Chapter 139: Magic Recharging in Progress
In the past, someone in An Han’s dorm would occasionally suggest a group movie night. They usually did it late at night, after the internet was cut off and no one could fall asleep.
But An Han was the kind of person who was always sleep-deprived.
In the past two years, she had never once finished watching a full movie with her roommates. She would always get sleepy halfway through, crawl into bed, and grumble about how the computer screen was too bright or how the movie was too loud.
Once or twice was fine, but after many times, her roommates gradually stopped organizing movie nights altogether.
“System, remind me when I have enough magic to use mind-reading again.”
[Reminder activated]
...Why does it feel like the system is getting more and more human-like?
An Han blinked in surprise, she hadn’t expected it to actually reply.
Without thinking too much, she washed her face on the balcony to wake herself up, then went back inside to keep searching for a movie.
She didn’t want to stop moving. The busier she was, the purer her thoughts stayed.
She’d rather spend her energy wondering why Su Peng was such an idiot, worrying about Long Xing discovering her secret, or thinking of ways to get permission from Ren Chi to live off campus, anything but thinking about her own future.
Only by keeping busy could she ignore the fact that she had already become a girl, and forget, even for a while, the fear she felt about what lay ahead.
She was becoming more and more afraid of nighttime. Every night before bed, all kinds of random, pessimistic thoughts about the future filled her mind, keeping her awake for hours.
“I guess I’m just... running away from reality.”
“What movie is that?” Wang Sheng had just finished his game, took off his headset, and leaned over to look at An Han’s screen. “A horror movie?”
“No, it’s just a bad one.”
An Han scrolled through the movie list on the website, glancing through the titles as she asked, “You pick one too, anything you’re interested in?”
“Why watch a movie? Playing games is better,” Chen Junjie said, as usual disagreeing with her on purpose.
This guy was all polite and sweet when asking her to buy food, but when it came to anything else, he always picked on her.
Long Xing came over too, and the three of them completely ignored Chen Junjie’s complaints.
“It’s broad daylight, what movie are you even watching?” Chen Junjie muttered, but since no one answered, he slowly strolled over and peeked at An Han’s screen. “Hey, this one looks pretty good!”
“The ratings are high too. Let’s go with that one!”
An Han made the final call, then went over to Wang Sheng’s computer, searched for the movie, and opened it for streaming.
Her own laptop screen was too small, while Wang Sheng had a large external monitor. perfect for movie watching.
Chen Junjie eagerly went to close the windows and draw the curtains, making the whole room dark like a little home theater.
The three of them pulled their chairs close, leaning in toward An Han and watching the start of the horror movie together.
But An Han’s thoughts weren’t really on the movie. She quietly glanced to both sides at the guys sitting beside her, then looked back at Chen Junjie behind her.
This counts as close contact, right?
At least it’s safer than being near Su Peng. That guy always liked to touch her or make teasing comments when she wasn’t paying attention.
Her roommates, on the other hand, were pretty decent. The only small concern was that Long Xing might develop more affection toward her.
Seeing her plan succeed, An Han’s eyebrows curved like a crescent moon. She leaned back happily in her chair, turned her eyes toward the screen, and let herself get drawn into the eerie atmosphere of the horror movie.
She had always liked horror movies. The rush of adrenaline, the faster heartbeat, the cold sweat, it all thrilled her.
Though honestly, the system’s “missions” lately had been even more thrilling than horror movies, far more intense.
The more embarrassing the task, the more exciting it was... though it really pushed the limits of her shame.
“Hmm, this movie’s kind of boring.”
“Yeah, only the background music is a little scary.”
“An Han, next time don’t buy me spicy food. You know I don’t eat spicy stuff.”
“I know, but I forgot.”
At first, everyone was still quietly talking about the movie or chatting about random things, but as the story got more and more exciting, their nerves slowly tightened.
An Han unconsciously sat up straight, gripping her pants tightly with both hands. Her eyes wandered, she wanted to look but didn’t dare to. Every now and then, she glanced at the screen, but most of the time, her gaze landed on anything except it.
Bang!
A sudden soft sound came from somewhere in the dorm.
“Holy crap!” Chen Junjie jumped straight up, cursing, “Who was that? Are you insane!?”
An Han’s heart almost stopped. Her whole body tensed up, and she pulled her legs close to her chest. The scream rising in her throat was barely held back by reason.
If she screamed like a little girl, Chen Junjie would definitely tease her to death.
“What happened?” Su Peng pushed open the door, sticking his head inside. “Why’s it so dark in here? What are you guys doing?”
“Watching a movie! Close the door already, you’re ruining the mood!”
He stepped inside, closed the door casually, and peeked at the screen. “A horror movie, huh?”
“What else would it be?”
Why is Su Peng here!?
An Han turned to look at him, a bit uneasy.
Whenever she was around this guy, she always ended up unconsciously drawn to him. That was fine when they were out in public, but now she was surrounded by her roommates!
Stay alert! Don’t you dare get scared and hide in Su Peng’s arms!
If that happened, her whole college life would become a running joke!
Su Peng pulled up a chair. “Move a bit, make some space for me. Pause the movie for a sec.”
Wang Sheng, who was sitting beside An Han, obediently scooted over, and just like that, Su Peng sat right next to her.
Wang Sheng, could you at least be a little tougher!?
“What’s going on in here?” The door opened again, Wu Dongming poked his head in. “Whoa, group movie night? What are you watching, adult films?”
“Horror movie!” An Han shot back, annoyed.
“Count me in!”
Why are there more and more people coming in!?
Though... that might not be such a bad thing. At least her “magic recharge” would go faster.
An Han squinted her eyes with a smile and waved Wu Dongming over. “Come on, sit here. Su Peng, move a little.”
“I’m fine sitting in the back.”
Damn it! Some best friend you are, just abandoning me like that!
Let’s see if I don’t make you wear a dress later!
They used to be inseparable best friends, but ever since she “changed,” Wu Dongming had subconsciously started keeping his distance.
An Han suspected he was just asking for trouble.
Look at Long Xing, she “bullied” him all the time, yet he still liked her!
Once all six of them had squeezed into the dorm room, the place fell quiet again. An Han reached out and pressed the space bar, letting the movie continue.
She had to admit, watching a movie with a group like this actually felt pretty nice.
It almost felt like life before she ever met the system...
A few minutes later, she suddenly narrowed her eyes and turned to look at Su Peng beside her.
He was staring at the screen, completely focused, his body tense. Without realizing it, he had leaned closer, their shoulders now touching. An Han could even feel his body trembling slightly.
Oh, come on! Don’t pretend to be all brave, you’re shaking like a leaf!