Vol3 Chapter 1: Chicken noodle soup

Lu Mingfei dozed on the train, surrounded by the excited chatter of his junior brothers and sisters celebrating their first mission’s success. On the Secret Party’s battlefield, they were total newbies. Cassell College tradition demanded that first-year students join an Executive Department operation to witness combat against dragons or Deadpools firsthand.

This time, Lu Mingfei was the senior operative in charge.

He’d become like Caesar or Chu Zihang—the kind of person everyone admired, the “other people’s kid” they aspired to be.

But Lu Mingfei didn’t like it. The glory came at a steep cost. To survive Executive Department missions, he’d trained relentlessly. His once scrawny frame now had defined muscles, but he’d lost so much time—barely even gaming anymore.

Being a dazzling big shot sucked. It was exhausting, even if his pained expression made juniors envious. He’d rather be a slacker—eat, drink, and lie flat. If the sky fell, someone else would hold it up. A hero’s life was worse than an ordinary one. The Executive Department said if another A-rank or higher mission came up, they’d consider sending him, so he could rack up credits and graduate early.

But what would he do after graduation? Besides playing StarCraft or slicing Deadpools and hybrids, what was he good for? Maybe the Academy could give him a fat paycheck, enough to open an internet café, hire some pretty girls for the front desk, and game on the best PC while sneaking glances at their legs. That life sounded dreamy.

The train soon reached the platform, where a silver Bugatti Veyron waited. A girl with deep red hair in a red trench coat leaned against it, griping into her phone: “Just get anyone to pick him up—why me? What? You’re still teaching Chu Zihang how to flirt? Haven’t you been at it for six months? Fine, fine, I got it.”

Nono hung up. Honestly, picking up Lu Mingfei was easier than teaching Chu Zihang to flirt.

A gust swept the platform. Seconds later, a sleek green-and-silver train burst from the red pine forest, whistling sharply.

It slowed smoothly, stopping as softly as velvet.

Lu Mingfei stood, stretched lazily, and strolled off, spotting the Bugatti instantly. It used to be Caesar’s, then his—broken for ages until the boss fixed it to celebrate his heroic feats.

“You’ve made it big, Lu Mingfei,” Nono said, slinging an arm over his shoulder.

“Eh, it’s alright.” Lu Mingfei slid into the car. “Why’re you picking me up, Senior Sister?”

“Caesar’s busy teaching Chu Zihang how to flirt.”

Lu Mingfei’s mouth twitched. The boss was still coaching Chu Zihang? And Xia Mi hadn’t skinned him yet?

Everyone knew the student council president was a blond, buff Italian with a dazzling, idiot-like smile.

That last bit was Xia Mi’s take.

Caesar’s first lesson for Chu Zihang was that to flirt, you must understand women. So he rented a pool outside Cassell, surrounded by gorgeous girls serving him.

Xia Mi, working a side gig, dropped her ice cream box.

Why’s Chu Zihang here…? It made no sense. The Chu Zihang she knew wouldn’t be at a pool with girls feeding him fruit. Then she spotted the real mood-killer—Caesar. That idiot was corrupting her pure, flawless Lionheart president!

Her dragon rage boiled over, her face practically glowing red-hot.

Chu Zihang nodded at Caesar’s tips, reaching for his drink when he locked eyes with the chestnut-haired girl. Xia Mi smiled, waving.

“Chu Zihang, use what I taught you!”

Caesar sensed trouble but urged him to act. Chu Zihang stood like a soldier, ramrod straight, marched to Xia Mi, scooped her up, arms stiff as a devout believer offering a sacrifice to some demon.

Xia Mi’s brain short-circuited. Princess carry? This is how you do it?

Then Chu Zihang tossed her into the pool and jumped in after her.

Xia Mi floundered, confused. Chu Zihang swam over, grabbed her, and squeezed tighter, like he was trying to strangle her!

Caesar had said when a girl struggles in your arms, you hold tighter until she melts, unable to escape.

But why was Xia Mi unconscious?

Chu Zihang shot Caesar a puzzled look.

Caesar covered his eyes, muttering, “Shit.”

From then on, Xia Mi dubbed Caesar “the golden-haired idiot with a dazzling smile.”

“Haha, got it,” Lu Mingfei said with an awkward laugh.

“I hear you’ve got a fan club now. Your room might get mobbed when you’re back,” Nono teased. “There’s this girl, Isabelle—super hot, supposedly your biggest stan.”

“Stans can turn toxic fast. And who at Cassell is normal? Blind idol-worship’s a bad idea…”

“She’s legit Spanish, a real beauty. She’s not gonna stab you,” Nono said.

“You never know.” Lu Mingfei grinned. “By the way, how’s she doing?”

“Oh, her? She’s on a mission. Ever since you started globetrotting, she’s barely at the Academy. When’s the last time you saw her?”

“Three months, maybe?” Lu Mingfei rubbed his head. “Our mission schedules keep clashing. I land, she takes off. Our planes might’ve crossed mid-air.”

“So why not confess? Where’s the gusto you had chasing Chen Wenwen?”

“No energy, Senior Sister. I just wanna crash and sleep.” Lu Mingfei slumped in the seat, half-asleep.

“Don’t sleep yet. Caesar booked you a full checkup at the infirmary. We’re almost there—stay awake.”

“Oh.” Lu Mingfei nodded dully, asking absently, “When’re you and the boss getting married?”

“This gal’s still having fun—hold your horses!” Nono laughed, flooring the gas as the car sped into Cassell.

At the infirmary, Lu Mingfei collapsed onto the bed while awaiting his results. No car seat beat a bed—you could sprawl, roll, pose however you wanted. Sitting upright sucked; lying down was bliss.

Truth be told, he hadn’t stopped for months—body and soul drained. Only now did he get a break, a tiny vacation.

Nono sighed, sitting beside him, popping two pieces of gum.

Creak—

The door opened. A black-haired girl in a school uniform skirt, arm bandaged, walked in.

“Senior Sister?”

Her voice was soft, almost a whisper.

“Long time no see, Junior Sister.” Nono blew a bubble, popping it across her face.

It was a sunny day, white curtains fluttering in the breeze, the air tinged with disinfectant’s sharp scent. Everything stilled.

They locked eyes for a few seconds, silent, until Bai Ci walked to Lu Mingfei’s bed, looking down at him.

“What’s with him?”

“Exhausted. But he’s improved—used to come back half-dead, covered in wounds. Now he’s barely scratched. That’s growth,” Nono said, licking the gum back into her mouth.

“What about you? Why’re you here?”

“Took a hit for a freshman—some guy named Babru…”

“That Black dude?”

“Yeah.” Bai Ci kept her eyes on the sleeping Lu Mingfei. “A-rank bloodline. Pretty good.”

“You know Lu Mingfei’s got a girlfriend?”

Bai Ci froze, looking at Nono.

“I checked with Norma before coming. He’s still single.”

Nono sauntered over. “So concerned—why not make a move? Chu Zihang’s already taken Xia Mi to meet his mom. Her only complaint was that Xia Mi’s not the ‘childbearing hips’ type.”

She didn’t use profiling—it was boring. Everyone’s acting in life; who can bare their truest self completely?

Nono couldn’t. Neither could Caesar, strutting like a proud rooster but hiding his own secrets. She’d never profiled him.

“But don’t worry, with your figure, any mother-in-law would approve. Perfect childbearing hips—kids won’t go hungry.”

Smack!

Nono slapped Bai Ci’s butt hard.

Bai Ci stumbled, ears reddening, fingers clutching her skirt’s folds. She glared at Nono but deflated under her teasing gaze, muttering, “Senior Sister, you…!”

“You were standing there like a post—loosen up.” Nono chewed her gum, tapping the window. “I’m giving you a chance. The kid’s out like a dead pig. Get closer, take a good look.”

Lu Mingfei stirred, the pillow rustling. Bai Ci’s gaze fell on his face—skin darker now, like it’d been brushed with charcoal, his drooping eyes looking fragile. Her throat tightened, her hand reaching out, stopping half an inch from his skin.

“What’re you spacing out for?” Nono’s voice floated from behind. “He’s not going anywhere—touch him if you want.”

Bai Ci pulled back. “I’m just checking how he’s recovering.”

“Oh? Didn’t you say you came for treatment and ran into him?”

Bai Ci was speechless, glaring at Nono, sunlight gilding her red coat and speckling her hair.

“Senior Sister,” Bai Ci said softly, “is he really tired?”

“Tired?” Nono smirked, popping another bubble. “If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t collapse like that.”

Her chewing broke the room’s quiet.

“Alright, keep watch. I’m out,” she said softly, turning to leave.

“Hey!” Nono grabbed her wrist. “You’re here—leave a memento.”

Bai Ci stumbled, her back hitting the bed’s railing. Before she could steady herself, Nono pressed her neck, pushing her forward. Their faces nearly touched, her nose almost grazing Lu Mingfei’s lips, but Nono stopped her at the last inch.

Click.

Nono checked the photo, grinning wider, brushing Bai Ci’s burning earlobe. “This is a good one—almost a kiss.”

In the shot, Lu Mingfei slept obliviously, lashes casting faint shadows, breathing steady like a calm lake. Bai Ci’s cheeks nearly brushed his lips, eyes wide, flushed, lashes trembling like butterfly wings.

“I’ll send it to you. That lockscreen of yours is ancient—time for a change.”

Bai Ci shot up, glaring resentfully. “Senior Sister!”

She lunged for the phone, but Nono dodged, weaving through the room, blowing an even bigger bubble.

Nono dangled the phone, grinning like a fox. “Stay back—I’ve got ‘evidence.’ When he wakes, I’ll say someone snuck a kiss while he slept.”

Bai Ci bit her lip, stormed out, and softly closed the door.

Nono whistled silently, sitting by Lu Mingfei’s bed. What a mess. Big sister’s gotta play matchmaker for her little bro. If you miss this chance, don’t blame me.

Bai Ci returned to her dorm, lit the gas stove, and started cooking.

Today’s meal: instant noodles in chicken broth, brought from the cafeteria—good for the body.

The noodles? Just carbs.

She’d tried other dishes—burned a pot once, poisoned Zero another time.

Since then, she stuck to instant noodles.

The door opened. Bai Ci looked up—it was Zero.

“Long time no see,” Zero said flatly, sitting at the table.

“Chicken broth noodles. Eat up.”

“I trust your noodles.” Zero picked up chopsticks, ate, then looked up. “Did you add goji berries, yam, and red dates?”

“Not good?”

“It’s good.”

Zero paused, then said, “Are you taking some to Lu Mingfei later?”

“I’ll eat less then.” Zero nodded.

“Eat as much as you want—I saved you a few portions.”

“Thanks.”

Zero nodded, eating quietly… occasionally missing this taste.

“How’s Xia Mi doing?”

“Glued to Chu Zihang, super wary of Caesar. She says he’s a grinning idiot.”

“I actually kinda like him,” Bai Ci said, packing noodles into a thermos. “I’m off. Noodles get soggy if they sit.”

“Mm.”