I’m A Little White Flower In An Escape Game ☆ 23

Arc 2: 《Deadly High School》 Ch15 — Ch29

Shen Qing Yun's heart was pounding with excitement, a feeling he had not experienced in a long time. Since he was thrust into this wretched game, he had been at the mercy of Ruan Bai's subtle and overt deceptions. He had been passive and humiliated, a puppet in her hands. But not anymore. Finally, he had caught her in a moment of weakness.

As he contemplated Ruan Bai's actions, Shen Qing Yun frowned and made a disapproving expression. "I know you didn't want to die back then," he said, his voice laced with anger, "but your selfishness cannot drag innocent people like us down with you."

His words shifted the blame for the male player's death onto Ruan Bai. Unlike Ruan Bai, who was ignorant of the game's inner workings, Shen Qing Yun had a deeper understanding of the school's peculiarities, thanks to the resources available to him in Class 9. As Ruan Bai had suspected earlier, the game's directives for Class 8 and 9 players differed vastly. Class 9 players had fewer opportunities to confront the game's faculty. Still, they had access to more information about the school's sordid past.

Shen Qing Yun aimed to distance himself and the male players from Ruan Bai and the rest of Class 9. He wanted to sow discontent in the male players towards Ruan Bai without revealing anything to her.

"What are you talking about?"

Ruan Bai stood there, taken aback by Shen Qing Yun's words. Her confusion quickly gave way to realising he was trying to sow discord. She was no fool and could tell what he was up to from his words. Shen Qing Yun insinuated that if she didn't cause any trouble, the game would be safe for male players to collectively pass without danger.

Despite its absurdity, Shen Qing Yun's approach was practical. Especially since there were two newbies among the only four male players left, who were not very familiar with the game's rules. They would easily fall prey to Shen Qing Yun's rhythm.

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Once Shen Qing Yun finished speaking, their gazes towards Ruan Bai immediately changed. Some even showed expressions of disgust. The two newcomers started whispering to each other privately, venting their dissatisfaction with the game on Ruan Bai.

"I knew it at first glance; this woman's character is very girly..."

"We were treated even worse today. Could it be related to the rankings?"

"I'm really fed up with this game. People die so easily, and the players are so disgusting!"

"That's not the case. Even if Bai Ruan Ruan didn't do this, would you be absolutely safe?"

The woman seated beside Ruan Bai could hardly bear to watch, rising to offer her opinion: "This game won't let us go, no matter what she does. It's all useless!"

But her words were met with accusations. "Of course, you're in cahoots. You have to speak up for her."

"Even if we're in danger, it might be greatly reduced without her intervention!"

The newcomers accused them of "taking advantage of the situation and still acting cute." Soon, both sides were at a stalemate. Some men wore severe expressions as they pondered the situation.

At the same time, many women flicked their eyes back and forth, weighing whether it was worth offending a group of people for Ruan Bai.

"Ruan Bai, why aren't you speaking?" Shen Qing Yun intervened, flashing a gentle smile as he spoke empathetically. "I'm not cruel. I just think that since this has become such a big deal, and everyone's involved, you should explain yourself, don't you think?"

He looked to Ruan Bai, implying that they were all players and unity was vital. But now, they were divided because of her.

Surprisingly, Ruan Bai didn't grow angry or defensive. Instead, she simply nodded calmly and replied, "I understand."

Afterwards, she lowered her head and continued eating.

Shen Qing Yun: "......"

Shen Qing Yun:???

'What does she mean?' Shen Qing Yun expected a different reaction from the girl before him. Instead, he felt like he had punched cotton, a sense of indescribable frustration washing over him.

Ruan Bai looked at him with confusion, still unsure why he was asking. But in the next moment, understanding dawned on her, and she spoke with gratitude, "Brother Qing Yun, it's alright. You don't have to worry about me. I don't mind these things."

Her face flushed slightly as she spoke, and she shyly lowered her head. Shen Qing Yun couldn't help but feel conflicted. He minded, damn it! Who was she to say that he was worried about her?

It dawned on him then that Ruan Bai was just like him - unyielding and thick-skinned. Misunderstandings didn't faze her. She didn't care if others argued over her. His little tricks wouldn't be enough if he wanted to trouble someone like her. The realisation only made Shen Qing Yun more uncomfortable.

But then he thought, at least Ruan Bai suffered a loss from this. After all, he had succeeded in sowing discord. Male players wouldn't like her, and her nonchalant attitude would offend female players. Whether Ruan Bai minded or not had nothing to do with him...

As Shen Qing Yun tried to console himself, feeling a little solace, Ruan Bai abruptly stood up. She had finished her meal, and as she pulled her chair and left the table, almost everyone's gaze fixed on her.

Ruan Bai casually held her tray and walked towards Shen Qing Yun. Facing his cautious look, she smiled slightly, waved her hand, and ruthlessly smashed the tray on Shen Qing Yun's face!

"SPLASH!"

Shen Qing Yun was caught off guard and splattered with leftover food on his face. The warm and greasy soup splashed onto his body, and he collapsed instantly, no longer pretending to be refined. He grabbed Ruan Bai's collar and scolded fiercely, "What are you doing!?"

Daring to splash him with leftovers, she must have done it intentionally!

"Sorry, Brother Qing Yun, I accidentally shook my hand," Ruan Bai trembled and apologised with tears in her eyes. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Oh dear!" anxiously saying, "But Brother Qing Yun, you can't treat me like this! Fighting is a level two violation, and you will be sent to the confinement room!"

[TN: If you are not reading this novel on puukkiss.wixsite.com/inkydragon, please support the original translator by visiting my website. Thank you! :)]

Sent to the confinement room for a level two violation...

After hearing Ruan Bai's words, Shen Qing Yun's fingers twitched.

It dawned on him suddenly, as if a veil had been lifted that Ruan Bai had plotted against him again! He would have to depend on her cunning if he had any hope of surviving the night. This woman was ruthless, willing to drag herself down to exact her revenge upon him.

Amidst Shen Qing Yun's pained grimace, Ruan Bai reached out her slender fingers and meticulously peeled his off her collar one by one. Her face bore a facade of innocence, her voice soft and sweet like honey, yet her words were like razor-sharp needles that stabbed mercilessly at Shen Qing Yun's heart. "Brother Qing Yun, do change into fresh attire before we proceed. Tonight, I'll await you at the confinement room entrance."

With that, she cast a fleeting glance over her shoulder, a smug grin etched onto her lips, and sauntered out of the cafeteria.

As expected, she was reprimanded by the homeroom teacher and sentenced to a night of confinement. But Ruan Bai remained unrepentant and unsurprised by the punishment. Contrary to Shen Qing Yun's assumptions, she had never broken any school rules to get back at him. She had planned to end up in the confinement room all along. She brought him with her just because he insisted to tagged along.

Ruan Bai had no illusions about the male players giving up any information, let alone Shen Qing Yun. The man had an ironclad sense of integrity, rendering him incapable of divulging anything significant. If anything, she suspected that the two new players knew even less than she did, judging from the terror etched onto their faces. No, the key to uncovering the game's secrets lies in the office building.

With enough experience, Ruan Bai was confident that she could scour the archive room for clues. Tonight was the night when the truth would finally come to light.

——— Translator's Notes ———

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