Chapter Eleven: The Temporary Assignment

Cleaning the toilet...

Yang Wenhao’s expression twisted oddly. He had expected Old Zhou the Miser to make him do horse stances or something similar—after all, there was a precedent for it. But he never imagined Old Zhou would actually assign him to clean the toilets.

Old Zhou had already walked away, leaving him no room to argue.

Just think, back when Brother Hao stood atop the Bright Peak and slew Abbess Miejue with a single sword stroke, none of the onlookers dared even breathe loudly. Now, this was his treatment.

Was he really going to have to clean the toilets?

“Huh…”

Yang Wenhao turned to see Wang Xin standing nearby, staring at him with a puzzled look.

“Weren’t you called to Old Zhou’s office? Why are you here?” Wang Xin walked over, spotting the broom in Yang Wenhao’s hand and seeming to understand: “Don’t tell me…”

Yang Wenhao snapped, “If you know, shut up.”

Wang Xin laughed, “Ha ha… I never thought you’d have it so rough. Last time, I thought another student was miserable, but you’ve got it worse.”

Yang Wenhao didn’t want to talk to Wang Xin.

“No big deal, brother. It’s just cleaning,” Wang Xin draped an arm around Yang Wenhao’s shoulders with a dramatic flourish, “After you’re done, I’ll treat you to something good to make up for it.”

Yang Wenhao had hoped Wang Xin was being kind, but it turned out to be empty words.

As Yang Wenhao pondered how to deal with Old Zhou’s task, several students approached from the side.

Each of them carried a pair of chopsticks, which reminded Yang Wenhao of something Wang Xin had said before. No need to guess—they clearly intended to smoke in the toilets.

In the past, Yang Wenhao wouldn’t have cared, but now things were different. He already didn’t want to clean the toilets, and now a bunch of people were about to make it worse. There was no way he’d agree.

“Well, isn’t this Brother Kaizi? What’s the matter, pondering life at the toilet door?”

Before Yang Wenhao could speak, the newcomers did, and they seemed to know Wang Xin.

“Friends of yours?” Yang Wenhao looked oddly at Wang Xin.

Wang Xin’s eyes filled with disgust. “Pah, who’s friends with them? The farther they go, the better.”

From Wang Xin’s attitude, it was clear he knew them—but their relationship seemed hostile.

The students on the other side laughed instead of getting angry. “Ha ha, don’t be like that, Brother Kaizi. We’re short on cash lately—how about being a good guy and lending us a few thousand?”

Wang Xin snapped, “No way. Get lost, as far as possible.”

Standing next to them, Yang Wenhao understood: Wang Xin must have splurged and befriended these types, and now they saw him as an easy target.

Seeing his brother being looked down upon, Yang Wenhao spoke up. “You all brought chopsticks—planning to have a meal in the toilet?”

At his words, the students who’d been mocking Wang Xin suddenly looked uncomfortable. Bringing chopsticks to the toilet was hardly respectable—those who knew, knew; those who didn’t, wouldn’t know what to say.

One of them immediately pointed at Yang Wenhao and barked, “What class are you from, kid? Watch your mouth. Don’t you know Brother Sun is talking? The farther you go, the better.”

Yang Wenhao was about to respond, but Wang Xin quickly grabbed him.

Wang Xin whispered, “Let it go. That Sun guy’s trouble—he’s got connections outside.”

Yang Wenhao scoffed, “Believe it or not, I could take them all down with one hand.”

Wang Xin hesitated, but remembered Sun was just a student, and the guys with him were students too. Yang Wenhao was, after all, the guy who chased off four robbers by himself. Compared to those thugs, these students were nothing.

But this was a school, and Wang Xin considered Yang Wenhao his brother. He didn’t want him to get into trouble—fighting on campus meant disciplinary action at best, expulsion at worst.

So Wang Xin reasoned that patience was wise; retreat and all would be peaceful.

“Don’t get into a fight—you’ll get disciplined,” Wang Xin said.

Yang Wenhao was about to reply when a system prompt sounded in his ear.

“Temporary system quest: Uncover the mystery behind Zhuo Youxuan’s murder. Completion rewards fifty points.”

Yang Wenhao paused, then asked, “System, who’s involved in this quest?”

“Please think it through yourself. The system cannot answer.”

The system’s response made it clear Yang Wenhao would have to investigate alone.

After some thought, Yang Wenhao concluded Sun was most likely involved—after all, this was his first encounter with Sun.

And this Sun, rumored to have connections outside, seemed the likeliest suspect.

With that, Yang Wenhao looked at Sun, who stood there with swagger.

Judging by his demeanor, Yang Wenhao’s guess was probably correct.

Yang Wenhao said, “Apologize to my brother.”

Sun curled his lip, full of contempt. “Who do you think you are, telling me to apologize?”

Yang Wenhao shook his head and sighed, “Since you’re like this, forget it. I was going to help you with the Zhuo Youxuan matter.”

At his words, Sun’s followers looked baffled—they had no idea what Yang Wenhao was talking about.

But Sun was different. His eyes widened in shock, as if he couldn’t believe Yang Wenhao knew that name.

He quickly tried to hide his surprise, but Yang Wenhao caught it.

Yang Wenhao was gambling—gambling that Sun was connected to Zhuo Youxuan, and now, seeing Sun’s reaction, he knew he was right.

“Sun, who’s Zhuo Youxuan? Your girlfriend? How come we don’t know about her?”

“Yeah, Sun, got a girlfriend and never introduced her to us?”

“Sun, Sun, bring your girl to meet us after school.”

Sun’s followers chattered away, while Sun feigned calmness—but a bead of cold sweat on his brow betrayed him.

“Let’s go, Wang Xin. Time for class.” Yang Wenhao waved his hand, preparing to leave.

Just as Yang Wenhao turned, Sun’s voice trembled behind him, “Are you sure you can help me?”

“What do you think?” Yang Wenhao looked at Sun calmly.

Though it was only a simple reply, it was enough.

“Wait… I… I’ll apologize.”

“What?!”

Not only were Sun’s followers stunned, Wang Xin was left dumbfounded as well.

Sun walked up to Wang Xin. “Wang Xin, I’m sorry. Just treat what I said earlier as nonsense.”

Wang Xin had thought Sun was just acting, but seeing his serious expression, all doubts vanished.

After apologizing, Sun turned to Yang Wenhao, “Can you help me now?”

“The solution… Well, I might have one, but…”