Achio’s opening leaves (Dumping Eye God)

Walking down the street, Ye Hao thought back to what those yellow-haired and green-haired guys said earlier.

“An abandoned factory, huh?”

What’s with these punks nowadays? Do they all have some special emotional attachment to factories or something? Every time it’s something about a factory.

“Ye Hao!”

While lost in thought, Ye Hao suddenly heard someone calling his name. He looked up in confusion, scanning around.

Who? Who’s calling me?

“Hey, I’m talking to you, over here.”

“You are?”

Looking at the girl in front of him, Ye Hao scratched his cheek.

Who are you?

“No way, it’s been less than a week and you’ve already forgotten?”

“Sorry to ask, but… what do you want from me? Also… I really don’t remember who you are.”

Did I even know her?

When did this happen? And why is she acting so familiar all of a sudden…

A new scam tactic?

Get-rich-quick scheme?

Chen Shirou was on the verge of collapse. It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already forgotten?!

“I’m here for tutoring, remember now?”

Tutoring?

Hiss…

“Oh! Right, I remember now, you’re… uh… the decoy?”

Chen Shirou: “…”

Seeing the “so that’s how it is” expression on Ye Hao’s face, Chen Shirou wanted to hit him.

Now what was she supposed to say?

Yes, that’s right, I’m the decoy?

Gritting her teeth, she forced out a word.

“Yes…”

Hold it together, even if this guy is a total scumbag, his academic skills are still impressive.

“But I don’t really need a decoy now… enmmmm… actually, I do.”

After all, his older sister’s tastes were kind of strange. Maybe he could use this trick to turn things around.

And if it worked, it’d save him a lot of trouble — no more juggling women every day.

Nodding, Ye Hao reached out and patted Chen Shirou’s shoulder.

“I need you…”

“You—what are you saying all of a sudden?!”

As expected, a scumbag through and through. No way, I, Chen Shirou, won’t fall for it a second time!

“Well… your task might be a bit tough, so do your best, okay? We’ll start tomorrow. As for the tutoring, give me your address and I’ll come by after school.”

“Oh…”

Seeing her awkwardly nod, Ye Hao patted her shoulder again, said “Do your best,” and quickly walked off.

“This guy…”

Watching his back as he left, Chen Shirou froze for a moment, then quietly followed him.

She wanted to see what he was up to. Based on past experience, shouldn’t this guy be heading home?

But this direction… wasn’t the way back.

—

Carrying his schoolbag, Ye Hao followed the memory in his head until he arrived outside the so-called factory.

“So this is it?”

Sighing, Ye Hao looked around.

From her hiding spot, Chen Shirou saw him take out his phone and do something in front of the abandoned factory.

He seemed to be making a call. After a while, he hung up, brushed off his clothes, and went inside.

Soon after, several black vans and a small truck came speeding up and stopped outside the factory.

Seeing this, Chen Shirou took a few steps back and reached for her phone to call the police.

“Miss, please hand us your phone for safekeeping. You’ll get it back later.”

Backing up, Chen Shirou suddenly felt herself bump into something. Hearing the voice behind her, she panicked and tried to scream.

Seeing that she was about to yell, the man in black behind her sighed and knocked her unconscious.

“Seriously, young people these days never do what they should, and always rush to do what they shouldn’t.”

He picked up her phone, checked it, and after confirming there were no secret recordings, stayed outside.

Though there were no recordings, he did find a rather interesting folder.

“tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Since there was still time, the man squatted down and opened the folder out of curiosity.

“Hiss… who would’ve thought? If Ye Hao finds out about this, he’ll probably kill me…”

Indeed — the folder was full of Ye Hao’s photos. Some from three years ago in high school, and the most recent taken just earlier today.

“Sigh… what’s with girls these days? Why do they all like secretly taking photos?”

He didn’t get it. Maybe he just wasn’t keeping up with the times?

That couldn’t be. He was only twenty-six — a “young uncle” at best.

After more than ten minutes, Ye Hao came out of the factory, wiping his hands with a wet towel. Behind him, several men in black dragged out a bunch of beaten, rainbow-haired punks.

“Clean this place up. I’m heading out first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Passing the towel to one of them, Ye Hao noticed a man squatting by the roadside — the same man in black.

Ye Hao: “…”

What’s this, performance art?

When the man saw Ye Hao notice him, he waved and pointed behind him.

“Huh?”

Someone followed him? No way, he was being tailed?

Should he just… get rid of them?

Scratching his head impatiently, Ye Hao walked over.

“I told you, next time something like this happens, just take care of— take care of—”

!?

“Well, well! Isn’t it the scumbag himself~”

Ye Hao: “…”

Wait, why is she here? No—why is the decoy here?!

“This girl was following you, almost went right inside.”

“How is she here?”

“How should I know?”

Patting his pants, the man tossed Ye Hao a pink phone and handed him a stack of red bills.

“I might’ve hit her a little too hard. She probably won’t wake up tonight. You get what I mean, right?”

What was Ye Hao supposed to say? I get it? He didn’t!

Holding the phone in one hand and the money in the other, Ye Hao glanced at the unconscious Chen Shirou slumped against the wall. His scalp tingled.

“You’re not asking me to get a hotel room, are you…”

“What do you think? You gonna just leave her here?”

No way…

Sure, he was an adult and had his ID, but taking an unconscious girl to a hotel?

That’d land him on the evening news for sure.

“Oh right, there’s this rich guy — said he wanted to help his son ‘save face.’ Somehow he found me. Guess what?”

Ye Hao: “…”

“How would I know…”

“The guy wanted me to deal with you. I was like, huh? Must be new around here.”

The man looked genuinely confused.

He hadn’t agreed or refused yet — said he was busy and would decide later.

And now, here was the person in question.

“What’s his name? I haven’t done anything lately… unless… that coward?”

“Goes by Song Bi. Ring a bell?”

“No, but I know a Song Yang.”

“Yup, same family. Wanna put on a little show? Been a while since I got to play the villain. Could be fun — fake it till we make it.”

Ye Hao: “…”

Can I say no…?

Thinking for a moment, Ye Hao remembered Jiang Yue mentioning a blind date. Well, in that case…

“Fine, let’s do it. Who’s afraid of who?”

“Good! I’ll handle the arrangements. You take care of the girl, alright, Mr. Scumbag?”

My hands are shaking! I’m shaking! I can’t stop myself from wanting to punch something!

Stuffing the phone into his pocket, Ye Hao bent down and lifted Chen Shirou into his arms. Watching the last van drive off, he sighed.

So that was it? Just some low-level punks? He thought they’d be a big deal.

But seriously — didn’t he tell her to go home? Why did she follow him instead?

He wasn’t actually going to get a hotel, right? He was still a student! That’d be bad…

Bringing her home wasn’t realistic either.

Especially with Yao Yao around — she’d kill him if she found out.

He’d just call her instead and say he wasn’t coming home tonight.

If only he knew where this girl lived, he could drop her off…

Forget it.

Hotel it is. Nearby ones should do…

Wait.

Actually, he could stay for free at one nearby.

“tsk, earning extra cash for no reason.”

—

“Room for one.”

At the hotel front desk, Ye Hao held the unconscious Chen Shirou in his arms.

“Are you Mr. Ye Hao?” the receptionist asked.

“Yes.”

Moments later, Ye Hao had a keycard dangling from his mouth as he took the private elevator to the top floor.

Looking down at the still-unconscious decoy in his arms, he grimaced. Just how hard had that guy hit her?

Once in the room, Ye Hao dropped her onto the bed.

Then he looked around and nearly exploded.

No wonder the receptionist gave him that weird look — this was a couples’ suite!

Disgusting.

A big red bed, warm yellow lights, no windows, and a bunch of suspicious props that made his heart race…

WDNMD! (What the hell!)

What kind of shady hotel was this?! He should file a complaint — even if he knew the owner.

Forget it. Better call Yao Yao instead.

“What’s Yao Yao’s number again…”

Crap.

Ever since Luo Yao came back, he hadn’t asked Luo Fan for her number. This was awkward.

He wanted to call his sister, but didn’t even have her number.

Flipping through his contacts, Ye Hao’s mouth twitched.

“This one labeled ‘Favorite Yao Yao’… that’s probably it.”

Wait, why was her number already in his phone?

And under such an embarrassing name — clearly something Luo Yao herself had set.

Which meant… she’d used his phone while he was asleep?

Thinking about the things hidden in his phone, Ye Hao felt his scalp tingle again.

If she’d seen those, she’d probably tease him for weeks.

His phone had a bunch of childhood photos — he hadn’t looked at them in years, but they included everyone he grew up with.

And a few… sensitive ones — crime evidence from “special cases.”

Not that anyone would believe they were real.

After all, who would?