"Time to share the water," Bear Ruo You said eagerly as she saw the large pot of purified water. She quickly walked over and sat beside Mu Qingyun, waiting obediently.
She handed out several bottles, filling them with water for everyone.
But when it was Bai Feifei's turn, something went wrong.
Just as the bottle filled with water reached her hands, she suddenly yelped in pain. Her hand twitched, and the entire bottle of water spilled onto the ground.
Mu Qingyun: "..."
Seriously?
"Can't you hold a bottle properly?" Su glanced at Bai Feifei, his voice calm but cold. "That water was meant for drinking, not for wasting."
"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?" Bai Feifei shot him a scornful look. She could tolerate Mu Qingyun or Kazel lecturing her—but this scrawny guy? Who gave him the right?
"He's not wrong," Mu Qingyun frowned, her gaze frosty as she turned to Bai Feifei. "I'll let this one slide. But if it happens again, don't even think about asking me for water."
With that, she took the bottle from Bai Feifei and refilled it without another word.
Bai Feifei took the water with a lowered head, eyes flicking toward the pot as an idea suddenly struck her—a perfect plan to complete Mu Xueyao's task.
After drinking, she lifted the pot and smiled. "I'll go wash the pot. Be right back."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and quickly walked out.
Tch. Sudden initiative? Clearly suspicious.
Mu Qingyun lowered her gaze, thoughtful. Her so-called parents had abandoned the original Mu Qingyun because they were captivated by Mu Xueyao's perfect public image—exceptional water powers, angelic beauty, and a gentle personality. She was the pride of the planet.
But what would happen if that image completely shattered?
"What are you thinking about?" came Kazel's voice from beside her.
She looked up, her gaze meeting his violet eyes.
"I'm thinking about Su," she said with a faint smile, eyes fixed on Su.
Her words stunned Su. He looked up, confused. "Me?"
"Mhm," she nodded. "Just wondering what the odds are that you'll leave with me after the first trial ends."
She wasn't joking. The original Mu Qingyun had no money. Once the first stage ended, they'd have to recuperate on their own. Since they hadn't officially entered the academy, no salary or benefits would be provided.
Su was from a trash-tier planet anyway. Rather than sending him back, why not keep him by her side to build a commercial empire?
Of course, no one knew what she was really thinking. Though both of them appeared male to outsiders, her words still sounded unusually intimate.
[Wait, did I hear that right?]
[I told you, SuMu is the real deal! Best ship ever!]
[Hehehe it feels like a holiday today! Thanks for the sweet moment—I'm totally satisfied.]
[Hold up... is Mu-ge into guys?]
[Nooo! Does this mean I have no chance anymore?]
[You never had a chance to begin with, girl. Wake up.]
…
"Oh? And where exactly are you planning to take him?" Kazel asked, a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked between Su and Mu Qingyun.
"What's it to you?" she replied.
She wasn't being hostile—just casually asking.
But Kazel felt unusually irritated. What do you mean, 'What's it to me'? Weren't they friends? Now he couldn't even ask a simple question?
Hah. Women. Liars, the lot of them.
Taking a deep breath, he blinked slowly. "Take me with you too, then."
Take him too?
Mu Qingyun raised an eyebrow. It wasn't a big deal to add one more person. "Alright. Find me after the first trial ends."
Satisfied with her answer, Kazel reclined comfortably onto the grass mat, finally at ease.
Kazel was content. Su, on the other hand, looked visibly uneasy.
He couldn't leave with Mu Qingyun after the trial. He still had duties to fulfill as Su Qiluo. There were things only he could do under that identity.
"Mu-ge, I'm really sorry," Su said, smiling awkwardly. "My father wants me to return home after the first stage. I probably can't go with you."
"No problem," Mu Qingyun replied without much emotion. If he came, fine. If he didn't, it wasn't a loss. She had never expected much from Su in the first place.
"Heh."
Kazel suddenly chuckled from his spot on the mat, prompting everyone to glance at him.
"Don't mind me," he said lazily, turning his head toward Su. "Just thought of something funny."
Their eyes met. Kazel smirked again. "You better be careful on your way home. You're attracting attention now. If someone tries to dig up your background, your entire family tree might get exposed."
Su: "..."
He's onto me.
He must be suspicious.
But how?
No one—not even within the military academy—knew he was Su Qiluo, aside from the Doctor and Beixuan. He had used the Doctor's latest face-altering orb, crafted a brand-new face, even compressed his height to 1.7 meters using a shrinking serum.
Even he didn't recognize himself at first glance.
So how did Kazel pick up on it?
"Mu-ge, didn't you promise to come back with me to my family's security company after the trial?" Bear Ruo You finally saw a break in the conversation and jumped in.
"I did. And I will," Mu Qingyun replied, lifting her head. "You have a security company—I plan to bring Su along... for business."
"Business?" Kazel raised a brow. "The way you said that sounds off. Business? You mean starting a company, right?"
[Pffft! Official commentary hits the hardest!]
[Official? Since when is Kazel 'official'?]
[Oho, someone's getting defensive—what are you yapping about?]
[Hah, says the one who's breaking down. Let's be real, Mu-ge mentioned Su first—not your precious Kazel.]
[Exactly. The only reason Kazel's coming is because he shamelessly invited himself.]