“So, how much do you know about that fox demon?” Old Wu asked.
“Uh…” Su Mumu didn’t know how to answer. “I only saw her that one time.”
“Alright.” Old Wu changed the subject. “Then do you think she is aggressive?”
“I… I don’t know,” Su Mumu said.
“She is,” Jiang Mengxin added in a timely manner.
This statement drew a look of confusion from Su Mumu, who secretly peeked at Jiang Mengxin’s profile with her small eyes.
‘My dear friend, look how cute and well-behaved I am. How could I be aggressive?’
“It seems that fox demon is very dangerous.” Old Wu rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
“She’s very strange…” Jiang Mengxin said. “I suspect she possesses some kind of method of hiding the true body, or perhaps a method of reducing presence.”
“That is indeed very possible,” Old Wu said. “In any case, you two must act with caution, especially you, Su Mumu. You need to be careful.”
“Why are you dissing me again…” Su Mumu grumbled discontentedly.
Jiang Mengxin chuckled and reached out to gently rub Su Mumu’s head.
“There, there. It’s because Mumu has mastered a sword spirit! You’re a sword cultivation genius now, so you need special protection — “
“Stop trying to trick me…” Su Mumu pouted.
“I’m not. Mumu is even more powerful than I am now,” Jiang Mengxin said softly.
“Don’t touch my head…” Su Mumu mumbled unhappily.
Jiang Mengxin, however, remained beaming. “The more I rub it, the taller you’ll grow.”
Su Mumu gave a light huff. “We aren’t that different in height anyway.”
“Then why don’t you rub mine too? We can grow taller together,” Jiang Mengxin suggested.
“No thanks. You’re already big enough. Any bigger and you’ll destroy the world.” Su Mumu glanced at Jiang Mengxin’s chest with dead fish eyes.
Jiang Mengxin’s face flushed, and she teased, “How annoying!”
She lightly patted Su Mumu’s shoulder with her hand. It was a small counterattack.
‘Is it because there’s still a Class Teacher in the office? That’s why Mengxin is being so polite,’ Su Mumu thought. ‘Under normal circumstances, she probably would have already started trying to kiss me…’
“Ahem — ! Cough, cough…” Old Wu feigned clearing his throat and turned to look at the window nearby.
“The weather is really nice today… Cough! Cough, cough, cough! Cough… What the heck just flew into my mouth?”
“Report, Old Man! It was a fly!” Su Mumu’s face was serious.
“What?!” Old Wu’s face turned livid. “Cough! Cough, cough, cough… Dammit… This ghostly weather isn’t good at all!”
Su Mumu looked out the window in confusion. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the weather was beautiful.
It had just snowed a few days ago, and right now, the light was soft and birds were leaving their nests to find food.
“It looks fine to me?”
“It’s not fine for a single dog at all! …Cough! Cough, cough, cough!” Old Wu clutched his throat, his face full of pain.
“Why?” Su Mumu tilted her head.
“You… you aren’t allowed to ask! Don’t talk!” Old Wu said.
“Why are you placing a gag order on me?” Su Mumu asked suspiciously. “Old Man, are you trying to secretly eat a few more flies yourself?”
“Nonsense! Cough — ! Cough, cough…” Old Wu was out of breath.
“Relax, relax — don’t be in such a hurry. No one is going to snatch them from you.” Su Mumu waved her hand casually. “Look, there’s another one over there. Do you want me to help you catch it?”
She pointed her finger toward a fly circling near the window.
“Forget it, just speak.” Old Wu glared at Su Mumu. “I won’t say another word!”
“Huh?” Su Mumu blinked.
“Pfft…” Jiang Mengxin covered her mouth, still unable to stop herself from laughing. “Mumu, stop talking. The Old Man is going to pass out from anger.”
“Emmm…” Su Mumu nodded.
The clouds in the sky were blown by the wind, catching on the corner of Xiayang’s clothes. The slanted light fell upon the tiled floor, making it hard to keep one’s eyes open.
Old Wu’s condition finally improved a bit. “Jiang Mengxin, you go out first. I have some things to say to Su Mumu.”
Jiang Mengxin was stunned, appearing somewhat reluctant to leave.
Old Wu explained calmly, “Don’t worry, I’m not scolding her. I want to talk to her privately about the sword spirit.”
“Alright.” Jiang Mengxin nodded. A student who had already cultivated a sword spirit did indeed need some one-on-one guidance.
Subsequently, Jiang Mengxin left, closing the door behind her.
The soundproofing of the office had always been excellent; even if someone spoke loudly, they couldn’t be heard from the outside. The walls were specifically cast with sound-insulating materials.
“Old Man, if you have something to say, can it wait? I’m hungry. I want to go eat cake with Xin Xin.” Su Mumu rubbed her stomach pitifully.
“You two… I’m truly at a loss.” Old Wu massaged his temples. “I’m asking you, have you… have you come into contact with any strange people lately?”
“What do you mean?” Su Mumu asked.
“Literally. Who have you been in contact with recently?” Old Wu asked.
Without even thinking, Su Mumu answered, “Xin Xin.”
Old Wu frowned. “Who else?”
Su Mumu thought seriously for a moment. “Xin Xin.”
Old Wu’s mouth twitched. “No one else?”
“There is,” Su Mumu said.
“Who?” Old Wu’s expression grew urgent.
“You,” Su Mumu said.
The wrinkles on Old Wu’s face deepened.
“Old Man, use civilized language!” Su Mumu said. “Be careful, or your salary might get docked.”
“The Principal can’t control that,” Old Wu said disdainfully.
“Ewww — ” Su Mumu looked at Old Wu with a look of contempt as she took out her phone. “I’m going to report you.”
“Stop with this useless stuff.” Old Wu remained calm and collected. “Let’s talk business.”
“Oh, oh…” Su Mumu nodded blankly.
“So, have you encountered anything strange?” Old Wu looked solemn. “Think carefully. This likely concerns the origin of your sword spirit.”
“Is that so…” Su Mumu closed her eyes, her brow furrowed tightly. “Ummm…”
Old Wu waited quietly. He sipped his tea and admired the wind, acting very much like a worldly master. However, his trembling hand betrayed him.
Finally, Su Mumu finished her thinking. “No.”
“No!?” Old Wu’s emotions surged. “Impossible… Think again. You didn’t encounter a single strange thing?”
“I really didn’t.” Su Mumu’s face was full of innocence.
“Or perhaps some kind of turbulent encounter? Nothing like that either?” Old Wu clearly showed an expression of unwillingness.
“Uh… that…” Su Mumu hesitated. “I mean, there is something, but it’s not very convenient to talk about, right?”
There were some things hidden in a young girl’s heart. They were untouchable soft spots, little secrets that couldn’t be told.
Who could have guessed that Old Wu would immediately slap the table and yell, “Speak!”
“…Ah?” Su Mumu reflexively took a small step back.
“Your sword spirit is extremely unusual…” Old Wu said with absolute gravity. “So on this matter, forgive me for not being lenient.”
‘What a forceful attitude…’
This was the first time Su Mumu had seen Old Wu so serious.
“Speak. This office has high-grade soundproofing. No one can eavesdrop,” Old Wu said.
“But…” Su Mumu hesitated. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the sword spirit…”
“Whether it has a connection or not is for me to judge.” Old Wu took a deep breath. “Su Mumu, I am begging you to tell me. Will you?”
Since the Old Man had put it that way…
“Then… fine.” Su Mumu looked away slightly, staring at the wall nearby.
“Mmhmm, I’m listening.” Old Wu moved his chair closer. Because Su Mumu’s voice was so soft, he had to get near.
“It’s just that… well… uh…” Su Mumu’s voice grew smaller and smaller. Her cheeks turned a visible shade of crimson.
“Speak. No matter the problem, your Class Teacher has your back,” Old Wu encouraged.
“Um… I was forcibly kissed by Xin Xin.” Su Mumu felt her ears rapidly heating up.
“What?” The solemn expression on Old Wu’s face instantly froze.
“I was… kissed by force.” Su Mumu’s voice became even smaller, as if she wanted to bury her head into the ground.
The atmosphere suddenly turned still. Old Wu’s face shifted between green and red, his forehead covered in black lines.
Su Mumu noticed something was wrong with him. “Old Man?”
Old Wu suddenly bolted upright from his stool, strode to the window, and began to climb out.
“Wait!?” Su Mumu was stunned and rushed forward to stop him. “Old Man, what are you doing?”
Old Wu’s voice was full of tears. “Don’t stop me! I’m going to launch a full-on assault on the earth!”
Su Mumu yelled, “That is freaking jumping to your death!”