Chapter 27: The Collective Mission

At that moment, Zhang Xiaofan also glanced at her, and in an instant, Chen Jing's face turned pale. After all, the Song family wielded considerable influence. If Song Feng learned that Chen Jing had betrayed him, she would surely face his furious revenge.

Immediately, Chen Jing sent Zhang Xiaofan a message: "What do you want? Let me go."

Zhang Xiaofan thought for a moment and replied: "When you see me head to the restroom later, find a chance to come as well. Remember, don’t try anything, or I’ll release the video."

In truth, Zhang Xiaofan hadn’t recorded any video at all. He was simply exploiting Chen Jing’s timidity to frighten her into submission.

After sending the message, Zhang Xiaofan found an opportunity to slip away to the restroom. Shortly after, Chen Jing made her way there as well.

Leaning against the wall outside the restroom, Zhang Xiaofan waited. There was no one inside. As Chen Jing approached, he pulled her directly into the men's restroom and locked the door behind them.

"Sob... Xiaofan, I was wrong. Please delete the video. I’ll do anything you want," Chen Jing pleaded through her tears.

Seeing her tear-stained face, Zhang Xiaofan sneered coldly. He knew she was putting on a show, hoping to elicit his sympathy.

With a sharp slap, he scolded, "Aren't you just shameless?"

Chen Jing was stunned, clutching her cheek, at a loss.

"I never provoked you, but you kept making trouble for me. This time, you brought it upon yourself," Zhang Xiaofan said icily, his gaze roaming over Chen Jing’s delicate figure. Without warning, his hand reached out and began to grope her chest.

Instead of resisting, Chen Jing leaned closer and whispered, "Xiaofan, delete the video and I’ll be yours."

Zhang Xiaofan looked at her with a cold smile. "Tell me, who was that man?"

Chen Jing’s face went pale. "Zhang Xiaofan, I’m warning you, some people are not to be trifled with. If you cross him, even Song Feng would be finished."

"Oh? Then why are you afraid of me exposing the video?"

"Song Feng’s family has money, and that man has power. I need both," Chen Jing replied bluntly.

"Truly shameless," Zhang Xiaofan snorted. "Tell me, who is he?" As he spoke, he pressed a finger toward her.

"Zhang Xiaofan, don’t think you can threaten me with just a video—"

Before she could finish, she suddenly noticed something terrifying: flames flickered from Zhang Xiaofan's fingertip.

"Fire..." she gasped in horror.

With a flick, Zhang Xiaofan extinguished the flame. "If you don’t talk, I don’t mind leaving a few scars on your face. Let’s see then if Song Feng will still stand up for you."

"No, please, no..." Chen Jing was terrified, her beauty being her greatest asset. Without it, she would be nothing.

She quickly confessed, "His name is Han Dahai."

"Han Dahai?" Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback. He vaguely recalled hearing about this person from Jiang Jiewei and the others. Remembering, he was stunned. Han Dahai was a true oddity—extremely short, almost like a dwarf, and hideously ugly, his pockmarked face like a night sky full of stars. Back in school, he had been the target of relentless bullying. That he had slept with Chen Jing was something Zhang Xiaofan could hardly believe.

With a cold glare, he said, "Chen Jing, do you take me for a fool? Who would believe you slept with Han Dahai?"

"You said you had a video—didn’t you see?"

Zhang Xiaofan replied, "That guy always kept his back to the door. How would I know who he was?"

"Believe it or not, it was Han Dahai. He was bullied before, but lately, his uncle came to town. His uncle is a Level Four Taoist with considerable power. So I advise you not to provoke him."

"Hmph, I have no quarrel with him. Why would he trouble me? Besides, with this game our class is playing, no one knows when they’ll die next. Can you be sure he can protect you?" Zhang Xiaofan retorted coolly.

"I’m not certain, but with his uncle’s power, there’s hope."

"Well, take care of yourself. Don’t mess with me again, or else..." Zhang Xiaofan shot a fierce look at her chest, squeezed it hard, and then strode away.

He’d only intended to teach Chen Jing a lesson, to stop her from causing him more trouble. As for Han Dahai, since the man hadn’t provoked him, Zhang Xiaofan saw no reason to get involved—especially since Han’s uncle was a Level Four Taoist, which could spell danger for him.

He returned to the classroom with Lin Rou. As soon as they entered, they saw their classmates staring in shock at their phones.

"What’s going on?" Zhang Xiaofan asked Hu Xiaotian.

"Look at your phone! Oh my god, the game rules have changed," Hu Xiaotian exclaimed.

Zhang Xiaofan quickly checked his phone.

Bao Lei: The warm-up round of the Red Envelope Game is over. Now the real challenge begins.

Next, the class monitor will send out a big red envelope. Whoever grabs a number ending in one must capture three Level Three ghosts in red dresses.

If you grab a number ending in two, you must steal three corpses from the Western Suburb Hospital and bring them to the hill behind the school.

If you grab a number ending in three, you must go to Xitian Hotel to catch a ghost.

If you grab a number ending in four...

From one to zero, every number had an assigned task. The class was instantly stunned; this time, everyone was required to participate.

Bao Lei: After you clear this round, we’ll enter the third phase of the Red Envelope Game. Good luck, everyone! The red envelopes will get bigger, and you’ll be able to buy more and more from the Mall!

This game round will last one month. If you fail to complete your task on time, you’re considered to have failed—and failures will be erased!

Soon after, Sun Yang sent out a large red envelope. This time, the amount was not specified.

Zhang Xiaofan hurried to grab one. The amount was 511.

His face darkened. It was the number he dreaded most—the last digit one. That meant he had to catch three red-dressed female ghosts, a task far too difficult.

He had no experience in catching ghosts at all.

"Ha, this is great! I got three—I only have to move corpses," someone laughed.

"Careful of corpse mutations," someone else warned.

"We got sixes. We have to go to a farmhouse outside the city, find a coffin, and dig out the corpse to bring to the hill behind the school," a terrified classmate said.

"I got six too. Oh god, I’ve heard of that farmhouse. They say everyone inside died overnight."

Hu Xiaotian looked at his number and groaned, "My task is also at that farmhouse."

Zhang Xiaofan tried to comfort him. "How many red envelopes do you have now?"

"Over three thousand..."

"Damn, that much?" Zhang Xiaofan muttered inwardly. He had risked his life for his meager sum, while this guy just got lucky and grabbed so many. Truly, comparison is the thief of joy.

He then taught Hu Xiaotian how to buy things. Hu Xiaotian browsed the mall for a long time but couldn’t decide, eventually saying he’d look again later.

By now, most classmates had over eight hundred in their accounts, so everyone had unlocked access to the mall. Many, seeing items like talismans for catching ghosts or useful weapons, rushed to make purchases.

Zhang Xiaofan glanced at Murong Feng and noticed he only glanced at his total and didn’t buy anything immediately.

"This guy seems to know something," Zhang Xiaofan thought darkly.