My sister never calls me brother.

"Since you're also a member of the Seigaku Agency, then you should put away that sense of justice for now," Song Mingyuan said seriously. "Our club must uphold three absolutes—"

"Remain absolutely neutral."

"Absolutely no personal feelings are involved."

"Absolutely no interference in matters outside of the entrusted affairs."

Song Mingyuan looked at Zhou Han and said, "Have I made myself clear enough?"

Zhou Han paused, opened his mouth, but was speechless. He didn't know why. For the first time, he felt something was off about this club, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It just felt like something was missing, something was very abnormal.

"We...we...aren't we just like other clubs..." Zhou Hanqiang said with a smile.

“When there is no commission, of course it’s the same. When there is a commission, we must remain rational. And one more thing…” Song Mingyuan’s next words were for everyone to hear, “The organization will not restrict everyone’s ideas to be completely unified, so everyone is both a partner and an enemy.”

"What do you mean?" Zhou Han was completely confused by Song Mingyuan.

"When disagreements arise regarding the resolution of a request, and everyone's opinions cannot be unified, then everyone should act according to their own ideas. The organization will not restrict you. Or..." Song Mingyuan glanced at everyone and said, "If you receive a request from both sides in a conflict, then choose the side you believe is right. At that point, everyone will be acting for their own interests..."

Song Mingyuan said with a smile, "No longer partners, but enemies."

Lin Nianwei, Miyazaki Airi, and Lilith did not express any opinions, and it seems that they have accepted it.

Zhou Han was so shocked that he couldn't speak. For the first time, he realized the true nature of Seigaku Agency. It was not as glamorous as it seemed on the surface. In fact, it was a very realistic group.

It seemed that only Zhou Han was kept in the dark about all of this, while everyone else seemed to have known about the relationship within the club all along.

Zhou Han thought this club was just a place where everyone gathered together to have fun every day, occasionally help others solve their problems, and everyone was just a good partner who would come together to make plans. She never expected that each of them would have a chance to stand on the opposite side and become an enemy.

Regardless of which of them becomes an enemy, they will pose a great threat to Zhou Han, because he is the weakest among them.

Airi Miyazaki possesses keen observation and comprehension skills.

Lin Nianwei has analytical and reasoning abilities, as well as the ability to control the overall situation.

Although Lilith's unique characteristics have not yet been revealed, her distinctive, unconventional thinking will surely make her more efficient in her endeavors.

And Zhou Han...

Looking at Zhou Han, who was stunned and speechless, Song Mingyuan thought to himself, "So you're finally starting to feel a sense of crisis? You're the only one who's addicted to the game with your friends. If I don't wake you up, you'll definitely do something stupid one day."

“Master is spreading alarmist rumors again! Pfft, pfft, pfft!” Lilith broke the silence.

"Hmm?" Song Mingyuan resumed his playful grin and said, "Did I? What I said just now was pretty cool, hehe..."

“It’s not as serious as you say, an enemy.” Miyazaki Airi frowned. “It’s just a difference of opinion.”

“The enemy’s situation is the worst-case scenario, but the chances aren’t zero,” Song Mingyuan said helplessly. Then he smiled and said to Miyazaki Airi, “If, and I mean if, Zhou Han and Lin Nianwei have different stances and stand on opposite sides, whose side would you take?”

Zhou Han secretly glanced at Lin Nianwei, who was reading a book. She didn't say anything, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Miyazaki Airi glanced at Zhou Han, then at Lin Nianwei, and stammered, "I...I...I..."

"See!" Song Mingyuan said with a smug look, "You've already hesitated."

“Who hesitated?” Miyazaki Airi rolled her eyes. “I…I’m standing with Vi-chan.”

As expected, I had already guessed it... Zhou Han smiled helplessly.

"Lilith, where are you going to stand?" Song Mingyuan asked.

“In the middle! Puff puff puff…” Lily answered without hesitation.

"You've truly embodied the concept of neutrality; that's commendable!" Song Mingyuan gave Lilith a thumbs up.

"Hehe..." Lilith giggled, showing her little tiger teeth.

“Zhou Han, you’re so pitiful…” Song Mingyuan’s sympathetic eyes shone with affection.

"Tsk!" Zhou Han frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "You've said so much today, are you really trying to sow discord?"

“How could that be? I’m just afraid that one day this will really happen, and I won’t be here. If it really happens…” Song Mingyuan adjusted his glasses and looked at everyone. “I hope that each of you will follow your own beliefs and fight openly and decisively. Don’t hesitate or have any reservations, because after it’s over, everyone will still come back here, back to where it all started.”

“Even if we become enemies, we shouldn’t forget the friendship we had, right, Master?” Lilith suddenly asked.

"Ah~" Song Mingyuan covered his face and said shyly, "You saw right through me, I'm so embarrassed..."

"Why are you so shy?" Miyazaki Airi was exasperated.

"Ahem!" Song Mingyuan coughed lightly and said, "Then, who should be in charge of the email address that accepts the commission? Ideally, someone who is very free and has plenty of time every day."

Miyazaki Airi and Lilith both looked at Zhou Han, while Lin Nianwei did not participate.

Zhou Han paused for a moment, pointed to herself, and said dejectedly, "Me!? I'm very busy. I need to sleep, listen to music, and watch movies. I'm extremely busy!"

Song Mingyuan raised an eyebrow at Zhou Han, looking like he understood her.

Zhou Han licked her lips helplessly, already knowing the outcome.

Back home, Zhou Han was eating dinner. He no longer asked Miyazaki Airi if she had made him a portion, because she would definitely make too much, and there would be extra for him.

However, Zhou Han seemed to have a poor appetite today because Song Mingyuan's words had indeed given him a strange sense of crisis and made him realize his weakness in the club.

Recently, Zhou Han had indeed played a crucial role in handling several cases, which made him a little complacent. He thought that club activities were nothing special and actually quite simple!

But Zhou Han only realized today that beneath the surface of cooperation, there was a very strong competitive relationship.

“Um…Aili…” Zhou Han said.

"Tsk!" Miyazaki Airi clicked her tongue, saying with displeasure, "Who gave you permission to call me by my name? Are you getting this close to me?"

"Isn't this at home?" Zhou Han was stunned.

“Not even at home!” Miyazaki Airi firmly refused.

“That’s Miyazaki Airi, four characters is a bit troublesome…” Zhou Han said dejectedly.

"Call me by my surname." Miyazaki Airi rolled her eyes at Zhou Han.

"Um... Miyazaki?" Zhou Han probed.

"What are you doing?" Miyazaki Airi replied irritably.

"What do you think of what Senior Song said today?" Zhou Han asked.

“That makes sense.” Miyazaki Airi nodded.

"Don't you find it strange? How could we possibly become enemies?" Zhou Han voiced his doubts.

“Different ideologies lead to different stances. Everyone is an individual, and it’s normal for people to have different ideas. It’s not impossible for them to become enemies,” said Airi Miyazaki.

“But…” Zhou Han hesitated.

"Are you afraid that one day you'll actually be on the opposite side from Vi-chan?" Miyazaki Airi glanced at Zhou Han.

"I..." Zhou Han stammered, not expecting that Miyazaki Airi could see through his thoughts at a glance, which made him feel a strange sense of panic.

“After spending so many days together, I’ve noticed that the biggest difference in your beliefs is between you and Vi-chan.” Miyazaki Airi sighed, put down her chopsticks, and said, “If that day ever comes, I will do everything in my power to stop it.”

Zhou Han stared at the dinner without saying a word, lost in thought...

Airi Miyazaki got up to leave, turning back to say—

"Remember to wash the dishes, goodnight."

"Good night……"

Zhou Han leaned back in her chair, rubbing her Jingming acupoint.

Chapter Forty-Four: Yao Xiaorui's Tremendous Change

Late at night, Zhou Han tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, the cell phone on the table flashed with golden light, and Elizabeth, with her golden data cicada wings fluttering, flew to Zhou Han's head.

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth looked down at Zhou Han. "You seem preoccupied..."

Zhou Han looked at Elizabeth with bloodshot eyes and said helplessly, "Can you please not suddenly come out in the middle of the night? You're shining like a light bulb..."

"You bumpkin!" Elizabeth said discontentedly. "I came with special effects on my entrance!"

"Oh! That's great! It's so dizzying, can we go back now?" Zhou Han pulled the blanket over her head.

"Hmm?" Elizabeth crossed her arms, floating in mid-air, looking at Zhou Han with a puzzled expression, and said, "Are you still afraid that one day you will really become enemies with Lin Nianwei?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Han shuddered in bed. He threw back the covers and said quietly, "I'm not scared, I'm just worried about what will happen if I win and she starts crying?"

"You're asking me whether it's better for me to go to Tsinghua University or Peking University?" Elizabeth shook her head.

"What do you mean?" Zhou Han asked with a dark face.

“You mean you’re overthinking it!” Elizabeth said, hands on her hips in mid-air. “Even a hundred of you combined couldn’t outwit Lin Nianwei.”

“I know all that you’re saying, but…” Zhou Han said somewhat unwillingly, “I feel like I’m too weak. Everyone in the club seems to be more talented than me, I…”

"Are you scared? Afraid that one day they'll stand against you? Especially Lin Nianwei. When she becomes your rival, your mediocrity will be magnified infinitely. For the sake of your pride, you don't want to be enemies with them." Elizabeth looked at Zhou Han and said calmly, "Right now, do you just want to quietly follow behind them, at least to make yourself look like someone who isn't mediocre?"

Elizabeth bit down hard, as if she were biting down particularly hard.

“I…I…” Zhou Han lowered her head. “That’s right…maybe this is the best way.”

“You wicked master, you are so naive…” Elizabeth said with some disappointment.

"I had no choice, because I know I don't have any special talents." Zhou Han closed her eyes.

Elizabeth sighed and said, “The master I know doesn’t think so much. He only looks forward and never hesitates or looks back. Maybe acting without thinking can cause a lot of trouble, but I think that’s his greatest strength because my master is never confused. He sees things more accurately and even further than others.”

"Don't try to comfort me with nice words..." Zhou Han said dejectedly.

“This isn’t just empty talk. Everyone in this world has their role, like tiny cogs keeping this intricate machine running. The absence of any one of them will have some impact on it. So, even if you, Master, are a rusty little cog, you still have your own purpose,” Elizabeth said eloquently. “Even a fool has the power to create miracles.”

Zhou Han looked up at Elizabeth, smiled, and said, "Who taught you that?"

"Inspirational quotes I found online..." Elizabeth stuck out her tongue.

"Just as I thought..." Zhou Han sighed.

"Even if I didn't say those words, it's pretty much what I meant." Elizabeth smiled, raised her little fist, and encouraged, "Master, don't have any worries, just close your eyes and boldly charge forward! Lin Nianwei! Miyazaki Airi! Take them all into your harem, train them however you want, oh ho ho~"

"What are you talking about?" Zhou Han's face darkened, she sighed, then grinned, "But thank you! I feel much better..."

For Zhou Han, it was probably just a matter of feeling a little better; he still held onto a sliver of hope that a confrontational situation wouldn't arise...

In the night, when everyone was asleep, the boy and the elf smiled at each other. For the first time, Zhou Han felt that this silver-haired girl might truly be a gift from heaven, because he was lonely... and could only confide in her.

Early in the morning, Zhou Han walked to school yawning. He still had dark circles under his eyes because he had gone to bed late the night before.

Good morning, Zhou Han.