"Could you... tell me about your family situation?"

"Mm."

Chi Yuzhou lowered his head, paused slightly, then continued:

"Half a year ago, my parents went missing. My memory got fuzzy too. Now I live alone."

"Amnesia?"

"Mm."

Guanmingxue was surprised.

She’d known about Chi Yuzhou’s parents from his file—but the amnesia caught her off guard.

"After the amnesia... I met a kind person who gave me a job. I work at his shop to get by."

"So how much memory have you recovered?"

Chi Yuzhou shook his head.

Guanmingxue stayed silent, her pen barely moving.

She’d never handled a case like this.

Chi Yuzhou transferring here after amnesia—probably that kind person’s doing.

Studying was always best for kids his age.

But... that wasn’t what Guanmingxue wanted to hear.

She cared more about that white-haired little boy’s name.

And where was Chi Yuzhou’s brother now?

Not at that kind person’s place, right?

What if the "help" was just an excuse to harm the kid?

She’d have to step in to save him.

Chi Yuzhou chose his words carefully, matching what he’d told the Heng family.

But Guanmingxue’s voice turned urgent:

"So where’s your brother now?"

"At... his own home."

Since she’d brought up the non-existent brother, Chi Yuzhou kept spinning the tale:

"I met that kid by chance. He got lost and thought I was his brother. I took him home to keep him safe. But my job forced me to leave him alone later."

He added quickly:

"He said he’d visit on rest days. But I’m usually working then too..."

Strands of hair hid Chi Yuzhou’s face.

Guanmingxue couldn’t see his expression—only his calm, almost cold tone suggested he wasn’t lying.

Seeing her doubt fade, Chi Yuzhou sighed inwardly.

This home visit was brutal.

Good thing his lying skills had improved.

He’d escaped that way; poor talkers would still be getting beaten.

Now, that "kid" could show up anytime.

If he got hungry, crashing at the neighbor’s for snacks was fine.

Totally reasonable "coincidences."

Guanmingxue jotted something down, then looked up:

"What’s your job?"

"Waiter."

"Working hours?"

"Start time varies. End time... from now on, it’ll be around this hour."

"I see."

After routine questions, she said seriously:

"Alright, I’ve got the situation. Last thing—your grades."

"......"

"Your science scores... linked to the amnesia?"

"Some classmates are tutoring me. They said big grade jumps earn a bonus. I’m working for it."

"Mm, the school does offer that."

Guanmingxue noted his stillness—no fidgeting—and approved silently:

"If trouble comes up, tell a teacher. I’ll help with the bonus too."

"Thanks, teacher."

"Visit’s over. Rest well."

Chi Yuzhou saw her to the door.

Alone, he flopped onto his bed and stretched with smug satisfaction.

Just a home visit? Piece of cake.

Guanmingxue only got basics anyway.

Bartender was technically a waiter, right?

Calling it "bartender" would’ve sparked more questions.

And she’d stop feeding him now—since that "brother" wasn’t real.

No problem. He’d visit when hungry.

Chi Yuzhou brushed his hair back, placing the lunch box and buns on the small table.

The food still held warmth, flavors intact.

Gotta admit—her cooking wasn’t bad.

Wonder who cooked better: Hua Fu or Guanmingxue?

Full and washed up, he lay content on his tiny bed.

......

Two lazy days drifted by. Friday arrived.

Sunny skies. Friday lunch breaks buzzed with extra energy.

No one in the hallway noticed the gloomy student passing by.

With fewer work hours, Chi Yuzhou slept less in class—visible only to Hua Qi, Hua Fu, and Xiao Yingwan’s occasional glances.

He even wandered the halls now.

He’d been here ages but barely explored beyond classrooms.

After early tutoring with Xiao Yingwan, Chi Yuzhou strolled back to class.

Chatter filled the air.

A boy and girl stood by the corridor. The girl giggled:

"Pfft, still searching? You really think a white-haired hottie’s hiding here?"

"Why not? I saw him!"

"But our school has no white-haired students. Hallucinating?"

"No! After we split in the woods that day, I saw him—wearing our uniform!"

"Even if true, hair color doesn’t just change."

"I saw him! Let’s look."

Chi Yuzhou ducked his head slightly.

Crap... someone had spotted his Snow Clan form after all.

If it’d been a girl who saw him, he might never have known.

If the wrong person heard this hair-color talk... it wouldn’t be just gossip about a cute guy.

Humans barely knew Rare Breed transformations, right?

Chi Yuzhou walked on. Guanmingxue passed by, lost in thought.

They brushed shoulders—no words, no glances.

Just as Chi Yuzhou neared his classroom, two boys blocked his path.