After Yan Yi and the others entered the teacher's office, the cabinet in the laboratory quietly opened, and Ning Xinyuan came out first, followed by Le Yuxin.

Le Yuxin didn't rush to leave but instead put the clutter in the cabinet back in its place, then picked up two strands of black-red hair from inside——this was a memory reminder from Yin Yinyin. After completing their assassinations, white-haired assassins would always collect any white hair they lost in order to conceal the truth of 'white-haired felons', making others believe the murder was committed by a hotel attendant/a passing Masked Rider/a bandit of the seas/a beautiful girl.

Even though the Imperial Court clearly dictated 'Not guilty for killing those with white hair,' no one would specifically check under hats for white hair. However, once a murder by a white-haired assassin occurred locally, the frequency of officials and soldiers checking hats and wigs would suddenly increase, equivalent to a 'significant rise in regional alertness', making it easier for white-haired assassins to be exposed.

Especially since white-haired assassins have a very high metabolism and hair loss rate, with Yinyin Yinyin often finding his pillow covered in hair upon waking up, collecting hair was a necessary skill for his infiltration activities.

Coincidentally, Le Yuxin also had such a hazard—if someone discovered red hair in the laboratory, they would definitely associate it with Qin Le Yin.

Confirming he hadn't left any traces, Le Yuxin listened closely against the laboratory door for any activity outside, only to be about to step out when his shoulder was suddenly tapped.

Le Yuxin turned his head to see Ning Xinyuan looking at him with spirited eyes.

Faced with the bewildered Le Yuxin, Ning Xinyuan slightly shook her head, aligning Le Yuxin directly with her, and straightened his crumpled collar and sleeves, brushing off the dust from Le Yuxin's hair, shoulders, and clothes. Then she handed him a handkerchief, gesturing to his face.

Le Yuxin took the hint, accepted the handkerchief to wipe the dried water stains and lips, and as he was returning the handkerchief, glanced at Ning Xinyuan, pointing to his back neck.

Ning Xinyuan gave a slight smile and turned her back to him. Le Yuxin blinked, reached out to brush the dust off Ning Xinyuan's dress, swiftly passing over the peachy area with gentlemanly grace.

Then Ning Xinyuan twirled on the spot, like a splendid manjusaka blossoming; her fluffy dress did not obscure the creator's favoritism towards her but rather exuded an inherent mature beauty. However, when she slightly tilted her head to question Le Yuxin with her eyes, youthful charm spilled forth.

Of course, it was meaningless in front of Le Yuxin, for he was a man with a Substitute Envoy (Qing Lan), with Ice Blood flowing in his veins. He seriously scrutinized every detail of Ning Xinyuan, only nodding slightly when she blushed, indicating her attire was flawless.

Then Ning Xinyuan pointed at Le Yuxin, raised her eyebrows, signaling for Le Yuxin to take a spin as well.

Though it felt a bit odd, it was indeed necessary. So Le Yuxin also spun in place, but compared to Ning Xinyuan's model-like graceful spin, Le Yuxin spun stiffly as if having his full-body shot taken like a prisoner.

However, Ning Xinyuan didn't laugh. She seriously examined Le Yuxin's attire, nodding her approval.

The two exchanged a glance, then Le Yuxin listened to confirm there was no noise outside and decisively opened the door and went out, with Ning Xinyuan right behind him. The office was to the right in the corridor, so they swiftly headed towards the stairs on the left, their steps quick but orderly.

Throughout the process, they didn't utter a word, yet their tacit understanding and coordination seemed like seasoned partners in a clandestine affair.

Upon descending the stairs, they knew they had finally made a clean escape—now even if someone saw them, as long as they turned around, they could claim they were visiting other teachers on the fourth floor; no one would suspect they had just left the fourth floor.

Reaching the middle level of the staircase, Ning Xinyuan turned her head and said, "Teacher Qin, it's a pleasure to meet you; I've longed to meet you."

Le Yuxin was taken aback, then understood her meaning: "Teacher Ning, a pleasure to meet you."

"I still have something to do, so let's part ways," Ning Xinyuan said: "I met you here, and you also met me here, is that alright?"

"That's fine." Le Yuxin said: "But teacher Yan wouldn't know I wanted to visit her, right?"

"No." Ning Xinyuan shook her head: "Just as you wouldn't let others know I came to see teacher Yan."

In just a few words, they reached an agreement: Ning Xinyuan wouldn't inform Yan Yi that Qin Le Yin had secretly entered the laboratory to try and steal her secrets, but in return, Qin Le Yin couldn't disclose anything he saw or heard hiding in the cabinet.

This unwritten contract was more binding than any promise: they each held leverage over the other, any breach faced with the other's retaliation—if Ning Xinyuan breached, all of Yanjing would know of their growing romance the next day; if Qin Le Yin breached, he would face Cha Huan's wrath.

Literally from their conversation, it could be heard that Cha Huan likely had knowledge of their relationship, perhaps secretly shipping them from the sidelines, a witness to their interactions; if Qin Le Yin dared to prevent Cha Huan from shipping them, even though Cha Huan wouldn't dare violate his agreement with the Sword Holder to expel Qin Le Yin from the Imperial Academy, he surely wouldn't hesitate to assign Qin Le Yin to clean the toilets, especially the women's restroom.

No stronger contract is there than mutual checks and balances, of course, if Qin Le Yin leaves the Imperial Academy in half a year, the contract becomes baseless. But who knows what might happen half a year later? Perhaps, by then, Qin Le Yin's grave would be half a meter high with grass.

However, Ning Xinyuan still seemed uneasy; she stepped forward, pretending to smooth Le Yuxin's collar, whispered in his ear: "Teacher Qin, I'm not a casual woman, nor a cowardly one; you won't seek me out in the future, right?"

Perhaps Ning Xinyuan had read plots from some novels, preemptively warning Le Yuxin, implying that if he used today's secret to threaten her, it'd be a mutual destruction situation.

But her tone soon softened, speaking flatteringly: "Of course, I also trust you, Teacher Qin; you're a man who stands tall and firm, with no interest in this small school of the Imperial Academy... you're doing work for Shuiyun Palace, and wouldn't be distracted by today's minor episode."

Impressive, carrots following the stick, Le Yuxin couldn't help but raise his estimation of Ning Xinyuan. Forceful demands only breed resentment; if the other person is rebellious and immature, they might even do the opposite out of spite. But Ning Xinyuan's subsequent flattery provided a graceful step-down for Qin Le Yin while subtly pointing to Shuiyun Palace, hinting at Qin Le Yin to keep the bigger picture in mind.

Although Le Yuxin knew from the cabinet that Ning Xinyuan was a sensible woman, he didn't anticipate her interpersonal skills were so polished. Not everyone possessed the 'Ice Blood Physique'; even faced with such peculiar experiences, Ning Xinyuan managed meticulously, proving her intelligence and beauty weren't exaggerated.

Of course, Qing Lan was still better.

"As you wish." Le Yuxin said: "With such a vast Imperial Academy, unless Cha Huan calls a teacher's meeting, you and I shouldn't have another chance encounter—you don't eat in the cafeteria, do you?"

"I prefer cooking for myself."

"Tsk, Qing Lan lost."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Ning Xinyuan sighed a breath of relief, preparing to back away: "Then I'll…"

"Huh? Teacher Qin?"

In the stairwell, taking two steps per stair, using the Lingxu Battle Technique, Ming Shuangli suddenly appeared. She blinked, observing Qin Le Yin in close contact with a beauty, displaying a familiar expression to Le Yuxin—like his pesky younger sister checking his phone in a past life, wearing that damned gossipy face.

Ming Shuangli stared tightly at the stiff-backed Ning Xinyuan with a teasing tone: "Are you…?"

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