My attributes don’t include jinxing!

At last, I had endured until the Class Monitor finally emerged from the restroom.

My current state of mind defied all description.

If pressed, I would say Edvard Munch’s The Scream perfectly captured my inner turmoil – yes, the one where the figure clutches their ears, head shaped like a peanut, letting out that primal shriek.

I felt utterly broken! The gates to a new world had swung wide open before me, waiting for me to take that final, dreadful step.

The Class Monitor remained blissfully unaware that in the adjacent stall, a boy, utterly shattered by his glimpse into a “new world,” had listened in agony to her entire restroom routine.

Naturally, no thought of embarrassment crossed her mind. She simply rose, adjusted her skirt, flushed the toilet, and exited the cubicle.

For a fleeting moment, I wondered what expression the Class Monitor would wear if she ever discovered I’d been right beside her during her visit.

Yet, I quickly dismissed such a mischievous thought. This wasn’t something one could casually blurt out; it would surely earn me her enduring hostility.

With a sigh, I pushed open the stall door and stepped out.

Queen Lan had already emerged before me. Catching sight of my ashen face, she couldn’t help but revel in my misfortune.

“Oh my, Li Qingchen, enjoying a supreme auditory feast from the VIP section must have been quite the experience, wouldn’t you say?”

‘A “supreme auditory feast”? What in the world is that? Only a pervert would enjoy such a thing! All I heard was the gush of water, nothing more!’

“Enough! You’ve utterly ruined me this time.”

I grumbled.

Queen Lan feigned a look of surprise. “Oh my,” she chirped, “I truly thought Li Qingchen would be delighted.”

‘Is my name Chen Shen?! You’ve clearly mistaken me for another gentleman!’

I shot Queen Lan a hostile glance, then pivoted and headed toward the exit of the restroom.

“Regardless, I can’t bear to stay here a moment longer. I’m leaving.”

“Oh? Li Qingchen, aren’t you going to hide a little longer? What if Lin Yi is still out there?”

Queen Lan watched me, speaking.

“Even so, I cannot remain here. I would sooner venture into the men’s restroom next door.”

As I declared this, I had already pushed open the restroom door and stepped outside.

“Ah, wait for me, Li Qingchen! Don’t you dare think of running off by yourself.”

Seeing that her pleas were futile, Queen Lan could only quicken her pace, following me out of the women’s restroom.

The moment I exited the women’s restroom, the lingering scent of disinfectant vanished. I closed my eyes, drawing in a long, deep breath.

‘Hmm, the outside smell is indeed better.’

“Oh, Li Qingchen?”

Suddenly, a voice of inquiry drifted from nearby.

Startled, I snapped my eyes open to find the Class Monitor standing before an ATM, regarding me with a look of utter surprise.

Beside her, Cheng Tianxiong had also noticed me, his gaze filled with palpable hostility.

‘Holy crap, Class Monitor, didn’t you finish using the restroom? Why are you still in the bank? You haven’t finished withdrawing money yet?’

‘It’s over, it’s over, the Class Monitor didn’t see me come out of the women’s restroom, did she? I should have stayed inside a little longer before coming out. How am I going to explain this now!’

Noticing my prolonged, dumbfounded silence, the Class Monitor was the first to speak. “Li Qingchen, what exactly were you doing this afternoon? You even missed class. Why are you here at the bank?”

“Uh? I…”

‘The Class Monitor hadn’t mentioned the women’s restroom. Did that mean she hadn’t seen me emerge from it?’

A small sigh of relief escaped my chest.

Yet, confronted by the Class Monitor’s interrogation, I found myself utterly at a loss for words, only able to stammer incoherently.

Observing my reaction, the Class Monitor lowered her head. “Li Qingchen,” she began, “you’re not, by any chance, upset about what happened this morning…?”

‘Hey, Class Monitor, you’re mistaken. Although I was very angry about what happened this morning, you were the one more severely injured, right? Why would I skip class over something like that?’

“No, Class Monitor, I…”

I waved a hand, about to deny it, when Cheng Tianxiong suddenly burst forth from behind the Class Monitor.

He seized my collar, declaring with clear displeasure, “I bet you only came here to stalk the Class Monitor, didn’t you?”

“Cheng Tianxiong, release him at once.”

Lin Shujing quickly moved forward, attempting to intervene.

My collar was taut, constricting my throat uncomfortably. I could barely pry open a single eye.

“Let go quickly!”

Cheng Tianxiong snorted. “Why should I let go?” he retorted. “I’m going to give you a good beating today!”

“Cheng Tianxiong, release him immediately! That’s an order from the Class Monitor!”

The Class Monitor yelled at Cheng Tianxiong.

“But Class Monitor…”

Cheng Tianxiong glared at Lin Shujing, his brows deeply furrowed, a stubborn reluctance etched across his face. He refused to release his grip.

“Li Qingchen!”

As if on cue, Queen Lan sauntered out of the restroom at that precise moment, a serene smile gracing her lips.

‘This guy was clearly behind me just now, but it took so long for her to come out. She obviously noticed the situation outside. She’s waiting for her chance!’

“Ji… Ji Qianluo?”

The Class Monitor stared at Queen Lan, clearly astonished to find her in the same vicinity as me.

“Oh? Class Monitor, good afternoon.”

Ji Qianluo smiled warmly, greeting the Class Monitor.

“Good afternoon.”

The Class Monitor, still dazed, responded to Queen Lan’s greeting.

‘Class Monitor, don’t pay attention to this woman! She’s a manipulative b*tch, you’ll be led astray!’

“Ji Qianluo, what brings you here?”

The Class Monitor inquired, looking at Queen Lan.

Queen Lan offered a knowing smile. “Why, I’m simply on a date with Li Qingchen,” she declared, “We’ve been enjoying ourselves all afternoon.”

Cheng Tianxiong, who had been listening intently nearby, heard Queen Lan’s words. His hand, still clamped on my collar, instantly tightened its grip.

“You scoundrel! You’re two-timing!”

“Who’s two-timing anyone?!”

I tried desperately to protest.

‘Queen Lan is truly the number one teammate saboteur. From now on, I must cherish my life and stay far away from Queen Lan!’

“You still dare to argue? I’m going to pummel you today!”

Upon hearing my continued denial, Cheng Tianxiong furiously raised his other hand, poised to strike.

I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut.

“Cheng Tianxiong, stop at once.”

The Class Monitor swiftly grabbed Cheng Tianxiong, restraining him from laying a hand on me.

Queen Lan, meanwhile, crossed her arms, settling back to observe the unfolding drama with a leisurely air.

“Class Monitor, release me now! I absolutely must beat him today!”

Cheng Tianxiong persisted.

“You are classmates! As your Class Monitor, I cannot simply stand by and allow this!”

The Class Monitor regarded Cheng Tianxiong with a stern gaze, steadfastly refusing to release her grip.

“But this damn otaku is insufferable.”

“That is no excuse!”

…

As their argument escalated, I slowly opened my eyes, casting a resigned gaze toward the ceiling.

‘Today is truly cursed. The entire day has been a string of misfortunes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if anything else happened.’

Just as this thought crossed my mind, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.

BANG——————

A deafening gunshot instantly reverberated through the bank lobby.

Both the Class Monitor and Cheng Tianxiong froze, their gazes snapping towards the main hall.

‘No way?’

My lips twitched involuntarily as I slowly, almost unwillingly, turned my head.

“This is a robbery! Everyone, hands where I can see them!”