**Chapter 1: Taking Over Jiang Li’s Work**
10:30 AM, Huacheng University, Science and Liberal Arts Building, Classroom 207.
The professor on the podium looked to be in his fifties, yet he was energetic, with a hint of sternness in his demeanor.
In the back row, Lu Yibei was absentmindedly attending class while doodling two turtles in his notebook. Seemingly casually, he wrote down the names “Zhang Shuo” and “Solang Pema” on the turtle shells.
After learning the true cause of his father’s d*ath, he didn’t feel the anger he had expected, nor did he feel an impulse to grab the family heirloom kn*fe and rush out to seek revenge.
On the contrary, his mindset was exceptionally calm, even calmer than he had imagined.
After all, those two guys were A+ level spiritual ability users; being blinded by rage would lead to failure.
Even with a “hanging” at their side, it would be the same…
In our Lu family, who isn’t a b*stard? They all met untimely deaths. Lu Yibei thought with sarcasm.
Although he wasn’t in a rush to find Zhang Shuo and Solang Pema for revenge, he still used his authority as an official member of the Siye Society to search for their names in the household registration archives management system.
As expected, among nearly ten thousand files, there was no information on either of them.
“It seems I can only wait for Jiang Li to return to continue the investigation…” Lu Yibei murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear.
Entrusted by others, one must be loyal.
Before Jiang Li came back, whether it was through the Urban Legends Chat Group for reward information or his own investigative efforts, he had to put everything on hold for now.
Thinking of this, Lu Yibei drew another turtle, slightly smaller, in his notebook and wrote “Jiang Li” on its shell.
These three people, one and all, are all bastards! Lu Yibei thought indignantly.
However…
Even though he couldn’t continue the investigation due to the mess left by Jiang Li and was just sulking, there was another matter that bothered him greatly.
According to the information from the Urban Legends Chat Group, almost everyone on that bus was a spiritual ability user or involved in urban legends, except for one unidentified person who got off early—an unkempt man in traditional Tibetan clothing who sat next to him and his father.
On the night of Lu Ming’s attack, aside from Lu Yibei, twelve ordinary people, including the driver, had been caught up in the battle and unfortunately died, while only the man insisted on getting off when Zhang Shuo boarded, regardless of the torrential rain outside.
He likely sensed something, and it was possible he even recognized Zhang Shuo, prompting such actions.
It would prove that his choice was correct.
If he could find him, perhaps he might gain unexpected clues.
————
“Alright, students, that wraps up this semester’s course. The next short class will be self-study.”
“Additionally, there’s still about two to three weeks until the exams, so I hope you’ll review well and strive to pass all of them.”
“If you don’t pass the exams, don’t come to me for leniency. Poor exam results can only mean you didn’t study well and weren’t punctual; pleading with me won’t help.”
As soon as Professor Ma’s words fell, the classroom was filled with lamenting voices.
Lu Yibei stopped his project of “drawing turtles to curse you all,” stuck his hands in his jacket pockets, and looked at Professor Ma, sneering slightly.
This old man is starting to stir up hatred again.
Though he was fully justified in doing so, didn’t he worry a student would reach their limit and hang him up in a sack and beat him?
While Lu Yibei was inwardly complaining, a boy sitting in front of him suddenly stood up, raising his hand and calling out to Professor Ma, “Professor, can you highlight the key points for us?”
The boy was tall and healthy, likely from spending time outdoors, boasting a bronzed complexion.
He had a crisp short haircut and wore a simple yet stylish sweatshirt, giving off an approachable vibe.
His name was Yang Yi, the class monitor of the freshman Chinese Language and Literature class, popular among classmates and one of the few students Lu Yibei remembered.
However, Lu Yibei had no good feelings toward him.
The reason was likely that he had overheard Yang Yi discussing urban legend games with other students during breaks.
Ever since experiencing the “four-person disaster group” at Shihhekou Middle School, he had developed a deep prejudice against such individuals.
Once Yang Yi finished speaking, the other students began to cheer.
“Yeah, yeah! Highlight the key points!”
“That means if too many of us fail, it would be an embarrassment for you, right?”
Observing the ruckus in the classroom, Professor Ma’s face gradually showed an expression of frustration, just as he was about to explode, Lu Yibei suddenly raised his hand and stood up.
“Professor, the school has stated long ago that we can’t highlight key points for the final exam; I think you shouldn’t do that!”
As soon as he said this, the classroom fell into silence, all eyes glaring daggers at Lu Yibei as if wishing to feed him to an urban legend.
“…”
Isn’t that the academic brat from last time?
Did everybody not isolate him already?
Why is he still not shrinking into himself, surprisingly making trouble! The other students thought.
On the podium, Professor Ma nodded appreciatively at Lu Yibei.
As expected, he is one of my favored students!
“This student is right; the school has long said not to highlight key points. Alright, you can sit down now!”
Professor Ma waved for Lu Yibei to sit down, only to find him still standing firmly, raising a brow in confusion, “Student, do you have something else to say?”
“Yes, Professor, I haven’t finished!” Lu Yibei nodded.
“I also want to say, since we can’t highlight key points, then please at least highlight what isn’t key? The New Year is approaching, so it’s a chance to earn some good karma for your descendants, right?”
Not highlighting is indeed lacking in virtue.
With the students’ restrained but weak applause, Professor Ma’s mouth twitched, and after a few seconds of silence, he said, “Whether it’s key points or non-key points, I won’t highlight them for you, but…”
“Next class, I’ll bring a senior to help you, and I can’t control that.”
After saying this, he shot a fierce glare at Lu Yibei, speaking in a low voice, “Lu Yibei, get out here!”
The students watched the slightly thin figure leave, their expressions gradually shifting from contempt for the academic brat to admiration for the hero’s self-sacrifice.
————
In the corridor.
Professor Ma stood with his back to Lu Yibei, by the window, arms crossed, chin raised at a 45-degree angle, gazing distantly out the window.
He looked just like a “if you don’t coax me well, I won’t be nice to you” proud figure.
Lu Yibei shook his head helplessly, “Don’t be angry, Old Ma. I’m just worried that one day, a student will get so mad that they’ll throw a sack over you and beat you up?”
“Hmph!” Professor Ma snorted coldly, “I’ve been teaching for over 20 years, and I’ve always had this style; I’ve never had the situation you mentioned.”
Lu Yibei, “…” Always had this kind of style?
It’s a miracle you haven’t been beaten to d*ath.
Wait, that’s not right!
Lu Yibei suddenly remembered that every day before leaving the lab, Professor Ma had to do the “coin divination” routine, and suddenly it clicked.
By constantly using coins to divine the route home and avoid dangers, he not only avoided attacks from urban legends but also escape from being beaten by students!
Is having coins something special? Who doesn’t have them?! Go ahead and be reckless, and next time something happens, let’s see if I still come to your rescue!
Lu Yibei inwardly complained, stepping forward to pull half a pack of spicy strips from his jacket pocket, taking one out and offering it to Professor Ma.
“Alright, alright, have a spicy strip to calm down.”
As he took the spicy strip from Lu Yibei’s hand and brought it to his mouth, he sensed something wasn’t quite right.
“You little rascal are eating in my class?”
“Not at all, I just like to carry spicy strips with me.” Lu Yibei said expressionlessly.
Could anyone really carry spicy strips around? Professor Ma didn’t delve deeper, but instead shifted the topic, “What have you been busy with lately? I rarely see you.”
“Me? I’ve been working part-time recently.” Lu Yibei replied.
Professor Ma frowned slightly, “Are you short on money? If so, you can apply for scholarships! Look at Gu Qiqi; she went and probably applied already, right?”
Goodness! Didn’t expect that little con artist, Gu Qiqi, not only sells fake medicine to rip me off but also rips off the school behind the scenes?! Lu Yibei thought.
“If it were me, I’d say forget those random part-time jobs, and focus on studying. By the way, what part-time job are you doing?”
“Guarding the lives and property of the people of Huacheng, fighting against vile criminal forces.” Lu Yibei stood tall, like a little justice messenger.
Professor Ma’s corner of the eye twitched; initially wanting to mock Lu Yibei, he remembered that he indeed possessed some abilities that common people couldn’t understand, so he suppressed his desire to criticize.
“Well then… what do you think about that matter I discussed with you last time?”
“The last matter…” Lu Yibei paused, feebly replied, “Are you referring to the head of the grade having an affair with his graduate student?”
“Or is it about the principal having thirteen identical wigs at home?”
“Or perhaps…”
“None of those!” Professor Ma interrupted, “You little rascal can’t remember serious matters, yet remember casual gossip so well?”
“I’m talking about participating in research projects with me.”
Lu Yibei, “…”
So it was that matter?
Why does he always want to research these things?
What’s so special about that stinky sister? Always leeching off others and being lazy.
However…
Lu Yibei suddenly remembered that Miao Xiaoqi had mentioned a group of scheming individuals targeting Jumeng a few days ago, and alarm bells rang in his heart.
“Professor, when is that research project of yours happening? I thought about it, and if the timing is right, I’m really interested in this opportunity for self-improvement.”
I’ll just check it out; if the stinky sister isn’t in trouble, it’s just an upgrade for myself—no loss at all! Lu Yibei thought.
Seeing Lu Yibei loosen up, Professor Ma’s expression brightened, “No rush, no rush; it’s still early! The project will only kick off after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, so it won’t interfere with your exams or the holiday.”
“However, you need to hurry with your application; it closes in a week.”
So that means I still have over two months? Lu Yibei inwardly complained, nodding, “Alright then, Professor, please sign me up!”
“Hm?” Professor Ma frowned, “Why are you agreeing so readily this time?”
“Because of love.” Lu Yibei said seriously.
Professor Ma’s old face turned red, “You little rascal, I’ve always thought of you as my granddaughter; you can’t…”
“You’re overthinking it.” Lu Yibei coldly interrupted.
“Oh.” Professor Ma awkwardly replied, remaining silent for a long time, then said quietly, “Do you have any more spicy strips? Can I have another? They’re quite tasty.”
Of course, they’re delicious! Other spicy strips can’t compare to the spirit energy-enhanced ones! Lu Yibei glanced at Professor Ma, silently pulling another spicy strip from his jacket, “Just one!”
“Why are you so stingy? Why not just give me half the pack?”
“You’re having fun there!” Lu Yibei said, breaking off half a spicy strip and laying it in Professor Ma’s hands.
Professor Ma, “…”
————
11:30 AM, the class bell rang.
After getting the exam highlights from the senior students keeping study sessions, a group of students left with noticeably brighter faces; the moment the bell rang, they exited joyfully.
The joys and sorrows of humanity do not resonate together.
Lu Yibei looked at them leaving with a dumbfounded expression, then began packing his bag, ready to leave when Yang Yi intercepted him.
“Are you Lu Yibei?” Yang Yi smiled, “You looked really cool standing up for everyone today!”
Lu Yibei scrutinized Yang Yi with an odd expression, “Wasn’t I already evidently handsome before?”
“Uh…” Yang Yi twitched his mouth, squeezing out a smile, “Well, several of us, who are good friends, are planning to get together before the exam to relax, and we’d like to invite you.”
“Sorry, but tomorrow I might be incapacitated,” Lu Yibei replied.
Yang Yi, “???”
Seizing the opportunity while Yang Yi was confused, Lu Yibei threw on his backpack and jogged out of the classroom.
Lu Yibei knew the few people who often hung out with Yang Yi.
One was a green tea-b*tch, another a naive sweet girl, one was a black exchange student, and then there was Yang Yi, a “popular boy”—if they added someone like him, what kind of lineup would that become?
Wouldn’t that be a typical d*ath squad lineup in an American horror movie?
What kind of illness would make me hang out with you guys! Lu Yibei thought.
————
3:12 PM, the Huacheng Folk Culture Research Management Bureau, in Bai Kai’s office.
“Name?”
“Bai Xiaohua.”
“Gender?”
“Female.”
“How old are you?”
“28A.”
“Hm?”
Bai Kai paused, looked up at Lu Yibei, and asked in astonishment, “I’ve only heard of steel channels having a 28A specification, I’ve never heard of people being 28A; how small must they be?”
“You can’t insult my wife!”
Lu Yibei interrupted Bai Kai, slouching in his chair, glancing sideways at him, and sighed, “I mean, Water Brother, who are we to each other, right? Is it necessary to go through all this flowery stuff?”
“Xiao Bei, be serious; even if you’re only temporarily acting as a primary operator, you still need to follow proper procedures, understand?”
Lu Yibei, “…”
In the next hour, guided by Bai Kai, Lu Yibei filled out a bunch of miscellaneous electronic forms, which he had no idea what they were for, uploading them into the database of the Siye Society, and thus completing the process of acting in Jiang Li’s position.
Having filled out the forms, Bai Kai solemnly took out a small box from his drawer and pushed it toward Lu Yibei, “Take a look; this is the work Jiang Li was responsible for.”
Looking at the small box, approximately the size of a shoe box yet less than half as thick, Lu Yibei’s heart lifted, “It seems this job isn’t as difficult as I thought!”
“Xiao Bei, don’t be too happy too soon,” Bai Kai warned seriously, “This is just the work directory.”
Lu Yibei, “???”
(EMMM, at the start of a new volume, I need to think more, so it’s a slightly smaller update today…)
