Dean Seeks Someone

Jianghai University faculty housing area.

In the study, Chen Jianguo put down the pencil in his hand and let out a long sigh of relief.

Spread across the desk was a sheet of sketch paper, bearing the portrait of a young man.

Short hair, sharp eyes, and the faintest hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. His bearing was calm and composed.

It was exactly what Lin Mo had looked like in the game.

Chen Jianguo examined his work and nodded in satisfaction.

Although he had only seen the other man a few times in the game, Lin Mo's unique bearing had left a deep impression on him. He was almost certainly right.

"Finished?"

A gentle female voice came from the study doorway.

Chen Jianguo's wife, Shen Qingru, entered with tea and gently set the cup down at the corner of the desk.

She wore simple, elegant home clothes. In her mid-thirties, she had a gentle, graceful appearance, though an inescapable worry lingered between her brows.

Three days ago, when Chen Jianguo first awoke from that bizarre Destiny game,

and told her everything, it was as if a layer of gloom had descended over her world.

Her husband had already died once in the game, leaving him only one final chance.

To make matters worse, immediately after reviving, he had been captured by the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold, who had brutally broken both his legs.

Even more terrifyingly, he had to complete his class advancement within the remaining twenty-seven days, or he would die in the real world as well.

The pressure had kept her awake at night.

"Yes, it's finished." Chen Jianguo turned the sketch toward his wife. "Qingru, look. This is the person who saved me."

Shen Qingru leaned over to look, her delicate brows drawing together. "This young man... He isn't particularly handsome, but he has an indescribable presence."

She paused, then raised her eyes to her husband. "Is he... a student at Jianghai University?"

"He should be." Chen Jianguo's tone was certain. "He recognized me, and the way he spoke sounded like a student speaking to a teacher."

He paused, picked up the glass of water on the desk, and took a sip. His expression grew complicated.

"He never gave me his name. He only told me to focus on recovering before leaving. And besides..."

His voice was filled with astonishment. "Black Wind Stronghold has already changed hands. The place I'm staying now is already his territory."

Shen Qingru's eyes widened in surprise. "The game only started three days ago, and he already has his own forces? This young man... is no ordinary person."

"He's more than extraordinary." Chen Jianguo gave a bitter smile.

"To establish himself so quickly in such a brutal environment, he definitely isn't an ordinary person.

"Qingru, this may be my only way out."

Shen Qingru understood what her husband meant.

Chen Jianguo's legs were broken, and they could not recover anytime soon. He could barely walk.

Relying on himself, it was simply impossible for him to complete his class advancement within the remaining twenty-seven days.

His only hope was the young man who had saved him.

Shen Qingru sat down in the chair opposite her husband and clasped her hands tightly. "Then what do you plan to do?"

"Find him and talk to him." Chen Jianguo spoke slowly. "I'm the dean now. I have resources and connections.

"In the real world, I can give him plenty of help."

"If he needs money, I can give him money."

"If he needs power, I can find a way."

"If he wants special treatment from the university, I can arrange it too."

"As long as he's willing to shelter me in the game and help me complete my class advancement... we can negotiate any terms."

Shen Qingru said worriedly, "What if he makes an exorbitant demand..."

"Then we'll agree to it." Chen Jianguo sighed. "Qingru, you've never entered that game. You don't know how brutal it is.

"I personally saw those villagers who looked honest and simple, their faces covered in rustic smiles, take people's lives over the slightest disagreement.

"That's also why, despite seeing a village at the foot of the mountain, I would rather brave the elements in the deep wilderness than approach it rashly.

"And besides..."

He looked out the window, his voice low.

"The game's impact on reality is becoming increasingly obvious.

"When I logged off this morning, the system announcement said that a second batch of one hundred thousand people would enter the game tonight.

"This world is changing."

Shen Qingru's face went pale. "You mean... the game's power is being reflected into reality at an accelerating rate."

"It's only a matter of time." Chen Jianguo nodded. "When that happens, the current social order will undergo a complete reshuffling."

He paused, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes.

"So this isn't just about saving my life. It's also an investment in the future.

"That young man managed to establish a force on the third day after the game began. He's definitely no ordinary person.

"If we can secure his protection, perhaps we'll be able to live better in the future."

Shen Qingru looked at her husband's resolute gaze and knew he had already made up his mind.

"All right. I support you." She spoke gently. "How do you plan to find him?"

"The portrait." Chen Jianguo said, "As long as he's a student at Jianghai University, I'll definitely be able to dig him out.

"I'll start by investigating the university. If he isn't there, I'll ask someone to pursue leads through the Police System. I'll find him eventually."

"Be careful," Shen Qingru reminded him. "You can't let this become public."

"I understand." Chen Jianguo nodded and carefully placed the sketch into a folder.

"Qingru, thanks for all your effort these past few days. I know you're worried, but I promise I'll handle everything."

Shen Qingru took her husband's hand, her gaze resolute.

"I believe in you. Old Chen, no matter what happens, we'll face it together."