“So what’s your choice, the two of you?”
In the alley, Zhong Siji completely ignored the delinquent leader sprawled in a mess at his feet and slowly addressed the remaining two delinquents.
Looking at their boss lying on the ground like a roadside stray, the two underlings only felt a strange energy surging through their bodies.
“We’re extremely sorry!”
“Excuse us!”
They decisively hauled up their completely finished boss and turned to run.
Zhong Siji did not chase them. First, there was no need. Second, three heroes against Lü Bu was already enough; if it became five or six heroes, even if his bravery was not inferior to Lü Bu’s, he would probably still end up drinking the bitter wine at White Gate Tower.
“Classmate Runhui, it’s over. How are you? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Xu Runhui felt as if she were in a dream. Otherwise, how could she explain everything in front of her eyes?
A boy had actually knocked down Momoi’s Number Two with a single punch?
Even in Momoi, where delinquents were as common as roadside Pikachu, Number Twos were rare existences, ranking only below the seven Number Ones and that King of Momoi.
She herself, forget about a Number Two—even the lowest-level delinquents could use the soles of their shoes to give her head a friendly massage.
Yet such a Number Two had been knocked down by Classmate Siji with one punch? Mm, I really must still be dreaming.
“Classmate Runhui?”
On the other side, Zhong Siji, who had received no response for a long time, began to worry.
Did she get scared stupid? That shouldn’t be the case, right?
Just now she was still telling me to run. Zhong Siji worriedly leaned a little closer to Xu Runhui.
Huh? Why did he suddenly lean over? Boys who get this close to me don’t exist, so this must definitely be a dream, right?
So this is what Classmate Siji’s face looks like up close.
A little refined yet somehow a little wild, a little pure yet somehow a little charming.
There are actually three teardrop moles under his left eye.
I never looked carefully enough before and only noticed the closest one… I really want to taste them. These three fragrant, ripe, dark sesame seeds…
“Excuse me.”
Looking at the dazed Xu Runhui, Zhong Siji grew even more worried and couldn’t help reaching out to feel her forehead.
Awoo~~ She didn’t cry out, because this was a roar from the soul. He… he touched me! The hand of a boy the same age!
So… so gentle! Just like those big brothers full of fatherly warmth in anime.
“This can’t go on. My phone is also out of battery. I have to get her to the nearest clinic quickly.”
“Fa…” Her small red face, mouth slightly open, Xu Runhui finally responded with something.
Finally some kind of response. But what does this ‘Fa’ mean? Is Xu Runhui also a secret agent? Matching codes with me?
Zhong Siji could not understand, but it didn’t matter. He was about to understand very soon.
“Fa… Father!”
“…………………Huh?”
***
In recent years, as the pressures of life continued to increase, a behavior of calling virtual characters “loli moms” gradually appeared on young people’s social media.
Its essence was the longing for intimate relationships and the lack of a sense of security among the young.
Under the enormous pressure of reality, many people hoped to be treated with unconditional gentleness and longed for a place where they could completely relax both body and mind.
And a “virtual loli mom” both provided care like a mother and retained the pure, harmless traits of a loli, perfectly satisfying this psychological need of young people.
Therefore, the act of calling virtual characters “loli moms” was not only a manifestation of emotional repression, but also a form of self-comfort for young people escaping the emptiness and pain of reality.
It also provided a sample of great practical significance for studying the mental state of contemporary youth.
Of course, in the current world, what was popular had already become “virtual shota dads.”
But Zhong Siji was neither a shota nor virtual in any way. How had he suddenly become a classmate’s “call-me-dad” figure?
Zhong Siji secretly glanced at Xu Runhui, who was a head shorter than him and currently focused only on hurrying along with her head lowered.
Could it be that Classmate Runhui is also repressed?
No no no no, that’s impossible, right?
How could a kind person like Classmate Runhui, who is so friendly even to a fringe character like me, be repressed?
Besides, under this worldview, I probably don’t have much male charm either, right?
Then why on earth is it? Could it be that!
Classmate Runhui simply lacks fatherly love, just like the literal meaning?
The more Zhong Siji thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
After their alcoholic father passed away when they were little, during that short period when the siblings only had each other to rely on, Xinya had also called him “Dad” a few times without thinking. Although she strongly denied it after growing a little older.
Mm, it should be exactly like that.
“Classmate Runhui…”
Zhong Siji stopped walking and called out to Xu Runhui, who had only been focused on walking.
Xu Runhui trembled at the sound and answered in a trembling voice, “Yes? Classmate Siji.”
Looking at Xu Runhui’s frightened appearance, Zhong Siji’s gaze grew even gentler.
“Classmate Runhui, it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.”
“Really?! Classmate Siji! You really believe I didn’t deliberately call you… that?!”
Xu Runhui suddenly felt as if she had found a way out of a desperate situation.
“Mm, I believe you. Classmate Runhui isn’t that kind of person.”
“Classmate Siji………..”
“But I’m very sorry. I still can’t replace your father.”
“Eh?”
“However, just like how you lent me your textbook, people can only live in this world by supporting each other like this.”
“If there’s anything you need help with, please just say so. As long as I can help, I definitely will.”
“…………..”
Xu Runhui’s face turned pale as she opened and closed her mouth, yet she couldn’t say a single word.
Looking at Xu Runhui’s moved, speechless appearance, Zhong Siji felt even more pleased with himself.
I really should let Xinya see this. What do you mean I always fail to understand people’s hearts and only randomly guess what others are thinking?
Look at how moved Classmate Runhui is. Can anyone still say that I, Zhong Siji, don’t understand people’s hearts? How is that possible!
***
It’s over… it’s over! Xu Runhui felt as if her life was about to end right then and there.
Not only had Classmate Siji seen her useless side, but after he helped her, she had accidentally called him “Dad” because of certain fantasies in her heart.
Being called “Dad” by a female classmate of the same age—no matter which boy it was, he would definitely find it disgusting, right?
“Did you hear? That Xu Runhui from Class 5 called a male classmate ‘Dad’.”
“Wow… really? That’s seriously disgusting.”
If this got out, forget about campus life—even life as a carbon-based lifeform would probably be over.
She had to… she had to apologize, and also ask Classmate Siji not to tell anyone about this.
But how should she say it? She was already the one who had received help, and she had still done something so rude…
Xu Runhui several times had the words at the tip of her tongue but couldn’t bring them out, until Zhong Siji spoke first.
Great! Classmate Siji doesn’t seem to mind… my ass!
What do you mean you can’t replace my father? That’s not what I meant at all! My dad is still alive and well!
Although my original meaning might have been even worse, it shouldn’t have been interpreted that way!
No, I have to explain clearly!
Even if it means risking the early end of my campus life or even my life as a carbon-based lifeform… I have to explain clearly!
“Let’s just treat this as a secret between the two of us.”
“Thank you so much!”
Just like that, Xu Runhui’s campus life, and even her life as a carbon-based lifeform, was saved.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.