The two of them left a little after nine.

They wandered around the snack street for a while, chatting as they strolled, and by the time they returned to the contestants’ lodging, it was nearly twelve noon.

However, after that "See you in the ring," the two of them didn’t speak again.

Yu Bao was very consistent, sticking to 004 the entire way...

The Yu Dian Dog is a unique native Pet Beast from the Yu Dian District, dating back to ancient times. Legend has it that some Yu Dian Dogs with higher spirituality possess the gift of perceiving the hearts of others, showing affection toward those worthy of a deep bond.

Most scholars disagreed with this rumor.

After all, Yu Dian Dogs are generally quite goofy and don’t really look like they can perceive hearts.

Su Zhi, however, believed it was true. Yu Bao was sometimes exceptionally friendly with strangers, like the first time it met Xiaoyue, or today when it met 004...

was exasperated.

She didn’t like other Pet Beasts getting too close to her, but coexisting peacefully with Yu Bao was her master’s wish, which she could not disobey.

So, she sometimes sped up and sometimes slowed down, trying to put some distance between herself and Yu Bao.

But every time she accelerated, Yu Bao would immediately keep pace. Whenever she slowed down, Yu Bao would also stop and wait for her.

"Woof?"

Yu Bao nudged 004’s hand, its black, button-like eyes blinking.

’What’s wrong? Is something on your mind?’

Yu Bao went BLING BLING, scrambling up Su Zhi’s pant leg. It snatched a skewer of beef meatballs from the bucket and went BLING BLING, scrambling back down.

"Hffff," Yu Bao panted, offering the meatballs to 004.

’These are my favorite beef meatballs. Have some!’

"..." 004 stared silently at Yu Bao for a moment.

’If I remember correctly,’ 004 thought, ’the beef meatballs he’s offering me were bought by my master.’

After confirming that it wouldn’t let her go unless she took the meatballs, 004 sullenly accepted them.

"Woof woof~"

Yu Bao happily wagged its tail at Su Zhi, showing off that it had made a new friend.

A flicker of something passed through 004’s pink eyes, her gaze softening for an imperceptible moment.

"Let’s part ways here."

Fang Yuan stopped walking. "Your classmates are waiting for you."

"Hm?"

Su Zhi followed his gaze and, sure enough, saw a small group of people standing in front of the lodging:

Shao Ya was excitedly waving on her tiptoes, like a mother seeing her lost child wander back home. Meanwhile, Liu Yuhang was both shocked and delighted, not having expected him to actually show up.

Cao Mingyu, on the other hand, had a stiff expression... an indescribable look on his face.

"See you in the ring—if you can make it that far."

With that, Fang Yuan strode away.

Yu Bao wagged its tail, bidding its new friend farewell.

glanced back at it once before leaving with Fang Yuan.

Her bright white hair bouncing, the girl jogged over to stand in front of Su Zhi.

"I was just tidying up the room for a bit, and you just up and left. I thought you’d gotten lost," Shao Ya asked, wrinkling her nose.

Su Zhi pressed a hand to his forehead and explained, "I was dragged away by Fang Yuan. That guy insisted on treating me to food..."

Then, before he could get another two words out, a pair of strong arms wrapped around Su Zhi in a tight embrace.

Liu Yuhang was so emotional his eyes filled with tears. "Brother Shu! Long time no see! I can’t believe you actually came!"

"I think it’s only been one night..."

Su Zhi, sweating bullets, squeezed himself out of Liu Yuhang’s hug...

Then, his eyes met Cao Mingyu’s indescribable gaze. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Su Zhi got a wild card for the competition and made a new friend. This should be a double joy... So why is it that when I see Su Zhi out with someone I don’t know, do I feel so utterly dejected..."

Cao Mingyu’s breathing grew heavy as he whipped out a black and gold bank card—

"What did Fang Yuan treat you to? I’ll treat you to double!"

"Can’t you just be normal for once?!"

·

At lunchtime, everything finally returned to normal.

Cao Mingyu and Liu Yuhang were staying on the 7th floor, so Cao Mingyu had to reluctantly part ways with Su Zhi and head upstairs with Liu Yuhang.

Su Zhi was so "heartbroken" he actually laughed.

"Woof, woof..."

On the way back to the room, Yu Bao stuck close to Big Brother Xiaoyue, chattering away about its morning adventures.

Xiaoyue was already used to it and just pretended to listen, nodding along.

’Mhm... nice... yep, right...’

"Pfft, so that’s what happened." After hearing Su Zhi describe the morning’s events, Shao Ya couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Su Zhi shot her a glare. "You’re still laughing? He just suddenly grabbed me like that. I was totally panicking."

"Panicking about what? Afraid you’d lose your virtue~?"

"Get outta here."

"Actually, Fang Yuan is just a bit childish. He’s not a bad person at heart."

Shao Ya clasped her hands behind her back, her sapphire-blue eyes blinking as she looked at Su Zhi.

"Maybe you’re just the person to break through to his heart and become his best friend. Just like you and Cao Mingyu."

Su Zhi deadpanned, "All I’m hearing is that you’re saying I attract people of the same gender..."

"Ahem, okay, topic over. I suggest you take a look at your phone!" the girl said, covering her mouth with a comical look in her eyes.

Only then did Su Zhi notice the notification light blinking on and off—

[Old Ban]: They probably told you about what happened last night.

[Old Ban]: I fought for you. I threatened that Fang guy with my resignation and my life... but I really couldn’t win against them.

[Old Ban]: I’m sorry, I’m so sorry... You’re my student, yet all I could do was watch you suffer an injustice, completely powerless.

[Old Ban]: Even though you’re rebellious, even though you call me bald, the truth is, you’ve always been my favorite student...

Su Zhi took a picture of his wild card and sent it to Old Zhou.

[Su Zhi]: [Image]

[Old Ban]: Thanks for trying to comfort me. I know you don’t want me to feel burdened, but I rea—

The screen went quiet for a moment.

And then...

[Old Ban]: ?

[Old Ban]: ??

[Old Ban]: ????

[Old Ban]: A wild card? How did you get that???

[Su Zhi]: I’m a member of the Alliance Youth Team now. Mr. Yan Dingyi and Senior Peng Kai gave me a wild card.

Su Zhi explained the whole story to Old Ban.

To be honest, he hadn’t planned on deliberately hiding it from Zhou Shengfa... he just forgot to mention it.

[Old Ban]: ...

[Old Ban]: ...

[Old Ban]: So...

[Su Zhi]: I know.

[Old Ban]: I haven’t said anything yet, what the hell do you know!

[Su Zhi]: Oh, you were probably just going to cheer me on, right?

[Old Ban]: Dammit, I got all sentimental too soon...

[Old Ban]: I can’t have suffered this social death for nothing!

[Old Ban]: Go bring back the championship trophy! If anyone gets in your way, crush them!

[Su Zhi]: Got it.

[Old Ban]: Mmm /smile

Imagining Old Ban slumping into his chair with a sigh of relief, Su Zhi couldn’t help but smile.

"Finished comforting Old Zhou?"

Shao Ya pushed her door open and turned to wave.

"Well, I’m going to take a nap. There’s a pre-competition mixer this afternoon, wanna go together?"

"Yeah, okay."

Su Zhi agreed and pushed open his own door, only to pause in surprise.

The room, which had been a little dusty when he left, was now clean and tidy.

There were no major changes, but he could tell at a glance that someone had deliberately cleaned it.

Pushing open the bathroom door, he saw a toothbrush, cup, and other toiletries already arranged on the sink, along with a towel...

Su Zhi instinctively looked back. Through the crack of the door, the girl’s lips were curved into a playful, lively smile.

"See you this afternoon!"

With a CLICK, the thin sliver of light vanished.

·

·