Chapter 41: The Mission’s Shifting Target

“So, Miss, what’s your strategy? After all, we do have a mission to complete. While I know your usual habit is to prioritize the mission above all else, balancing everything right now might prove… challenging.”

“Until we confirm, everyone remains a potential target, don’t they?”

“That’s true in theory, but in practice, based on our current intelligence… wait a moment.”

Suddenly, Lan Baiyuan seemed to grasp something profound. A realization dawned upon her, illuminating Mu Rong Xin Xue’s true intentions.

“Could it be, Miss, you intend to create a distraction? Furthermore, based on our current parameters, she is indeed included. And the target, she…”

“It fits perfectly.”

After Mu Rong Xin Xue’s brief affirmation, Lan Baiyuan herself suddenly grasped the implication. Indeed, as Mu Rong Xin Xue had suggested, the resemblance was striking; apart from those brilliant azure eyes, there were no other discernible differences. The gender, of course, was an obvious distinction.

This was precisely why Lan Baiyuan had not initially considered Mu Rong Luo Ye. Their target, after all, was supposed to be a genuine girl. Mu Rong Luo Ye, with her outwardly adorable silver-haired loli appearance, should have been beyond their consideration.

“So, Miss, your intention is to use her as a diversion while simultaneously ascertaining if she is indeed our target?”

“Mm. The MRZZ agents should have arrived by now. As for their identities, that remains unknown.”

“No way, are those people truly so well-informed? If they’ve indeed arrived, then our initial assessment was likely correct. It seems the target is exceedingly important to them. In that case, we absolutely must seize the initiative. So, once we locate the target, do we bring her back, or…?”

“Eliminate her directly…”

Upon hearing Mu Rong Xin Xue’s chilling words, Lan Baiyuan’s expression flickered, but recalling her companion’s consistent, ruthless disposition, she quickly settled into a resigned understanding.

“Indeed. After all, this is her most vulnerable moment. We must strike while she’s weak.”

“Oh, right,” Lan Baiyuan suddenly interjected, her tone shifting abruptly. “I forgot to mention something earlier. Although the leader abandoned us after assigning the mission a year ago, it appears he never truly departed. It seems there’s something incredibly important here.”

“Something other than her?”

“Mm, but I don’t know the specifics. However, for something to compel the leader to wait so patiently for so long, it must be profoundly significant. Moreover, given our current clearance, it’s impossible for us to uncover its nature. So, then…”

Just as Lan Baiyuan prepared to elaborate, a series of urgent alerts suddenly pierced the silence.

Following the sound, Mu Rong Xin Xue saw that it emanated from the watch adorning Lan Baiyuan’s right wrist.

“Wait, Miss has appeared, the fish has appeared.”

Activating the watch, Lan Baiyuan observed the red dot marked on the map projected onto the holographic screen. After a moment, she cast a glance towards Mu Rong Xin Xue.

“It’s not too far from here, Miss. Your moment has arrived.”

“Mm.”

‘Having been idle for so long, the moment to strike had finally arrived.’

****

The narrative shifted back to the classroom.

Even after the school bell chimed, Mu Rong Luo Ye’s figure remained conspicuously absent.

An anxious glance swept towards the classroom’s front door, then through the window, searching for any sign. Yet, within the visible expanse, Mu Rong Luo Ye’s petite form remained elusive.

A faint glance was cast towards Huang Beifeng, who sat nearby. On her face, however, there was not the slightest hint of concern. Instead, her features conveyed an air of absolute control, as if every unfolding event was precisely within her grasp.

It was as though Huang Beifeng possessed an unwavering certainty that Mu Rong Luo Ye was perfectly safe. As for the reason behind her prolonged absence, that remained a mystery. Still, knowing she was unharmed was sufficient.

Slowly, the gaze retreated. If even Huang Beifeng wasn’t concerned, there was no need for needless worry.

Within the classroom, currently dedicated to self-study, a profound quiet reigned, punctuated only by the palpable atmosphere of concentrated learning.

Each student wore an expression of unwavering determination as they focused on their exercise books or other study materials before them.

Naturally, this diligent focus did not extend to Huang Beifeng or Tang Xiao Rou.

For Huang Beifeng, self-study periods merely offered an opportunity to pursue her own interests. With Mu Rong Luo Ye absent, she no longer needed to fret about her peeking over her shoulder.

As for Tang Xiao Rou, while an exercise book lay open before her, it served, at most, as a mere prop.

Her gaze remained fixed on the classroom’s front door, intently scrutinizing it, yearning for the reappearance of that familiar figure.

Time flowed onward, yet Mu Rong Luo Ye’s figure still failed to materialize at the classroom’s entrance.

This was largely due to Tang Xiao Rou’s unwavering focus on the front of the classroom, causing her to entirely miss the moment, sometime earlier, when the back door of the classroom had quietly creaked open just a crack.

Immediately after, a petite figure slipped through the narrow opening and into the classroom. Relying on a skill honed over years, I silently slinked back to my seat, having disturbed absolutely no one.

‘Phew, thankfully no one noticed me. I certainly don’t want to become the center of attention in class again, so using the front door is out of the question.’

‘How wonderful it is to use the back door; it barely draws any attention and feels so much safer. Why wouldn’t I choose it?’

‘I just hadn’t realized I’d spent such an exorbitant amount of time with Lan Baiyuan on the rooftop. Self-study class was already nearly half over.’

‘Speaking of Lan Baiyuan, she’s become quite the variable. After all, everyone else who knows my true gender would help me keep my secret, but this Lan Baiyuan is truly an unpredictable element.’

‘But how did Mu Rong Xin Xue become entangled with her? Could it be that she was a former teacher of hers, and because Mu Rong Xin Xue was promoted while Lan Baiyuan remained with the basic grades, that’s how it is?’

‘Then again, why should their relationship concern me?’

‘Honestly, why do I always fret over such trivialities?’

‘Yet, I did stumble upon some unexpected information today. Still, why does an unsettling premonition linger in my heart, as if something significant might unfold today? Perhaps I’m simply overthinking it.’