DSMC Chapter 149.2

This was an elementary school. From first grade to sixth grade, who knew how many classes there were? Where was he supposed to look?

Of course, he could use the process of elimination. In the [Mermaid] instance, the personality Teacher Qu split into was Xiao Yue, and all the players entered as Xiao Yue’s peers. Following that pattern, Teacher Qu might also be an elementary school student now.

So his task in this new setting was to identify Teacher Qu while he was still a child.

Did this place contain memories of Teacher Qu’s elementary school days? Could it be that he had already suffered from DID in elementary school?

Nothing was impossible in this garbage game’s version of a genius. Maybe he developed one alter in elementary school, another in middle school, and yet another in high school. Different personalities emerging at different stages of life was entirely plausible.

Did Teacher Qu’s mind split because it was fragile? Or had he simply lived a miserable life since childhood? A classic tale of the tragic genius.

The more Yan Jiyun thought about it, the more pitiful Teacher Qu seemed.

Because of the rain, PE class ended early, and all the students were sent back to their classrooms. The teachers kept everyone inside so they wouldn’t disturb other classes, though trips to the restroom were still allowed.

After tossing away the bowl, Yan Jiyun didn’t return to class. His Human Form Time Card time was precious. Why not take advantage of the game time that wouldn’t be deducted to look for Qi Feng and the others?

Unlike a high school, the elementary school had only one classroom building. His class was on the third floor, and the sign said he was in third grade.

Third graders were only eight or nine years old. They couldn’t even run very fast.

He walked down the third-floor hallway.

Earlier, the mirror outside the restroom had shown him his current appearance. He probably didn’t look too different from his high school self. If Qi Feng and the others saw him, they should still recognize him. And even if they didn’t meet up immediately, once he turned back into a cat, he’d know where to find Qi Feng.

Restrooms were located at either end of the building. He happened to stop outside Class 3-1. Looking inside, he spotted a head of blue hair, and confirmed it was Lan Mo. He quietly held up three fingers toward Lan Mo before moving on.

Next was Class 3-2, where he saw Gu Wenzhu and Qiu Xi. The two of them really were fated; they always ended up together and could watch each other’s backs. 

Yan Jiyun flashed three fingers at them as well, telling them he was in Class 3-3. When he passed his own classroom, he ducked slightly to avoid being spotted by the teacher and dragged back inside.

There were only six third-grade classes in total. Students in Classes 1 and 2 were studying diligently. Aside from the players, none of the NPCs even glanced his way.

He was in Class 3-3. Ahead were Classes 4, 5, and 6.

Only Class 3 had been having PE. Every other class was seated properly, backs straight and posture perfect, looking unmistakably like NPCs.

There were players in Classes 4 and 5, but still no Qi Feng.

Only one class remained. Yan Jiyun took a deep breath, praying Qi Feng be in Class 6.

Barely a second after he finished praying, the door to Class 6 swung open. A male teacher with a bowl haircut and thick black-rimmed glasses emerged, carrying an unconscious boy in his arms.

Yan Jiyun quickly stepped aside to let them pass.

The students inside Class 6 buzzed with chatter, and someone opened a window to watch.

Walking over, Yan Jiyun asked, “Who fainted?”

The NPC student replied, “Zhou Zhou. He’s really frail. This is already the second time he’s fainted in class this week.”

Yan Jiyun: “Why?”

NPC Student: “Maybe he’s sick? I’m not sure. It looks like he’s having another episode.”

Yan Jiyun wanted to ask more, but before he could, a stern teacher stepped out of the office across the hall. “Which class are you from? Why aren’t you in class instead of hanging around here?”

The moment Yan Jiyun saw his face, he recognized him — it was a younger version of Bald Yang. 

“I’m borrowing a book from my classmate,” he answered quietly. “I forgot mine.”

Bald Yang nodded. “Then hurry up and get back to class.”

Yan Jiyun nodded, “Yes, Laoshi.”

At this point, Bald Yang wasn’t a school administrator yet. He still carried a math textbook in his hand. When he noticed Yan Jiyun continuing to stare, he looked back, prompting Yan Jiyun to hurriedly avert his gaze. The last thing he wanted was for an NPC to remember him.

Leaning against the window, he peered inside. Just as he thought he’d come away disappointed again, the student slumped over the desk in the last row suddenly sat upright.

The moment Yan Jiyun saw his face, his spirits soared, his eyes lit up. “Qi Feng! Borrowing a book!”

Having gone through countless instances, Qi Feng reacted immediately. He casually pulled a book off his desk and walked over.

Yan Jiyun looked him up and down. ‘This elementary school version of pooper scooper is ridiculously adorable.’

Because the system had abruptly updated the main mission, Qi Feng had been delayed entering the new scenario. He had been about to ask Yan Jiyun whether he’d found anyone else when someone pinched his cheek.

He heard Yan Jiyun exclaim, “Wow, you were so cute as a kid!”

Qi Feng wore the school’s short-sleeved uniform and stood about half a head taller than Yan Jiyun. Even at this age, it was obvious he’d grow into long limbs and a tall frame. “Little handsome” was probably more accurate than “cute.” But from an adult’s perspective, Yan Jiyun thought Qi Feng’s perpetually serious expression gave him the air of a tiny grown-up, which made him irresistibly adorable.

Qi Feng wasn’t unused to physical contact from teammates during co-op instances, but having someone pinch his cheek so openly was a first. If Lan Mo had done it, he would’ve kicked him away without hesitation. But Yan Jiyun was a newcomer. Qi Feng had no desire to hit him. He treated it as compensation for making him lose the previous Peak Competition. A cheek pinch wouldn’t cost him anything.

His body stiffened slightly. After a brief pause, he politely returned the compliment. “You were very cute as a kid too.”

Qi Feng had complimented him plenty of times before, so Yan Jiyun accepted it without the slightest embarrassment.

The students in the back row looked at the two of them strangely. Their expressions clearly said: “You’re talking like you’ve already grown up.”

After confirming no teachers were nearby, Yan Jiyun suddenly grabbed Qi Feng’s hand. “Come on. Let’s talk somewhere else.”

And just like that, Qi Feng was dragged along. Nothing seemed particularly wrong about it, yet somehow everything felt a little strange. Being led around by a child was a novel experience.

Forget it. They’re both kids. Holding hands wasn’t a big deal. Though Yan Jiyun’s hand was a little cold.

[Anyone Seen My Cat?] livestream channel: 

“Why does the newbie keep sticking to Feng-ge? Can’t he look for clues himself? Feng-ge already carried him through the [Mermaid] instance.”

“Come on, that’s unnecessary. Feng-ge teams up with his regular teammates and he teams up with newcomers too. What’s the difference?”

“Argue all you want. Elementary school Feng-ge holding hands with elementary school Newbie is adorable. It’s like they’re playing house.”

“Hahahahaha, Feng-ge has never held hands with a teammate before. There was one instance where he was forced to play Drop the Handkerchief. The NPC made everyone hold hands, and his face looked absolutely miserable afterward. Later Liang-jie bluntly asked him, ‘How did it feel holding my hand?’ Guess what Feng-ge said?”

“Wait, I missed that part! What did he say?”

“He refused to answer. The moment the game ended, he immediately went to wash his hands. His expression practically screamed, ‘Please spare me. Don’t touch me.'”

“But he seems completely fine with it now. Something’s fishy.”

“Maybe he’s cursing the newbie inside his head? Feng-ge hardly ever shows any expression, so it’s impossible to tell what he’s really thinking.”

Yan Jiyun had already spotted a storage room around the corner. Since Lan Mo and the others hadn’t found a chance to slip out yet, he’d discuss the new scenario with Qi Feng first.

Bracing both hands behind him on an old desk, he pushed off the floor and hopped up onto the tabletop, staying true to his philosophy of if I can sit, I’m not standing.

“What do you think about this new scenario?”

Qi Feng had always found the newcomer quick-witted. Instead of sitting beside him, he leaned casually against the desk. “The main objective is clear. Find the original personality of Qu-laoshi.”

Yan Jiyun blinked. “Huh? You figured it out already?”

“I suspected it before,” Qi Feng replied. “I just wasn’t sure. When did you figure it out? During the [Mingya High School] instance?”

Yan Jiyun answered honestly. “More or less. Having two Qu-laoshi was suspicious enough. Besides, the system was updating when I came in.”

“Same here.” Qi Feng nodded. “How much earlier did you arrive?”

“Not by much. Maybe fifteen minutes. Oh, right. Before you got here, one of your classmates fainted and the teacher carried him to the infirmary. Could that be an important event?”

Qi Feng immediately said, “Let’s go take a look.”

They were both people of action.

The rain had already stopped, so Yan Jiyun could finally go outside.

Together they left the storage room and headed downstairs.

But the moment they reached the stairwell, they ran into a stern-looking middle-aged man. Tall and gaunt, his white dress shirt tucked neatly into black slacks, he was so skinny that his clothes seemed to hang empty around him. His piercing stare sent chills down Yan Jiyun’s spine.

“It’s class time. What classes are you two from?”

Yan Jiyun shot Qi Feng a look, grabbed his wrist, and tried to duck past the man. Instead, the man swiftly seized both of them by the collars.

“Now I’m sure something’s wrong. You two skipped class, didn’t you?”

Yan Jiyun answered immediately. “Our class had PE. Free activity.”

Qi Feng calmly improvised. “My deskmate fainted. I’m bringing him his phone so he can contact his parents.”

The man stared suspiciously at them. “I don’t believe either of you. You skipped class. Stand in the hallway. I’ll call your homeroom teachers.”

[Players caught skipping class by the principal. Punishment: Stand in the hallway for five minutes.]

Yan Jiyun: “…”

A breeze drifted through the hallway. His nose began to itch. “Ah-choo!”

Qi Feng couldn’t move either. “You caught a cold?”

Looking down, Yan Jiyun realized he had been about to drag Qi Feng into a run, only for the principal’s grab to freeze them in place.

Feeling oddly self-conscious, he answered, “I got caught in the rain when I first entered the instance.”

The two of them remained standing there, still holding hands.

Yan Jiyun suddenly stared at Qi Feng’s hand. “Your hand’s so soft now that the calluses are gone.”

Qi Feng: “…”

This newcomer’s way of complimenting people is certainly unique.