Vol2 Chapter 21: Mistakenly Entered

It’s hard to imagine Zero, with her petite frame, executing a shoulder throw on a nearly two-meter-tall hybrid, pinning him under her foot, and pressing a gun loaded with Frigga bullets to his head—bang.

The move was fluid, textbook, making Lu Mingfei shudder. If they weren’t in alchemy class, would Zero have stomped him down and held a gun to his head? She was clearly the type to kill without blinking. Mess with her outside, and you’d lose a layer of skin if you were lucky. If he ever crossed her, she might show up with a knife one day. What then? Kneel and beg Queen Zero for mercy?

Lu Mingfei took another swig of his drink, glancing at Xia Mi, her face flushed from drinking. They’d done nothing but drink, but what could a small fry like him do? If he’d gone up, he’d probably be the hostage. He doubted he could even budge that giant. Bai Ci would’ve just shot him too—Frigga bullets don’t kill, anyway.

Packing up to leave, they’d hand the gear to the Executive Department’s contact, and their job was done. After a night’s rest, they’d watch the boss and Senior’s sailing race.

Truth be told, Lu Mingfei scoffed at these so-called elegant but grueling activities. He’d rather hole up with Fingel gaming than spend a minute under the sun.

But Fingel’s scolding and unusual behavior piqued his curiosity, so he joined the first training session and discovered the truth—and the thrill.

Training wasn’t just for guys; girls joined too.

Senior girls in swimsuits sailed, their tanned skin gleaming under the sun. Thanks to dragon blood and the school’s combat courses, every one had long legs and chiseled abs, their figures absurdly perfect.

The sunset shimmered on the wide river, white sails dotting the sparkling water. The girls’ stunning forms complemented the sharp, muscular lines of Caesar and Chu Zihang—a breathtaking sight!

Who could resist a training session rivaling a supermodel show?

No one!

Lu Mingfei wasn’t some monk; he loved eyeing beauties, especially in minimal clothing. Not the fully nude kind—those were just cheap in his mind. The tantalizing “absolute territory” was the real truth.

By the time they arrived, Lake Michigan’s morning mist hadn’t cleared. White sails pierced the grayish-green water. Lu Mingfei squatted in Cassell’s rest area, munching a sandwich, eyeing the gaudy gold-plated sailboat. No need to guess—it was Caesar’s. Who else had that kind of ostentatious wealth? During training, Caesar’s golden hair whipped in the wind, his one-handed grip on the rigging like a sun god taming Pegasus, drawing screams from swimsuit-clad girls. Lu Mingfei, meanwhile, served tea and water, sneaking glances at their pale, dewy thighs glistening in the light.

Oh, God! This is awesome! I’ve found my purpose in the Student Union! I was born for this!

A sudden chill hit his neck. He looked up to find Fingel shoving binoculars in his face, drool dripping into his eye.

“Damn you…”

“Hey, Junior, no need to get mad! We’re brothers who’ve shared a bed. No need for such foul language.”

“You bastard, you got drool in my eye and you’ve got the nerve to talk? When’s the last time you brushed your teeth?”

“Huh? I brushed this morning!”

“Bullshit! Your drool tastes like a full combo of salad dressing and fried pork cutlet! Your clothes aren’t clothes—they’re a damn kitchen!”

“Uh, maybe I ate a bit much this morning. You know us German guys—wild and free!”

“Screw you, I’m going to the bathroom to wash my eyes!”

Lu Mingfei, covering his eye, bolted. Ogle girls? What girls? Fingel’s filth ruined my eyes! If I don’t wash now, I’ll be stuck with one eye for admiring beauties.

He rushed into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water on his eyes. It felt soothing.

Lifting his head, he saw a familiar figure in the mirror.

A red outfit, a camisole, and a four-leaf clover bracelet symbolizing luck.

Bai Ci?

He shook his head, confirming he wasn’t seeing things.

Why was she in the men’s bathroom? Wait…

He glanced around—no urinals.

Then he sank into thought.

Damn it, how many times have I walked into the women’s bathroom?

Once is an accident, twice is clumsy, three times might be excusable—third time’s the charm. Four or more? I’m a straight-up pervert!

“The president said you’ve been in the women’s bathroom a lot,” Bai Ci said after a pause, patting his shoulder calmly. “Lu Mingfei… everyone has quirks. I’ll keep it secret. But as your friend, I suggest you cut it out. You’ll get arrested.”

They’d known each other so long, and she never imagined Lu Mingfei had this fetish. When the president mentioned it, she didn’t believe it, but now… how could she not?

“Hey, no, listen! It’s Fingel’s fault! His drool got in my eye, it hurt like hell, and I ran in without thinking. I’m not much, but I’m not that kind of creep!”

“…”

Bai Ci stayed silent, watching him flail in panic, finding it amusing.

“I swear to God, if I’m lying, let a Dragon King swallow me whole next mission!” Lu Mingfei raised his hand, his serious expression almost comical.

A commotion erupted outside—people heading toward the bathroom. Lu Mingfei paled. If someone sees me with Bai Ci in the women’s bathroom, my reputation’s toast! If Fingel finds out, tomorrow’s Cassell news headline will be: ‘Shock! S-rank Lu Mingfei’s Uncontrollable Urges Lead to Scandal in Women’s Bathroom with Another S-rank!’

Damn it!

“Bai Ci, save me!”

She yanked him into the last stall, pried open the vent cover on the wall, and shoved him in.

“Don’t make a sound. I’ll put the cover back when it’s clear.”

He didn’t argue, crawling into the vent, vowing to pummel Fingel later. Suddenly, he heard faint breathing ahead and froze. Someone else in the vent?

Hesitating, he crawled forward to investigate. Turning a corner, he saw a familiar figure—Chu Zihang.

What the hell?

“Senior?!”

“Junior?”

In the cramped vent, the two hometown boys locked eyes, sharing a moment of… what the hell?! Why is the stone-cold killer Chu Zihang in a vent? Did you sneak into the women’s bathroom too?! You look so proper, but you’re a beast in disguise!

“Senior, why are you in a vent?”

Chu Zihang coughed awkwardly. “It’s a long story… let’s get out first.”

He’d never been so embarrassed. Xia Mi had asked for his advice, so he followed her to her room.

Her question? Whether her cooking was good.

Why ask me about cooking? Go to the cafeteria aunties—they cook better than I do.

“Senior, help me make silver ear soup later! We’ll send some to Senior Sister too.” Xia Mi tied her hair into a ponytail and donned an apron.

Chu Zihang nodded, inspecting the bag of classic Chinese ingredients—garlic, green onions, rare in Cassell’s cafeteria. Probably Xia Mi’s haul from Chicago’s Chinatown.

His specialty was fried eggs with warm milk, something he made for his mom daily. Other cuisines? He knew a bit but wasn’t skilled.

As he washed vegetables, he listened to Xia Mi.

She said her parents loved cooking, and she’d picked it up young. At three, she stood on the counter to cook her first noodles. Her brother loved it. When their parents were out, she’d cook for him whenever he was hungry. He ate heartily, praising her food, so she studied new recipes daily, buying heaps of vegetables to cook for him.

“Must’ve been tiring, huh?” Chu Zihang asked.

“Tiring,” Xia Mi said, her smile bright as sunlight. “But seeing my brother happy made me happy. No one in the world loves him more than I do.”

“Mom and Dad told me to take care of him.”

Chu Zihang froze, staring at her, her smile unwavering.

“Son, take care of your mom.”