Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Hitting someone is one thing, but stealing the player's raincoat too? That's just too much! How dare the tables turn and make the player the one getting looted?

Let me think about who did it... The last route the player set before going AFK was from Plum Cake's house to Zhong Xiaye's house.

But a spoiled rich kid wouldn't bother with a worthless raincoat, right? So that leaves Plum Cake, then? Or some random passerby?

Is it not safe to go AFK these days? Next time, I'll strip myself bare before logging off.

Bai Fuling stood still, using the expression wheel to make his face red enough to glow, with a pixelated cross popping up on his forehead like an animated emoji.

Even though he was alone, he wanted to show his anger to himself—and maybe, just maybe, send it to the system behind the game.

Without his bright yellow raincoat, Bai Fuling couldn't get used to the character on screen.

The default white shirt and black pants combo was way too plain for a pixel game, basically the same as running around naked. After all, the player could only strip this far—this wasn't an adult game.

In a flashy world that dazzles the eyes, pixel art is less distinctive than real life. Without a standout outfit, it's easy to lose track of the character, especially in places like school, with all those white walls and people.

Bai Fuling opened his wardrobe to see if there were any other clothes to change into. At least until he found his raincoat, he needed something temporary to wear.

A small suit vest... No, that's too formal and expensive; if it got dirty or damaged, it would be a waste, and he might need it for future formal occasions.

A mental hospital gown... That's not eye-catching either, and it comes with a special effect: "Probability of triggering an alarm to send you to the mental hospital."

Bai Fuling stood there, thinking for a moment, idly spinning the view with his fingers—when a flash of bright red caught his eye on the screen!

Huh? He stopped spinning and quickly looked over.

Not far away, between two trees, there was a red banner with white text: "Drink Healthy Milk, Choose Kangjian."

The player's eyes lit up!

What caught his attention wasn't the slogan, but the red banner itself. Finally, he found a way to stand out in the crowd again.

He moved his character over, took down the banner strung between the two trees, and selected it as clothing, wrapping it around himself a few times.

Now, the once-plain white-shirt-and-black-pants player was vibrant, all in red, with the white pixel character "Milk" right in the middle of his chest.

Perfect!

Bai Fuling spun his character around a few times, admiring his new look.

The banner was tied into a bow at the back, with two ribbons trailing at the waist—like a flowing, ethereal train.

The player was a genius!

Bai Fuling happily walked into school in his self-made outfit.

It was still early, about 7:30. Most students at Pelland Academy showed up around this time.

Though classes didn't start until 8, no one but the player would push it that close. Cutting it too close was risky; you might get locked out.

This was Bai Fuling's first time showing up so early. The reason was simple: he'd agreed to meet Plum Cake at 7:30 this morning.

Today was day one of Bai Fuling's plan. He wanted to see if Plum Cake had actually kept his promise and showed up to class.

If not, he still had time before 8 to go to his house and haul him over—using the player's fancy, high-speed dual-drive wheelchair.

As Bai Fuling walked into the school building, many students glanced sideways at him, probably because of his unique banner outfit.

The player puffed out his chest proudly, trying to make the single character "Milk" pop more—but it didn't really change; the pixels were the same.

He thought: This would actually suit Olbert better. The player can't pull off that look.

Once I get my yellow raincoat back, I'll put this banner away, Bai Fuling thought. Then, next time I see Olbert, I'll recommend it to that big-chested fox. It'd be perfect and fun to watch.

When playing games, the player always gets sidetracked by random little things. This time was no exception. Bai Fuling's thoughts wandered far off again.

It wasn't until he guided his character to the door of Class F that he snapped back to the present, refocusing on the side quest of "making sure Plum Cake studies hard so my pig-farming project doesn't get expelled."

Class F was the lowest-ranked class, where students were at constant risk of being dismissed.

Contrary to Bai Fuling's initial assumption that the classroom would be nearly empty, a quick scan showed pixel characters packed in tightly—almost full attendance.

The player tilted his head for a moment, then figured it out logically.

Honestly, no one wanted to be expelled. The school's entry bar was high, and graduation guaranteed good jobs.

Why would anyone who worked so hard to get in be willing to drop out? Besides, being expelled was a huge blow to one's confidence.

Everyone around was a competitor for the retention spots. Watching others study made it impossible to sit still.

This game really pays attention to detail, Bai Fuling thought to himself as he spun the view around twice—it seemed there was no model of Plum Cake in the classroom.

"..." Raising an eyebrow, he stepped into the classroom and interacted with the first NPC. "Hi, where does Plum Cake sit?"

The first NPC at the door saw the player and a small exclamation mark popped up over his head: "You're... you're the boy who lived?!"

Bai Fuling: "Hey, keep making Harry Potter jokes, and I'll sue you."

NPC: ?

A question mark appeared over his head, and then he blurted out, "Aren't you in Class A? Why are you here? Class A not high enough, so you came to Class F to jump off a building?"

What kind of image does the player have in NPCs' eyes?! Jumping off a building isn't the goal, just a means. Why do NPCs always focus on irrelevant details?

Right, jumping off a building is just an irrelevant detail.

Bai Fuling guessed these were fixed interactions, so he patiently repeated, "Where does Plum Cake sit?"

"You're looking for him?" The NPC paused, then said, "He... he's already dropped out. His old seat was in the last row, a single desk by the back door."

Bai Fuling looked up. That spot was empty—no one there.

...Could Plum Cake have really run off again?

No, that shouldn't be.

Though his credibility was questionable, the player had threatened him with his most prized caterpillar. Plum Cake could run, but he couldn't hide from his home, which was a fixed spawn point.

Even if he wanted to flee, he shouldn't be in such a hurry. And...

Bai Fuling thought as he guided his character over. He noticed messy scribbles on the desk, along with a few dead caterpillars.

There was something here—this must be a clue!

He reached out, selected, and picked up a caterpillar broken in two from the desk.

"[Caterpillar]: A common caterpillar on campus that will emerge from its cocoon as a butterfly when it grows up."

OK, got the clue. Now how do I use it? Bai Fuling thought for two seconds.

This might not be Plum Cake's caterpillar, because Plum Cake's caterpillars are all homegrown, while this one's description says "common on campus."

Based on what I know, this is likely a form of silent bullying from classmates. Since Plum Cake always brings caterpillars, they toss dead bugs on his desk.

Though it's pretty childish, considering corporate warfare involves pulling out power cords, it's clear that the big truths are simple.

Or rather, bullying is like freezing water seeping into every crack. Its manifestations may sometimes seem childish, but its essence is always cruel—just pure, malicious venting.

Bai Fuling stared at the pixelated bug on the screen.

If this caterpillar just died… it means Plum Cake really was here today! If Plum Cake had really dropped out, they wouldn't bother with this pointless crap anymore.

Too bad the item description doesn't say how fresh it is, so it's impossible to tell.

Alright, guess the player has to test it himself.

Under the horrified stares of the classmates around him, the player held the caterpillar up high—then tossed the pixel bug into his mouth.

As a player, efficiency is everything; he doesn't mind eating random stuff! It's just a game anyway—he's even gnawed on a car door before.

Bai Fuling: What's this? Whatever it is, take a bite first. Is it fresh? Whatever it is, take a bite first.

The classmates turned into Edvard Munch's *The Scream*.

Classmates: Aaaaaaah!!

Bai Fuling looked at the screen, where a green +5 popped up, along with a notification.

"*Consumed fresh protein, HP +5*"

Nice! It's fresh, so Plum Cake must've been here this morning. But why did the NPC in the front row say he didn't come? Where did he go?

Bai Fuling turned around: "Where's Plum Cake?"

He kept pressing.

The nearby classmate, still shaken from watching the shocking live caterpillar-eating scene, trembled when Bai Fuling spoke.

"Where's Plum Cake?" Bai Fuling insisted on continuing the interaction. He knew some plots needed multiple interactions to trigger.

Or maybe it needed touching? Bai Fuling thought, deciding to get closer and put a hand on them to ask.

But the second he reached out, the classmate screamed, "He came! He was here! I'm sorry, I was wrong, I won't do it again!!"

Someone who jumps off buildings and eats raw caterpillars is way too scary—stay away, please!

They should've known that this guy, who'd kindly save a psychopath, would also get involved in Plum Cake's business… Just one meeting, and he's already standing up for Plum Cake?!

Picking on the weak and fearing the strong is a common flaw in people like that. The nearby person swallowed hard, pressing himself into the corner to avoid Bai Fuling's outstretched hand, terrified he might eat him too—though it sounded crazy, it was totally believable for this guy!

And what's with that "milk" on his chest?!

Was the wrapped banner like raising a flag and beating a drum to show he's here to fight?!

Bai Fuling: "Where's he?"

So it really is about interacting, triggered by distance. He moved his character one step closer.

The person, like a spider, spread his limbs flat against the wall, desperately trying to melt into it. A huge exclamation mark popped up above his head: "...The storage room! In the storage room!! I'm really sorry, please—"

Storage room? Bai Fuling caught the keyword and tilted his head. Unlocking a new area?

He had no clue where that was. His knowledge of the school was limited to a few places, with the most familiar being the trash can spots—since those were actually useful.

"The storage room on the first floor," a thin girl nearby whispered, lifting her face to look at Bai Fuling. "...He's locked in there... It's a reinforced door like a vault's—even from inside, it can't be opened. Only the head teacher has the key..."

The NPC provided the clue and the follow-up puzzle-solving process. But—

Bai Fuling glanced at the clock. It was 7:45, with 15 minutes until class.

In such a short time, finding the head teacher somewhere unknown and then opening the door would be too tight. Failure would be troublesome, and the system probably wouldn't have any leniency.

He had to get Plum Cake back to class on time! The player had carefully chosen this pig-farming worker—there's no way they'd let the rules kick him out.

This door didn't seem pickable with a wire, so a more breakthrough approach was needed.

A "buzzing" sound came from the background.

Bai Fuling walked to the window and looked down. Outside, workers were trimming the branches of an ancient tree, clearing away dead wood.

Oh! Maybe he could borrow something from the ground.

Bai Fuling pushed open the window, pulled out a rope, and was about to jump down. But before going, he paused and turned back.

Under everyone's gaze, he swiftly grabbed the remaining caterpillars from the desk and tossed them all into his mouth.

Classmates: ?!

Nearby classmate: ...Is this a demonstration? Oh great, he's really terrified now! He truly knows his mistake!!

Next time, will he shove caterpillars into my mouth?!

Bai Fuling ignored the surroundings. After eating the caterpillars, he watched the green numbers above his character's head and finally left satisfied.

The cost-effective player thought: Come on, this gives HP—can't waste it, every bit counts!

His health bar was still down by a third from that unknown NPC's beating!

Author's note:

Bai Fuling: I'll eat anything that restores HP. Caterpillars are high in protein!

PS: Some caterpillars are edible, but you need to handle them properly. Not recommended to eat caterpillars, especially raw. Please pay attention to food safety in real life!