Mujin completely ignored Jin Wenbin’s dark expression and excitedly ran up to Zhou Ruiyang.

"You… you’re here," she said shyly, jumping right in front of him.

She still remembered kissing him multiple times yesterday. Meeting him today in human form felt awkward.

But Zhou Ruiyang’s face was equally gloomy. "What were you… just doing?"

"Me? I wasn’t doing anything," Mujin replied. She glanced back at Jin Wenbin, still standing there. "Oh, him? I was waiting for you. He kept trying to chat me up, but I ignored him. Wait—don’t tell me you’re… jealous?"

Seeing Zhou Ruiyang’s roommate nearby, Mujin’s acting instincts flared. She pouted coquettishly, swinging his arm. "Silly husband! Why don’t you trust me? I’ve always been faithful to you—"

Before she could finish, Zhou Ruiyang turned and strode downstairs, leaving her flustered.

After three years together, Mujin knew he was truly angry.

Zhou Ruiyang was a skilled fighter, yet he never used his strength when upset. He’d just sulk silently, giving her the cold shoulder.

Even that left her utterly confused.

Why was he mad? Was he really jealous?

Did he actually think she was his girlfriend?

That couldn’t be right.

Mujin’s mind raced with guesses, but one fact was solid: Zhou Ruiyang was angry. And she had to soothe him.

She hated coaxing people, but this was necessary. Her next plan required his perfect cooperation—otherwise, it’d turn into a total blunder.

Mujin dashed downstairs. She finally caught him in the woods beside the teaching building, grabbing his hand.

"Why are you mad? What’s wrong?"

Zhou Ruiyang stopped, staring straight ahead. "Nothing. I just need some quiet. Let go."

"No! Tell me why you’re angry. If I’m going to ‘die,’ I deserve to know why."

He turned, his gaze complex. "What were you doing back there?"

"I wasn’t doing anything! Wait—" Mujin’s eyes widened. "You really are jealous? He bothered me first. I ignored him completely."

"It’s not that." Zhou Ruiyang’s voice turned serious. "Why did you pretend to be mute?"

"Oh… he asked if I was deaf-mute, so I played along."

Mujin wasn’t stupid. Seeing his focus on this, she stepped closer, hands behind her back. "Are you mad about that?"

Zhou Ruiyang’s lips twitched. He waved dismissively. "It’s fine. Not your fault. I just got… worked up."

"Tell me! If I did something wrong, I’ll fix it."

"Do you really want to hear?" His eyes dropped.

"Uh-huh!" Mujin was curious. Gentle, unflappable Zhou Ruiyang—what could make him this upset?

He gazed at the scenery outside. "I grew up orphaned. Raised by Uncle Li… who’s deaf-mute. Because of that, I couldn’t speak until I was five. By then, other kids were already joking around."

Humans hide shame. Zhou Ruiyang was no exception.

His speech delay made him withdraw. From kindergarten on, he was the quietest kid in class.

But that shyness became a target. When classmates learned about his mute uncle, they’d mimic deaf-mutes to mock him daily.

Young and furious—and trained in Tongzi Gong since childhood—he beat every bully senseless.

After that, pretending to be mute became his ultimate taboo. Anyone doing it near him got a beating.

Everyone has a sore spot. For Zhou Ruiyang, this was his.

"Oh… sorry, Little Sheep. I didn’t mean to."

Zhou Ruiyang forced a smile. "I know. But seeing it still hurts. It reminds me of Uncle Li alone at home. I just needed air."

Mujin thought for a moment. "Then… here!" She suddenly covered her head, whispering. "If you’re upset, hit me. Just not the head—I need it for important things…"

Zhou Ruiyang’s eye twitched. "Will that actually help?"

"Of course! Everyone has pent-up anger. Letting it out—" Mujin frowned, tilting her face up. "Wait, ‘help’? Do you mean venting… or my head?"

"Hmm… maybe both."

"You little brat! I thought you were sad, but you’re joking around with double meanings!"

"I’m not—" Zhou Ruiyang started laughing, then froze.

"Hold on. What did you call me?" He’d caught a sensitive word.

"Huh? What?" Mujin couldn’t keep up with his sudden shift.

"The nickname. What did you just say?"

"I…" Her heart sank. "Uh… Little Sheep? Your name’s Zhou Ruiyang—‘Little Sheep’ rolls off the tongue! Like ‘puppy’ or ‘kitty’… cute, right?"

"Who are you? How do you know my name? Why have I never seen you before?"

Each question drove Zhou Ruiyang closer.

Mujin felt like prey cornered by a sly wolf. Panic surged. She stepped back instinctively.

Her back hit something hard—a tree trunk.

She tried to slip sideways, but Zhou Ruiyang blocked her path, pinning her against the bark with his arm.

"Where do you think you’re going?" He leaned down, a confident smirk on his lips.

The kind of smile only worn when victory is certain.

Mujin’s eyes darted. "I… I need to pee!"

"Not until you answer me. You’re not going anywhere."

Zhou Ruiyang already had his answer. That’s why he was so bold.

He’d never act this way with another girl.

Plus, these woods were thorny and rarely used—perfect for privacy.

Just as he felt certain, his phone rang.

"Your call… won’t you answer?" Mujin whispered timidly, her voice soft.

"Later. Answer me first."

"You answer first, then I’ll talk."

"Fine. Your choice." Zhou Ruiyang pulled back, grabbing his phone without looking. "Hello?"

"Little Sheep! Why’s the dorm Wi-Fi dead?"

Hearing Mujin’s voice on the line, Zhou Ruiyang’s expression froze in shock.