Vol. 1 - Ch. 158 - Let’s walk home together

"Damn, you're so gross! Are you a green tea?""How could you say that about me~? I'm just stating a fact~" Xia XiaoXi fluttered her eyelashes at HuMing flirtatiously, her eyes brimming with mischief.

HuMing rolled his eyes and turned to leave, unwilling to entertain her further.

But Xia XiaoXi wasn't done. She followed him, chattering incessantly.

Somehow, amidst their casual banter, the topic shifted to Han ShuYi.

"Oh, so it turns out my family back home knows the Han family! I thought I didn't know anyone around here."

Xia XiaoXi couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Hearing this, HuMing's brows furrowed slightly.

He had never heard of any connection between Xia XiaoXi and the Han family before. It also explained why, in the original plot, Han ShuYi and Xia XiaoXi became so friendly so quickly.

Not that it mattered much to HuMing.

After spending some time around Xia XiaoXi, he had a decent grasp of her personality.

While she seemed carefree and unrestrained, completely devoid of any idol-like demeanor, she did have her principles when it came to certain things.

"By the way, I noticed that jade pendant around your neck the other day. Where'd you get it?"

When Xia XiaoXi brought up his pendant, HuMing's smile froze briefly before fading slightly.

"An old man gave it to me. It's very precious."

"Ah, I see..."

Xia XiaoXi nodded, dropping the subject when she noticed the subtle change in his expression.

They hadn't walked far before a breathless voice called out from behind them.

A boy ran up, clearly in a hurry, panting as if he had urgent news.

Xia XiaoXi turned to him, curious. "Hey, no need to rush. Catch your breath first."

The boy nodded, taking a deep breath in and out before speaking. "Xia XiaoXi, the teacher asked me to check if you're participating in next week's cultural festival."

"Huh, a cultural festival? There's something like that here?" Xia XiaoXi's eyes lit up instantly.

"Of course, I'll go! Why wouldn't I?"

"Great, glad to hear it! The teacher was worried no one would join."

Relieved, the boy glanced at HuMing, his gaze lingering. Seeing someone who looked exactly like Han HuMing left him momentarily stunned.

Identical people were something he'd only ever heard about. But now, seeing it in person, it was uncanny---he couldn't help but feel as if Han HuMing were standing right before him.

The boy left, still slightly dazed.

HuMing raised an eyebrow at Xia XiaoXi beside him and asked, "I thought you came here to escape life on stage?"

"Ha! No way! I'm determined to become a world-famous idol!"

Standing in the sunlight, Xia XiaoXi's figure seemed to glow with a golden halo. Her face radiated boundless confidence, so dazzling that HuMing squinted against the brightness.

At that moment, he began to understand why Xia XiaoXi was the true heroine.

* * * * *

The days without Han ShuYi felt strangely dull. It wasn't surprising that HuMing felt this way; when he pushed himself to the limit, most people could only look up to him in awe.

But for HuMing, it was merely a matter of flipping a switch.

Sure, Han ShuYi was extraordinarily talented, but talent was no match for cheats in HuMing's eyes.

He knew himself quite well.

Still, he couldn't deny that his relationship with Xia XiaoXi had grown noticeably closer during this time.

"HuMing, HuMing, let's walk home together!" Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

During their lunch break, Xia XiaoXi suggested this cheerfully. HuMing was caught off guard, his expression tinged with surprise, and instinctively declined.

"Didn't I tell you? I'm not responsible for your safety."

"You don't need to be! Today's special---I'm allowed to go out for a bit!"

Xia XiaoXi pulled a mask and sunglasses from her school uniform pocket, clearly prepared, her face beaming with excitement.

HuMing couldn't help but think she resembled a sports car with a full gas tank, ready to bolt forward at the slightest press of the pedal.

"Wait a second. When you say 'walk home together', don't you mean going straight home? Or are you planning to come to my place?"

"What's wrong with what I said? Who says going home after school is the only option? Of course, we're going out to have fun! I haven't explored the area yet, and as the local host, isn't it your duty to show me around?"

Xia XiaoXi's righteous tone left no room for rebuttal, treating HuMing as if he were already obligated.

HuMing's cheek twitched slightly, and his expression turned awkward.

He vividly remembered the last time he went home; the driver's gaze seemed to silently scream, Stay away from Xia XiaoXi!

Not wanting to stir up trouble, HuMing had kept his distance. And now that Xia XiaoXi was inviting him out, he wasn't sure if she was even aware of the implications.

"Uh, let me think about it."

"Oh, come on, don't think about it! You're the first friend I've made here. If you don't take care of me, I'll be so heartbroken!"

Xia XiaoXi clasped her hands together, her expression pleading with exaggerated cuteness.

If anyone else saw this, they'd probably cave instantly, maybe even hand over their credit card's password.

With a resigned sigh, HuMing finally agreed.

Xia XiaoXi's excitement was palpable, but neither of them noticed Kang Xin standing quietly in the distant hallway, watching the scene unfold.

* * * * *

After school, HuMing packed up his belongings and prepared to leave.

A glance over at Xia XiaoXi revealed she was still stuck in class, listening to a lecture, even though some students were already on the verge of bolting out the door.

Seeing this, HuMing lingered in the hallway, idly scanning the view outside.

His gaze soon settled on a figure below---a girl holding a notebook in her arms, heading toward the library.

It was the same girl he had seen in the library with Han YunXi that day.

After that encounter, HuMing learned that during class hours, the library was staffed by teachers. However, during lunch breaks and after school, it was this girl who handled the duties.

As for why, HuMing guessed she probably wanted a quiet place to study.

Resting his chin on his hand, HuMing's eyes lacked their usual energy.

Then he suddenly remembered---he still had a love letter to deal with! Could the unsettling feeling of being watched these past few days be connected to those two girls?

With this thought, HuMing reached into his bag, pulled out the letter, and left his spot.

Not long after he left, Xia XiaoXi finally finished packing up her things.

But as she stepped out, she didn't see HuMing anywhere, which left her puzzled.

"Huh? I'm sure I saw HuMing waiting here for me just a moment ago..."