Death Spiral [Infinite Flow] - Chapter 78

Chapter 78 – Three People Make a Tiger 14

The metal body inside the silver-gray elevator reflected a cold light. The elevator was not big and the three people stood together, making the space even more narrow.

“I’m his… former teacher.”

After Zhong Xiu said this, she gave Xu RenDong a deep look. Xu RenDong was slightly stunned and, when he heard these words, he seemed to be shocked. His thick eyelashes trembled slightly like butterfly wings, appearing too fragile to withstand even a single attack.

He seemed unable to restrain himself and his eyes went red quickly. Then he turned his face away, not daring to meet Zhong Xiu’s eyes.

Lian Qiao watched silently and couldn’t help but make up a 100,000-character abusive campus love story.

He remembered that Zhong Xiu was thirteen years older than Xu RenDong, so that meant that when Xu RenDong was in high school, Zhong Xiu was only in her twenties… A female teacher who had just graduated and a cold and silent male student… it was unknown when or how they fell in love secretly but, due to ethical and moral constraints, the two eventually separated. Meeting after many years, the boy had grown into an elegant and powerful man whereas the life of the female teacher had come to an end like a candle in the wind. Seeing the female teacher on the hospital bed, the scenes of the past would emerge and the man could no longer pretend to be indifferent and finally revealed his fragile and soft core…

What kind of peerless and poignant love story is this?

Lian Qiao imagined that Xu RenDong was tortured so much that he couldn’t breathe, that he knelt on the ground and trembled, that he was tortured until late at night when he was drunk and when, after giving up, he vomited blood on the white sheets. Lian Qiao suddenly felt a little emotional.

Whilst licking the vinegar jar, Lian Qiao made up his mind and his thoughts gradually changed.

This time the instance is called “Three People Make a Tiger”. Lian Qiao had some guesses about this in his heart but he still needed proof. When he walked out of the elevator, he saw a retro and dark living room with a dozen people standing inside it. Xu RenDong had told him that the difficulty of the dungeon was related to the number of players. Lian Qiao counted and felt that this copy was not too difficult.

There was no exit in this living room and only a staircase leading to the top, which gave off a very depressing feeling. Of course, there were no windows or anything. When he looked around, he could see dark green wallpaper with several landscape oil paintings hanging upon it. The crystal chandeliers on the ceiling were covered with dust and the fabric sofa was also dusty. It looked like no one had cleaned it for a long time.

Although there were no doors and windows, the wind howling outside can still be heard. Lian Qiao touched the thick wall, turned his head and said to Xu RenDong: “The Manor in the Snowstorm.”

“…Huh?” Xu RenDong seemed to be out of shape, raised his head and glanced at him blankly.

Just as Lian Qiao was about to explain, a man on the sofa’s eyes suddenly lit up and interjected: “It’s like the isolated island mode – it refers to a murder incident in which a group of people are trapped in a closed environment and cannot leave. It is a classic murder mystery set-up. Do you also like solving mysteries?”

Lian Qiao looked him up and down. This man looked sunny and handsome with a strong physique like a little sun. Just at first glance, you could tell he must be popular with girls. There were three other men and women who looked like college students beside him. It was obvious he was the center of the group and they were his followers.

Lian Qiao said, “I’ve read a bit.”

The man came over and said with a hearty smile: “We should be all gathered together now. Let’s not delay any further and introduce ourselves.”

He turned his head and pointed to the three behind him: “We few are members of the X Film Club and I’m the president. These three are my members: A, B and C.”

Lian Qiao thought this person was kind but it turned out they didn’t even want to say their real name and instead used pseudonyms instead. It felt very insincere. He leaned into Xu RenDong’s ear and whispered, “Then we won’t say our real name either.”

Xu RenDong nodded.

Lian Qiao was eager to give himself a cool ID but Xu RenDong had already pointed to himself and announced: “I’m the Nine-Time Boss.” He then pointed to Lian Qiao and Zhong Xiu and said, “This is my male and female follower.”

Lian Qiao: “…”

Zhong Xiu: “…” She suddenly felt sad. Was Xu RenDong usually so flamboyant? How did he fit into society?

After self-introductions, everyone had an initial impression of each other, so they began to explore the map. Lian Qiao quickly noticed Xu RenDong’s abnormality. He looked extraordinarily absent today and appeared always in a trance. His eyes were erratic and when they met Lian Qiao’s by chance, they immediately shifted away as though he was  afraid to face him.

… This is quite normal, after all, his ex-girlfriend was here. And Zhong Xiu probably didn’t know that Xu RenDong had bent and so Xu RenDong was probably embarrassed to say it.

Thinking of this, Lian Qiao suddenly felt a little bit of pleasure. “It was only after I broke up with you that I found out that I like men.” This kind of plot is quite exciting to think about. When Zhong Xiu knew, no doubt she would vomit blood, hahahaha.

When they came to the second floor, everyone pushed open several doors and found that there were guest rooms on this floor. The room looks like ordinary bedrooms and the furnishings were similar but you still need to observe them carefully. When Lian Qiao lay on the ground to check the bottom of the bed, he heard Zhong Xiu asking in a low voice. “What’s wrong with you? You’re so distracted.”

Xu RenDong quickly replied, “It’s nothing, just a little tired.”

Zhong Xiu sighed: “You have to take good care of yourself.”

Xu RenDong gave a low “En”.

…Fuck, as soon as I turn around you start to have a secret relationship! What kind of behavior is this!

Lian Qiao bounced off the ground in an instant, intending to swear an oath of sovereignty. However, Xu RenDong had already walked away to fiddle with the wardrobe and Zhong Xiu had also gone to the other side. Lian Qiao choked the jealousy in his throat. He was unable to vent and his lungs hurt with anger.

Lian Qiao was angry. It happened that President Little Sun walked up to him and asked him if he had found any valuable clues.

Lian Qiao said: “Not yet.”

President Little Sun said that he didn’t find anything so he casually asked about the situation of Lian Qiao’s three people. Lian Qiao was a little wary of this and changed the subject: “The four of you agreed to come in together?” 

The president said: “Pretty much. When the elevator first appeared we were together and afterwards when the elevator appeared again it was similar. We often meet together to avoid being alone. This time as well, we were watching horror movies in the club activity room…”

Lian Qiao became interested: “You have seen ghosts with your own eyes, yet you still dare to watch horror movies?”

The president sighed: “Isn’t it because I’ve seen a ghost so I want to watch more and practice my courage? And when you watch ghost movies, you are the audience, not the protagonist, so you don’t have a sense of danger. You feel quite safe. Not like here…”

Lian Qiao felt the same way and asked casually, “Then what movies have you watched recently, I’ll go and see it too.”

The president: “Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Not far away, Xu RenDong suddenly raised his head when he heard these words. His face changed greatly. He walked towards them quickly but, before he could stop them, the president had already said the next sentence:

“Also Night of the Soul Return.”

Xu RenDong: “…”

Lian Qiao looked at Xu RenDong’s livid face and felt confused: “Brother RenDong, what’s the matter with you?”

“…Come with me.” Xu RenDong almost gritted his teeth when he said these words, He turned his head and walked towards the door.

Lian Qiao felt confused and followed him into the corridor. Xu RenDong pulled him into the opposite room and took him back to the door.

The room was empty and silent and only the breathing of the two of them could be heard. Lian Qiao watched him lock the door and couldn’t help his heart from beating faster.

Although he didn’t know what Brother RenDong wanted to do, the act of locking the door was so exciting! It feels like something indescribable was about to happen!

Lian Qiao was so excited that he rubbed his hands like a fly but then he heard Xu RenDong say: “Don’t talk to that president, he is a shit stirrer.”

Lian Qiao was stunned: “Ah? Why?”

Xu RenDong frowned, as if he was looking for a reasonable explanation. After a long while, he gave up, curled his lips and said, “There’s no reason, I just don’t like him.”

This was too childish. Lian Qiao thought it was funny and cute. Suddenly, Lian Qiao suddenly realized: “Are you jealous?”

Xu RenDong: “…No.”

Lian Qiao stepped closer until he was pressed against the wall. Just as he was about to attack him, Xu RenDong slapped his hand away and said unhappily, “Speak properly, don’t hit people.”

Lian Qiao: “…” Embarrassed.

He coughed and said, “Did you think I was eating your ex-girlfriend’s vinegar, so I deliberately flirted with other people to anger you?”

Xu RenDong was surprised: “Does this kind of move exist?”

Lian Qiao: “…”

Looking at him, he didn’t look proud at all. Lian Qiao realized he was probably just making a big deal out of nothing. He was embarrassed and annoyed. His face suddenly turned red and he said angrily: “Okay, you are not jealous. But I am indeed jealous!”

Xu RenDong sighed: “I know. You can’t get over this hurdle, right?”

Lian Qiao: “Of course I can’t get over it!” He angrily poked the top of his head, “Look at this green prairie, who can stand it?!”

Xu RenDong grabbed his finger and put it on his hair before kneading it. This action has a strong soothing meaning which made Lian Qiao feel good. He couldn’t help squinting his eyes and felt he had turned into a dog, laying flat with his belly exposed, feeling very happy.

At the same time, he heard Xu RenDong whispering: “Stop thinking about it, okay? I don’t have that kind of relationship with her.”

Lian Qiao asked: “Then what kind of relationship do you have? What happened to you before?”

After a moment of silence, Xu RenDong gave a wry and self-deprecating smile: “It’s a very bad thing. It’s so bad that I can’t say it. Don’t force me, okay?”

His voice was low and soft, almost begging. At this time, he looked so fragile, as if he had removed all disguise and all his strength and held out his beating heart in both of his hands. His heart was soft and juicy and, when it was touched, it would tremble and ooze blood.

It was untouchable but he still held it out and showed it to Lian Qiao.

Lian Qiao looked at him and there was an abusive impulse in his heart. He suddenly wanted to be violent to him, wanted to hold that soft and juicy heart tightly, knead it, play with it, and see what gorgeous colors it would show in the end.

… Completely like a pervert.

Lian Qiao stabilized his mind, suppressed the perverted possessiveness in his heart and said with a smile, “Okay, I believe you.”

Xu RenDong breathed a sigh of relief.

 Lian Qiao asked, “Can I hug you now?”

Xu RenDong blushed, said “en” and took the initiative to hug his waist.

Lian Qiao pulled his whole body into his arms and let him rest his head on his shoulder. Xu RenDong’s body was warm and thin. Men’s bodies are not as soft as women’s and they are hard to hold but Lian Qiao couldn’t let go.

He smelled the scent of the shower gel on Xu RenDong’s body which was a refreshing lemon scent with a little sweetness. He also used this body wash because they lived together.

Thinking of this, Lian Qiao felt very good and his heart was filled with tenderness. He hugged Xu RenDong. He was satisfied just by hugging and he didn’t make any movements below the neck.

The two embraced quietly, neither of them wanting to break the sweetness. After some time, there was a knock on the door.

“RenDong? Lian Qiao? Are you inside?”

It was Zhong Xiu.

When Xu RenDong heard the words, he pushed Lian Qiao away instantly and his face turned red, like crimson paint dizzy in the water.

Lian Qiao was still immersed in happy thoughts. He watched Xu RenDong tidy up his clothes with an embarrassed expression. He didn’t know whether it was because he was nervous or shy, even his fingers were shaking slightly. He patted his chest hard, as if he was patting off something dirty, then lowered his voice and said to Lian Qiao seriously, “Don’t talk nonsense after you go outside.”

Lian Qiao: “…” How come your reaction looks like you just sexually assaulted me?

Xu RenDong coughed and opened the door. Zhong Xiu asked a few concerned questions and Xu RenDong responded vaguely. He immediately stated that he wanted to continue exploring. 

It’s obviously an open and consensual relationship but, because of Xu RenDong’s excessive tension, it felt like an affair. Lian Qiao followed behind the two and, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong.

Xu RenDong’s reaction, no matter how you look at it, looks like being caught in bed!

But if this was the case—Lian Qiao suddenly thought: Obviously Zhong Xiu came first, then I am actually the mistress. And I’m even a male mistress.

Thinking about it this way, he actually felt a bit pleased?!