The Creatures That We Are-Chapter 1191: Grove

Under the canopies of branches reaching toward the night sky, Zhang Wei stood behind a camphor tree for his task. Although the trunk didn’t obscure his entire form, he was practically invisible to others—game logic. There was no use dwelling on it.

Illuminated by the faint moonlight, Zhang Wei saw a young man and woman whispering in each other’s embrace like they couldn’t bear to part. Three options popped up before Zhang Wei:

First, pretend to be a ghost and scare them; second, rush toward them directly; third, turn away and leave.

Zhang Wei chose the first option. A white blanket appeared out of thin air and shrouded his head, the two holes allowing his eyes to peek through. He only had to jump out of the tree and make random sounds for the couple to run away in terror. That would count as a success, and he would gain +5 to Humor.

Zhang Wei had the whole process down. He lazily moved his arms about and mumbled, “Boo, I’m a ghost. Terrifying, yeah? Muhahaha...”

“Holy!”

“Ghost!”

The two NPCs bolted. Usually, they would soon rush out of the grove and vanish, marking the end of the scene.

But things were different tonight.

Instead of running away together, the tall man pushed the woman before bolting. The woman fell to the ground, turning into a “real person” rather than a silhouette.

Zhang Wei recognized her at first glance: Zhou Jing, in her bar outfit!

“Save me! Save...” The male NPC stumbled and fled, falling once halfway. Zhang Wei looked through the blanket. What a coincidence. Although the man was a silhouette, Zhang Wei could recognize him anyway. It was the NPC who had beat him up.

Revenge should be served hot! Within a week!

Zhang Wei chased after him and dropkicked him in the bottom, sending him tumbling to the ground face-first.

“Don’t-don’t kill me... No...”

The NPC scrambled away. Having forgotten what he was actually here for, Zhang Wei chased after the NPC and punched and kicked him until he vanished at the edge of the grove’s map.

That was cathartic. Zhang Wei pulled off the blanket. The exertion had left him covered in sweat.

Finally, he remembered what he should be doing. He quickly returned to the grove. It was fortunate that Zhou Jing hadn’t left. She held onto her knees under a tree while trembling and sobbing quietly.

Hearing the footsteps approach, she cried out, “Ghost! Don’t come any closer... Don’t kill me...”

“Don’t be scared, Zhou Jing. It’s me, Zhang Wei!” He slowly walked up to her.

“Zhang Wei?” Recognizing him, Zhou Jing wailed and threw her arms around him.

With her clutching onto him, Zhang Wei suddenly felt like a knight in shining armor. He temporarily forgot about her being a death monster and rubbed her back soothingly, getting immersed in the role. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“Ghost. There was a ghost...”

“There’s no ghost. Someone must be pulling a prank.” Zhang Wei spoke as if he hadn’t been that ‘someone’. “I was running on the track when I heard noises coming from here. I drove that prankster away.”

“Oh...so it was just a prank... I was terrified.” Zhou Jing hurriedly detached herself from Zhang Wei after calming down. She turned away to wipe her tears. “Still, thank you.”

“Nah, I’m only doing what I should do.” Zhang Wei played ignorant. “By the way, what are you doing so late at night?”

“Oh, that...” Zhou Jing hesitated.

Zhang Wei continued his clueless act, “I think I saw the man who groped you at the bar. He hadn’t been stalking you, had he? That damn pervert...”

“No!” Zhou Jing hurried out. “Actually, he’s my boyfriend...” Then she remembered how the man had abandoned her, her expression darkening. “Ex-boyfriend!”

As expected of you, Lust. Zhang Wei put on a look of surprise. “Oh, so I misunderstood last time, didn’t I? I even fought him...” Well, he was beaten up, but same difference.

Zhou Jing smiled awkwardly. “We had a fight. He came to make amends. I gave him the cold shoulder. Then...you misunderstood...”

“It’s on me for being hotheaded.”

“No, you were worried about me. I was touched.” Zhou Jing blushed a little. Then she gave him an apologetic smile. “It’s just that you discovered my other side, and I didn’t know how I should face you. I ran away...”

“I had been wondering how I should apologize, but then my boyfriend...now ex-boyfriend sought me out again. I took him back in a moment of weakness. That made it even more difficult to face you...”

“So you didn’t even come to class?” Zhang Wei asked.

Zhou Jing nodded.

“Geez, it’s not that big a deal,” Zhang Wei said forgivingly. “No matter what happened, you should still attend class.”

Zhou Jing blinked, then asked in a small voice, “Zhang Wei, do you really...not mind it?”

“Mind what?”

Zhou Jing looked away. “That I’m not actually a good girl.”

“I don’t mind,” Zhang Wei said disingenuously. “I think this you is much more real, authentic, and cute!”

Zhou Jing’s head snapped up. Her surprised eyes fixed on him. “Really?”

“Of course.”

Zhou Jing broke into a beam. Face flushed, she stepped aside and slowly walked toward the fringe of the grove with her hands behind her back. “Thank you, Zhang Wei. You’re the first person to say that about me.”

Zhang Wei caught up with her with leisurely strides. “What did others say about you?”

“Those who don’t know me find me boring. Those who do consider me a player.”

Zhang Wei’s years of reading novels and mangas told him that this was it! The key turning point!

“Bullshit!” He chased after Zhou Jing and grabbed her shoulders, arranging his face into a look of deep affection. “I don’t think you’re a player. Those people only see you at skin level and covet your beauty. They never consider getting to know the real you!”

Zhou Jing looked at him with wide, reddening eyes. “Do you...really think so?”

“Of course. The first time I saw you, I thought you were a good girl! You’re not a player at all! You’re...different! None of them know you!” Zhang Wei’s voice trembled with emotions. He would give himself a ten out of ten for acting his heart out.

“Yeah!” Zhou Jing nodded vehemently, wiping her eyes gently with a smile. “You’re right. They don’t understand me. I’ve merely dated seven people at the same time. How is that a bad thing?”

Silence descended. Zhang Wei’s smile stiffened slowly.

Seriously? Are you for real, dudette?!

Seven people at the same time? Yeah you’re a fucking player!