"Xiao Ci... What a coincidence. Seeing you again so soon?"

Yueci Porcelain looked at the newcomer in surprise. The newcomer stared back, equally astonished.

She had parted ways with Shanwu Lingsheng just hours ago. Yet here they were, meeting again.

Seeing Yueci, Shanwu Lingsheng was briefly surprised. But she quickly composed herself. She smiled and nodded.

"I'm just wandering around..."

Yueci spoke up, trying to ease the awkward silence.

"Hmm, I'm also just looking around nearby. After all, I just started teaching at Lait. I'm not very familiar here."

"I stopped by the restroom while passing through."

As she spoke, Shanwu Lingsheng smiled at Yueci. Her words noticeably warmed the atmosphere.

"Since we've met again, shall we walk together?"

"It's getting late. Let me walk you back?"

Hearing this, Yueci felt a bit embarrassed.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

She was living with Nishikino An now. Being late wasn't a big deal. She could just explain to An.

If Shanwu Lingsheng had other plans, it would be rude to trouble her.

"No problem. I have nothing else tonight."

"Besides, protecting student safety is part of a teacher's duty..."

Shanwu Lingsheng smiled warmly. Her gentle smile instantly swayed Yueci's heart.

Since Shanwu Lingsheng had said that, Yueci had no reason to refuse.

The sun had completely set. The sky was half-dark.

This remote park had no staff to turn on streetlights.

Yueci followed Shanwu Lingsheng to the roadside.

She looked around. The streets had few vehicles, let alone pedestrians.

Everyone was probably home having dinner.

How did Shanwu Lingsheng get here? Didn't she drive?

"This way."

Shanwu Lingsheng's gentle voice came from ahead. Yueci walked up.

Parked there wasn't a car, but a sleek black motorcycle.

Huh?

Yueci looked at the motorcycle, then at Shanwu Lingsheng in surprise.

She had thought someone with Shanwu's gentle personality would drive a small car. A motorcycle?

She had judged by appearance.

Judging by looks often leads to traps.

Yueci frowned, pinching the bridge of her nose. She admonished herself.

She mustn't make such mistakes again. Who knows when she might be deceived beyond recognition...

Her gaze shifted to Shanwu's black leather outfit. No wonder it looked familiar. It was a motorcycle suit.

Shanwu Lingsheng straddled the bike. She put on her helmet. Then she pulled out another helmet from under the seat.

"Climb on."

Her voice sounded muffled through the helmet.

Yueci nodded. She took the helmet, put it on, and straddled behind her.

"Where's your home?"

Shanwu's muffled voice came from ahead, accompanied by the engine's humming start.

Yueci gave Nishikino An's villa address.

Shanwu's body visibly stiffened. But she quickly adjusted. The bike slowly started moving...

"I know some small roads with no speed limits."

"It might be a bit fast."

"Hold on tight."

Hearing this, Yueci obediently wrapped her arms around Shanwu's waist.

She knew about motorcycles.

Admittedly, Shanwu's waist was slender. But through the clothes, Yueci felt some muscle tone.

She pressed her helmeted head against Shanwu's back. Their posture was intimate.

Shanwu floored the throttle. The bike shot forward like an arrow.

Yueci hadn't processed it. She was flung forward.

Her body was on the bike, her soul chasing behind.

The fierce wind scraped against her helmet with a harsh screech. Yueci couldn't see the streets clearly. Only streaks of light blurred past.

Without the helmet, she couldn't even open her eyes, let alone breathe.

This speed rivaled the sports car she rode with Nishikino An that afternoon.

Ahead was a turn.

Yueci thought with relief...

Now she should slow down...

But Shanwu Lingsheng leaned her body.

The bike tilted at a forty-degree angle to the ground.

Next came five or six more turns.

Finally, Shanwu slammed the brakes. The bike stopped perfectly at the villa gate.

"Xiao Ci, we're here. You can get off."

"Xiao Ci?"

The bike had been stopped for a minute or two. But Yueci still clung to Shanwu's waist, not letting go.

Shanwu turned and gently patted Yueci's shoulder.

Yueci snapped out of it.

"Sorry..."

She released her hands, took off her helmet. She climbed off slowly.

*Thud...*

Her legs gave way. She knelt on the ground.

The pebbles seemed to spin around her.

If her stomach hadn't been empty, she might have vomited...

What a day of torture?

First Nishikino An, now Shanwu Lingsheng...

She probably wouldn't want to ride in any vehicle for a while.

Shanwu Lingsheng took off her helmet. Her long black hair, tied up, swung in the air.

"I might drive a bit fast."

"Rest for a while, Xiao Ci."

Yueci nodded. Soon she could stand up, though her face was pale.

"Thank you, teacher..."

Shanwu nodded. She put her helmet back on. The reflection hid her expression.

The streetlight shone on her, making her look a bit lonely.

"You should go inside now."

Yueci nodded. She took out her keys and opened the villa gate.

Was it her imagination? Shanwu Lingsheng seemed a bit distant.

After watching Yueci enter, Shanwu Lingsheng's hand on the handlebars moved. Her index finger tapped lightly, as if thinking.

Then, she floored the throttle. The bike sped away.

It was already late, but the villa was dark. Yueci turned on the lights. She looked around the empty villa, puzzled.

Was Nishikino An not back yet?

*Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding—*

Suddenly, a jarring ringtone echoed through the villa.

Yueci went to answer the phone.

"Nishikino residence."

"It's me, Nishikino."

Yueci raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I have some work left today. I probably won't be back."

"You don't need to wait for me."

Yueci hadn't expected her to call specifically.

She remembered when she met Hiru Kawakami, Nishikino An seemed unhappy. But now, her tone sounded good?

On the other end, a faint dripping sound could be heard.

Was she in the office?

Nishikino An then asked about Yueci's date with Hiru Kawakami. Yueci didn't hide anything. She answered truthfully.

"Hmm, did you come back by yourself?"

"No, I met a teacher from my class on the way. She gave me a ride back."

After this, the other end grew noticeably cautious. Nishikino An's voice turned deeper.

"Oh? A teacher from Lait? Did you ride in her car?"

Yueci thought it wasn't something to hide. She honestly told her.

"Yeah, but it was a motorcycle."

"A teacher with the surname Shanwu. She's very nice."

After these words, there was a long pause.

"..."

"I still have work to handle. I'll hang up first."

Then, the phone went dead with a busy tone...

Yueci looked at the phone puzzled. She put it back on the cradle, confused.

She half-heartedly did her school homework. Then she watched some TV. Soon it was late night.

Yueci lay in bed, staring at the dark ceiling...

*Drip...*

*Drip...*

In her drowsiness, she hallucinated the dripping sound from the phone call...

She drifted off to sleep vaguely...

*Drip...*

*Drip...*

"Finally willing to talk?"

Nishikino An sat in an office chair, legs crossed. She looked at the bloodied man strapped to the interrogation chair. She smiled cruelly.

"Too bad. It's too late."

"Your boss, Nakamura Haruhiko, has already spilled everything..."

"Five hours ago, we surrounded the Qinglong Group."

"Half a warehouse of drugs. Seems there are rats in the police too..."

Hearing this, the bloodied man went wild. He struggled desperately, but in vain.

He rasped, trying to say something. But he couldn't form a complete sentence.

"You ask why interrogate you, the second-in-command, since Nakamura Haruhiko has confessed?"

A cruel light flashed in Nishikino An's eyes. The scar on her right eye made her look even more terrifying.

She curled a malicious smile.

"Simply because I'm in a bad mood."