Eldritch Horror Theatre

That's right. After the seminar with the Benevolent Curse Institute ended, Fu Qian still wasn't in any rush to report back to the Academy, choosing to head straight for the Laboratory instead.

Having just completed a serious brainstorming session, it was now time for a tea break.

That was the superficial excuse. As for the less superficial one—as a rather influential academic, he had always excelled at stealing a half-day of leisure from a fleeting life.

Considering his actions while he was away, all he needed to do now was sit back and wait for matters to come knocking.

However, the identity of the first person to come knocking was somewhat unexpected.

"Morning, Ms. Jia."

For an uninvited guest, Jia Keke's posture was surprisingly relaxed. She didn't even notice Fu Qian until he approached.

Facing the visibly startled woman, Fu Qian appeared highly approachable, even taking the initiative to greet her.

"Professor Fu, morning..."

This elusive figure, who was usually showing the head but not the tail like a divine dragon, had suddenly appeared and was even being so polite. It clearly left her at a loss, to the point that she hesitated on the rest of her greeting.

Mainly because it really couldn't be considered early anymore.

As Jia Keke replied, she subconsciously glanced at the Laboratory beside them.

"Looking for Classmate Ji? Why aren't you going in?"

Fu Qian was naturally well aware of her identity as an assistant, and he had never thought she was here to visit him.

The only thing that made Fu Qian curious was why Jia Keke was sitting out here looking at the scenery when her boss was right inside.

...

"Liushuang... she still has some things she hasn't finished handling. I just waited here for a bit after I arrived."

It seemed Classmate Liushuang was equally approachable, actually letting her assistant address her by her first name—which formed a sharp contrast with making her wait outside right now.

Unauthorized personnel were not allowed to enter the Laboratory. Were the rules and regulations being enforced that strictly?

"So what are your plans for later?"

Marveling inwardly, Fu Qian wasn't in a hurry to head back inside, continuing to ask with great interest.

"...Eat breakfast."

When Jia Keke answered, her hesitation was palpable.

"Your daily routine? Isn't it a bit late?"

Fu Qian's expression showed nothing unusual; he simply glanced at the sun's position in the sky.

"Just today. I have a set time every week to meet with Liushuang to handle affairs, but she suddenly notified me that it would be a bit late—"

"Professor Fu, you came back so quickly."

The next moment, Jia Keke's subconscious defense was interrupted as Ji Liushuang opened the door and walked out, having changed her clothes but looking somewhat fatigued.

After greeting Fu Qian in surprise, Classmate Liushuang turned to Jia Keke and apologized.

"Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Let's head out."

"It wasn't long at all, and the scenery here is quite nice."

Jia Keke immediately waved her hands, signaling that she shouldn't take it to heart.

"Has Professor Fu eaten breakfast yet? Would you like to come along?"

Without giving her a chance to do anything else, Ji Liushuang turned to Fu Qian without losing her courtesy and casually asked.

...

He certainly hadn't eaten, but wasn't this invitation just a bit too... sincere?

Amid his sighing, Fu Qian didn't forget to observe Jia Keke's reaction.

Although it seemed like a merely polite invitation no matter how he looked at it, the assistant still appeared a bit nervous, clearly unwilling for their upcoming confidential matters to be overheard by a third party.

Normally speaking, of course, this kind of invitation—which hadn't been arranged in advance and was for a rather unusual time—would almost certainly be politely declined...

"I haven't. What are we having?"

Under Jia Keke's nervous gaze, Fu Qian accepted the invitation, fully displaying his easygoing demeanor.

'When it comes to figuring out the boss's intentions, Ms. Jia still has a lot to learn,' Fu Qian thought. 'Though that doesn't stop you from being useful.'

Pulling his gaze away from Jia Keke's stiff face, Fu Qian sighed inwardly and turned toward the smiling Ji Liushuang.

The reason for this classmate's fatigued expression couldn't be any simpler. She had clearly still been training hard when he returned, and immediately afterward she had unleashed a Heart-Questioning Sword Prison.

Even though she had recently leveled up, this level of exertion was still pushing it for her.

Logically, the most pressing thing Classmate Liushuang should be doing right now was dimming the sky within the Tower and getting a good sleep.

Yet instead, not only had she postponed handling the Gospel Team's affairs, but her time management was also so poor that she made her assistant wait outside for an extended period.

Even factoring in her lack of energy, while everything seemed somewhat reasonable, it didn't match this girl's typical shrewdness.

Unless making the assistant wait outside had been her goal all along—because there was a chance he might return.

If he happened to bump into her upon his return, there was a high probability he would greet this unexpected yet familiar visitor and ask what she was doing.

And by appearing at just that moment, she could naturally extend an invitation, smooth as silk.

That was exactly why he felt the invitation was a bit too sincere.

As for if he didn't show up?

Then he just didn't show up.

In any case, how could he refuse such profound sincerity?

"You'll have to ask Keke about that. I asked her to find a place."

Faced with Fu Qian's straightforward response, Classmate Liushuang didn't look surprised in the slightest. Smiling as she answered, she even covered her mouth to stifle a small yawn.

"I see."

Fu Qian let out an "oh" and solemnly nodded to Jia Keke.

"Then I'll leave it to you. I trust Ms. Jia's eye."

...

Her eye was indeed quite good.

As it turned out, the place where the flattered Ms. Jia Keke ultimately took the two of them boasted genuinely superb culinary skills.

Although it had been a simple request, she hadn't been at the Academy for long, so she must have put quite a lot of thought into the choice.

The only pity was that Jia Keke herself had a rather poor appetite. Shortly after sitting down, she excused herself to go to the restroom.

"What does Professor Fu think?"

In contrast, despite her fatigue, Ji Liushuang displayed an excellent appetite. As she enjoyed her meal, she even remembered to ask about Fu Qian's impressions.

"Not bad. Full of sincerity."

Fu Qian directed his latter remark pointedly toward Jia Keke's empty seat.

Naturally, he wasn't just talking about the breakfast.

Even though Classmate Liushuang's main intent was to tactfully secure a chance to have breakfast together, since he was already here, she figured it would be convenient for him to help gauge the reaction from the Ji Clan's side.

The assistant, Jia Keke, truly couldn't be considered experienced, but it was precisely this choice that proved the Ji Clan had no intention of stripping her of actual power.

"Yeah, they have a certain understanding of my abilities. They shouldn't do anything too obvious."

Ji Liushuang gave a slight nod, agreeing with his statement while carrying an underlying implication.

'But you're worried there might be some arrangements placed on Jia Keke that even she isn't aware of?'

'Relax. This False God has been testing her the entire way here. Your assistant doesn't harbor any hidden dangers.'

Fully understanding Classmate Liushuang's concerns, Fu Qian was just about to speak when his words were cut off by a sudden roar.

"You actually dared to come back... and you're hiding out here avoiding people..."

Sighing helplessly, Fu Qian turned to look at the familiar figure who had appeared like a ghost.

"Professor Lanaya."

Startled, Ji Liushuang made the exact same motion, and upon recognizing the face, she offered a greeting.

That's right, the newcomer was none other than the head of the Academy Disciplinary Department, Excellency Lanaya.

It was just that her expression clearly wasn't very good. She was staring fixedly in their direction, her gaze as sharp as steel blades.

'If you have something to say, just say it. Don't get so emotional; it looks like a scene of catching a mistress,' he thought.

Regarding the department head's teeth-gnashing posture, even though he could understand the reason, Fu Qian still couldn't help but inwardly complain.

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