Chapter 309: Death penalty! Substitute!

In the afternoon, after school.

In the Collection Force's activity room, there were only Natsume Chikage, Xiyuanji Qilai, and Yukimura Lingyin.

At this moment, the three of them were hunched over their desks, organizing documents and photos regarding the "Centennial Cherry Blossom Tree," intending to officially enter them into the club's literary publication.

Suddenly—the door to the activity room was pushed open silently.

Jinweitong stood at the doorway, expressionlessly scanning this cramped club room, her gaze finally landing on Natsume Chikage like a precise pointer.

"It seems this is the Collection Force."

Her voice was flat, with no emotion detectable.

"Good afternoon, three juniors."

Xiyuanji Qilai was clearly startled, standing up from her chair and saying politely:

"Greetings, Senior Jinweitong!"

Yukimura Lingyin narrowed her eyes, nodding slightly as a matter of etiquette:

"Greetings, Senior Jinweitong."

Natsume Chikage looked at the uninvited Jinweitong, also feeling quite surprised.

"Tong? Why are you here?"

He paused, associating it with the morning's events.

"Is it because of... that matter with the language book?"

Jinweitong shook her head gently.

"Regarding that matter, I haven't thought of the price yet."

She walked into the club room, closing the door behind her, cutting off the clamor of the hallway.

"Then, why are you here this time..." Natsume Chikage was even more confused.

Listening to the familiar and concise dialogue between the two, Xiyuanji Qilai and Yukimura Lingyin exchanged an incredulous look.

Natsume-kun... actually knows the "Jinweitong" of the Yutang family?

And, he just addressed the other party by her name directly?

Jinweitong didn't care at all about the shocked gazes of the other two; she walked to an empty chair, pulled a form out of the black folder she was carrying.

"Coming here this time is not for private matters."

"Your club previously submitted an application for activity funds to the student council, right?"

"I am the accountant for the student council, responsible for reviewing the compliance and substance of each club's activities."

"Only by passing an on-site verification will the application be approved."

Xiyuanji Qilai's eyes instantly lit up, and she said with pleasant surprise:

"Do you mean that as long as our club activity review is fine, the funds can be approved?"

Jinweitong nodded, the range of her movement so small it was almost imperceptible.

"In principle, that is the case."

Hearing this, the cold expression on Yukimura Lingyin's face softened slightly.

Natsume Chikage then remembered that besides being Yutang Society's "shadow," Jinweitong indeed held the position of student council accountant.

It was reasonable for her to come and conduct this kind of transactional verification.

Jinweitong sat down extremely naturally in the empty seat next to Natsume Chikage, spread out the form, picked up a fountain pen that looked quite expensive, and began to ask in a matter-of-fact way about the club's founding purpose, daily activity content, and future plans.

The three of them answered one by one, the process flowing smoothly.

After a brief inquiry, Jinweitong closed the cap of her fountain pen, making a crisp "click" sound.

"The current answers basically match the written materials submitted."

She lifted her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the three of them.

"But the paper review is only the first step. I have yet to witness your actual activity process with my own eyes, so I cannot make a final judgment."

"So I want to see the actual actions of your club activities."

Xiyuanji Qilai clenched her hands into small fists, continuing excitedly:

"Our investigation regarding the 'Centennial Cherry Blossom Tree' is already nearing its end!"

"And our next target is—the school's 'Seven Great Mysteries'!"

Jinweitong spoke up:

"A bit interesting."

"Then, which one do you plan to investigate first?"

Yukimura Lingyin spoke calmly, taking over the conversation:

"The 'Mystery of the Drowned Soul' in the swimming pool."

Natsume Chikage didn't know much about the school's ghost stories, revealing a curious expression:

"Mystery of the Drowned Soul? What exactly is it?"

Xiyuanji Qilai immediately leaned in closer, lowered her voice, and described it vividly in a tone like telling a ghost story:

"Legend has it that before our private Moonlight Academy was established, the old site was once a bottomless lake..."

"In ancient Japan, there was a type of water torture."

"They would tie a rope around the criminal's neck, attach a giant stone, and sink them into the lake."

"If the criminal could break free from the rope and float to the surface, they could be pardoned; if not, it was 'God's will'..."

"It is said that those souls who failed to break free still wander at the bottom of the water to this day." ===== CHAPTER 310 =====