Chapter 33.1

Jiang Suliu chatted casually with classmates, making no effort to hide his admiration and affection for Yue Yin. Although they said nothing, the others were bursting inside, eager to get home and share the gossip.

After all, with the rumors swirling around Jiang Suliu and Yue Yin, this was the inside scoop!

Meanwhile, as the school bell rang, students began filing out from the classroom building. Amidst the crowd, one girl stood out.

She wore the standard blue and white school uniform with simple long pants and carried a plain backpack. Her black hair fell over her shoulders, her eyes clear and bright. With delicate features and fair skin that seemed to glow under the streetlights, she was hard to miss among the crowd of similarly dressed students.

But it wasn’t her beauty that drew the most attention. It was the way she hugged her bag and sprinted through the crowd.

She looked anxious, chanting to herself, “Grilled cold noodles, grilled cold noodles, grilled cold noodles…”

Nearby students saw her zip past like a gust of wind, some blinking in disbelief. Had they misheard?

This gorgeous girl, running like she was in a track meet, all for grilled cold noodles?

Others in the crowd were equally stunned as Yue Yin bulldozed her way through, her commitment to “eating first or being nothing” propelling her forward.

If not for the rule against revealing her divine power in front of regular people, she would have been flying by now!

Caught up in a sleepy haze during class, Yue Yin only remembered just before dismissal that she’d been absent for days and had missed the grilled flatbread from the snack street by the school. This particular vendor had a strict weekly schedule and closed every Friday.

Pushing her speed, she hoped today wasn’t an off day.

Just as she was about to make it to the school gate, someone called out from behind, “Yue Yin!”

With her mind set on grilled flatbread, Yue Yin pretended not to hear.

But the person didn’t give up, raising her voice urgently, “Yue Yin, wait! Why are you running so fast?”

Hugging her backpack, Yue Yin dashed out the gate, not caring one bit about the girl chasing after her.

The girl was persistent, nearly yelling, “Yue Yin, stop!”

But Yue Yin didn’t even look back as she sprinted.

Finally, she came to a halt in front of the familiar snack shop, staring at its closed doors with a sense of longing. “It’s closed.”

“What’s closed?” Li Shushu finally caught up to her, panting heavily.

She was breathing hard from running so fast, her words broken by gasps, “Yue Yin, you… ran… so fast. What… were you… in such a rush for?”

Li Shushu was mentally drained. Who knew why Yue Yin was running so quickly? She felt like she had just run an 800-meter sprint trying to keep up.

Yue Yin glanced at her with surprise. “Do you need something?”

Li Shushu wanted to scream but held it in, managing a concerned expression as she asked, “Yue Yin, why haven’t you been to school lately?”

Walking toward the snack street, Yue Yin replied casually, “Oh, you didn’t know? My dad’s dying.”

Li Shushu’s expression shifted in shock. “What?”

In truth, she’d already heard about the situation at Yue Yin’s house from their teacher, but she feigned surprise to keep the conversation going.

Her eyes darted nervously as she spoke with sympathy, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Trying to sound comforting, she said, “Yue Yin, don’t be too upset. No one wants something like this to happen.”

Yue Yin looked at her in surprise and said, “I’m not upset. He’s not my real dad anyway.”

Li Shushu: …?

At a loss for words, Li Shushu struggled to respond, her mind whirling for something to say.

Before she could speak, Yue Yin continued, “Shen Baozhu should be the one feeling sad. After all, he’s her dad. But oh, that’s right, she’s been missing for days and doesn’t even know about his condition yet.”

Shaking her head with a smirk, she muttered, “Wonder if she’ll make it back in time to see Shen Hao Ping one last time.”

Li Shushu was left speechless.

If she could, she’d have told Yue Yin, Are you out of your mind? Even if you’re not close to your stepfather, could you at least keep your glee in check?

And were you raised by trolls? I’m here trying to comfort you, and you’re going on and on with your nasty remarks! So rude!

Despite the internal rant, Li Shushu held back. She still needed to stay on good terms with Yue Yin to get her to attend her birthday party.

So, as much as it pained her, she said nothing.

Forcing a smile, Li Shushu managed, “It’s okay, Yue Yin. I’m sure your uncle will pull through.”

Yue Yin gave her a strange look, “Really? I think he’s about done for.”

Whoever told Li Shushu that Shen Hao Ping would get better must be overly optimistic. They clearly hadn’t experienced the wrath of a vengeful god.

If Yue Yin wanted, Shen Hao Ping could be gone at any time.

Jiang Suliu had informed her earlier about Shen Hao Ping and Bai Xiulian’s misuse of her inheritance, suggesting they keep him alive a bit longer so the legal team could hold them accountable. If he died too soon, the inheritance he had embezzled would simply pass to Bai Xiulian, her little brother Shen, and Shen Baozhu, complicating matters.

Yue Yin had no objections.

Right now, Shen Hao Ping seemed to be lying unconscious in bed, but in reality, his spirit had long been absorbed by the gray mud sea, waiting to claim his body.

In the mud sea, all trapped souls would live eternally, subject to endless torment and insanity.

From Yue Yin’s comments, Li Shushu finally gathered that Yue Yin’s relationship with her stepfather was truly awful.

Thinking about Yue Yin’s pitiful existence in the Shen family, this made sense.

Just then, an idea flashed through Li Shushu’s mind, reminding her of the missing B87 forbidden item.

B87 had been a cursed item they’d acquired from the Paranormal Incident Management Department, known for stealing its host’s eyes and causing chaos and terror.

To instill fear and foster malevolence in the school, as well as to urge the A-level malignant spirit in School No. 1 to manifest, Li Shushu had given B87 to a gossipy schoolgirl who was into the paranormal.

After schoolmate’s death, she’d slipped B87 into Yue Yin’s desk to test whether Yue Yin had any supernatural abilities.

However, Yue Yin had later claimed she’d tossed out the box containing B87, saying she’d seen nothing unusual in it. Li Shushu had been scolded by the priest and ridiculed by her colleagues for losing B87.

She had even gone to the landfill a few times but found no trace of B87.

But now, as Li Shushu listened to the news about Shen Hao Ping’s health and noted Yue Yin’s hatred towards her stepfather, a new thought crossed her mind.

Li Shushu suddenly thought—could it be that Yue Yin was responsible for what happened to Shen Hao Ping?!

It was very possible!

Based on their investigations, Yue Yin had been neglected and mistreated in the Shen family for years; even her late father’s inheritance had been seized by her stepfather and mother…

After seeing the reports, Li Shushu had even imagined that, if she were Yue Yin, she would also find ways to get revenge.

If Yue yin really did take action, then the missing B87 item should be on Shen Hao Ping!

Li Shushu quickly pieced together this theory and felt a rush of excitement. She decided to contact others from the Association and have them search Shen Hao Ping’s hospital room for the lost B87.

That way, she could redeem herself and restore her status in the priest’s eyes, sparing herself the mockery of the other cult members.

She never anticipated that this ‘brilliant’ plan would end up sending her two colleagues straight into the clutches of the authorities, where they’d find themselves cheerfully celebrating New Year’s in a cell.

Convinced she’d figured everything out, Li Shushu’s mood lifted.

As a follower of a false god, someone who manufactured fear and negativity through sacrifices, she naturally felt no sympathy. Knowing Shen Hao Ping’s condition might be connected to Yue Yin, she even inwardly mocked him—he had dared to provoke a powerful individual over mere money, and now he was paying the price.

Thinking of retrieving the Association’s forbidden item B87 and the upcoming ritual, her spirits soared even higher.

Clasping Yue Yin’s arm, she cheerfully remarked, “By the way, Yue Yin, you didn’t forget my birthday party this weekend, did you?”

Li Shushu had chased after Yue Yin today mainly to confirm her attendance. Yue Yin had been absent from school for several days, and though she had agreed to attend the ‘birthday party,’ Li Shushu remained a bit uneasy.

After all, she and the other cult members had meticulously prepared for the ritual. They were simply waiting for Yue Yin, their perfect offering, to arrive.

If Yue Yin didn’t show, the other members would likely have her head.

Seizing her hand, Li Shushu entreated, “Yue Yin, you’re my best friend, so you have to come, okay?”

Calling herself Yue Yin’s “best friend” even felt hollow to Li Shushu. She had barely spoken to Yue Yin until the last week, when she purposely grew closer to her.

Yue Yin looked at her with a soft gaze and blinked, asking, “Really?”

Is human friendship supposed to happen this fast?

Li Shushu nodded urgently. “Of course. You promised, so you have to come!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll definitely be there,” Yue Yin responded with a gentle smile, “Don’t worry, Shushu, I’ll even bring a gift.”

“A gift?” Li Shushu looked surprised but quickly said, “Oh, no need. Yue Yin, you’re my friend. Just coming to the party is a gift enough.”

She held Yue Yin’s hand tightly, beaming. From an outsider’s view, they truly looked like close friends enjoying a carefree stroll down the snack-filled street.

With a warm smile, Yue Yin said seriously, “Since you’re my friend, I want to get you a present!”

Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with sincerity and innocence. She gazed at Li Shushu with an earnestness that could easily make one believe she was the purest girl in the world.

Seeing Yue Yin’s unguarded trust, a rare pang of guilt flickered in Li Shushu’s heart.

She hadn’t expected Yue Yin to trust her so readily, to genuinely believe they were friends, and to even think of bringing a gift…

This trusting Yue Yin was utterly clueless.

The pang of guilt lasted less than a second before Li Shushu felt only disdain. What a pathetic creature—likely neglected at home, unpopular at school, so desperate for love that the smallest show of kindness was enough for her to consider them friends.

What a fool to think she had a real friend. Even planning a gift!

Hiding her scorn, Li Shushu feigned curiosity, asking, “Can you give me a hint about the gift?”

With a playful smile, Yue Yin whispered, “It’s a secret! I want it to be a surprise.”