Chapter 42: A Fellow Enthusiast

Bai Luomei fixed her gaze on Jiang Mohe, her smile holding a meaning just out of reach. “You certainly know a lot,” she remarked.

Jiang Mohe lowered his eyes, saying nothing.

Ah Si, utterly confused, asked, “What’s so strange about these glasses?”

Bai Luomei placed the glasses into a sealed bag and handed it to Ah Si. “Take them to Ah Ren. Have him decrypt whatever’s inside. Report directly to the boss.”

Ah Ren was the group’s computer expert, so clearly these glasses held some special significance. With that thought, Ah Si accepted the bag and set off to carry out the task.

“What about this guy?” Bai Luomei was referring to Gray Panther.

“I’m only responsible for catching people,” Jiang Mohe replied, calm and composed as he strolled out of the warehouse.

Bai Luomei let out a quiet laugh.

Indeed, a member of the Jiang family—never one to go beyond what was promised. Yet their virtue was that they never broke their word.

In the days that followed, Xianyu Jing never caught sight of Jiang Mohe, except for the two characters he sent in reply to her messages: ‘All good.’

‘All good?’ Was it that Young Master Ao hadn’t punished him? Or did it mean he’d been expelled from the Nangong household, but still thought everything was fine?

Xianyu Jing wanted to ask, but wasn’t sure if she should.

Bai Liyao noticed she seemed distracted for the past two days and assumed it was due to last weekend’s attack, so he tried to comfort her. “I heard from my sister that the case has been resolved, and those criminals are all in prison now.”

Xianyu Jing looked at Bai Liyao and asked, “Has your sister worked with Big Brother for a long time?”

Bai Liyao’s pale grey eyes flickered slightly. “After our parents died, my sister and I became orphans. Later, Brother Ao took us out of the orphanage, and my sister has been by his side ever since.”

Xianyu Jing hadn’t expected such a hidden story and apologized, “I’m sorry, that was a thoughtless question.”

“It’s nothing. That was a long time ago.” Bai Liyao smiled lightly. “After leaving the orphanage, our lives have been wonderful!”

Not only were they well provided for, but he could attend Liyang Academy like any other child from a wealthy family. Bai Liyao was content with his life.

From this, Xianyu Jing surmised that Bai Luomei must hold a significant position beside Nangong Ao. If she pleaded with Young Master Ao, could Jiang Mohe return to his post at the estate?

Xianyu Jing felt that, after all the times Jiang Mohe had helped her, she owed him at least this much.

“Ah!”

A cry of pain abruptly interrupted Xianyu Jing’s thoughts.

She and Bai Liyao quickly walked toward the source of the sound.

Not far from their resting place, along a wooded path, a girl with a ponytail was sitting on the ground, clutching her elbow and muttering complaints under her breath.

Just as Xianyu Jing was about to approach, the girl suddenly shouted, “Don’t come any closer! There’s something on the ground!”

Xianyu Jing stopped just in time and looked down. The path was strewn with countless inconspicuous, transparent beads.

She carefully avoided them and drew nearer, reaching out to help the girl up.

“Thank you!” The girl smiled sweetly at Xianyu Jing, her eyes curved like crescent moons, two dimples appearing on her rosy cheeks—adorably charming.

Her outfit matched her demeanor—a cute sailor-style uniform. After her fall, her skirt was a bit dirty and rumpled; she brushed it off with her hands.

Xianyu Jing took a moment to get a clear look at her face and smiled gently in return. “You’re welcome.”

Bai Liyao crouched down to examine the transparent beads closely, then looked up and said, “These are from the chemistry department’s lab. How did they end up here?”

The chemistry department was quite far from the cafeteria, and during lunch break, this wooded path was rarely used—except by those like Xianyu Jing and Bai Liyao who enjoyed chatting and resting in the shade.

It was obvious someone had deliberately set this trap for them. Xianyu Jing snorted inwardly.

Bai Liyao used a tissue to gather a few beads, then stood up and walked over to Xianyu Jing and the girl.

The ponytailed girl suddenly covered her mouth in surprise. “Are you Bai Liyao from the astronomy department?”

Her eyes sparkled with admiration—a gaze full of awe.

Xianyu Jing looked at Bai Liyao in confusion: Are you famous?

Bai Liyao: How would I know?

The astronomy department was a niche field at Liyang Academy, with even fewer students than the history department. He was always low-key and rarely interacted with others outside his department.

Why did someone react to seeing him as if discovering a new galaxy?

“Hello! I’m Zhai Yan’er, also from the astronomy department. I just enrolled today.”

The girl with the ponytail, her fair and delicate face aglow with excitement, couldn’t contain her joy in her large eyes. “I’ve been following your blog for ages. I’ve read all your articles about ‘Fallen Galactic Civilizations’—your insights are extraordinary!”

She chattered on, her enthusiasm leaving Bai Liyao bewildered.

Xianyu Jing realized she was dealing with a fellow department fangirl.

It was quite peculiar that someone with such a lively, adorable personality had chosen astronomy.

“You know, it was your inspiration that led me to join the astronomy department!” The fangirl Zhai Yan’er bounced in front of Bai Liyao, beaming at him.

“Uh, nice to meet you... hello!” Bai Liyao retreated awkwardly, clearly overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

Zhai Yan’er remained unabashed, grinning broadly. “I’m so happy to meet you on my first day! You must mentor me—I want to study ‘Fallen Galactic Civilizations’ with you!”

Bai Liyao’s lips twitched. He glanced at Xianyu Jing, his eyes pleading for rescue: What should I do?

Despite his sunny appearance, Bai Liyao was shy at heart and not used to being too close to girls. Even with Xianyu Jing, they always kept a polite distance.

But this girl was right in his space, moving about in front of him, making him uncomfortable.

Receiving his silent plea, Xianyu Jing introduced herself to Zhai Yan’er. “Hello, I’m Xianyu Jing from the history department. I look forward to learning together.”

Zhai Yan’er turned her head with a dazed expression. “Salted fish? What an unusual surname!”

Then, seeing Xianyu Jing’s student card, she stuck out her small tongue sheepishly. “Sorry, I’m not very knowledgeable.”

Xianyu Jing smiled, undisturbed. She was used to such misunderstandings.

“By the way, why are you two here during lunch break? Aren’t you supposed to be in the lounge?” Zhai Yan’er asked.

Xianyu Jing didn’t answer directly, but instead asked, “What about you?”

“I just registered this morning, so I’m unfamiliar with the campus…” As she spoke, Zhai Yan’er’s cheeks flushed.

She was famous for her poor sense of direction! She thought the campus shuttle would solve everything, but as soon as she left the cafeteria, she got lost.

“But why are there so many beads scattered on the path through these woods?” Zhai Yan’er wondered aloud.