Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

“You suspect that the person might be a boarding student at our school?” Liu Qinnuan looked at Xu Lin and Chu Fengyi, as if pondering something.

Chu Qingchan had also walked over, and Xu Lin and Chu Fengyi decided not to keep her in the dark, so they filled her in on the general situation.

“In that case, we definitely need to call the police, or at least inform the school and have them investigate. Even if she’s not a public figure, there’s still a responsibility.”

“But since Qinnuan doesn’t want to make a scene, let’s try to identify who it is first, and then let her decide whether she wants to take legal action.”

“By the way, Fengyi, I’m surprised you’re actually taking the initiative to help someone this time.”

After spending the night getting closer, the two sisters had reverted to their usual dynamic. Perhaps this was the kind of communication between sisters that Xu Lin never quite understood.

“I really have no idea who it could be. I’m a boarding student too, but there are so many of us, I can’t just guess.”

“Let’s start by narrowing it down. What about the boys who board in your class?”

“There are about eight or nine boys in my class who live in the dorms.”

“From your perspective, do any of them seem suspicious?”

“I’m close with three of them, but I don’t really know the others. I’ve hardly spoken to them.”

“That complicates things. If you don’t want the school’s help or to call the police, the only way is to catch the person directly.”

Xu Lin also thought it was troublesome. A big school like this, with so many people watching, it would be hard to pinpoint someone right away.

“If it’s about catching the person, that’s easy—we just need to narrow the scope.”

Chu Fengyi remembered a little trick Xu Lin had once taught her, though the fool himself seemed to have forgotten it.

“Narrow the scope?”

“Since he’s following you, it’s probably because he likes you, and in a rather obsessive, twisted way. So all we need to do is lure him out.”

“Just go about your filming as usual, but pick a spot that’s narrow, or a straight path—somewhere you’ll be alone. We’ll pretend to leave, and that’ll draw him out.”

“That’s just baiting him into the open. But will it work? Isn’t it a bit too obvious?” Xu Lin wondered if the plan was overly simplistic.

“Often the simplest methods are the most effective.”

“I actually know of a place. If the person following me really is from the school, they wouldn’t suspect anything, and you might be able to spot them right away!” Liu Qinnuan clapped her hands as if inspiration had struck.

“Where?”

“The school library. It’s small and not many people go there, but I love reading there. The main entrance is usually closed; only the side door is open.”

“There aren’t any classrooms near the side door, just a little path with hardly any cover. If someone shows up, you can film them, and I’ll definitely recognize who it is.”

“Perfect. Once we finish filming, the three of us will pretend to leave by car. Then you just go about your business as usual and stay in touch by phone.”

“Alright.”

With the plan set, everyone went back to preparing for the shoot, which went smoothly. By a little after four in the afternoon, they’d wrapped for the day.

They even shot an extra scene, though some shots required morning light, so they’d have to continue tomorrow. The extras were paid on the spot—just three hundred yuan each, but their faces beamed with happiness.

Xu Lin couldn’t help but feel he hadn’t done much acting, yet would end up making twenty times what they earned in just a few days. That was the difference between the top and bottom earners—not just in acting, but in many fields.

You could put in the same, or even more effort, and still not see better rewards. That had been his own experience in his previous life—the effort rarely matched the results.

He heaved a sigh.

“What’s with the sighing?”

“Oh, nothing. I’ve never done any detective work before—this all feels pretty novel.”

“What’s so novel? I was followed once, too, back in high school. A boy was pursuing me, but I turned him down.”

“And then?”

“I caught him, gave him a good beating, and after that he started calling me ‘Big Sis’.”

After exchanging a few words with the director and others, they boarded the van and left the school.

But they’d barely left the gate when they asked the driver to stop, much to his confusion.

“Is there somewhere else you want to go?”

“Actually, does the school have any other entrances? We want to go back in.”

“Huh?” The driver was a bit baffled, but answered anyway.

“There are three gates: the main entrance, a back gate, and a small internal gate that’s usually locked. Only people from the school can get in there.”

“Just take us to that little side gate. We can get in,” Chu Qingchan said, and the driver started the engine.

“Didn’t he say we might not be able to get in?”

“But I have the principal and dean’s numbers.”

“When did you get those?”

“When we came back at noon. The principal and deans stopped by to greet us, remember? They said it was great we were filming for charity, and gave me their cards.”

“And Fengyi suggested we could donate a new playground to the school. They’d be more than happy to let us in.”

“That’s real power.”

“No, it’s just a normal investment. This charity film will be broadcast on national TV, which will bring attention to the school.”

“With the school’s reputation boosted, and as someone who did charity work here—or as an investor from Fengyi Investments—I’ll get mentioned too. It’s good for the company’s image, and it’s also doing some real good.”

“Impressive as always.”

Chu Qingchan made a quick call, and when they arrived at the side gate, a familiar teacher was already waiting for them.

“Should I wait here for you?” the driver asked.

“No need, you can head back. We don’t know how long this will take.”

“Alright—can I let the crew know?”

“Yes, but it’s best to wait a couple of hours before you do.”

“Okay, I’ll be off then.”

After the driver left, the three of them thanked the teacher who let them in and asked for directions to the library before heading over.

“Any word from Qinnuan?”

“She says she’s just arrived at the library. There aren’t many people inside,” Chu Qingchan said, glancing at her phone.

“Let’s slow down a bit. By the way, Fengyi, you’re way too conspicuous.”

They’d removed their makeup and changed back into their own clothes, wearing masks. The person following Liu Qinnuan kept a distance, so they probably hadn’t noticed them yet.

And if they had, the three of them would have noticed too. But Fengyi’s blonde hair was just too eye-catching.

“Hey there, your hat looks great. I’ll buy it,” Fengyi said, approaching two students coming their way.

“Huh?”

Fengyi pulled out a red banknote, and the student quickly handed over the hat—even though it had cost only forty yuan, she’d just doubled the price.

She tucked her hair under the hat, instantly blending in. The three of them ambled toward the library.

Just then, Chu Qingchan’s phone buzzed. She checked the message and tapped Xu Lin’s shoulder. “She says she feels someone watching her from outside.”

They quickened their pace and headed for the small path in front of the library. Aside from a few trees, there was little cover. The library’s glass doors were at the end of the path, and the large window offered a view inside, where Liu Qinnuan sat sideways.

The three of them scanned the area. There was no one else around except a tall, short-haired girl crouched near a flower bed, tending to the plants, adding fertilizer, and watering them.

Chu Fengyi and Chu Qingchan turned away and sent a message to Liu Qinnuan for confirmation, but Xu Lin strode forward.

“Xu Lin?”

“It’s her!”

“You mean that girl?” Chu Qingchan and Chu Fengyi looked at each other in confusion. The stalker was a girl?

“Yes!”