Ma Sha looked at Shen Yue's calm eyes and the way she seemed to not care at all about the screams around her. Only then did she realize that she might have misjudged earlier.
Shen Yue was indeed childlike with strong malleability. But a child's malleability comes from them being a blank slate where any color can be painted. Shen Yue's malleability came from her being an empty shell.
Shen Yue appeared to not have even basic emotions of joy or anger, so no wonder she answered every question asked. At this point, the only thing Ma Sha could ascertain was that Shen Yue did not want to die.
After hearing Shen Yue's answer, she did not explain further the earlier question, only saying "That's good then."
Silence fell between Ma Sha and Shen Yue after those words. From when they met, it had always been Ma Sha one-sidedly providing information to Shen Yue. Shen Yue had not expressed her own views at all. So when Ma Sha stopped, there was no more communication between them.
There weren't many people left in the dining hall. And with Ma Sha not speaking, the sounds of dishes shattering on the floor became clearer.
The laughing and jeering of the inmates around them could not cover up the screams resulting from ceramic smashing into flesh before falling onto the marble floor.
Shen Yue sat there watching. She knew she should do nothing. No inmate here was good to get involved with, just as Ma Sha said, her perceived goodwill might bring greater calamity to the weak. But she was feeling uncomfortable now.
As Shen Yue watched that inmate, she felt her body stiffening subconsciously. She vaguely felt that she was no different from her past self who only knew to follow others and did not dare resist rumors and slander at all.
Shen Yue stood up.
Ma Sha glanced over, not stopping her like before. Instead, she lowered her head to play with her own hair.
When Shen Yue stood, the inmates who were jeering seemed to pause briefly before resuming as normal.
Shen Yue walked towards them.
Ma Sha's hand playing with her hair twitched. As Shen Yue passed her, she suddenly said, "That is Building 4's ritual. They call themselves elegant artists and give a death notice before every assassination. Having the notice disrupted will get you resented by Building 4's inmates."
Shen Yue heard Ma Sha but her footsteps did not falter as she headed straight for the chaos.
The inmates there gradually quieted down as Shen Yue approached.
It appeared they all knew who Shen Yue was.
Shen Yue walked up to the man still kneeling there smashing plates nonstop. She kicked away the pile before looking to a nondescript person hidden among the crowd, speaking flatly, "You're disturbing my meal."
In response to this, none of the inmates replied. But the place instantly turned dead silent.
Ma Sha sat unmoving in her original spot. But if someone stood before her, they would see the corners of her lips turned up.
With a gesture from her, three knights seated nearby headed over to Shen Yue's side.
They did not do anything, only silently standing behind Shen Yue. But that was enough already. Their attitude represented Ma Sha's attitude.
Ma Sha's reputation resounded loudly across Flightless Bird. Generally, no one would oppose Ma Sha unless they had a death wish.
Unfortunately, there was one such lunatic present.
The nondescript face that Shen Yue had called out walked out arrogantly from the crowd, no caution or wariness towards Shen Yue like the other inmates. Instead, great arrogance.
"You're the new top-floor inmate from Building 1? Pretty smart, how did you know it was me?"
Shen Yue had not planned to answer but after seeing the dying man struck by plates, she changed her mind.
"How stupid. You were the only Building 4 inmate here." Not only were Shen Yue's words disdainful, even her eyes looked at him like an idiot.
For the inmates, this should have been laughable. Yet strangely, no one laughed. They became fearful instead.
The Building 4 inmate's face suddenly revealed a delighted smile upon hearing Shen Yue's words. "I see, so you read Building 4's rules."
Only then did Shen Yue look at this inmate again.
As expected, such cunning serial killer masterminds could not be underestimated even in prison. He managed to deduce that she read Building 4's rules based only on her entirely unrelated earlier words. This went beyond smart already.
It was lunacy.
The nondescript face began looking at Shen Yue in a very dangerous way. But Shen Yue, under the colorful, dazzling eyes of the crowd and pie charts, pressed her earpiece and switched to call mode.
After two rings, the other side picked up.
"Hello, how may I help you?"
"No. 14, I'm at Dining Hall 1. Come over immediately. I need to set personal rules."
"Alright, I'll be there in two minutes."
Shen Yue tapped her earpiece again. With a beep, it switched back to translation-only mode.
Shen Yue had spoken in front everyone just now. Upon hearing the guard was coming, many non-Building 1 inmates began leaving one by one. Only the Building 4 inmate's men remained, staring dangerously at Shen Yue.
Behind Shen Yue, the three Building 2 inmates maintained combat ready stances.
After 2 minutes 12 seconds, Guard No. 14 arrived.
He did not look at the other inmates, only walking over respectfully to Shen Yue and taking out his tablet. "What personal rules would you like to add?"
Shen Yue openly eyed the nondescript face. "1. I don't want Building 4 inmates appearing within my sight.
2. None of my belongings are to be touched by Building 4 inmates.
3. I can't stand the sight of bloodshed, violence or bullying. Don't let me see such things happening. Anywhere else is fine."
No. 14 diligently noted them down before uploading Shen Yue's rules and putting away his pen.
"Your personal rules have been updated and circulated to all inmates. I will clear the scene for you now."
Shen Yue gave an affirming hum then left without looking back, even as gunshots and screams sounded behind her.
Ma Sha still sat in her original spot, now with meal served. She elegantly sipped her milk tea. Seeing Shen Yue's return, her earlier aloofness vanished as she smiled at Shen Yue again. "You're pretty capable huh."
"They were too noisy."
"Yes, yes, of course. Try these dishes and see if you like any."
Shen Yue randomly ate a spoonful, her expression instantly pained.
Too spicy.
Ma Sha guffawed loudly. "Why'd you start with the unsuitable one? Here, have a drink."
Ma Sha passed her milk tea to Shen Yue who accepted without hesitation, downing a mouthful directly.
When her mouth felt better, she noticed Ma Sha staring transfixed at her and asked, "What is it?"
Ma Sha instantly resumed her normal expression, smiling, "It's nothing... I just suddenly felt that, I really like you."
Shen Yue drank some more milk tea. "Hmm this is pretty good."
"You like milk tea? I make better than this. I can brew you some when we're back in Building 1."
