It was 7:30 AM.
Inside the Pursuit Team's base, most members were already awake, some even starting their morning exercises.
Suddenly, the base's intercom crackled to life:
"Attention, everyone! Assemble immediately in the first-floor dining hall. Breakfast is ready!"
The moment the announcement began, everyone reflexively assumed a new contestant had been reported, tensing up immediately.
But when they heard the full message, they realized it was just an announcement for breakfast.
Seriously, this Production Team is pulling a fast one! Who uses the intercom to announce breakfast?
And with the same male voice used for reporting contestant violations!
Isn't this just blatantly messing with the Pursuit Team?
However, the announcement wasn't finished yet. The voice shifted to a cheerful female tone:
"I woke up early to make this breakfast myself! Everyone, please come and try it!"
Wait a minute... that voice sounds like... Cifera?!
Everyone immediately relaxed. Ah, it's her. That makes sense.
A short while later...
Lin Zhiyuan, Feng Chiyu, and Zhang Hong exited their dorm room, just as Liu Shanhe and Wang Lei were heading downstairs.
"Good morning, Old Liu! Good morning, Teacher Wang Lei!" the three juniors greeted the two elders respectfully.
"Good morning," Liu Shanhe and Wang Lei replied.
As they descended the stairs, Liu Shanhe suddenly asked, "With just over an hour left before the arrest warrant is issued, what do you think Cifera is up to by not running away yet?"
"She's probably just trying to mess with us one last time before leaving," Zhang Hong said nonchalantly. "That Cifera is a master of psychological warfare. If I ever catch her, I'll give her a taste of her own medicine."
"Catch her? So what? At most, you'd just eliminate her. You think you can play her games, Brother Zhang?" Feng Chiyu's subtext was clear: Zhang Hong stood no chance against Cifera's slippery tactics.
"Damn it! You think you're so smart, Brother Feng? Can't you let me act cool for once? If I can't mess with Cifera's mind, I can definitely mess with yours!"
"I'm sorry, Brother Hong! Don't—!"
Before Feng Chiyu could finish, Zhang Hong had already seized him in a headlock and dragged him down the stairs.
Liu Shanhe turned to Lin Zhiyuan, who spoke up:
"Brother Zhang makes a valid point, but we still need to be wary of Cifera setting a trap for us before she leaves."
Liu Shanhe nodded gravely, his gaze fixed on Lin Zhiyuan. "You're right. Given Cifera's nature, if she hasn't made a run for it yet, she must have another plan in mind. She might be planning to dig a massive pitfall for us before she escapes. We need to be extra cautious."
"Understood," Lin Zhiyuan replied, the flames of determination burning in his eyes behind his black-rimmed glasses.
Cifera, don't think you can always win.
From now on, all your tricks and schemes will be exposed by me, Lin Zhiyuan!
This exchange between Lin Zhiyuan and Liu Shanhe sparked a flurry of discussion in the bullet comments:
[Old Liu and Lord Lin are on the same wavelength! They really are the brains of the Pursuit Team.]
[Teacher Wang Lei: Wait, there are three of us, why don't I get a mention?]
[Forget about Wang Lei, he's just here for moral support. But... doesn't it feel like we're missing another intellectual powerhouse here?]
[Little Bingbing: Still unconscious. Do not disturb.]
[Do you guys think Cifera is really digging a trap for the Pursuit Team before she escapes?]
[I don't know, but I have a feeling this breakfast isn't as simple as it looks.]
[You don't think she's put laxatives in it, do you?]
[Uh, that's probably a bit much...]
While the Bullet Comments buzzed with speculation about this final breakfast, Lin Zhiyuan and the others entered the dining hall.
Lin Zhiyuan immediately spotted Cifera pushing a food cart between the tables, distributing breakfast to each member of the Pursuit Team.
Before handing out the meals, Cifera would first have each member write something in a commemorative booklet and then take a group photo with them.
It was strikingly reminiscent of... students filling out yearbooks and posing for farewell photos before going their separate ways after graduation.
Noticing Lin Zhiyuan's thoughtful expression, Liu Shanhe patted his shoulder and chuckled, "Relax, Little Lin. Just take a seat. We'll play it by ear."
With that, Liu Shanhe and Wang Lei walked over to Zhang Hong and Feng Chiyu's table and sat down.
"Mm..." Lin Zhiyuan nodded and followed, finding a seat nearby.
Soon after, Cifera arrived at the Expert Team's table, pushing a food cart.
"Good morning, everyone~"
"Good morning, Cifera."
After greeting the group, noticing their unconcealed looks of confusion, Cifera chuckled.
"Don't look at me like that! Is it really so hard to understand? I'm about to leave the Pursuit Team, so I wanted to personally make breakfast for you all and say a proper goodbye.
"Even though it was only for a day, we fought side-by-side. Today, you could say I'm graduating from this team.
"Since I'm graduating, isn't it natural to want a memento?"
With that, Cifera placed a booklet and a fountain pen in front of Liu Shanhe.
"Old Liu, as the senior member, please lead the way by signing this graduation commemorative booklet. If you're up to it, you could also write a blessing or something."
"Ha ha, of course I can do that. I never thought I'd get to relive the graduation ceremony experience at my age!"
Liu Shanhe chuckled as he accepted the booklet and pen. Opening the first page, he saw "Pursuit Team Graduation Commemorative Booklet" written in elegant script, accompanied by an adorable cat drawing—clearly Cifera's handiwork.
He smiled faintly and began writing his name meticulously in the booklet, followed by a heartfelt message:
"Cifera, though our time together has been short, you've left a lasting impression on this old man. I hope you have smooth sailing ahead and manage to avoid getting caught by us Pursuit Team folks!"
After finishing, he looked up at Cifera, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What do you think? Is this message sincere enough?"
Cifera scrutinized the message carefully, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "Old Liu, your calligraphy is truly elegant! As for the message—it's simply majestic!"
Liu Shanhe chuckled heartily and handed the booklet to Wang Lei beside him. "Teacher Wang Lei, why don't you add a few words too? Let's all give Cifera a proper send-off."
Wang Lei took the booklet, wrote his name, and scratched his head thoughtfully. After a moment, he added:
"Cifera, you little rascal—you're a real headache, but you're also quite amusing. Try not to be too mischievous, keep being yourself, and your future looks promising."
Seeing Wang Lei's message, Cifera feigned innocence.
"Wronged! Teacher Wang Lei! When have I ever given you a headache? I'm your most loyal fan. Last night, I even specifically reminded them to cook the midnight snack's green beans thoroughly!"
"You! Fine, fine. Some fan you are!" Wang Lei chuckled in exasperation. So we're never letting go of the poisoned green bean incident, huh?
Feigning anger, Wang Lei handed the booklet to Feng Chiyu beside him. After signing, Feng Chiyu glanced at Zhang Hong with a smirk and wrote:
"Wishing you smooth sailing, Cifera! Just don't let Brother Zhang catch you—that guy will ruthlessly pluck the flower and wreck your mindset!"
Seeing the lewd grin on Feng Chiyu's face, Zhang Hong knew he was up to no good. He snatched the booklet away, his face darkening as he read the inscription. A terrifying aura of murderous intent erupted from him.
"Brother Feng, you're quite the prankster! Fine, just you wait!"
After glaring fiercely at Feng Chiyu, Zhang Hong suppressed his killing intent and carefully wrote his name in the booklet. His handwriting was surprisingly elegant, only slightly less refined than Liu Shanhe's.
Next, he wrote a blessing: "We may be rivals in the competition, but we remain friends in life. May our friendship endure beyond the competition."
Though concise, it perfectly captured the spirit of "competition second, friendship first."
Cifera walked behind Zhang Hong and glanced at his message, laughing. "Oh, it seems Little Lin was right after all! You're saying you'll go all out against me during the competition, right?"
"Ha ha... How could that be? Brother Zhang would never have any bad intentions!" Zhang Hong feigned innocence while passing the yearbook to Lin Zhiyuan, who was last in line.
Lin Zhiyuan accepted the yearbook and gazed at the heartfelt messages from his teammates. A complex mix of emotions stirred within him.
Picking up the pen, he paused for a moment, then wrote with firm determination:
"Cifera, the Pursuit Team isn't easily fooled. If you show even the slightest weakness, we'll seize the opportunity.
"So my only blessing for you is this: don't even think about pulling any tricks. Leave now. The closer we get to 9 AM, the higher your chances of elimination today."
After Lin Zhiyuan finished writing, Cifera took the yearbook and, upon reading his message, smirked with amusement.
"Out of everyone, I like Little Lin's blessings the best. No pretense, just pure sincerity!"
"..."
After hearing Cifera's response, Lin Zhiyuan had no intention of replying. He had already made his point clear; whether she heeded it or not was her concern, not his.
In his heart, the rivalry between him and Cifera had officially begun.
From now on, there would be no friendship, only the pursuit of first place.
This was a battle of wits, a clash of geniuses risking their very reputations.
I must win!
Just as Lin Zhiyuan was basking in the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of this opening salvo, he suddenly heard a click.
Snapping out of his reverie, he saw Cifera standing beside him, the other Expert Team members crowding around.
"Let's take another one, Little Lin was spacing out just now!" Cifera said, glancing at the previous photo with dissatisfaction.
As everyone gathered around like they were posing for a graduation photo, Lin Zhiyuan forced a "cheese" smile while inwardly cursing:
So much for a battle of wits! Why am I posing for photos with my opponent? This tonal shift is way too abrupt!