Chapter 39: Intersecting parallel lines

Xueqiu silently counted the group.

No need, really—there were only four, including herself.

Ou Ziyun, Su Xi, Xia Yin, and Xueqiu.

Though people like Chang Mu, who did grunt work for the student council, had left, she recalled that plenty of council members stayed behind.

At least, it shouldn’t just be the four of them, especially since Xia Yin wasn’t even in the council.

In other words, without Xia Yin, this so-called “practical internship” would’ve had just three.

“Where’s Carlos? Not here to babysit his girlfriend? It’s a chaotic place like the Investigation Team,” Xia Yin said, toying with the handle of his black longsword, its blade dull even in daylight.

“He’s busy with the professor,” Ou Ziyun replied, her tone edged with irritation. “Put that sword away. If anyone sees it on the way, you won’t need to come back to school.”

Xia Yin sheathed the blade obediently, muttering, “Figures. Strolling with his old man beats playing bodyguard for the princess. But the professor rarely takes him along—why today…?”

“Shut up,” Ou Ziyun snapped.

Xueqiu watched their back-and-forth, glancing at Su Xi, unsure what to do.

Hiding the sword was to avoid attention, but why worry about being seen?

Wasn’t their destination a place where everyone had Contracts or similar abilities?

Bored, Xueqiu scanned her surroundings, feeling an odd, indescribable unease.

They were west of the library, but not at the west gate—just an endless stretch of trees.

At first, she’d thought it a “small grove.”

But she noticed the trees seemed boundless, like an infinite path luring her to wander and get lost.

Faintly, she heard strange, soft noises.

“Don’t panic, we’re about to head out. Just like when we first arrived,” Xia Yin whispered cheekily in her ear.

The next second, he nudged her forward.

Xueqiu stumbled through something, and the forest vanished, replaced by a dim corridor.

The air smelled of rubbing alcohol.

She glanced back—no path, just two metal doors with an electronic sign reading “In Surgery.”

Where was this?

Wasn’t she just with Xia Yin and the others?

Before she could think, the doors opened silently.

No ghosts or horror game bosses—just Xia Yin.

In the next ten seconds, Su Xi and Ou Ziyun emerged.

Xueqiu realized the unease wasn’t an illusion.

She hadn’t passed through a forest but an invisible “door,” like when she first entered the Academy.

“Think of it as air,” Xia Yin said. “No collision volume, not a two-way portal like in games, but one-way. And…”

“Didn’t you tell her about the campus exits?” Ou Ziyun cut in, glaring at Xia Yin as she passed.

Xia Yin had mentioned the Academy had five gates.

Back then, Xueqiu, still carsick, hadn’t paid much attention.

Following them through the empty corridor, lined with iron benches, the alcohol smell faded.

She’d noticed earlier—this wasn’t the convenience store backroom from last time.

It was more like a hospital.

As the corridor’s end door opened, she saw the scene outside.

A crowded registration hall, mechanical announcements mixing with chatter and coughs, assaulted her ears.

It was indeed a hospital.

But why didn’t anyone notice them?

Xia Yin gestured “shush,” signaling silence.

Xueqiu, no chatterbox like him, just nodded.

Only after leaving the hospital did Xia Yin exhale, unleashing his pent-up words: “Madam President, great day to pick! So many people—worried we wouldn’t bump into anyone? What if a kid ran our way? Can Su Xi’s Contract erase our collision volume?”

“And why this gate? I should’ve worn a mask and played patient. If I catch something, will you cover my medical bills?”

“All students have medical, accident, and cremation insurance,” Ou Ziyun replied, her cold gaze sweeping Xueqiu and Su Xi, ignoring Xia Yin. “No need to flatter me. You’re not even in the council.”

Xueqiu couldn’t get a word in.

Xia Yin’s comment sparked curiosity about the short-haired girl beside her.

What was Su Xi’s Contract? Invisibility?

And the president’s?

—

Ting’an City, Hope Road

It was Su Qingyuan’s first time in Ting’an at eighteen.

She knew nothing of its streets, subways, or bus stops.

Luckily, she had navigation and a “guide” who claimed it was his first visit yet moved like he was home.

“Snowball… shame he’s not here. He’s as bad with directions as you, right?” Jiang Cheng said casually, walking ahead.

It was the second month after the college entrance exam.

Scores and applications were done—a perfect time for a graduation trip, a great morning to hang out.

If Xueqiu were here.

Su Qingyuan learned four months ago that Xueqiu had left, days after visiting her.

The homeroom teacher said “early admission,” but as one of Xueqiu’s few friends, Su Qingyuan had never heard her mention it.

Xueqiu was low-key, seen by classmates as a quiet overachiever.

As a senior, Su Qingyuan had no time to dwell on it, and Xueqiu vanished from her life like she’d evaporated.

Without occasional QQ messages, she might’ve thought Xueqiu was gone for good.

The Ting’an trip was Jiang Cheng’s idea.

Su Qingyuan hesitated, but when he suggested “finding Xueqiu to hang out,” she agreed after some thought.

Now, that plan had fallen through.

On the road, cars zipped by.

Past morning rush hour, traffic was still heavier than in Qingtan.

Among countless cars, Su Qingyuan noticed a black van.

It moved slowly, letting her glimpse the driver—a girl with short black hair.

For some reason, Su Qingyuan stared at the van, feeling something in it was watching her.

Turning back, she saw Jiang Cheng staring too, his gaze cold, fixed on the van’s rear.

ps: Begging for monthly tickets and tips! Rants welcome too.