Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao saw an opportunity to put his manipulative skills to the test.

A live human subject in the form of Zhang Sisi presented a challenge he couldn't resist. His agenda became clear—by the end of this journey, he would unearth the true reason behind Zhang Sisi's intentional avoidance.

Wang Xiao leaned back in his seat, contemplating the best approach. Engaging in casual banter might not yield the desired results, so he decided to employ a more subtle strategy.

"So, Zhang Sisi, besides shouldering the burdens of a class leader, what other mysteries hide behind those focused eyes?" Wang Xiao inquired, his tone light but carrying a hint of intrigue.

Zhang Sisi glanced at him with a measured expression, "I'm not fond of mysteries. Transparency is key in leadership."

Wang Xiao smirked, "Transparency, indeed! Maybe pretended transparency would be better word, given your unequal treatment towards me... But don't you think some mysteries add a touch of excitement to life? A little unpredictability?"

Zhang Sisi raised an eyebrow, "Predictability ensures efficiency. Unnecessary excitement can lead to chaos."

Wang Xiao chuckled, "Fair point."

Zhang Sisi's eyes narrowed at him, "Is there something else you want to discuss?"

Wang Xiao smiled bitterly, shaking his head. 'No, but I'd love to shove my rod up your throat,' he thought, irritated by her guarded demeanor.

Zhang Sisi gave a brief nod before retrieving her book, immersing herself in the text. Occasionally, she glanced outside as if the scenery held more appeal than conversing with Wang Xiao.

'Wang Xiao, make her face the window; she's eager to escape!'

'Send her on a one-way trip!'

'Straight out of the window!'

'Hm? Shadow crew, you're back?' Wang Xiao mused, feeling the presence of the sarcastic voices resurfacing in his mind.

Disregarding the mental turmoil, he leaned against his seat, pulled out his phone, and began using it. Soon, he noticed a peculiar change – Zhang Sisi wore a troubled expression, her eyes repeatedly shifting between him and his phone.

Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow at Zhang Sisi's abrupt reaction. "You want something?" he asked, puzzled by her uneasiness.

"Uh-huh!" Zhang Sisi nodded quickly, her response a mix of surprise and panic. Her internal monologue betrayed her apprehension.

'Why is he sitting near me?'

'Why not anyone else?'

Contrary to Wang Xiao's perception, Zhang Sisi was experiencing an internal breakdown merely from his proximity. If there was anything she feared in the world, it was undoubtedly Wang Xiao.

The rumors circulating around him, ranging from involvement in child trafficking to drug dealing, had instilled such fear that she dared not meet his gaze. This fear was the reason behind her persistent avoidance and her reluctance to assert her status over him in class.

As the internal conflict raged within Zhang Sisi, she tried to regain her composure, appearing nonchalant as she opened her book once again. However, her mind was far from the words on the page.

'What if he finds out I've been purposefully avoiding him?'

'Will he confront me?'

'What if those rumors are true?'

'Can I trust any of my classmates?'

The questions swirled in her thoughts, creating a chaotic mental landscape. Wang Xiao, sensing her discomfort, couldn't resist a faint smile. Unbeknownst to Zhang Sisi, her attempts to act unaffected only fueled his curiosity.

Wang Xiao decided to play along, realizing he had found a weak link. He casually put away his phone, looking at her with an innocent expression. "Anything interesting in that book?"

Zhang Sisi, caught off guard, stammered, "I-It's just a novel. Nothing special."

"Oh," nodded, Wang Xiao.

As he observed Zhang Sisi's anxious demeanor, he couldn't help but delve into his own thoughts.

'What's her deal?'

'Is she afraid of me?'

'Why the sudden panic?'

On the other hand, Zhang Sisi was grappling with her own internal turmoil.

'I can't let him see how scared I am.'

'Just act normal.'

'But why did he have to sit next to me?'

Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts as she tried to maintain composure. The barrage of rumors about Wang Xiao had taken root, and the fear they instilled paralyzed her, making every interaction with him a daunting experience.

In the confined space of the bus, Zhang Sisi grappled with a mix of emotions, her eyes shifting from Wang Xiao's phone to her own empty hands. Stabilizing herself, she cast a glance in his direction, a subtle hint of envy reflecting in her eyes.

Her voice, restrained yet curious, broke the momentary silence, "Do you have your own personal phone?"

Wang Xiao, engrossed in his device, turned to her, "You don't have a phone?"

Zhang Sisi, suppressing nervousness, bit her lips and nodded.

Wang Xiao's eyes glimmered with mischief as he observed her discomfort. "Really? No phone? How do you survive without one?"

Hesitation lingered in Zhang Sisi's response, "I never felt the need for it. Besides, my parents think it's a distraction from studies."

Wang Xiao chuckled, "Well, you're missing out on a lot. It's not just a distraction; it's a whole world in your palm." He waved his phone playfully.

Zhang Sisi's gaze darted between his glowing device and his face, caught in the throes of an unexpected conversation that stirred uncertainty within her.

Finally, she mustered the courage to speak, her words wavering in the air like fragile petals in the wind. "Y-You beat my brother."

Despite her best efforts to cloak it in confrontation, an involuntary tremor in her voice betrayed an undercurrent of fear.

"Huh?"

Wang Xiao's movements froze, his intense gaze locking onto her. "Your brother?"

Zhang Sisi nodded slowly, her admission laden with a complex mix of emotions. "Zhao Yang, the second-year senior; he is my brother."

Wang Xiao's chuckle morphed into a muted murmur, "Now that's a complication..."

Seated mere inches away, he belatedly grasped the unsettling truth—he had been casually chatting with the sister of a person he had once ruthlessly defeated.

As the awkwardness thickened, Zhang Sisi, sensing the tension, attempted to diffuse it, "Forget it, he was behaving like a thug as well."

Intrigued yet cautious, Wang Xiao pressed, "But is he truly your brother? Don't you both bear different family names?"

Zhang Sisi's eyes revealed a storm of conflicting emotions as she reluctantly admitted, "I-I am adopted."

Wang Xiao's gaze sharpened with intrigue as she whispered, "Keep it quiet; others would mock me."

Nodding solemnly, he replied, "Your secret's safe. But, in return, reveal to me why you were avoiding me earlier."

Zhang Sisi's voice, a delicate whisper, cut through the air, "Is it genuinely important?"

Wang Xiao's nod was measured, laden with an unspoken weight that hung in the space between them.

A evident tension gripped the scene as Zhang Sisi, wrestling with anxiety, bit down on her lip. Eventually, she surrendered to the truth, "I... I was scared of you."

"..."

"..."

A profound silence descended, an exchange of unspoken emotions echoing in the quiet.

Their eyes locked, Wang Xiao's expression an blank canvas, while Zhang Sisi, caught in the confession, blushed and turned her gaze towards the world beyond the window.

A charged pause lingered, the atmosphere thickening.

Frustration etched Wang Xiao's features, the silence becoming a catalyst for unspoken frustrations, waiting to be unveiled. "..."

For the remainder of the journey, a conspicuous silence settled between Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi.

Wang Xiao, however, found himself entangled in contemplation about Zhang Sisi's origins, recalling the presumed affair between Zhao Yang's father and Lei Xie. The intrigue of the situation gripped him, yet Wang Xiao resisted the urge to delve into drama, opting instead to file away his musings in the recesses of his mind.

As the hours unfolded, they finally reached Hangzhou, the bus navigating through vibrant streets that left the students in awe.

"The city is beautiful..." Zhang Sisi murmured, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

Wang Xiao shook his head, subtly noting her limited perspective, likely having never experienced the night beauty of Shanghai.

Amidst increasing gasps of admiration, the bus approached the entrance of Shanxi village. Halting momentarily, the school crew sought permission before delving into the heart of the village.

The influx of vehicles stirred a commotion, but they navigated through the village unscathed. Soon, they found themselves at the foothills, nearing the mountainous region housing the resort where they would spend the next few days. The anticipation of the journey's end hung in the air as they approached the picturesque retreat.

The bus rolled to a stop at the entrance of the mountainous resort, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene ambiance. Excitement buzzed among the students as they disembarked, stretching their legs after the long journey.

Wang Xiao observed the surroundings with a mild interest, his earlier ponderings about Zhang Sisi's family ties momentarily shelved. The air carried a crisp freshness, a stark contrast to the urban hustle they left behind.

Zhang Sisi, now more at ease outside the confined space of the bus, looked around with wide-eyed wonder. "It's so peaceful here," she remarked.

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