Chapter 24: Meeting

The next day, Huo Yutong stood alone at the academy gate, as if waiting for someone.

Looking closely, one would see her expression unusually shy, her small hands clasped behind her back, pacing back and forth incessantly, looking uneasy.

This morning, Xue Xue learned that she was going out to Shiluoke Cheng, and was greatly surprised, hurriedly asking what had happened.

Over the past week of knowing each other, Huo Yutong's routine had been just classroom, cafeteria, and dormitory, at most going to the academy gate to sell grilled fish; her sudden proposal to go out and play was truly something that left people bewildered.

When she learned that Huo Yutong was going out to play with a boy, Xue Xue's gaze instantly changed.

Specifically, her gossipy spirit was ignited.

She showed an unprecedented curious expression, constantly asking about Tang Wulin's details, even volunteering to help Huo Yutong with makeup.

Finally unable to withstand her enthusiasm, Huo Yutong had no choice but to flee the dormitory.

As a result, because she came out too early, there was still a long time before her appointed meeting with Tang Wulin.

And she had no mood to do anything else, so she kept waiting at the school gate for Tang Wulin.

"..."

Actually, Huo Yutong also knew why Xue Xue was so excited.

It was nothing more than thinking her roommate had found a partner and wanting to gossip.

Regarding this, Huo Yutong felt utterly helpless.

Although Xue Xue herself had never been in a relationship, she talked about love theory in great detail, as if she were a seasoned veteran of the dating scene.

What's more, the most important thing is that Huo Yutong and Tang Wulin are not that kind of relationship.

She agreed to go out with him partly because he had helped her a lot, making it inconvenient to refuse him, and partly because she felt guilty for hiding the matter of Tianmeng from him and wanted to make some amends—nothing more.

Hmm, that must be it.

Huo Yutong repeatedly told herself this in her heart.

At that moment, the voice of someone she had only known a short while ago, yet had unconsciously grown accustomed to recently, came from behind her.

"Eh, Yutong, you're already here?"

"Here."

Huo Yutong took a deep breath, suppressed her complicated thoughts, and turned to look.

Not far behind her, Tang Wulin and a blue‑pink‑haired boy were walking toward her.

Both were quite handsome and attractive; just walking together on the road drew countless gazes, and though it might be an illusion, Huo Yutong always felt they resembled each other in some ways, walking together like a pair of close brothers.

Tang Wulin quickly stepped up to her, embarrassedly scratching his head, his face showing guilt.

"Sorry, I thought arriving ten minutes early would be enough; have you been waiting long?"

"It's nothing; I just arrived too."

Huo Yutong said this without changing her expression, selectively forgetting the fact that she had been pacing back and forth at the academy gate for over an hour.

Next, she looked at the boy beside Tang Wulin, her face showing curiosity.

"Who is he?"

Although she had already seen from a distance that Tang Wulin was accompanied by a handsome boy, when they came into close contact she was still stunned by his appearance.

If Bei Bei is the refined, scheming type of handsome guy, and Xu San Shi is the outgoing, bold type, then Wang Dong is the embodiment of the term 'beautiful youth.' This guy is truly extremely 'beautiful,' and moreover possesses a beauty that transcends gender—his charm is unaffected by whether he is male or female.

Long eyelashes, fair and tender skin, and gem‑like beautiful pink‑blue eyes; if it were another girl of the same age here, merely being near him and making contact might already have quickened her heartbeat.

Unfortunately, because Huo Yutong has been staying with Tang Wulin these days, she has become almost immune to this androgynous beautiful youth; she basically just looks at him with an appreciative attitude.

Tang Wulin said: "His name is Wang Dong, my roommate; the inspiration for bringing you out to play this time came from him, so our itinerary this time will mainly be decided by him—is that okay?"

This time he half‑forced Huo Yutong to come out, aiming to let her relax over the weekend.

But he is a black‑household registrant who came from ten thousand years later; how would he know what's fun in this era?

And in this area, it is clearly Wang Dong, the young master, who is more adept; he therefore took advantage of last night's time to ask him for advice.

Tang Wulin originally thought Wang Dong would be angry upon learning he had to bring an extra person, but after Tang Wulin told him his situation, this guy's enthusiasm suddenly surged to unprecedented heights, his expression of 'I love a good spectacle, the more the better' impossible to hide; he slapped his chest, saying he'd take care of everything and guaranteed to give Huo Yutong an unforgettable memory.

Although Tang Wulin secretly felt he was not entirely reliable, he couldn't find a more suitable candidate for the time being, so he had no choice but to go along with him.

"I have no problem."

Huo Yutong had never before played in such a big city; these years she had basically lived the life of the lowest stratum of society, equally clueless about how to enjoy a festival, so having Wang Dong as the guide made her feel relaxed and happy.

She extended her hand toward Wang Dong and said:

"Hello, I'm Huo Yutong, I suppose I'm Tang Wulin's fellow sect senior sister and classmate; please give me your guidance."

"Mm, please give me your guidance."

Wang Dong also extended his hand, shaking hands with Huo Yutong.

Their small hands clasped, and Huo Yutong instantly felt something strange in her heart.

Wang Dong's hand was perhaps overly soft; could such a degree of softness really be explained by just calling him a 'little lady'? Or could it be due to his martial soul? Before she could answer, Wang Dong withdrew his hand and asked, "Yutong, the time is now approaching noon; have you eaten lunch yet?"

Huo Yutong lightly shook her head.

"No."

The current time is just past ten; Huo Yutong has been waiting here for over an hour, meaning she left the dormitory before nine.

Obviously, she had no time or opportunity to eat lunch.

"Then that's perfect."

Wang Dong revealed a happy smile.

He took out a small notebook and explained:

"This little notebook is the overview of events for this year's Shiluoke Cheng Opening Festival; all officially organized activities can be found in it, and even many privately organized ones are recorded here."

Combining his words with his recent question to Huo Yutong, Tang Wulin immediately understood.

"You mean there are lunch‑related activities listed on this?"

"Exactly."

Wang Dong showed an expression that indicated he was teachable, quickly flipped the activity manual to a certain page, and pointed to the content on it.

"This is our first goal."

(End of chapter)