[AR] Chapter 10: Dark Emotions

Inside the clubroom, panic continued to spread like wildfire. To these ordinary students, the news of the apocalypse was simply too much to process.

Should they stay or leave?

It shouldn't have been a difficult choice—after all, their supplies would eventually run out—but as regular students, none of them truly believed they had what it took to face the infected monsters out there.

According to the satellite messages sent by the authorities, the corruption virus spread in many ways. It could actively pollute natural water sources and create entire ecosystems of corrupted creatures.

In areas fully overtaken, even breathing the air could lead to infection. The only good news was that—for reasons unknown—humans had a lower infection rate than other animals. As long as one avoided eating or drinking contaminated supplies, kept blood contact to a minimum, and didn’t inhale large amounts of false spores, infection was rare.

But that was all they knew. Right now, what mattered most was deciding what to do next.

“We can’t keep going on like this.”

The silence was finally broken by Ye Xintong. The usual teasing smile on her face was gone, replaced by a sharp seriousness.

“We’ll be out of snacks in a single meal, and we don’t have a drop of water left. We’re better off taking a risk than waiting here to die. If we make it to the gym, we can hold out there and wait for rescue.”

Her words steadied the others. The moment she spoke, everyone seemed to find their anchor and began preparing to follow her lead.

“Don’t ration anything—eat and drink what you can to recover. Don’t carry too much, either. We’ll pass by a convenience store on the way and can restock there.”

Her voice was steady, with only a trace of nervousness. But that trace was crushed by the weight of her resolve.

“There’s still chaos outside. Right now, panicked people are more dangerous than infected ones. I read up on the reports coming out of Raccoon City from the Federation—those infected need time to be converted into full corruption vanguards. That means we have a window where the corrupted won’t be active. That’s our chance.”

Chen Fengling stood off to the side, pretending to listen intently, but her mind wandered. She couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly Ye Xintong had adapted. No wonder she would become one of the world’s most famous survivors in the future.

After giving out a few more instructions, Ye Xintong let the group settle. Though still afraid, they no longer flailed like headless chickens. Each person found a place to sit, forcing themselves to eat food they’d been hoarding, then closed their eyes to recover their strength for the upcoming escape.

Luo Yuan sat quietly at his desk, nerves twisting in his stomach.

He’d wanted to become stronger—strong enough not to seem weak when standing before Chen Fengling. But now the apocalypse had arrived, and those shallow concerns about social awkwardness meant nothing. Compared to the threat outside, they were laughable.

He wanted to run and hide. To curl up somewhere dark and cry about why his life had just started to improve only for this to happen. But then he looked at Chen Fengling—so small, so helpless—and forced himself to stay calm.

He’d made a decision, and now it was time to act on it.

Gritting his teeth, he reached out and gently held her hand.

Fengling was quietly watching him too. She could see his fear. And still—he tried to comfort her.

Even though she was just as scared, even though her chest was tight and her thoughts were spiraling—he still chose to hold her hand.

She squeezed back. His hand was bigger, warm enough to wrap around hers entirely.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Luo Yuan thought she was scared, so he tried his best to speak gently.

But he didn’t know—on the side of her face turned away from him, a faint blush curled her lips into a strange smile.

As he tried to reassure her, Ye Xintong stepped quietly to his side.

She pulled out a folded map and handed it to him. The routes on it were more practical than any GPS data—they described the safest paths and potential hazards clearly.

So that’s what she’d been working on in silence.

“Luo Yuan, here.”

She handed it over, making him look up in surprise.

“I know you’re usually alone and don’t like walking around campus. So I marked a safe route just for you.”

Her voice dropped, not wanting to disturb Chen Fengling, who appeared to be resting nearby.

“This part here… that’s the safest path.”

She explained a few things softly, and Luo Yuan’s chest warmed.

“Thank you… Senpai.”

“It’s nothing. I said when you joined the club that I’d look out for you.”

Her voice dipped again, casual and kind.

“I remember thinking you didn’t quite fit in when I first met you. You had this gloomy air about you—made people worry.”

“You told me you were a hopeless case. Even joked about being cursed.”

“But honestly? That’s not how we see you at all. You get along with everyone. You step up when it counts…”

Her soft words eased the tension in his heart.

“Even now, you’re still afraid—but you’re comforting her anyway, aren’t you?”

Her eyes drifted toward Chen Fengling, who flinched ever so slightly.

“You made your choice, right? So follow it through. Be brave. I’ll be here for you. We all will. And besides… she’s one of us too.”

Luo Yuan tried to respond, but Ye Xintong held a finger to her lips and winked.

“I’ll leave you to it. Take care of her, okay?”

She didn’t give him time to answer. Her figure bathed in golden light, hair glowing as the sunset poured through the window, she walked away.

Luo Yuan watched her go, heart full. Since joining the club six months ago, she had always looked out for him. She was like the sun—always shining, always bright. She was the first person who had ever truly cared.

He remembered Tian Bo once letting it slip that Ye Xintong had told them to look after the new guy when he joined…

Suddenly, he felt a sharp squeeze on his hand. He turned back—Chen Fengling was awake.

She had never been asleep. She’d heard everything.

And she had no right to interrupt.

Ye Xintong was radiant. She was everything Fengling wasn’t. She was the kind of person who people naturally followed, someone who mattered in the world.

Chen Fengling, on the other hand… couldn’t even offer comfort properly. She was weak. She couldn’t show her power. Couldn’t protect anyone like a hero would.

She remembered clearly: in her past life, after Ye Xintong died, Luo Yuan had wept for days.

Ye Xintong had been the heroine of their story.

And Chen Fengling? Just a side character. A silent second lead, always watching others leave, powerless to stop them.

No. Maybe she didn’t even deserve that title.

She was nothing but a liar. A monster. The kind of freak who whispered to his things at night. Someone who fantasized over the one person who had ever shown her kindness.

Who was really worthy of Luo Yuan?

That answer was obvious.

“Wouldn’t it be better,” she told herself, “if Luo Yuan had a future with someone who shines like Ye Xintong?”

But another voice spoke up.

“He’s not in love with her yet, is he? If he were, he would’ve told her by now.”

“And Ye Xintong doesn’t love him either. She’s just kind to everyone.”

The voice was soft. Gentle. Like a mother coaxing a stubborn child.

“I can’t force him…”

“Force? You’re just a cute, fragile girl now. You’re not forcing anyone. If he falls in love from spending time with you, how is that wrong?”

Fengling fell silent.

Then came the question.

“Aren’t you even a little bit unwilling to give up?”

She broke.

She was a terrible, selfish person. To think like this about her best friend—her god—her savior. But she couldn’t let go. She couldn’t watch the only person she’d ever loved get taken away.

“Thank you, Luo Yuan. You’re the best.”

Her voice was sweet and soft. She meant it. And yet, somehow, Luo Yuan felt there was something hidden in her eyes.

“Promise me?” she said. “No matter what happens, no matter what we face—we’ll stay together?”

She looked up at him like a fragile, trembling little animal.

“I promise,” he said firmly.

The reason he’d chosen to be stronger in the first place was to protect this girl—this girl who had stood by him through high school and now college. He meant it.

“You can’t ever go back on it,” she whispered.

Her eyes sparkled with something unspoken. Like a devil offering a contract.

“I won’t. I never will.”

He smiled brightly, full of warmth and resolve.

“Then I won’t hold back anymore…”

She whispered so quietly no one heard.

And like a wind chime swaying in the storm, the balance of her heart tipped fully toward desire.