Chapter 6.2: A New Identity

During break time, Bei Ling plopped down on the edge of Shi Mo's desk, a carton of milk in hand.

"So," she said cheerfully, "you're roommates with Fu Yunshen?"

Shi Mo nodded.

"Lucky you," she said with a teasing smile. "Half the girls in school are jealous."

Shi Mo raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't seem very friendly."

Bei Ling laughed. "That's an understatement. But don't worry—he won't bite unless provoked."

"Thanks for the warning."

Bei Ling leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Wanna know a secret?"

Shi Mo tilted her head.

"He's been expelled twice. Beat a teacher half to death in his first school. At his last one, he broke a guy's leg."

Shi Mo frowned. "Why?"

Bei Ling shrugged. "Rumors. But if you ask me, it was probably justified."

Shi Mo looked thoughtful. "He doesn't seem like the type to act without reason."

Bei Ling smiled. "You're smarter than you look."

Shi Mo rolled her eyes.

The bell rang, and students trickled back into their seats.

As class resumed, Shi Mo leaned back and exhaled.

She was in.

Now the real work would begin.

That evening in the dorm, Fu Yunshen returned late.

Shi Mo was sitting on the windowsill, reading a textbook.

He glanced at her and said, "You don't talk much, do you?"

She looked up. "Don't see the need."

He nodded slowly. "Good."

Shi Mo returned to her book, but inside, she was smiling.

It was the first real exchange they'd had.

Progress.

Later that night, she sat on her bed and called up the Brotherhood Panel in her mind.

Brotherhood Value: 2 / 1,000,000Mission Progress: 0.0002%

She almost fell off the bed.

"System," she muttered, "this will take years at this rate."

[Brotherhood isn't built in a day, Host.]

"Can't I get a multiplier or something?"

[You can. Become his best friend, save his life, or make him cry. Preferably all three.]

She sighed.

This was going to be harder than she thought.