Xin Linhua walks out of the arena with his back straight and his posture relaxed.
The moment he steps into the passage way, his bravado cracks. He gasps repeatedly, leaning on to the metallic wall for support.
Brave? Brave his flat ass! He had been holding himself back, trying not to crumble in the face of that immense pressure.
He has met many people in his life, he has killed many as well, yet no one has ever made him feel such pressure before. It took everything in him not to crumble.
"Damn that kid." He cusses softly "I should get out of here first."
He picks himself off, straightens up again and walks out of the passageway. He stops.
"Well...maybe this new life isn’t so bad after all." He glances around with amusement.
Thanks to this body’s memory, he’s able to piece together a lot of things and the structure of the institution. But seeing it in reality is a whole different thing. The place is huge and metallic. Everything is made of metal and silver.
Before he can stare for too long, a small metallic train stops in front of him with a low screech. The doors part with a soft whir.
"I’m digging this new life!" Xin Linhua grins foolishly, stepping inside.
The doors close gently behind him. He glances around the train. They’re a few people sited, but none pay him attention. He finds a quiet place to sit as well.
Staring at the window, he’s like a bum who’s visiting the city for the first time. Every single holographic screen he comes across, he gasps. Every single train that passes beside theirs, he stares.
"Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all." He presses his face against the glass.
The train pulls to a stop after a while. A mechanical voice makes an announcement.
"Current stop; Guide Division. Please disembark in an orderly manner."
Xin Linhua stretches, having decided that the chaos today is more than enough, he walks out of the train. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Guide division. A hostel– apartment is more befitting, for guides. Unlike the silver and black interiors he had witnessed when he got here, this place seems less intimidating and slightly relaxing.
Maybe it’s because everything comes in white and green. Even their uniforms. Well, tough luck for them, he’s not putting on that color. He’s allergic to anything but nude colors.
He steps into the hallway, his gaze lowered as he shuffles through his memory to find his room.
"Xin Linhua!"
Xin Linhua almost trips. It’s been a few hours since his transmigration and this world is hellbent on giving him a heart attack. What’s with people and yelling?
"How was your examination?" A chirpy voice echoes.
Xin Linhua turns. A youth waves and jogs towards him, his face is all smiles and harmless. He quickly shuffles through his memories till he lands on one name– Ao Ren.
"Uhn?" Ao Ren stops in front of him "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Xin Linhua shakes his head "The examination went well."
"That’s good." Ao Ren flashes him a smile "Do you have any other plans for today?"
"No. I’m just gonna go crash in my dorm. I’m tired and spent."
"Alright, alright. I’ll bring you dinner later." Ao Ren pats his shoulder and runs off again.
Xin Linhua scratches the tips of his hair.
Ao Ren. Probably the only person who takes his time to talk to Xin Linhua, try to help me and even advise him about chasing Rong Yufei around. That all went wrong. The original Xin Linhua took offense and even accused him of trying to steal Rong Yufei.
Xin Linhua facepalm himself. To think he got isekaied into the body of a stupid, love sick, idiotic, brainless and spoiled brat with zero abilities! This feels like punishment somehow.
"Ah...this is fucked up."
He turns, walking towards his door. He pushes the door open, his eyes shutting tight. He walks in and slams the door.
"Xin Linhua...you son of a–" he grits his teeth. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
He doesn’t want to open his eyes, they’ll be violated by the sight.
Every single corner available, there’s a picture of Rong Yufei! On the walls, they’re posters and pictures. Side table, reading desk, wardrobe, everywhere screams ’Rong Yufei fanatic’.
"Xin Linhua..." He grits his teeth "Should I be glad you’re dead and I took over?"
With great difficulty and ever greater willpower, he managed to clear everything in the room that’ll give him nightmares and shove them in a box.
"Fuck..." He dusts his hands "I should get rid of those tomorrow."
Thus, he takes a shower after ogling the bathroom decor for five minutes, changes into something less leathery and caves on the bed.
Slowly, he starts filtering through the memories. It’s been an eventful day, and it’ll only be more eventful as the day goes by. Especially now that he has provoked someone he shouldn’t.
According to his memories, Xin Linhua has heard rumors and bits from Ao Ren about how Phantom kills without mercy.
Apparently, he hates it when people force him to do things he doesn’t want to. When they forcefully try to guide him or take off his blindfold. It’s said that the people who looks into his mad usually lose their mind and die on the record day.
It’s not a myth or mindless rumor, it’s true.
It’s one of the reasons why he never takes off his blindfold. No one wants to look I to his eyes for it’s said that those who ran mad had seen terrors and their greatest nightmares in those eyes.
Xin Linhua turns over on the bed.
He doesn’t believe in rumors, even if there’s fact backing it up. Especially if it surrounds someone. He needs to see for himself to know. He needs actual fact and solid proof, not hearsay.
With his mind spinning with thoughts and schemes, his eyes drifts shut and darkness curls around him, dragging under and into a deep sleep.