Divided Cliques, Why Are We Hiding (Bonus Update)

In the neighborhood on the next street over,

a group of four, each carrying photography equipment, wandered aimlessly through the complex.

"Listen, Class Monitor, Brother Hai!"

"We’re just missing the last set of warm-toned photos, right? Once we finish, we can leave!"

"Everyone knows what’s on your mind—we’ve been helping you search for an hour already."

"And we haven’t even caught a glimpse of Chi Qingshui. Are we really gonna keep looking like idiots?"

"There are plenty of fish in the sea—just find a new one!"

Gao Yumin, the tallest of the group, lugged a tripod while grumbling in frustration.

Today had been packed with tasks for him.

Not only did he have to help carry equipment, but he was also the only male model in their dorm, forced to strike awkward poses for the shoot.

At first, he’d been excited about modeling.

After all,

these photos would be showcased to the entire class.

If they turned out well, he might even get some attention and boost his reputation.

In their dorm, he was the only guy who could remotely pass as decent-looking.

But Shi Yanhai’s photography skills were, at best, theoretical.

He owned a Canon 700D (a camera far inferior to the 5D, which was better than the 6D, which in turn outclassed the 60D and 70D, which still surpassed the 600D, 650D, and 700D).

The sensor quality was subpar, but at least he was one of the few in class with a DSLR.

The problem was his actual shooting skills—his photos looked worse than smartphone snapshots!

Gao Yumin, his image thoroughly ruined, was already fed up with posing.

Now, on top of that, he had to help search for someone. His mood couldn’t be worse.

Even if Chi Qingshui really lived in this complex,

what if she was comfortably napping at home, never stepping outside?

Wouldn’t they just look like complete fools?

Gou Feng, ever the mediator, tried to calm Gao Yumin down while backing up their monitor:

"Big Gao, c’mon, you know how Brother Hai is."

"Today, even I saw that livestream from the comic con—I swear Lin Yu and Little Chi might actually be a thing!"

"No way he’s pulling off a sisters’ double play. Impossible."

"If Lin Yu likes Little Chi, then Big Chi… might as well pack up and move back to Gotham."

"But if Brother Hai makes his move now…"

"Tsk tsk, it’d be a done deal!"

Gao Yumin shook his head with a scoff.

This damn Gou Feng—another traitor who abandoned his bros for girls.

He’d thought Gou wasn’t even interested in women.

But then,

Shi Yanhai introduced him to some girl from another class, and suddenly,

Gou turned into Shi Yanhai’s loyal lapdog!

Nothing had even happened yet, and he was already pledging allegiance.

Zhao Bin, the most neutral of the group, held the lightest piece of gear—a reflector.

He had no reason to complain.

Instead, he was glued to his phone, texting Wu Chuntian (aka "Running Sister") back and forth.

Every three minutes, she’d reply—and Zhao would respond instantly.

Every five minutes, another delayed reply—still met with his lightning-fast thumbs.

Casually, he chimed in:

"Monitor, are you sure your intel’s accurate?"

"Is this really the right complex? What if the driver misremembered?"

"With so many people going to the comic con today, drivers probably mix up drop-offs all the time."

Shi Yanhai, who’d been scanning their surroundings intently, shook his head firmly.

"No way. Absolutely no mistake."

"That driver was recommended by the student council—I even slipped him three packs of Yuxi cigarettes!"

"He swore to me he remembered right. It’s this complex."

"Maybe we… should just focus on the assignment first."

"Let’s get the shoot done. If anyone has plans later, they can leave. I’ll stay behind alone."

Ever since their dorm’s recent fallout,

Shi Yanhai’s authority as monitor had taken a nosedive.

Lately,

he’d been scrambling to win back their goodwill by doing favors.

They still had at least two years together.

Group projects, like this photoshoot, were unavoidable.

Hell, they might even team up for their graduation project.

If he burned all his bridges now, how could he lead as monitor later?

"Hey hey hey, check it out, boys—snow viewing!"

"Those legs are killer, and they’re wearing matching skirts!"

Gao Yumin’s sharp eyes caught two slender figures in the distance.

Immediately, he rallied the troops for a rare sighting.

On this one topic,

the four of them were miraculously united.

Almost in sync, their heads swiveled toward the view.

Zhao Bin: "Damn, Big Gao, your eyes are sharp—spotted ’em from way over here!"

Gou Feng: "No wonder they call him the Love Guru."

Shi Yanhai: "Matching skirts… twins?!"

Zhao Bin: "Holy—!"

Gou Feng: "Holy sht!"

Gao Yumin: "Wait, hold up—there’s a guy with them?!"

As the two girls emerged from the winding path,

their faces came into focus.

It was… the Chi sisters and Lin Yu!

...

Not far away,

Chi Qingshui admired the surroundings, impressed by Lin Yu’s choice:

"Lin Yu, this complex really is perfect for photos."

"Much better than ours."

"Should we pick a spot and test some shots?"

Chi Qingchi, happily licking a strawberry ice cream cone, couldn’t care less about location scouting.

With her sister and Lin Yu handling everything, why stress?

Her job was simple: follow orders.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu was internally celebrating…

Finally!

After so long, he’d heard the glorious sound of "Holy sht!" again.

From the moment they entered the complex,

he’d dialed his hearing to maximum sensitivity.

Not a single rustle escaped him—he was determined not to miss his dear classmates.

Luckily,

fate was kind.

Destined souls always find each other with a little effort.

Lin Yu (mentally): Boys, we’re coming for you~

"Sounds good. How about over there?"

"That open area looks great, and there’s even a little pond after the rain!"

When all three turned to look ahead,

their former classmates had already vanished from the path.

Lin Yu: "???"

Oh?

Playing hide-and-seek, are we?

Fine, fine.

He’d give them their "special vantage point."

Behind the greenery near the pond,

four grown men crouched awkwardly, using bushes as cover.

Gao Yumin: "The hell? Can someone explain why we’re hiding?"

Zhao Bin: "Ask Dog Bro—I just followed him!"

Gou Feng: "Why me? I saw Brother Hai duck first!"

Shi Yanhai: "I—I just—can anyone tell me why the three of them are together?!"

...

(Bonus chapter delivered! Today’s battle ends here. Tomorrow, we fight again. Take a few extra seconds to check out an ad—your support means the world!)