Reality Programming Association

Chapter 151 -63: Adventure in the Rain 3

“You mean…” Shi Zuozhou’s voice was a little dry. “They’re going to do the same thing to Professor Ning… that they did to Professor Gao?”

Yu Xian’s heart clenched.

‘He’s right. If the mastermind behind all this really wants to bury the story for good, then Professor Ning’s current situation is even more dangerous than Professor Gao’s was.’

He was in a very delicate position: taken away for questioning, but likely not yet in the formal legal system.

“The exposé on the forum made some strong claims, but it was really just chat log screenshots and blurry photos. There was no hard evidence,” Yu Xian analyzed.

“Procedurally, campus security doesn’t have the authority to detain him for long based on just an online report. And the police can only hold him for twenty-four hours for questioning before formally opening a case.”

“So you’re saying he’s probably not in a detention center yet, but is…” Shi Zuozhou caught on.

“…cooperating with the investigation somewhere? Or maybe under residential surveillance?”

Wen Xiao’s face had gone pale, likely frightened by their speculation.

“In a non-public environment with lax supervision like that, what if news suddenly breaks that Professor Ning ‘committed suicide out of guilt,’ unable to bear the public pressure and shame…”

“Then everyone would just think Professor Ning got what he deserved.”

A chill ran down Yu Xian’s spine. It was a perfect closed loop.

The public would see it as a disgraced professor getting his just deserts. The university would see it as a troublesome stain on its reputation cleaning itself up. But…

The secret would die with him forever.

Just like what happened with Professor Gao’s death.

“No.” Yu Xian shot to his feet.

“We can’t wait any longer. We have to find him tonight.”

“Tonight?” Shi Zuozhou glanced at the darkening sky.

“Right now?”

“Yes.” Yu Xian was already packing his things as he spoke.

“If Wen Xiao is right, then Professor Ning doesn’t have much time. Once that ‘accident’ happens, the trail will go completely cold.”

“But where are you going to look for him? Do you even know where he is?” Shao Yiyi asked anxiously.

“Let’s split up,” Yu Xian said, assigning tasks.

“Old Shi, you know a lot of people. Ask around and see if any upperclassmen are close with Professor Ning’s research group. Find out if anyone knows where he was taken, or if they have his personal contact info. I’ll call my advisor.”

“Got it!” Without a second word, Shi Zuozhou pulled out his phone and started scrolling through his contacts.

Yu Xian also grabbed his phone and quickly looked up his advisor’s number.

It was a risky move.

Asking about the whereabouts of a “problem professor” at such a sensitive time could easily arouse suspicion.

But he had no better ideas. He dialed his advisor’s number.

“Hello? Yu Xian? What is it?” His advisor’s voice sounded weary.

“Sorry to bother you, sir,” Yu Xian said, making his voice sound like that of a model student.

“Here’s the thing. I have a draft of a paper that I’d made a lot of notes on, and I asked Professor Ning to help me revise it. It’s still with him. I was wondering… is there any way for me to contact him to get it back? The paper is really important.”

It was a half-truth. He had written a paper, and Professor Ning had advised him on it, but that was a long time ago.

“A paper?” The advisor’s voice paused, clearly not expecting this.

“Look, you know what’s going on right now. With Professor Ning… the situation is complicated.”

“I know, I’ve seen the rumors online,” Yu Xian said, his voice urgent.

“But I’m really in a bind here, sir. Do you know where Professor Ning is? Is he at the police station, or on campus?”

“He’s not at the police station,” the advisor sighed, his voice full of resignation.

“He’s a senior professor, after all, and he’s not in the best of health. To minimize the fallout, the university has arranged for him to ‘rest’ at the faculty apartments and cooperate with the investigation team.”

He paused before adding a word of advice.

“But you should probably worry about the paper later. He’s not free to see anyone. For now, just try to rewrite your notes.”

Yu Xian gave a hasty agreement and hung up.

He put down his phone and looked at Shi Zuozhou.

“The faculty apartments.”

“I found out, too. An upperclassman from Professor Ning’s research group said he helped the professor’s wife deliver some blood pressure medication this morning. It was to Faculty Apartments, Room A102. But he said security at the entrance is super tight; they aren’t letting any outsiders in or out.”

Faculty Apartments, Building A.

It was premium housing reserved for senior professors and newly recruited talent, located in the northeast corner of campus. It was backed by the university’s artificial lake and bordered by a large grove of ginkgo trees, making for a very peaceful and secluded environment.

On a night like this, with the rain pouring down, it was the perfect place to stage an “accident.”

“Let’s go?” Shi Zuozhou glanced at Yu Xian.

“Let’s go.” Yu Xian glanced back at Shi Zuozhou.

The two of them put their raincoats back on, ready to leave immediately.

“Hey… wait for me to change. I’ll go with you. I have to head out for my evening class anyway.”

As Wen Xiao spoke, she frantically stuffed her laptop into her backpack and yanked the power cord from the wall, moving so hastily that she nearly tripped over herself.

“Why are you coming?” Yu Xian stopped and frowned at her.

“We don’t know what we’re walking into. There are bound to be faculty members on watch, and it’s pouring out there…”

“I want to go.” Wen Xiao clutched her backpack tightly. Though her head was lowered, her voice was firm and resolute.

“Besides, at a sensitive time like this, two guys showing up there late at night will be too conspicuous. You’ll look like you’re up to no good.”