…

Time flew by, and now it was today.

Studying with Mom and Dad was just too much fun. Miaomiao couldn’t hold back and accidentally let Uncle System know that the price he had paid was something he didn’t really want.

Miaomiao quickly tried to make up for it: “I’ll still practice my superpower diligently!”

After all, the system was just a system. Although it was a bit of a tiger mom, it wouldn’t really get angry: [The program cannot be modified. Your math talent will definitely return as your ability level improves.]

Miaomiao: “Okay.”

In this world, Mom and Dad weren’t as busy as they were in the other world. Plus, it seemed like they couldn’t easily ask others to take care of Miaomiao here, so they had to do it themselves. Because of this, Miaomiao realized he might not necessarily need to make them worry in order to get their company.

After a moment of silence in his head, Uncle System seemed to have gone off to check some data. What it said next carried a bit of philosophy: [Host, you’re still young, so you think emotions and companionship are the most important. But the world isn’t that simple. When you grow up, you’ll realize that constantly becoming stronger is what truly matters. You shouldn’t sacrifice any ability for the sake of family bonds.]

Miaomiao thought about it: “But what if I become really, really strong and still end up unhappy?”

The system didn’t quite understand. Its programming was all about pushing the host to become stronger, so it said: [Being unhappy might just mean you’re not strong enough yet. Once you become president, or rule all of humanity…]

Here we go again.

Miaomiao shook his head: “I get it. I need to focus on copying these characters now.”

His attention, which had been wandering for a while, finally returned to the calligraphy book. Miaomiao wrote several “5” characters in a row, but suddenly felt the two gazes beside him grow intense.

Ming Can reminded him: “Were you daydreaming? The bottom of the ‘5’ isn’t a circle. Don’t close it off!”

Miaomiao: …

After supervising Miaomiao through a page of the more challenging numbers like 3 and 8, the sky outside gradually darkened as the sun set in the west. Ming Can began packing up to take Miaomiao home.

Everything on the table was stuffed into her bag. Ming Can glanced at the whiteboard Chi Xiao had bought. She rarely used such things before, but today Chi Xiao had given her an idea. She could set up a few large whiteboards at home for Miaomiao to write and draw on, helping him improve his writing and visual memory.

As for the whiteboard on the table, Ming Can didn’t consider taking it. She had already brought too much stuff today and couldn’t carry any more.

Unexpectedly, Chi Xiao didn’t pick up on her hint at all and insisted on pushing the whiteboard toward her: “Take it home.”

Ming Can shook her head: “Senior, you take it. I have to hold Miaomiao’s hand and won’t have any hands free.”

Chi Xiao nodded and said casually: “I can carry it for you and take you both home later.”

A free driver was too good to pass up. Ming Can smiled: “Thank you, senior.”

At this point, Ming Can couldn’t be bothered to overthink whether this guy was trying to hit on her. She had already made her stance clear, and Chi Xiao’s actions had always been just right—meeting her needs without being overly familiar. Overthinking would only ruin her mood, so she simply accepted that he was a generous and helpful person, and she was happy to go along with it.

As they left the library, half of the golden sun had already sunk behind the western mountains. The sky was filled with smoky purple clouds, and the entire campus was bathed in the fading glow of twilight.

Miaomiao held his mom’s hand as they walked out of the library. His dad walked silently ahead. Watching his back, Miaomiao suddenly remembered that he had been so focused on studying today that he had forgotten to practice his superpower properly.

Although Miaomiao had no desire to become president or rule all of humanity, he still wanted to improve his superpower. Right now, he was too weak—just listening to a few sentences would drain his energy. Only by practicing more and increasing his ability level would he use up less energy in the future.

Miaomiao tugged on Ming Can’s hand and looked up at her: “Sister, let’s walk faster. We’re falling way behind Brother.”

Ming Can had just taken out the hair tie holding her fluffy curls, and her hair instantly exploded into a frizzy mess. She used her hand to brush the curls over half her face, then put her glasses back on before replying softly to Miaomiao: “Why bother with him?”

Miaomiao: …

At the same time, Ming Can’s inner thoughts echoed in Miaomiao’s mind: [There are so many people outside, and it’s not even dark yet. Who wants to walk with him? Also, why is he walking so fast ahead? He didn’t even say whether he’s bringing the car over or if we’re walking to it… So annoying. Maybe I should just leave him here and go home by ourselves.]

Hearing that his mom wanted to ditch his dad, Miaomiao quickly called out to the figure ahead: “Brother, slow down!”

Hearing this, Chi Xiao paused, as if he had been lost in thought.

He turned around and said calmly, “Sorry.”

Chi Xiao: [Should I remind her?]

This sentence echoed in Miaomiao’s mind, but he didn’t understand it. It seemed to be something his dad had been thinking about while he was lost in thought.

His dad’s inner thoughts were very different from his mom’s. Mom’s thoughts were always rich and full of emotion, unrestrained, while Dad’s thoughts were concise and restrained, with a tone that lacked emotional color, just like his outwardly calm and indifferent expression. It was all very puzzling.

Ming Can walked down a few more steps, maintaining a certain distance from Chi Xiao: “Senior, where did you park the car?”

Chi Xiao: “Not far. I’ll go get it. You two can wait by the roadside.”

Chi Xiao: [How should I remind her?]

Again, only half a thought.

Miaomiao was getting anxious.

What exactly did Dad want to remind Mom about? Was it something kids shouldn’t hear? Why couldn’t Dad even think it through in his mind for Miaomiao to hear!

Ming Can: “Please hurry, senior. I need to get home quickly to do my homework.”

Ming Can: [Hurry up already! This bag is so heavy. Let me get in the car and rest soon!]

Chi Xiao: “Okay.”

Chi Xiao: [No chance.]

Miaomiao: ???

That’s it? No way!

Miaomiao felt like a frantic little badger darting wildly through a melon field—so young, yet he had already tasted the agony of eagerly chasing updates, only for the author to suddenly stop at a crucial moment!

It was just the time when the last class of the afternoon had ended. The square in front of the library was bustling with a steady stream of people. Students poured out of the teaching buildings in all directions, with a large portion heading toward the library.

Just as Chi Xiao turned around, ready to leave first to get the car, the young girl standing a few steps above him suddenly darted behind him. She grabbed the sleeves of his arms on both sides, hunching her shoulders and lowering her head, as if using him as a shield to block someone’s gaze.

A faint floral scent wafted over from behind.

Chi Xiao instinctively straightened his back and looked ahead. Sure enough, among the crowd heading toward the library, he spotted a familiar face.

Rui Yiqing, Ming Can’s best friend, and the person Ming Can had repeatedly claimed last week was “too busy to accompany her around A University.”

A few seconds earlier, Ming Can, standing higher up on the steps, had seen Rui Yiqing. At first, she wasn’t too nervous. After all, she was disguised today. Even if Rui Yiqing was familiar with her figure, as long as Ming Can avoided eye contact and pretended not to know her, Rui Yiqing probably wouldn’t come over to confirm her identity.

Then, Ming Can looked down to check her disguise for any flaws, and her peripheral vision caught sight of the light pink tote bag on her shoulder.

This bag.

It was a gift from Rui Yiqing.

It was from a niche brand, with a unique pattern and color. Ming Can was certain that if Rui Yiqing saw this bag, she would immediately recognize that the lady with the frizzy hair was none other than her best friend, Sun Moon Volcano!

Ming Can absolutely could not be discovered by Rui Yiqing. First, because she was currently with a child and Chi Xiao, which would be too hard to explain. Second, because Rui Yiqing had been trying to meet up with her recently but couldn’t, and now Ming Can was on A University’s campus without even bothering to find her… Ming Can couldn’t even imagine the horrifying scene of their ship of friendship sinking if Rui Yiqing recognized her.

As Rui Yiqing stepped onto the steps and walked toward them, the distance between them shortened. There was nowhere left to hide.

“Senior, I need your help. You haven’t seen me today.”

Ming Can acted swiftly, quickly pulling the tote bag off her shoulder and unceremoniously slinging it over Chi Xiao’s shoulder.

The bag was heavier than Chi Xiao had imagined.

He adjusted the strap with his hand, his peripheral vision catching sight of the frizzy-haired girl and her bouncy little cousin darting several steps away, putting distance between them.

As dusk fell, a cool breeze swept through. The tall, cold and stern young man dressed in all black stood on the library steps, with a large light pink tote bag tucked under his arm. The scene was so striking that it instantly drew the attention of countless passersby.

Naturally, this included Rui Yiqing.

The steps were bustling with people, and Chi Xiao exuded an aura of keep your distance. Rui Yiqing had been hesitant about whether to approach and greet him, worried she might be ignored and embarrassed in public.

That was until she clearly saw the bag on his shoulder.

“Senior Chi Xiao?” Rui Yiqing approached and stopped in front of him. “You have this bag too? Wait… is this your bag?”

Chi Xiao: “Yes.”

“…Your taste is quite good,” Rui Yiqing said, her expression a mix of horror and relief. “For a moment, I thought you were carrying a girl’s bag. If you got a girlfriend, half the girls at A University would cry themselves to death. And if the girlfriend happened to be someone I know, then half the guys at B University would also cry themselves to death. It would be world-ending, and a human tragedy!”

Chi Xiao listened to her rapid-fire speech, the corners of his lips twitching briefly: “Not bad.”

Rui Yiqing: “What’s not bad?”

Chi Xiao lowered his gaze and said nonchalantly, “World-ending, and human tragedy.”