The blade hovered a mere 0.01 centimeters from Cheng Yu’s index finger. Yet in a quarter of an incense stick’s time, its owner would believe him completely—he’d decided to tell a lie. He’d spun countless lies before, but this one? He considered it perfect.
“…Senior Shenyufu, here’s what happened…”
“You’re nervous?”
Shenyufu’s icy voice cut him off. Cheng Yu realized his forehead felt clammy, slick with a sheen of fine beads.
“If I were you,” she continued, “I’d be smart. Tell the truth. No tricks. Because even I don’t know…” Her grip tightened almost imperceptibly. “…what I might do if I discover you’re hiding something that harms your case. To make you spit out every truth.”
Her right hand still held the folding knife’s handle. Her left calmly shifted on Cheng Yu’s wrist, resting lightly over his pulse, reading his heartbeat.
*Just as I thought.*
No manic grin. No machete in hand. But those cold, ruthless eyes—identical to the ones seared into his memory. Cheng Yu didn’t doubt her words for a second. A phantom pain prickled along his spine.
*If she catches me lying… this madwoman might really kill me again.*
“Senior Shenyufu,” he forced a shaky laugh, “anyone would be nervous with a knife suddenly at their throat.”
“True…” Her gaze sharpened. “But why so composed? Most people would’ve jumped out of their chair if someone pulled a blade on them. You don’t seem… surprised I’d do this?”
*Damn it. Her attention to detail is terrifying.*
Cheng Yu saw her eyes narrow slightly. His racing pulse had given him away. He willed himself calm, sighed heavily, and let his expression soften with distant memory.
“It’s not about surprise… Lately, things like this keep happening. I’m getting used to it.” His body trembled uncontrollably, haunted. “That day at the bar… I was drunk, stumbled, and knocked over drinks on Tiger Cub’s table. He pulled a knife then too—threatened to chop off my fingers one by one if I didn’t kowtow and apologize. I was terrified. Luckily, a classmate surnamed Zhao stepped in, taught them a lesson… It ended there.” He swallowed hard. “Last night, walking with Suzhan Yue, we ran into Tiger Cub again. Vengeful bastard. Saw just the two of us, came at me with a knife. We ran. He chased us. That’s when you… intervened.” Cheng Yu exhaled slowly, a show of relief. “Honestly? I only have a grudge against him. Nothing else. Suzhan Yue called the police in time. Tiger Cub was arrested. Otherwise…” He trailed off, deliberately avoiding her eyes. *Don’t glance. Don’t flicker. Stare straight ahead.* His lie blended truth with omission—swapping roles, erasing his own involvement. To Shenyufu, he’d be just another victim. *Who cares if the truth surfaces later? I’ll be long gone after graduation.*
“Have you heard of the Azure Blade Society?” Shenyufu asked suddenly.
Cheng Yu froze. Her fingers tightened on his wrist. *She noticed.* “Yeah… Tiger Cub and his boss, Blade Brother, mentioned it once. I remembered.”
“Then…” Shenyufu drew a sharp breath, her voice trembling. “Do you know who Yexuan is?”
*Yexuan…*
The name tugged at his mind. He shook his head blankly. “No… I don’t—”
*Wait.*
The office scene that morning exploded in his memory—Teacher Xizhu and Jiangyx Jiang’s voices:
*[The empty bed… Ah, yes. Originally reserved for Yexuan?]*
*Holy shit!*
His heart hammered against his ribs. Mercifully, Shenyufu released his wrist. Disappointment etched her face. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“She’s my sister.
“Xuanxuan… was trafficked by the Azure Blade Society.”
Another detonation in Cheng Yu’s mind. He caught the nickname—*Xuanxuan*—and flashed back to his second life’s final moments, the words echoing as the machete fell:
*[Xuanxuan… Sister may not have found you. But I’ll avenge you. Those bastards who took you—]*
*[Every last one of them will pay!]*
Like the final puzzle piece clicking into place, the truth unfolded before him. Relief warred with dread. Shenyufu and Jiangyx Jiang seemed unconnected; he’d barely known Yexuan. He hadn’t made the link fast enough.
*What if I’d asked about Yexuan earlier? Before the system warned me?*
He couldn’t imagine his own reaction. Or hers.
Cold sweat flooded his back, soaking his shirt.
