Chapter 673: In A City, That Year 7

In A City, That Year 7

One week later, the school organized a routine physical examination.

In the height and weight measurement area, the line was somewhat loose.

When it was Mu Youyu's turn, the senior boy in charge of registration glanced at her casually and offhandedly reported a string of numbers: "Mu Youyu, 1.45 meters, forty kilograms."

A few classmates waiting in line couldn't hold back and let out several low chuckles.

Liu Wanwan was dumbfounded.

Mu Youyu stood on the scale, glanced sideways at the senior, and said, "Do I look like 145?"

The senior affirmed, "Where do you look like that? You just do."

"Retest." Liu Wanwan rolled her eyes.

The few who had been snickering fell silent instantly.

The senior hesitated a moment, but out of respect for Liu Wanwan's dignity, he still readjusted the instrument's scale.

This time the reading finally came out normal; Mu Youyu stepped off the scale and walked toward the vision-testing area nearby.

The senior girl in charge of vision testing had just finished checking a classmate; seeing her approach, she gave a warm nod and said, "Classmate, come over here."

Mu Youyu approached, glanced back at that senior just now, and said, "Classmate, the school's vision tester seems unable to detect any problem with you, but don't worry—I happen to know an eye specialist."

The senior froze, "What do you mean?"

Liu Wanwan beside him picked up the thread, half-smiling, "Meaning, do you have some eye trouble? Need me to hook you up with a specialist?"

The senior's face darkened; he was about to flare up when another senior girl helping out quickly grabbed him, "Exactly, exactly, his eyes are definitely problematic—he's nearsighted, otherwise he wouldn't be wearing glasses."

Liu Wanwan let out a soft snort, leaving only a meaningful "Heh."

"..."

That afternoon after school, as Mu Youyu walked near the school gate, she unfortunately got blocked.

This alley was deserted at the moment, very secluded; ahead were about ten people of similar age.

There were both males and females; they didn't look like school students, and they carried some clubs and brass knuckles, appearing to have been prepared in advance.

The leader was the senior who had been rebuked earlier that day, with many people gathered around him, seemingly his backup.

The senior stood with arms crossed, arrogant, "Yo, why are you alone today?"

Mu Youyu stopped in her tracks, not rushing to speak, silently assessing her chances of breaking out of the encirclement.

She hadn't studied judo long; handling one or two might be okay, but against ten, unless she could scale walls and rooftops.

After a brief moment of thought, she deliberately softened her tone: "What do you want? I have something today; can we reschedule?"

The senior thought she was scared and laughed even more arrogantly, "Now you know fear? Too late! If I don't give you a lesson today, do you not know who calls the shots in Sheng Luo?"

"Of course it's you who decides!" Mu Youyu went along with his words, feigning weakness to buy time for the driver to arrive, "Sorry, I shouldn't have hurt your self-esteem this morning… How about I treat everyone to a meal to make amends?"

The senior's hostility was eased by those soft words, his expression relaxed a bit, yet he remained on guard, "What kind of meal at this time? Don't try any tricks."

Mu Youyu raised her hand, "Classmates, with so many of you watching, even if I wanted to, I couldn't pull any tricks."

The ten exchanged glances, discussed a bit, then hid their weapons in their backpacks and agreed to the treat.

Mu Youyu breathed a sigh of relief, had just taken a step forward as the leader, when she suddenly caught sight of another figure at the alley entrance.

That person was tall and slender, about 1.8 meters, wearing a dark hoodie with the cap pulled low, sporting over‑ear headphones, only half of the jaw visible, walking toward them at an unhurried pace.

The senior noticed him first, turned warily, "Who are you? This is none of your business—get lost."

The newcomer's steps did not stop.

Mu Youyu recognized him instantly and ran over, "Brother!"

Hearing that, the senior frowned tighter, voice unpleasant, "Oh, you really dare to play tricks? You're the backup she called? Just you alone?"

Song Lujing ignored him, his gaze falling on his sister, confirming she was unharmed, then he slowly turned his head, voice impatient, "You're bullying my sister?"

"We……" The senior was cowed by his aura and couldn't find a reply for a moment.

Song Lujing gave no further warning, stepped forward, grabbed the wrist of the nearest guy, and twisted it backward.

That fellow was lost in thought, didn't react in time, let out a miserable cry, and the stick in his hand ended up in Song Lujing's grip.

In under two minutes, four people were already down on the ground.

The remaining few were torn between advancing or fleeing, unsure what to do.

The senior finally reacted, gritted his teeth, and threw a punch forward.

Song Lujing sidestepped, drove an elbow back into the senior's shoulder blade, sending him lunging forward into the wall beside them.

He withdrew his hand, lifted the last person, and flung him into the corner of the wall.

Those few lay on the ground, each curled up, begging for mercy here.

One person had taken down ten, the whole affair lasting only a few minutes.

Song Lujing didn't even glance at them, turned and walked toward his sister, who was obediently covering her eyes.

Seeing his sister hadn't watched, he let out a breath and soothed, "Sweetie, weren't you scared?"

Mu Youyu shook her head, "No."

"All right then." Song Lujing pulled a wet wipe from his pocket, cleaned his hands, resumed his carefree air, and asked, "Who are these people?"

"I don't know them," Mu Youyu said, linking arms with him, seizing the chance to tattle, "They targeted me because they thought I was easy to bully and called reinforcements to block me! Brother Lujing, if you hadn't come, I would have been bullied by them!"

Song Lujing's eyes darkened, "Where do they get the nerve?"

He glanced over the bodies scattered on the ground, put an arm around his sister's shoulders, "Tomorrow I'll have someone look into it, see whose family they're from, and settle accounts with them one by one."

Mu Youyu's eyes shone with admiration, "Great! Brother Lujing is the best! But how did you end up here, brother?"

Song Lujing was weak for his sister's little expression, "I came here for the competition, and to keep you company for a few days."

"Then let's go, let's head back first."

The two walked out of the alley mouth, and Mu Youyu caught in her peripheral vision the young woman in a black coat who had been there before, hands in pockets, staring straight at them with a complex expression.

A woman gazed at the people strewn across the alley, then looked at the two who had walked out, muttering, "Truly worthy of being Sheng Luo's students… each one better at fighting than the last."

The next day, someone reported that the data on the physical examination form had discrepancies, and it was rechecked.

The person in charge of registration was still that senior upperclassman. He was wary and stiff in his movements, not daring to mention yesterday's incident.

But when Mu Youyu stepped forward, he hastily stood up to block her, saying, "Mu Youyu, height 1.8 meters, weight 44.4 kilograms."

The student in charge of verification widened his eyes and asked tentatively, "Is this data accurate?"

Before Mu Youyu could answer, a short-haired girl beside her blurted, "Accurate, accurate! Mu Sis is 1.8 meters!"

Liu Wanwan:?

Had she missed something…?

"……" Mu Youyu wasn't surprised—she hadn't been the first time someone called her Mu Sis.

She lightly tapped the girl's shoulder, "You reported it too high."

The girl hehe‑laughed, her enthusiasm undiminished, "How about a compromise? One‑nine‑five is just right!"

"Don't talk nonsense."

Liu Wanwan: This isn't messing around?

After the physical exam ended, fewer people took the initiative to greet her, and on campus some called her "Mu Sis"; accompanied by those rumors spreading tenfold, a hundredfold, they became increasingly outrageous.

Mu Youyu first heard the outrageous rumor when a classmate deliberately came over to confirm it.

The classmate cautiously edged up to her desk, lowered his voice, barely concealing his excitement: "Mu Sis, I heard you single‑handedly took down a hundred people the other day?"

Mu Youyu: "……A hundred?"

Does she look like someone who could take on a hundred opponents single‑handedly?

The classmate nodded vigorously, "Yeah, the whole school's buzzing! They say you alone knocked down fifty‑odd boys and fifty‑odd girls! Is it true? So cool!"

Mu Youyu opened her mouth to correct them, but someone behind her added, "Not just a hundred? I heard it's one hundred and eight."

Liu Wanwan, eyes gleeful at the drama, exclaimed, "What one‑hundred‑and‑eight? It's clearly six hundred sixty‑six, sweeping the whole place!"

Mu Youyu: "……"

"Wow, Mu Sis is really amazing!"

"I admire you so much—you've got great grades, many talents, and high combat power!"

"All‑rounder Mu Sis!"

Liu Wanwan chimed in, "That's right—our Mu Sis is super awesome."

Mu Youyu gave up explaining; these people are just bored… let them gossip if they want.

The class bell rang, and everyone returned to their seats.

The homeroom teacher led a girl into the classroom, "Class, today we have a new student joining us—please welcome her."

The girl beside the podium was slender, her black hair tied in a low ponytail, revealing a clean, lovely profile.

She lowered her gaze slightly, giving the impression of an introverted, shy personality.

Mu Youyu was still doing practice problems, not paying much attention.

Liu Wanwan raised her eyebrows in surprise, then led the applause vigorously, after which the classmates followed.

The new student lifted her eyes, spoke clearly with a soft ending: "Hello everyone, I'm Yu Yu— the 'Yu' from 'in silence' and the 'Yu' of 'fish.' I studied elsewhere before, just transferred to Sheng Luo, and I hope to get along well with you all."

A few voices responded below.

"Good."

"Very good, welcome welcome."

The homeroom teacher took the empty seat behind Mu Youyu and said, "You can sit there."

"Thank you, teacher." Yu Yu whispered her thanks, lifted her bag, and walked over slowly.

However, Liu Wanwan's expression clearly showed she knew her, and the classmates could no longer hold back.

"The 'Yu' from 'in silence'? This surname, and you know Wanwan‑sis… aren't you from the Yu family that's in culture and real estate?"

"Seems so—early on they were scholars, later went into business, and have been rooted in A City for several generations."

"But they've always kept a low profile; everyone in the circle knows they exist, but no one can say exactly what's up with them."

"……"

After class, Liu Wanwan turned sideways, "Yah, who's this? Isn't it our dear little fish treasure? Long time no see—I thought you didn't want to come back to A City."

Yu Yu gave a gentle smile, "Wanwan, no way—I'm back, aren't I?"

"I know, I know." Liu Wanwan raised her brows, "Let me introduce you—this is Mu Youyu, my friend; we usually call her Mu Sis."

Mu Youyu: "……Hello."

Yu Yu didn't know how to address her; hearing that title felt a bit odd, but she went along with it: "Mu Sis?"

In all of A City, there aren't many who can make the arrogant Liu Wanwan voluntarily call them "sis."

As that "sis" fell, Mu Youyu's protective instinct surged, "Hey, you're so obedient? From now on, follow me—I've got you covered."

Yu Yu nodded, "Okay."

After school, Feng Cen heard Yu Yu had arrived, was overjoyed, and immediately pulled the three of them out to go spend money.

Along the way, Mu Youyu gradually learned more details about Yu Yu from Feng Cen's mouth:

The Yu family indeed has deep roots in A City—ancestors were scholars generation after generation, while the father's generation turned to business, accumulating considerable wealth and prestige; they are truly a prestigious clan.

At the same time, the Yu family is famous in the circle for being low‑key, hardly taking part in any public social events and rarely appearing in the media; many don't know that the Yu family has dealings with the four great clans.

Feng Cen said Yu Yu, she, and Liu Wanwan have grown up together since childhood.

Only Yu Yu's family is strict; they sent her away to study in middle school, and accompanied her there as well.

She could only return during vacations, and over time her ties with the A City circle faded.

Yu Yu herself is very low‑key, puts on no airs, usually speaks little, but once you get to know her you'll find she's actually quite thoughtful, and being around her is very comfortable.

The winter break arrived as scheduled.

This year's Little New Year, Mu Youyu was invited to go to the Se Clan to celebrate the holiday.

At first she thought it would be inconvenient, wanting to wait for Mu Xi to come back so they could eat together, but Feng Cen kept pulling her, and she reluctantly agreed.

Fortunately, Feng Cen's family had already heard him talk about her, and they received her with great enthusiasm; Mu Youyu found it somewhat overwhelming, but her heart was still warm.

That day, she still received New Year's money from her elders and brothers.

……

After staying a few days at the Se Clan's home, Mu Youyu returned to her own house, spending most of her time in the painting studio.

This painting studio was designed by her herself; she rarely lets outsiders in, and most of the time she stays alone inside, often for an entire afternoon.

At the beginning of February, Liu Wanwan, Feng Cen, and Yu Yu followed her shared location and came here to find her to play.

Mu Youyu was sitting in front of the easel mixing colors when she heard their voices and responded, then she returned her focus to the color-mixing work in her hands.

Yu Yu's eyes were bright the whole afternoon.

Liu Wanwan's gaze swept over the dazzling paintings on the wall and landed on the half-open easel in the corner, 'What are you painting here? Why have you hidden it away?'

She said, reaching out to touch a piece of cloth at the edge of the drawing board; the cloth was lightly lifted at one corner, revealing an unfinished painting.

Mu Youyu's motion stopped.

On the paper was a side profile of a youth, brown eyes, a tear-shaped mole at the corner of the eye; the lines had been sketched more than halfway, clear and three-dimensional, already possessing a hint of spirit.

From the exquisite composition and brushwork, it was clear the artist had taken this painting seriously, but having painted only halfway, it seemed to have been set aside.

Liu Wanwan stared intently to make out the facial features of the person in the painting, then paused for a moment, 'Who is this person? Why do they look somewhat familiar?'

Feng Cen narrowed his eyes, recalling, 'Have I seen this before?'

Yu Yu leaned in, took a look, and said, 'It's painted quite well; why not finish it?'

Mu Youyu didn't answer; she simply stood up, picked up that piece of cloth, and covered the easel again, 'Who knows? We'll talk about it when we have time.'