"If you said the information about that person requires payment afterward, why not just pay him?" Liu Yutong suggested.
Li Xiaohui grimaced. "Where would I get the money? My dad only gives me 800 yuan a month for living expenses, and I still owe you 200 from this month."
Liu Yutong chuckled. "It’s fine. You can pay me back whenever—no rush."
"Ahhh, Yutong, you’re the best!" Li Xiaohui beamed, stretching out her hand. "How about lending me another 300? Make it a round 500."
Liu Yutong: "......"
She shook her head helplessly but still pulled out three bills from her wallet, folded them, and tossed them over.
Li Xiaohui caught the money, ecstatic. "Love you, Yutong! Now I can afford internet again without tightening my belt—woohoo!"
With 800 yuan a month, Li Xiaohui could cover basic meals—Cai Da University’s cafeteria could feed her three times a day for about 20 yuan if she budgeted carefully.
But things like internet, clothes, or cosmetics? That was pushing it.
She didn’t dare ask her father for more money. Growing up, she’d always been a little intimidated by him—in her mind, "strict" was practically his middle name.
So even when she was truly broke, she’d never ask him, afraid of getting scolded.
Luckily, her roommate Liu Yutong was loaded. The skincare products she used cost nearly a month’s worth of Li Xiaohui’s allowance, and money was never an issue.
Best of all, they were close enough that borrowing a few hundred yuan wasn’t a big deal.
Of course, Li Xiaohui was the only one in the dorm who could borrow from Liu Yutong without feeling awkward. The others would’ve hesitated.
It was a confidence thing—realistic, maybe, but undeniable. Kids from well-off or influential families just carried themselves differently.
"Xiaohui," Liu Yutong suddenly said seriously, "ask that person how much the full report costs."
She wanted to verify the information. Even if Li Xiaohui found out she was the so-called "female gang leader" people talked about, it didn’t matter.
After all, she wasn’t actually involved in anything shady—just running legitimate businesses.
But if the details were accurate, she needed to track down the source. Her privacy was at stake.
No one liked having their personal information collected. Even in an era where data leaks were as common as smartphone use, people still cared about their privacy.
Li Xiaohui blinked in surprise. "Yutong, since when do you care about this stuff? Something’s off with you!"
She often chatted with Liu Yutong about underworld gossip, but she knew Liu Yutong wasn’t really into it.
Before Liu Yutong could explain, Li Xiaohui gasped dramatically. "Ohhh, I get it! You wanna meet that gang boss too, don’t you? Finally, my bad influence is rubbing off on you—wait, no, that’s not the right phrase. ‘Opening your eyes’? Ugh, whatever! I always thought we’d make a killer duo in the underworld!"
Liu Yutong: "......"
She was genuinely impressed by Li Xiaohui’s mental gymnastics.
She wondered what Li Xiaohui’s father would think if he knew his daughter fantasized about gang life.
"Enough nonsense. Just ask. If he has the full details, I’ll arrange the transfer," Liu Yutong pressed.
"Nope, can’t do that," Li Xiaohui shook her head.
"Why not? He said it’s paid content, right?" Liu Yutong frowned.
"Yeah, but he won’t take bank transfers—only cash," Li Xiaohui explained.
Liu Yutong’s eyes narrowed. This guy was cautious.
Bank transactions weren’t foolproof. If someone was watching, it’d be trouble.
But cash-only had its advantages—it’d make tracking him easier.
"Fine, ask him. I’ll withdraw the cash."
"Oh, and use your name for this."
She didn’t plan to contact Li Xiaohui’s source directly. Strangers raising suspicions was normal, but Li Xiaohui was a regular in those online circles—less likely to raise red flags.
"Got it! I’ll message him now."
Li Xiaohui was all too eager. Free intel on her idol? Who’d say no?
But moments later—
"That greedy bastard!" Li Xiaohui exploded. "He’s asking for 10,000, even 50,000! Yutong, forget it. This is insane."
"Buy it." Liu Yutong’s voice was eerily calm. "Let him pick the location."
Li Xiaohui froze. She hadn’t expected such resolve.
Still, if Liu Yutong insisted, she’d comply. They settled for the cheapest option—10,000 yuan’s worth of intel.
The meetup was set for the next morning at a café on Snack Street.
Watching 10,000 yuan slip away, Li Xiaohui couldn’t help asking, "Yutong, be honest—how much allowance do you get monthly?"
She knew Liu Yutong’s family was wealthy, but even rich kids had limits, right?
Liu Yutong: "Not much. Just a little."
Li Xiaohui nearly rolled her eyes.
A little?!
Her 800-yuan allowance might as well be pocket change in comparison.
Liu Yutong’s parents were way too generous. Meanwhile, hers pinched pennies like their lives depended on it.
Then again, having a loaded best friend had perks. At least she wouldn’t starve when broke.
............
The next day.
Li Xiaohui arrived punctually at the designated café to collect the intel.
Meanwhile, Liu Yutong had Snack Street locked down, surveillance in place, eyes on every movement.
Only upon entering did she realize just how careful their target was.
Snack Street wasn’t usually packed during daytime, but today—a holiday—was swarming with crowds, some areas shoulder-to-shoulder.
Liu Yutong positioned herself diagonally across from the café, sipping bubble tea inside a milk tea shop, waiting.
Outside, over forty Wanlong Society operatives blended in as ordinary shoppers, patrolling the street.
As the meeting time approached, Liu Yutong called Ma Da. "Don’t all focus on the café. Watch for suspicious activity elsewhere. Someone this careful won’t show up personally."
Sure enough, moments later—
A plainly dressed middle-aged woman walked into the coffee shop, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
She glanced around the room before making a beeline for Li Xiaohui, who was seated by the window, and handed her a USB drive.
Though Li Xiaohui was slightly puzzled that the contact was an older woman, she didn’t dwell on it and simply passed the small cloth bag containing the money to her.
Since Li Xiaohui had no idea about Liu Yutong’s true identity, her demeanor was completely natural, raising no suspicion whatsoever.
After receiving the USB drive, Li Xiaohui left the coffee shop without delay.
Meanwhile, the woman stood up near the entrance, lingering as if waiting for someone, showing no sign of leaving.
"Miss, should we make a move?"
"No, wait a little longer."
Time ticked by, yet no one came to the coffee shop to collect the money from the woman, who remained rooted in place.
Liu Yutong couldn’t help but wonder—had their people been exposed?
Just then, a white-haired punk strolled past the milk tea shop nearby.
At first, Liu Yutong paid him no mind; after all, dyed-haired troublemakers were a dime a dozen these days.
But within seconds, something felt off.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d seen this white-haired punk somewhere before.
