Chapter Four: The School Bans Romance

The sound was quite loud, stirring up a wave of curiosity; students in the classroom, having caught wind of the gossip, craned their necks toward the commotion outside, casting inquisitive gazes.

Blocked by her, Cheng Feng sighed helplessly, “So what? Are you planning to meddle in other people’s business?”

“As the class monitor, it’s my duty to protect all my classmates, ensuring they’re not harmed during their studies and growth,” Xia Qingyao declared, hands on her hips, embodying the stern authority of an elder sister correcting her younger brother. “I used to think you were just a troublemaker always getting into fights, but hurting a female classmate is a different matter entirely. You could ruin her bright future.”

“Even if I really did go to a hotel with her, it was consensual. How is that hurting her?”

“Jiang Qian is an exemplary student, both in conduct and academics. For her to fall for someone as unstable as you, you must have threatened her somehow!”

Xia Qingyao’s words irked Cheng Feng, so he deliberately provoked her.

“That’s right, you’re absolutely correct! But what can you do about it?”

“You!”

Predictably, Xia Qingyao nearly lost control, biting her lower lip and forcing herself to remain calm as she warned, “Are you aware there’s a school policy prohibiting romantic relationships between boys and girls?”

“So what?” Cheng Feng raised an eyebrow.

“If I report this to the principal, the school will definitely expel you.”

“Expel me?”

“That would break your parents’ hearts. You should think carefully. I don’t want a member of our class to be expelled either…”

“Enough already.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Feng laughed. “Yes, the school does have rules against early romance, but who knows how many model students have already broken them? So many secret relationships go unnoticed; forget about hotels, even the small grove on the east side has seen plenty of visitors.”

“The school turns a blind eye as long as it doesn’t affect college entrance exams and isn’t too blatant. They’ve never cared,” Cheng Feng spoke with composure, clearly enjoying the class monitor’s defeat.

Xia Qingyao had no rebuttal. She was just a class monitor, powerless to change the atmosphere of the entire school, and the indifference of the administration left her disappointed.

Even so, she still refused to back down, glaring at him.

Cheng Feng’s aura dominated, and beads of sweat appeared on her face.

The victor and the vanquished were clear at a glance.

Today, Xia Qingyao lost.

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class and bringing their showdown to an abrupt end.

Xia Qingyao had no choice but to return to the classroom, muttering something under her breath as she went. Thanks to his vampiric constitution, Cheng Feng’s hearing was extraordinary; he caught every word.

“Just wait—I will correct your bad behavior. Watch me.”

Later, Cheng Feng learned the reason for Jiang Qian’s absence: she’d taken leave, citing illness.

A vampire getting sick? How ridiculous!

It sounded utterly implausible; with a vampire’s famed regenerative abilities, the idea of being afflicted by illness was bizarre.

Regardless of her reasons, vengeance would have to wait.

—

When the bell rang for dismissal, students surged out en masse, heading straight for the cafeteria, their chatter filling the air.

Cheng Feng was in no hurry, walking toward the cafeteria with Chen Yue, laughing and chatting.

Suddenly, Chen Yue stopped, his eyes shining as he gazed toward the east, where the school gates were not far away.

He nudged Cheng Feng with his arm. “Look, there’s a beautiful girl outside the school gates!”

Cheng Feng followed his gaze and indeed saw, just outside the railing of the entrance, a slender figure with black hair, standing out in a blue blouse and plaid skirt, her aura distinguished.

Wait—why does she look so familiar?

The elderly guard in the booth was eating lunch, but the sight of this youthful beauty at the gates had him so invigorated he polished off three bowls of rice.

Wasn’t this the woman from this morning? Why had she followed him here? Was she worried about him?

Cheng Feng blinked. With his vampiric constitution, his vision was far sharper than ordinary people’s; even from dozens of meters away, he could clearly see her, confirming he wasn’t mistaken.

Chen Yue noticed his odd expression. “No way—you know her?”

“I’ll go over later. You head in first and save me a spot,” Cheng Feng instructed casually, then walked toward the school gates.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Liu Shiyu turned her head, looking through the metal fence at Cheng Feng.

“Wonderful, you’re still alive. Looks like that monster didn’t show up today,” Liu Shiyu’s delicate face lit up with a joy that would move any man, her voice no longer cool and distant.

“Yes, thanks to you. Are you here because you’re worried about me? But since you’re not a student here, you can’t get in, right?”

Cheng Feng acted as though he didn’t want to see her, only coming over out of necessity. Although she’d saved him last night, her words that morning had wiped out any goodwill he felt.

“Right… You don’t know my name yet. Liu Shiyu,”

She introduced herself simply, then pulled out two pieces of paper, passing them through the fence to Cheng Feng. “These are two discount vouchers for the coffee shop, as my apology.”

Cheng Feng glanced at them indifferently; they were one-tenth price coupons for the Cat Maid Café, and a ripple stirred in his eyes.

From the original owner’s memories, he knew this shop was pricey—ordinary students couldn’t afford it, and visiting meant a painful hit to the wallet.

Since the original owner had never been, Cheng Feng was curious. Expensive as it was, plenty of students still frequented it; was the allure of cat maids really so strong?

Moreover, office workers and leisurely types often came and went; the service and coffee must be exceptional.

Cheng Feng raised an eyebrow. “Is this your way of apologizing?”

“Yes.”

A classic line from anime suddenly flashed through Cheng Feng’s mind: Isn’t it common sense that apologies should involve showing your chest?

But with their respective strengths clear, Cheng Feng wouldn’t risk his life—he solemnly accepted the two vouchers. “Then I’ll take them. We’re even now.”

Seeing that she hadn’t left and seemed to be hesitating, Cheng Feng couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something else?”

She chose her words carefully, finally expressing her intent succinctly. “I… want to invite you to join us.”

“???”

“I recall you’re with the association, right?”

Cheng Feng was taken aback. “Join you guys? You want me to join the Supernatural Disaster Association and become a demon hunter?”

“Yes.”

“Why me? Leaving aside whether I’m willing or not, I’m just an ordinary person without awakened powers. How am I qualified?” Cheng Feng pretended to be ordinary, never mentioning the abilities he’d gained from the system.

“I’ll handle that part. All you have to do is agree. The association needs you,” Liu Shiyu replied confidently, as if she’d anticipated his question.

“Then why do you want me to join?”

Liu Shiyu pinched her chin, clearly not skilled at lying, struggling to come up with an excuse. “Um… because… because you’re handsome?”

“……”

Well! Reasonable and convincing!

I’d give this answer ninety-nine points—one point deducted for being perfunctory.

“Pfft!”

The old guard in the booth spat out his rice, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and called out to Cheng Feng, “Young man, I don’t really understand, but since the lady has a request, you should agree.”

Cheng Feng ignored him, snorting at the girl, “I’m not going.”

Now it was Liu Shiyu’s turn to be troubled. “Why? Don’t boys dream of being heroes? Joining the Disaster Association, fighting evil—isn’t that good?”

“Only those who sacrifice themselves are called heroes. I’m not interested. I, Lucky Cheng, just want a peaceful school life. Leave those monsters hidden among the crowd to you guys.”

What a joke! This world was already dangerous enough; joining a national disaster association to fight real monsters?

It’s not like I have a death wish.

Besides, she obviously wanted him to join unconditionally—far too suspicious.

As a transmigrator, Cheng Feng knew from experience that society was full of schemes; without real ability, you’d only be exploited.

Right now, Cheng Feng didn’t think he had any special talents worthy of the Disaster Association’s attention. He needed to stay vigilant.

Without lingering, Cheng Feng strode away, and behind him came her persistent voice.

“We’ll meet again.”

Damn!

This woman, too!