0069: The Hidden One

In the next moment, Xu Lin’s lightness skill failed to dodge Chu Fengyi’s full-force attack, and he was instantly pinned against the edge of the pool.

“What’s going on?” Chu Fengyi didn’t continue her assault, instead pressing on with her questioning, which allowed Xu Lin to breathe a sigh of relief.

“I know, little Weiran wouldn’t hit me~”

“Don’t disgust me. You said just this morning that was all in the past, that there’s no need to dwell on it anymore.”

“…”

“Miss Chu Fengyi, it wasn’t Brother Xu Lin—it was me who approached him…”

“You approached him? At such a young age, and already up to no good!”

Chu Fengyi’s low snarl startled Liu Qinuan into stumbling back a step, but Xu Lin immediately moved in front of her and gently took Chu Fengyi’s small hand.

“She came to me for help. It’s not what you think—just calm down…”

Feeling the warmth of Xu Lin’s hand, Chu Fengyi gradually calmed. She leaned back, resting against Xu Lin’s chest.

Across from them, Liu Qinuan seemed to suddenly understand something. A smile flickered at the corner of her mouth, only to be quickly suppressed, replaced by a look of bitterness.

“Sorry, I didn’t know about your relationship.”

“That’s not it. You said you needed Xu Lin’s help. If you’re in trouble, you can come to me or my sister. Why approach a man? And claim you had no ulterior motives.”

“I really didn’t. Someone’s been following me, and I thought it’d be better to ask a boy for help.”

Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she spoke. Xu Lin patted Chu Fengyi’s shoulder again, and the coldness in Chu Fengyi’s expression eased a little, her tone softening.

“So, where’s the person following you?”

“I don’t know. For the past week, I’ve had the constant feeling someone’s been tailing me. But every time I look, I don’t see anyone. Still, I’m certain someone’s lurking in the shadows.”

“Oh? Then you should go to the police.”

“But if there’s no suspicious person to point out, they probably won’t take the case, right?”

“Don’t worry, you’re a public figure. Even if you weren’t, the police would still help you nowadays—or you could talk to your manager, or your parents.”

“No, I don’t want my parents to worry.”

“Chu Fengyi, what do you think?” Xu Lin didn’t immediately agree to help, since, in essence, Chu Fengyi was the stronger fighter, so he naturally sought her opinion first.

“If what you’re saying is true, I can help. But why did you trap Xu Lin in the restroom?”

“Because I felt that gaze on me again while walking here. I was scared, and thought that outside, he might overhear us or something…”

“Nonsense. On the way back, stay close to me. If you feel that gaze again, tell me the general direction. If someone’s there, I’ll catch him.”

Chu Fengyi agreed to the matter right away. Liu Qinuan gradually stopped sobbing and managed a faint smile.

“Thank you, big sister.”

“Alright, let’s head back and eat.”

“Yes.” She nodded quickly and hurried out of the restroom.

Xu Lin was about to leave as well when Chu Fengyi suddenly shoved him, sending him backward into the wall.

Was he about to get cornered?

But in the next instant, with a thud, a small foot landed on his shoulder—a move so unexpected it was a masterstroke of the art of wall-pinning.

“Master, what’s the matter?”

“When you don’t need me you call me ‘Master,’ but when you do, I’m suddenly ‘Weiran,’ huh? Xu Lin, I see right through you. You’re just as sly as before!”

“You look so well-behaved on the outside, but inside you’re full of tricks! Still hiding secrets, aren’t you?”

“No,” Xu Lin replied righteously, though his heartbeat quickened.

Damn, I’ve been completely exposed! No, I’m an honest man—how could I be full of schemes? Yes, that’s right, believe in yourself.

“Hmph! Never mind, let’s go back.”

“Alright.”

“There’s something off about that girl. Don’t trust her completely—there are plenty of wolves in sheep’s clothing out there.”

“I know.”

“Good. So, any plans for tonight?”

“This evening? After your sister finishes shooting, we’ll have dinner, head back to the hotel, and I’ll work on my novel. What else is there?”

“That’s not what I meant… Forget it. We’ll talk later.” With a toss of her hair, she strode off into the distance, leaving Xu Lin baffled.

When they returned, Xu Lin and the others didn’t mention any of this to Chu Qingchan. These were matters they could handle themselves.

After dinner, Xu Lin was the first to pay the bill, finally experiencing the pleasure of treating everyone.

Next time, when he had more money, he’d invite family and friends to a real feast—or maybe go big and gather all twelve zodiac signs together!

“Is treating everyone really that exciting?”

“Watching you two sisters eat fills me with joy.”

“What’s so joyful about that?” Chu Fengyi shot him a sidelong glance. Chu Qingchan nodded, “She and I don’t even get along that well.”

After leaving the restaurant, Xu Lin deliberately walked ahead with Chu Qingchan, while Chu Fengyi and Liu Qinuan lingered behind.

Xu Lin began to think. The stalker had appeared a week ago and was sensed even at school—so, a student? But why follow her? Weren’t they afraid she’d call the police? Back when he was a mischievous student with a crush, he’d never stooped to acting like a creepy stalker, lurking in the shadows.

Sometimes, you might have a chance to win someone over, but if you’re too intense, you only disgust them. Pursuing someone needs moderation.

But then again, as a single guy, he didn’t really have any right to express a firm opinion on the matter.

Thus, the group made their way back to the school without noticing anything strange behind them, nor did Xu Lin sense anything.

Arriving at the filming location, the extras had already returned. The director and a few others were crowded around a computer, eating boxed lunches as they studied something intently.

This was what a true film crew looked like. While everyone else was eating and resting, those with the highest status worked diligently.

Often, people succeed not just because of talent or background, but through dedication as well.

Of course, that was his own bit of motivational soup. Sometimes it was nice to sip, but effort alone couldn’t always bridge certain gaps.

When the director saw them return, he called over Chu Qingchan and Liu Qinuan. They had a scene together that afternoon.

Xu Lin and Chu Fengyi went off to the side, and Xu Lin asked if there had been any developments on the way back.

“No, she didn’t sense anything, and neither did I.”

“Maybe the stalker’s afraid to act when there are too many people around?”

“Who knows… Xu Lin, you’ve said you’ve felt someone watching you before?” Chu Fengyi’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Yes, once inside the school when Liu Qinuan first came to talk with me and your sister. The second time was just after we left the school gate—I get what you’re thinking.”

Xu Lin realized it too. Since the gaze hadn’t appeared again, the stalker couldn’t leave the school. If their initial guess was correct, that meant the stalker really was a student.

“The odds are high it’s a boarding student.”

“Yes, so we’ll start from there. Let’s ask Liu Qinuan if she’s noticed any boarding students acting strangely.”

“Alright.”

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, a figure glared fiercely at Xu Lin from afar, his hand gripping a small knife that glinted coldly in the light.