Chapter 59: If You Have the Guts, Open the Door

Chen Fan could tell from the commotion that the visitor meant trouble. He swiftly turned off the dorm room light and hid in the shadows, silently observing what would happen next.

Thud, thud, thud—

The knocking at the door resumed, each strike as determined as a drummer rallying troops.

“Could it be that Wei Youlong guessed I was behind this and gave away my dorm room to them?” Sensing danger, Chen Fan asked the elder, “Can you allocate those reputation points to yourself? Would it work? Could you handle this wave?”

The elder shook his head. “They can only be given to others, and only take effect the next day. It won’t save you. How about I give you a temporary White Wolf King? You go open the door and beat them up?”

“Yes, yes! Ordinary werewolf is fine too!” Chen Fan clung to this lifeline like a drowning man to a reed.

“As if! I’m just teasing. Hurry up and call the police,” the elder laughed uproariously, leaving Chen Fan so furious he nearly set fire to the cards.

“What’s the number for campus security again?”

No time to lose, Chen Fan flipped open the student handbook. He remembered it contained the contact numbers for all the campus offices and even some food delivery places.

“Found it.” Chen Fan whipped out his phone and quickly dialed the number.

The call connected after just two rings. Not daring to waste a moment, Chen Fan said bluntly, “Hello, is this campus security? Someone on the third floor of Bamboo Grove Building 21 is suspected of selling drugs.”

He deliberately exaggerated the seriousness to ensure they took it seriously.

“Can you describe the suspect? Where are they now?” The voice was brisk, and Chen Fan felt hopeful. He climbed up to his bed and peered out through the peephole above the door.

“A fair-skinned man, about six feet tall, dressed all in black.”

“Understood. We’ll send someone to check right away.”

With that assurance, at least he’d survive the night. But what about after? He couldn’t keep dealing with this every day. Chen Fan pleaded with the elder, “Can’t you give me some fiercer cards? The bad guys are running rampant—I’m going to get beaten to death.”

“You’re not the protagonist. Why would you have so much luck? You made this mess; of course you have to deal with it yourself.” The elder watched with glee, eager for more drama.

Chen Fan was so angry it felt like steam was coming out of his nose. He unleashed all his rage at Wang Kehan outside the door.

“Stop knocking! I’ve already called the police and reported you for selling drugs. If you know what’s good for you, run. You’re pretty efficient, I’ll give you that—showed up fast.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

This time, it was a heavy kick. Wang Kehan finally lost his temper and yelled, “If you’ve got the guts to meddle, then open the door! Don’t turn off the lights and hide inside. I know you’re in there. You won’t escape. Let’s have another fight and see how long you last.”

Of course, Chen Fan wasn’t about to open the door and fight hand-to-hand. He stayed behind the door, shouting back, “Come hit me, then! Don’t you run off. Get ready to have tea with the police.”

“Hmph! I don’t believe I can’t deal with a smooth-talking punk like you today.” Wang Kehan took a couple of steps back and began kicking the door hard, but luckily the iron door was solid and seemed secure.

“You got caught flirting with someone else and don’t want anyone to comment? You two had to argue in public—how could people not talk? My mouth is mine; I’ll say what I please. Wang Kehan, you’re a two-timing pretty boy with no brains and weak limbs.”

Chen Fan was relishing his bravado, not knowing how long he could keep it up, but enjoying his moment of triumph.

“Heh, if I don’t break down this door and beat you up today, I’ll write my name backwards,” Wang Kehan raved outside, kicking the door like a madman.

“Did campus security get lost or what? Why aren’t they here yet?” Trapped inside, Chen Fan was at a loss. He asked the elder, “Hey, if I get beaten to death, would you die too?”

“Nope. I’d just get a new host. Only the progress resets, and I’d have to adapt again,” the elder answered breezily.

Chen Fan felt he was being used—no, exploited—by the card, and pulled out the zippo lighter Wei Youlong had left behind. “If I die, I’ll take you with me. See this flame?”

The elder blew out the fire with a puff. “My card set is flame-proof, so give it up.”

Unconvinced, Chen Fan flicked the lighter back on and held it under the elder’s card. The elder played along, producing a barbecue rack and pretending to grill skewers.

Eyeballing the meat turning red, the elder frowned. “Young man, the fire isn’t hot enough. This pork won’t cook through.”

Chen Fan hurled the lighter out the window. “No way I’m letting you have your way. Can you really just stand by and watch me die?”

“Absolutely. I might even get a stronger host next time, someone with fewer generational gaps.”

“You—” Chen Fan spluttered.

The noise at the door suddenly ceased, but Chen Fan remained on edge, wary of a feint. He didn’t rush to open the door, but instead called Xu Changhui and Lai Guangyi, reminding them to be wary of anyone lurking nearby when they came back.

Thud, thud, thud—

Hearing another knock, Chen Fan’s nerves snapped, and he instinctively stepped back.

“Open up, it’s me, Xu Changhui. Just finished class.”

Chen Fan exhaled in relief. “You’re alone, right?”

Xu Changhui glanced up and down the corridor. “No one else, just me.”

“Good.” Chen Fan opened the door and ushered Xu Changhui inside like they were covert agents making a secret handoff.

“Fan, who did you piss off this time?” Xu Changhui guessed as much.

Chen Fan shrugged helplessly. “Just a playboy who can’t take a joke. We fought this morning, and now he’s come after me. Sorry for dragging you into this.”

Xu Changhui appeared unconcerned. “City life really is complicated. You used to be a big shot, right? Why do you keep getting into fights?”

Chen Fan thought, if being a “big shot” means being the top of the model students, then I must have gone rogue since coming to university.

“I’m a peace-loving person. But what can I do when people keep showing up on my doorstep? I’m just defending myself.” Chen Fan had no answer for these misfortunes that seemed to fall from the sky.

Worried about a sneak attack, Chen Fan raised the dorm’s security to the highest level: entry required a password, and he made sure to check the hallway for suspicious figures before opening the door.

“Fan, are you holding an international summit or something? Why so strict?” Lai Guangyi, just returning, was baffled by the precautions.

“Fan’s got himself into trouble. Someone was just outside the door, and he shouted them down,” Xu Changhui recounted, dramatizing the scene.

“I saw someone being arrested at the campus gate on my way back. Not sure what happened, but even police cars showed up,” Lai Guangyi shared his observations.

Xu Changhui speculated, “Probably some petty thief. We should all be extra careful at night.”

“What was the guy wearing?” Chen Fan pressed.

Lai Guangyi thought for a moment. “About your height, really fair-skinned, dressed all in black.”

Chen Fan’s brows knitted. He realized things were far from simple.