Chapter 21: President

Outside the office building, the sun hung high—if the light source, so like the real world’s, could still be called a “sun.”

Xia Yin didn’t lead Xueqiu on a campus tour.

His destination was clear: a three-story cafeteria less than 500 meters from the office building.

Xueqiu trailed behind, looking like a timid sidekick.

“Basically, Subject One is general knowledge—relax and answer. Subject Three activates your Contract. We’ve identified fewer than 120 Contracts so far. The old-timers will explain more once you’re officially enrolled…”

Xia Yin walked with his hands in his pockets, oblivious to the odd glances from other students.

To them, a beautiful, unfamiliar girl meekly following a guy stuck in his sophomore year for over five years was anything but normal.

“I’m not officially enrolled yet?” Xueqiu asked, confused.

In recent days, she’d pieced together bits about the world’s hidden side, but this “school” hadn’t fully accepted her as a student?

“No, no, technically, Chang Yi has your file, but you sign confidentiality agreements after the exam. Insurance stuff too… Don’t worry, the school doesn’t have many ways to punish rule-breakers. No bombs around your neck or anything.”

In a few sentences, Xia Yin led her to the cafeteria entrance.

Even at noon, the first floor wasn’t packed.

Students in dark blue uniforms sat in small groups, like any normal school.

Xueqiu sort of understood Xia Yin, but what happened if she—or others recruited like her—failed the exam or backed out?

Before she could ask, Xia Yin seemed to read her mind.

“You could quit now, or even halfway through the exam. A little brainwashing wipes all memories of us, like Carlos said.”

The senior named Carlos had asked if she wanted to enroll, mentioning similar “brainwashing” tech, as if they could erase memories at will.

“I don’t want to be brainwashed,” Xueqiu said timidly.

She’d meant to sound nonchalant to bolster her courage, but her voice came out softer, more girlish than intended.

The cafeteria’s first floor was simple—no ornate decor or classical vibes, just a typical university dining hall.

Xia Yin, free of Xueqiu, looked like a student who’d survived a morning of classes, here to fill his stomach.

Xueqiu didn’t follow him further.

It was her second day, but Xia Yin treated her like she already knew the school’s rules inside out.

It reminded her of a saying: “Didn’t treat me like I’m disabled, but didn’t treat me like a person either.”

Her limited attention soon shifted to three people at a corner table.

Two guys sat across from a girl in a black uniform—not the standard dark blue.

Her high, sword-wielding ponytail was sleek, and she gave the boys no warmth.

One of them, undeterred, grinned like a lackey.

Xueqiu recognized him—Chang Mu.

Next to him was Bing Shi Nagi, whom she’d met last night.

But she didn’t know the high-ponytail girl who, noticing Xueqiu’s stare, shot back a sharp, scrutinizing glance.

Caught.

Xueqiu awkwardly looked away.

Coming to the cafeteria wasn’t her idea—she didn’t even have a student card like Xia Yin’s, and he’d said she wasn’t officially enrolled.

Gurgle…

Her stomach growled inconveniently, sparking wild thoughts.

Would a cafeteria in Youdu, a place outside reality, accept WeChat or Alipay?

“Don’t just stand there. Carrying two trays is heavy, you know,” Xia Yin called from behind, approaching with two white plates.

Xueqiu pointed subtly at the trio.

To her surprise, Xia Yin darted over like he’d struck gold, leaving her stranded.

“Boss…?” Chang Mu’s fawning smile froze as Xia Yin plopped down beside the ponytail girl, his gaze darting like a kid in trouble.

“Scram, Chang Mu. No use flirting. Our dear president has a boyfriend,” Xia Yin said, waving Xueqiu over.

“Didn’t expect a sixth-year sophomore in the cafeteria,” the girl said coldly, ignoring him and glancing at Xueqiu. “This year’s freshman?”

“Hey, Ou Ziyun, stop playing cool in front of my junior! Didn’t you have Su Xi ask me yesterday if she’d join the student council? Don’t act like I don’t know,” Xia Yin said, clearly annoyed by her attitude.

“We need exceptional talent,” Ou Ziyun said flatly. “Early-admission freshmen are handpicked elites, vetted by the board.”

Xueqiu was stunned, unsure if the senior meant something deeper.

First, she was just a random person invited here.

Second, Xia Yin and the others never mentioned “vetting.”

Her status had nothing to do with being an “elite.”

“Elite, huh? Wasn’t Bing Shi an elite too? Why’s he stuck in the library instead of jetting off to some branch? And you, eating lunch with this blockhead? That’s rare,” Xia Yin said, digging into his food without care.

The ponytail girl stood, bypassing Xia Yin to approach Xueqiu.

She extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Ou Ziyun, student council president and your future senior.”

Xueqiu hesitated but shook her hand awkwardly.

For a moment, the girl’s gaze felt unusual—fierce like a lion, sharp yet calm.

“Her Contract is rule-based, like Lelouch’s Geass. It’s rarely used on campus, but don’t lock eyes too long, or she’ll lead you by the nose,” Xia Yin whispered in Xueqiu’s ear.

Another Contract.

Xueqiu had heard the term a dozen times today.

Will I have something like a superpower too? she wondered.

“What’s my Contract?” she asked aloud, surprising herself.

“You wouldn’t be here without one,” Xia Yin said softly. “But like I said, most students only learn theirs during the entrance exam.”

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something. “Some activate their Contract near death—like you, that night with the tentacle monster.”

Xueqiu’s body shivered involuntarily, her thoughts yanked back to a week ago.

Back then, she—or he—was just a powerless high schooler, no superpowers.

Unless…

She replayed that night from the moment she entered the house.

Turned on the light, saw the monster, felt weak.

Just before a tentacle struck—

A black tendril blocked it for her.