I’m a Girl, He’s a Psycho, and This is Fine

Shi Mo barely slept that night.

The confrontation with the stepmother's ghost had drained her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Even with the spirit now gone, her nerves were frayed. Her Gu worm stirred restlessly beneath her skin, still hungry—never satisfied.

But Shi Mo's mind wasn't just on ghosts anymore.

She had a plan.

One that involved Fu Yunshen—and would either bring her closer to him… or destroy the delicate progress she'd made.

The next day, she waited until they were alone in the dorm.

Fu Yunshen had just returned from a run, sweat dampening his collar. He threw a towel around his neck and glanced her way.

"You look like you haven't slept."

Shi Mo ignored the comment. "I need to talk to you."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't reply.

She took a deep breath. "I want to give you something."

Fu Yunshen crossed his arms, leaning against the desk. "Is this another weird talisman?"

"No," she replied, pulling a small black pouch from her drawer. "It's a weapon."

He frowned slightly.

She untied the pouch and poured the contents onto the desk: a short dagger with a dark green handle, engraved with silver runes and a faintly glowing blade.

"It's made from a rare alloy infused with protective spirit energy," she explained. "It'll repel low-level ghosts and harm high-level ones. Even cursed spirits."

Fu Yunshen stared at the weapon.

"It's dangerous," she added. "And it comes with a price."

He looked up. "What kind of price?"

Shi Mo hesitated. "It can't be used for violence against the living. If you try, it'll backfire. If you're emotionally unstable, it'll attract spirits instead of repelling them."

"So, basically," he said dryly, "if I'm angry, I'll summon demons."

"Pretty much."

He picked up the dagger and examined it, turning it over in his hand. "Why give this to me?"

She hesitated. "Because… you need it more than I do."

"Why?"

"Because I'm asking you for something in return."

Fu Yunshen's gaze sharpened. "There it is."

"I want to stay in this room," she said. "Permanently."

He didn't respond at first. His silence was heavy.

Shi Mo continued, more carefully now, "I know I've been a nuisance. But I've dealt with enough ghosts lately to know more are coming. You feel it too, don't you? This school isn't clean."

He looked away.

"I want to stay here because I can protect myself—and maybe even help you," she added.

Fu Yunshen's voice was low when he finally spoke. "So you're not asking for friendship. You're offering a pact."

She blinked.

"Yes," she said slowly. "Something like that."

He studied her for a long time. The silence stretched.

Then he put the dagger down and said, "Fine."

Shi Mo blinked in surprise. "That's it?"

"You're quiet. You don't steal my food. You haven't tried to kill me yet."

"…Yet?"

He smirked faintly. "It's good enough for now."

Shi Mo exhaled. Relief washed through her—but it was short-lived.

Because even though he'd accepted her request, she could tell: his walls were still up.

But perhaps, now, she was on the other side of them.

That evening, the system chimed in her ear:

[Main Objective: Increase Brotherhood Value with Fu Yunshen][Progress Update: +110 points][Current Total: 380 / 1,000,000]

Still a long road ahead.

But today, Shi Mo had gained something more valuable than a number.

She had gained trust.

And in this world of shadows and secrets, that was more dangerous—and precious—than any ghost or charm.