Happy Good Friday~
After the Orientation Training ended, Director Cui Jue appeared and inquired about the day’s events. When he heard Xu Tianyi mention that Zhou Mu and Little Howl had a good interaction, he smiled.
But after smiling, he noticed that Xu Tianyi was looking at him strangely. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
Xu Tianyi didn’t dare to say. “Nothing.”
Cui Jue felt something was off. “Hurry up and tell me!”
“It’s really nothing, Director Cui. It’s just that after seeing Senior Little Howl today, I feel like your cultivation has improved again,” Xu Tianyi flattered. “Even a divine dog’s teeth can be broken by you.”
“Who said that?!” Cui Jue almost choked. His gaze swept toward Zhou Mu, carrying a hint of grievance.
“Is this something that can’t be talked about? There’s no solid proof, but a lot of people have already guessed it was you,” Xu Tianyi continued, though even he started to feel a bit nervous—better make sure he never gets into trouble under Cui Jue’s watch.
Cui Jue chuckled dryly. “Oh, lucky me then.” He then gestured to Zhou Mu, “Student Zhou Mu, come with me for a bit. There’s still an issue with your subsidy.”
Zhou Mu unwillingly walked over. “Didn’t I already receive it?”
Cui Jue laughed. “There are just some formalities to complete. I messaged you about it, but you kept forgetting to come to me.” He glanced at Zhou Mu’s ankle. “Do I need to help you walk, hmm?”
Zhou Mu pitifully replied, “Yes, thank you. I’m still injured.” Then, he turned to You Qi and said, “You should head back to the dorm first, no need to wait for me.”
“Hehehe, sure.” Cui Jue helped Zhou Mu away.
Even after walking some distance, You Qi could still hear Zhou Mu complaining to Cui Jue, “Can I file a complaint about Jinyuan’s Hand Teacher…”
The corner of You Qi’s mouth curved slightly.
……
Zhou Mu followed Cui Jue with light steps into his office. It was spacious yet simple, containing a desk, cabinets, bookshelves, and a glass platform similar to the one in Jinyuan that held the Hand Teacher.
But today, there was something extra—Senior Little Howl was inside, surrounded by spilled dog food, munching away. The cabinet holding the dog food had a big hole in it, clearly Little Howl’s doing.
Cui Jue’s expression darkened. “Little Howl—”
As a rare and symbolically significant divine dog, Little Howl’s food was specially made and personally stored by Director Cui. After a long day, Little Howl had sulked its way into Cui Jue’s office, dug up the food, and helped itself.
Hearing Cui Jue’s voice, Little Howl wasn’t afraid. Instead, it quickly swallowed two more mouthfuls before the food was taken away.
When Little Howl raised its head, it saw Zhou Mu smiling at it mischievously. “Cough! Cough!”
Him again?!
Little Howl coughed twice, almost choking on its food, then tucked its tail between its legs and dashed toward the door, avoiding Zhou Mu’s gaze at all costs—let alone touching his clothes.
One meeting cost it a tooth, another almost got it bald… It couldn’t afford to lose anything else!
“Phew—” Cui Jue rubbed his head in frustration, then walked to the glass platform and said to Zhou Mu, “Alright then, I’ll have to trouble you again, Student Zhou Mu.”
As Zhou Mu left the office, he received a WeChat message from his middleman.
The tiger eagle he had processed had found a buyer! They were already negotiating the price, and just the wings alone were worth at least 100,000. As long as Zhou Mu authorized the transaction, the middleman would finalize the deal, ship the goods, and send the money.
With an unexpected windfall incoming, Zhou Mu pondered what gift to get for You Qi.
This was a rare occasion—given that he was currently at odds with his family and refusing to take his living expenses, despite having grown up spoiled. But since they were now close roommates, and the materials had been provided by You Qi, it only seemed right.
But… what should he give?
You Qi didn’t seem to have any particular hobbies. He barely ate, and even his major might not have been something he chose himself.
Zhou Mu fiddled with his phone as he walked back to Dormitory 5, lost in thought about what You Qi might like.
Someone was coming down the stairs, brushing past him. Zhou Mu was too focused on his own thoughts to pay attention.
Just as they passed each other, the person suddenly lunged and pressed Zhou Mu against the wall!
Zhou Mu, pinned, looked up and saw Chun Shijiu’s face. “What are you doing?”
“You’re way too slow to react. School has been in session for so long, and you still don’t actively use your spiritual power—that won’t do.” Chun Shijiu pressed Zhou Mu down with one hand while the other held a chocolate ice cream bar. He lazily, provocatively added, “You can’t just let your guard down because You Qi is protecting you. Hualing is a dangerous place.”
A hint of cold energy leaked from Chun Shijiu. He leaned in, his green eyes narrowing into slit pupils for a brief moment before returning to normal.
Zhou Mu stared at him.
Chun Shijiu smirked. “I heard you’ve been training dogs lately. Not afraid of seniors anymore?”
Zhou Mu’s expression finally changed. He hesitated before saying, “You…”
Scared? Heh, I’m way scarier than a dog, Chun Shijiu thought smugly. “What are you mumbling about? Just say it.”
If you’re going to beg for mercy, say it loud and clear—just like you do around You Qi.
Zhou Mu stared at him intently, then mustered up the courage to speak loudly, pleading, “Your ice cream is melting! Hurry up and take a bite!”
“…” What the hell. Chun Shijiu glanced at the ice cream in his hand, then chomped it down in one bite. It was a little too cold.
Seeing him finally eat it, Zhou Mu let out a sigh of relief. Geez, watching it melt was stressing him out.
“Sigh, can you stop popping up out of nowhere?” Zhou Mu lowered his head and said.
They weren’t far from Room 1203. Chun Shijiu hadn’t actually planned on doing anything, just scaring Zhou Mu a little. He leisurely walked down the stairs without looking back and chuckled, “Heh, no can do.”
“Wait a minute, Chun Shijiu,” Zhou Mu called after him. “Can I ask you something?”
Chun Shijiu found it odd. “What is it?”
Zhou Mu asked sincerely, “Do you know what You Qi likes? I want to get him a gift.”
Chun Shijiu’s face darkened.
He had originally planned to just walk away, but now, with the ice cream stick still in his mouth, he gave Zhou Mu a once-over and sneered, “Heh, I could tell you—but only if you tell me what exactly you are. What kind of creature are you that made Cui Jue protect you from the very first day of school?”
Chun Shijiu had thrown out the question casually, more like a complaint than anything else. He hadn’t expected Zhou Mu to answer without hesitation. “Sure!”
Chun Shijiu stared at him in disbelief. Is this guy stupid? He’s willing to give up his secret just to get a gift for You Qi?
You Qi’s reputation is even worse than mine. And just because he protected you, you’re doing all this? Ridiculous. Who knows if he’s just fattening you up for later consumption? Besides, back in the kitchen last time, I helped you too.
After a long pause, Chun Shijiu suddenly laughed. “Forget it, your true form isn’t something you should just tell people—make me a dish instead. I want boiled octopus. Coincidentally, I have a class with Gui Youqi tomorrow.”
Zhou Mu refused without hesitation. “No way! How could you do that to Guigui!”
Chun Shijiu: “…”
Don’t think I didn’t catch the emphasis on you. So only you can go gathering seafood, huh?
How does someone prefer revealing their true form over just cooking a meal? Chun Shijiu ground his teeth and finally said, “Fine, back to the original deal.”
Zhou Mu actually nodded again.
So reckless. Growing up among humans has made him way too trusting.
Although Chun Shijiu and You Qi weren’t exactly best friends, they’d been classmates for years and even lived in dorms across from each other. With a snort, Chun Shijiu said, “You Qi doesn’t really have hobbies, but he really hates that muzzle. If you want to give him a meaningful gift, get him an early graduation so he can remove the restriction.”
Zhou Mu: “…Where the hell am I supposed to get him an early graduation??”
And what kind of advice was this? Did You Qi hate the muzzle? Obviously!
Chun Shijiu added, “Or you could give him a mom—he and his mother don’t get along.”
Zhou Mu: “…”
“Now it’s your turn,” Chun Shijiu crossed his arms. “Speak. What are you?”
Zhou Mu felt it was unfair. “That counts?”
Chun Shijiu said deliberately, “Why wouldn’t it?”
Seeing Zhou Mu stalling, muttering under his breath, “What a waste, should’ve just asked about your background instead.”
Chun Shijiu found it amusing. He patted Zhou Mu’s shoulder and said, “Fine, I won’t bully you too much. I’ll tell you my background, too.”
Zhou Mu: “Huh?”
Chun Shijiu had never revealed his background before. He wasn’t interested in flaunting his true form all the time, but now he felt like making an exchange. Of course, it wasn’t the same—no one would dare covet him.
Chun Shijiu’s green eyes blinked as he hinted, “I was born in the southwest and emerge in spring.”
Zhou Mu thought for a moment and immediately responded, “You’re a transformed Bai Le snake!”
No wonder. That explains the familiarity…
Chun Shijiu nodded.
“Sigh, alright, then I’ll tell you, too.” Zhou Mu took a deep breath and whispered, “You know I come from a human settlement, but do you know which part of the human world I’m from?”
Chun Shijiu: “Where?”
Zhou Mu: “Chang’an.”
Chang’an? Chun Shijiu didn’t get it. “And? What does that have to do with your background?”
Zhou Mu inhaled deeply, then solemnly declared, “I am a terracotta warrior from Pit No. 3 of the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum Museum, fourth row from the left, second statue. I attained enlightenment from the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon. As a nationally protected Class I cultural relic, I was meticulously crafted, and during an inspection, Emperor Qin himself admired me for two hours straight. His imperial aura lingered on me, making me irresistibly attractive to demons. The Hualing Academy is protecting me under the government’s orders, as per legal requirements. If you lay a hand on me, you’re committing a crime!”
Chun Shijiu: “!!!”
Chun Shijiu blurted out, “For real?!”
Zhou Mu took off up the stairs, looking up as he went. At the top, leaning lazily against the wall with arms crossed, stood You Qi—who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Reaching out, You Qi effortlessly grabbed Zhou Mu—who was still a few steps away—and pulled him behind him. Chun Shijiu might not have realized it, but You Qi immediately saw through Zhou Mu’s nonsense. Standing above them, his tone was mocking: “Of course it’s fake. You really think people just go around revealing their true forms? Are you stupid?”
Chun Shijiu: “………”
The author has something to say:
Zhou Mu: A masterclass in getting people to spill their secrets while revealing nothing himself.
