"Yufu, your... boyfriend is waiting for you outside."

A female classmate’s call in the classroom startled everyone into a chorus of surprised murmurs.

Shenyufu frowned slightly, glancing toward the door. Who dared to seek her out like this?

Instead, she saw a grinning face waving cheekily at her.

"Yufu, Fufu! Didn’t we promise to chug Chabaidao’s new drink? It’s so yummy it makes you squeal with joy! Why didn’t you find me?"

"Oh ho ho!"

Catcalls erupted across the room.

"Hiss... So Yufu likes this puppy-boy type? He’s kinda handsome, but why’s his vibe so weird?"

"Ah, she’s so dominant—maybe only a guy like this gives her a thrill..."

*Bang!*

The laughter died instantly. Everyone watched Shenyufu stand up under their stares. She strode straight to the door.

Grabbing the boy’s collar, she half-dragged him to a deserted stairwell. *Slam!* She threw him against the wall.

Before he could react, Shenyufu *smacked* her palm beside his head, trapping him with her arm. Her eyes burned with fury. Her voice stayed icy.

"What do you want."

"Nothing much. Just reporting my findings." Cheng Yu shrugged, feigning hurt. "You didn’t leave a contact yesterday. I had to ask around for your classroom. Took forever to find you—and you’re this harsh?"

He hadn’t finished when Shenyufu’s fist swung at his face. Cheng Yu ducked just in time.

"Tsk tsk tsk. So fierce? What if you kill me? Who’ll find your sister then?"

His words cooled her slightly. But seeing his totally different act from yesterday, she frowned, pondering.

"...Yesterday, you feared me. Today, you’re provoking me on purpose."

Shenyufu stared coldly. "You’re not just here for intel. You came to vent."

"...None of your business."

Cheng Yu’s grin vanished instantly. Shenyufu gave a soft snort—she’d guessed right. Her irritation eased.

She was correct. Cheng Yu’s mood was awful.

Last night, Wang Jing had slept early, fearing Cheng Yu’s wrath. Cheng Yu lay silent in bed. But closing his eyes, he saw only Jiangyx Jiang’s tearful, sorrowful face. Restlessness kept him awake.

He tossed all night, waking early. No morning classes, but he sought Shenyufu first—to vent—before his afternoon lectures.

Now exposed, Cheng Yu dropped the act. Straight to the point:

"Why’s the Azure Blade Society I know different from yours?"

"What’d you learn? A charity helping poor elders and kids daily?"

"...So you know."

"Basic intel. Why wouldn’t I?" Shenyufu snorted, arms crossed against the railing. "Listen. Police can’t touch them because they hide deep. Surface-level, they pose as a charity—building a ‘good’ rep."

"Plus, thugs collect protection money under their banner. They’re idle scumbags, but the Society keeps them from wrecking order."

"Inside? A small faction traffics humans. That’s why I think Xuanxuan’s in their hands."

"Police hear rumors from thugs, but lack proof. That’s why convictions fail."

"So I need you inside—to dig up intel."

"They’re not idiots," Cheng Yu rolled his eyes. "If they trusted outsiders easily, they’d have collapsed years ago."

Shenyufu stayed calm. "Your problem. I just need Xuanxuan’s whereabouts."

"You’re calmly debating the Society—not raging about investigating a ‘charity’. Deep down, you know they’re not clean."

"...Tch." Cheng Yu clicked his tongue, speechless.

He didn’t believe the Azure Blade Society was charitable. Especially not Blade Brother.

Reborn a hundred times, Cheng Yu had learned hard lessons. He trusted only what he’d seen and lived.

Remembering Blade Brother’s machete and pain, he’d never believe the man was pure.

He snorted, shifting topics.

"One more question."

"Do you know the Yellow Scarves Gang?"