While eating breakfast, Lu Chen carefully asked Chen Shuo: "Old Chen, if the teacher takes attendance this morning, do you want me to answer for you?"
Chen Shuo took a big bite of a meat bun while replying with a surprised tone: "Why would you need to answer attendance for me? It's not like I'm skipping class."
Lu Chen was shocked. "Don't you need to rest well and adjust yourself?"
Chen Shuo knew they must have guessed something was going on between him and Su Xiyan. But all three of them chose to stay silent and respectful instead of asking about it. Yet in little details, they tried their best to provide help.
Chen Shuo was reminded of an online saying - if it wasn't for continuing the family line, men would much rather hang out with other men.
Chen Shuo felt a warmth in his heart.
On the way from the dorm to the classroom building, Chen Shuo walked quite fast, mainly to avoid running into people he knew, like... Su Xiyan, for example.
They were at the same university. It would be hard not to run into each other. Moreover, Su Xiyan had tried calling him but couldn't get through. Knowing her personality, she would definitely come looking for Chen Shuo.
Luckily, Chen Shuo didn't see Su Xiyan the entire way.
The classroom buildings for freshmen and juniors were in separate areas.
Chen Shuo could attend class with peace of mind.
However, he was still distracted in class.
The teacher was lecturing important content, while the students listened carefully and took notes.
Chen Shuo held a pen in his slender, dexterous fingers. The pen spun and twirled but did not fall.
He looked at the teacher, the very image of a diligent student.
But his eyes were unfocused.
Chen Shuo thought he should keep his distance from Su Xiyan, not just because of how she deliberately tested their relationship, hurting his feelings. There was another reason - the opposing relationship between demon hunters and vampires.
Su Xiyan was a demon hunter, even the strongest one in Su City. At the private kitchen restaurant, Chen Shuo had incapacitated all the other hunters, which worked quite well to intimidate them. Only Su Xiyan was untouched.
The demon hunter organization not only suspected Chen Shuo of being the Demon King, they would also investigate Su Xiyan.
It might be good for Su Xiyan to suffer a bit instead of always looking down on others.
Chen Shuo wondered how the demon hunters would treat Su Xiyan. Would they make things difficult for her?
Chen Shuo shook his head. What was he thinking? Worrying about her at a time like this?
Had he forgotten how she tried to test him?
Chen Shuo wrote four words in his notebook: None of my business!
Su Xiyan had originally planned to look for Chen Shuo this morning.
But she was summoned to an emergency demon hunter meeting instead.
In an office building, the lights shone brightly.
People lined both sides of the long conference table. The seat at the head remained empty.
Su Xiyan sat in her usual spot. She felt everyone looked at her differently ever since she entered the company, with more suspicion and wariness.
But Su Xiyan had always been a lone wolf. She couldn't care less about those looks.
Cheng Xinran still sat next to Su Xiyan. No matter how the others viewed Su Xiyan, Cheng Xinran unconditionally stood by her best friend.
With a loli appearance, Cheng Xinran could be quite cute in her daily behavior. But when things got serious, she would become extremely capable in a flash. She elbowed Su Xiyan and lowered her voice. "I heard Old Tang got punished."
Su Xiyan's brows quirked up slightly as a cold smile touched her lips. "No surprise there."
"If you don't act like a decent human being, someone will teach you how."
Cheng Xinran clicked her tongue. "All the demon hunters borrowed from other cities lost their capabilities because of the Demon King. That's already a pretty serious incident. Just a punishment is quite light. I wonder if there will be any continuing investigations."
Su Xiyan said cryptically, "God knows!"
Cheng Xinran continued in a low voice, "Xiyan, why didn't the Demon King harm you at all? Could it really be... Chen..."
Behind her cold eyes, Su Xiyan's heart was complicated. "Maybe so!"
Cheng Xinran asked, "Xiyan, do you think Chen Shuo really is the Demon King?"
After thinking for a bit, Su Xiyan replied, "Other than him, I can't think of anyone else who would do this."
Cheng Xinran worried, "What if he really is the Demon King?"
Su Xiyan's clear eyes revealed uncontrollable panic. She didn't expect herself to feel so lost.
She had no answer for Cheng Xinran because it was still unknown.
At that moment, the previously whispering conference room fell silent.
Tang Zhiyuan walked in, followed by two secretaries.
His face was as gloomy as the weather, clouded by dark shadows.
After sitting down, Tang Zhiyuan's gaze swept around and eventually landed on Su Xiyan.
Su Xiyan didn't back down either, holding his gaze steadily without the slightest intention to yield.
Sitting between them, Cheng Xinran felt like she was on pins and needles. She should have sat on Su Xiyan's other side instead of being stuck between their piercing glares.
Tang Zhiyuan withdrew his gaze and cleared his throat. "I'll get right to the point. First, we need self-reflection. This failure is due to my poor planning, which led to serious consequences. I admit my mistake and am willing to accept any punishment from the senior demon hunters."
"Next, there will be a major investigation and purge within the organization to get rid of problematic members."
"The Demon King's appearance in Su City is a confirmed fact. We will prepare ourselves to capture the Demon King and restore peace to the city."
"One last announcement - starting today, I will no longer be the person in charge of Su City's demon hunters. I've been demoted to deputy chief. From now on, address me as Deputy Chief Tang."
"The position of chief is now vacant. A capable person will be sent here to take over. You'll know who it is when the order comes down. I won't announce it prematurely."
"Dismissed!"
Under the complicated gazes of the crowd, Tang Zhiyuan left the conference room.
On his way out, he gave Su Xiyan a meaningful look.
In just minutes, he had announced several decisions - demoted from Chief Tang to Deputy Chief Tang as people expected.
The secretaries handed out documents detailing Tang Zhiyuan's announcements.
Su Xiyan didn't even glance at hers before putting it on the table.
With the meeting over, everyone began chatting about the news.
"I heard the new chief has incredible power!"
"Well obviously. How else can he control a Demon King in Su City?"
One female demon hunter gave Su Xiyan a complex look and said sarcastically, "We have one right here who emerged unharmed from the Demon King's power."