Chapter 68: An Alternate Account?

Shen Qing turned on her computer, and a swarm of random windows popped up on the desktop. She didn't bother to look at any of them, closing each one with a click. Then she opened a strange piece of software, and a bright yellow dog-head icon immediately lit up.

She opened the search bar and typed in "Nie family, Fancheng." Instantly, a person named Nie Junran appeared, apparently with some connection to Nie Yuanshan. She then searched for the Gu family of the capital and found information on Gu Ting.

Male, 23, the third child, the youngest master of the Gu family’s second branch, notorious gambler.

Shen Qing narrowed her eyes. There was a lot of information on Gu Ting, but it was nothing more than the typical escapades of a rich young man—eating, drinking, playing around. Nothing intriguing. She scrolled through line by line, pausing on the third-to-last page.

"Managed to win seven days in a row at the Golden Gate Casino. Not bad."

She didn’t look for long before closing the software, while on the other end, the chat exploded.

[Wild Wolf: Damn, I’m so unlucky today. Went out this morning to sell vegetables and got fake money!]
[Mrs. Xia: How many billions was the bill worth?]
[Wild Wolf: Ten yuan!]
[Boss: ...]
[Wild Wolf: Is it easy selling vegetables?]
[Mrs. Xia: Damn! The Dog Egg avatar just lit up!]
[Blackwater: Where’s Brother Li?]
[Wild Wolf: Dog Egg, come out and fight one-on-one!]
...
[Blackwater: Uh… did we scare Brother Li off?]
[Wild Wolf: Why is he so mysterious? Old Xia, do you think he might be an international fugitive?]
[Boss: Are you questioning my judgment in people?]
[Mrs. Xia: My Dog Egg is still in school, don’t disturb her studies.]
[Wild Wolf: PhD? Postdoc?]
[Mrs. Xia: High school!]
[Blackwater: Old Xia, you’re ruthless, you even rope in high schoolers.]

[Mrs. Xia: Damn!]
[Blackwater: Showing your true colors!]
[Mrs. Xia: ...]
[Blackwater: If Old Xia hadn’t met Brother Li in person, I’d think he was Long-ge’s alternate account.]
[Wild Wolf: Seconded!]

After all, the two had entered the scene in almost identical ways! Both were IT experts. Back then, Long Aotian hacked the highest defense system of a certain country, and the country in question was none the wiser. Meanwhile, Li Dog Egg stealthily hacked into the Gu family’s navigation system in S Continent, just as they were about to make their delivery.

From then on, the infamous Tengu had a new legend: the tale of Li Dog Egg. Word spread like wildfire, earning her the title of "Master Thief"—a testament to her boldness.

[Blackwater: Long-ge is mysterious, Brother Li is mysterious, and both are hackers. Quite the coincidence!]
[Mrs. Xia: They’re not the same person!]
What an international joke—Li Dog Egg was, after all, a girl.

*

After the monthly exams, the weather gradually cooled. The second-year students of Class Three were now forbidden by their parents from wearing short sleeves; those who didn’t wear the school uniform came in all sorts of jackets.

Shen Qing arrived rather late. Nie Huan was seated, sharpening pencils.

“Your hand’s better?” Shen Qing kicked her chair back before sitting down, crossing her long legs with flair.

“Yeah.” Nie Huan finished sharpening the last colored pencil and gently placed it in Shen Qing’s empty drawer.

After the monthly exams, Shen Qing’s books had all been left in the girls’ dorm and hadn’t been brought out since.

“When did you buy these?” Shen Qing arched a brow, picking up a red pencil.

“Last night, on my way home—I passed a stationery shop and bought them.” Nie Huan always spoke a bit more when she was with Shen Qing.

“Mm, thanks.” Shen Qing tossed the pencil back, dropped her crossed legs, slid her chair closer to Nie Huan, and leaned her head on her shoulder.

Nie Huan, worried she’d fall, instinctively wrapped an arm around her.

“Oh, I have something for you.” Shen Qing rummaged in her loose school uniform pocket, took out a bag of candy, and popped one into Nie Huan’s mouth.

“It’s not sweet?”

“No, it’s sour. Do you like it?”

“It’s good.”

“Chu Yu, are you coming in or not? Stop blocking the way.” Yao Panpan entered and immediately saw Chu Yu frozen at the back door.

She followed Chu Yu’s gaze—and was startled herself.

Sister Qing was nestled against Sister Huan, feeding her candy in the most intimate way!

Damn! She wanted to be fed by Sister Qing too...

Chu Yu took a deep breath and walked over.

“Sister Huan, here’s some warm water.” Chu Yu gently placed a full cup on Nie Huan’s desk.

Nie Huan glanced at him. “Thanks.”

“There’s no need to be polite, we’re all friends.” Chu Yu smiled at her, then glanced at her arm.

“How’s your hand now?”

“It’s fine.”

Satisfied with the answer, Chu Yu nodded.

Yao Panpan sat on the chair next to Chu Yu, sprawled across Shen Qing’s desk.

“Bosses, want to go shopping this weekend? Star Plaza is having an anniversary sale—lots of discounts.”

“No interest,” Shen Qing and Nie Huan replied simultaneously.

Yao Panpan: ...

“But…” She eyed the two beauties in front of her—neither of whom ever wore anything but their school uniforms.

“Bosses, I haven’t bought new clothes in ages. Other than my uniform, I don’t have any autumn clothes.”

Shen Qing lifted her head from Nie Huan’s shoulder, propping it on her hand. “Aren’t students supposed to wear uniforms?”

...

Such a strong argument—she didn’t dare refute it.

But honestly, Sister Qing, apart from wearing the uniform, there’s nothing student-like about you at all...