"Alright."
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow and reluctantly extended his tentacles, gathering some branches from the roadside. He then transformed into a skeleton covered in black fluid, quickly taking on the shape of an umbrella, casting a shadow.
And indeed, it wasn't as hot anymore.
"Haha... that's great!"
Xiao Wu couldn't help but hug Ye Qiu's arm, bouncing around excitedly again.
"Xiao San, do you want to stay closer to me... it's cooler."
Although he didn't really want Tang San to come closer, he still maintained a certain level of politeness. Besides, Ye Qiu believed that deep down, Tang San didn't really like him.
"No need, I'm used to being next to the furnace, I'm not afraid of the heat."
Tang San shook his head, neatly and decisively refusing Ye Qiu's offer. They were being lovey-dovey, what would it look like if he stuck himself in there?
"Then let's keep going like this!"
Ye Qiu shook his arms a couple of times; the little rabbit was sticking a bit too close.
"Hehe..."
The shameless rabbit leaned against Ye Qiu, hugging his arm, pressing tightly against him, saving as much energy as possible.
This felt completely different from when Ye Qiu was attached to her body. Being closer, Ye Qiu's aura was even hotter, even more intense...
"Mm."
Tang San nodded blankly, looking at Xiao Wu's shameless appearance, seemingly understanding something. Thinking about the times they toured the campus together, he always felt a little uncomfortable, and his head grew heavier.
...
Time flew by.
As they got closer to Holy Spirit Village, Xiao Wu started to feel listless again. She leaned into Ye Qiu's ear and whispered, "Ye Qiu, Sister Xiao Wu is a little hungry~"
"I said... don't push your luck!"
Several black lines appeared on Ye Qiu's forehead. His dark hand, holding the black umbrella, had stiffened.
"Why are you being so fierce? Sister Xiao Wu didn't ask for your food..."
Xiao Wu looked at Ye Qiu's somewhat impatient profile and didn't dare to be too reckless. If she went too far, she was afraid Ye Qiu would actually get angry.
She mumbled softly and then fell silent.
She obediently followed by Ye Qiu's side, her pink rabbit lips pouting high, seemingly sulking.
After a long while, Ye Qiu's voice finally came faintly: "Dig it out yourself."
"Ah? Okay, okay..."
Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, feeling a little surprised, her eyes shining. She reached out her small hand to feel the pocket on Ye Qiu's pants.
After only two fumbles, her little face felt a bit hot, and Ye Qiu's eyes twitched. It was a bit ticklish. After a while, Xiao Wu finally pulled out a carrot-flavored lollipop. It was wrapped in a layer of edible fruit wax, so she didn't have to worry about it melting in her pocket.
Xiao Wu, with a red face, smiled and put the lollipop she had dug out into her mouth.
"Ye Qiu, do you want one too?"
"No need."
Ye Qiu gently shook his head.
"Xiao San, how much further is it exactly?"
Xiao Wu raised her hand and thoughtfully wiped Ye Qiu's sweat. Looking at the mountain peak appearing in the distance, she asked Tang San.
"We're almost there. See that mountain? Our Holy Spirit Village is at the foot of the mountain."
Looking at the village that was close at hand, Tang San couldn't help but feel a little excited, and he was no longer uncomfortable because of Xiao Wu and the other person's intimacy.
He was a little impatient to see his father.
Ye Qiu glanced at Tang San and pouted.
Tang San was just going to be disappointed. Ye Qiu knew that the drunkard Tang Hao had already left Holy Spirit Village at this time. At Nuoding Academy, Ye Qiu would occasionally enter a state of alert, especially when Xiao Wu was by his side.
Soon, the three of them walked into Holy Spirit Village.
Tang San's blacksmith shop was at the head of the village. He raised his hand and pointed to the dilapidated sign on the roof, excitedly saying to Xiao Wu, "Look, that's my home!"
At the same time, Tang San took three steps in two and came to his doorstep.
He called out inside.
"Dad! Xiao San is back!"
The door was wide open. Ye Qiu, carrying Xiao Wu on his back, could still see the messy things piled up inside, broken bottles and jars, emitting a strange smell.
And Tang San could only feel familiarity from it. Nothing had changed, it was still the same aura!
This...! This is the smell of home!
From the open door, a figure suddenly walked out.
Tang San subconsciously wanted to acknowledge his father, but before he could call out, he was stunned.
"Grandpa Jack?!"
"Oh! Xiao San, I didn't expect you to be back so early? I was just about to call that fellow Tang Hao to go pick you up."
Old Jack was holding a crumpled, seemingly wine-soaked, foul-smelling piece of paper in his hand.
"Grandpa Jack, why are you here? Where's my dad?" Tang San felt a bad premonition in his heart and suddenly became a little gloomy.
"Alas~ You'd better see for yourself. This Tang Hao is really too irresponsible! He actually left you, a child, and just left like this."
Old Jack handed the paper in his hand to Tang San, with a look of regret.
"Grandpa Jack, long time no see."
People's joys and sorrows are not interconnected. Just as Tang San was looking at the paper in his hand, feeling lost, helpless, and pathetic, Ye Qiu smiled and greeted Old Jack.
"Haha... Xiao Qiu is back too." Old Jack finally noticed Ye Qiu. Seeing the exquisite Xiao Wu by Ye Qiu's side, a trace of surprise appeared on his face. "Huh? Is this the little girlfriend you made, Xiao Qiu? What a cute little girl..."
Ye Qiu didn't answer, just smiled gently, waiting for Xiao Wu to refute. However... what surprised Ye Qiu was that Xiao Wu had no intention of refuting at all.
When Ye Qiu turned his head, he only saw the back of her head. Could it be that this rabbit didn't know what a girlfriend meant?! That shouldn't be the case?!
In the direction Ye Qiu couldn't see, Xiao Wu's face was already completely red. How could she not know what a girlfriend meant? She had been a human for a while now.
"Haha..." Old Jack looked at this interesting scene and couldn't help but feel several years younger. He turned to comfort Tang San, "Xiao San, don't be too sad. Maybe Tang Hao will be back in a while."
Tang San silently shook his head, carefully folding the paper in his hand and putting it in his In arms. He said to Old Jack, "Thank you, Grandpa Jack. The house is so messy, I won't invite you to stay. I still need to clean up."
Old Jack, who had originally wanted to invite Tang San to his house, was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the young Tang San would actually ask him to leave. He could only sigh and say helplessly, "Alright. However, if you need anything, just come to me."
Old Jack shook his head, turned around and walked outside. He paused and smiled kindly at Ye Qiu. "Xiao Qiu, do you want to bring your little girlfriend to my house as a guest?"
"Okay!"
Ye Qiu didn't refuse, but he didn't neglect Tang San either.
"Xiao San, I'm really tired of carrying this rabbit. I need to find a place to rest. You just grieve."
Grieve?!
Tang San's heart twitched, but he didn't say anything. He just walked into the house and started tidying up the messy room.
Old Jack looked at Ye Qiu and couldn't help but nod.
Compared to the unsociable and somewhat withdrawn Tang San family, Ye Qiu was more pleasing to the eye and more likable. It was no wonder he could bring a little girlfriend back so quickly.
"Okay, let's go now. Xiao San, you can come to my house for lunch at noon..."
Without getting a response, Old Jack wasn't discouraged and took Ye Qiu to his house.
Xiao Wu, who was by Ye Qiu's side, turned her head and looked at Tang San strangely. She was a little confused... Tang San was clearly just a genius similar to herself, so why would Ye Qiu be wary of him in his heart?