Meeting the Chairman

Returning to a few minutes ago.

Xu Nuo and Sae Chabashira were walking toward the Chairman's office. Since classes had already begun, the path was deserted, with hardly any students in sight.

"Say."

"The Chairman wants to see me out of the blue. Could it be that you secretly reported me to the school, Chabashira-sensei?"

Suddenly.

Xu Nuo spoke with a beaming smile.

Hearing this.

The cold, black-stockinged older sister leading the way paused, then replied in a detached tone:

"I don't recall signing any confidentiality agreement."

"I have no such obligation."

The implication was clear.

Yes.

However.

Although she said that.

Sae Chabashira felt conflicted inside.

She was the one who had provided the Anonymous Account to Xu Nuo, so she had naturally noticed the massive sum of 470 million points.

Connecting it to the major incident that had shaken the entire school yesterday.

What he had done.

It went without saying.

That was 470 million points—an undoubtedly terrifying amount. Even if used purely to transfer classes, it could have elevated most of Class D to Class A in an instant.

Heaven knows.

How much Sae Chabashira had struggled internally when she first learned of the situation. Her first thought had been to cover it up.

Even though her own private stash was included in that total.

But unfortunately.

This matter had blown up too big.

It was impossible to hide. The so-called Anonymous Account was still a product of the school; it was only a matter of time before it was discovered, so reporting it was the better option.

This would prevent the situation from escalating further.

In fact, it was actually beneficial for Xu Nuo.

Of course.

Sae Chabashira couldn't be sure exactly how the school would react, as this was the first time such a thing had happened.

However, she had already prepared countermeasures.

If the school decided to expel Xu Nuo, she would take on part of the responsibility, claiming that the student had reported it to her in advance, but she hadn't believed him and thus hadn't filed a report.

That's right.

Little Sae had decided to protect Xu Nuo at all costs.

He was an SSR she had finally pulled after years of teaching.

If she missed out on him, who knew how many more years she would have to wait? Sae Chabashira was now prepared.

To be expelled together.

Or to remain.

Hearing her response.

Xu Nuo shrugged, having no intention of pressing the matter further.

Soon.

They arrived at the Chairman's office.

Bracing herself with a sense of resolve, Sae Chabashira took a deep breath and stepped forward to knock on the heavy wooden door.

"Knock, knock--"

"Please, come in."

The next second.

A gentle voice drifted from inside the office.

Pushing the door open and entering.

Xu Nuo finally saw the man—Sakayanagi Narimori, the highest authority of Advanced Nurturing High School.

His short, silver-white hair was groomed meticulously, and his dark blue suit was tailored perfectly. He sat behind a large mahogany desk, hands folded, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

Ah, it's my father-in-law.

He's quite handsome.

Seeing the two figures, he first nodded with a smile, then spoke gently to Sae Chabashira.

"Teacher Chabashira, please go attend to your business."

"I would like to have a private chat with Xu Nuo."

Upon hearing this, Sae Chabashira furrowed her brows, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Thus, only the two men remained in the office.

"Xu Nuo, please, have a seat." The Chairman stood up and personally pulled out the leather chair in front of his desk. "Would you like something to drink? Coffee or tea?"

"No need."

Xu Nuo sat down without standing on ceremony, leaning back lazily, and spoke unhurriedly, "Father-in-law, I assume you didn't call me here just for idle chatter over refreshments."

Hm?

"Fa, father-in-law?"

Sakayanagi Narimori's forehead was covered in black lines, but as a middle-aged man with well-honed composure, he quickly returned to a calm state and chuckled.

"It seems..."

"Xu Nuo has already met my daughter."

"Ah, a slip of the tongue."

"My daughter is mischievous; I hope she didn't offend you."

"Not at all..."

After a brief exchange of words, Sakayanagi Narimori tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his expression appearing somewhat helpless, and he sighed, choosing to change the subject.

"Then I will get straight to the point."

"Regarding last night's events... you should already be aware of the actions taken by the Student Council, right?"

"Mm, I heard President Horikita took two hundred people to admire the moon." Xu Nuo shrugged, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "How very down-to-earth of him."

So composed.

There was not a trace of the anxiety typical of a culprit.

Seeing this, Chairman Sakayanagi's eyes narrowed slightly before returning to calm, his tone helpless: "You are certainly nonchalant."

"Why shouldn't I be?"

Xu Nuo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands.

"Since you, Mr. Chairman, called me here instead of foolishly waiting for the Student Council's investigation and report, it means you already know the truth."

"Isn't that right?"

The office fell into a brief silence.

Sakayanagi Narimori opened a drawer and took out a familiar white card—it was the Notice Letter.

He placed the card on the desk.

"When the moonlight cleanses the pitch-black campus and the hands of the clock pass the zenith three times, I shall take your treasures." He read the content word for word.

"A very poetic notice."

"..."

Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow, watching him quietly.

"I was truly startled when that child reported it; to think there were two Horikita Manabus in existence. I am very curious, how did you manage that?"

"Disguise Technique."

"Look it up."

Xu Nuo had no intention of hiding it; the more one covers things up, the more people obsess over them, whereas being open and honest usually leads to no trouble at all.

"I see."

The Chairman nodded, showing no sign of surprise; clearly, he had already guessed the answer.

"Let's change the question: why did you do this?"

"Because I'm broke."

Xu Nuo wore an expression as if looking at a fool.

Finally, Sakayanagi Narimori couldn't hold it together anymore. He took a deep breath, readjusted his posture, and as he sat up straight, his tone became serious.

"Student Xu Nuo, do you realize what your actions imply?"

"This isn't a simple prank. You breached the school's core system and stole virtual assets equivalent to real currency. This is enough to get you expelled immediately, or even hold you legally liable."

"Is that so?"

Xu Nuo's tone remained relaxed. "But I don't believe I've violated any school rules, have I? Besides, Chairman, do you really intend to do that?"

"?!"

Sakayanagi Narimori's pupils constricted, though he feigned composure.

"What do you mean?"

"Tsk, can't you just be straightforward? If you really wanted to punish me, you wouldn't have called me here."

"But you didn't."

"Which means you have other considerations."

This old fox has been probing me from start to finish.

Upon hearing this.

The Chairman remained silent for a moment, then revealed an expression of amazed admiration: "You are very clever, Student Xu Nuo. Why don't we discuss the date of my daughter's wedding?"

"Sure, sounds good."

Instantly.

Sakayanagi Narimori's face darkened.

It was meant to be a joke, but he hadn't expected the other party to seize the opportunity and run with it; it seemed he truly harbored ulterior motives.

He shook his head and didn't respond.

He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze profound: "The philosophy of this school is Meritocracy, and your performance last night undoubtedly proves that you possess abilities far beyond the ordinary."

"Therefore."

Sakayanagi Narimori turned around, his tone remaining gentle.

"We will not pursue the matter, but you must return the points, and this incident will be considered settled."

"Of course."

"There won't be a next time."

Upon hearing this.

Xu Nuo blinked. "Chairman, do I look like the type of person who works for free?"

"--I'll need more money."