Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Ye Qiu's first year in Notting City had passed in a fulfilling and well-structured manner.
Aside from the academy's morning classes, he spent most of his time cultivating together with Xiao Wu. When the little bunny didn't feel like cooperating, he'd go along with her on strolls around Notting City—or spar with her to practice combat techniques.
It's worth mentioning that during one such outing, they ran into the chubby girl who had elbowed her way into the crowd on the first day of school when they were buying quilts.
Naturally, Xiao Wu hadn't forgotten. She gave back a few vicious elbow strikes, sending the girl crashing to the ground. If Ye Qiu hadn't called out to her in time, that girl's waist might've been broken. In the end, she ran off limping and crying.
After so long being close, their hearts and minds were deeply in sync.
Ye Qiu had become extremely familiar with every one of the silly bunny's expressions, habits, and quirks.
Of course, Xiao Wu also came to know Ye Qiu more deeply. Aside from Ye Qiu himself, she probably understood him better than anyone else in the world.
That led to her getting increasingly bold. She no longer paid much mind to Ye Qiu's threats, to the point where Ye Qiu had to "discipline" her regularly.
On another note—
Tang San, who often had to squeeze in time to learn from Yu Xiaogang and work at the blacksmith shop, would still often come find Ye Qiu to spar. Ye Qiu naturally agreed—after all, who wouldn't want a free sparring partner?
Of course, Ye Qiu kept a few of his martial soul's abilities hidden. Otherwise, not only would Tang San grow wary of him, it would be a pain if Yu Xiaogang found out and started prying.
Even when Ye Qiu claimed his silk-spitting ability came from learning it from a spider, Yu Xiaogang was still quite curious and eager to study it. Ye Qiu, however, just ignored him.
In Dorm Seven—
As the school year ended, the students began preparing to head home.
Wang Sheng had already become a proper soul master, successfully graduated from Notting Academy, and was now on his way to take the exam for the Intermediate Soul Master Academy. With his backpack slung over his shoulders, he stood at the doorway and waved at Ye Qiu and the others.
"Boss Ye Qiu, Third Bro, Sister Xiao Wu—I'm heading out! Hope we meet again if fate allows!"
As the farewell echoes faded, Wang Sheng's figure slowly disappeared from view.
"Most likely, we'll never see him again."
Ye Qiu, chewing on a lollipop while lying on his bed, watched Wang Sheng's departing silhouette and calmly shook his head.
Over the past year, Ye Qiu, Tang San, and Xiao Wu had grown much closer.
As Tang San packed his belongings, he glanced at Ye Qiu still lounging in bed and asked in confusion, "Ye Qiu, why haven't you started packing yet? Aren't you going home?"
Tang San missed his old father deeply. Even though he had waited all year and Tang Hao still hadn't come to visit, he had still forged a new hammer as a gift for him.
When it came to filial piety, Tang San was beyond reproach.
"Isn't the break starting tomorrow? I've still got time to pack tonight." Ye Qiu waved his hand casually. He only had a few sets of clothes—not much to prepare.
Tang San chuckled helplessly. Ye Qiu seemed interested only in cultivation. In daily life, he was pretty lazy—or just ordered Xiao Wu around to do things for him. Come to think of it, Ye Qiu seemed pretty interested in Xiao Wu, too.
A flicker of gloom passed through his eyes.
Compared to the cultivation-obsessed Ye Qiu, Xiao Wu seemed to spend more time dragging him off to "bully guys and girls."
Tang San turned to Xiao Wu and asked, "What about you, Xiao Wu? We're off tomorrow—are you going home?"
A few steps from Ye Qiu's bed—
Xiao Wu, who had long since stopped sharing a bed with Ye Qiu, was sitting at the edge of her own bed, gently swinging her jade-like feet.
Looking around at the increasingly empty Dorm Seven, she heard Tang San's question. A trace of loneliness flashed in her eyes, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self.
She gently shook her head.
"I'm not going home. Maybe I'll stay here at the academy."
Tang San was stunned for a moment. "It's been a whole year, and you're not even going to visit home?"
Just as frustration started bubbling inside her from being prodded by Tang San, Xiao Wu happened to glance at Ye Qiu, who was lying there with his eyes closed, lollipop in his mouth. Her eyes immediately lit up.
She said excitedly, "Hey, San—your home isn't far from the academy, right? How about... I go visit your place for a while? Since Wang Sheng and the others are leaving, there won't be anyone left to play with Sister Xiao Wu."
Looking at the porcelain doll-like Xiao Wu, Tang San gave a wry smile. After spending a year together, he knew this little girl's personality well—always acting like she wanted to stir up chaos.
When she was being gentle, she was like a perfect little doll—adorable and sweet. But once she flipped out, her title of "Notting's Big Sis" wasn't for show.
Other than Ye Qiu, even he often suffered under her wrath.
Tang San smiled faintly, but didn't immediately agree.
"My family's really poor. I've got nothing fancy to treat you with."
"Poor? You're the richest one in our dorm!"
Xiao Wu jumped off her bed and stood with her hands on her hips, her bright reddish eyes glaring at Tang San. "You've been saving every bit of your monthly stipend, plus you get paid from the blacksmith shop. And you say you can't afford to host me?!"
"If anyone's poor, it's your Sister Xiao Wu... I've barely got any coins left."
As she mumbled the last part, Xiao Wu shot a resentful glance at Ye Qiu. A lot of her money had been spent on him—or more precisely, on candy. Sometimes she even had to work like a slave to pay off debts just for food.
A few black lines appeared on Tang San's forehead. He watched as Xiao Wu suddenly changed her demeanor and got a bit bossy, then smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Alright, if you really want to come, you're welcome... but my dad has a bit of a bad temper."
"Aww, I'm so cute and sweet—your dad will surely love me!" Xiao Wu waved it off without concern. After all, she wasn't planning to stay in Tang San's house anyway. As she spoke, she gave him a friendly smile and blinked those sparkly "Kasi Lan" eyes of hers.
"..."
Tang San stared at her blankly. Even though he knew she was putting on an act, his heart still fluttered a bit.
Lying in bed, Ye Qiu also smiled strangely when he heard what Xiao Wu said.
Love her? More like love her to death.
"Alright, then it's settled!" Xiao Wu clapped her hands, making the decision final.
"Okay, we'll head out together tomorrow morning."
Coming back to his senses, Tang San smiled and nodded. He didn't say much more. After quickly finishing his packing, he left Dorm Seven—he still needed to say goodbye to his teacher.
The dorm suddenly became quiet.
Feeling bored, Xiao Wu glanced around before fixing her eyes on Ye Qiu lying in bed. Her cheeks flushed a light red as she ran over to the edge of his bed and gave the foot of it two swift kicks.
"Ye Qiu~ You better hurry up and pack too! Tomorrow, your Sister Xiao Wu is going home with you—so you better stay sharp and don't mess it up!"