The morning—often bright and sunny—felt different today. A fine drizzle was falling, casting a chill over everything, as if presaging heavier rain to come. Yang Yi spent the entire morning in the classroom, lost in thought. "It looks like I'll need to use these next few days to settle the Black God Gang situation," Yang Yi muttered cryptically to himself, immediately sinking back into contemplation.

Xu Ming, sitting beside him, didn't disturb his reverie, merely resting his head down and snoring softly. It was clear they had talked late into the night. Moreover, the dreary weather, characteristic of June rain that never quite commits to being hot or cold, lent an air of fatigue to the atmosphere.

"Qianqian, what's wrong?" the girl sitting next to Li Qian asked, noticing the deep worry etched on her friend's face.

"Oh!" Li Qian snapped out of her thoughts when addressed. She glanced at her deskmate and replied, "Nothing, just that the rainy weather is putting me in a foul mood."

"Tell me about it. What kind of bizarre weather is this, staying so gloomy since early this morning?" The other girl seemed equally displeased with the conditions. After a brief pause, she asked, "Qianqian, the high school entrance exams are almost here. How are you preparing?"

"Heh, so-so, just getting by!" Li Qian replied insincerely. The truth was, she had no mind for exams right now. Her entire being, heart and mind, was filled with the image of one person. Sometimes, Li Qian felt as if she had completely lost her soul. Forgetting to pick up food, leaving her books behind in class, nearly bumping into people while walking—it seemed the person she was these past few days was no longer herself.

People often say that those who have fallen deeply into the throes of love tend to do things that defy convention. Perhaps this was Li Qian’s state now, especially since she hadn't received an answer from Yang Yi, leaving her heart tormented, like an ant crawling on a hot pan.

It wasn't that Yang Yi refused to give her an answer; he simply didn't want to hurt her. Furthermore, he hadn't yet found the right opening to accept Li Qian’s feelings, which was why he was dragging his feet. Matters of the heart are unpredictable; a complete reversal could happen at any moment—that is the nature of romance.

The morning passed. Yang Yi, adhering to yesterday’s arrangement, arrived at the principal's office and lightly knocked. "Thump—thump!"

"Come in!" Principal Li’s voice drifted from inside.

Yang Yi entered and looked at Principal Li, stating, "I'm here."

"Good." Principal Li paused thoughtfully, then pulled open a cabinet, retrieved an emblem, and handed it to Yang Yi. "Here. This is the token of the Ice Mirror Society President. You can temporarily use this identity to enter."

"Heh." Yang Yi took the token, feeling a wave of nostalgia—not for the object itself, but for the one his grandfather had given him when he emerged from some mountain village. Yet, a silent thought followed: Principal Li was essentially handing the entire Ice Mirror Society over to him now. The President’s token? The thought brought a faint smile to the corner of Yang Yi’s mouth.

"I don't know what you’re thinking, but I understand your intentions. Are you really going through with this?" Principal Li asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

Yang Yi smiled. "Although my Black God Gang members are formidable, we lack numbers. Your Ice Mirror Society has always kept a low profile, but I can see clearly that if we were to clash right now, I would be guaranteed to lose."

"Haha!" Principal Li was smiling, but the expression held no mirth; it was shock. Shock that Yang Yi had seen through the true nature of the Ice Mirror Society. "Actually, the Ice Mirror Society was once part of the Black God Gang. They were separated for reasons long past. Listen, boy, what you are doing now will certainly give you better control, but don't forget—you share the same roots. Try to minimize any fratricide."

"I can agree to that, but since they are a splinter group from the past, a degree of necessary restructuring shouldn't be considered excessive, should it?" Yang Yi’s lips curved up as he fixed his gaze on Principal Li for a long moment.

"Heh. This is the world of you young people now. Since I’ve already handed over the Ice Mirror Society President’s token, I feel like I’ve set down a burden. Cherish what you possess, boy, and always remember one thing: there is always someone better. The world outside is vast, and don't forget that Jiangsu still has a certain other organization." Principal Li said with a knowing, half-smile.

"Mmm-hmm." Yang Yi pondered for a moment, carefully securing the token before heading toward the door. Just as he reached the exit, he seemed to recall something and called back, "Old man, was the person who managed to get the entire A City police force a day off helping me out that time?"

"Uh..." Principal Li was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Yang Yi to ask that. After a brief hesitation, he chuckled. "Heh, I know nothing of that. If you truly want to know, I suggest you ask your grandfather. You might get your answer. Though I can tell you one thing: make good use of him. He is currently on your side, after all."

Hearing this, Yang Yi let out a cold sneer, said nothing, and walked directly out of the principal's office.

"It seems I don't need to worry about him anymore," Principal Li murmured to himself, watching Yang Yi leave with a broad smile. "Old Yang, the monsters you've raised, truly. Well, I can finally relax starting today. I'll just be a principal now. Haha!"

After leaving the office, Yang Yi returned to the classroom. Xu Ming looked agitated as he asked, "Boss, where did you go?"

"Uh, why?" Yang Yi asked.

"No reason, just a super beautiful girl came looking for you just now," Xu Ming said, jealousy thick in his voice.

"What? A super beautiful girl?" Yang Yi frowned. He knew very few beautiful girls at this school. As he thought, a figure suddenly flashed through his mind, and his eyes widened. Could it be Xia Shiyun?

"Boss, spill it. Who was that super beautiful girl? When did you meet her? Introduce me..."

"First, answer me—did she say anything when she saw you?" Yang Yi shot him an exasperated look.

"Uh, let me think!" Xu Ming paused, then continued, "Right! She told me, if I saw you, to tell you to meet her at the 'usual spot'."

"The usual spot? Now?" Yang Yi’s brow furrowed upon hearing this. A jolt went through him, and he instantly jumped up and bolted out the door.

"Hey—Boss, what… is… the ‘usual spot’?" Xu Ming’s voice trailed off as he watched Yang Yi rush out, finally shaking his head in resignation. "Fate is unfair! Why don't I ever get attention from beautiful girls? Waaaah!"