Chapter 96: Even If Godzilla Comes, I Can Still Knock Him Back

Most people, Xu Qingzhou hadn’t seen since high school graduation; in just a few months, they’d changed a lot, especially the girls—some made him wonder if they were even the same person.

Zhang Yuquan had originally wanted Xu Qingzhou and the others to join his table, but when Xu Qingzhou saw Zhang Yuxin there, he didn’t go—he sat down at another table instead.

Seeing Xu Qingzhou enter, Zhang Yuxin’s eyes brightened slightly, then dimmed again when she saw him sit elsewhere with Song Yao and a few others; she bit her lip.

This look broke Zhang Yuquan’s heart, but after three months, he’d grown a lot: love and romance were all just clouds—building a career mattered most! Of course, growth came at a price.

One day that summer, unable to bear the loneliness, he sent Zhang Yuxin another “good morning”—until he saw her reply: “Let’s stop contacting each other. I’m afraid Xu Qingzhou will misunderstand.” Only then did he finally wake up.

At school, everyone around was a grind monster; one slip and you’d be crushed to dust—how could you possibly have energy for romance?

“Yuxin,” Wang Xiaoxiao held Zhang Yuxin’s hand and whispered comfort to her friend.

Everyone around froze for a moment, staring at Xu Qingzhou in shock—they’d thought it was just teasing, but now they realized you two were serious!

Read!

In the office building.

“Yeah, something came up—I need to leave early.” Xu Qingzhou nodded. In the past, leaving would’ve required an excuse—something like parents calling him home.

“Alright, goodbye. Let’s get together again next time.” Zhang Yuquan nodded, disappointed—he still had several glorious stories left to tell, and these two were already leaving.

“You two really aren’t together?” Others also looked surprised, turning to Song Yao.

Zhang Yuxin shook her head, her face pale. “I’m fine.”

Seeing everyone staring at him, Xu Qingzhou smiled. “See? Even you don’t believe it. The rumors about me and Song Yao? Just high school gossip.”

“You two are leaving?” A classmate nearby overheard Xu Qingzhou’s conversation.

“Maybe… I didn’t hear clearly,” Wan Xi said, a little embarrassed. In the months since they’d last met, she’d changed a lot—cut her hair short, looked very sweet.

Xu Qingzhou smiled and turned to Guo Ziye. “Alright, Ding Jiahui’s in your hands—make sure you get her home safely.”

Even Song Yao’s face showed surprise.

His gaze fixed on the paper on the computer screen, filled with awe.

Song Yao nodded, sat down clutching her stomach, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, looking weak.

Seeing Song Yao’s pale face, Xu Qingzhou asked: “Want to leave?”

Rumors work this way: the more you explain, the more excited others get, the more they think you’re hiding something. Some things, when left silent, spread furiously; when spoken out loud, people lose interest.

The two parted ways with the group at the intersection and headed toward Song Yao’s residential complex.

Compared to her usual cool demeanor, Song Yao now carried a fragile, pitiable aura—seeing her made one feel sorry for her.

“Mr. Freya Kay, you’re fortunate—Mr. Steven has agreed to serve another year as external reviewer.”

“A Classical Description of Einstein Coefficients in Quantum Optics”

As Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao sat down, a classmate asked with curiosity.

After dinner came karaoke.

Everyone was mostly here—actually, not many attended the gathering; fewer than half showed up, only twenty-three people.

“I’ll go buy you some medicine.” Xu Qingzhou started to rise, but Song Yao grabbed his arm.

Freya Kay poured himself a cup of iced Americano and sipped his coffee slowly. “Terrible weather.” Ding~ A notification chimed on his computer.

“Same here,” Guo Ziye quickly said. Song Yao quietly sipped her tea, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xu Qingzhou, waiting to see how he’d answer—after all, it was he who started the marriage rumor.

After his reflection, he clicked “submit to editor” and uploaded his review to the editorial office.

“Alright.” Song Yao nodded. She’d thought it wouldn’t be so bad, but now she felt awful—she just wanted to go home and rest.

Review approved.

“No, you guys go ahead,” Xu Qingzhou shook his head.

Zhang Yuquan walked over and urged: “Leaving so early? Come with us—finish the karaoke first.”

After walking a while, seeing Song Yao looked exhausted, Xu Qingzhou pointed to a bench up ahead. “Let’s sit down for a bit.”

Night fell, stars glittered, the bright moonlight spilled down, blending with the city’s orange glow. The streets bustled with people, lively and noisy.

Review comment: Written perfectly. I swear by God, Xia Country will surely produce a remarkable figure soon! Freya Kay immediately dialed the phone.

Twenty minutes passed.

Seeing Xu Qingzhou still cared for her, Song Yao felt warmth in her heart. She turned—and saw Zhang Yuxin glaring at her with hatred. Song Yao raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze without fear.

Song Yao was always aloof in front of others, especially today, when she wasn’t feeling well. She nodded. “No, we’re just friends now.”

“Ms. Sidibe.”

!.

Only when older did he realize he didn’t need so many excuses anymore.

Xu Qingzhou drank some water, nodded, and admitted: “Yes, everyone, get your red envelopes ready.”

“Qingzhou, you two aren’t really getting married right after college, are you?”

While everyone dined, across the ocean, it was still morning—a white-haired professor stepped out of his lab.

Sure enough, soon after, everyone’s attention shifted—they began talking about recent experiences, and the usual trio: complaining about professors, complaining about roommates, campus gossip.

Written perfectly. Hard to believe—according to Freya Kay’s information, this author is only a first-year student. Xia Country truly is a miraculous land.

The group left the hotpot restaurant and, led by Zhang Yuquan, headed en masse toward the karaoke bar.

“No need, just sitting for a bit is fine.”

Ding Jiahui glanced between Xu Qingzhou and Song Yao, then smiled. “You two go ahead—I’ll stay and play a bit longer.”

In class, six people had returned for remedial studies and naturally didn’t join such festivities. The rest either weren’t in Rongcheng or attended mediocre schools and didn’t bother coming to gatherings—they’d only get annoyed seeing others.

Xu Qingzhou asked the server to bring a pot of hot water and poured some for Song Yao. These days, it seemed she was on her period.

He turned to the girl across from him. “As for marriage—that’s for Wan Xi to answer.”

“What about you?” Xu Qingzhou asked Guo Ziye and Ding Jiahui. Guo Ziye naturally waited for Ding Jiahui’s opinion.

Xu Qingzhou sat beside her and teased: “You look so delicate—rare sight. Hmm… prettier than before.”

“I’m like this, and you’re still mad at me!” Song Yao’s eyes turned red, glaring at Xu Qingzhou, her hand already pinching his waist.

“Ow! Ow! Ow! You’re unwell, how are you still so strong?!”

“Hmph! Don’t even say you—I could still beat back Godzilla if he invaded Earth right now!”

(End of Chapter)