Since Li Weiwei's death, Gao Yang had hardly spoken to her, so it was understandable that others would be concerned.

Wan Sisi blushed as Gao Yang fixed his gaze on her, and she awkwardly averted her eyes. "Sorry... just forget what I said."

"Thanks." Gao Yang smiled gratefully. "I didn't expect you to care about me so much."

"I don’t! I don’t care at all!" Wan Sisi denied fervently, though her expression betrayed her. "We’re classmates, it’s only natural!"

"Don’t worry, I’m not stuck in my grief. I’ll be back to normal in a few days," Gao Yang reassured.

They continued chatting about various things—life, college entrance exams—until their drinks were finished, and the snacks were long gone.

Wan Sisi stood up to throw away the trash, but she glanced around, and, when no one was looking, she secretly slipped the disposable coffee cup into her pocket, her face filled with joy.

None of this escaped Gao Yang’s notice.

Could Wan Sisi have a crush on him?

But then, Gao Yang remembered that night on his birthday, when Li Weiwei had almost killed him. Who's to say Wan Sisi wasn’t the same? One moment declaring her affection, the next turning into a terrifying Wrath Beast, ready to devour him whole.

Conflicted, Gao Yang left the store with her, and they parted ways. It wasn’t until Wan Sisi’s cheerful figure disappeared around the corner that Gao Yang reopened the system.

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His luck points hadn’t doubled, which meant Wan Sisi posed no danger.

After this small interlude, Gao Yang resumed walking. Barely two minutes passed before he stopped again.

Wait... Why did it feel like someone was still following him?

Come to think of it, his senses had become much sharper. It was probably due to the increase in his "mental power." So this attribute boost really did come in handy.

Suddenly, Gao Yang quickened his pace, turned the corner, threw down his backpack, and swiftly hid behind a vending machine, holding his breath.

Seven or eight seconds later, a figure jogged into view. The person immediately noticed the backpack on the ground and was just about to bend down to pick it up when Gao Yang leaped out. "Wang Zikai?!"

Wang Zikai jumped in shock, "Ah—"

"Have you been following me?"

Wang Zikai laughed sheepishly, "Man, you’re good! I thought I hid so well, but you still caught me!"

"I told you to stay home and focus on training!" Gao Yang said, frustrated, his head beginning to throb. *If you keep pulling stunts like this, I won’t be able to protect you, even if I wanted to.*

Wang Zikai pouted, "Training is so damn boring! I can’t stand it anymore!"

"How do you expect to get stronger if you don’t train?"

"Can’t we just go hunt monsters or do something else? Sitting in meditation every day—does it really make me stronger? It feels totally useless!"

*Of course not.*

But at least if you didn’t act recklessly, you’d stay alive.

Gao Yang sighed. "Your physique is special. You grow slower than the rest of us, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be stronger than anyone. You just need patience. As the saying goes, 'Heaven bestows great responsibilities on those it chooses, and before it does, it tests their will, strains their muscles, starves their body, and empties their spirit...'"

"I get it, I get it." Wang Zikai whined, "But it’s just too dull!"

Gao Yang fell silent.

Seeing Gao Yang’s displeased expression, Wang Zikai immediately tried to placate him, "Brother, please don’t be mad! I’ll go back and keep training, okay?"

"Shut up."

"What’s wrong?" Wang Zikai lowered his voice, his head craning forward in curiosity, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"We’re... being followed."

Gao Yang was on the verge of losing it.

*Is this never going to end?!*