The dorm room was empty when Chen Mo returned. Everyone else had gone to class, but he stayed behind—no need to attend lectures when you've already devoured the textbooks like popcorn.
After a quick shower, Chen Mo headed straight to the counselor's office.
Li Hong, his counselor and class teacher, was already at her desk. She wasn't stunning, but she had a calm, approachable vibe. The kind of teacher who didn't scold as much as sigh in disappointment.
"Chen Mo? Everything alright?" she looked up. "You're supposed to be in class, aren't you?"
"I came to apply for a hearing exemption and overnight leave," he said, sliding into the seat across from her.
Li Hong raised a brow. "Planning to prep for grad school?"
"No, not going for postgrad," Chen Mo replied. "I've finished the material for this semester already, so class isn't exactly helpful anymore."
Li Hong didn't look convinced. "No postgrad, and now this? You sure this isn't just you being distracted by your girlfriend?"
Chen Mo chuckled. "She wasn't even my girlfriend back then."
"'Wasn't'… meaning she is now?"
"That's… not the point," Chen Mo deflected, quickly steering back. "The point is—I want the exemption and off-campus permission."
"On what grounds?" she asked, arms folded. "You know the school doesn't just hand those out. Otherwise, everyone would be asking."
"I'm starting a business," Chen Mo said, pulling out the ace.
"Really?" Her expression shifted to skepticism. "You students always say 'entrepreneurship' when you just want to skip class."
"I'm serious. Internet-based. Software development." He kept his tone firm. "The courses are done, and I'm deep into coding. I don't have time to sit in lectures that I've already outpaced."
Li Hong paused, thoughtful. "You did get praised for saving someone in the library. Alright. I'll believe you—for now. Go fill out the application forms and bring them back."
Chen Mo left, printed two forms, and had them signed and submitted in record time.
With that done, he packed his laptop and hit the library like a man on a mission. He grabbed a stack of books—computer programming, software engineering, cybersecurity, even hacking—and buried himself in them.
One goal. One hundred science and tech books.
Then? Unlock a new technology. And make money.
Ten Days Later
It was a blur.
Day after day in the gym, building control.
Night after night in the library, building code.
Whenever he wasn't training or programming, he was with Xiao Yu—either walking her home or studying side by side. She never asked questions, never pried, and Chen Mo appreciated that.
Now, sitting in the self-study section, Chen Mo flipped the last page of his 100th book. A slow smile spread across his face.
Done.
His brain tingled with accumulated knowledge. Computer science, mastered. His thoughts immediately turned toward the Science Library. But first—he had company.
"Xiao Yu, let's head out a bit early today," he said, closing his book.
"Okay." She smiled and nodded, already packing her things.
Back at the dorm gate, he saw her off. Xiao Yu turned to look back once, waving, before walking into the building with a little extra spring in her step.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Yu's Dormitory...
As soon as she walked in, her roommates zeroed in like wolves spotting an unguarded lamb.
"Back so early?" Li Ruojun teased. "No more boyfriend time tonight?"
"He had something to do," Xiao Yu answered quickly.
"Still, your guy's the total package—saved your life, works hard, has drive…" Wang Xiaolan mused, adjusting her glasses in front of the full-length mirror. "Why can't I meet someone like that?"
"Because you dress like a retired math teacher," Li Ruoxuan chimed in. "Ditch the library glasses, throw on something that shows shape, and let's talk."
"I don't need shape—I need substance," Wang Xiaolan muttered.
Zhou Wei, sprawled on the bed in her nightgown, munched on snacks and eyed Xiao Yu mischievously. "Real question is... has the cabbage been eaten yet?"
"Wha—!?" Xiao Yu's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "No!"
She made a beeline for her desk and booted up her laptop, but her flustered act only added fuel to the fire.
"Oh come on, we're just teasing," Li Ruoxuan laughed. "But seriously, you're glowing."
She pounced off the bed with a USB stick in hand and hugged Xiao Yu from behind, like a predator who'd caught its prey.
"Since you're now in a relationship, it's time you were educated." Her voice turned mock-solemn. "This... is an action film."
Xiao Yu stiffened. "What kind of action?"
"Specialized action," Zhou Wei said with a grin. "Very... educational."
"You guys are the worst!" Xiao Yu squirmed, blushing furiously.
"Relax. Adults need to be informed." Wang Xiaolan giggled, joining the ambush squad. "For happiness. And... preparedness."
"No-no-no-no-no—"
"Too late!"
Headphones secured. Video copied. Screen unlocked.
"Wait," Zhou Wei narrowed her eyes. "Why is the filename in all caps... 'FBI WARNING'? That seems... sketchy."
"Relax, probably just a fancy intro or DRM thing," Li Ruoxuan said, clicking play.
Oh.
A very specific kind of sound filled the headphones.
Xiao Yu's eyes widened in horror. She shut them instantly and tried to bury her face in her arms.
Silence.
Then—
"...Is this a virus?" Zhou Wei whispered, frozen.
"…Maybe an educational one," Wang Xiaolan said weakly.
The dorm fell silent, except for the pixelated moaning in Xiao Yu's headphones.
"I think we broke her," Li Ruoxuan muttered.
"She broke me," Zhou Wei said. "I'm never watching anime the same way again."
And just like that, the Science Library wasn't the only place someone had gotten exposed to strange and powerful knowledge.