Futile Devices Scans

On the sheet of white paper before him were the details of the remaining two people. Ke Bu held no expectations at all.

Ying Xiu Jie: His father is a boxer, and his mother runs a taekwondo gym. Since childhood, he has loved causing trouble and has changed schools many times because of it, though with no effect. His academic performance is abysmal; he only enjoys fighting. What he does most often is either being sent to the hospital or sending others there.

Su You Yan: Her father is the chancellor of Sheng Jie Academy. Her mother passed away early due to illness. It is said she is arrogant; it is said others avoid her; it is said few have ever seen her speak. Preferences unknown, background unknown, disposition unknown.

Ying Xiu Jie was one thing, but what kind of profile was Su You Yan’s? The world really does contain all kinds of strange people… But ever since meeting Zhi Li, nothing seemed particularly surprising anymore. It was already the third day. I wonder how things are going on Chu Hao Yu’s side.

Gong Zhu called out from behind, “Are you heading to the classroom too?”

“Yeah. How’s it going on your side?”

“Chu Hao Yu went to find Ying Xiu Jie.”

“It’s already the last day. I say we just grab any two people.”

“We’ll think of something. I don’t mind… as long as Lord Zhi Li is there.” Gong Zhu said this with a blissful smile.

Ke Bu frowned. It’s just… I felt like frowning, that’s all.

“Although Lord Zhi Li is a bit hard to figure out, I think he’s quite easy to get along with.”

“That’s enough. Stop talking.” Ke Bu unexpectedly cut him off. Gong Zhu looked at him in surprise.

“We should get to the classroom,” Ke Bu added.

The two of them arrived at the classroom. The moment Ke Bu stepped inside, a chill ran down his spine. He saw Zhi Li sitting there with his head lowered. Today’s weather was scorching; the sun blazed down, everything felt stiflingly hot. Even with air conditioning, the classroom could not escape the oppressive summer heat.

Ke Bu immediately stepped back out of the classroom.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know why, but today I really don’t feel like going into the classroom… haha.” Ke Bu laughed awkwardly. Damn it, I really don’t want to run into Zhi Li right now.

“Close the door properly and go buy a bottle of iced water.” Zhi Li’s cold voice came from the back of the classroom.

Ke Bu froze on the spot. His usual composure had completely vanished.

“Didn’t understand?” The tone was so cold it was almost terrifying.

Ke Bu’s hands trembled as he shut the door properly, making sure the cool air wouldn’t escape. Then he dashed toward the store. Soon, he returned with a bottle of iced water and handed it to Zhi Li. Zhi Li twisted open the cap, took a sip, then raised his head, grabbed Ke Bu by the chin, and forced his mouth open, pouring the icy water inside.

“You call this iced water?”

“This… this is already the coldest one.” Ke Bu wiped the water from the corner of his mouth, speaking timidly. This damn air conditioner that doesn’t cool properly… this damn water that isn’t cold enough…

Standing nearby, Gong Zhu was utterly bewildered by the strange scene. He felt that Lord Zhi Li suddenly seemed unapproachable, somewhat different from his usual self—though his face remained just as captivating.

At that moment, Chu Hao Yu burst into the classroom, his face slightly bruised. “I lost—I lost to Ying Xiu Jie.”

The moment he said this, he felt the stifling heat of the classroom. Looking toward Zhi Li, he froze in place, then turned and shouted at the others, “What’s wrong with the air conditioner?! Get someone to fix it!”

Zhi Li hurled the mineral water bottle straight at him. “You useless bastard, you can’t even handle something this simple—what’s the point of you even being alive?”

“I-it’s not my fault! Ying Xiu Jie is too strong!”

Zhi Li clicked his tongue impatiently. “So hot!” Gong Zhu moved closer to Ke Bu and asked in a low voice, “What’s going on?” Ke Bu came back to his senses. “Oh, didn’t anyone tell you? Zhi Li can’t stand heat. When it gets hot, he becomes extremely irritable—basically goes into full dark mode.” Gong Zhu laughed after hearing the explanation. “It’s not as exaggerated as you say.” Zhi Li turned his head. “What are you laughing at, you idiot?” Gong Zhu was so startled that he immediately stopped laughing.

“Chu Hao Yu, get out here! Running away after losing—what kind of man does that make you?” A boy outside the classroom shouted through the window. Ke Bu looked over toward the voice. It was a boy with dyed golden hair, dark skin, a neat buzz cut, and a resolute face.

Zhi Li raised his eyes. “You’re Ying Xiu Jie?”

“Who are you? I’m looking for Chu Hao Yu. Running away after losing—what kind of man is that?”

Zhi Li walked out. “Then I’ll keep you company.” After saying that, the two of them headed into the restroom. Gong Zhu stepped forward, trying to stop him. “Hurry and call Lord Zhi Li back—Ying Xiu Jie is really strong. If, if…” Chu Hao Yu stopped him. “If he wants to go die, there’s nothing we can do.”

“You’re clearly friends—how can you let Lord Zhi Li go to his death?” Tears shimmered at the corners of Gong Zhu’s eyes. Chu Hao Yu looked at him earnestly. “I was talking about Ying Xiu Jie.”

Ying Xiu Jie was indeed no ordinary opponent. Ke Bu glanced at his watch—ten minutes had already passed. After eleven minutes, Zhi Li dragged Ying Xiu Jie’s body back into the classroom and tossed him by the door. “So, want to join our group?” Ying Xiu Jie’s lips moved as if trying to say something. Zhi Li stepped on his stomach. “I can’t hear you.”

“J-join…” Ying Xiu Jie croaked weakly before collapsing again. Just like that, another group member had been secured in a rather brutal fashion. Now only the most difficult one remained—Su You Yan.

By evening self-study, the weather had gradually cooled. Entrusted with this important task, Ke Bu and Zhi Li reluctantly headed toward Su You Yan’s classroom.

Standing outside the door, Ke Bu poked his head in and asked a girl in the front row, “Excuse me, is Su You Yan here? Could you call her for me?” The moment she heard the name, the girl looked troubled. “You should call her yourself. She’s over there.” She pointed toward Su You Yan’s seat. Ke Bu looked over. Th-this girl… Long jet-black hair, snow-pale skin—so pale it was almost bloodless—delicate features… Is she even human?

“Hey, what’s her name again? The chancellor’s daughter, right? Come out for a moment.” Before Ke Bu could speak, Zhi Li had already announced it to the entire class.

Ke Bu stared at Zhi Li in horror. Just how much do you have to offend people before you’re satisfied? Do you even understand basic social etiquette? Do you think adding ‘please’ makes it polite?

After a long moment, Su You Yan walked out expressionlessly and stared straight at Ke Bu. Ke Bu greeted her with a smile. “Hello, my name is Ke Bu. May I ask if you’ve already formed a group for this camping trip? This might be a bit abrupt, but we’ve heard about you, and our group members admire you very much. We’d like to invite you to join our group.”

“That idiotic smile and idiotic way of speaking of yours are making me sick,” Zhi Li said flatly.

“Can you stop rubbing salt into my wounds?” Ke Bu muttered. Do you think I want to act like this? If it weren’t for securing the chancellor’s daughter as backing, would I go this far? It’s not even about the group—having someone like her to rely on at school is essential.

Su You Yan remained silent, simply staring at them. Just as rumored, she didn’t like to speak.

“Could you at least consider it?”

Still no response. It seemed she had no intention of speaking at all. Zhi Li glanced at her. “If you don’t speak, I’ll take that as agreement.”

That’s way too underhanded!! Even Ke Bu had to admire him. Bringing Zhi Li along was definitely the right decision. Finally, Su You Yan was forced to speak. “I refuse.”

“If you speak, I’ll take that as agreement.”

Is this guy a rogue or what? Ke Bu watched from the side. The two of them remained strangely composed, yet the atmosphere felt incredibly awkward. Just as Ke Bu was about to smooth things over, Zhi Li spoke again. “It’s up to you.”

“Who are you making decisions for?!” Ke Bu was somewhat surprised. Zhi Li rarely acknowledged anyone, yet he had accepted Su You Yan at a glance. Could she be his type? Thinking this, Ke Bu curled his lips.

Su You Yan still remained silent. Zhi Li turned and walked downstairs. Ke Bu followed behind. After a few steps, Zhi Li turned his head slightly. “Being alone is tiring. From now on, just follow me.”

After saying that, he left. Ke Bu trailed behind him. What kind of line was that just now…?

“You really dare to say things like that without thinking. Even if you like someone, you don’t need to say it like that the first time you meet them.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“I mean—” Before Ke Bu could finish, Zhi Li interrupted him. “If I like someone, I’ll say it directly.”

That’s true… with his personality, he would just say it outright. So just now, he was simply recruiting teammates in his own way…

“The money for the water—you should pay me back now, right?” Ke Bu said, feeling slightly annoyed at his own unnecessary involvement.

“What?”

“Don’t use that trick to brush me off.”

“What?”

“Don’t start that again!!”

“Ke Bu.” Zhi Li suddenly called his name.

Ke Bu froze for a moment. “W-what?”

Zhi Li fell silent for a while, which only made Ke Bu more nervous. What is he going to say…? Then Zhi Li broke the silence. “Your name is strange.”

Ke Bu gritted his teeth. “After knowing me for so long, that’s the only conclusion you’ve come to about me?”

“Did you expect anything else?”

“Forget I said anything.” Ke Bu shot him an annoyed glare and continued walking forward. Zhi Li reached out and pressed a hand lightly on Ke Bu’s head. “Looks like you’ve already regressed to the point where you can’t tell what’s real and what’s not.”

The warmth from his fingertips spread from the top of Ke Bu’s head, making his chest tighten ever so slightly.

“I’ve never been able to tell which of your words are true and which are false. You’re a born liar.”

“I can tell when you’re sulking.”

“Don’t be so full of yourself, Zhi Li.”

Ke Bu touched the spot on his head where Zhi Li had just brushed against him and looked at Zhi Li walking ahead. The summer air carried a faint warmth as it drifted past them. Standing within Zhi Li’s shadow, Ke Bu let out a soft, quiet smile.

The next morning, Su You Yan actually showed up, right before Ke Bu’s disbelieving eyes.

And so, Gong Zhu, Ying Xiu Jie, Zhou Xin He, Chu Hao Yu, Su You Yan, Ke Bu, and Zhi Li—the strongest group among the first-year freshmen—was formed!

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