Chapter 86.4

With that, he turned and walked away.

Xu Bailu returned, slightly exasperated, and said to the girl sitting on the hillside with her easel propped up,

“Wu Xue, that handsome little guy is shy—doesn’t want to be our model.”

Wu Xue chuckled. “I think it’s more like he just wasn’t impressed with us, hehe.”

Right now, only freshmen had arrived on campus. While military training was still ongoing, the campus shops were relatively quiet. Runsheng and Yin Meng used the lull to grab lunch.

Once military training ended, students would flood in like a tidal wave—there wouldn’t be time to eat, let alone rest.

Runsheng’s cooking was down-to-earth. Understandable, really—someone who often went hungry growing up, surviving on roasted sweet potatoes, could hardly be expected to master gourmet cuisine. As for Yin Meng’s cooking… well, that was more suited to the Underworld.

So both of them relied on the cafeteria for meals. Li Zhuiyuan came over every day at noon to eat with them.

Yin Meng said, “Hey Runsheng, before heading out for training this morning, Binbin said you and I can dodge bullets.”

“Dodge what now?” Runsheng looked puzzled. “Bullets?”

“Yeah, Binbin said that’s what Xiaoyuan bro told him.”

“I didn’t say we could dodge bullets,” said Li Zhuiyuan, walking into the shop. “I said climbing up the outer wall.”

Yin Meng brightened. “Xiaoyuan bro’s here! Let’s eat.”

Li Zhuiyuan sat down and started eating, casually sharing a brief version of what happened last night. Binbin had exaggerated a few details.

“Xiaoyuan bro, after we close shop tonight, Runsheng and I could take a walk around the school. Maybe we’ll bump into the killer and nab him.”

“No need,” said Li Zhuiyuan, sipping his soup. “Even if he really is the killer, he won’t be going back there anytime soon.”

Runsheng asked, “Between me and him, who would win in a fight?”

“In close quarters? Not many can beat you.”

Runsheng grinned and slurped his food with satisfaction.

“But he probably has more tricks up his sleeve,” Li Zhuiyuan added. “No rush, though. In a few days, you’ll both have instructors.”

Before the cafeteria got overrun by starving wolves post-training, they brought back food for Binbin.

Soon, Tan Wenbin returned. “Phew, it’s hot out there.”

“Tired?”

“Not really. This is nothing. A walk in the park.”

Tan Wenbin sat down and started eating.

“Oh right, Xiaoyuan bro—there are a few classmates in our class who are pretty interesting. Want me to introduce you?”

“What class are we in?”

“Class 1.”

“Got any obedient ones?”

“There’s this one guy who even brought me water today. Keeps calling me ‘bro’—real polite. Seems like the type who’d be handy for running errands.”

“Sure, introduce me.”

Lu Yi had been busy since school started, not very available.

After lunch, Binbin washed his face and sat at his desk to study his major textbooks.

Even though he was now officially part of Luo Gong’s project team—even just as an equipment hauler—he needed some basic professional knowledge. Can’t have someone who doesn’t understand blueprints slowing everyone down.

Li Zhuiyuan was reading the Sutra of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. Despite the noise outside, the dorm room was quiet and filled with a studious atmosphere.

But then came a loud bang from a nearby dorm room as the door was kicked open.

“Dorm inspection!”

“Open your eyes and look carefully! This is Minister Qian from the Student Council. Show some respect and fix your attitudes!”

“Come on, shout out his name! Haven’t eaten or something? Louder!”

Li Zhuiyuan kept reading as usual.

Tan Wenbin, not as unbothered by outside distractions, cursed, “What a bunch of damn posers.”

Many from the student council had come early, supposedly to assist freshmen—but really, it was just to enjoy their brief reign of power. By junior year, most students ignored them. Seniors couldn’t be bothered to give them a glance.

They stomped from room to room, kicking doors and barking orders. It wouldn’t be long before they reached theirs.

Tan Wenbin, fed up, walked over to a wooden stool and turned the bronze mirror atop it to face the door.

Normally, they only activated this dorm protection at night.

Bang!

“Open up! Inspection!”

Tan Wenbin shouted, “What the hell is wrong with you? Banging like a damn dog!”

“Who just yelled in there?!”

Click.

The door handle turned, and two guys stepped inside. One was skinny with a sharp face; the other had a big belly and a round face.

They’d heard Tan Wenbin’s earlier outburst and were ready to throw their weight around. But the moment they stepped inside, the two of them began spinning in place.

Round and round they twirled—like mismatched human tops, one fat, one thin.

Tan Wenbin didn’t stop the mirror. He let them spin.

Li Zhuiyuan kept reading.

Tan Wenbin didn’t invite Xiaoyuan bro to enjoy the show. He knew better. Anyone who attracted Xiaoyuan bro’s attention… usually met a very grim end.

These two were annoying, sure—but not worth a full-on “feast.”

When he got bored of watching, Tan Wenbin turned the mirror away and gently shoved the two intruders back out of the dorm.

The pair staggered down the hall like drunks, then thump!—collapsed to the floor, vomiting uncontrollably, their minds fogged over.

Most importantly, they had no memory of what happened after stepping through the door.

“Heh.” Tan Wenbin clapped his hands, satisfied, and returned to his studies.

As the lunch break ended, Tan Wenbin put on his cap and headed off for the afternoon training session.

Li Zhuiyuan took the afternoon to prepare his lessons—so he’d be ready to demonstrate them for Liu Yumei. After finishing one set, he prepared another lesson on The Qin Family’s Guide to Viewing Flood Dragons. He’d probably need it soon too.

Teaching others definitely took more time and effort than studying solo. By the time Li Zhuiyuan finished prepping both courses, it was nearly dusk.

Before the other students returned from training, he grabbed his washbasin and went to shower. Otherwise, the place would be packed later, and he’d have to queue for a faucet.

Soon after, training ended and the students came pouring back.

Outside, Tan Wenbin’s voice rang out: “Ah You, save me a spot—I’ll grab the basin!”

“Got it!”

It was typical of Tan Wenbin to make friends quickly in any class.

He came in to grab his stuff and said, “Hey, the shampoo won’t be enough for both of us.”

“There’s a new bottle in the duffel. Go on—I’ll bring it to you.”

“That’s too kind—thanks, Xiaoyuan bro.” Tan Wenbin pretended to act coy, then left with his basin and towel.

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the duffel, retrieved the shampoo, and carried it to the wash area.

The sinks were packed. Some students chose to eat first after training, but most preferred to wash off the stink first—no appetite otherwise. Plus, nighttime was the only real free time, so naturally, everyone wanted to freshen up.

Li Zhuiyuan spotted Tan Wenbin and gave him a pat on the back.

Tan Wenbin turned and accepted the shampoo. Then he threw an arm around a tall, skinny guy beside him, signaling for him to turn around.

“Xiaoyuan bro, let me introduce you—this is Lin Shuyou. He’s assigned to Lu Yi’s dorm.

Come on, Ah You, this is my Xiaoyuan bro. No kidding—call him big bro.”

Lin Shuyou, tall and gangly, looked a little shy. He was rubbing soap on himself, but when instructed, he promptly put his hands down and gave a respectful shout:

“Good day, Big Bro.”

“You two take your time. I’m heading back.”

Back in the dorm, Li Zhuiyuan flipped the mirror, then lifted a shoebox and took out a pair of women’s high heels.

It was him.

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