CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 469 MEETING

In late October, the autumn atmosphere became increasingly apparent, with cold winds rustling. Le Yu, pale and slender, wore a deep black suit today and a wool scarf. He pushed open the large conference room door on the third floor of the Guards Department, and the seated teachers immediately paid attention to him.

"Good morning, Teacher Qin."

"Teacher Qin, is your health better?"

"Teacher Qin, you should take plenty of rest."

"Teacher Qin..."

Le Yu politely greeted the teachers and coughed weakly a couple of times: "Thank you all for your concern, I’m fine, I just depleted my spirit during the last battle, and I haven’t been sleeping well lately... cough, cough..."

If Shi Wen heard this, he’d probably be furious, as Le Yu had been using him like a rhythm master these past two days, especially after acquiring a "Spirit Condensing Pill" from him, proceeding to enjoy a refined sleep at the school’s Medical Bureau that night.

However, when Le Yu made this claim, no one could refute it. After two days, everyone knew that the intruder on the seventh floor of the Platinum Tower was jointly killed by Qin Le Yin and Qian Chan Chen, and both were severely injured. Although the Medical Bureau is known for its world-class treatment skills, Qin Le Yin said he used a forbidden technique that damaged his spirit, and even the Medical Bureau couldn’t heal it, so everyone had to believe him.

As for why he was pretending to be ill... of course, there are benefits to pretending to be sick, such as being able to openly cut in line in the cafeteria. Would students really feel comfortable having the ’weakened’ Teacher Qin at the end of the line?

In recent days, Ming Shuiyun and others sought him out as well. A couple of coughs and showing a slightly submissive demeanor allowed him to interrupt all spellcasting, sending them back to class obediently.

Le Yu mused: Hey, playing the weak card comes with great advantages! If other sword sheaths really underestimate him because of this, that’s pure profit!

Moreover, Le Yu didn’t lie; forcefully using the ’Forbidden Technique 211’ indeed causes significant spiritual damage. When Qin Le Yin was in Xuanzhu County, he practiced on a fortunate death row inmate, resulting in a month of frequent headaches, insomnia, irritability, and symptoms of spiritual power depletion.

Even though Le Yu’s spiritual power was damaged, his ’Ice Blood Physique’ could forcibly erase these negative symptoms, allowing him to continue enjoying himself and thwarting Shi Wen.

Furthermore, no one dared to see him as weak. His previous achievements were enough to prove that Qin Le Yin’s red hair wasn’t just for show. Le Yu no longer needed a strong exterior to protect himself; displaying a bit of weakness might even garner more support. Hmm, perhaps it’s a kind of charm contrast?

He looked around the room and walked directly towards the main position at the square conference table opposite the entrance. Everyone was momentarily stunned, wondering if this meeting was to announce Cha Huan’s retirement?

However, Le Yu changed direction, sitting beside the main seat. Opposite him sat Lou Yinhai, who wore black glass sunglasses. Lou Yinhai smiled at him, making Le Yu suddenly feel a pair of gazes upon him.

"Do you want to sit in my spot?" Lou Yinhai said.

"Huh?"

"Do you want to sit in my spot?" Lou Yinhai repeated, "Hmm, was I not clear enough, or should I use the Dongyang accent?"

The other teachers cast curious glances over, and Le Yu was bewildered. What was happening?

He didn’t know Lou Yinhai before, so why would Lou Yinhai suddenly offer him the position of the Catastrophe Department mentor?

Moreover, Qin Le Yin wasn’t a resident teacher and shouldn’t be a mentor, right?

What was Lou Yinhai implying? Was he testing something?

He was the Imperial Academy’s martial pillar; could it be an attempt to target me?

Navigating hundreds of thoughts in his mind, Le Yu quickly shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, but I feel my current position suits me well."

"That’s because you don’t know how good my spot is," Lou Yinhai said, taking a sip of water, "The forest behind the Guards Department building is behind me. The airflow from the window and door interacts right at this spot, providing a pleasant cool breeze no matter the season. The principal speaks with a slight left lean, so sitting to his right means avoiding the flying spittle. And..."

Gosh, so you were really talking about a seat!

What adult talks like this!

Le Yu gave a slight smirk and interrupted Lou Yinhai’s introduction: "No need, really."

"Well, you won’t have another chance next time. I rarely offer this spot to others." Lou Yinhai sighed.

"Indeed," another teacher couldn’t help but say, "Since he ousted Teacher Zhu from that spot seven years ago, he hasn’t moved from it during meetings."

"And he’s always the first to arrive and claim it during meetings."

"When Teacher Lou retires, I must try that spot..."

Lou Yinhai glanced at Le Yu and suddenly remarked, "Your scarf is no good."

"What’s wrong with my scarf?"

"The material is subpar. I recommend getting the ’White Diary’ or ’Black Warrior’ series from the Witch’s Love Commerce."

"Oh, thank you, I’ll keep that in mind."

After a pause, Lou Yinhai continued, "Your clothes..."

"Is there something wrong with my clothes too?"

"No, I think your clothes look nice. Where did you get them?"

"Uh..."

As Le Yu was reluctantly engaging in this awkward conversation with the Imperial Academy’s martial pillar, a round of greetings sounded at the door. He had just turned his head when he heard a spirited call: "Good morning, Teacher Qin!"

With a quick sound, accompanied by a fragrance, a graceful figure sat beside Le Yu. Who else could it be but Yan Yi? She propped her face up, smiling radiantly: "How come you’re here, Teacher Qin? Isn’t this a resident teacher’s meeting?"

"After all, I’m still the acting principal now."

"Right, you’re the acting principal, huh? Shouldn’t you treat me to a meal to celebrate?"

"I’m broke."

"Well, I can treat you instead..."

Ning Xinyuan sat calmly beside Yan Yi, seemingly aware of Yan Yi and Le Yu’s arrangement. Conversely, a few male teachers emitted heartbroken sounds. However, watching Qin Le Yin and Yan Yi, a talented gentleman and a beautiful lady, banter flirtatiously, they couldn’t deny one fact: they truly were a perfect match!

Le Yu was also surprised. Unlike their previous encounters, Yan Yi now seemed like a breath of spring breeze, chatting and laughing graciously. Even when Le Yu sent a few soft rebuttals her way, she effortlessly deflected them, and Le Yu found it hard to speak harshly to such a multifaceted Yan Yi.

No wonder she was the most liked teacher at the Imperial Academy; she could present an admirable persona that pleased everyone. Even Le Yu unwittingly fell into her conversational rhythm, showing that her emotional intelligence was high enough to accommodate even him.

"Teacher Yan, Teacher Qin, how about having a meal together? Count me in!" Lou Yinhai suddenly said.

The other eavesdropping teachers were shocked—how could he be so oblivious to the atmosphere? They’re a natural pair, and yet you want to butt in?

Yan Yi was momentarily taken aback but promptly agreed: "Sure, you’re very welcome! We’ll let you know once we decide on a time!"

"It’s settled then!"

Le Yu gave her a glance; wasn’t their conversation just a performance of idle banter?

Just then, Yan Yi’s soft, mosquito-like voice reached Le Yu’s ears: "Don’t refuse, it’s Lou Yinhai’s goodwill."

"He’s passionate about academics, combat techniques, and the novel, but awkward in social interactions. Cha Huan is his mentoring master; he wants to repay us for protecting the Platinum Tower, but his emotional expressions are childlike."

Le Yu blinked, looking at Lou Yinhai. Sensing his gaze, Lou Yinhai’s lips curled slightly into a very awkward and inappropriate smile.

Le Yu immediately believed Yan Yi’s words: producing such a smile would take at least thirty years of social anxiety.

This Lou Yinhai was undoubtedly a martial fanatic destined for solitude, worth befriending.

With this realization, Le Yu couldn’t help reflecting on himself. Having encountered too many cunning individuals, he had adopted a conspiratorial mentality, seeing Lou Yinhai’s awkward attempts at flattery through the lens of ulterior motives, suspecting hidden implications and plotting schemes.

Perhaps it’s been too long since he felt the warmth of love. The nights are indeed cold for a single dog, prompting some to turn twisted. Le Yu started seriously considering the possibility of bringing Qing Lan to Yanjing...