Chapter 270: Just Batch It All Together

Meng Kexin, hiding in the alley, was taken aback by what she heard.

Did Shen Zexi help them forge a leave slip? Or did he use the pretext of "assisting the Supervision Bureau's operation"?

"The rules are too strict; students naturally have to come up with their own ways to cope."

Shen Zexi's voice still carried a smile, yet Meng Kexin inexplicably sensed a hint of deeper meaning.

"If I hadn't asked Qi Hengyu, I wouldn't have known this place actually has a shortcut to get out."

This exit is known within a small circle in the Academy; however, few students choose it. Though this spot is slightly easier to leave than other areas, it's still not something everyone can manage.

"Come to think of it," Shen Zexi's tone suddenly shifted, as if merely chatting, "Mr. Min previously said that this time he specifically came to look for you, Meng, at Chen Mo Zhi's special request?"

"What's the situation with the Chen Family now? After all, we're also a Mercenary Corps; is Chen Mo Zhi alright?"

On this side of the wall, Meng Kexin's breath subconsciously caught, and her ears perked up even higher.

Min Tianyou seemed not to think much and answered naturally.

"Hmm, he specifically asked me to come."

"Although we're not that close, we have at least… gone through some things together."

"The Chen Family's interior is chaotic now; perhaps compared to the clan members, he'd rather trust an outsider like me, whom he's only met once?"

"Oh? It was Chen Mo Zhi who specifically asked?"

Shen Zexi's voice remained gentle, yet Min Tianyou suddenly sensed something off.

A few seconds later, Min Tianyou's tone turned cautious.

"Classmate Shen… we seem to have discussed this topic before, right?"

Is he just making small talk?

Was Shen Zexi just now deliberately steering him to say "Chen Mo Zhi specifically asked"?

Why?

To whom is he saying this?

Min Tianyou's detective instinct snapped on; he realized something and his gaze swiftly turned toward the alley's corner.

His attention had just been on the conversation with Shen Zexi and pondering the Slum's aftermath, and he hadn't carefully sensed the surrounding environment.

And Shen Zexi… he'd been distracted from the start, his gaze occasionally drifting toward that alley mouth, so he didn't notice the problem right away.

"Cough."

Min Tianyou immediately changed the subject, raising his voice slightly with a hint of urgency.

"Ying Duo, haven't they returned yet? Could they really have run into trouble? Should we…?"

"Mr. Min."

Shen Zexi cut him off; his ever‑gentle eyes looked toward the alley corner, and his voice came clear and steady.

"How about you just ask them directly?"

Ying Duo's golden irises showed little emotion, as if he'd long anticipated this; upon hearing it, he didn't even notice that Meng Kexin was still clutching his head, and he waved at Shen Zexi.

Meng Kexin's mouth twitched; at least Shen Zexi seemed to be on their side, so she stopped pulling Ying Duo.

"Classmate Xiao Ming, what a coincidence!"

Min Tianyou watched the two walk out calmly, then glanced at the impeccably smiling Shen Zexi beside them, and his mouth twitched involuntarily.

He realized that Shen Zexi had probably already noticed Meng Kexin and Ying Duo eavesdropping nearby.

The earlier talk about the Chen Family, last night's attack aftermath, and even his mission from Chen Mo Zhi was deliberately spoken for those two to hear.

If any of the information he revealed here were problematic or contradictory, those two could have simply turned and left.

He appears gentle and amiable, but inside he's probably just as black, right?

"Unfortunate," Min Tianyou said irritably, his gaze sweeping over the slightly disheveled hair of Ying Duo and the hastily concealed battle scars on Meng Kexin, forming a suspicion.

Those two probably ran into a minor trouble just now, and it seems Meng Kexin handled it herself.

Does Chen Mo Zhi know that the little white rabbit in his eyes has claws?

"I'm here specifically to find you, Meng Kexin."

"Chen Mo Zhi was worried about your situation and wanted me to bring you over; I've already handled the paperwork with the Academy for you."

He glanced back at Ying Duo, recalled Shen Zexi's mention of the 'leave slip,' and added without much enthusiasm.

"And you, Ying Duo, although it wasn't intentional on my part, your leave… *cough*—with Shen's enthusiastic assistance, it was also approved, under the pretext of 'assisting the Supervision Bureau in follow‑up investigations and clue provision.'"

As he spoke, he gave Shen Zexi a look that said, 'You did the dirty work; you take the blame.'

Who knows what disaster this kid could cause if released, given his brilliant record.

Min Tianyou could barely imagine, but he can't worry about that now; he must first settle Meng Kexin's side.

Shen Zexi caught Min Tianyou's look and helplessly spread his hands.

He stepped forward and, in a conciliatory tone, suggested.

"Since you've completed the paperwork, Meng, you're willing to go with you… how about we all head to the Chen Family to see the situation?"

"After all, we're partners in the Mercenary Corps; Chen Mo Zhi is in trouble now, so it's only right for us to see if we can help."

He paused, his tone becoming more earnest.

"The Chen Family probably won't refuse if Meng brings a few more friends along, right? More people might bring more ideas."

Shen Zexi knew that although Chen Mo Zhi appeared aloof, he wasn't hard to get along with; in fact, among the aristocratic youths, he was quite easy‑going.

In previous encounters and Mercenary Corps missions, Chen Mo Zhi, though not talkative, was reliable; he never shied away from danger and never put on a pretentious 'young master' front.

"The Chen Family truly isn't peaceful right now."

Min Tianyou thought briefly; indeed, the Supervision Bureau couldn't intervene in the Chen Family's affairs now, but if Chen Mo Zhi actively invites Shen Zexi's involvement, that's a completely different story.

Recalling how Chen Mo Zhi usually wore a sullen expression, surrounded by profit‑driven family elders, his whole being was tense, ready to deal with everything around him.

He was clearly uncomfortable with this environment and couldn't leave, so he was stuck like a deep‑sea creature suddenly beached.

Min Tianyou looked toward Meng Kexin, "What do you mean?"

Meng Kexin was silent for a few seconds, their mind weighing rapidly.

Although Shen Zexi seems to have a slightly odd little habit, it does no real harm, and having Ying Duo along is also preferable; it's a bit "safer" than leaving him at the Academy or letting him run around the streets.

Meng Kexin, hearing that, looked at Shen Zexi and Ying Duo, "If you both are willing to go together, I would be very grateful."

Shen Zexi smiled and nodded:

"Of course, we are companions."