Shortly after, school leaders came by to check on their condition. After offering their concerns and condolences, they hurriedly left, as there were still many matters to handle at the scene.
Not long after, the police also arrived to ask if they had offended anyone recently. At this, Gao Keyun and the others thought of Lin Luxi almost in unison. Among their group, when it came to offending people, Lin Luxi was definitely at the top of the list.
As a result, Lin Luxi ended up being questioned at length by the police.
Finally, after some deliberation, the police officer asked, “Apart from people you’ve offended in the past, have you noticed anything strange recently, or encountered anyone unusual? Anything that feels even slightly odd, feel free to mention it. It might help with the investigation.”
Despite his calm exterior, Lin Luxi’s thoughts were still somewhat in disarray.
Just as he was about to brush it off with a simple “no,” a sudden realization struck him. “There was something a bit strange. Today, I saw Zhou Ziheng lurking furtively outside the lounge.”
The officer noted this down and continued, “Did you see exactly what he was doing?”
Lin Luxi shook his head. “No, but he seemed a bit guilty. He left after exchanging just a few words.”
The officer nodded. “What’s your usual relationship with Zhou Ziheng?”
Lin Luxi frowned slightly. In the original story, the relationship between Zhou Ziheng and Lin Luxi wasn’t great, one could even say they disliked each other. Neither held the other in high regard, yet both were friends with Yue Xinghe.
Before the plot went off the rails, Zhou Ziheng and Yue Xinghe had always gotten along without issue. Even if Zhou Ziheng were to turn against Yue Xinghe, that would happen in the mid-to-late stages of the story.
But now, Lin Luxi’s trust in the original plot wasn’t as strong. The novel’s storyline revolved around the male lead, leaving no room for detailed accounts of what the supporting characters did behind the scenes. He just couldn’t figure out, if Zhou Ziheng were behind this, what would his motive be?
What benefit would this bring him?
Lin Luxi: “Our relationship is okay, but Yue Xinghe didn’t go easy on him during their match. He gave him a thorough beating.”
“Alright,” the officer said. “We’ll look into all of this. If we need anything else, I’ll come back to ask you.”
With that, he left.
Lin Luxi gathered his thoughts and began to suspect Zhou Ziheng.
He had definitely seemed guilty back then and had left after only a few words.
Could it have been him? But if it was, why?
This section never existed in the original storyline.
Ever since he had transmigrated, Lin Luxi had been harboring the mindset of kicking back and taking it easy. At least in the early stages, everything had gone smoothly without any schemes or upheavals, at most, a few female rivals squabbling over someone. So he had vaguely carried a sense of confidence, rooted in knowing what the future held.
But now, this newly inserted plot had thrown all the pacing and events into disarray.
Lin Luxi had a nagging feeling that things like this would only happen either zero times or an infinite number of times.
As he was lost in thought, Zhou Ziheng arrived.
He had come to visit Yue Xinghe. On the surface, he was still a close friend of Yue Xinghe’s. If he didn’t come to check on a friend after an incident, it would easily arouse police suspicion, they might interpret it as guilt, avoidance, or even fleeing to escape justice.
But he hadn’t bought the bomb, and the remote control had already been disposed of. With those underground black market players involved, Zhou Ziheng believed no one would trace it back to him for the time being.
So, with a clear conscience, he put on an act of being deeply worried for his friend. “How is Xinghe?”
His emotions were so intense that he even tried to grab Lin Luxi by the collar, demanding, “Is this your fault? With Xinghe’s S-rank aptitude, even Gao Keyun and the others are fine, how could Xinghe possibly be unconscious?”
Lin Luxi forcefully shoved away his outstretched hand. At those words, his movements faltered for a second, and then Zhou Ziheng seized his collar.
“You jinx! You’re so useless! Just stay away from Yue Xinghe!”
Only if he stayed away would Zhou Ziheng get another chance to make his move, dammit!
“What were you trying to do earlier at the lounge entrance?”
Lin Luxi asked, his tone indifferent.
Zhou Ziheng’s pupils shrank slightly, his fingers stiffening. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean,” Lin Luxi said, a faint smile curving his lips, “what business did you have with Yue Xinghe when you went to the lounge earlier?”
Was he being suspected?
Zhou Ziheng swallowed unconsciously. “Xinghe was in the finals, can’t I go cheer him on?!”
Lin Luxi: “That’s it?”
Zhou Ziheng nodded emphatically, his neck clicking. “That’s it. What else do you think there would be?”
Lin Luxi probed him, “Yue Xinghe beat you badly in the match. Aren’t you angry?”
The flesh beneath Zhou Ziheng’s eyelids twitched. “Injuries from competition are completely normal. What kind of person do you take me for? I’m not like you, all weak and pathetic.”
Lin Luxi shot him a glance. For some reason, Zhou Ziheng shrank back.
Damn, wasn’t Lin Luxi supposed to be a weakling? Why did he suddenly feel a sense of danger just then?
Zhou Ziheng shook his head. He must have been under too much stress lately. That was the only explanation for such an absurd illusion.
Lin Luxi said, “Alright, alright. If you’ve got nothing to do, just leave. You’re not needed here.”
Zhou Ziheng had originally planned to leave, but now he stiffened his neck and retorted, “No, I’m staying right here until Xinghe wakes up.”
Lin Luxi shrugged nonchalantly. “Suit yourself.”
The news of the explosion had already spread like wildfire on the Star Network.
With so many spectators at the scene, the news was impossible to suppress.
Moreover, when the explosion occurred, the official livestream was still running, so netizens had seen everything.
Even after the stream was quickly shut down, many spectators on-site had started livestreaming directly using their light-brains.
By now, numerous people online were speculating whether the explosion was a terrorist attack. Some even went as far as to suggest it might be a probing move by aliens. As soon as that idea surfaced, many alien netizens immediately jumped in to clarify, insisting that such a thing was absolutely impossible.
Long live interspecies friendship, aliens would never intentionally provoke a war.
Aside from a few heated debates, most netizens were busy praying for the well-being of those involved.
When it became known that Yue Xinghe was still unconscious, speculation immediately shifted to whether the incident was retaliation against the newly crowned champion, whether out of jealousy or some deeper conspiracy aimed at destroying such a talent.
Unbeknownst to them, they were straying further and further from the truth. After all, who would ever imagine that Lin Luxi, who had emerged completely unscathed, was the sole target of the entire incident?