Chapter 23: Change

Just as the group was walking toward the cafeteria, Yingzhou saw a few familiar figures up ahead who seemed to be in a conflict.

Helao Da was holding Tan Xiaotong's hand, his face beaming with a happy smile as he said gently, "Xiaotong, I really didn't expect to run into you here! How have you been lately? We aren't in the same class, so we haven't seen each other in a long time."

Tan Xiaotong clearly had not expected to encounter Helao Da here; the expression on her face stiffened for a moment, but she still managed to force a smile and replied softly, "Yes, it really has been a long time. I'm doing quite well. Um... could you please let go of my hand first?"

However, Helao Da acted as if he hadn't heard Tan Xiaotong's words, his eyes fixed tightly on her with a wicked smirk hanging on his lips. When he saw Tan Xiaotong smile at him, a surge of excitement went through his heart, and his hand movements became even more improper.

"Xiaotong, are you free tonight? I have something very important I want to tell you; I've put quite a lot of heart and effort into this, you know." As Helao Da spoke, he slowly slid his hand toward Tan Xiaotong's slender waist.

Feeling the strange sensation at her waist, Tan Xiaotong's body shuddered violently, and she immediately pushed Helao Da away with force. Because of the excessive force, Helao Da was pushed directly onto the ground.

"Calm down! Helao Da!" The expression on Tan Xiaotong's face turned very ugly as she said to Helao Da in a low voice. "I know we haven't seen each other in a long time, but you can't treat me like this, can you? I have always respected you, and you doing this really makes me very disappointed."

Helao Da climbed up from the ground and stared blankly at Tan Xiaotong, clearly not expecting her to react so strongly. He touched his cheek, trying to hide his embarrassment and disappointment.

"Xiaotong, I... I was just too happy to see you, that's why I acted on impulse," Helao Da explained stammeringly.

"I don't need that kind of happiness from you," Tan Xiaotong said coldly. "Doing this only makes me feel more embarrassed; it would be better if we saw less of each other in the future."

Helao Da lowered his head, remained in Silence for a moment, and then slowly raised his head, a determined light flickering in his eyes. "I know I was wrong, Xiaotong. But I truly like you, and I don't want to give up. I will work hard to become better and make you reconsider me."

"Helao Da, I appreciate your feelings, but I don't like you. I only think of you as a friend. I hope we can both look forward and stop this entanglement." After saying this, Tan Xiaotong turned and left the scene.

Helao Da watched Tan Xiaotong's back as she walked further and further away, his heart filled with pain and reluctance. As Tan Xiaotong left, he stood up, his eyes full of desire.

Seeing that the farce in the distance had ended, the three of them—Yingzhou and the others—could not help but sigh.

"Tsk tsk, I never thought Helao Da could turn into what he is now," Bai Tao said, enjoying the drama with great interest.

"Alright, let's go. I'm not as gossipy as you; what's there to look at?" Yingzhou said with a serious face, retracting the Spiritual Power he had been using to eavesdrop.

"Hey, I remember that Tan Xiaotong was in the same school as you guys, right? Is there some story there?" Su Miao asked curiously after witnessing the scene.

"If you're talking about that, I really have the most say. Back at the Lingnengzhe Xuexiao in Xizhou District, there really were a lot of stories. Back then, Yingzhou..." Before Bai Tao could finish his sentence, Yingzhou dragged him away.

"Alright, let's hurry to the cafeteria. Didn't you say you were hungry a long time ago?" Yingzhou said helplessly, dragging Bai Tao by the arm.

Seeing this, Su Miao couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. Knowing that Yingzhou didn't want to bring up the past, she stopped asking. The three walked toward the cafeteria, and the atmosphere gradually returned to a relaxed state.

"By the way, Yingzhou, how has your training been lately? I heard you've made significant progress." Su Miao changed the subject and asked with concern.

Yingzhou smiled and said modestly, "It's alright, it's all thanks to the instructor's guidance. I do feel that I have some room for improvement myself."

Bai Tao interjected, "That's right, our Yingzhou is a real go-getter. He's the first to arrive and the last to leave for training every day. When he gets back to the dorm, he's just in his room Gathering Spiritual Power. I admire him so much I could bow down to him."

Yingzhou waved his hand, indicating it was nothing special. "I'm doing it to become stronger, so that in the future, I can better protect myself and the people around me."

While they were talking, the three had already arrived at the cafeteria. The cafeteria was bustling with activity; students were gathered in small groups, some chatting, some waiting in line for food. Yingzhou and the others found a spot to sit down and began to enjoy this rare moment of rest.

After finishing lunch, Yingzhou declined Su Miao's suggestion to go for a walk, but Bai Tao raised his hand in agreement.

"Ever since this guy Yingzhou came to the Lingnengzhe Xuexiao, he's become especially diligent, Gathering Spiritual Power at every moment. He's simply a role model for us all," Bai Tao said to Su Miao, watching Yingzhou's departing back.

"Did he not practice Gathering Spiritual Power before he became a Psionic?" Su Miao asked with a smile in her eyes, intrigued by Bai Tao's words.

"Back then, he and I were the two students in the class with the lowest limits for Gathering Spiritual Power. However, after he became a Psionic, it was as if he had become a different person, and the way he looked at certain things also changed," Bai Tao said, walking through the campus with Su Miao and recalling Yingzhou's transformation.

"I see. Perhaps after becoming a Psionic, he felt he had wasted too much time and wanted to make up for it. What about you? Don't you want to try changing?" Su Miao asked, looking at the youth in front of her who radiated a lazy aura and had dyed yellow hair.

"Hmm... I have thought about it, but it's hard for me to be like Yingzhou, Gathering Spiritual Power in such a boring and dull way. Besides, I don't feel like I've fallen behind that much in progress," Bai Tao said with a look of indifference.

"If we go on like this, will we be wiped out directly by the Alien Race on the battlefield after graduation?" Su Miao rolled her eyes and changed her line of reasoning.

Bai Tao fell into Silence for a moment. Under Su Miao's gaze, he said slowly, "Maybe you're right. I am indeed a bit slack now. If I went to the battlefield, I might not even be able to protect the people I want to protect."

Having said that, Bai Tao looked at Su Miao with a determined gaze.

Su Miao felt inexplicably uncomfortable. "Alright, I should head back too. I have a class on Gathering Spiritual Power this afternoon."

With that, she hurried away.

Bai Tao stood where he was, watching Su Miao leave, his heart filled with turbulent waves. He knew Su Miao was right; he had indeed been slacking off. Thinking of the dangers and challenges he might face in the future, he couldn't help but clench his fists.

"I can't go on like this anymore. I want to become stronger, for myself, and for those I want to protect," Bai Tao secretly made up his mind.