He Xing greeted them with a wave, and Yan waved back, saying, "Senior He Xing, you should go grab your meal now."
The encounter between the two groups seemed purely coincidental, and Yan noticed that both Officer Zheng Yi and Senior He Xing appeared completely normal.
Nothing out of the ordinary happened.
They continued their stroll, wandering through most of the Bin University campus. Yan and Zhu Jue still carried their backpacks, and after checking the time on her phone, Zheng Yi spoke up, "You two should head back to your dorm. I’ll be fine walking alone—no need to keep me company."
"It’s past seven, and it’s not exactly warm out. I know my way around, so no need to walk me back."
By then, it was already past seven, and they stood at the university’s central square.
Yan and Zhu Jue exchanged a glance before nodding. "Alright, Officer Zheng, we’ll head back to our dorm now."
Yan felt she still needed to have a proper discussion with Zhu Jue.
After bidding farewell to Officer Zheng Yi, Zhu Jue accompanied Yan back to the South District. By then, night had fallen, and the campus streetlights illuminated the paths. A few students walked around, though the area wasn’t crowded.
"Why would Lin Fan show up at the small cafeteria?" Zhu Jue mused.
"And how is it such a coincidence that Senior He Xing and Officer Zheng Yi ran into each other?" Yan pondered.
"I feel like something might have happened, but we’re completely in the dark about it," Yan said.
For some reason, the earlier sighting of Lin Fan and Officer Zheng Yi’s handshake with He Xing gave her that unsettling feeling.
"Just like that, we’ve become informants," Zhu Jue muttered after a long pause.
Yan nodded solemnly. Somehow, they had gone from being mistaken by Ding Ling as some kind of mystical experts to becoming actual informants—officially recognized and directly contacted by the police.
"Definitely not a career path or side gig we ever imagined," the couple sighed, looking up at the dark night sky, their hearts just as heavy.
"On the bright side, it’ll be easier to call for help if we run into trouble now," Yan remarked.
Since things had already unfolded this way, there was no point dwelling on regrets. Besides, they had proactively asked Officer Zheng Yi about this arrangement. It was best to focus on the positives to keep their spirits up.
"Like Officer Zheng Yi said, we’ve got connections both above and below ground now," Zhu Jue added, and both of them chuckled at the thought.
For supernatural matters, they’d turn to Ding Ling; for cases, they’d go to Zheng Yi.
After all, everything in this world boiled down to either matters of the living or matters of the dead.
And if any other bizarre incidents cropped up—even if they weren’t exactly within their expertise—they could just bundle them up and hand them over to Officer Zheng Yi. As someone with a protagonist’s aura, she’d surely find a way to clean up any mess.
With that thought, their moods lifted, and they began to envision a future filled with smooth sailing.
Yan returned to her dorm first, where all her roommates except He Xing were present.
She took a hot shower and, after stepping out, received a message from Zhu Jue confirming he’d made it back to his dorm.
[Zhu Jue]: Lin Fan still isn’t back. Not sure if Officer Zheng Yi has left yet either.
Yan was applying a face mask as she read the message and immediately checked the time.
They had arrived at the small cafeteria around five, and now it was almost eight. Lin Fan was known for his strict routine, so his absence at this hour felt suspicious.
"Hey, who has the tape?" Chu Bingbing asked, rummaging through a drawer.
"Double-sided or transparent?" Yan quickly pulled open her own drawer upon hearing the request.
"Transparent. We’re sticking this on the door," Yi Zhi held up a printed A4 sheet with the words "No Soliciting" in bold letters, accompanied by a meme of a panda head.
Previously, shared items like scissors and tape were kept in the empty sixth bed’s space. But after He Xing moved in, the five of them had crammed everything into random drawers, making it hard to remember who stored what.
Yan retrieved the scissors and tape and began peeling off a strip.
"Someone must’ve torn off the one we put up last semester during winter break. This is the new one Yi Zhi printed the other day," Chu Bingbing complained.
The issue of solicitors in the dorm building was a shared frustration.
At the start of the previous semester, there were people selling locker locks, exam papers for standardized tests like CET-4, CET-6, IELTS, and TOEFL. Later came promotions for apps, mini-programs, and part-time job flyers.
Being in the dorm, especially during a nap, only to be startled by sudden knocking was both annoying and unsettling.
Even though the dorm building required facial recognition for entry, some students from the same building took on these side gigs, distributing flyers for campus events or working part-time.
Getting angry wasn’t fair—they were just trying to make ends meet. But the constant interruptions were undeniably irritating.
In the face of such relentless disturbances, slapping a "No Soliciting" sign on the door was the only solution. And surprisingly, it worked.
Yan cut the tape, and Yi Zhi went to stick it on the door, covering the glass panel. The inside had already been lined with paper to block visibility.
With that important task done, Chu Bingbing noticed Yan’s face mask and immediately dug out her stockpile, tearing open packets and distributing them to Yi Zhi, Ding Ling, and Gu Jiasui—even leaving one on He Xing’s desk.
"Mask time. Everyone, go put one on."
Face masks were one of those things they always forgot to use. Bulk purchases led to endless stockpiles, and the surplus only grew.
Yi Zhi usually disliked the damp sensation on her face, but with Chu Bingbing already opening the packet, the others had no choice but to comply.
Ding Ling’s petite face was nearly swallowed by the oversized mask, the edges curling as she mumbled, "I still have so many you gave me last time."
"Same here," Gu Jiasui chimed in.
Chu Bingbing’s stockpile had infiltrated every corner of Room 320. Unfinished, utterly unfinished!
"This batch is close to expiring, so let’s use it up. If we have to, we’ll slap them on our hands and feet too," Chu Bingbing declared.
With the mask on, Yan had to tilt her head back to use her phone, and speaking became a bit of a struggle.
She imagined the absurd scene of the entire dorm masking not just their faces but their hands and feet too—terrifying.
Watching Yi Zhi move stiffly across the room with her mask on, Yan asked, "Yi Zhi, which print shop did you say changed owners the other day?"
"The one near our college, on the first floor of the Agriculture School’s small cafeteria. I used to print my agronomy reports there since it was convenient. Went back recently and saw new people running it," Yi Zhi explained.
Yan hummed in acknowledgment. "Ah, that’s why. The one in the South District’s still the same."
She sounded casual before shifting topics.
"The new milk tea shop downstairs doesn’t seem too busy."
"That’s because the staff takes forever to froth the milk—like they barely got any training. I checked it out as soon as it opened," Chu Bingbing said.
While Chu Bingbing talked, Yan pretended to adjust her mask in the mirror, her mind quietly turning over other thoughts.
If it weren’t for the "No Soliciting" sign posted tonight, she wouldn’t have remembered this matter.
The print shop near the agricultural college’s small cafeteria had changed owners, and Lin Fan had shown up there. Was there some connection? Or maybe Lin Fan had just gone there to eat?
When He Xing returned to the dorm, she saw the lights on inside. Pushing the door open, she was greeted by five underclassmen sitting together with face masks on.
Some peeked out, while others swiveled their chairs to face her, chiming, "Senior’s back!"
He Xing: "..."
The sight was downright eerie!
"Senior, come join us for a face mask! Though we’re almost done," Chu Bingbing said.
He Xing’s lips twitched. "Try standing at the door and looking in yourselves—it’s terrifying. I’ll take a shower first, then do a mask."
Gu Jiasui, puzzled, got up from her spot near the door and did as He Xing suggested, standing at the entrance to look inside.
Then, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Ding Ling tilted her head, mumbling through her mask, "Sui, what’s so funny?"
Gu Jiasui steadied the sheet mask on her face. "Come see for yourself."
Ding Ling stood up and positioned herself at the door, scanning the room where everyone was masked. She shook her head.
"Looks normal to me?"
She still didn’t get it.
"Because everyone’s wearing masks, and you’re all staring this way. The big, pale masks squished on your faces make you look like four ghostly figures—kinda creepy and kinda weird," Gu Jiasui explained.
After hearing this, Chu Bingbing took her turn standing at the door.
"I think the biggest culprit is you, Yi Zhi!"
"Zhi, you’re just wearing a mask, but when you move, you look like a zombie," Chu Bingbing teased.
"Ghosts and zombies don’t actually look like that," Ding Ling muttered.
"What was that, Little Bell?" Chu Bingbing didn’t catch it.
Yan glanced at Ding Ling and added fuel to the fire, "She said ghosts and zombies in movies don’t look like this."
"Well, movie zombies are like this," Chu Bingbing immediately stretched her arms out stiffly and hopped toward Ding Ling, laughing, "Little Bell, the zombie’s coming for you!"
The next second, pride came before a fall.
Chu Bingbing’s face mask slipped off.
"Pfft."
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Wrong move! Penalty—do it again!"
He Xing stepped out of the bathroom to this scene and burst out laughing along with her underclassmen. The dorm was filled with joy.
After her shower, Yan and the others tossed their masks, washed their faces, and went about their routines—checking schedules or applying moisturizer.
Yan scrolled through her phone and saw a notification about a theater tour. A foreign musical was coming to the country—awesome!
"I’d love to see Mozart l'Opéra Rock live," she sighed, texting Zhu Jue.
"That German Mozart one? Yan, I looped the link you sent me so many times—it’s amazing. I heard the French version, Mozart Rock Opera, is already touring," Chu Bingbing chimed in.
Ding Ling was lost on the topic. Yi Zhi wasn’t interested. Gu Jiasui knew a little, but He Xing continued the conversation.
"Wasn’t the French version here five years ago? The cast was at their peak—the live show was explosive. I caught a performance in Ning City."
"Wait, Senior, you saw it? We were there too!" Yan was thrilled.
He Xing nodded, surprised herself.
Back then, she was still at dance school, training with Teacher Yuan in Ning City. They’d snatched tickets for a rare break before college entrance exams.
Yan checked her old social media posts and realized she and He Xing had attended the same show at the same theater.
"This is too wild. Five years ago, you were strangers in the same audience. Now you’re roommates."
Chu Bingbing gasped. "That’s fate!"
"I don’t get these musicals or operas. But hey, this Friday, Bin City Grand Theater has a dance drama. My bank manager’s offering me tickets," Chu Bingbing suddenly remembered.
If Yan and He Xing hadn’t brought it up, she’d have forgotten.
"Something like Goddess of the Luo River or Xiang Consort? Can’t recall. It’s the premiere, and the bank reserved the first evening show—top-tier cast. Not my thing, but Yan, Senior, want me to snag tickets? Free, probably three or four. Normally it’s two per client, but I can swing four."
"It’s Goddess of the Luo River," He Xing confirmed.
A bank-sponsored gala premiere would undoubtedly feature the best cast.
He Xing had already bought tickets for Saturday’s matinee and evening shows, expecting the matinee to star Fu Yao (the B-cast).
But now her underclassman could get premiere tickets? Given Chu Bingbing’s wealth, it wasn’t surprising—she was the queen of rich girls.
"Senior, how many do you need? Bringing friends?" Chu Bingbing asked. Four tickets would cover He Xing and Yan.
He Xing hesitated. She only needed one, but if she could see the premiere’s A-cast, why not?
"Just one for me, thanks, Bingbing."
Since returning to school, her circle was mostly underclassmen. Aside from her new roommates, she didn’t know many people.
"Yan, three for you?" Chu Bingbing turned to Yan.
Yan nodded. "Three works. A friend’s sister is visiting—might join us. Thanks again, Bingbing!"
With He Xing attending the premiere, Yan felt the stars had aligned.
Three tickets meant she could invite Zheng Yi too!
But if He Xing hadn’t planned on Friday’s show, was she skipping it or waiting for another performance?
Yan’s mind raced even as she thanked Chu Bingbing.
"Pfft, no big deal. Free stuff’s free. Otherwise, I’d just sit there clueless and fidgety," Chu Bingbing said.
"I’ll text my manager. Tickets should arrive by courier tomorrow—good seats."
"Awesome, love you!" Yan blew Chu Bingbing a kiss.
With an early class on Wednesday, the dorm lights went out on time. Yan exchanged a few texts with Zhu Jue before drifting off.
The next morning, as they woke up, Yan checked her messages—including one from Zheng Yi:
[Zheng Yi]: Both jobs noted. Tonight’s arrest reward is processing; the other waits for case closure.
Yan was baffled.
What had she done? What did this mean?
She and Zhu Jue had done nothing! Why was money coming their way?
Huh?
Then Yi Zhi returned from breakfast with a bombshell.
"Girls!!!"
"Something huge happened last night!"
"The new owner of the printing shop in our college's small cafeteria got arrested!"
Yi Zhi, usually calm and composed, wore an utterly shocked expression as she placed the breakfast she’d bought on the table, her voice tinged with excitement.
"That’s the same printing shop I mentioned had a new owner—I was just there a couple of days ago."
"What? What?!" Chu Bingbing, still half-asleep, whipped her head around. "Arrested? Was it for theft? Selling school property?" she guessed.
Yan’s mouth fell open. Huh? That printing shop was actually shady?
Then… was Fan Ge there last night to stake it out?
Wait a minute—was this why Officer Zheng Yi sent her that message?
And they’d specifically gone to that cafeteria last night…
The entire dorm buzzed with excitement over the juicy gossip. Ding Ling blinked rapidly, Gu Jiasui leaned in for more details, and even their senior sister, who’d been washing her face in the bathroom, came out to listen.
"No, apparently… it was espionage," Yi Zhi said, her voice almost floating with disbelief.
"I just printed some documents there two days ago—just forms, nothing important. Do you think he had a criminal record that got uncovered, or was he caught right after arriving?"
"Espionage?!!" Chu Bingbing’s eyes widened, and the others gasped.
"It’s actually real, and right on campus."
"That word feels like it should be miles away from us," He Xing mused.
"I heard it happened last night, right after the printing shop closed, when there were no students around," Yi Zhi added.
Ding Ling, cheeks puffed with a mouthful of steamed bun, mumbled, "Anything else?"
"That’s all I know," Yi Zhi shrugged.
"Ask around during class," Gu Jiasui urged, unable to resist the allure of such a scandal.
"I’ll see what I can find out. No idea if the small cafeteria will be shut down. If I ask Teacher Yuan, I doubt she’d know much," Yi Zhi said.
"Check the group chats—maybe someone else has more info."
"My groups are dead silent," Yan shook her head. She’d hoped to dig up more details, but even the literature department’s chat had nothing!
Heavens above, earth below—who could tell her what the heck was going on?!
She sent Jue Jue a screenshot of the chat and relayed Yi Zhi’s news.
[Jue Jue]: Got it.
[Jue Jue]: Fan Ge’s been giving me weird looks today.
Yan: …
So what the hell happened?! And what was this "second job" Officer Zheng Yi mentioned?
Here she and Jue Jue were, clueless and stressed, while everyone else seemed to be in on something!
After morning classes, a thoroughly confused Yan met up with Zhu Jue, and they headed toward the agricultural college’s small cafeteria to investigate.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Wait up, you two."
It was Lin Fan.
Dressed in his military-green down jacket, Lin Fan slipped between Yan and Zhu Jue with practiced ease, slinging his left arm over Zhu Jue’s shoulder and patting Yan’s right shoulder with his other hand.
Yan and Zhu Jue: This feels familiar… déjà vu.
Fan Ge, what are you up to now?
The next second, they heard Lin Fan’s voice, tinged with frustration.
"You two… you’re something else!"
They’d really kept him in the dark! If it weren’t for last night—when the team from the bureau ran into the squad Zheng Yi had called in, allies clashing with allies—he’d never have guessed the truth about this couple’s hidden identities!
This pair of lovebirds had played their roles flawlessly!
They’d known each other for a whole semester, and Lin Fan hadn’t spotted a single clue or slip-up.
If not for that encounter with the legendary "Justice," if not for bumping into them last night with Zheng Yi in tow…
Lin Fan would’ve gone to his grave never realizing that his dear roommate and Yan were secretly part of the special operations system.
Even if they were just regular undercover agents, it was shocking enough!
These two—when they weren’t in class, they were out dating, all lovey-dovey. Sure, Lin Fan’s own mind was always on his wife and daughter, but who’d have thought Zhu Jue, with his earnest face and constant "my girlfriend, Yan this, Yan that," was actually working the covert front?!
He’d spent all last night piecing it together.
Ordinary on the surface—that’s what made them perfect. Truly "from the masses, to the masses." No one would ever suspect they had another layer to their lives.
And that printing shop? Lin Fan hadn’t even seen Zhu Jue or Yan there, yet they’d alerted Zheng Yi and moved faster than he had. Their detection skills were terrifying!
He knew their family backgrounds, too—which only made it clearer last night.
This couple had to be part of "that program" for elite undercover talent. Lin Fan had heard whispers in the system years ago about a secret Ministry of State Security initiative—no more recruiting from the underworld. Instead, they groomed promising young patriots, red to the core, from childhood, embedding them in all walks of life after adulthood.
Zhu Jue and Yan fit the profile perfectly.
Knowing there were two such "comrades" on campus put Lin Fan’s mind at ease.
No wonder he’d always felt such a kinship with Zhu Jue—maybe it was fate all along!
Just then, Lin Fan noticed Zhu Jue and Yan staring at him with blank, clueless expressions.
He’d said too much.
"Ahem, never mind," Lin Fan casually slid back to Zhu Jue’s side, pretending nothing had happened.
But the couple’s deadpan stares screamed otherwise.
Yan and Zhu Jue looked at Fan Ge, sorely tempted to throttle this cryptic man.
What exactly did we do to "be something else"?
Spit it out already!
