As Yun Yao stepped out of the room, Qi Xia turned his gaze back to Chu Tianqiu. "Can my teammate be released?"

"But that {Adherent} in your team..."

"I’ll take care of it."

Chu Tianqiu nodded, then added, "I had originally prepared a {welcoming party}, but it seems it will have to be postponed." He walked to the classroom door and opened it. Zhang Shan was standing just outside.

"Done?" Zhang Shan asked after a brief pause, his gaze lingering on Chu Tianqiu’s face. "Fuck, what happened to you?"

"It’s nothing to worry about," Chu Tianqiu said, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Zhang Shan, it was all just a misunderstanding. Release Qi Xia’s teammates."

...

Qi Xia followed Zhang Shan to the second floor of the school. At the end of the corridor, they reached the equipment room where his teammates were waiting.

Chu Tianqiu had been meticulous in his arrangements. Instead of locking them up, he had prepared some canned food and bottled water, even arranging for a kindly aunt to keep them company. The woman wore both a Buddhist amulet and a Christian cross around her neck—her faith seemingly eclectic.

At that moment, she was chatting with Officer Li, recounting stories of how village deities had once helped the police solve cases.

"Qi Xia, you’re here?" Officer Li jumped to his feet at once, as though spotting a lifeline, relief washing over his face.

"Are you all alright?" Qi Xia asked.

"What could possibly have happened to us?" Officer Li gave him a puzzled look. "But you—why did it take you so long?"

"I went to see Chu Tianqiu," Qi Xia replied, scanning his teammates. "Is Qiao Jiajin not here?"

"That hoodlum was with you, wasn’t he?" Officer Li asked, raising an eyebrow.

Behind them, Zhang Shan shook his head in exasperation. "That mad dog’s in another room. I told him if he behaved, he’d get food and water, but he wouldn’t listen."

Guided by Zhang Shan, Qi Xia quickly found Qiao Jiajin.

Physically he seemed fine, but his fury was obvious.

"Hey! Swindler Lad!" Qiao Jiajin shouted, his voice full of defiance despite being tied up. "Let me out, and fast! I’m gonna make that buff lou cry today!"

Zhang Shan, now annoyed, shot back, "Do you really think I’m a paper tiger just because I’m not going all out? Sleeve tats, you really believe you can take me down?"

"How would we know if we don’t try?" Qiao Jiajin snorted, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Swindler Lad, how’d you end up on # Nоvеlight # the enemy’s side? Did they threaten you—or buy you off?"

"No," Qi Xia shook his head. "Qiao Jiajin, they were ready to release you, but your behavior was so erratic they didn’t know what to do."

"Erratic?! You’re calling me erratic?!" Qiao Jiajin roared, eyes blazing. "They tied me up and still expect me not to lose my temper?!"

"Qiao Jiajin, you also resorted to violence," Qi Xia said calmly. "Maybe if you apologize, they won’t have to keep you tied down."

Zhang Shan, listening nearby, almost laughed. Getting Qiao Jiajin to engage in {normal communication} was already hard enough—how could he possibly {apologize}?

Yet without warning, Qiao Jiajin lowered his head. "I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize to everyone. Could you untie me now?"

"Huh?!" Zhang Shan froze, pointing at him in disbelief. "Weren’t you all about sticking to your principles? How’d you suddenly cave and apologize?"

"They said if I apologize, I get out—so now I feel like everything before was my fault," Qiao Jiajin chuckled, grinning wide. "That’s the kind of guy I am—I can bend when I need to."

...

Once Qiao Jiajin was back with the team, Zhang Shan guided the group to the northernmost room on the first floor.

Chu Tianqiu had assigned them a classroom. Inside, several basic necessities had already been laid out—old but clean blankets, a small supply of bottled water and canned food, as well as two lighters and a flashlight.

It seemed this floor housed quite a few people, each team occupying its own classroom. As dusk settled, many had gathered indoors, chatting lightly.

Compared to the {wilderness survival} Qi Xia had endured before, the living conditions here were completely different—almost like another world.

They entered their classroom and quickly set up their bedding. Qiao Jiajin used an old iron basin to kindle a small fire in the center of the room. Officer Li brought over several cans, opening them and setting them by the fire to warm. The nine of them sat in a circle, quietly waiting. The atmosphere felt subdued.

Qi Xia lifted his gaze, looking around at his teammates—Qiao Jiajin, Han Yimo, Officer Li, and Dr. Zhao—his mind calculating in silence.

"Is it bearable?" Zhang Shan walked in. "Space is limited, so you’ll have to squeeze in. Hopefully, it’s not too inconvenient."

"Thank you, Shan ge." Xiao Ran stood, smiling at Zhang Shan.

Officer Li also rose, nodding warmly before speaking. "Nice work with the arrangements, bud, you’ve put in effort... Got any cigarettes?"

"Cigarettes...?" Zhang Shan hesitated, then pulled a half-empty pack from his pocket, his expression reluctant. "This is all I’ve got..."

"No worries, no worries." Officer Li casually took the half-pack. "Doesn’t matter if it’s a little short. Thanks, man."

Seeing his {soul food} disappear, Zhang Shan immediately grew flustered. "Hold on... xiōngdì, at least leave me one!"

"I’ve been holding out too long," Officer Li muttered, sticking a cigarette between his lips and lighting it.

"Fine, fine." Zhang Shan shook his head in exasperation. "You guys rest tonight. Tomorrow we’ll probably be heading to those games."

After Zhang Shan left, Xiao Ran shot Officer Li a cold look.

"What is it?" Officer Li asked, puzzled.

"Could you not smoke in here?" Xiao Ran said bluntly.

"Oh, alright, I’ll step outside." Officer Li nodded, then turned to Qi Xia. "Want a smoke?"

Qi Xia paused, then took a cigarette. He had told Officer Li long ago that he’d quit.

"Han Yimo, do you smoke?" Officer Li asked.

"Ah?" Han Yimo blinked, chuckling nervously. "I don’t know how..."

"I’ll teach you." Officer Li shoved a cigarette into his mouth. "It’s not hard—just open and close your eyes and you’ll get it." He glanced at the others. "Not really suitable for us to smoke here, especially with those who don’t. Let’s step out."

Catching his intent, Qi Xia placed a hand on Han Yimo’s shoulder and followed him into the hallway. The three walked in silence, eyes scanning their surroundings with caution. The topic they were about to broach was too sensitive. To prevent {eavesdropping}, they needed somewhere secure.

But in a vast school like this, where could there truly be a safe spot?

"Qi Xia, what do you think about the rooftop?" Officer Li asked. "Or maybe the basement?"

"No." Qi Xia shook his head. "The center of the sports field is safest."