Chapter 51

Before she even saw who it was, she had already mentally rehearsed her refusal: "I'm not taking the class. I'm busy." Only after speaking did Wu Ying realize she should look at the speaker. The woman was dressed in a professional skirt suit, her hair neatly pinned up, and she regarded Wu Ying with gentle eyes.

Wu Ying's frown deepened. What kind of teacher was this—an etiquette class? She could have sworn she had already declined, so why were they coming to find her at school?

"Wu Ying, you must have mistaken me for someone else. But as a student, you're still required to attend classes."

Her voice was soft, without any ill intent. Wu Ying tilted her head, studying her. She didn't recognize this person at all.

"I'm Qiao Lin, a former student of Federal University. You can call me senior."

There were countless alumni of Federal University; if she had to acknowledge all of them, the streets would be full of seniors. A flicker of suspicion crossed Wu Ying's mind, but she played along. "Hello, senior. What can I do for you?"

"I heard you're exceptionally talented and wanted to get acquainted. Would you join me for a coffee?"

Qiao Lin's smile remained gentle and composed. Wu Ying frowned. "Is that so? Well, consider us acquainted. As for coffee—I've been swamped lately, so I'll have to pass."

Wu Ying declined and turned to leave with Huo Lin and Cynthia.

Huo Lin and Cynthia sized up Qiao Lin, noting her unwavering composure. They exchanged glances, sensing something off. Who just randomly stops people on the street to chat and then tries to lure them away?

"Wu Ying, you're not being targeted by some scam ring, are you? They're bold enough to pull a stunt right on campus!"

"Can't be, right? The earlier calls were all from course teachers. My mother-in-law signed me up. That can't be related to any scam."

Wu Ying glanced back at Qiao Lin, still wearing that same smile. She shuddered suddenly, her doubt growing.

"Then I'll definitely bring Jiujiu next time."

"You must. Take it everywhere."

"Why don't you move back into the dorm? Our school has decent security. In the room, I can protect you." This came from Cynthia, who also wanted her company.

Wu Ying gave her an apologetic look. "Wish I could. I have unfinished experiments in my lab."

Cynthia pouted, looking at her with a hint of grievance. Huo Lin flicked her forehead. "I think her villa and Jiujiu are more reliable than this school and you."

The three chatted as they walked, reaching the school gate quickly.

Suddenly, Huo Lin noticed something and moved closer to the other two. "That woman followed us. She's behind us."

"What?"

Cynthia whipped her head around and indeed saw Qiao Lin descending the steps behind them.

Wu Ying nervously clenched her fingers and turned to look. Qiao Lin smiled at her. "What a coincidence, junior. Leaving campus too?"

"Uh, yeah. Senior, please go ahead."

Qiao Lin nodded with a smile, stepped out of the gate, and disappeared around a corner in an instant.

"Did she have surgery for that permanent smile? It looks so fake to me."

Wu Ying said blankly, but Cynthia smacked her arm. "You've got time to think about that? Call Jiujiu over now!"

"Jiujiu is already on the way."

"I'll walk you home with Cynthia today."

Wu Ying was so moved she lunged at them, hugging them both. She was deeply touched—they faced danger together, truly the best roommates in the universe.

They were on high alert as they exited the school gate, and there, standing off to the side, was Qiao Lin again. It seemed she had moved aside to let students pass, but precisely because of that, the three hadn't seen her from inside the gate, thinking she had left.

Huo Lin and Cynthia only saw Qiao Lin, but Wu Ying also noticed the person beside her—Researcher Ivy. Though they hadn't seen each other in a long while, Wu Ying recognized her at once.

She wore a crisp white coat, her gaze fixed on Wu Ying.

Seeing them together, some of Wu Ying's tension eased. At least this likely had nothing to do with scams.

"I know the person next to her. She's a researcher from my hometown's institute. She's contacted me several times via communication," Wu Ying whispered. Huo Lin and Cynthia then turned their attention to the other woman.

"A researcher? Why is she looking for you?"

Uh, no idea. Wu Ying had never even accepted her friend request, let alone bothered to read her message notifications.

"So what do we do now?" Huo Lin asked.

Wu Ying glanced at the two who stood frozen across from them. "Meet the change with non-action. Let's go."

They averted their eyes, adjusted their direction, and continued walking.

Seeing this, Qiao Lin turned to Ivy. "Didn't you say she'd come to you when she saw you?"

Ivy's cold expression stiffened. Wu Ying's reaction was indeed beyond her expectations.

No, to be precise, since meeting Wu Ying, everything had been beyond her expectations. She had tried contacting her through Light Brain countless times, and been rejected. Now she had come in person, even asked Qiao Lin to approach her first. Seeing them together—didn't Wu Ying feel any curiosity?

"Wait, Wu Ying. I want to talk to you."

See? That got a reaction.

Wu Ying raised an eyebrow and turned back to look at her. "And you are?" She paused deliberately, watching Ivy's expression harden further, then continued slowly, "Oh, I remember. You're from the research institute. But is there anything between us that needs discussing?"

"Of course. It was I who led you into the institute originally. It's fate. And I have something far more important to tell you—about you and the Commander."

Ivy walked over, speaking as she approached, the last words falling softly into Wu Ying's ears.

Me and Asher?

Now Wu Ying was genuinely a little curious. She wondered what nonsense Ivy would spout about them.

But Jiujiu wasn't here yet, and she didn't dare risk Huo Lin and Cynthia. Even near the school was unsafe—if bad people wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't care about school boundaries.

"Something more important? I recall you mentioned representing the institute to talk with me. Is it about me and Asher? We're already married. What does the institute have to do with us?"

She fired off several questions, and Ivy's eyes lit up, sensing a chance.

Cynthia tugged at Wu Ying's sleeve. What's going on? This woman clearly had ulterior motives. If it were good news, why resort to such tricks?

"Don't fall for it."

Wu Ying patted her hand, signaling she had it under control. Ivy had been trying to reach her for some reason countless times, and now she'd come all the way to the school. Wu Ying wanted to see what this was about.

Huo Lin stood silently, watching Wu Ying and Ivy go back and forth, while Qiao Lin kept her smiling distance. In her mind, only one word echoed: scam—and a coordinated one at that.

From the corner of her eye, a familiar robot emerged from the crowd. Robots were speed-limited on pedestrian paths, but Jiujiu had come at maximum speed and wasn't slow.

Ivy and Qiao Lin were growing irritated watching Wu Ying and Cynthia argue, refusing to discuss privately, when suddenly someone new appeared beside Wu Ying—no, a robot, with blinking smart lights on its face.

Ivy immediately understood: they'd been stalling for backup. Hmph. Typical of someone from the protected zone, so petty. Did she really think she'd resort to violence?

Ivy stopped talking and stared coldly at Wu Ying.

Seeing her look, Wu Ying knew Ivy had realized she was buying time. She scratched the back of her hand and smiled sweetly. "Still want to talk? If not, we'll be on our way."

"We talk. Let's go now. I reserved a spot at the restaurant next door."

Ivy tried to soften her tone but didn't want to waste more time. She had volunteered for this task, and because she'd helped Wu Ying with the genetic test, the institute hadn't replaced her.

"You two go ahead."

With Jiujiu there, and since Wu Ying did genuinely want to speak with this woman, Huo Lin and Cynthia didn't object. They left together.

The upscale restaurant near the school had a decent menu. Wu Ying and the others had eaten there before; honestly, it wasn't as good as Jiujiu's cooking.

A tiny plate of meat slices cost a fortune—Wu Ying still found it shocking every time she saw it.

Ivy didn't miss her reaction. Normally, she'd have made a snide comment, but with a favor to ask, she held back.

The three sat in the private room. It was spacious, and with no one speaking, after the serving robot left, the silence was so deep only heartbeats broke it.

Wu Ying fiddled with the tablecloth, twisting it into folded strips. She had expected Ivy to speak quickly, but the woman across from her calmly began sipping tea.

Crazy. She'd been in a hurry to talk a moment ago, and now she was putting on airs.

Qiao Lin had studied the nuances and noticed Wu Ying's irritation. She gave Ivy a subtle signal, but Ivy ignored it.

Ivy's strategy was to put Wu Ying in her place—did she really think becoming the Commander's wife made her nobility?

Qiao Lin disapproved of this mentality, but Ivy held the reins in this matter; Qiao Lin was just helping as a friend.

She'd let it be. Qiao Lin lowered her gaze, no longer watching them, and took up her own teacup.

Wu Ying didn't know their thoughts. All she knew was that someone who claimed to have something to discuss was now sipping tea, looking as if she couldn't care less.

Annoyed, she gripped the tablecloth tightly, then abruptly released it. "Jiujiu, serve the food." If they wouldn't talk, then fine—she'd eat and leave.

Jiujiu extended its mechanical arm, placing Wu Ying's favorite dishes onto her plate. Wu Ying picked up her chopsticks with deliberate slowness. She wasn't really hungry anyway; this was just for tasting.

The standoff continued. Ivy, seeing her eat without speaking, frowned. When she nearly finished, Ivy's heart suddenly raced.

"Wu Ying, let's talk."

Talk my foot. Wu Ying cast a covert glare downward, then slowly raised her eyes to meet Ivy's, saying nothing, merely lifting a napkin to dab at the corner of her mouth with elegance.

"Oh, still talking? I thought your tea-sipping meant we were done, and I was ready to leave after the meal. Let me check the time—it's getting late. I have things at home, so if there's nothing—"

"No, it's my fault. I didn't consider the time." Ivy's words almost came out through gritted teeth. "This is urgent. Please give me a few minutes."