Even though Lu Mingfei had changed a lot recently, he still couldn't stay calm when facing something like this.
Rationally, he knew he was probably overthinking it. Maybe Zero had just mentioned it casually. Maybe she was only reminding him so he wouldn't forget.
That had to be it.
Then Zero asked softly, "Are you free then?"
"Huh? Yes-yes," Lu Mingfei answered too quickly.
At the same time, another thought surfaced: where could he get something suitable for a banquet and ball of this level? Would the school uniform count?
"The uniform isn't a suit," Zero said calmly. "I've already prepared a custom set for you."
She had seen straight through him.
"Okay..." Lu Mingfei felt his heart jumping all over the place.
Anyone would realize something by now. Let alone someone like him-someone who could imagine an entire lifetime together just because a girl said one sentence.
If Zero's status weren't so distant that he didn't dare think too far, he might already be naming their children. And grandchildren.
"I'll come find you for the event," Zero continued.
Like a queen issuing an order.
She didn't wait for his reply. She didn't need to. She knew he wouldn't refuse.
Most people were no different from subjects in front of an Ice Queen like Zero.
Lu Mingfei was no exception.
Someone like Caesar would be different. A proud emperor, backed by family and status.
Someone like Chu would be different. He didn't care about these things at all. To him, all beauty was insignificant compared to killing Odin.
...
The next evening.
Amber Hall.
"Senior, what are you doing here?" Lu Mingfei asked, holding a plate and debating which food to take. He looked at Finger beside him, confused.
"Junior, did you forget I'm also in the Student Union?" Finger adjusted his suit. It was clearly a rental-and a size too small. His chest strained against the fabric, making it look like the buttons might pop at any second. "A high-end gathering like this? Of course I'm here to freeload."
"I think you have other motives," Lu Mingfei narrowed his eyes.
"Alright, alright." Finger sighed. "I want material. The Paparazzi Club isn't welcome, so only someone at my level can get in."
Then his eyes lit up.
"Queen Zero invited you to the ball. I'm really looking forward to this. This post will break the forum. Absolutely explosive."
"So you're not even hiding it now?" Lu Mingfei looked around for a weapon.
His eyes landed on a large lobster.
"Sixty-forty, sixty-forty!" Finger raised his hands. "Calm down! This is serious money! You can't let a girl pay forever, can you? Dating is expensive!"
He leaned in, suddenly sincere.
"That scholarship won't last long. Even if she doesn't care, you can't let yourself look bad, right?"
Lu Mingfei paused.
...He wasn't wrong.
Even if the other party didn't care, letting her shoulder everything still felt wrong. Unless you were a scumbag playboy just here for fun.
Lu Mingfei clearly wasn't.
"By the way," Finger said, looking around, "where's Queen Zero? Didn't she come with you? I even waited ten minutes before leaving just to avoid disturbing you."
"She went to perform with the band," Lu Mingfei answered honestly. "Said she wanted to warm up her musical sense."
"Where?" Finger craned his neck instantly.
Some people were like diamonds. The moment your gaze landed on them, they drew everything toward themselves.
Zero was that kind of person.
She sat in the first violinist's seat. Her white dress reflected the light-but her skin was even whiter. Fairness hid flaws, but even the smallest blemish would be obvious.
She had none.
Like an ice sculpture carved from Arctic snow.
Her expressionless calm and queenly presence made other girls instinctively keep their distance. No one liked being a green leaf.
Then-
A crisp bell rang.
The Student Union members stopped talking. The crystal chandelier lit up.
From the twin staircases, boys in black suits descended on one side. Girls in white dresses and silk gloves descended on the other.
The hall went silent.
Those uninvolved had already retreated to the edges.
Only Lu Mingfei and Finger stood in the center, plates piled with food.
"...What's happening?" Lu Mingfei whispered.
"Dancing," Finger said, wiping his mouth. "Obviously."
"Should we withdraw?"
"Withdraw?" Finger leaned closer. "You're an S-rank. You've already shown yourself twice. As long as you have an opinion, everyone here-except the Boss-has to listen."
"Straighten your back. Keep a stiff face. Whatever you do is correct."
Lu Mingfei entered the zone.
It was like putting on a mask.
Expressionless. Indifferent. Monarch-like.
He had become proficient at this state recently. Once you did it once, it became easier. Then natural.
Sometimes, he wondered if this wasn't a mask at all.
If long ago... this had been his true self.
He dismissed the thought.
Impossible.
For sixteen years, he'd been a nobody.
After a brief hesitation, he didn't ignite his Golden Eyes. This was a dance, not a battlefield.
Even if it was a party hosted by the organization whose leader he'd shot two days after joining.
Still-
In everyone else's eyes, he transformed instantly.
From a sleeping lion-
To one fully awake.
"Is that the S-rank?" a girl whispered. "The pressure is terrifying."
"To even talk to him, you'd need to be at least A-rank," her partner replied. "Only that other unprecedented one-the Day of Liberty winner-can make him yield."
"If not for that guy, he'd be the undisputed top freshman. They call him 'The Killer.' There are wrong names, but no wrong nicknames."
"Is the guy beside him A-rank too?" the girl asked, surprised.
"Maybe some research genius?" someone guessed.
What nonsense are you all imagining?
Lu Mingfei nearly broke character.
I'm actually very kind.
Didn't you give me that nickname?
"See?" Finger winked.
Lu Mingfei couldn't reply. He gave him a cold glance instead.
"G-gentleman?" A waiter approached.
Lu Mingfei looked at him.
The waiter's voice trembled.
"What is it?" Lu Mingfei asked softly.
The chill in his tone made the waiter feel like a fork might be shoved into his head if he answered wrong.
Perfect.
Lu Mingfei felt like he was developing a split personality.
One was a cowardly trash-talker.
The other was an invincible, cold-faced king.
This couldn't be healthy.
"It's... time for the ball," the waiter said quickly. "If you wish to continue dining, the second-floor restaurant will be opened."
"No need," Lu Mingfei said. "I have a partner."
He handed over his plate.
Finger followed immediately.
They stepped aside.
The crowd parted-not like avoiding a plague, but clearing a path for a ruler.
"Junior," Finger whispered excitedly, "you're absolutely on fire!"
Music swelled. The tango began.
Figures crossed the floor.
Finger leaned close. "I have to put this in my novel!"
"At least tell me the title," Lu Mingfei muttered, eyes fixed forward.
"Impossible. That'd be social suicide."
He changed topics. "When are you dancing with Queen Zero? Half the song's gone."
"That depends on when she wants to," Lu Mingfei replied.
Then-
White flashed before him.
A girl in a white dress stopped in front of him and extended her hand in a formal invitation.
Lu Mingfei froze.
"Junior," Finger whispered gleefully, "that's an invitation. Take her hand and dance. With the Boss absent, you're the top pick."
In the past, Lu Mingfei would have accepted without hesitation.
Now, he remembered why he was here.
He was Zero's partner.
If he accepted, wouldn't he be beaten to death?
Before he could respond, a strange violin note cut through the music.
The crowd frowned.
Such a mistake shouldn't happen here.
Lu Mingfei looked toward the band.
The first violinist stood.
She set the violin down and walked toward the floor.
"Guess if she's saving you or punishing you," Finger whispered. "Either way, it's enviable."
Lu Mingfei didn't hear him anymore.
He ignored the girl still waiting.
Everyone's attention followed that woman.
Click.
Silver heels touched the marble floor.
Rhinestones shimmered.
After changing into the crystal shoes, Zero's petite frame became tall and elegant. Her posture was flawless.
A swan.
She raised her arms, lifted a leg, and held the pose.
The Dying Swan.
Then-
She moved.
A fierce, powerful tango.
She cut straight through the floor, advancing like a silver blade.
She stopped in front of Lu Mingfei.
The same gesture.
The hall held its breath.
Lu Mingfei extended his hand.
Their fingers closed.
"Very cold," he thought.