In the school, math teacher Lǐ Mòchóu's blackboard writing was halfway done when the homeroom teacher, Zhāng Yīng, gently knocked on the door. With an apologetic nod, she led a female student to the podium. "Everyone, let me introduce Liu Yue, a new transfer student. Welcome her! Let's all support each other in the future." As she spoke, she made a brisk cheering gesture.
At the back of the classroom, Lǐ Èrmáo was contemplating what to eat for lunch when the sudden Thunderous applause interrupted his thoughts. He looked up at the podium, and the moment his gaze fell on Liu Yue, he froze, his eyes full of shock.
Liu Yue bowed to the entire class. As she looked up, her eyes met Lǐ Èrmáo's. Seeing his surprised expression, a hint of secret delight bloomed in Liu Yue's heart.
Homeroom teacher Zhāng Yīng was well aware of their past and felt for Liu Yue's previous experiences. Although no major incident had occurred, it had left a knot in the young girl's heart. She cleared her throat and called out to the classroom, "Qián Háo, switch seats with this classmate. Zhāng Hǎiyáng, move over there. Huáng Shēng, come sit in Zhāng Hǎiyáng's spot. Gāo Fēi, you're tall, go sit in the back row so you don't block the view for others, and... everyone move, quickly!"
To ensure Liu Yue could sit next to Lǐ Èrmáo, Zhāng Yīng deliberately had more than half the class change seats.
As soon as the seats were changed, Lǐ Èrmáo approached Liu Yue, who was tidying her desk, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect your dad to be so capable!" Seeing how well she had recovered, he was genuinely happy for her.
Liu Yue looked up slightly, a little proud. "Of course. Although he's only a deputy, transferring me is just a word for him. Oh, thank you for saving me last time. I didn't realize you were so capable. Come to my house tonight, my mom will cook a thank-you meal personally."
"We're friends, no need to be so polite," Lǐ Èrmáo waved his hand.
"No, my dad gave me a strict order, you must come home with me." Liu Yue insisted.
Sensing the curious glances from classmates around him, Lǐ Èrmáo quickly agreed.
After school, Lǐ Èrmáo first greeted Hóuzi, then hurried to Hóuzi's house to get some tea leaves and a necklace (he didn't recognize the necklace either, he only heard Hóuzi say it was kept at home for gifting). Carrying the gifts, he followed Liu Yue towards her home.
Liu Yue's home was in a residential complex not far from the government compound. It was a spacious, large flat, and the security facilities in the complex looked even better than Hóuzi's place.
When they reached the entrance of the complex, Liu Yue's mother was already waiting. The moment she saw Lǐ Èrmáo, she smiled and greeted him, repeatedly expressing her thanks.
Upon entering, Lǐ Èrmáo quickly handed over the gifts (it was his first visit, he couldn't come empty-handed. Anyway, the items belonged to Hóuzi, so he considered it borrowing a blooming flower to offer to Buddha). Liu Yue's mother had an elegant temperament. Seeing Lǐ Èrmáo's slightly clumsy gesture as he handed over the gifts, she smiled and accepted them. She then turned and took out a delicate bracelet from a room, asking him to take it home for his mother.
However, Lǐ Èrmáo's next words made the mother and daughter freeze: "Auntie, there's no need. I'm an orphan, raised by a blind man who found me."
Neither the mother nor the daughter could have imagined that the well-dressed Lǐ Èrmáo before them was an orphan. (His clothes were all given to him by Hóuzi; some were new, others had only been worn once or twice). Lǐ Èrmáo didn't pick and choose; he knew that if he were to be polite and refuse, Hóuzi and the others would be unhappy.
Liu Yue's mother's gaze towards Lǐ Èrmáo instantly changed, filled with heartache. "Child, don't worry. When Old Liu returns, I'll tell him about this and ask him to help you inquire about your relatives at the bureau."
"No need, Auntie. It's been so many years. I'm living quite well now, please don't trouble Uncle Liu." Lǐ Èrmáo quickly waved his hands.
"Nonsense! You poor child, and yet you have such a kind heart," Liu Yue's mother said, her eyes welling up.
Lǐ Èrmáo was at a loss. He quickly changed the subject to ease the atmosphere.
Just then, the door was pushed open. Liu Yue's father, Liú Jūn, entered carrying two bottles of wine and two bottles of drinks, calling out with a smile, "What are you all chatting about so lively? Er Mao is here!"
Liu Yue quickly went forward to take the drinks and whispered a few words in Liú Jūn's ear. After listening, Liú Jūn walked over to Lǐ Èrmáo, his face full of surprise, and patted his shoulder. "Child, tell me some basic information, and I'll help you look for your relatives tomorrow."
"There's really no need, Uncle Liu. It's been so many years. I believe my parents must have had unavoidable difficulties back then." Lǐ Èrmáo's heart pounded. How could he dare let them investigate? What if they found out about him being pursued by heavenly lightning? That would be troublesome.
"No matter how difficult, they shouldn't abandon their child!" Liu Yue's mother's eyes reddened again, her voice somewhat choked.
"Uncle, I'm really fine now, please don't worry about it." Seeing Lǐ Èrmáo's determined gaze, Liú Jūn sighed, "Alright, alright, as you wish."
During dinner, Liú Jūn poured Lǐ Èrmáo a full glass of wine. "Drink with ease. We have a room here, and I'll drive you both to school tomorrow. I really need to thank you for saving Yueyue this time."
"Uncle Liu, you're too kind. You're an elder, I'll toast you first." Lǐ Èrmáo picked up his glass and drank it down in one go.
After a few rounds of drinks, Liu Yue's mother was still preparing dishes in the kitchen, while Liu Yue served the two men. Liú Jūn, his face flushed from drinking, loosened his collar and said, "Er Mao, I acknowledge you as a person! If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me, and I'll help you with whatever I can."
Lǐ Èrmáo had discovered after drinking Baijiu a few times that the pills within him needed Baijiu to be activated, thereby improving his physical fitness. Therefore, he was now very restrained with his alcohol consumption. Although he wasn't drunk, he deliberately feigned a bit of tipsiness and refilled Liú Jūn's glass. "Uncle, I actually have something I'd like to ask your advice on. What do you think, at my age, is there a way for me to get into university faster?"
"Get into university?" Liú Jūn was taken aback.
"Yes," Lǐ Èrmáo nodded.
"At your age, why are you in such a hurry to get into university?" Liú Jūn asked, confused.
"Ah, I just want to graduate sooner, find a job earlier, and be able to support myself," Lǐ Èrmáo said in a low voice.
"It's not impossible." Liú Jūn scratched his head and lit a cigarette. "You kid showed no fear facing five people when you saved Yueyue last time, you clearly have some skills. You could try participating in the martial arts competition, or go through the sports recruitment route. Otherwise, you'd have to rely on talent, which is probably not realistic for you. If you're confident, I can help you register for the national college entrance examination next year."