Chapter 18: Qing Xukong

Qing Xukong’s feelings

After school, the students set off for home, and Qing Xukong was no exception.

Ling Yu walked beside Qing Xukong. After all, they lived under the same roof; it would have seemed unnatural if they didn’t commute together.

Qing Xukong had never walked home with a girl before, so he felt extremely uncomfortable. He wished Mocheng were coming along too, but Mocheng had said, “I won’t disturb your little world.” Mocheng meant it purely as kindness, so Qing Xukong had no grounds to complain—but this habit of assuming everything without asking truly infuriated him.

“Huh... awwwwaaah~”

Ling Yu stretched, letting out a sound like a kitten, basking in the sun now tinged with red.

“Hey, boy, carry me.”

“No.”

“Didn’t you say I could keep asking?”

“Don’t push your luck...”

Qing Xukong recalled the incident that afternoon and felt overwhelming shame—why had he agreed to that guy’s request? But thinking about it now only made him more confused, so he decided not to think about it again.

After returning to class following lunch, the two were inevitably met with the entire class’s stares. Four had left together, yet only two returned—no one could avoid imagining the worst.

The classroom was already thick with whispers of “Wait, are those two a couple?” Qing Xukong found it unbearable. Everyone didn’t know the real reason, so they assumed this. The very imaginings that once tormented him now plagued him in real time.

Ling Yu took Qing Xukong’s hand and pulled him forward. Qing Xukong would never have allowed such a thing—but now he had no urge to pull away. Perhaps it was because the skin she touched was soft and warm, making him hesitate.

Beside the route home, a small park held only a few trees, a patch of sand, and a couple of swings—but it was children’s paradise. Watching the children laugh without restraint, Qing Xukong felt a faint joy, or perhaps it was because of Ling Yu.

“Maybe this isn’t so bad?” The thought echoed in Qing Xukong’s mind.

“Ling Yu... actually, I...”

“Wait, boy.”

“Huh... what is it?” Qing Xukong noticed Ling Yu had stopped and turned to ask.

“Hmm... boy, what do you think of your own appearance?”

“What kind of strange question is that...”

“There’s a man behind you staring at you with burning eyes, boy.”

Qing Xukong spun around sharply and saw a strange object dart into the nearby grass, accompanied by an odd noise.

Qing Xukong pulled his hand free from Ling Yu’s and marched toward the strange patch of grass. He saw the man’s face.

“Yo... Qing Xukong!”

“Why is it you?!?! Mocheng!!!”