I stood at the school gate for a bit, but the first person I met wasn’t Qingli.
“Luo Xiaoyao? What a coincidence! Are you here to pick me up?”
A soft, sweet voice called out. Yejia Yin and a blonde senior walked over side by side, smiling as she asked.
“No… sorry. I’m waiting for someone else.”
Since Qingli had shared some info about Yejia Yin, I was on high alert. My reply came out stiff.
Yejia Yin didn’t look surprised by my sudden coldness. Keeping her composure, she simply waved:
“We’ll head in first. See you later.”
“Mm.”
After they walked away, I let out a subtle sigh of relief. Turning back, I spotted the person I’d been waiting for. The black-haired, golden-eyed girl approached gracefully, a small crossbody bag slung over her shoulder.
“Qingli, over here!”
But Qingli’s face held a trace of seriousness. She grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. “I have something to tell you.”
She led me to a quieter spot. “That girl you mentioned, Yejia Yin—I asked Elder Mink about her this afternoon.”
I perked up instantly, hanging on her every word.
“Yejia Yin controls the city’s underground forces.”
Huh? And then what? I stared blankly at Qingli, waiting for her to dramatically add “her daughter” or “her subordinate.” But she didn’t.
“Wait… hold on,” I snapped out of my daze, incredulous. “You mean her personally? The boss of our city?”
This was unbelievable. Sure, in China they say don’t judge a book by its cover—but this cover was way off. Yejia Yin looked like a sweet, cute girl next door. How could she possibly lead thugs in the hidden world?
Okay, I’ll admit it—I’d pictured that world like TV dramas. Burly men, suave or rugged, drinking and feasting, roaming the jianghu on loyalty alone. Fine, I’m exaggerating. But powerful figures should at least look the part, right?
Honestly, it’s hard to accept someone who seems softer than you is vastly stronger. It makes you feel weak. Don’t judge me—everyone’s like that.
Hoping against hope, I asked: “Is it her status? Like… a prominent family?”
Qingli shook her head gently. “No. Before her, the Yeh Family was just a minor clan. She built the city’s hidden world herself. Her strength? Definitely Great Lord level or higher.”
“Great Lord? What’s that?”
“Roughly one and a half levels above our strongest Yao here.”
This was my first time hearing Qingli discuss power levels. As the “supreme ruler” of the Yao Race, my potential couldn’t be small. Excited, I blurted: “What about me? How strong can I get?”
Qingli looked at me seriously. “Legend says Nine Tailed Foxes can reach Great Lord level. But only one ever did—a battle maniac. Others stall between Lord and Yao General.”
Her words weren’t encouraging, but I felt a thrill. As a guy, I should have a combat edge. Maybe I’d be the second… no, surpass her entirely. I wanted to ask more—what’s above Great Lord? How do power levels work? How do I harness my strength?—but Qingli tugged my sleeve.
“I’ll teach you slowly later. But not now.” She nodded toward the bustling crowd at the gate.
Right. The Surface World had enough to handle. I nodded and led her into school.
“By the way,” Qingli said beside me, “I looked up some info.” She pulled A4 papers from her bag. “City Highs Four and Seven, private schools Bo Cai and Xi Chen, provincial key Qing Yang—all have big campuses, good vibes, solid food, dorms, and teachers. They poach top students. For No.1 High, top fifty ranks can transfer. I checked Xiao Yao’s grades—he qualifies.”
“…”
I was speechless. Qingli had actually worked on my offhand complaints. Even her coming early today was because I’d whined about being tired yesterday. But I didn’t know how to respond. My feelings tangled.
I’d chosen No.1 High for complicated reasons. Transferring now meant huge fees. My dad would rage: “Why not pick another school from the start?”
I forced a bitter smile. “Thanks, Qingli. But… I have my own struggles. Later, okay?”
Qingli froze. Head lowered, she tucked the papers back into her bag. Her dejected look made my heart ache.
