Now it was the fourth day since Qi Bai arrived in this other world. She stretched lazily, put on her communication glasses, and checked her IQ messages.
IQ was the communication app of this era. Upon entering Imperial Capital University, students were required to join the IQ group corresponding to their class after registration, where announcements and class notifications were posted.
But the moment she opened IQ before Qi Bai could even enter the group chat the app began flooding her with notifications.
The glaring red “99+” made her purse her lips. She hadn’t joined any casual groups to waste time, yet the school environment was something she truly needed.
After a moment’s thought, Qi Bai contacted Liu Changyu directly through the Sea of Minds.
I’m Baiyao. I want to recruit a member, someone skilled in information gathering. They’ll need to blend into our class group and even be active in other school groups. Any ideas?
Liu Changyu, who was organizing files for the New Media Center, suddenly heard a childlike voice in her mind.
It took her a few seconds to realize it was Qi Bai contacting her. She tried replying mentally.
I’m Bai Yu. Can you hear me? I know a few talents for information gathering. With my understanding, this shouldn’t be too difficult!
Soon, a reply came back.
Then I’ll leave it to you. You can also plan for future member recruitment. We need adaptable talents, and those with other specialties can be brought in too!
Liu Changyu’s eyes lit up, and several ideas immediately came to mind. She opened her contacts, selected a few key people, and sent them messages.
After sending messages to Liu Changyu, Qi Bai patiently opened the group chat. Unsurprisingly, most of it was nonsense.
Flipping through several pages, she finally found the class notifications “All students are to gather at Comprehensive Building A, Room 309 at 17:30 on September 14.
Attendance will be taken, and absent students must submit a leave note on time, or it will affect personal attendance credits!”
September 14? Today was September 10, the day she had just arrived.
After briefly checking other messages, Qi Bai started her afternoon work.
Bai Xiang (You Ze), how’s the website progress?
In a three-bedroom apartment, five young people were seated at computers, typing code intensively.
You Ze, responsible for the firewall, was startled when a childlike voice suddenly appeared in his mind.
Sir, work is progressing as planned. The website framework is set up, now refining some programs!
Good, thanks! Once the agency website is done, we can create a portal to connect it with the club’s internal site.
You Ze paused, then replied quickly Understood. Let’s use internal codenames for permissions; it will be more efficient.
Qi Bai discussed a few more details with You Ze, mentally constructing a rough information blueprint.
No wonder he was a top student in Imperial Capital’s IT program. No matter what she suddenly asked, You Ze could provide at least partial solutions.
Just as Qi Bai was admiring how reliable her staff was, a call request came through the Sea of Minds Baicai requests to speak with you Qi Bai accepted. Soon, Qian Duoduo’s energetic voice filled her mind.
Sir, you asked me to check recent news posts and civic pain points. I found something unusual.
Qi Bai raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.
Besides the reform at Heze City No. 3 Middle School reported in the news, Qingkui University seems to have undergone a long-term reform… The situation is complicated…
Qi Bai frowned; her impression of campus reforms was not good.
Explain in detail.
The cause: A student who had been enrolled for over half a year had very controlling parents. They realized their son hadn’t sent them any messages in six months, so despite others’ advice, they went to the school to check.
A nosy relative noticed that during the three days they were at the school, no messages appeared in the family group. People began discussing, thinking something had happened on the way.
The couple returned soon after, but never mentioned visiting their son again…
One overly meddlesome relative insisted that the returning couple were not the original parents!
This story was posted online by a bystander following the whole situation, initially just for attention. But once it spread, many commenters claimed they also noticed something odd around them.
Further discussion revealed that everyone who seemed “off” had gone to Qingkui University.
After hearing this, only one thought came to Qi Bai’s mind Too many coincidences aren’t coincidences.
This school definitely had a problem!
Considering the current underdeveloped information system, it was urgent to build her own team. The information-gathering department had to be established immediately.
Most information could be queried via the system, but Qi Bai preferred independence and wanted to rely less on the system.
I understand the situation. But if Qingkui University has anomalies, given the tycoons’ control, it’s highly likely they know about it. Yet even campus reforms shouldn’t harm parents!
Qian Duoduo pondered Qi Bai’s words and cautiously concluded.
So this might be the work of higher-ups? Not a proper, legal reform?
Qi Bai approved of that assessment.
Highly likely!
For now, ignore this. Continue market research. Once we establish a solid base, we can expand our information network purposefully!
All afternoon, Qi Bai processed feedback from agency members, giving advice and assigning new tasks.
Time passed quietly. Outside, the sky changed from bright to overcast, as if a tattered cloth had been thrown over it.
Qi Bai stretched again, suddenly sleepy. A yawn left her eyes watering as she glanced at the clock.
17:25?
Something felt wrong. When was the class meeting again? She wished she could just forget, but realized clearly unless she could teleport, there was no way her short legs could get her there in five minutes!
Without time to think further, she hurriedly dressed and put on shoes.
Rushing down the stairs, she nearly reached the first floor when a figure suddenly appeared around a corner. Qi Bai couldn’t dodge and collided with it.
Before she could apologize, a familiar voice spoke “Ah sorry, sorry, sorry…”
The timid, anxious apology sounded clear and pleasant.
Looking up, she saw a student in a deep blue uniform, face flustered but calmer than last time.
Yes, Qi Bai recognized him the same person she had met previously in the Comprehensive Building.