A Scrutinizing Gaze and a Lingering Question

Having briefly recounted the events of the previous day to Meng Miao, Zhuang Xun asked, “Is there something wrong with Senior’s pheromones?”

Meng Miao’s scrutinizing gaze landed on Zhuang Xun, lingering for only a fleeting second. “Beyond that, was there nothing else you did?”

Listening to Meng Miao’s equivocal phrasing, Zhuang Xun stated frankly, “Senior, you can simply ask me directly.”

“No.” Meng Miao idly twirled her straw, murmuring to herself, “You have no reason to conceal anything.”

Zhuang Xun’s brow furrowed slightly, her suspicion piqued. “Senior, what do you mean by that?”

Meng Miao pointed to the watch and slowly explained, “It’s merely a theory. I can’t tell you anything until it’s confirmed. I need to take this watch back to headquarters to extract the data.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Xun suddenly remembered something important. Initially, the wearer of this watch had not been Shen Xian, but herself.

“Senior, the data from this watch should be calculated from eight PM onward,” Zhuang Xun noted. As Meng Miao paused while placing the watch into her backpack, Zhuang Xun added another detail. “Senior didn’t seem to like this watch very much, so I was the one who wore it at first.”

Although she wanted to say she had taken the watch simply because she wished to wear it, given how well Meng Miao knew Shen Xian, such a lie would have been seen through instantly. Rather than beating around the bush, telling the truth was more likely to yield information.

Meng Miao’s expression remained unchanged, as if she were accustomed to such complications. She casually tossed the watch into her bag, then spoke slowly. “I see. I’ll apply for a different model of watch later.”

Zhuang Xun wanted to understand why Shen Xian disliked the watch so much, but seeing Meng Miao’s dismissive demeanor, it seemed unlikely she would reveal the reason.

“If you wish to know, it would be better to ask Shen Xian directly.”

Meng Miao’s words startled Zhuang Xun, who looked up to find the senior already standing, her bag slung over her shoulder. It appeared she was preparing to leave.

“Oh, right. Headquarters has been very busy lately. After the data from the watch is extracted, I’ll find an opportunity to contact you. If anything happens with Shen Xian, I’d appreciate your help in looking after her. I’ve already paid for the coffee; feel free to sit a while longer before you go.”

Zhuang Xun nodded slightly. “I understand. Thank you, Senior.”

“Mm. See you later.”

Meng Miao left with a hurried farewell. Only after the café door closed behind her did Zhuang Xun relax, leaning back into her chair. The glare from the overhead lights reflected her silhouette in the remains of her coffee.

The scene of her conversation with Meng Miao replayed in her mind. She had said nothing, yet her thoughts had been picked apart.

Please help look after Shen Xian…

Was it truly just because of that accident, binding the two of them together, that she was entrusted with this care? Although it was work she had willingly accepted, hearing it from someone else felt incredibly strange.

It felt like… “…a sense of being compelled?”

“What sense of being compelled?” A figure leaned over, meeting Zhuang Xun’s gaze.

Zhuang Xun’s eyes widened, but she immediately collected herself, replying politely yet distantly, “Senior Ji Xiao.”

“You’re Zhuang Xun, right? Hello there!” Ji Xiao’s eyes fell on the chair opposite her, then she chuckled softly. “You don’t mind if I sit here for a bit, do you?”

Zhuang Xun shook her head, sitting up straight and gesturing to the seat. “Senior, please sit.”

Once Ji Xiao was seated, Zhuang Xun politely inquired, “Senior, would you like anything to drink?”

Ji Xiao shook her head. “No need. To be honest, I’m quite sorry for just now. I seem to have startled you.”

Zhuang Xun, holding her stirrer, unconsciously moved it through her coffee. “Not at all, Senior. I was simply too engrossed in my thoughts to notice you.”

“Is that so? Ah, I see.” Ji Xiao propped her head on her hand, her gaze intently fixed on Zhuang Xun.

Zhuang Xun felt on edge. Ji Xiao’s intense stare was impossible to miss. Moreover, Senior Ji Xiao seemed to have overheard her muttering to herself just now…

“It’s not your fault, really, since I appeared so suddenly. If I had truly given you a fright, I’d feel rather bad about it.” Ji Xiao’s fingers tapped a silent, rhythmic beat on the tabletop.

Zhuang Xun remained quietly seated. Compared to Senior Ning Qi and Senior Meng Miao, Senior Ji Xiao felt the most difficult to deal with. The smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, combined with her protectiveness over Shen Xian, made Zhuang Xun’s internal alarm bells ring.

Zhuang Xun decided that striking first would be better than waiting. “Senior, were you looking for me for something?”

“No, not really. I just happened to see you sitting here alone.” Ji Xiao pointed toward the window. Zhuang Xun’s gaze followed her finger. The street outside was quiet. “You looked quite troubled. Since you’re Xiao Xian’s team member, I came over to check on you.”

Zhuang Xun remained expressionless, but her tone was sincere. “I’m fine, Senior. Thank you for your concern.”

“It seems I was indeed overthinking things.” Ji Xiao stretched her arms, her eyes smiling as she looked directly at the junior. “After all, you are Xiao Xian’s very first team member. She’s been… no, that’s not right. She never had any intention of taking on team members before, and she still doesn’t. So, when I heard the news, I was truly startled.”

Zhuang Xun grasped the heavy implication in Ji Xiao’s words. Outwardly, she showed no change, but inwardly, she began to worry.

Since? What did that mean? Had Shen Xian encountered something unpleasant in the past?

“So,” Ji Xiao continued, “what methods did you use to secure your position as Xiao Xian’s team member?”

Zhuang Xun looked up, and the friendly smile on Ji Xiao’s face vanished. It was replaced by a condescending, scrutinizing gaze—the kind of look one gives a rival, or perhaps a weaker creature.

“Senior, what do you mean by that?” Zhuang Xun met Ji Xiao’s gaze with extreme calmness.

“The literal meaning, of course.”

Zhuang Xun remained completely unaffected, slowly stating, “I was chosen by headquarters. For specific details, Senior should inquire with them.”

“Since headquarters chose you, I suppose I’d get the same answer if I asked them?” Ji Xiao shrugged, a smirk curling her lips. “More importantly, you must have a reason for being by Xiao Xian’s side, don’t you? For instance… did you specifically approach Xiao Xian with a certain objective in mind?”

Zhuang Xun’s fingers rubbed the rim of her coffee cup, her gaze a flat, emotionless calm. “Senior, you’re overthinking it. My becoming Senior’s team member was a matter of chance. As for the ‘certain objective’ you mentioned, I have no idea what that would be. Or perhaps, Senior, you have something specific in mind, which is why you’re asking me?”

“How could I? I’m just a little surprised, that’s all. After all, a newcomer suddenly appearing next to a girl as lovely as Xiao Xian… it’s hard not to wonder if there are ill intentions at play.” Ji Xiao emphasized the last few words heavily.

“Sen—”

Before Zhuang Xun could finish, a shadow fell over the table.

“Ji Xiao, I recall telling you to wait for me outside.”