MRSG Chapter 28

You Qi carried Zhou Mu on his back down the stairs. Wherever they passed, classmates would dodge out of the way from dozens of meters away.

When they got downstairs, they even ran into Senior Little Howl sunbathing. As soon as Little Howl saw Zhou Mu, he started frantically kicking his hind legs and jumped up. He didn’t dare come forward or run away, just stood frozen as he watched them pass by.

By now, everyone in the school knew Zhou Mu’s identity. The odd behavior of Senior Little Howl in the past now had a reasonable explanation—he had an acute sense of smell and simply knew too much…

“Hahaha, Senior,” Zhou Mu greeted Little Howl, then said, “Squat.”

You Qi thought Zhou Mu wanted to pet the senior on the head, so he squatted down while still carrying Zhou Mu on his back.

Senior Little Howl also thought the command was for him. His hind legs bent, front legs raised, chest puffed out, and he squatted firmly in place.

You Qi and Little Howl moved almost simultaneously. Their eyes met—

Little Howl: “……”

You Qi: “………”

…Well, what could he say? It was a little awkward, but honestly, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

The senior dog rolled his eyes at You Qi and casually stuck out his tongue, “Hah.”

Zhou Mu picked up a tree branch and threw it far into the distance. The senior immediately shot out like an arrow from a bow. This trick worked every time.

After throwing it, Zhou Mu clapped his hands and heard You Qi say, “Did you do that on purpose?”

“Nope. Though you guys do look… cute together,” Zhou Mu said as he leaned forward and kissed You Qi on the ear.

As the descendant of the Howling Celestial Dog, Little Howl was naturally fast. He caught the branch before it even hit the ground and came racing back—only to see Zhou Mu’s lips close to You Qi’s ear. Shocked, he slammed on the brakes, skidding on the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust. Then he turned and bolted at a speed even faster than before.

Zhou Mu burst out laughing, “Senior’s such a scaredy-cat.”

He was full of amusement and smugness toward someone who was so afraid of him they practically pissed themselves.

You Qi couldn’t help but smile too as he walked toward the cafeteria. “So back when you were in school, were there as many people who knew your identity as there are now with that Lord Cong? Did they avoid you too?”

“The demons all knew, but humans didn’t. And I went to a human school, so I mostly hung out with humans. Plus, humans are pretty brave. My dad’s part human, and I have lots of human relatives. When I was in kindergarten, my aunt even hired me as her bodyguard,” Zhou Mu said casually. Even though he was a ferocious beast like You Qi, he never had the same kind of experience. In fact, other demons didn’t even dare avoid him too obviously.

He gestured to show how small he had been back then, already being used by human relatives as a weapon to scare demons.

You Qi imagined a tiny little taotie beast like Zhou Mu and couldn’t really think of him as anything but cute.

From the moment they met, You Qi had suspected Zhou Mu was a demon raised in a human city. Now that everything had changed dramatically, he still had to admit—it was this fierce yet sociable nature of Zhou Mu that drew him in.

While chatting, they arrived at the cafeteria. Even before they stepped inside, Zhou Mu had already jumped down from You Qi’s back and dashed through the doors.

A large group of students all reflexively took a giant step back the moment Zhou Mu appeared, as if startled out of their wits.

Especially when Zhou Mu sniffed the air: “Hmm, what should I eat today?”

Nobody was sure if Zhou Mu was looking at the food window… or them.

Thankfully, that was when You Qi lifted the curtain and strolled in, casually scooping Zhou Mu into his arms and walking toward the food counter.

Instantly, all the frozen students came back to life and resumed what they were doing— albeit slowly and cautiously, keeping a close eye on Zhou Mu.

Whew, close call. Thank goodness You Qi showed up.

You Qi had suddenly become one of the more popular students on campus. Seeing how dramatically his treatment had changed everywhere he went, he really didn’t know how to feel.

Zhou Mu piled up his tray with food, sat down with You Qi, glanced at the still-nervous students, and said, “One day, I’ll take you to my hometown. In a human city, no one cares what kind of demon or monster you are.”

You Qi thought again of what Lord Cong had said. Zhou Mu really was different with him…

If Zhou Mu asked him for a kiss now, that would be perfect.

You Qi stared intently at Zhou Mu’s lips.

Zhou Mu, seemingly oblivious, rested his cheek on his hand and sighed, “Ah, I really love my hometown. When I left, the demon authorities even gave me a City Contribution Award.”

That yanked You Qi right out of his romantic thoughts. He looked down. “City Contribution Award?”

Zhou Mu explained, “It’s an award for citizens who make positive contributions to the city’s environment or community. There’s even a shiny gold medal. I left it at home.”

You Qi said nothing for a moment. “I know what it is. I mean—why did you get it?”

“Didn’t I just say?” Zhou Mu blinked innocently, biting his fork. “Because I left.”

You Qi: “…………”

So what you’re saying is… not only are you going back, you’re also bringing another ferocious beast with you. Doesn’t that kinda… undermine the award?

Three days later, on the day of the team combat finals—also the last day of the Demon Sport competition.

Zhou Mu woke up in You Qi’s arms, still a little drowsy. When he saw Chun Shijiu, he muttered, “Why are you still in our dorm?”

What do you mean your dorm?! You two are both from the room across the hall!!

Chun Shijiu’s first reaction was utter despair. Then he perked up. “You mean… I can move out now?”

No no, it’s fine—as long as Zhou Mu lets him live, they could have the whole dorm to themselves.

Zhou Mu was a little more awake now. He sat up, still zoning out, and after a while said, “Wait, if you move out, who’s gonna handle dorm duties? Never mind, stay a bit longer.”

Zhou Mu changed into his school robes, while You Qi got up a little later, wrapped his arms around Zhou Mu who was within reach, and kissed his waist.

Zhou Mu naturally clung onto him, “Right, we still have the finals today.”

According to tradition, people usually placed bets during these few days, betting on who would win the championship.

Zhou Mu hadn’t been online lately—or more accurately, he’d hardly checked the school forum since enrolling. The campus used an internal network, and he typically surfed the human internet. “I wonder what our odds are.”

“There aren’t even any bets placed on that anymore, ‘cause there’s no need,” Chun Shijiu laughed dryly. “You probably don’t know, but right now the most popular betting category is: Who do you like eating more, me or You Qi.”

Zhou Mu looked confused. “How are you and You Qi even comparable?”

…I could really thank you for that. Chun Shijiu forced a smile. “Right? Why would anyone compare us, I don’t even qualify.”

He pulled out his phone to check. “Anyway, there’s not much betting on the actual competition anymore. The most related topic is who’s gonna get second place. Some side bets are about what kind of pose the winners will strike during the award ceremony, stuff like that.”

The battle for second place was apparently far more intense and suspenseful than for first.

It also showed how well the people at Hualing could self-regulate. Even with odds this lopsided, they still found a way to place bets—truly deserving of their school’s reputation for being… savagely spirited.

Zhou Mu, now thinking about how today’s second-place winner would be determined, felt even better. “Hmm, over an hour until lunch—uh, I mean the match—starts. Go to the cafeteria and buy me a few baskets of soup dumplings. I need something before the fight!”

Chun Shijiu: “…Alright, alright.”

At the arena.

Almost the entire student body and faculty had gathered. The principal of Hualing Academy was present too, standing beside student volunteer Tian Qi, who was carrying a glass tray—with ‘Teacher Hand’ sitting on top.

Today, the champions of several major events would be awarded by the principal and ‘Teacher Hand’.

First up was the solo combat final. The three participants appeared and began warming up—cheers erupted even during this phase. Sometimes a tiny movement by a contestant would send the audience into a frenzy, taking it as a sure sign of victory.

The principal smiled slightly and said to Cui Jue, “Old Cui, who are you rooting for?”

So refined—even when gambling, the principal called it ‘rooting for.’

Cui Jue answered honestly, “I placed a heavy bet on someone from Jingshan. I’m wagering a stalk of purple ganoderma.”

The principal chuckled, “Jingshan’s team is good this year, definitely competitive. But still, compared to our school—not quite there yet.”

Cui Jue was puzzled. “Boss… our school didn’t even make the finals this year.”

“That’s only for the solo event. Didn’t we make it into the team competition? That’s worth more than solo! We’ve basically already secured the championship—and even second and third place will probably go to our affiliates,” the principal said breezily.

…Wow, the self-consolation game is strong with this one. Affiliates, huh?

Thinking about it just made Cui Jue want to curse. It was the principal who’d negotiated Zhou Mu’s admission, but afterward, it was Cui Jue who had to manage him, clean up after him whenever something happened—while the principal just flapped his mouth.

Cui Jue rubbed his face. Whatever, everyone was just trying to find joy in misery.

As he thought that, the solo contestants entered the arena. Meanwhile, the team competition squads also started showing up and ‘warming up.’ Compared to the sweaty solo fighters, the team members barely moved.

The two non-Hualing teams sat calmly in place, occasionally rolling up sleeves or removing jackets.

Every time they showed a bit of exposed skin or muscle, the crowd went wild—almost as much as during the solo warmups: “Look at that meat quality! Isn’t that second-place material?!”

Over on Zhou Mu’s team, logistics guy Chun Shijiu was also present, holding a bag of soup dumplings and occasionally feeding Zhou Mu a bite. It counted as ‘warm-up,’ in a way.

Anytime Chun Shijiu or You Qi got close to Zhou Mu, it would also cause the audience to erupt in cheers.

Zhou Mu already knew, thanks to Chun Shijiu’s explanation—it was because people had bet on who Zhou Mu would prefer to ‘eat,’ You Qi or Chun Shijiu. Zhou Mu, who fully embraced chaos, would even play along by opening his mouth dramatically behind Chun Shijiu like he was about to bite off his head.

Chun Shijiu, back turned, heard the crowd screaming: “…………”

Sinners, all of you!

You Qi was still wearing the outfit Zhou Mu had gifted him. But since the weather had cooled down, he now had the blazer on too. The collar was left open due to his inability to tie a proper necktie. He stood coolly off to the side, watching Chun Shijiu get teased.

In the eyes of the crowd, he didn’t seem to be winning this popularity contest at all.

Suddenly, a whistle blew—the solo champion was decided. A wave of applause and cheers swept through the arena. On the big screen, the winner, face still streaked with blood, let out a victorious roar, then sprinted off the field.

Moments later, his figure appeared before the crowd… made a sharp turn about 50 meters from Zhou Mu, and ran straight toward the podium, pumping his fists in the air.

Zhou Mu clapped a couple times, then rubbed his stomach and said, “Haha, our turn.”

The host gulped. This time, he’d come prepared, and his commentary was more suited to the moment—though it still sounded… odd. “Next, we welcome the three teams for the team combat finals into the arena. This is one of the most anticipated matches, and by now everyone is familiar with the teams’ characteristics.

Uh, walking in first is student Zhu Ji. He’s from Beihai, with the body of a horse and wings to boot—truly a blend of two flavors. Legend has it that seeing a Zhu Ji will grant longevity, so he even comes with health benefits!”

At that line, Zhu Ji’s supporters went wild, chanting, “Second place! Second place! Second place!”

“……” Zhu Ji wasn’t even sure whether to laugh. Came to compete in a sports festival, ended up being treated like a health supplement. He gave a stiff little wave.

Head referee Xie Rulin secretly shook his head: So twisted!

The host continued his commentary: “Next, we have contestant Shenpeng. He has a geographical advantage, a uniquely crisp and refreshing flavor. He already caught Zhou Mu’s attention during the preliminary rounds. Among all the rich, meaty competitors, his refreshing style stood out, offering unexpected results. He’s also a strong contender for second place.”

Applause rang out from Shenpeng’s supporters in the crowd.

Shenpeng remained calm—as far as he was concerned, he’d already pledged allegiance to Zhou Mu.

“Victory or defeat can come down to a single moment. The competitors are evenly matched, and it’s the little details that determine the outcome. Even a sudden rain shower could change the taste… So let’s wait and see!”

At that, a sharp whistle from Lord Cong signaled the start of the finals.

They began fast—and ended just as fast.

Fueled by soup dumpling warmups, Zhou Mu was ravenous. He began a second round of ‘tasting’ the athletes he’d already sampled during the preliminaries, and this time, he could pick up on even more subtle flavor notes.

When it was Shenpeng’s turn, Zhou Mu even waved him over: “Hey, this one needs to be paired with a little Guigui.”

Gui Youqi: “…I’ve only grown ten centimeters!!”

Zhou Mu: “Just one bite~”

People whispered among themselves—if Gui Youqi were part of another team, he’d probably be a valuable asset, too.

Very soon, after another round of tasting, Zhou Mu raised Shenpeng’s hand and announced him as the runner-up.

It seemed that after indulging in so many heavy feasts lately, Zhou Mu had started to prefer lighter, refreshing flavors. Or perhaps he just wanted to show appreciation for his loyal staff—who knew?

The principal took the lead in applauding with a smile.

Bettors who had wagered on Shenpeng winning second place jumped up in excitement: “We won! Yeah!!”

Anyone unaware of the situation might’ve thought Shenpeng had actually taken first place.

Zhou Mu, still in his beast form, led the team off the field with a cheerful wag of his tail as they headed to the podium. They would be receiving their medals along with the top three solo competitors.

Tian Qi stood by the awards platform, holding the tray with Teacher Hand seated on it.

The principal was in charge of awarding the solo winners, while Teacher Hand would present the medals to the team competition winners. At the moment, he held a few medals in his hands, with a bouquet of flowers nearby—grown in the school’s own garden, the bouquet contained blooms from all four seasons.

Zhou Mu, along with the other four winners, stepped up onto the winner’s podium amid applause. You Qi shifted into human form as he stepped up, resting his hand on one of Zhou Mu’s horns, prompting Zhou Mu to nuzzle against him affectionately.

This scene drew more applause from fans of You Qi in the audience.

You Qi’s expression didn’t change.

Zhou Mu, seeing the moment, his amber eyes glinting, suddenly opened his mouth and plucked a camellia from the bouquet—a vibrant red, multi-petaled bloom still dotted with dewdrops. It was a fragile thing, held gently between the jaws of a wild beast, as if it could fall apart at any second.

The crowd was puzzled. What’s going on now? Another bite of veggies?

But then Zhou Mu lifted a soft pink paw, patted You Qi on the chest, and with a flick of his head, tucked the camellia into You Qi’s breast pocket. The red flower bloomed vividly against the black fabric of You Qi’s clothes.

You Qi froze for a moment, then his ears turned faintly red as he stayed silent.

The audience fell quiet. They didn’t seem to understand what Zhou Mu’s gesture meant. Some even started joking: “See, if I didn’t know better, I’d say they were dating…”

You Qi had lived under strict self-restraint for years, rarely doing anything outside the rules—not even eating normally. Yet despite that, everyone believed he’d eventually break his own restrictions.

That’s why, when rumors swirled about who Zhou Mu preferred to ‘eat’—Chun Shijiu or You Qi—he never said a word.

Zhou Mu’s gesture with the flower mirrored how he once fed desserts to You Qi. You Qi brushed his fingers over the camellia, looking at Zhou Mu with deep emotion. “…Can I?”

Zhou Mu transformed into human form, tilted his head up, and winked his left eye. Then he reached up and untied the muzzle he’d fastened onto himself earlier.

Teacher Hand, with lightning reflexes, quickly put down the medals and covered Tian Qi’s eyes.

In the next second, under the gaze of the entire audience and the giant screen, You Qi gently embraced Zhou Mu’s waist and kissed him. And that terrifying beast, standing on tiptoe, cradled You Qi’s face and kissed him back.

Everyone’s hair and clothing were lifted by a fragrant breeze, rustling in the quiet. In that moment, it felt like the only sound was the whisper of the wind as it passed through trees and flowers.

The silence continued until the two finally parted.

Still reeling, the crowd watched Zhou Mu lick his lips and say: “Mmm… My roommate smells so good.”

-End-