Vol2 Chapter 10: Xia Mi(Water Chapter)

Cassell College was indeed a powerful institution, capable of convincing the Chicago government to run the CC1000 branch express train and operate it themselves.

But no matter how luxurious a train, it still needed tracks, switchmen, and a dispatch center to reach the station.

Chicago’s railway workers were on strike!

“President, have you ever dealt with this before?”

Bai Ci surveyed the chaotic train station, asking casually.

Chu Zihang paused, answering honestly, “No.
As an A-rank, I always arrived at the station as Norma instructed, and the train was waiting.
Ticket check, board, and we’re off in minutes.”

Bai Ci sipped her cola.
Why did trains always go wrong when she traveled with Lu Mingfei?

When she traveled alone, they were always on time.
Plus, with the school prioritizing by bloodline rank, and she and Lu Mingfei being the only S-ranks among current students, they should have top priority.
So why was the train never on time when Lu Mingfei was around?

Bai Ci felt scammed by that vendor.
She glanced at the four-leaf clover bracelet on her wrist, meant to bring luck, then at the matching one on Lu Mingfei’s…

Promised luck, huh?
Why are these sellers such liars?

“No big deal, just a week in Chicago,” Chu Zihang said calmly.
“We’ll book a hotel, maybe check out Lake Michigan.
It’s the best season for sailing.
In two months, the friendly match between the college and the University of Chicago starts.”

Bai Ci glanced at him, her toes fidgeting in her shoes.
She lightly tugged his sleeve, voice barely audible.
“President… I lost my wallet…”

“No problem.
If money’s tight, I’ll cover the room.”

“Thanks, President…”
Bai Ci exhaled.
The president might lack emotional intelligence, but he was genuinely kind.
Once back at Cassell, she’d reissue her bank card and repay him.

As Chu Zihang reached for his card, a pair of hands grabbed his arm.
He tried to pull back, but Lu Mingfei, teary-eyed and overflowing with gratitude, shook his hand vigorously, face full of emotion.
“Senior, I gotta be honest—your junior’s a bit broke lately… Senior~ Senior~”

Chu Zihang shivered.
That “Senior” was dripping with affection, like a tearful plea.
Lu Mingfei clung to his hand, calling out with deep devotion.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Zihang said, “If you’re short on cash, room with me.
I’ll cover the rent.”

“Sorry to interrupt your flirting, but… where’s the train schedule?”
A playful voice came from behind.

“Flirting?
This is brotherly bonding, okay?
Schedule?
Look up!
Can’t you see I’m busy?
Strike!
They’re on strike!”
Lu Mingfei flipped his middle finger skyward, turning to see clear eyes reflecting him—and a flawless face!

Honestly, he’d never seen such a beautiful girl.
He’d ranked the beauties he knew, judging purely on looks and figure, ignoring personality or vibe.
Bai Ci was second, tied with Zero.
Chen Wenwen was fourth, Liu Miaomiao third, and Nono and Su Xiaoqiang topped the list.
Nono aside, Su Xiaoqiang was stunning… but no girl could be called “flawless.”
“Flawless” was a poor word for a girl’s appearance—nothing living was truly flawless.
A flawless face belonged under a sculptor’s chisel.

Yet here, that flawless face wore an awkward smile, claiming the top spot on his beauty list, no contest.

Chu Zihang said nothing, gripping Lu Mingfei’s hand, casually bending that upright middle finger into his fist.

The girl held a CC1000 ticket—she was a junior.
For senior Lu Mingfei to greet her with a middle finger wasn’t exactly friendly.

“We’re also waiting for the CC1000, but the railway workers are on strike.
News says negotiations aren’t going well—it might drag on,” Chu Zihang said, nodding to her.
“Chu Zihang, Mechanical Engineering.”

“Senior?”
The girl stuffed her ticket in her mouth, extending her hand to shake his.
“I’m a freshman, Xia Mi.”

Chu Zihang paused, giving a faint smile.

“Me!
I’m a senior too!”
Lu Mingfei thrust out his hand.
“Lu Mingfei, History.”

“Oh, another senior!
You look so young,” Xia Mi said, shaking his hand.
“A humanities guy, huh?”

She tilted her head.
“Then she’s a senior sister, right?”

“Bai Ci… also Mechanical Engineering…”

Bai Ci extended her hand, and Xia Mi quickly shook it.

“Hi, Senior Sister!”
She pulled back, stuck out her tongue, and whispered to Bai Ci so the boys couldn’t hear, “Senior Sister, are those two… gay?”

“No,” Bai Ci said, eyeing her with an odd sense of familiarity.
“Have we met before?”

“No way!
I’d remember meeting such a pretty senior sister!”
Xia Mi darted off toward Chu Zihang and Lu Mingfei.
“Seniors, can you grab that white cloth up there?”

“Why do you need it?” Chu Zihang asked.

“Just take it down!
I’m staying in a hotel for a week, and I’m broke.
Gotta save for a camera lens.
It’s useless anyway—perfect for a tent in Central Park for a week!”
Xia Mi grabbed Chu Zihang’s arm.
“Senior, you wouldn’t let your cute junior sleep on a park bench, right?
Help me get it, Senior~”

Same affectionate gaze, same arm grab, same syrupy words…

“How about… sharing a room with me?” Bai Ci said suddenly.
“The president said… he’d, uh, get me a room.”

“Senior’s loaded?!”
Xia Mi gasped, dramatically draping herself on Chu Zihang.
“So happy!
Sponsor me!”

Chu Zihang glanced at Lu Mingfei, then at Xia Mi…

“She’s not your long-lost sister, is she?” he asked.

“You mean my dad secretly had a sister a year younger than me?”
Lu Mingfei scratched his head.
“No memory of that.
Maybe Fingel’s sister?”

“Could be.”

“My brother’s at home.
No way he knows you guys,” Xia Mi said, hopping off Chu Zihang.
“I’m grabbing a cola!”

She dashed to a door, tiptoed, and squeezed half her body through metal bars.
Her hand, holding a cup, just reached the soda machine’s lever.
A refreshing fizz sounded—the clerk forgot to unplug the machine at closing.

She filled three cups, handing one to each.

“Too bad it’s not Pepsi.
Pepsi’s the sweetest!”

Bai Ci looked at Xia Mi, suddenly feeling they clicked—she liked Pepsi too…

And her behavior was so like someone…