Chapter 53: Dispute

The masked figure stood up from the ground.

Facing the camera, he raised his left hand, slowly giving the middle finger.

“Damn, he’s got the guts to taunt…” Old Gu cursed, visibly irritated.

The footage ended the moment the figure flipped them off, likely destroyed.

Xueqiu stopped looking at the screen.

Something was very wrong with Xia Yin.

After seeing the mask, he’d changed.

His usual laziness and apathy were gone, leaving a hardened shell.

The last time she saw him this serious was in that strange “dream.”

Back then, he’d given off the same cold vibe.

Not his usual “I’m just passing by, carry on” nonchalance.

“Xia Yin, repeat what you said,” Ou Ziyun demanded, hands in pockets, eyeing him coldly.

But she quickly noticed his gaze was colder—eyes like frozen fish.

“Someone needs to stay, document this fully, and report to the Academy,” Xia Yin said deliberately.

“You’re right,” Ou Ziyun said, unusually agreeing. “So, you’ve decided who stays.”

“Me and you. Su Xi takes Xueqiu back,” Xia Yin said.

“Or you all stay a few more days? We’ve got enough supplies—four more people’s no issue,” Old Gu said, patting Xia Yin’s shoulder.

Xueqiu didn’t know why Xia Yin had changed so suddenly.

She had no experience with this.

Usually, he led her around campus, occasionally to the library.

He always seemed in control, like he’d hold up the sky if it fell.

But now?

He seemed fixated on the masked man.

Like he wanted to rip off the mask—and the face beneath it.

“He’s Antidote’s leader, ‘King.’ If he’s still in the Team, it’s dangerous,” Xia Yin explained.

“Antidote? The group the Academy nearly wiped out?” Su Xi asked, surprised.

Ou Ziyun frowned. Xueqiu stayed expressionless.

She knew nothing about Antidote.

They seemed to assume she was as seasoned as them, versed in the Shadow Ghost world.

Unbeknownst to them, she was a naive rabbit.

Her safety these months was thanks to Xia Yin, her keeper, feeding her cabbage and carrots.

“His traits match the ‘Qingtan Death’ survivor—masked, but… how’d he get in?” Old Gu muttered.

“Here’s the plan: I’ll send people to check the warehouse entrance. You go with them and get out,” Old Gu said, leaving the office.

Xueqiu found “Qingtan Death” familiar.

Someone had mentioned it to her and Xia Yin months ago.

She couldn’t recall who.

“We should go, but as Xia Yin said, one or two should stay to liaise with the Academy,” Ou Ziyun said.

“Unless someone here knows the six steps for requesting an Academy external investigation or the ten criteria for assessing A-rank target risks in the Special Incident Protocols.”

She affirmed Xia Yin’s point, adding what students should do.

Xueqiu wished she could grasp it all instantly.

But she was just a freshman.

Even with some self-study, wasn’t her role to cheer from behind with glow sticks?

Maybe do a cheerleader dance?

“So, I stay with you. Su Xi takes Xueqiu back,” Xia Yin said, calmer but still stiff.

“You stay? Do you know the Academy’s contact protocols?”

“I…”

“Xueqiu’s your junior. Go back with her. Su Xi and I will handle this,” Ou Ziyun said firmly.

“But he’s ‘King.’ He’s more dangerous than most Shadow Ghosts. If he’s here, your safety’s in question.”

Xueqiu watched them argue, wondering why Xia Yin was so determined to stay.

If only he’d tell her why.

“Enough,” Ou Ziyun said, done arguing.

Her eyes suddenly glowed red, like blood pooling in her pupils.

“Take Xueqiu back. Su Xi and I will handle reporting.”

She repeated herself.

This time, Xia Yin seemed to lose his will to argue.

“Ugh, another report to write,” he muttered.

Old Gu returned, grumbling, snapping photos of Ou Ziyun as if documenting evidence.

—

Ting’an City, Wutong Road

Xueqiu walked with Xia Yin down the bustling night street.

Cars and crowds flowed, like a city that never slept.

Old Gu’s people had escorted them to a massive gate, larger than the one they’d entered through.

It was one of three supply transport entrances, they said, for food, water, and essentials.

The gate led to a courier company, where they were dropped off.

“Heh, using her Contract like that? What’s next, playing Lelouch? Nah, she’s got no sister… or if she did, she’d have cut ties with the Ou family,” Xia Yin said.

After leaving the factory, he broke his silence with a flood of chatter.

Xueqiu knew he meant Ou Ziyun.

Her Contract seemed tied to control—even Xia Yin wasn’t fully immune.

Xueqiu said nothing.

She just watched him.

The Xia Yin she knew was back, at least for now.

The priority was returning to the Academy.

“Walk back. Nearest entrance is the North Gate—by that convenience store I took you to. Two streets over, easy,” Xia Yin said.

So they walked, step by step, in silence.

Xueqiu replayed the day’s events.

Why had Xia Yin reacted so strongly to the masked man?

It wasn’t the Xia Yin she knew.

And what was Antidote?

How serious was the data theft?

She didn’t know where to start asking, so she looked up, bored.

It was a clear night, no clouds, but few stars—just a bright moon.

ps: Tomorrow’s update will conclude the Investigation Team arc.
Haven’t begged for votes or tips in a while—sneaky plea (guilty heart).