I Got My Cheat Skill by Acting My Way into a Horror Protagonist Role Chapter 102

That was an elderly woman, her face covered in pockmarks, her skin wrinkled like dry tree bark, leaning on a walking stick.

Her eyes were deeply sunken, her back severely hunched, yet her voice was incredibly loud, carrying a thoroughly lecturing tone.

The newcomer seemed to be in an extremely bad mood, faintly carrying anger.

Her murky small eyes held malice, like poison-dipped daggers.

The moment she entered, she started chattering nonstop, completely ignoring the [Writer] and Teacher Xu beside her. "Usually you're so reluctant when asked to handle chores, and now you have no manners even while eating! How will you ever be fit to sit at a proper table in the future!?"

Behind the bloated, short old woman was a small figure—a boy who looked about eight or nine years old.

The boy might actually be slightly older, but malnutrition made him appear even thinner and smaller. The clothes he wore didn't fit him at all, with the hem hanging down too long.

The black fragmented hair in front of his forehead was somewhat overgrown, untrimmed for a long time, covering the boy's eyebrows and eyes. This was an unfamiliar face.

"Damn brat..." The old woman turned to look at the boy, then viciously cursed under her breath before pushing him. "Alright, go eat! If you starve, the teacher will be heartbroken—"

The boy remained silent and obedient, only pausing for a moment as he passed the [Writer]. His lowered eyes, concealed by his fragmented hair, glanced almost imperceptibly at the black-haired young man.

Xiao Gui'an immediately became alert.

[Huh? System, system, did that boy just look at me?]

[...] The Proxy System didn't respond.

The thin, weak boy passed by them, went to the other side, served himself a plate of disgusting, mushy food, then casually found a spot to sit down.

"Looking, looking, always looking? What's so interesting to see? No talking during meals, no speaking while resting—discipline needs to be cultivated bit by bit!"

"Those of you who haven't completed your tasks today, step forward now!"

Several orphans of varying ages stood up. Their eyes flickered with fear, their bodies trembling slightly as they stepped forward one after another, lining up in front of the cafeteria.

It was impossible to tell how many were real players and how many were ghost NPCs.

"So many again? Truly disappointing!"

Scolding didn't seem to be enough to satisfy her. The old woman raised her walking stick, apparently intending to resort to physical punishment.

But with the [Writer] present, naturally he couldn't let her hit them.

A somewhat imposing, tall figure approached, dark shadows enveloping the old woman, causing her actions to halt.

"Hitting children really shouldn't be done—" The [Writer] blocked the orphans, his tone light but carrying an undeniable authority.

"And who might this be? You look unfamiliar?" the old woman asked in a shrill voice, exuding heavy vulgarity, her eyes flashing with cunning and sinister intent.

"I'm the new teacher for the evening shift. From now on, I'll be teaching the children in this institution."

"Oh, is that so? You youngsters simply don't understand—spare the rod, spoil the child. I'm disciplining them today for their own good, so they can find good families in the future. Now move aside!"

The old woman didn't seem to care much about the [Writer]'s presence. She just stubbornly maintained her attitude, like an inflexible old fossil.

The [Writer] wore a gentle smile but still didn't move aside.

The old woman frowned deeply. "You don't understand seniority at all! Where's Teacher Tang? Why isn't he coming in to say something!"

She felt the [Writer]' smile was proper enough, flawless even, but it radiated an air of hypocrisy.

Perhaps because he was mentioned, the B-level ghost hiding outside accidentally leaked a trace of his presence.

The [Writer] immediately narrowed his eyes and issued an invitation. "Since Teacher Tang is here too, why stay outside in the wind? Why not come in and we can discuss these children's punishment matters together—"

"Teacher Tang, you clearly heard everything, right? What are you still doing out there? Why aren't you speaking up for me!"

The old woman obviously didn't understand the situation or what the B-level ghost had recently experienced. Her words carried some confusion; she just wanted the entity hiding outside to show up quickly.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the tall, thin man could only reluctantly enter. His energy seemed depleted as he shuffled in slowly.

When he looked up and saw the [Writer]' innocent, gentle smile, his body trembled slightly. The wooden beads hung obediently on his wrist, no longer being manipulated.

That was a terrifying monster, a dreadful thing disguising itself with smiles!

"When children make mistakes or fail to complete tasks, we should guide them patiently and persuade them with reason—that's the true way to teach children..."

"What do you think? Teacher Xu, Teacher Tang?—"

When mentioning 'Teacher Tang,' the [Writer]' tone rose slightly, his face wearing a gentle, jade-like smile, as if merely asking a friendly question.

But to the B-level ghost, it was a smile hiding a dagger, heavily implying the threat: 'If you don't stand on my side, I'll finish you.'

Teacher Xu didn't answer. Her face was tense, her gaze seemingly vacant. Her thin, pale face showed no expression, as if unwilling to get involved.

The tall, thin man didn't dare direct his anger at the [Writer], so he turned his frustration toward the old woman. "Always nagging, what's the point? He's a new teacher, it's not easy for him to come here! Don't keep flaunting your seniority all the time!"

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, the old woman—much more skilled at reading situations than the tall, thin man—said resentfully, "Hmph, since you want to handle it, take them back to your room tonight then. I won't argue with you."

"I've seen plenty of your type—all smooth talkers, full of tricks..."

*Clatter—*

A clear sound interrupted the old woman's words.

"Sorry, my apologies, I didn't mean to spill the food..."

The thin, small boy looked flustered and at a loss, staring anxiously at the food he had spilled on the ground, his lips pressed tightly together.

When the old woman saw this, she immediately showed an expression of triumphant satisfaction.

She had finally caught an opportunity! She put her hands on her hips and pointed at the thin boy. "Wasting food? Is this how you were taught? Go join the punishment line!..."

"You can't use today's red flower to offset this!!"

"Alright..." The thin boy responded meekly and also walked over to the line of orphans. Then he looked up again, just meeting the [Writer]'s gaze directly before immediately looking away.

He appeared timid and scared.

Although black fragmented hair covered his eyes, Xiao Gui'an saw clearly this time—the boy's eyes were deep and profound, containing not a trace of fear.

As for the old woman beside him, who looked somewhat sinister and pleased with herself, she was clearly the one being manipulated and played.

Xiao Gui'an: ...

Well, he probably knew who this was.