Unexpected Interrogations and Unveiled Affections

Ling Qianwu had been searching for almost half a day, yet she still hadn’t found any evidence to support her case.

She truly didn’t want to interrogate Li Yan; it made her feel like an executioner tormenting a prisoner.

Pressing her throbbing temples, she recalled reviewing every surveillance camera on campus.

Still, not a single trace of Lin Yi appeared in any of the recordings. Left with no other choice, Ling Qianwu could only resort to questioning Li Yan.

****

Qin Ruoxue descended the stairs slowly, her arms cradling her books.

She had intended to ask a teacher for help with a problem in her workbook.

As soon as she reached the ground floor, she spotted the two boys, slumped in various contorted positions.

Neither standing nor sitting properly, they looked utterly uncomfortable.

“Lin Yi, Li Yan? What are you two doing?”

Hearing the sound, Lin Yi, who had still been intently searching for surveillance cameras, immediately sprang to attention, straightening up properly.

When he realized it was Qin Ruoxue, the rigid expression on his face instantly softened.

He had initially feared it was the unyielding Ling Qianwu returning.

Qin Ruoxue, at that moment, held the school’s standardized workbook.

A pen and scratch paper were clutched in her hand, suggesting she was on her way to ask a teacher for help with a problem.

Lin Yi composed himself, then let out a soft sigh.

“It’s nothing, we just got punished.”

“The incident this morning shouldn’t have escalated this much, right?”

Qin Ruoxue remained puzzled, completely unaware of what the two boys had done last night.

She had assumed they were in some kind of special situation, never expecting them to have been caught.

Seeing that neither Lin Yi nor Li Yan spoke, Qin Ruoxue’s expression gradually darkened.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Lin Yi, I’ll go talk to her.”

With that, Qin Ruoxue dropped her books and vanished in a flash.

Lin Yi’s lips twitched involuntarily; he hadn’t expected a girl to run so quickly.

****

Inside the classroom, a silver-haired girl lay listlessly on her desk.

Nearly two periods had passed since Lin Yi left, and he still hadn’t returned. Chen Sishi’s anxiety mounted, making it impossible to focus on anything the teacher was saying at the front of the room.

She stared blankly at the empty seat in front of her, her aquamarine eyes devoid of any spark.

Unable to see Lin Yi, unable to even sense his presence, she felt as if she was on the verge of losing her mind.

‘What if Lin Yi was getting intimate with another girl right now? What if he used this opportunity to escape? What if…’

“Teacher, my stomach isn’t feeling well. I’d like to use the restroom.”

Chen Sishi’s voice remained as calm as ever, but her mind was already overrun with chaotic thoughts.

The lecturing teacher cast a fleeting glance at her, saying little, effectively granting Chen Sishi permission.

In the teacher’s memory, Chen Sishi was an excellent student with stellar grades. Moreover, she always behaved impeccably at school, rarely engaging in deceit.

Upon receiving the teacher’s unspoken approval, Chen Sishi theatrically pulled out a packet of tissues and swiftly exited the classroom.

Unsure of Lin Yi’s exact whereabouts, Chen Sishi had no choice but to search floor by floor.

As she reached the second floor, she spotted two figures in the corridor.

From a distance, Chen Sishi could faintly discern that both figures wore female school uniforms, their pale thighs visible beneath grey skirts.

Instinctively, she turned to go downstairs, but then a thought struck her—something felt off.

It was class time; why would two students be standing in the corridor?

Realizing this, Chen Sishi strode purposefully towards the two figures.

Only when she drew closer did she notice the two female students were in the midst of an argument.

“Qianwu, can’t you be a little more lenient? Besides, haven’t you still not found any evidence?”

“However, he’s currently the primary suspect. Until I find the real thief, I won’t let Lin Yi go.”

Hearing Lin Yi’s name, Chen Sishi’s expression instantly shifted.

Without a moment’s thought, her body instinctively moved to shield the two, her face terrifyingly grim.

“Tell me, where have you hidden Lin Yi?”

Ling Qianwu merely glanced at her, then let out a disdainful sneer.

“Skipping class during school hours? That’s grounds for disciplinary action.”

Chen Sishi didn’t back down, immediately retorting with a single sentence.

“Oh, but I already asked the teacher for leave~”

The two stared at each other until, finally, Ling Qianwu waved her hand, speaking with clear impatience.

“I haven’t hidden him. If you want to see him, you can go to the student council office on the first floor.”

Having learned Lin Yi’s location, Chen Sishi didn’t linger, turning to leave immediately.

Standing nearby, Qin Ruoxue watched Chen Sishi’s retreating figure, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation.

That Chen Sishi was still so utterly devoted to Lin Yi, so much so that it genuinely frightened Qin Ruoxue.

Ling Qianwu turned her gaze to Qin Ruoxue, catching her expression of helplessness mixed with a hint of fear.

A flicker of doubt arose in her mind. As the class monitor, Qin Ruoxue shouldn’t be afraid of an ordinary student in their class.

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me that girl bullied you?”

At her words, Qin Ruoxue quickly waved her hands.

“No, no, it’s just that she’s quite intense, a bit difficult to handle.”

“Alright, if she bullies you, I can help you deal with her.”

“Can you really not let Lin Yi go?”

“No, neither the teachers nor the student council will tolerate such egregious behavior.”

The atmosphere between them grew tense once more, neither willing to yield, caught in a stalemate.

As seconds ticked by and class dismissal drew near, Qin Ruoxue’s impatience intensified.

“Please~”

In a moment of desperation, Qin Ruoxue grabbed Ling Qianwu’s small hand, affectionately pulling her arm into a hug.

This girlish gesture, coupled with a coaxing tone, made Ling Qianwu involuntarily take a step back.

“Eek~! Stop, stop, I promise!”

She genuinely couldn’t stand Qin Ruoxue’s antics. In the past, whenever Qin Ruoxue acted coy, Ling Qianwu would always find herself unable to resist, and this time was no exception.

“Yay! Qianwu is the best!”

Watching Qin Ruoxue’s joyful expression, Ling Qianwu couldn’t help but smile wryly.

She hadn’t expected that the usually aloof Qin Ruoxue also had such a cute side. What surprised Ling Qianwu even more was that she was acting this way all for a boy.

“Ruoxue, you don’t happen to like Lin Yi, do you?”

Based on her intuition and understanding of Qin Ruoxue, Ling Qianwu had made a swift judgment.

“Eh?”

Qin Ruoxue’s expression clearly froze. She stared blankly at Ling Qianwu, momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing her reaction, Ling Qianwu already understood. She flashed a mischievous smile and leaned in close to Qin Ruoxue, whispering.

“How far have you two gone? The Qin Ruoxue I know wouldn’t be so invested in just anyone, you know.”

A faint blush instantly spread across her face, and Qin Ruoxue shyly turned her head away.

“N-no, not at all! Lin Yi and I are just ordinary friends.”

Her voice was muffled, as if she were trying to suppress her emotions.

Ling Qianwu didn’t expose her, merely watching Qin Ruoxue with an amused glint in her eyes.

“Alright, alright, we’ll pretend you and Lin Yi are just ordinary friends.”

“Hey! Can you not be so perfunctory!”