The young girl's silver-white hair fluttered in the sunlight, gradually disappearing into the shadows as she walked away.
Russell watched Mary's retreating figure, feeling a bit baffled for a moment.
Even setting aside the fact that he was being socially isolated, he actually had no real desire to attend the party itself.
This kind of icebreaker party was different from the university ones in his previous life; it was filled with utilitarianism.
That was the main reason Russell didn't want to go.
He had no interest in playing a "warm, big family" game within Imperial College.
Although attending that icebreaker party would likely yield a decent amount of Malice Points.
But to be honest, these Malice Points weren't indispensable. He had plenty of other ways to acquire Malice Points without disgusting himself.
simply put, in four words:
—Doable, but unnecessary.
"Forget it, I won't think about this."
Russell shook his head, returned the book in his hand to its original place, then stood up and left the library.
It was better to think about Phantom Thief Moriarty's next target.
Should he repeat his old trick and go to the Morstan Estate?
Forget it, that woman was a bit scary. And what if she was a Saint? The same move wouldn't work twice.
Then... Lestrade?
Better let him off the hook. Lestrade seemed to have his hands full recently.
It looked like he could only scout for a new candidate.
Who should be the unlucky victim this time...
Just as Russell was pondering, a group of people walked towards him.
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Watson." The leader, a man with curly blond hair, called out to Russell, who was just about to brush past them.
Hearing this, Russell paused slightly and turned to look at the other party.
Who was this again?
His smile looks so wretched.
"Sorry... do I know you?" he asked tentatively.
Hearing this, the smile on the man's face instantly stiffened.
"You're joking, right?" There was a hint of anger in his tone. "We are classmates."
"But today is only the second day of school," Russell said faintly. "I shouldn't have an obligation to recognize everyone in the class."
[Timmy Roy feels offended by your words. Malice Points +10]
Timmy Roy?
Oh, it seems this kid was also the first to provide him with Malice Points yesterday.
"My name is Timmy Roy." Timmy took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his chest, and said, "My father is a Cabinet Minister."
"So... what?" Russell tilted his head.
If you said your dad was the Cabinet, I might be shocked for a moment, wondering which guy's genes were so strong they could contend with a Black Dragon bloodline.
Damn it, just a Cabinet Minister, what are you posturing for here?
Charlotte's brother is the entire British Government.
Timmy's mouth twitched.
He had intended to bring out his minister father to scare Russell, but who knew this ignorant country bumpkin wouldn't even know what that meant.
It seemed he had held too high an expectation for him.
He really didn't know what Miss Morstan saw in this guy.
[Timmy Roy looks down on you from the bottom of his heart. Malice Points +10]
"Hmph." Timmy let out a cold snort, no longer paying attention to Russell's confused expression. Instead, he fished a beautifully packaged invitation card from his pocket.
"Here, please accept this." His tone reverted to that pretentiously distinct manner.
"This is..." Russell reached out to take the invitation, examining it in his hand.
"This is the invitation to the icebreaker party on Saturday night."
Timmy explained with a smile, and then, before Russell could speak, he continued:
"Don't misunderstand, this isn't for you. I heard you are neighbors with Charlotte Holmes. I hope you can help me pass this invitation to her.
After all, she is also a part of our class. I don't want her to be left behind."
Hearing this, Russell weighed the invitation in his hand, a look of appropriately measured confusion on his face.
"Oh? Is that so? But I recall Miss Holmes doesn't seem interested in such social occasions."
"You can't say that."
Timmy Roy's smile was a bit forced, trying hard to maintain a gentlemanly facade, but he couldn't hide the trace of jealousy and disdain deep in his eyes.
"As a freshman at Imperial College, experiencing campus life is her obligation.
Moreover, this party has invited many young talents from London's high society.
Mr. Mycroft Holmes surely wouldn't want his sister to be out of touch with the social circle."
"Is that so." Russell nodded thoughtfully and put away the invitation.
Seeing Russell being so tactful, the smile on Timmy's face finally became a few degrees more sincere.
"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Watson. I believe you should be happy to be of service for such a small favor."
"I'll try my best," Russell said perfunctorily, then turned to leave.
However, Timmy called out to him again.
"Mr. Watson." His tone shifted, carrying a posture of superiority and implication. "The party isn't mandatory. If you don't have time, we understand."
The meaning was simple.
If you know what's good for you, find something else to do. Don't come and make yourself uncomfortable.
"Of course. I will pass those words along to Holmes as well."
Russell nodded with a smile, pretending not to understand the other party's hint, and left without looking back.
Timmy Roy stood where he was, watching his retreating figure. The gentlemanly smile he had feigned completely solidified, replaced by a sinister gloom.
"An ignorant hillbilly who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
[Timmy Roy feels annoyed by your lack of appreciation. Malice Points +10]
·
·
Afternoon.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, spilling onto the last row of the lecture hall.
Russell sat in the seat closest to the back door, yawning in boredom.
At this moment, he wished he had a mobile phone in hand so he could play a tense and exciting round of Golden Spatula.
Unfortunately, he couldn't have one.
As class time approached, the originally empty lecture hall gradually filled with people.
Most people walked in through the main entrance, but some chose to come in through the back door and then walk to the front rows.
The reason they did this seemed to be solely to catch a glimpse of Russell.
With eyes full of pity, sympathy, and schadenfreude.
It was as if, under the heavens, only Russell was being kept in the dark about a certain secret.
Russell felt a bit regretful about these gazes.
If only this could count towards Malice Points too?
He could do nothing every day, just lie in the corner, and let people gossip for a lifetime.
There were a few students with a conscience who tried to come up and talk to Russell, but ultimately, under the pressure of other gazes, they silently retreated.
Just as Russell was preparing to close the back door, a slender figure suddenly blocked the doorway.
Sunlight spilled in from behind her, plating her long silver hair with a soft, glowing rim.
Mary Morstan, holding a stack of books in her arms, wore a smile that was impeccable.
"Mr. Watson, are you planning to shut me out?"
________________________________________
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