My Deskmate is Not Human​ - Chapter 1

“You can go now, Shen An.”

I spoke softly, my fingertip tapping his arm.

It was Friday afternoon, and school had just let out for a short break.

But this gloomy, withdrawn boy seemed unable to hear the teacher announce the end of class. While everyone else had already left, he sat in silence, working on his test paper, oblivious to everything around him.

Like now, as I stood across from him.

With my eyes lowered, all I could see beneath the hood of his black sweatshirt was the occasional glimpse of his cold, pale, slender jaw and lips as red as blood.

It was gloomy outside, and dim inside the room.

His eyes still seemed shrouded, as if veiled.

Could he even see the math problems clearly?

I couldn’t help but crouch down, bringing my eyes level with the desk. Even then, all I could see was his straight, delicate nose.

“I have to lock up, Shen An. It’s going to rain soon, and I didn’t bring an umbrella. If I go home, I’ll get soaked.”

I poked at his fair, slender fingers gripping the pen.

He seemed to notice my movement.

He gave a barely perceptible shiver, then carefully put away his pen and homework under the desk, and softly murmured, “Sorry.”

His clear, pleasant voice was a little hoarse.

So timid and obedient, it was almost unnatural.

I frowned, unable to stop myself from recalling the classmates’ private remarks about him being a weirdo.

No one was willing to talk to Shen An.

He really did seem like a pitiful, miserable person.

“It’s okay.”

I stood up, a hint of concern in my voice: “Shen An, you can actually take off your hood. Writing or walking like this isn’t just unsafe, it’s also bad for your eyes.”

“Thank you.”

That’s what he said.

But he still didn’t move.

Shen An was indeed a bit different from the other students.

“Can I help you take it off?”

I asked softly, trying my best to sound friendly and kind.

He gave a low “Mm.”

My eyes curved in a gentle smile as my fingertips touched the boy’s hoodie. A chilling, eerie cold crept up my nerves from my fingertips.

It felt like my fingers were about to freeze.

“Are you very cold?”

I ignored the discomfort and asked casually.

It was the turn of summer and autumn, and a cold rain had started to fall. The temperature had dropped sharply, so it was indeed a bit chilly.

But he felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cellar.

Was it just the low temperature?

Shen An didn’t answer.

As I pulled down his hood, his hidden long hair instantly fell, the inky strands accentuating his sickly, cold-white skin. Dark shadows lingered under his eyes, giving him a pale, near-death look.

He lifted his head slightly, his pitch-black, lifeless eyes staring straight at me.

A flash of lightning split the gloomy sky, illuminating him for a moment, making him appear eerily pale and almost inhuman.

Thunder rumbled among the thick clouds, and heavy raindrops pounded the concrete outside. A torrential downpour began outside the window.

Suppressing the sudden fear rising in me, I tried not to let him think I disliked him, and praised:

“Shen An, you’re very beautiful. Don’t worry about your looks-you look great just like this.”

“Then will you keep looking at me like this?”

His red lips parted slightly as he watched my expression, his fingers unconsciously curling in.

“What?”

I froze, afraid he’d think I was a creep. My ears flushed red as I hurried to explain, “Of course not, you don’t have to worry about that. I would never spy on you.”

“Oh.”

Shen An lowered his gaze, staring at his palm where his nails had drawn blood, his expression unreadable.

The room seemed to drop several degrees colder.

I shivered, apologetic:

“It’s so cold.

“Shall we go home, Shen An?”

He nodded gently, picked up the black umbrella in the corner, stood up, and obediently walked behind me, watching as I locked the door.

I put the key in my pocket and turned around. He was still there, quietly watching me.

“Did you wait for me because you heard I didn’t have an umbrella?”

“Mm.”

My eyes curved in surprise and delight.

Shen An really was so kind.

The boy was tall and slender, his head lowered.

I couldn’t help but pat his head. He pressed his thin lips together, his lashes trembling, looking extremely shy.

“Shen An, could you not be so cute? It makes people want to commit a crime.”

I gently pinched his cheek.

His skin was delicate and icy cold, the sensation wonderful.

He blinked at me innocently, staring at my porcelain-white, slender wrist, but his gaze gradually darkened.

The boy fell silent. Realizing I’d overstepped, I withdrew my hand in embarrassment and smiled:

“Then I’ll be counting on you, Shen An. Thank you.”