They didn't speak for a while after that.
Not because they didn't have questions.
But because they had too many.
The hallway felt different now.
Not louder.
Not quieter.
Just…
Heavier.
Yue Ning kept her eyes down as they walked.
"…They were betting like it was normal."
Mei Chen scoffed quietly.
"Not normal. They're just used to it."
Lin Xia was watching everything.
Every corner.
Every student.
Every movement.
"…We're being watched," she said.
They both looked at her.
"What?" Mei Chen asked.
Lin Xia didn't stop walking.
"…Since the game ended."
Yue Ning slowly glanced around.
At first—
Nothing.
Then—
She noticed.
A group leaning against lockers.
Looking at them.
Whispering.
Another student further down.
Pretending to read.
But clearly staring.
Yue Ning's fingers tightened.
"…Why?"
Mei Chen answered this time.
"…Because we're new."
A pause.
"…And because we didn't react like everyone else."
That made it worse.
They turned a corner.
The hallway grew quieter.
Then—
A voice.
"You three."
They froze.
A boy stood near an open classroom door.
Tall.
Relaxed posture.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
"…You watched the match," he said.
Lin Xia stepped slightly forward.
"…Yes."
He studied them.
Carefully.
"…Good," he said.
Mei Chen frowned.
"Good?"
He nodded toward the classroom.
"Come in."
Silence.
Yue Ning whispered:
"…Should we?"
Lin Xia hesitated.
Then—
"…We need information."
They walked in.