"Senior, I hope we have the chance to meet again."
Vain's lips curled into a smile wrapped in an elusive coldness.
Blood Butcher's little schemes were like an open book to him.
In terms of strength, he already held the upper hand; how could a blood-soaked thug like him truly submit and obey?
But well, the rest was none of his business.
Ding!
[Mu Yao: Are you there? Are you free?]
[Vain: Just finished dealing with a major matter. What's up?]
[Mu Yao: Tonight is New Year's Eve, but I might have to work overtime. Right now, in the afternoon, I'm all alone and so bored.]
[Mu Yao: So, can you come and accompany me for a stroll? Pretty please~]
Scanning the message on his phone screen, Vain rested his chin on one hand, his lips slowly curling into a light laugh filled with playfulness.
[Vain: Alright then. I'm sure tonight will be very lively.]
Looking at the confirmed address in the chat box, Vain put away his phone, pillowed his head with his hands, stretched his neck, and then strode forward with a lazy, teasing tone.
"Tsk tsk, such an interesting little girl. I'm actually a bit reluctant to end things too soon."
However.
Vain looked up at the horizon. The clear sky from moments ago was being slowly swallowed by ink-colored clouds. The alternating light and shadow fell across his face, outlining his handsome features.
He suddenly gave a low laugh, his voice carrying a certainty that pierced through the clouds.
"The real game starts—officially—now!"
An invisible storm had quietly gathered over Muyun City. Fine wisps of wind, carrying a dangerous aura, snaked through the gaps between high-rises into every corner of the city.
But at this moment, the streets were still as bright as day. The clamor of New Year's Eve drowned out everything; no one noticed the shadows spreading rapidly beneath the revelry.
...
Inside a dormitory at Muyun University.
Song Qianqian frowned and looked up at the bunk above, seeing Mu Yao giggling at her phone, her smile almost reaching her ears.
Is this kid okay?
"Mu Yao, there are no classes this afternoon. Do you want to go shopping together?"
Mu Yao was giggling at her phone when she suddenly heard this. Startled, her hand jerked, and she quickly locked her screen. Before the smile could fade from her face, she sheepishly shook her head while fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Oh, sorry, Sister Qianqian. I already have plans with someone else. How about I go with you next time?"
"It's fine, the more the merrier. I'll just call another friend and we can all go together!"
Hearing this, Mu Yao's face turned pale instantly. She waved her hands frantically, her head shaking like a rattle, her voice tinged with panic.
"No, no, no! Let's not! I... it's really a bit inconvenient on my end!"
"Ah, why is it inconvenient?"
While Song Qianqian was puzzled, Yunli, who was nearby, also asked in confusion.
"Yeah, why?"
With nothing to do, Yunli had originally been thinking about joining the fun.
After all, Mo Xin had to go home for a family dinner tonight, so she would be completely free after the afternoon.
As it turned out, her roommate here seemed to have plans already.
"Anyway, not today. Let's do it another day!"
Faced with their confusion, Mu Yao was momentarily at a loss for words. Not knowing how to explain, she just buried her head and started changing her clothes, hoping to end the topic quickly.
Song Qianqian raised an eyebrow, a "I've seen through everything" smile curling her lips. She crossed her arms and squinted at Mu Yao, her gaze lingering on her reddened ears and fumbling fingers.
"Spill it. Who are you meeting? How many people?"
"You don't know them. Oh, it's getting late, I need to get ready to leave!"
Mu Yao threw out a vague excuse, determined to slip away first.
But Song Qianqian seemed to have confirmed her suspicion.
Song Qianqian (눈_눈): "Could it be a boyfriend?"
Mu Yao (｡ò ∀ ó｡): "?!!"
Yunli suddenly slapped her forehead.
"Oh! I remember now! Last time, I think I saw you shopping with a guy at the mall! Mu Yao, is that guy your boyfriend?"
At those words, Mu Yao felt a chill down her neck. Two probing gazes pinned her in place, scratching at her like feathers and making her feel entirely uncomfortable.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, and her cheeks instantly flushed. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
She feigned composure, wiping away nonexistent sweat from her forehead and repeatedly denying it with a wave of her hand.
"Don't... don't talk nonsense, he's just an ordinary friend! I'm done talking, I'm leaving!"
With that, she hurriedly pulled open the door and rushed out, the door closing softly behind her.
Watching Mu Yao's flustered figure as she bolted out, Song Qianqian and Yunli looked at each other, both speechless.
"Tsk, that panicked look—she's definitely dating or has a crush on someone, no doubt about it!"
"Is that so?"
"Uh..."
Song Qianqian thought for a moment and decided to change the subject.
"Didn't you go to class?"
"Oh, Mo Xin is worried about failing lately, so she's busy cramming. She's in the study room from dawn till dusk." Yunli said, spreading her hands with a self-righteous tone. "It's rare that she went to class today, so I'm taking the chance to give myself a day off and have a good rest."
Song Qianqian's eye twitched as she silently mourned for the Junior Student for a second.
Watching Song Qianqian's movements, Yunli asked curiously, "Are you going out too?"
"Yes, do you want to come along?" Song Qianqian looked up at her while stuffing her phone into her bag.
Yunli hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "Forget it, I won't join the crowd."
Song Qianqian didn't say more. She tapped a few times on her screen to send a message, then waved at Yunli.
"Then I'm off. See ya!"
With that, she turned and left the dormitory.
Click!
The moment the dormitory door closed, the room fell completely silent.
Yunli climbed onto the upper bunk. After sitting cross-legged for barely two seconds, she felt bored again. She dangled her legs over the edge, her two fair feet swinging back and forth in the air.
She rested her chin in her hands, her gaze drifting. After a long while, she let out a low sigh, her tone carrying a hint of frustration she hadn't even noticed.
"How strange... why do I inexplicably miss that silly Disciple?"
...
On the other side, at Acheron's home.
Mo Xi had just finished her work. She walked to the balcony, rubbing her aching neck, wanting to get some fresh air.
Just as her fingertips touched the cool railing, she noticed something was wrong with the sky—the bright, clear sky from earlier had been quietly overtaken by a layer of gray clouds. The light dimmed bit by bit, and the wind carried a hint of moisture.
"Huh, is it going to rain?"
Hearing this, Ye Guizhou, who was sitting on the sofa, silently turned off his phone after checking the weather forecast several times.
Mo Xi turned back to the living room. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Acheron still standing on the balcony, her tall figure silhouetted into a cold, hard outline by the fading light.
She lowered her gaze, her purple pupils reflecting the churning dark clouds.
"As expected..."
"Awoo~"
Little Yao, lying on the windowsill and watching the sky, let out a soft, milky cry. Her voice had a slight tremor, and hidden within that light tone was an imperceptible trace of fear.
Her round eyes stared at the churning dark clouds on the horizon. Her small ears drooped involuntarily, and her Tail quietly curled into a ball.
Suddenly, a large hand, warm yet slightly cool, gently rested on her back. The warmth from the palm seeped through the soft fur, bringing a reassuring strength.
At the same time, a cold yet exceptionally soothing voice spoke softly.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Awoo~"
Under the gentle comfort of Acheron's palm, Little Yao's tense body gradually relaxed, and she regained some of her vitality.
The strange aura that had suddenly enveloped Muyun City just now ultimately hadn't escaped Acheron's notice.
That aura carried a sense of cold oppression, like an invisible net. It had just spread over the city, only to recede as quickly as a tide in an instant, vanishing without a trace as if it had never existed.
After that disturbance dissipated, Muyun City naturally returned to peace. Whether it was the flow of people on the streets or the wind between the buildings, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
But Acheron knew clearly that the [Heavy Rain] had already begun to fall.
Ding!
[Song Qianqian: Sister Acheron, you probably have plans at home for New Year's Eve tonight, right?]
[Song Qianqian: While it's still early, let's go out for a stroll!]