Nightmare Comes True

Evening self-study session.

Most students were busy with homework, while a few who had already finished were reviewing.

Overall, the atmosphere was studious and focused.

Even the murmurs from the back rows didn’t disturb those in the front.

Just as Lin Mo finished his physics homework and looked up, homeroom teacher Chen Xiaoya unexpectedly walked in.

Usually, only the teacher on duty would appear during Sunday evening self-study.

And today wasn’t Chen Xiaoya’s shift.

Lin Mo didn’t raise his head, but his spiritual senses had already detected Chen Xiaoya followed by disciplinary director Li Yan, another teacher, and two students.

The other teacher seemed to be the homeroom teacher of Class 15.

The two students were Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji.

Though the dark circles under their eyes had faded, they still looked utterly exhausted.

After the nightmares ended, they could finally sleep properly.

But in reality, they had only been released from juvenile detention the day before.

Their faces carried a mix of shame and resentment.

Due to pressure from their families and the school, they had to report back to campus the very next day after their release.

Not only that, they were also required to come to Class 8 and apologize to Lin Mo.

Neither of them wore a pleasant expression, but they had no choice—if they refused, Guangba Middle School had every right to expel them outright.

That was a consequence Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji couldn’t bear.

So they steeled themselves and followed along.

Director Li Yan wasted no time on pleasantries. As soon as he entered, he asked, "Which one of you is Lin Mo?"

The class had already guessed what was happening, and their eyes turned toward Lin Mo.

Under the collective gaze, Lin Mo stood up.

Though Lin Mo had famously overpowered a drill instructor, not all teachers recognized him.

"That would be me," Lin Mo said as he rose. Li Yan’s expression remained stern as he cleared his throat.

"Guangba Middle School prides itself on its upright ethos. Hiring outsiders to attack a fellow student is unacceptable behavior—let this be a lesson to all of you."

With that, he smacked the backs of Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji’s heads, clearly signaling for them to apologize in front of the entire class.

Zhou Ming clenched his jaw. Despite the reluctance burning inside him, he forced out the words.

"Lin Mo, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought outsiders to attack you. Please forgive me."

Once Zhou Ming finished, Wang Zhenji followed suit with a near-identical apology.

Lin Mo stroked his chin before responding.

"Detention must’ve been rough. Fifteen days is one thing, but imagine a year or two. If I’d been injured—or worse, permanently disabled—you wouldn’t have gotten off with just two weeks. Even as minors, you’d have faced at least two years behind bars."

He then turned to address the rest of the class.

"High school isn’t like the petty fights of middle school. This is the turning point of our lives. We should focus on our studies and strive for a brighter future."

Li Yan nodded approvingly. He admired students with such awareness, which was why he’d previously overlooked Fang Jun’s initial offense of bringing a card game to class.

Lin Mo’s gaze returned to Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji.

"This time, I can forgive you.

But if you don’t want your nightmares to become reality, remember this apology. Don’t repeat your mistakes—because next time, you might not get another chance."

The color drained from their faces at his words.

The mention of "nightmares becoming reality" struck a nerve, as if unlocking a hidden fear.

Zhou Ming lowered his head, sweat dripping from his forehead onto the floor.

Ever since the execution-ground nightmare ended, their sleep had returned to normal.

But neither had spoken about the horrors they’d dreamed of.

They knew no one would believe them—if anything, their families might force them to drink talisman water to "cleanse" them.

Now, hearing Lin Mo’s warning, they stole terrified glances at him.

The Lin Mo from their nightmares and the one standing before them began to overlap.

It really was him!

They bowed their heads again, this time in genuine dread.

Satisfied, Li Yan wrapped things up. "Let this serve as a warning to everyone. Stay out of trouble—understand?"

Though few responded, he paid no mind as he ushered the group out.

Chen Xiaoya scanned the room and said flatly, "Get back to your studies. Keep the noise down."

With that, she too left.

As Lin Mo sat back down, Lin Jiajun leaned over.

"See? A few days in juvie really straightens kids out."

His world-weary tone made Lin Mo chuckle.

"Fifteen days is just enough. Any longer, and they’d have turned into hardened delinquents.

But now that they’re out, they’re no longer our concern."

Lin Jiajun tapped the floor with his foot.

The fact that those two were still allowed in school was already a mercy from Guangba. By all rights, they should’ve been expelled—the school was giving them one last chance.

So Lin Jiajun wasn’t wrong.

Back in Class 15, Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji faced judgmental stares from their classmates.

Their homeroom teacher pointed at their shared desk.

"Wang Zhenji, swap seats with He Zhengting."

Separating the pair would minimize the risk of future incidents.

Wang Zhenji silently gathered his things without protest.

As for Zhou Ming, his mind lingered on Lin Mo’s words.

Was it a coincidence? Or a threat?

Too many questions, too much unease.

As for crossing Lin Mo again? Not even a hundred extra lives would make them dare.

From now on, they’d steer clear of him entirely.

When evening self-study ended, Class 15’s students ignored Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji.

The two were like lone boats adrift, clinging to each other for survival.

Once the room emptied, Wang Zhenji finally spoke up.

"I don’t know if you’ll believe this, but I think you should hear it."

"Yeah?" Zhou Ming had a hunch.

Wang Zhenji sat down.

"After what happened, I had nightmares every night. Horrible ones."

Zhou Ming cut in.

"A week ago, I dreamed of Lin Mo at an execution ground."

Wang Zhenji’s head snapped up, his face paler than ever.

"So... the nightmares..."

"Will come true, if we ever step out of line again."

The realization dawned on them, but they knew no one would believe such a story.

People would sooner believe they were the reincarnation of Qin Shi Huang.

Zhou Ming shook his head. "From today on, we watch our every word—especially around Lin Mo."

"I’d rather avoid him altogether," Wang Zhenji muttered, still shaken.

For the first time, they questioned the true nature of the world.

Meanwhile, the architect of their awakening was on his way home.

When Xie Yuling heard about Zhou Ming and Wang Zhenji being forced to apologize, she wasn’t surprised.

"Bet tomorrow’s assembly will include a public reprimand."