Chapter 38: A Deeper Understanding

Yan Guchen watched as Jiang Xiaofei turned and left, feeling a wave of displeasure. He then looked at Lan Lianshuang and said, “That man is proud and aloof. Don’t expect him to save Teng Pan. We’d better send Teng Pan to the Mage Association as soon as possible. The higher-ups will surely know what to do.”

Lan Lianshuang remained silent, her gaze following Jiang Xiaofei’s departing figure. Her intuition told her this man was anything but simple—perhaps he truly could save Teng Pan.

Without another word, Lan Lianshuang walked toward the Demon Class. She looked at Zhao Shengwei and said, “Take Teng Pan to my house.”

Zhao Shengwei frowned and asked, “Teng Pan is so badly hurt—shouldn’t we take him to the hospital?”

He hesitated, then added, “By the way, Sister Lan, what did Jiang Xiaofei say to you just now? You look a bit off.”

Lan Lianshuang replied coolly, “It’s none of your concern. I have my own way to save Teng Pan. Just do as I say.”

“All right,” Zhao Shengwei nodded, dropping the matter. He called a few male students over to lift Teng Pan from the ground.

Meanwhile, after leaving the field, Jiang Xiaofei didn’t return to the Genius Class. Instead, he headed for the Academic Office, his mind turning over the day’s events. Soon, he arrived at Zhou Shiqin’s office.

Inside, Zhou Shiqin was boiling water for noodles at the tea table. Noticing Jiang Xiaofei outside, she called out, “Come in.”

It wasn’t his first time there; Jiang Xiaofei entered directly, smiling. “What are you up to, Principal Zhou?”

Zhou Shiqin looked up with a smile, “I’m a bit hungry, so I’m making some noodles.”

Jiang Xiaofei’s gaze landed on the pot of noodles on the table, and he was visibly surprised. The noodles looked dark and unappetizing, with two shriveled slices of meat floating in a greasy broth.

Zhou Shiqin caught his expression and, a little embarrassed, said, “Don’t mind me. This is my first time cooking noodles in front of a man, and I got nervous—I added too much soy sauce. Beef noodles aren’t supposed to look like this.”

“I see,” Jiang Xiaofei nodded. “Why not just order takeout? It’s much more convenient.”

Zhou Shiqin smiled, “I prefer to cook for myself; it’s cleaner and gives me peace of mind.”

Then she asked, “Would you like some?”

Jiang Xiaofei thought, “Is this even edible?” and quickly replied, “I’m not hungry, Principal Zhou—you go ahead.”

Zhou Shiqin frowned slightly, “So you find my cooking disgusting, is that it?”

Jiang Xiaofei hurried to explain, “Please don’t misunderstand—I’m really not hungry.”

“No need to explain. I understand,” Zhou Shiqin said, picking up a bowl of noodles. As she ate, she asked, “How did it feel visiting the Genius Class today?”

Jiang Xiaofei settled onto the sofa. “It was all right.”

Zhou Shiqin’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t they give you trouble?”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled, “There was one who tried to pick a fight, but I’ve sorted him out.”

“That’s good, then.”

Jiang Xiaofei caught the implication in her words. “Principal Zhou, do you doubt my abilities?”

Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Not at all. It’s just that every Genius Class student is extraordinary—I worry something might happen.”

“No need. With me in charge, they wouldn’t dare make trouble.”

Zhou Shiqin laughed. “Then what exactly happened on the field today?”

Jiang Xiaofei looked a bit awkward. “So you already knew, Principal Zhou!”

Zhou Shiqin chuckled, “Of course. I hear about everything that happens here—whether it’s a fight or even a stolen bra from the girls’ dorm, I know.”

Jiang Xiaofei grinned. “Let’s leave that aside. I wanted to ask you something.”

Zhou Shiqin replied, “Go ahead.”

“I need Takagi Qiu’s complete file.”

At this, Zhou Shiqin frowned. “Why do you want her file? Are you really here to chase after the school beauty?”

Jiang Xiaofei explained, “No, I just want to understand her situation.”

“Fine.” Zhou Shiqin nodded, set down her chopsticks, and walked to the desk, opening the filing cabinet. After searching for a moment, she retrieved a folder and tossed it to Jiang Xiaofei. “This is Takagi Qiu’s file.”

Jiang Xiaofei opened it and began to read. It stated: Takagi Qiu, female, age 22, daughter of the city mayor, official member of the Mage Association, her father a high-ranking Mage Association official.

He frowned—none of this was the answer he sought. He looked up at Zhou Shiqin. “Principal Zhou, do you know if anything unusual has happened to Takagi Qiu recently?”

Zhou Shiqin hesitated. “Why are you asking?”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled, “Just to be thorough. She’s my student—I should know her circumstances.”

Zhou Shiqin thought for a moment. “Now that you mention it, something odd did happen.”

Jiang Xiaofei asked quickly, “What was it?”

Zhou Shiqin replied, “A few days ago, Takagi Qiu suddenly developed amnesia—as if she’d become a different person, not recognizing anyone. Because of this, she took sick leave and went home.”

“That fits,” Jiang Xiaofei said quietly. He thanked her. “Thank you, Principal Zhou.”

Zhou Shiqin frowned slightly. “No trouble, but do you suspect something?”

Jiang Xiaofei said nothing.

Seeing this, Zhou Shiqin smiled, “Your accommodation is ready for you—across from the school at Happiness Apartments. Just ask security for your room key.”

“Thank you, Principal Zhou. I won’t keep you any longer.” With that, Jiang Xiaofei stood and left the office.

Not long after Jiang Xiaofei’s departure, Tang Zhirou entered the office.

Zhou Shiqin immediately asked, “Did you investigate his background as I asked?”

Tang Zhirou sat down on the sofa. “I did. You were right—Jiang Xiaofei is no ordinary man.”

Zhou Shiqin’s eyes lit up. “Let me see.”

Tang Zhirou took a folder from her bag and handed it over. Zhou Shiqin opened it, but her brow furrowed. “You call this an investigation? It’s a blank sheet.”

Tang Zhirou replied, “That’s precisely why his identity isn’t simple!”

Zhou Shiqin couldn’t help but scold, “Are you stupid? You can’t even handle something this basic?”

Tang Zhirou protested, “I did my best, but this is all I found.”

“Did you think to use the Intelligence Bureau of the Mage Association to dig deeper?”

Tang Zhirou replied, “To tell you the truth, this is exactly what the Intelligence Bureau came up with.”

“What?” Zhou Shiqin was stunned. No wonder—after all, the Intelligence Bureau’s reach spanned the globe; even a child’s birth date could be found in their records. If they couldn’t uncover Jiang Xiaofei’s background, then his identity was so powerful that even the Intelligence Bureau was blocked from investigating him.