Volume Two: The Boy of a Thousand Faces, Truth and Facade Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Society Gathering

People should live with a sense of planning, achieving their goals stage by stage. Though the book signing had its share of surprises, it was finally over. There were still two months before the club competition, and just over a week until the street racing event.

Huo Ye thought it was time to put the formation of the club on the agenda. After a few days, he'd establish the club, then earn points and cash at the race, and after more than a month of the Magic Box, it would be time for the club's injection.

The next day was the weekend—everyone should be free. So Huo Ye sent out a group message: "Tomorrow at noon, Hotpot House XX, gather up, all club members meet."

He then created a Feixun chat group. The group owner was Huo Ye, and its name was "‘Don’t Know What to Call It Yet’ Club." He immediately invited Alice, Shangguan Jade Butterfly, Ray Remy, Jiang Feng, and Liuli Kazama.

They were all Awakened, likely to sleep in, but never went to bed too early—there wasn’t much sleep to catch up on anyway.

"Our group’s name seems a little unreliable," Jiang Feng commented first.

Huo Ye’s face darkened; he replied with a sticker of a doll holding a bloody kitchen knife and big, cutesy letters: "You’re done for." Alice had actually downloaded that for him—it was hardly intimidating.

"The club’s name is to be decided. We’ll change it once we settle on one," Huo Ye said.

Alice quickly followed, "Don’t count on my brother for reliability in minor matters."

Sitting in his rocking chair, Huo Ye shouted into the house, "Xiao Ai! If you keep talking nonsense, no breakfast for you tomorrow!"

A cold snort came from inside.

The others soon chimed in. Ray Remy introduced, "Hello everyone, I’m Ray Remy Carey."

Liuli Kazama said, "Kazama Liuli, just call me Liuli."

Shangguan Jade Butterfly sent two stickers—a smile and a hand pointing upward toward her updated group nickname: Shangguan Jade Butterfly.

Huo Ye nearly fell out of his chair in shock. Was this even an introduction? You’re really fluent with emojis, and you had plenty to say typing to Night Rain and Cold Crow earlier.

Once everyone was more or less acquainted, Jiang Feng tagged Huo Ye, "Hey Boss, wasn’t Kazama the girl you went on a blind date with? So, are you two together now?"

He followed with a starry-eyed emoji: "We want the gossip!"

Alice, Shangguan Jade Butterfly, and Ray Remy formed up like a squad—starry-eyed: "We want the gossip!"

Huo Ye’s entire face turned black. He replied, "I admire your courage in facing death. The fact that you’re still alive is a miracle."

Behind his own screen, Jiang Feng shivered. Had he gone too far this time?

Liuli Kazama replied calmly, "Not at all. The blind date was arranged by our families. Neither of us was interested. I joined the club because I want to enter the Reaper Hunter Squad."

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Liuli Kazama left out her sister’s business, but that was explanation enough.

Huo Ye added, "That’s right, that’s all it was."

"Oh, I thought she was our future sister-in-law," Jiang Feng sent, and then the screen flashed.

The group owner, Huo Ye, had retracted a member’s message. Jiang Feng had been muted for an hour.

The rest lined up to pound the table with laughter.

"Life tip: if you’re going to mouth off, make sure the one you annoy can’t easily get back at you," Huo Ye pronounced sagely. This was why he dared to bloody Xiao Linghuo’s face outside the city—because Xiao Linghuo was absolutely no match for him.

"Alright, the world is quiet again. Carry on," Huo Ye said.

Jiang Feng’s expression froze on the other side of the screen. Had he really angered the boss? Should he skip tomorrow’s meetup and lay low?

Business about the club was better discussed in person; the group chat was for casual banter and bonding. Later, Huo Ye heard that the three girls had formed a small chat of their own that night—he couldn't help but marvel at girls’ unity.

The next day, everyone gathered at the hotpot restaurant where Huo Ye and Liuli Kazama had first met. Huo Ye had been there before—the food was decent, though previously he’d been so anxious and then so angry his stomach ached that he hadn’t eaten much.

Huo Ye, Shangguan Jade Butterfly, and Alice arrived first, then Ray Remy and Liuli Kazama. Only when the hotpot and nearly all the ingredients were on the table did Jiang Feng tiptoe in, poking his head through the door.

"Get in here," Huo Ye snapped.

Jiang Feng sidled into the private room, explaining, "Last night I was just… trying to imitate the boss’s style."

Huo Ye nodded, "Yes, you captured both form and spirit. That’s why you deserve a beating. But today, I’ll spare you—sit and eat."

"Alright, sure thing."

Once everyone was present, Huo Ye began, "The six of us are gathered here today. From now on, we’re friends and comrades-in-arms. You all heard what I said at the opening ceremony. That wasn’t just talk—it’s our next goal. So, let’s work together."

He didn’t make any grand proclamations. No matter how stirring their words, they were just students forming a club—still a long way from their future as a Hunter Squad. There was no need for fiery speeches.

As they ate, they discussed club matters. Huo Ye asked, "I haven’t been at Bancroft long. Does anyone know what the procedures are for starting a club?"

Jiang Feng thought for a moment. "Not much, really. The academy’s very relaxed about clubs. Just download a form from the academy website, fill out the initial member list, then find a teacher to be your advisor. That’s all. Training rooms, activity rooms, and other resources for clubs—you basically have to fight for them, through club skirmishes and group missions."

Huo Ye looked thoughtful. "An advisor, hmm..."

Alice suddenly had a bad feeling. "You’re not thinking of…"

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"Yes, exactly him."

The other four looked bewildered. They weren’t related by blood, so how could they be so in sync, like twins with telepathy? Their cryptic exchange was lost on everyone else.

Ray Remy was the first to catch on. He ventured, "You mean our mentor, Ke Zhen?"

Jiang Feng leaned back in shock. "Bancroft’s number one troublemaker? My dad told me about him—he’s also Captain Holst’s mentor, isn’t he? That’s great!"

Alice puffed out her cheeks. "Great? He’s a drunk, and no more reliable than my brother."

Huo Ye frowned. How did he catch strays like this?

Liuli Kazama picked up a slice of beef, chewing blissfully before asking, "Starting a club is easy, but we can’t just do it quietly, right? Shouldn’t we publicize it a little?"

Alice’s eyes lit up. "Right, publicity! Let’s invite some of the big clubs’ leadership, and make sure the bystanders know too."

Huo Ye glanced at Jiang Feng. "Makes sense. That’s your job then—as punishment for your loose tongue."

Jiang Feng had no objections and agreed immediately. If Huo Ye called it punishment, so be it. Was there anyone in the academy more suited for this than him?

But Alice didn’t seem satisfied; her eyes darted around as she said, "Actually, publicity online isn’t enough. I think we should come up with something extra."

Huo Ye studied Alice. He usually knew her every crooked idea, but this time he couldn’t tell what she was up to.

He signaled to Shangguan Jade Butterfly, sitting beside him. She understood, her eyes flashing gold—and then she suddenly burst out laughing, unable to stop.

Everyone looked over in surprise. What was so funny all of a sudden?

Huo Ye saw the jig was up. He asked Alice directly, "Xiao Yu just read your mind and started laughing. Come on, what are you thinking?"

Alice glanced around, then leaned in to whisper in Huo Ye’s ear, "Actually… I want to see you in women’s clothes."

Huo Ye instantly lost his composure. He shot to his feet and shouted, "What did you say?"