Chapter Forty-Three: The Grand View Garden

At the entrance of Nightleaf Academy, Liu Ru was stopped by a member of the Funeral Snow Society in a white uniform.

“Sorry, the academy is temporarily not admitting outsiders,” the other party said, polite yet cold.

“I was invited by the President,” Liu Ru replied with a calm smile.

“President?” The guard seemed momentarily baffled.

“President Carlotus,” Liu Ru continued. “My name is Liu Ru.”

At the mention of her name, the Funeral Snow Society member straightened with respect. “So you’re Miss Liu Ru. You’re even more beautiful than I’d heard. Please allow me to check with the Society Leader.”

She produced a blue crystal from her pocket and activated it. “Society Leader, there’s a Miss Liu Ru outside who says she’s been invited by the President.”

After a brief exchange, the member put down the crystal. “Please wait a moment. The Society Leader is sending Yan Luo to greet you.”

“So little trust in me?” Liu Ru chuckled softly.

“It’s only out of respect for you,” the guard replied with a smile, then stood quietly, saying nothing more. After a few minutes, Xie Yanluo came jogging up to the gate. Spotting Liu Ru, she waved energetically.

Liu Ru responded with a gentle wave of her own.

“I’ll leave her to you.” As Xie Yanluo arrived, the Funeral Snow Society member spoke softly. Yanluo nodded, then took Liu Ru’s hand and led her through the main gate of Nightleaf Academy.

“Why so much warmth all of a sudden?” Liu Ru asked with a laugh as she was led along.

“You don’t know—your name has spread throughout the entire academy,” Yanluo sighed. “Do you know how many times I’ve been questioned about you lately?”

“How many?”

“Countless!” Yanluo exaggerated. “Yesterday’s incident in the Hall of Stars has already started making its way through the grapevine. Somehow, rumors are flying that you bought the test papers using the Third Prince’s golden leafgrass.”

“Maybe that was the Chairman’s doing?” Liu Ru suggested with a smile.

“In any case, when the final price was driven up to such a sky-high figure, everyone thought it was impossible for anyone to actually buy it. But you stepped forward and claimed those test papers with such forcefulness—it’s become the talk of the academy. Then this morning, everyone opened their Scarlet Heart Diaries to see news about the test papers right at the top. The Scarlet Heart Dojo publicly announced the test was provided by you, and that more would follow—the second and third trials. You have no idea how long it’s been since anything this wild has happened here.”

“If someone had leaked the third trial questions back when we took them, I can’t even imagine what chaos would have ensued.”

“And yet, here we are.”

Liu Ru listened in silence, then smiled. “You don’t seem the least bit shocked.”

“At first, I was,” Yanluo admitted with a sigh. “But once I accepted it, it seemed almost natural.”

“The questions are vague, but they point in a direction and can help those who are keen. And now that things have reached this stage, even if the test papers were fake, the President wouldn’t dare try to fool anyone now. Plus, this has made everyone far more excited for this year’s third trial. Usually, students don’t pay much attention to it, but this year the President has turned it into the focus of the academy.”

“And once you accept these changes, you can’t help but find it all quite interesting.” Yanluo looked at Liu Ru. “If only a few people had the questions, that would be unfair. But if they’re made public, then we’re all starting from the same line—a world where no one gets hurt.”

“I suppose the only one hurt might be the President’s wallet,” Liu Ru said with a laugh. “He could have made a fortune.”

“He hardly lacks for money,” Yanluo said, a touch disdainfully. “The Student Council is the wealthiest institution in all of Nightleaf City. Under him, though, they’ve gotten even better at raking in cash, but then, that’s a talent in itself. And all he’s really done is collect what couldn’t be collected before.”

“So, Senior, what do you think of the President?” Liu Ru asked.

“Nothing much to think,” Yanluo shrugged. “As you know, I’m of the Funeral Snow Society. We and the Student Council never really see eye to eye. To the average student, the President is highly respected; within the Council, he’s almost a god. Without that level of authority, he couldn’t pull off stunts like this.”

“Of course, the real reason he can get away with it is that he always turns out to be right in the end—just like this time. We were stunned when our Society Leader decided to go along with him, but when she says jump, we jump.”

“But now that everything’s resolved, we all think what he did was actually quite interesting.”

“Indeed,” Yanluo sighed. “Every generation, the Student Council President is someone remarkable, but Carlotus always gives people a different impression.”

“I see.” Liu Ru nodded, then looked up at the towering white spire before them. “It’s so tall.”

“That’s the Sun Tower, where the Student Council offices are. Of course, many floors are classrooms as well—we attend classes here too. Once you’re a student, you’ll get used to it.”

“And how are you so sure I’ll be admitted?” Liu Ru said with a smile.

“If you’re not, there’s no justice in the world,” Yanluo replied softly, leading Liu Ru inside. The first floor of the Sun Tower was a vast hall, ringed with cylindrical arches. Behind a large table in the center, several students in black uniforms sat.

“Who’s this?” Liu Ru’s plain clothes made her stand out, and the black-clad students immediately noticed her, turning to Yanluo for an answer.

“Liu Ru,” Yanluo replied concisely, giving only her name.

Several sharp intakes of breath were heard.

“She really is as beautiful as they say,” someone murmured. “Senior Zhou Yi always praised her, but seeing her in person is something else.”

“Miss Liu Ru, please consider joining the Student Council! I promise, even in a presidential election, you’d have my vote.”

The atmosphere threatened to spiral into chaos.

“Please maintain the academy’s dignity in front of visitors!” Yanluo all but gritted her teeth.

“But Miss Liu Ru is practically one of us already!” someone teased.

“She’s here by the President’s invitation, and I’m taking her to see him. Make way,” Yanluo snapped, and instantly a path was cleared.

Yanluo then led Liu Ru through one of the arches. As the door closed behind them, Liu Ru felt the floor beneath her feet begin to rise rapidly.

“I didn’t realize you were so impressive here,” Liu Ru said sincerely.

“I’m even more impressive outside the academy, aren’t I?” Yanluo replied calmly, then smiled. “We of the Funeral Snow Society enforce the rules and discipline around here. As enforcers, we’re naturally synonymous with force. Even the Student Council gives us a wide berth.”

“As for you, Liu Ru, our Society Leader is quite interested in you. If you’re willing, I’d invite you to join the Funeral Snow Society as well. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.”

Liu Ru considered this. “How do I get to the Scarlet Heart Dojo?”

“The Scarlet Heart Dojo is in the Star Tower—why?”

“They’re the only major group that hasn’t invited me yet. I want to see what sort of offer they might make,” Liu Ru declared, completely serious.

“The Scarlet Heart Dojo is basically a retirement club,” Yanluo explained. “Their main job is compiling the daily Scarlet Heart Diary. Because of that, they also supervise academy operations. But if they can’t find any faults, they seem rather redundant. Most of the time, they’re like tabloid reporters, prying into secrets and stirring up gossip.”

“Any good scandals worth mentioning?” Liu Ru asked.

“Of course—the explosive romance between the Society Leader and the Council President!” Yanluo blurted. “You have no idea how much we all ship them.”

Just then, a pointed cough came from outside the door.

Yanluo instantly clapped her hand over her mouth and gestured for Liu Ru to enter.

The archway opened silently, and Liu Ru saw the handsome, red-haired Carlotus standing there, looking at Yanluo with a half-smile.

“Miss Yanluo, nothing more to add? If you’re going to talk, say a little more.”

“No, no, you’re busy, President. Goodbye!” Yanluo said, shoving Liu Ru into the room and pressing the down button for herself.

“The Society Leader and President’s explosive romance?” Liu Ru looked at Carlotus, unable to resist.

“Don’t listen to that nonsense. I’d never fall for that madwoman,” Carlotus chuckled, opening the door to his office. “Come in, let’s talk.”

As Liu Ru entered and looked around, Carlotus began, “So, what do you think of the academy?”

“It’s wonderful,” Liu Ru replied quietly, surveying her surroundings.

“Then what are you looking for?” Carlotus asked.

“I’m imagining how I’ll redecorate the place after I take over,” Liu Ru replied, deadpan.

“Aren’t you going to at least pretend?” Carlotus pressed his hand to his forehead. “I wanted to discuss things with you at length.”

“Just think of it as surrender,” Su Ziye said calmly, looking at Carlotus—though still in Liu Ru’s appearance and voice.

“Thank you. If you spoke in your real voice, I’d get goosebumps,” Carlotus sighed. “If it were me, nothing could make me wear women’s clothing.”

“That’s because you don’t look good in it,” Su Ziye retorted. “If someone can look better than a woman in drag, they’d never pass up the opportunity.”

“Maybe I’m just not as much of a pervert as you are?” Carlotus said seriously.

“Did you get it done?” Su Ziye changed the subject.

“It’s done. I went to the Dean myself,” Carlotus replied, handing over a silver badge engraved with a simple design of an orchid and a crescent moon.

“This is Su Ziye’s academy badge. All your information is recorded on it. From today, you’re officially a student here.”

“But the Third Prince already confirmed it yesterday,” Su Ziye countered.

“The Third Prince’s confirmation is his own. This is the academy’s official certification,” Carlotus replied.

“Fine, double confirmation, got it.” Su Ziye took the badge. “So in two days, theoretically, I can access your official operations room?”

“Do you know everything?” Carlotus looked at him and sighed. “In principle, you can.”

“And in practice?” Su Ziye pressed.

“In practice, you can,” Carlotus finally admitted, as if forced.

“Good, I’m recording this,” Su Ziye nodded, then mimicked Carlotus’s voice and words exactly: “In practice, you can.”

“That’s your idea of a recording?” Carlotus was indignant.

“Just think of me as a tape recorder,” Su Ziye said earnestly.

“Greetings, Mr. Tape Recorder. Will you give up joining Nightleaf Academy?” Carlotus asked, utterly sincere.

“What’s broken can’t be mended, what’s spilled can’t be gathered,” Su Ziye replied with a smile. “But there’s something else I need to discuss.”

“What is it?” Carlotus asked.

“So there are still things in Nightleaf City beyond your control,” Su Ziye said, watching Carlotus.

“Don’t joke. I’m not the Mountain Lord,” Carlotus replied.

“I thought you were even worse than the Mountain Lord,” Su Ziye smiled, lifting his right hand.

A black dagger appeared, floating in his palm.

Carlotus was stunned. “Where did you steal that from?”

Yesterday, the Winter Singer—once a high-value auction item in the Hall of Stars, worth at least a hundred thousand golden leafgrass—was now in Su Ziye’s hand.

“On my way here,” Su Ziye replied seriously. “The result isn’t the important part. What matters is the process.”

“The assailants were from the Azure Wings. When they attacked, they pulled me into an imaginary space for a moment.”

“Do you know what that means?” Su Ziye asked.

Carlotus nodded, his expression turning grave.

“Dark Star.”