The morning sun filtered softly through the towering trees lining Zhenhua Academy's grand entrance, the crisp air carrying a faint chill of anticipation. Yu Er adjusted his school uniform, stepping through the wrought-iron gates with measured calm.
Zhenhua was no ordinary school. Its prestige was whispered about in elite circles, yet there was an unsettling quiet that clung to the corridors—a silence that spoke of secrets better left unspoken.
Yu Er's footsteps echoed softly along the marble hallway as he made his way toward the main building. His gray uniform blended with the sea of students, but his steady gaze set him apart. Calm. Focused. Ready.
A cheerful voice broke through the muted hum. "You must be Yu Er! I'm Mei, your guide for today."
Mei's bright smile was warm but carried a practiced edge, as if she had learned to hide something behind that cheerfulness.
As they walked, Mei pointed out landmarks. "The science block is this way, and the old dormitories over there—though no one goes in after sunset. Just tradition, they say." Her eyes flickered briefly toward the shadows near the worn building.
Yu Er said nothing but noticed everything: the quick, guarded looks exchanged between certain students, the almost imperceptible tension lingering beneath the surface. A library shelf concealed a small camera, its lens catching a sliver of sunlight.
When they reached classroom 3-B, Mei's smile faltered. "If anyone asks you to play… just say no."
"Play what?" Yu Er asked quietly.
"Games," she said, voice dropping. "It's better not to get involved."
Before he could press further, the bell rang.
Inside the classroom, a familiar figure waited—Feng Shi. His dark hair was neatly combed, glasses perched on his nose giving him the look of an earnest student. Yet when he caught Yu Er's eyes, there was a flash of something colder beneath the surface—a glint that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"Welcome, Yu Er," Feng Shi said smoothly, adjusting his glasses. "Looks like we'll be classmates again."
Yu Er nodded, keeping his expression neutral.
The day passed in a blur of new faces and cautious greetings. As the last class ended, Yu Er found a folded note slipped onto his desk:
"Do you want to play?"
Yu Er's lips curved into a faint smile.
The game was already beginning.