Deviant: No Longer Human

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.

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.

Wang Xiao smirked, "Wait until you hear the howlings at night. The tranquility takes on a whole new dimension."

As the students filed into the resort, the staff efficiently distributed room keys, and the chatter of excited students filled the air. Wang Xiao and Zhang Sisi found themselves in close proximity again, navigating the check-in process.

"Roommates, I assume?" Wang Xiao quipped, breaking the silence between them.

Zhang Sisi nodded with a small smile, "Seems like it."

The winding path led them to their assigned room, a cozy space with a view that showcased the natural beauty of the surroundings.

"Quite the change from the city, huh?" Wang Xiao remarked plainly.

Zhang Sisi chuckled, "Definitely. It's like stepping into another world."

Zhang Sisi's laughter, moments ago filled with wonder, abruptly waned as the room door swung open to admit a few more occupants.

"No way!"

Dong Kai's expletive sliced through the air, a declaration of his discontent. Zhang Sisi's expression soured, suspicion etching her features, "Have you been assigned this room as well?"

Dong Kai's snort carried an air of indifference, "Unfortunately," he muttered, flinging his belongings onto a separate bunk bed.

The room, designed to accommodate two people per bunk bed, now housed an unplanned trio, and tension hung thick in the air.

Chen Li, entering with a carefree demeanor, added a touch of humor, "Brother Wang, it seems that old Chen deliberately arranged this!" His laughter echoed, but Wang Xiao's face contorted with frustration, realizing that Chen Li had unwittingly unveiled a delicate secret.

"Deliberately arranged?"

"Old Chen?"

Wang Xiao facepalmed, realizing Chen Li's inadvertent revelation could unravel the delicate balance of perceived favoritism by Chen Yongzheng.

Caught in the crossfire of scrutiny, Wang Xiao sighed inwardly, his mind scrambling to defuse the situation. He shot a disapproving look at Chen Li, silently urging him to cease the revelations.

Dong Kai's eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on his face. "Deliberately arranged? What's going on, Wang Xiao?"

Zhang Sisi, equally puzzled, sought an explanation. "Teacher Chen? Why would he arrange this?"

Chen Li, quick to catch onto the urgency, seamlessly joined the improvisation, "It's just a joke, guys. Let's not ruin the trip with conspiracy theories."

He nonchalantly placed his belongings on the upper section of the bunk bed, leaving the lower section for Dong Kai, a strategic move to avert any potential clashes.

Dong Kai, adamant in his stance, showed no inclination to share a bed with either Wang Xiao or Zhang Sisi. The animosity ran deep – Zhang Sisi's role as the class leader had often landed him in trouble, and Wang Xiao, for reasons untold, had earned a special place on Dong Kai's list of grievances.

As they settled into the room, the unspoken tension cast a shadow over the atmosphere. Chen Li, attempting to diffuse the growing animosity, feigned enthusiasm, "Come on, guys, let's make the best of this. We're here to enjoy the trip, right?"

Zhang Sisi, ever the diplomat, tried to ease the situation, "Exactly. Let's not let any past issues ruin our time here."

Dong Kai, however, remained stoic, shooting a pointed look at Wang Xiao. "Enjoying the trip is easier said than done when certain people are involved."

Wang Xiao, opting for diplomacy over confrontation, cast a nonchalant shrug, "Well, we're stuck together with a bug for a few days. Nothing new; we have those at home anyway."

Dong Kai's reaction was immediate, a growl escaping his lips as he closed the distance, ready for a confrontation. "You called me a bug?"

In response, Wang Xiao stood there with a devil-may-care smile, poised for whatever might come. "Did you just assume yourself to be a bug?"

Dong Kai, a frown etched on his face, seemed on the brink of a heated exchange. However, the distant murmur of teacherly voices in the hallway prompted a reconsideration. With a dismissive snort, he declared, "Whatever, don't disturb me, you guys." He arrogantly pocketed his hands, swung the door open, and made his exit.

Zhang Sisi, an amused yet slightly concerned look in her eyes, turned to Wang Xiao, "You are quite something. Why did you deliberately provoke him? Is peace your eternal enemy?"

"I didn't provoke anyone; I'm just going to take a look outside." Wang Xiao shrugged, stepping out of the room.

Zhang Sisi, taken aback, couldn't help but turn to Chen Li, "Is he always like this?"

Chen Li coughed awkwardly, offering a weak smile, "Sometimes only." The tension within the room seemed to dissipate with Wang Xiao's exit, leaving behind an air of uncertainty about what other unexpected twists this trip might unfold.

________

As Wang Xiao emerged from the resort building, he plunged into a world swathed in an ethereal chill. Despite the cold, students lingered outdoors, the evening casting a soft glow on the surroundings.

A shroud of thick fog descended, prompting the cautionary words of teachers, advising everyone to stay within the haven of the resort. Undeterred, Wang Xiao skillfully gathered bits of information about the other classes.

Four distinct resort buildings stood at measured intervals. The strategic layout tempted Wang Xiao with thoughts of orchestrating some kind of elaborate game, but he quickly dismissed the notion, remembering that reality was not a fantasy war scenario.

With the locations in hand, he turned to head back when his eyes were drawn to a particular window in the teachers' room. Curiosity, like an insistent whisper, urged him forward, the allure of the unknown beckoning him into the mist-veiled mysteries of the evening.

Wang Xiao mused aloud, "The old Chen's room was in the front, so this should be... Lei Xia's?" The window was positioned higher, likely belonging to a bathroom, its glass veiled by steam from within.

Surveying the surroundings, he warily checked for any concealed cameras. Though his naked eyes detected none, the realm of caution persisted; hidden surveillance could still be in play to monitor the occupants of the resort.

Amidst his observations, Wang Xiao's gaze caught Dong Kai, who seemed to be heading back into the resort. Hands buried in his pockets, clad in an orange sweater, Dong Kai exuded an air of indifference.

"Hey, Dong Kai!" Wang Xiao called out.

??

Dong Kai, initially unbothered, froze in his tracks upon hearing his name. He glanced toward Wang Xiao, a hint of irritation on his face. "Whatever," he snorted, resuming his stride back inside.

Undeterred, Wang Xiao called out once more. This time, Dong Kai halted and looked around, his voice slightly elevated, "What do you need?"

Wang Xiao gestured for him to approach, signaling for a low-toned conversation.

"..."

The pause lingered, Dong Kai weighing the situation, "Is it a trap...?" he wondered aloud. Eventually, with a deep sigh, he followed Wang Xiao inside, venturing into the narrow passage.

The narrow passage offered a modicum of privacy as Wang Xiao began to speak, his voice pitched low to avoid unwanted ears. "Look, I don't know what happened between us back there, but it's clear we're not getting along."

Dong Kai, arms crossed defensively, shot back, "Understatement of the century."

Wang Xiao rolled his eyes, "Fine, we don't have to be friends, but we're stuck in this resort together, and it's in our best interest to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

Dong Kai grunted in agreement, a reluctant acknowledgment of the pragmatic truth.

Wang Xiao continued, "So, how about we set some ground rules? No provoking each other, no escalating tensions. Let's coexist peacefully for the sake of our sanity during this trip."

Dong Kai, though visibly skeptical, gave a curt nod. "Fine, but don't think this changes anything... So what are you doing here?" he asked, suspicion etched across his face.

Wang Xiao grinned slyly, "You see that window." He pointed out, revealing his real purpose.

The dim light of the narrow passage cast shadows on Dong Kai's face as he squinted, "Yeah?"

Leaning in, Wang Xiao lowered his voice conspiratorially, "That is directly linked to Teacher Lei's bathroom, and she is probably taking a bath right now."

Dong Kai's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of shock and curiosity taking over. "What are you thinking, Wang Xiao?"

Wang Xiao maintained his sly smile, the flicker of mischief dancing in his eyes. "You know very well already... Isn't it time Teacher Lei paid for her Karma?"

Dong Kai's eyes flickered, the shared disdain for their English teacher, Lei Xia, bridging any divides that might otherwise separate them.