Chapter 34: A Clue

Along the way, Mu Wannuo followed Cheng Yao absentmindedly. Besides worrying about whether the case Cheng Yao mentioned was actually worth referencing, another matter weighed on her heart. That was Ning Chuxue. Although she had told Ning Chuxue to go to her office ahead of time, in the end, she was still alone. Her anxiety grew thicker, clogging her until her eyes stung.

‘Chuxue alone absolutely won’t do. What if she didn’t go to the office?’

Instantly, countless possibilities flooded her mind. There were no surveillance devices either; the earlier cameras had long been removed and discarded by Ning Chuxue.

‘No…’

Thinking about surveillance, Mu Wannuo realized it wasn’t completely absent. If she remembered correctly, Wen Yasheng had some. Her eldest sister had given Ning Chuxue a phone that came with built-in surveillance, and with more comprehensive functions.

Apart from the phone, there was actually an electronic watch. However, Ning Chuxue had found it troublesome back then, and Wen Yasheng didn’t want to force her to wear it, so Ning Chuxue had never used that watch. So now they could only monitor location and audio recordings and such. Blood pressure and heart rate couldn’t be accurately calculated. But even these functions were enough.

After thinking it through, Mu Wannuo sent Wen Yasheng a message asking about it. Almost instantly, Wen Yasheng sent her the file. Faced with such instant reply speed, Mu Wannuo wasn’t surprised—she was long used to it. She accepted the software and installed it.

Then she entered the sharing password Wen Yasheng had sent. Done. An interface with buttons for a map, audio recording folder, and more appeared on her screen. On the map, a red coordinate marker was in her classroom.

‘This marker is Chuxue’s location.’

Mu Wannuo confirmed once, and all the basic information matched. After everything was done, Mu Wannuo’s worry finally dissipated a little. By the time she finished all this, they had just arrived at the archive room door.

At the door, a solemn-looking young man blocked their way: “Please cooperate and deposit all electronic devices.”

The guard stood upright with a stern voice.

Mu Wannuo was startled at first, but quickly regained her senses. It was reasonable that electronic devices were not allowed in a place storing confidential materials. Although she understood the reasoning, Mu Wannuo was still a bit reluctant. Without her phone, she would lose all means of monitoring Ning Chuxue.

“Teacher Mu?”

Cheng Yao turned around and, seeing Mu Wannuo hesitant, let out a reminder.

It was this reminder that dispelled Mu Wannuo’s concerns.

‘Just a little while. Nothing should happen. Chuxue isn’t that fragile.’

After this self-reassurance, Mu Wannuo made her final decision. She placed her phone on the cabinet nearby. In order to see Ning Chuxue’s movements immediately upon exiting, she didn’t close the monitoring software. After confirming she hadn’t forgotten anything, she followed Cheng Yao past the guard and used an access card to open the authorized door of the archive room.

The moment the door opened, a wave of cold air rushed toward them, accompanied by the smell of disinfectant. The archive room stored important documents, mostly paper ones. Low temperatures effectively prevented fires and slowed paper aging. Mu Wannuo shivered unconsciously, but quickly adapted to the temperature inside. She followed behind Cheng Yao, slowly moving deeper until they stopped in front of a database room.

“This should be it. Teacher Mu, please wait a moment while I find the key.”

Cheng Yao fumbled around on herself and eventually pulled out an iron key and an access card from her pocket. Cheng Yao first swiped the access card on the side, then used the key to unlock the door. With a hard push, the door opened.

She didn’t let go; instead, she found a black triangular stand nearby and propped it against the heavy door to prevent it from closing automatically. After everything was done, she clapped her hands.

“Alright, I’ll take Teacher Mu to find the documents.”

Mu Wannuo nodded and followed her inside. Inside were rows of iron cabinets, each with a number. Above the number was the content of the documents stored in that cabinet. Cheng Yao wove between the shelves, finally stopping at a place marked “Rare Case Argumentation.”

“Teacher Mu, over here.”

***

After Mu Wannuo left, the previously quiet classroom buzzed with a few discussions. Ying sat in her seat, watching Ning Chuxue study hard, her mind pondering how to help this little girl who had been under long-term pressure. But after five minutes of thinking, she couldn’t come up with a suitable plan.

Based on her observations, Ning Chuxue had always been alone, never having friends around. Given her popularity at school, if she were willing to make friends, she would definitely become a celebrity. But reality was the exact opposite. Watching the surrounding classmates gather in groups, laughing and chatting, Ying suddenly thought of an idea.

‘Why not help Xiao Nuo make friends?’

Wanting to help Ning Chuxue escape the long-term pressure from Mu Wannuo, making a friend was indeed a good choice. Coincidentally, the Eclectic Studies Society she was in was a good option. After deciding on the next move, Ying prepared to plan in more detail. But just as Ying was about to detail how to completely guide Ning Chuxue, she found that the protagonist was tidying her desk.

Ying instantly remembered how this little girl, when questioned earlier, had been called back to the office by Mu Wannuo for not being able to answer. Combined with Mu Wannuo’s strange cancellation of the second half of the class, a bad premonition arose.

‘Could it be that Ning Chuxue is going to Teacher Mu’s office?’

Thinking that, she stopped detailing the plan and hurriedly left her seat to intercept Ning Chuxue. The series of actions was smooth, but she almost tripped over her water cup placed nearby. After losing balance, she quickly grabbed the corner of the desk with her hand, thus avoiding a tragedy.

Though still shaken, she insisted on reaching Ning Chuxue’s side and pressed a hand on a book on her desk to stop her from continuing to tidy it. Watching Ying rush over to her seat and even block her, Ning Chuxue was baffled.

“Xiao Nuo, you don’t want to keep sinking, do you?”

“You… what are you doing?”

Ning Chuxue looked at Ying, who had suddenly leaned in and was saying dangerous things.

Ning Chuxue shivered, crossed her arms over her chest, and stared warily at her.

“Here, take the book. I don’t want it.”

Ying hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. Her sense of responsibility escalated.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Nuo. I’ll lead you out of the shadows and let you taste the warmth of the world again!”

Thinking this, she leaned in further and grabbed Ning Chuxue’s hand.

“Xiao Nuo, do you want to make friends?”

“No.”

Ning Chuxue refused instantly, looking fearfully at Ying’s strange, intense gaze.

“Don’t think that way. If Xiao Nuo keeps having no friends at school, and suffers Teacher Mu’s pressure without an outlet, over time it’ll be bad for your health.”