Lu Qingqing walked out of the small two-story building, full of doubt. She looked back, the place was truly quiet, so quiet that the people inside were all strange.
As a new student, formal studies were only scheduled to begin tomorrow. The afternoon session only consisted of a freshman orientation meeting. Nothing much was discussed, just announcements about the academy's rules and learning requirements.
However, at the end, Tong Hua assigned a few roles to the class. One was an assistant instructor, meaning helping Tong Hua manage the freshman class. Whether this position was a sinecure was unknown, but it ultimately fell to a female police officer named Tan Zi'an.
Another role was a disciplinary assistant. It sounded imposing, but everyone knew it was a thankless job. Recording absences, noting violations, jotting down rumors, and documenting improper conduct.
None of them were students within the academy; if you truly started recording the violations of your peers, your good days would likely be numbered after graduation.
Everyone knew that most people admitted to the academy had connections or backing. While everyone was on equal footing within the academy, once they left, it all depended on whose status was higher and whose connections were stronger.
Perhaps in the future, when you needed a stamp for some official business, the person in charge would be them.
Therefore, no one was willing to take on such a task. Tong Hua understood everyone's concerns clearly and simply appointed Lu Qingqing directly.
When Lu Qingqing heard her name, she subtly glanced at Tong Hua. This time, she was certain that Tong Hua was targeting her.
However, Lu Qingqing was not afraid. Indeed, she did not want to be the disciplinary assistant, but she was not afraid of being one.
Setting aside Lu Qingqing's inherently bold personality, even if she encountered someone abusing their power, she had her own protective charms.
Who was above me?
Hu Jia!
If anyone wanted to give her a hard time, they'd have to see if he'd give them a hard time first.
"Let me reiterate, the school has prepared dormitories for everyone. You can choose to stay at school or go home to rest. However, those who go home must return to school before the morning exercises. Lu Qingqing is responsible for supervising this matter, and any tardiness will result in a deduction of one point."
Tong Hua specifically looked at Lu Qingqing as he said this, as if to say, "It's all up to you, don't disappoint my trust."
Each student had a total of 100 points, and if they lost them all, they were out. According to Li Yang's introduction, besides serious violations of school rules and discipline, tardiness was the most severely penalized.
After all, everyone had their own lives and families, and things could easily cause delays once they left campus. Tardiness had become a standard issue for those going home.
It was clear that Lu Qingqing was about to become a participant in this standard issue.
After the meeting, those who knew each other called out to go for a drink. Many also gathered around Lu Qingqing.
"Say, you're not going to actually keep records, are you?" a boy with small eyes asked Lu Qingqing with a smile.
"And you're not going to actually violate rules, are you?" Lu Qingqing replied with a smile.
The boy's smile froze. "I'm just kindly reminding you not to provoke someone without realizing it."
"Thank you. After all, it's up to Tong Hua whether points are deducted or not. He's the one who shouldn't provoke anyone," Lu Qingqing deflected the responsibility onto Tong Hua with a few words. However, she knew that this was just talk, and in the end, everyone would still hold her accountable.
As they walked out of the school gate, Zhan Ruoxuan looked a bit worried about Lu Qingqing. "I think you should ask Captain Hu to investigate. Perhaps he's not targeting you, but rather your identity."
"My identity?" Lu Qingqing was confused.
"Your identity as a member of the Special Operations Team," Zhan Ruoxuan said.
Hearing this, Lu Qingqing pondered as she walked. It was indeed possible that others had started the fire, and she was caught in the blaze. After all, the Special Operations Team often offended people, and Hu Jia was known for not giving anyone face when out and about. Tong Hua wouldn't dare target Hu Jia, so he could only take it out on her.
"Hu Jia!" Zhan Ruoxuan reminded Lu Qingqing.
"I know. If it's related to the Special Operations Team, then it's definitely because of Hu Jia," Lu Qingqing replied.
"No, I mean Hu Jia. That person ahead is Hu Jia." Zhan Ruoxuan tugged at Lu Qingqing's arm. Lu Qingqing looked up and saw the man standing right in front of her, across the street.
He was still dressed in a suit, his hair neatly combed, and Li Yang was standing beside him.
"Sister-in-law!" Seeing the figure waving incessantly, Lu Qingqing fantasized about giving him a resounding slap across the face. How embarrassing!
"Sister-in-law?" Zhan Ruoxuan looked at Lu Qingqing in surprise.
"Uh..." Lu Qingqing was embarrassed. "They love to make these kinds of jokes."
"How can that be? A lady's reputation is so important. If he shouts like that, will you still be able to get married?" Zhan Ruoxuan's suddenly raised voice startled Lu Qingqing. She hadn't expected him to get so worked up.
"Qing!" Hu Jia approached, a smile on his face.
"You still remember me?" Lu Qingqing rolled her eyes. It was Monday today, and Hu Jia was clearly pretending to be oblivious.
"No, but if he calls you sister-in-law, then you're my fiancée," Hu Jia said.
Originally, this was just a conversation that only the two of them understood. But to Zhan Ruoxuan, it sounded wrong. You don't even recognize the person, and then you randomly claim her as your fiancée based on a joke?
"Captain Hu! My name is Zhan Ruoxuan. You probably don't remember me. But I want to say that a woman's reputation is very important. Calling someone your fiancée like this is disrespectful to her." Zhan Ruoxuan stepped in front of Lu Qingqing.
Lu Qingqing hadn't expected Zhan Ruoxuan to step forward like this, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Should she say she wasn't Hu Jia's fiancée? That was impossible.
Should she say she was Hu Jia's fiancée? That would be a bit of a face-palm.
"Hey, what nonsense are you talking about? My sister-in-law already lives with the boss, so how can they not be engaged?" Li Yang said, annoyed.
"Li Yang!" Lu Qingqing was mortified. "What do you mean live together? Don't talk nonsense."
Lu Qingqing turned to Zhan Ruoxuan. "We live in the same building."
"Living in the same building means you can spread rumors that you live together?" Zhan Ruoxuan was furious. "They just disregard your reputation like that?"
Lu Qingqing's head was spinning.
This was something that could be explained, but not in front of Hu Jia.
She had no choice but to push Zhan Ruoxuan a few steps away. "You go back first. I'll explain it to you tomorrow. I can't explain it clearly now."
Zhan Ruoxuan wanted to say more, but Lu Qingqing pushed him further away.
"Let's go. Are you still not embarrassed enough?" Lu Qingqing was directing her anger at Li Yang and Hu Jia.
Hu Jia acted as if nothing had happened, following Lu Qingqing with a smile.
Li Yang, on the other hand, glanced back at Zhan Ruoxuan. Seeing that the man was still looking in their direction, he had an ominous feeling. Could this person be the boss's love rival?
...
"Why did you guys come over?" Lu Qingqing's tone was not pleasant.
"Heh heh, sister-in-law, the boss has been waiting for you all day," Li Yang said with a fawning expression as he stepped forward.
"Waiting for me? Waiting for me where? Waiting for me to do what?" Lu Qingqing asked, confused.
"Just waiting for you! As soon as he woke up, he was clamoring to see his fiancée. So, he waited outside the academy for you all afternoon." Li Yang then pointed to Hu Jia behind him. "He said that the moment he opened his eyes, he saw your photo hanging opposite his bed, and his heart was already fluttering."
Lu Qingqing turned and gave Li Yang a glare. "If you keep making things up, I'll twist your head off."