Chapter 30: Plum Blossom Versus Spade

After enduring six rounds of trials, fewer than fifty people remained, but the tensions between the academies had not eased with the dwindling numbers. Wang Yan's resentment toward our group went without saying, and now Lin Xiayue had also positioned herself as our opponent.

Lin Wan had always been an unpredictable element; I sensed he wanted to ally with us, yet lacked sincerity. He clearly knew much, but whenever I pressed for answers, he would only brush things off.

As for Zhang Yisheng, Su Mu, and Zhou Zitong, we had never interacted, and I couldn't tell if friendship was possible.

To put it plainly, we were still fighting our own battles, except for the last two from the College of Literature, Han Xue and Wen Lingyu, who had officially joined our camp.

I had a brief conversation with Carbonhead. The seventh round required everyone to participate, searching the library for certain items. Each item found would open a passage to leave the seventh round. There were six floors in the library, each housing a special item. With luck, we might avoid conflict with other academies. Therefore, the best way to prevent casualties was to form alliances.

I took Pang Dongqiang and Wu Mingran to visit the College of Law, seeking out Zhou Zitong and Xia Qingqiu. Meanwhile, I sent Carbonhead with Chen Hao and Li Yuan to the College of Agriculture.

Like me, Pang Dongqiang wielded a Spade ability; his, the King of Spades, was ice. At least this meant we wouldn't be left behind again as we were by Sun Cheng, even if it hadn't been intentional.

Bringing Wu Mingran along gave us a reasonable pretext for contact—he and Xia Qingqiu were both on the debate team, so at least they would recognize each other.

When I finally told everything to Li Yuan and Wu Mingran, I was surprised to discover they were both suit bearers as well, though neither knew what their abilities were. Li Yuan was the Ten of Hearts; naturally, I didn't dare bring him along. Wu Mingran was the Jack of Spades, at least not someone with a psychological disorder.

When we arrived at the designated spot, Xia Qingqiu and Zhou Zitong were already waiting for us.

It was a small pavilion at the entrance to the Law College dormitory. The three of us sat facing them.

"Say what you have to say," Zhou Zitong got straight to the point, dressed all in black and exuding an air of decisiveness.

"We're here to discuss an alliance and to share information," I stated our purpose directly.

"Tch, men are not to be trusted," Zhou Zitong rejected us outright, pulling Xia Qingqiu to leave.

Xia Qingqiu tugged at Zhou Zitong's arm and shook her head. "Don't be like that, you'll only make enemies."

I hadn’t expected Zhou Zitong to have such an aversion to men. If I’d known, I would have brought Han Xue and Wen Lingyu instead.

"Qingqiu, do you remember me?" Wu Mingran said softly. Xia Qingqiu, dressed in a plain dress, looked up at the sound of his voice.

Their eyes met, and both their expressions changed instantly.

"Mingran?"

"It's me!"

"Thank goodness, you're still alive!" Xia Qingqiu threw her arms around Wu Mingran, leaving the rest of us momentarily stunned.

"Mingran, what's going on here?" Pang Dongqiang asked awkwardly, trying to smile.

Xia Qingqiu settled herself in Wu Mingran's lap, while Zhou Zitong cursed in confusion, "Qingqiu, get back here! Men are all bad news!"

"Men are all pigs!" she huffed.

Xia Qingqiu, however, was amused by this.

"Zitong, you're wrong. Men are all pigs, except for Mingran," Xia Qingqiu declared, gazing at Wu Mingran with nothing but affection.

"Mingran and I have known each other since childhood. We're betrothed."

"Mingran, how come you never mentioned this?" Even I was thrown by the sudden turn of events.

Wu Mingran blushed, smiling, "It's just something from when we were kids. Not a big deal."

"Who says it's not a big deal?" Xia Qingqiu pouted. "Your dad said you'd have to marry me after graduation."

"Alright, alright, I'll marry you," Wu Mingran hastily replied, "but can we talk business first?"

"Fine," Xia Qingqiu finally slipped from Wu Mingran's embrace and returned to her seat.

"Mingran, what is going on?" Pang Dongqiang whispered.

Wu Mingran replied quietly, "It's complicated. I didn't expect her to change so much. At first, I thought it was just someone with the same name." He started flipping through photos on his phone.

I continued, "Since we're talking alliance, let me show our sincerity."

"Our School of Business and the College of Literature are already allies, with seven suit bearers among us, and we have strong ties with two from the College of Engineering."

"But," Zhou Zitong interjected, sensing I was emphasizing our strengths, "if you're really that strong, you wouldn't need us as allies."

"We have some history with Wang Yan of Biochemistry and Lin Xiayue of Art. To be frank, our opponents number five suit bearers."

"You didn't seek alliances with other colleges, but came to us—do you think it's because we're girls and easy to bully?" Zhou Zitong voiced her suspicion.

Xia Qingqiu hurriedly added, "Zitong, don't think that way. Mingran and his friends would never do such a thing."

Pang Dongqiang quickly chimed in, "That's not it at all. Han Xue and Wen Lingyu from the College of Literature also joined us, which should prove our intentions."

"Oh, really?" Zhou Zitong stood and scrutinized the three of us. "You say you have seven suit bearers—there must be at least one among you, right? Dare to take me on?"

"Zhou Zitong, this isn't necessary. We're here for an alliance, not to start trouble," Pang Dongqiang protested.

"Oh? So you don't dare, is that it?" Zhou Zitong smiled. "Three men, and none of you will accept my challenge?"

Xia Qingqiu frantically signaled Wu Mingran not to step forward, but since he hadn't awakened his ability, he could only wait to see what Pang Dongqiang or I would do.

"Stay calm," I said evenly, pulling Pang Dongqiang back to his seat.

But Pang Dongqiang shook off my hand and pointed at Zhou Zitong.

"You? Come on, let's fight one on one. Loser calls the other 'Daddy.'"

"Fine, you big pig! Who's afraid of whom?"

With that, Zhou Zitong vaulted nimbly from the pavilion, and Pang Dongqiang hurried after her.

"Sorry about this," I apologized to Xia Qingqiu, who could only sigh.

"Zitong's temper is just naturally explosive."

"Alright, ugly girl, just a friendly match, okay?"

"Bring it on, you big pig!"

Neither was about to yield verbally. Pang Dongqiang introduced himself first.

"School of Business, Pang Dongqiang, King of Spades, Ability: Ice."

"College of Law, Zhou Zitong, Ten of Clubs, Ability: Telekinesis."

Without further ado, Pang Dongqiang advanced swiftly, aiming a punch at Zhou Zitong's torso. She cursed, called him a pervert, and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Get lost!"

An invisible barrier flung Pang Dongqiang away, but he was quick to use the momentum to propel himself into the air.

He tossed a bottle of water, which, under his power, froze into ice lances that rained down toward Zhou Zitong.

She sneered, waved her hand, and a giant invisible palm shattered the icy spikes.

Pang Dongqiang landed, conjuring an icy slide beneath his feet that shot him toward Zhou Zitong. As she prepared to counterattack, she found her feet frozen in place.

Pang Dongqiang accelerated, seemingly about to collide with her when Xia Qingqiu intervened.

A wall of fire roared up between them.

"Enough, Pang Dongqiang."

"Zitong, you too, that's enough," Xia Qingqiu urged.

"Hmph," Zhou Zitong huffed and walked off. Xia Qingqiu apologized on their behalf and hurried after her.

Our attempt to ally with the College of Law had failed. All we could do was hope that Carbonhead, Chen Hao, and the others would have better luck at the College of Agriculture.