Shi Mu didn't ask again.
Not because she wasn't curious.
Not because she didn't care.
But because she knew that if she forced the answer out of Fu Yunshen, it would no longer be the truth—it would be a defense.
And he didn't need to defend himself.
Not to her.
Not yet.
Still, she couldn't stop thinking about the file.
No records.
No past.
Only clearance.
She'd heard whispers before—about spiritually designated students, chosen not for their grades but their… compatibility. With what? No one ever said.
Fu Yunshen fit too well into the chaos. Like he belonged there before she arrived.
And somehow… she had never noticed until now.
In Room 415, Fu Yunshen sat on his bed, scribbling in his notebook. Not schoolwork—his personal system journal. It was encrypted, of course. Linked directly to his clearance rank.
His hand paused halfway through a line.
She found the list.
He stared at the words.
Then slowly, deliberately, crossed them out.
Zhou Zhi, who had just emerged from the shower in a towel and dramatic flair, flopped on his bed.
"Hey, what's up with you two?"
Fu Yunshen didn't look up.
"You and Shi Mu. Something's changed."
Fu Yunshen replied without emotion: "Everything always changes."
Zhou Zhi groaned. "Ugh. I hate when you go cryptic. Just say you like her or don't."
Silence.
Then—
"I don't think liking her is the right word."
Zhou Zhi peeked one eye open. "So what is?"
Another long pause.
Fu Yunshen closed his journal.
"She's a consequence I never planned for."
Back in her own room, Shi Mu stared at her phone.
A new system message had arrived.
[Subject: Fu Yunshen]
Level 3 Clearance: View access granted (temporary)
Note: Emotional bond has exceeded system threshold. Auto-recommendation: Read when ready.
Her finger hovered over the link.
Then stopped.
She shut the phone off.
"I don't want to know from a screen," she whispered.
[System Notification]
Emotional Containment Active – Dual Disclosure Pending
Brotherhood Value +75 (Mutual Holding Back – Readiness Over Curiosity)
Current Total: 3,180 / 1,000,000
Later that night, as rain began to fall again, Shi Mu stood by the window.
She didn't know when she'd ask him.
But she would.
Not as an interrogator.
Not as a ghost hunter.
Just as a girl—
Who trusted him enough…
To wait.