At that moment, the man named Qi Ye moved. He hesitated before walking over to Xunian and the girl, timidly asking, “Um… can I join you?”
He saw that Xunian’s group was small and wanted to come help to make up the numbers.
Xunian glanced at him coldly. “No need.”
“Alright then…”
Under Xunian’s icy gaze that looked as if it could shatter ice, he shrank back and quietly retreated to Ran Feng’s side.
“No matter what, I hope we can exchange clues with each other,” Ran Feng said amicably.
Xunian thought for a moment before replying, “Alright.”
Ran Feng suggested, “Why don’t we introduce ourselves?”
One of the men in the trio huddled together scratched his head. “I’m Yuan Shen.”
The woman beside him looked down, fiddling with her freshly done nails, speaking lazily, “I’m Qi Dong.”
The remaining man hesitated before saying, “I’m Zhang San.”
“Wow,” Qi Ye couldn’t help but exclaim, “Outlaw Zhang San.”
“Tsk.”
Zhang San frowned. He disliked the reaction people had upon hearing his name, which was why he was reluctant to say it.
“You haven’t told us your name yet.”
The girl next to Xunian remained intensely curious about her.
“Xunian.”
“I’m Shen Mosi~” the girl said cheerfully. “Can I call you Nian Nian?”
The moment Xunian heard that nickname, her expression instantly darkened, coldly replying, “No.”
“Not allowed?”
The girl immediately put on a pitiful look, long eyelashes fluttering, her beautiful black eyes looking at her.
“No, it’s not allowed.”
Xunian pushed away the hand the girl had wrapped around her arm, turning away resolutely.
Only one person called her that…
With her back to Shen Mosi, Xunian’s usually calm eyes showed a trace of sadness.
Behind her, Shen Mosi reached out to grab her but stopped just before touching her clothes.
After a moment of internal struggle, the girl reluctantly lowered her hand.
No, she needed to take it slow.
A flash of obsession crossed her eyes before quickly fading, replaced by a gentle smile.
“You can call me Sisi, though.”
………
On the other side, the group that had finished introductions began exploring the classroom.
“There’s graffiti all over this desk. Such poor manners,” Qi Ye squatted by a desk, looking at the densely scribbled words, complaining.
Qi Dong found a spot, crossed her legs lazily, still admiring her freshly painted nails. “If someone wants to write, let them write. Why do you care so much?”
“…” Qi Ye, tall but timid, simply closed his mouth in grievance when rebuked and moved aside to draw circles on the floor, cursing Qi Dong silently.
Yuan Shen stood beside Qi Dong like a knight guarding her, his short-sleeved shirt revealing muscular arms.
He looked truly… intimidating.
Qi Ye glanced at Yuan Shen’s bulging muscles, then at his own slender arms, deciding it was best to keep his distance.
“Ah… Every time I’ve joined the Monster Tale Game before, there were always five players. Don’t know why there are seven this time…” Ran Feng’s sidelong glance casually landed on Xunian and the girl.
Xunian noticed but didn’t bother to explain herself.
Let him suspect if he wants.
Shen Mosi, however, glanced at Ran Feng from an angle Xunian couldn’t see and gave him a mocking smile.
Xunian didn’t notice her subtle gesture, focusing instead on analyzing the current situation.
So far, nothing had happened.
Xunian wasn’t worried. She was certain the Duke’s Daughter was here.
Though she didn’t know exactly where the Duke’s Daughter was hiding, given enough time, a flaw would eventually show.
Heh, sooner or later, she’d get what was coming to her.
A scoundrel who kisses and runs.
“Knock knock knock.”
The classroom door was suddenly knocked on unexpectedly.
All eyes turned toward it.
Through the transparent glass on the door, no one could be seen outside the classroom.
Shen Mosi was frightened and hid behind Xunian, accidentally touching her hand.
A jolt of electricity shot across the back of Xunian’s hand, and her fingers curled unconsciously.
A thought flashed through her mind.
Shen Mosi’s hand was warm.
“Maybe… it’s a clue?” Ran Feng ordered, “Qi Ye, go check it out.”
Qi Ye was timid and shook his head repeatedly.
“Qi Ye, we need to have team spirit…” Ran Feng emphasized again.
“No, Brother Feng, I’m really scared. How about you go…” Qi Ye begged.
Xunian ignored their bickering and walked straight over to open the door.
There was no one outside, just the same empty corridor.
On the floor sat a large black box without a lock.
No one had bothered to open the door earlier, but now everyone crowded over.
Yuan Shen scratched his head. “What’s this?”
Zhang San said, “Why don’t you open it?”
Qi Dong glanced at the timid Qi Ye hanging back at the edge. “Why don’t we let that big dummy go?”
Yuan Shen nodded approvingly. “Good idea.”
Zhang San said, “Hey, Qi Ye, you open the box.”
They gave Qi Ye no chance to refuse, pushing and shoving him to the front to stand before the box alongside Xunian.
A slender hand opened the box.
It wasn’t Xunian’s hand, nor Qi Ye’s.