Chapter 249

#### Insert Six: Preparations on the Other Side

#### [November 26, Tuesday, 7:40]

#### [Gilded Riverside Villa Area]

“What? Lingmeng and the others took leave?”

I had just stepped out of my house when I received a call from Student Council President Chen Haitang. I had been busy until late last night at the commercial area, and my drowsy state instantly vanished upon hearing her voice. The sudden loudness startled Xiaoli, who was standing beside me.

The Student Council President confirmed the situation.

“There’s no need for me to joke with you. When I went to find them, Lin Hua was already on the phone directly with Professor Koushiki. So, what about you, Commander? Are you planning to act during the day?”

It wasn’t hard to guess their reason for taking leave—they were likely going after the Scorpion Man and the Glorious Family. Given my understanding of Mysterious Girl A, she wouldn’t sit this one out. This was a perfect opportunity for me to make my move.

“Of course.”

My answer was firm, and the Student Council President sighed.

“I knew you’d say that. But let me remind you, many people, including myself, have to go to school. You might not have enough manpower. However, I can temporarily gather students at school to provide remote support.”

Bringing together members of the student council and news club during class time would be possible with the Student Council President’s privilege, but it wouldn’t have a reasonable explanation, making it difficult to justify to the school afterward.

I said, “That’s fine. Let’s use Plan B we discussed yesterday. Can Xiao Cangyu handle that system?”

The Student Council President warned, “Even if she can handle it, don’t rely too much on her. She gets nervous easily and tends to fall apart under pressure.”

“It’s okay. It’s not about her personality. Her technical skills are solid. With Lingmeng and the others as bait, we can estimate the range of Mysterious Girl A’s activities. She can manage the rear support alone… The key is the manpower here.”

“I can’t help with that. We can’t afford to have too many people take leave. The school will definitely intervene.”

“I’ll figure something out.”

Even the supporters of Asakura and Thunder Meow-meow mostly need to attend school or work. I’m not sure how many people I can actually get, but if worst comes to worst, I might have to call in the researchers.

After hanging up, I told Xiaoli, “You should go to school by yourself today.”

“Jie, where are you going again?”

“I have some important things to handle. Just tell them I have a cold today.”

“Okay.”

Although I didn’t tell her everything, Xiaoli didn’t ask further. We sisters have developed a kind of默契 (understanding).

—

#### [9:30]

#### [Balance Commercial District]

“Only these few people?”

Xialu brought me to a secret base.

Actually, it wasn’t really a secret. In the store run by Asakura, there were usually such hidden rooms.

Xialu sat on the sofa, propping her legs up and spreading her arms. “After all, we’re all students. Under no strain, only a few of us are free. But everyone here is a founding member, all trustworthy.”

From her words, it sounded like she considered herself part of the free ones too.

Including Xialu, Asakura only managed to gather nine people, all dressed in punk fashion, with tattoos, chewing gum, and dyed hair. Some even had spiky hairstyles, and girls wore belly-baring tops in winter to show off their tattoos?

Xialu did mention yesterday that the core members of Asakura were children of business owners in the commercial district, but none of these looked like proper young ladies.

Regardless, nine people weren’t enough to cover the entire floor. Even the equipment was insufficient. The news club provided over thirty camera-equipped pins or tie clips, each different, but I couldn’t imagine what they usually did with these things.

Holding back an unimpressed comment, I asked, “Then, what about the other group… Thunder Meow-meow’s supporters?”

“Don’t worry about them. I’ve already arranged it.”

Behind the group of punks, a familiar yet harsh voice came from a little girl.

“You’re… Lei Shan?”

I remembered her as the spy from before.

When she stood in front of me again, I realized I didn’t know how to react.

“Yeah, Sister Miamao asked me to assist you.”

She nodded indifferently.

In one corner of the secret base, multiple screens displayed surveillance footage from various moving scenes. Lei Shan stood in front of the screens, and only now did she jump down from the computer chair… quite short.

The punks made way for her.

Despite her fierce eyes, the petite girl seemed approachable. She was popular among these delinquents, walking through the crowd to stand in front of me. Even sitting on the sofa, I was barely taller than her.

She said, “The supporters got the equipment from Sister Miamao last night and are ready. They’re scattered around the commercial district, awaiting orders.”

There were twelve moving images on the screens, representing the number of supporters. Though not many, they were more reliable than Asakura’s side. Excluding Xialu, who was unlikely to participate, the patrol team had twenty people.

With Lingmeng as bait, narrowing down the search area, this number was acceptable.

I asked, “I heard you’re quite smart. Any suggestions or thoughts on this plan?”

“Yes.”

She nodded and said, “Your plan only considers main streets and visible shops, but the commercial district has many blind spots without cameras, even areas tourists can’t reach. If the target moves to those places, we won’t be able to do anything.”

“Mm, that’s exactly what I want.”

Clearly, she didn’t understand my plan fully.

She asked, “Could you explain your intention?”

“…Well…”

I glanced at the delinquents, and Xialu waved them away.

Even so, the hacker abilities of Cangyu were impressive.

“Though I admire Cangyu’s hacking skills… isn’t this illegal?”

The Student Council President shrugged it off. “This is all to ensure the plan succeeds. Don’t worry about the small stuff, Xialu. How about I treat you to ice cream later?”

Xialu shouted at my phone, “Is this small stuff? Not something an ice cream can buy!”

“Fine… Those two?”

“I’m not joking!”

She was indeed quite irritable. I continued, “According to Lingmeng’s intelligence, because of previous failures with surveillance, the target is very sensitive to indoor cameras. They often wear caps, making ceiling cameras ineffective. This operation relies mainly on the patrol team’s footage.”

“This isn’t bad. Since they wear hats, once they spot the target, it’ll be easier for the patrol team to track them and not lose sight… Hmm?”

Lei Shan’s pocket rang briefly. She pulled out her phone and checked it.

“Lingmeng and the others are preparing to come. I need to go prepare.”

I subconsciously checked the time… It was already 10:30?

“Please guide them.”

“Sure, I’ll bring them along.”

Lei Shan left the secret base.

…Some things remained unsaid.