Chapter 61: Hidden Abilities and Unforeseen Interventions

“……”

Su Linxi cast the flat stone she held back into the flowerbed.

She then used the black cloth that had once blindfolded Yu Naixi to wipe her hands, folded it neatly, and tucked it into the pocket of her skirt.

Just moments ago, she had intended to explain everything to Yu Naixi, but the side effects of Yu Naixi’s ability had manifested too swiftly, leaving Su Linxi no choice but to abandon the attempt.

However, if her predictions held true, Yu Naixi would undoubtedly find a way to seek her out, and only then would an explanation be possible.

Yet, Su Linxi still needed to make further preparations to prevent her own memories and perceptions from being altered by Yu Naixi’s power when that time came.

With a rapidly beating heart, Su Linxi calmly contemplated her next moves.

Fortunately, she had heeded ‘His’ words and rushed to intervene with Yu Naixi today.

She had initially believed that by simply keeping her distance, she, as the ‘fuse,’ could avert the unfolding crisis.

However, an unexpected deviant had appeared midway, nearly allowing Yu Naixi to be permanently overtaken by her alternate self even sooner.

Having initiated so many changes, Su Linxi candidly admitted she could no longer predict how events would specifically unfold from this point onward.

Now, she could only — as ‘He’ had instructed — take things one step at a time.

****

Su Linxi returned to the second floor of the auditorium and positioned herself beside Zhong Tian.

Presently, Class Five was performing, and their cross-dressing duo was utterly comical—perhaps intentionally so.

The tall, robust male student was heavily made up, donned a short skirt, and performed a cheerfully styled song, drawing peals of laughter from the students.

This was the joyous, carefree atmosphere unique to the young.

Though she, too, was quite young now.

As this thought crossed her mind, her lake-blue eyes shifted to Zhong Tian’s flawless profile.

Noticing her gaze, Zhong Tian inquired with a hint of confusion, “What is it?”

“I’m. a little. tired. of standing,” Su Linxi replied, her words slightly fragmented. “I. want to. go out and sit.”

“Hmm…” Zhong Tian mused. “I could speak to the homeroom teacher, request a leave, and we could head home early.”

“There’s no need.”

“Very well then.”

Zhong Tian agreed, and together with Su Linxi, he descended the stairs.

Su Linxi deliberately walked ahead, subtly guiding Zhong Tian towards the direction where Yu Naixi had collapsed.

As expected, Zhong Tian spotted Yu Naixi lying unconscious outside the venue.

His expression immediately shifted, and he quickly approached her, kneeling by her side.

Su Linxi followed, glancing towards the darkness not far away, where the man’s figure had already vanished.

“Yu Naixi?” He gently shook Yu Naixi’s shoulder, and seeing no response, his expression grew anxious.

He turned back to Su Linxi, saying, “Linxi, I need to take her to the infirmary.”

“Alright.”

This was precisely what Su Linxi had planned.

After all, she couldn’t simply leave Yu Naixi lying there.

Zhong Tian carefully lifted Yu Naixi onto his back.

Yu Naixi wasn’t particularly heavy, but being unconscious made carrying her quite cumbersome, making even walking a little difficult.

Fortunately, the school infirmary wasn’t far.

Zhong Tian, with Su Linxi, hastened their pace towards the infirmary.

****

In the hazy darkness, Yu Naixi vaguely sensed someone carrying her, moving in a particular direction.

As they moved, her hearing gradually returned, and the first sound she registered was a series of knocks on a door.

“Hello, this student has collapsed for some unknown reason. Could you please examine her?”

It was Zhong Tian’s voice.

This meant Zhong Tian was currently carrying her.

She instantly relaxed.

“Alright, just lay her down,” the School Doctor instructed. “Thank you for your trouble, student.”

“Mm.” Zhong Tian glanced at Yu Naixi lying on the infirmary bed, then told the School Doctor, “Then we’ll be leaving now.”

“Very well.”

****

After Zhong Tian and Su Linxi left the infirmary, Zhong Tian sent a message to the homeroom teacher before exiting the school, citing feeling unwell as his reason for requesting permission to leave.

The homeroom teacher replied swiftly.

[If you’re truly feeling unwell, you may leave.]

[I’ll inform the gatekeeper.]

Zhong Tian stared at the message, suddenly struck by a thought about Su Linxi; she wouldn’t be able to leave, would she?

Oh, this…

He paused, then decided to explain the situation to the homeroom teacher.

However, by doing so, the teacher would almost certainly realize his ‘feeling unwell’ was merely an excuse.

[Teacher, today is the Cultural Festival. I brought a friend into school to enjoy the festivities, and now I want to take her home, but it seems we can’t leave.]

[…Send me a photo of your friend. I’ll forward it to the gatekeeper and instruct him to let her pass directly.]

[Bringing friends into school is not to be repeated.]

As expected, he was reprimanded.

Zhong Tian accepted the teacher’s criticism, took a photo of Su Linxi, and sent it.

This should resolve the issue.

****

With the performance of Class 18 of Grade One concluded, the Tai Shan High School Cultural Festival’s costume singing competition was drawing to a close.

The leaders ascended the stage as per custom, delivering the final address for the Tai Shan High School Cultural Festival.

“…This Tai Shan High School Cultural Festival marks a bold innovation by the school, and I believe all the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

It can be said that this has been the most lively and interesting Cultural Festival in the school’s history… And now, the Tai Shan High School Cultural Festival has successfully concluded!”

A thunderous applause followed.

“It’s over!”

“Why do you seem so happy?”

“I’m the logistics team leader! Of course, I’m happy not to have any more work!”

“I’m already looking forward to next year.”

“Next year you’ll be in your final year of high school, what are you looking forward to?”

“Ugh, don’t say it, don’t say it…”

Amidst the chatter, Qin Dong and Chen Chenchen returned to their classroom.

“Hey, the two class presidents are back.”

“Huh? Wasn’t Zhong Tian performing in men’s clothes?”

“Oh right, I haven’t seen her at all. I thought she went on stage. How is it Vice Class President Qin Dong instead?”

Seeing her classmates begin to discuss, Qin Dong quickly explained, “Zhong Tian wasn’t feeling well, so I temporarily filled in for her.”

“I see…”

Noticing that no one in the class was joking about her and Chen Chenchen—they either hadn’t seen them holding hands, or hadn’t paid it any mind—Qin Dong felt a sense of relief.

She wasn’t particularly good at handling others’ teasing.

“…Please, all classes, exit in an orderly fashion…”

Upon hearing the host’s announcement from the stage, Chen Chenchen loudly declared, “Our class uses the side door! Walk slowly, and don’t trip!”

****

Even in the infirmary, Yu Naixi could hear the vast sounds of voices and footsteps from outside.

However, she didn’t immediately get up.

Instead, she silently used her now-recovered mind to ponder the girl beside Zhong Tian.

That woman knew about her actions tonight, knew about her abilities, and even knew about the other personality that had split off due to the side effects of her ability.

Her actions were one thing, but there shouldn’t be anyone in the world who knew about her abilities.

She recalled Su Linxi’s lake-blue eyes.

She was now absolutely certain that Su Linxi was an ability user.

The question was, what exactly was her ability?

Was it ‘mind-reading,’ like Zhong Tian’s?

This explanation seemed quite plausible. Indeed, she had met Su Linxi’s gaze that morning, yet she hadn’t seen the golden light that signaled the activation of an ability.

…

She rose from the bed, offered a brief explanation to the School Doctor, and then left the infirmary.

She needed to find a time to ask Su Linxi directly.

Yu Naixi wasn’t concerned that Su Linxi wouldn’t tell her; the fact that she had intervened to help Yu Naixi resist her other personality indicated she likely harbored no significant ill will towards her.

What truly bothered Yu Naixi was the fear she had seen in Su Linxi’s eyes that morning.

Connecting these thoughts, perhaps one could deduce that what Su Linxi feared was Yu Naixi’s other self.

Why would she be afraid of Yu Naixi’s other self?

Yu Naixi continued to ponder as she returned to her classroom, retrieved her schoolbag, and departed from the school under the cloak of night.