Chapter 12: Strange Neighbors

“？？？”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

This was also the origin of the rumor about Sun Xiaohui defying all the school staff.

She never needed to study, but all the teachers just turned a blind eye to her. Even if she blatantly played on her phone and slacked off during class, no one dared to say a word.

But what if other students dared to slack off? All that awaited them was the homeroom teacher’s passive-aggressive sarcasm, and the Disciplinary Director’s fury.

Then the school would notify your parents, and you’d be greeted by your father’s belt and your mother’s clothes hanger—a mixed double attack waiting for you.

After that whole combo, which student would dare to complain?

But most of the time, Sun Xiaohui just sat motionless in school, spacing out with her little hands flat on the desk and her eyes closed, pretending to be deep in thought.

In reality, her mind was just wondering how to start a conversation with someone. But most of the time, before she could figure it out, school was already over.

So when everyone saw Sun Xiaohui actually working hard to take notes? It made them incredibly curious.

She definitely wasn’t learning anything the school was teaching, so was she studying the Demon Investigation Bureau’s Forbidden Knowledge?

But curiosity killed the cat. The students understood this, so they all consciously put away their curiosity.

Even though everyone knew Sun Xiaohui was an Ability User, and that she was already set to become a genius Agent for the Demon Investigation Bureau, none of the students actually knew what kind of Ability User she was.

As long as Sun Xiaohui’s ability remained mysterious and unrevealed, her powers would be limitless in the imaginations of her classmates.

But if Xu Bei were here, he could deduce the following by reverse reasoning.

Even if Sun Xiaohui was a superhuman, she definitely didn’t have some kind of uncontrollable, mass-destruction ability.

Otherwise, how could she still attend a normal school? She would have been taken to some secret facility for research a long time ago.

And so, Sun Xiaohui spent the whole morning playing on her phone in class, gathering a lot of useful information about livestreaming and games.

But her expression was a mix of joy and sorrow, because she really did find a good way to help Brother Xu.

The problem was, it required money. She’d need money to buy new streaming equipment—everything needed money.

When the lunch bell rang, Sun Xiaohui was ready to go home, then head to the convenience store for her part-time job.

“Sun, the art teacher asked me to tell you to go see him. I don’t want to bother you either, but the teacher has pressed me so many times. He said you really need to report to the art room.”

Just as she stood up, a literature-loving girl with round glasses came over, her voice trembling slightly and sounding rather timid.

She was the Class Monitor of Year 2, Class 9, and the only classmate who could manage to say a few words to Sun Xiaohui.

But judging by the Class Monitor’s tone, it was clear she only came to talk to Sun Xiaohui because she felt obligated, not because she was her friend.

Sun Xiaohui was delighted inside—finally, someone was talking to her.

But her face didn’t show it at all. Her expression remained cold, naturally intimidating.

Sun Xiaohui stayed silent, unable to get a word out from nervousness.

She didn’t dare look at the Class Monitor’s face either, pretending to look at the scenery. After a long while, she finally squeezed out a few words: “Got it.”

“Thank you. Goodbye.” The Class Monitor got her answer, turned on her heel, and ran off, shaking in fear.

Sun Xiaohui probably didn’t realize that her unwillingness to make eye contact was seen by the other students as absolute arrogance.

She took out her phone and sent a message to the man at home: (Brother Xu, I have something to do at noon, so I won’t make it back for lunch. You eat both bentos, okay? You can borrow the neighbor’s microwave to heat them up.)

By tomorrow, a brand new Rumor Legend about the Rebellious Flower would be spreading.

On the other side, Xu Bei slept in until noon.

He woke up with his hair as messy as his Game Account avatar, except in real life it just looked ugly.

The first thing he did was check his phone and saw Sun Xiaohui’s message, to which he immediately replied: OK.

Xu Bei went to brush his teeth and wash his face, but didn’t bother fixing his dog-bitten hairstyle.

Because that represented how the once Money Worshipper Elegant Bartender had now fallen completely.

Though he was still a Money Worshipper, he was about to run out of money for food.

Xu Bei opened the tiny fridge, took out two half-price bentos, and got ready to borrow the neighbor’s microwave.

Usually, it was Sun Xiaohui who went over to heat up food. He hadn’t even met this Hot Neighbor yet.

“Hello, I’m the new guy next door.” Xu Bei knocked on the door of the apartment next to his.

The door opened quickly.

A truly unusual person appeared before Xu Bei.

It was a woman in a green military uniform, wearing a camouflage cap and a black mask. Her hair was pale and colorless, and the only thing exposed on her whole body was a pair of sharp, wolf-like eyes.

Seeing her gaze, Xu Bei couldn’t help but put away his playful expression.

He’d only ever seen eyes like that on the Gang Deathsworn of Meteor Street—a bunch of foolish loyal dogs who fought not for money or power, but for loyalty and honor.

“Hello, I’m Xiaohui’s boyfriend. I’d like to borrow your microwave,” Xu Bei said.

“Xiaohui mentioned you. Come in.” The woman in military uniform didn’t question him much, just let this strange man into her apartment.

Once inside, Xu Bei was stunned.

Now he understood why this woman was so bold about letting a man in.

Because apart from a simple cot and a microwave, her room was covered in firearms on the walls—practically an armory.

At the head of her bed were several special knives: a Golden Nepali Kukri, a Claw Knife, and two limited-edition Butterfly Knives.

“They’re all Toy Models,” the white-haired woman explained.

“Oh~ uh?” Xu Bei was very concerned inside, but on the surface pretended not to care.

He hurried to heat up the food, minding his own business.

The white-haired woman sat on the bed, playing with her Butterfly Knife. Suddenly, her aura turned icy as she asked, “Are you from Meteor Street?”

Xu Bei instantly tensed up, his nerves on high alert, ready to counterattack at any time. He answered, “Yeah. But I don’t know who you are, and I’m not here to look for you.”

“I was just asking casually, you don’t need to worry. I washed my hands of it long ago—retired safely, changed my name, disappeared. No one knows who I used to be. My sins have long since faded away with the wind.” The white-haired woman’s tone was calm.

“……” Xu Bei stayed silent.

But inside, he was constantly complaining: So much nonsense!

This woman was obviously not normal—probably some kind of Retired Killer from a violent organization.

That was rare. Usually, a killer’s fate was to be dealt with by the organization. Not many could retire and live in hiding.

She was probably so bored from hiding for so long that her mind had gone numb, so when she met someone from the same world, she just couldn’t stop talking.

Although Xu Bei could simulate her train of thought, he didn’t want to listen!

He didn’t want anything to do with killers! If you’re going to live in hiding, just do it quietly! Why go around telling your secrets to strangers? That’s so amateur!