With no casualties and almost all the invading enemies eliminated—only a few surviving, and even they were captured as prisoners—the operation was a resounding success from every perspective.
The four fifth-year students were crushed. They had hoped today’s mission would go awry, proving that the Special Task Group couldn’t function without them, and embarrassing Xu Chuyao.
But the outcome made one thing painfully clear: without them, it was simply… without them.
Nothing else changed.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate us?” Xu Chuyao blinked innocently and sweetly. “Don’t tell me our safe return is making you… unhappy?”
Hearing this, the four of them quickly forced smiles onto their bitter faces:
“No, of course not, I’m definitely happy for you.”
“We’re all classmates, of course I hoped everyone would return safe and sound.”
“I’m just not good with words, but I’ve already congratulated you in my heart.”
“Congratulations!”
After saying that, they awkwardly found excuses to leave.
The male teacher hesitated but ended up following them.
Yu Jing looked around at the scene and first addressed the students crowding around to watch:
“All of you should get going. There’ll be a roll call in the classroom soon, and anyone missing will get a violation mark.”
The dozen students who came back on the bus quickly scattered.
“You two as well—Shen Ning, Yu Yuwei—escort them back. Head toward the old school building. Someone will meet you along the way. Xu Chuyao, you come with me.”
As the central command figure of the Special Task Group, Xu Chuyao had to report to the upper administration after the operation.
On the way to the office building, Yu Jing checked in with her student.
“How did the mission feel today?”
“Piece of cake. Just a bunch of weaklings.” Xu Chuyao scoffed. “They even thought I was weak and tried to catch me. Hilarious.”
…That’s bold.
Yu Jing wanted to advise caution and humility, but after seeing today’s results, she decided there wasn’t much point. The outcome spoke for itself.
Could she really be a genius?
“What about those fifth-year students? What are you planning to do with them?”
As the leader of the group, it was natural to be firm at the start to deal with bias and internal conflict. But things couldn’t stay like that forever.
Xu Chuyao shook her head. “No need to do anything. The situation’s clear enough now. They’re not kids anymore—they’ll know what to do.”
Yu Jing paused, unsure what to say.
Logically, that made sense… but aren’t you two years younger than them? This sounds a bit off.
Just then, Xu Chuyao suddenly stopped.
[Villain Value +50]
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just a little tired. Taking a quick break.”
“You’ve worked hard. Just finished a mission and now you have to report.” Yu Jing comforted her. “You’ve more than completed your task today. The report is just a formality. No classes today—go rest afterward.”
Xu Chuyao absentmindedly murmured in agreement.
Of course, she didn’t stop because she was tired—it was the notification in her head that got her attention.
Strange. She wasn’t even in front of Shen Ning, so why was she getting angry?
[Villain Value +50]
[Villain Value +50]
[Villain Value +50]
Why was it increasing? What was going on?
———
A few minutes earlier, on the road to the old school building, the group was marching in orderly formation—Shen Ning walking ahead carrying several large shopping bags, Yu Yuwei right behind her. The three prisoners obediently followed, keeping a respectful distance.
They hadn’t resisted on the bus, and now that they were inside the school’s main territory, the clowns didn’t dare act out. They were quieter than quail.
Yu Yuwei looked at Shen Ning’s back, recalling all that had happened today, and couldn’t resist speaking up:
“Shen Ning, I used to hear other students say all kinds of things about you. I thought you were cold and hard to get along with… but after today, I see those rumors aren’t true.”
Shen Ning gave a nonchalant “mm” in response.
Of course they weren’t true. She just didn’t smile much—not the same as being unfriendly.
“But I still didn’t expect…” Yu Yuwei said, “that you’d do something so bold and… passionate.”
The girl suddenly stopped walking.
The first clown behind her quickly halted too, but the two behind didn’t react in time and bumped into each other in a heap.
“What are you doing? Walk properly!”
Yu Yuwei scolded them, then turned back—only to find Shen Ning staring at her, puzzled:
“…What did I do?”
How was she bold and passionate?
“Uh, Shen Ning, aren’t you and Xu Chuyao… a couple?”
“…I guess.”
Hearing that confirmation, Yu Yuwei relaxed a little and trusted Xu Chuyao’s words even more.
“You two are great together. I think it’s fine for two girls to be together. Plus, our team doesn’t have any rules against office romance. But still, Shen Ning, your brave pursuit of love—really admirable.”
“Wait a second!” Shen Ning seemed to realize the problem. “Xu Chuyao told you I pursued her?”
Didn’t she just announce they were dating all on her own?
“Yeah.” Yu Yuwei looked innocent. “She said you not only confessed first, but also said that life had no meaning without her, and that you couldn’t lie to yourself anymore.”
The last two lines were even sung, mimicking the leader’s dramatic tone.
Shen Ning’s vision went dark.
“XU! CHU! YAO!”
———
Back in Xu Chuyao’s head, the system notifications had just stopped after racking up nearly 300 points.
She was confused.
Completely baffled—she hadn’t provoked or annoyed her!
But hey, if you’re offering up villain points, I guess I’ll graciously accept.
Xu Chuyao was both puzzled and pleased. Free points are free points.
“We’re here, go on in,” Yu Jing said.
This was a room in the middle of the fifth floor of the administration building. The previous video conference was held on the other side of this floor, while the Special Task Group’s base was one floor below.
Yu Jing stayed outside while Xu Chuyao entered alone.
Inside, on a table in the center of the room, was a screen showing a video call—on it, the square-faced man from before.
He was Long Jun, Director Long, from the Central District’s Safety Planning and Management Department.
“Xu Chuyao, we meet again.”
He greeted her first, and Xu Chuyao replied politely:
“Hello, Director Long. I heard it was you who promoted me to team leader of this group.”
Calling her “commander” sounded too much like a game title, “leader” was too westernized, and “central controller” sounded too professional—so she just went with “team leader.”
It might sound less impressive, but within the structure of the Special Task Group, “team leader” really was the highest authority.
Long Jun understood her little word game and chuckled without correcting her. After all, the authority she’d been granted basically matched the title anyway.
“I’ve already seen the results of today’s operation. Seems I didn’t misplace my trust.”
She fr gonna get pinned down now…