, she had forgotten what the boy in front of her kept saying.
He told her:
"Be strong. Stop always thinking about others."
Be strong…
Those words had co from Xiao Huan.
Xiao Huan still rembered her—so why had she remained so weak?
Anything else didn’t matter.
She could endure any grievance except this one.
Behind him, An Le’s trembling gradually ceased.
She took a deep breath as if making an important decision.
After finishing his words, Yan Huan realized he’d said too much.
Perhaps it was because he thought of his childhood friend who had left Linn long ago, and eting a classmate in the sa situation made him want to say more.
Or perhaps it was simply his excuse to deal with the Modifier problem.
"ow~"
From up ahead, ow-chan wagged its tail and trotted back, its erald eyes blinking as it owed at Yan Huan.
Its ssage was clear: the exit is just ahead.
Shining his phone’s flashlight forward, Yan Huan saw a dimly lit, spacious area ahead.
"We’re almost there…" he said, taking a step forward.
But in the next mont, he froze.
Sohow, a soft, small hand had tightly grasped his shirt.
With every step he took, the girl behind him followed as though afraid of losing him or being separated.
The familiar feeling made Yan Huan’s heart skip a beat. The smart boy quickly connected the dots to a beautiful mory from long ago.
The similar personality, even this habit of clutching his shirt… Could this really be a coincidence?
"You…"
"Xiao Huan…"
Their voices overlapped as Yan Huan turned to speak and the girl behind him softly called out.
Her warm breath hit his back, making him realize she had removed her mask.
That intimate na reverberated through Yan Huan’s mind, instinctively making him want to turn around.
But he forgot they were hunched over in the half-height tunnel.
Thud!
Yan Huan’s head slamd into the wall, producing a dull sound.
"Hiss!"
"Xiao Huan!"
Staggering from the impact, Yan Huan squatted down instinctively. But behind him, An Le, who was still clutching his shirt, was dragged along and tumbled forward.
"ow!"
Startled, ow-chan leapt back before curiously glancing at the two.
In the dim light, Yan Huan lay on his side, stunned, with the girl sprawled across his chest.
Her soft body, like a water balloon, pressed against his stomach, changing shape.
His flashlight had fallen a short distance away, making it hard to see her face.
But he could feel her every breath, her intense warmth, and the slight tremor of her body.
"An Le…"
"Xiao Huan…"
Again, their voices overlapped, making An Le even more nervous. She lowered her head and stamred,
"You… you go first… Xiao Huan…"
"No… An Le, you go first."
"Okay…"
As she spoke, Yan Huan felt her thighs nervously clenching against his.
An Le closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fists tightening—a habit of hers when anxious.
But she forgot her hands were on Yan Huan, and her clenched fists gripped his abs instead.
"Hiss…"
Wait a minute, An Le. This… combined attack is a bit…
"Xiao Huan… I actually returned to Linn a long ti ago and enrolled in Yuanyue Academy…"
"Then why didn’t you co find ?"
"I…"
The question only made An Le more flustered. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap into Yan Huan’s chest.
Panicking, she looked up to explain—forgetting they were still in the low tunnel.
Thud!
"Ouch…"
This ti, it was An Le who hit her head. She clutched her forehead and collapsed onto Yan Huan again.
Hearing her cute, animal-like whimper, Yan Huan felt as if he were dreaming.
Thinking the girl reminded him of his childhood friend, he had said more than usual.
But now, looking at her… she really was his childhood friend?
What kind of twist of fate was this?
She even went to the sa school as him. But why hadn’t she sought him out all sester?
First-year transfers were rare; aside from Spencer, there had been no others.
Helplessly, Yan Huan gazed at the dazed An Le in his arms and gently patted her back.
"Are you okay?"
"Ugh…"
When they were kids, she cried easily when hurt, but as long as he blew on her wound, she’d stop. Then she’d look at him with a bright red face.
The gentle patting awakened Little Finger on An Le’s shoulder.
It opened its eyes reluctantly, not wanting to face the tragic reality.
Tonight, it decided, it would convince An Le to abandon it.
If I can’t win, I’m out!
But just as it was about to berate its useless host one last ti, it saw An Le snuggled in Yan Huan’s arms, enjoying his soothing pats.
"???"
What’s going on?!
I took a nap, and suddenly… victory?!
An Le had cried quietly at first but soon broke down into loud sobs as she felt Yan Huan’s comforting touch.
"Xiao Huan, I’ve wanted to see you for so many years… But I’m sorry… I’m still the sa… still so useless…"
Tears fell on Yan Huan’s chest as he smiled wryly.
"How could I forget you, An Le?"
"Uwahhh…"
Little Finger, anwhile, reveled in the newfound bliss of this world.
As An Le wept with joy and Yan Huan sighed helplessly, the tunnel ahead glimred faintly with light.
As Yan Huan flipped over the fallen flashlight, its beam illuminated the surrounding area. The light fell on a scattered black paper bag… and a pile of artistic works spilling out from it.
"Eh? An Le, are these yours?"
He picked up one of the books without much thought and glanced at the title on the cover.
"Dragon Bound by Rope?"
One look, and his mind went blank.
The cover featured a muscular man, shirtless, bound tightly with ropes, tears streaming down his face.
For a mont, Yan Huan's brain short-circuited.
Had his struggles against the Modifier hosts pushed him so far that he was now hallucinating?
This is too bizarre. Let’s check again…
Hiss—nope, it’s real.
Just as he stood there, processing this discovery, An Le, who had just wiped her tears and risen, looked up. She was about to speak but froze as her eyes landed on the book in Yan Huan’s hands.
Her pupils dilated, and her flushed cheeks instantly turned ghostly pale.
anwhile, Little Finger, who was happily coiled around her neck like a scarf, started babbling like a reporter interviewing a gold dalist:
"Wow, how did you pull this off?! Incredible, An Le! I underestimated you. You really are the chosen one, the world’s favored child… If you just used my powers a little more—"
The words stopped abruptly.
It had sensed sothing off.
Little Finger glanced at itself in astonishnt and noticed its snake-like tail swelling unnaturally, like an inflating balloon.
Desire—so much desire!
It’s too much! I’m going to explode!!
Just as Little Finger opened its mouth to warn An Le, she was already paralyzed by the situation.
Her mind was filled with one overwhelming thought:
I cannot let Xiao Huan know what I like to read!!
Even without her explicitly commanding it, the Modifier responded to her surging emotions. The overwhelming desire triggered its activation.
[Superconductor Mode: Activated!]
[Target: Yan Huan!]
Yan Huan blinked, a nervous smile creeping onto his face as he prepared to put the book back into the bag.
After all, people have different interests. XP systems vary—no need to judge.
Just laugh it off and move on.
Though, admittedly, this was a bit… awkward.
But before he could act, a familiar sensation surged through his body.
The ethereal white mist linking An Le’s Modifier to Yan Huan enveloped him. The sensation shot up his spine, flooding his brain with a disorienting wave of euphoria.
Behind him, ow-chan bristled, its fur standing on end. It let out a warning growl at An Le.
"ow!!"
anwhile, Yan Huan’s body went limp. His face flushed as his heart raced, and he collapsed onto the ground.
"Yan Huan, your resistance just dropped by another 30%! The person who ambushed you in the hallway on Thursday—it was her! She’s the fourth Modifier host!!"
ow-chan’s voice echoed in his ears, but Yan Huan’s mind felt like it was shaking.
He had ntioned before: if a Modifier host turned out to be soone he’d never t, like Ye Shiyu or Spencer, he could handle it.
What terrified him most was the thought of soone he knew being chosen as a Modifier host.
That’s why he had been so adamant about contacting Sister Tong earlier—he didn’t want the warmth of his past to be twisted and shattered by the Modifier.
But now…
After such a long-awaited reunion with An Le…
After finally identifying the fourth Modifier host so clearly…
Both events should have been joyous occasions.
So why… why did Yan Huan feel so conflicted?
As waves of near-unbearable euphoria threatened to drown his thoughts, Yan Huan’s mind went blank.
Yet, deep down, a single thought lingered:
"But…
"The scent before
clearly belongs to An Le…"
And thus, the fourth Modifier host made her grand debut.
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