Chapter 351 - 242: Mom’s Friend
School let out.
Liu Yuhang looked at Su Zhi. "Um, Brother Shu..."
"I’ve got something to do, gotta go!" Su Zhi bolted.
"..." Liu Yuhang trailed off, then looked toward Shao Ya. "Class President—"
"I have something to do too! Bye-bye~!"
Liu Yuhang was speechless.
’Like hell I believe you guys!!!’
It wasn’t just those two. The other students in the class, as if they were all in on some secret, quickly packed their things and left the moment the bell rang.
In less than a minute, only he and a certain new student were left in the classroom.
Liu Yuhang’s face darkened. He didn’t know whether he should leave or stay.
Katie packed her schoolbag, raising an eyebrow. "If you’re done packing, then leave. What are you standing around for like a dope?"
Liu Yuhang had an expression like he desperately needed to pee, fidgeting with his fingers in his seat.
He actually wanted to leave, but a recently awakened part of his subconscious was telling him: ’You can’t go right now, or something terrible will happen.’
But, well, he had no idea what the reason for not leaving was...
Xue Li looked at her master, then at her master’s deskmate, with an expression that said she was thoroughly enjoying the drama.
Just then, Zhou Shengfa’s head popped in at the classroom door. "How are you getting along with the new student?"
"It’s too soon to say, we’re not... an item or anything..."
Liu Yuhang answered subconsciously, then froze. His face turned beet red as he hurriedly explained, "Teacher, that’s not what I meant!"
Zhou Shengfa immediately nodded. "It’s fine. I know what you mean."
Liu Yuhang was speechless.
Zhou Shengfa then looked at the girl at the next desk. "Katie, how was your first day? Is there anything you’re having trouble adjusting to?"
Katie smiled demurely. "Not at all. Everyone has been very good to me, and the class atmosphere is great, just like my old class!"
Zhou Shengfa: "That’s good. By the way, Liu Yuhang, you and Katie go the same way home, right?"
Liu Yuhang: "I..."
Zhou Shengfa: "It’s not very safe for a girl to walk home alone. If you’re going the same way, you should walk together. Anyway, I have to get going. See ya!"
"Goodbye, Teacher!" Katie waved.
"..." Liu Yuhang wanted to say something but held his tongue.
’A Tier Three Beast Tamer who has contracted an Iron Birch Mantis and a Turbulent Duck... isn’t safe walking home alone??’
"So, shall we walk together?" Katie picked up her schoolbag.
Liu Yuhang paused for a moment, nodded, and followed her.
’And here I was, worrying about what excuse to use. I can’t believe Old Ban just handed me one, saving me from disaster... Teacher Zhou! You’re the GOAT!’
Katie walked slightly ahead and to his left. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Liu Yuhang’s look of relief, and the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
·
The sun sank lower, bit by bit.
The two of them walked toward the setting sun. The sunset, baked to a golden-yellow, was especially enchanting.
The girl had her schoolbag slung over one shoulder and one hand in her pocket. She blew a bubble with her gum, her gaze casually sweeping over the buildings, the sunset, and the evening breeze.
The boy wore his backpack squarely on his back, both hands gripping the straps. He pursed his lips nervously, his eyes reflecting nothing but the sight of her back.
’I feel like I should say something, otherwise the silence will be awkward...’ Liu Yuhang thought, trying to make small talk. "Um, why did you transfer back to Huai City?"
"I already said this morning. My aunt’s job transferred her back to Huai City, so I came back here for school too."
Katie said languidly, her small ponytail flicking with the movement. She suddenly turned around, wrinkling her nose. "What? You’re not happy to have me here?"
Liu Yuhang quickly shook his head. "No!"
The girl huffed lightly before slowly turning back around.
’I wish I could just find a block of tofu to smash my head against and die. I’m completely useless at talking to girls. It would’ve been better not to say anything. I feel like I just made it even more awkward...’
The boy hung his head, a little dejected.
The girl, making sure he couldn’t see her, broke into a small, suppressed smile.
"By the way, is Su Zhi planning to go to Hundred Rivers soon?" Katie suddenly asked.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Realizing she had started the conversation, Liu Yuhang quickly jumped in. "Brother Shu is leaving on Saturday, but he probably won’t be gone for long. The Earth Element and Gold Element Energy over there is pretty dense. He said he plans to use it to help Yu Bao comprehend the Gold Element Rules and find a chance to evolve."
"But the Yu Dian Dog is an Earth and Fire Dual Element type. How does that connect to the Gold Element?" the girl asked, puzzled.
"Then again, if it’s God Su, I guess it’s normal."
"Mhm, mhm..."
’I could just punch myself. All I can say is ’mhm’ when I’m nervous. This is how you kill a conversation...’
Xue Li was getting anxious watching him. It circled him, its feet pattering—TAP TAP TAP—frantically trying to signal him to stop saying ’mhm.’
Katie suddenly stopped and started laughing, bending over with laughter.
Liu Yuhang was baffled by her laughter and looked at Xue Li, not knowing what to do.
Xue Li looked back at him, a small question mark appearing over its head.
’I don’t know what’s going on either.’
He then saw Katie take two steps toward an apartment building ahead, covering her mouth as she spoke. "Hey, I’m already at my building. Why are you still following me? Don’t tell me you want to come back to my place?"
"I..." Liu Yuhang’s eyes widened.
For once, he hadn’t been led astray by Su Zhi. Today, he’d been led astray by Katie.
"Wait for me a sec!" Katie jogged into a shop inside the residential complex. A moment later, she jogged back out, holding two ice creams.
"Here, this is for you. Thanks for walking me home!"
Katie stuffed an ice cream into his hand and tilted her head. "I haven’t been to the Battle Hall in Huai City yet. Could you take me there this weekend?"
"Ah, yeah, sure."
"Then it’s a date! Bye-bye, see you tomorrow!" The girl waved and jogged up the stairs.
"See you..." Liu Yuhang watched her back disappear into the stairwell, then took a bite of his ice cream.
’Surprisingly good... Surprisingly sweet.’
"Quack?"
"Ah, it’s nothing. It’s just a normal ice cream." Liu Yuhang glanced back at the apartment building one more time before heading home into the setting sun.
Though he’d worn a troubled expression the whole way, he was now smiling uncontrollably.
Today’s sunset was especially beautiful.
·
[Gou of Gou Mao]: What? An outline, you say? I never have an outline.