Dugu Yan took Poseinan by the hand and skipped happily through the streets and alleys.
Poseinan had thought she would tire herself out after a little while.
He hadn't expected the little girl to stay so excited and full of energy from start to finish.
She showed no sign of slowing down at all.
That left Poseinan questioning his whole existence.
Wasn't he the one who'd suggested going for a stroll?
How had the little girl ended up setting the pace?
They finally reached an imposing academy.
"Brother Nan, this is the primary academy branch of Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
"I'm going to study here someday, too. I was supposed to start this year, but Dad got sick, so Grandpa had me stay home and take care of him."
The little girl sounded very downcast.
She was clearly still disappointed about it.
And that made sense. All the children her age had gone to school.
She was the only one stuck at home. There was no way she didn't feel lonely.
Seeing the longing in Dugu Yan's eyes, Poseinan simply suggested, "Come on. I'll take you inside to have a look."
"Really?"
Dugu Yan gazed up at him hopefully.
"Follow me."
Poseinan led her around to a secluded corner, lifted her up with one hand, and deftly hoisted himself over the wall, secretly relieved.
Good thing he'd climbed over plenty of walls in his previous life to sneak out and go online. He knew where there were fewer people, where the walls were easy to climb, and where no one would spot them.
Otherwise, even the cleverest cook couldn't make a meal without rice.
"Whoa, Brother Nan, you're amazing! You picked me up with just one hand!"
Dugu Yan stared at Poseinan with her mouth slightly open, admiration shining in her eyes. She couldn't help envying him.
If she had strength like that, could she protect Dad and Grandpa?
Who could resist the fiery admiration in a child's eyes?
Poseinan couldn't help feeling a little smug. He lifted the corner of his mouth. "Heh heh, you want to be as strong as me?"
Dugu Yan nodded vigorously. "I do!"
Poseinan patted the little girl on the head and reminded her, "Then eat more. And don't forget to eat that Earth Dragon Golden Melon tonight, then cultivate. Got it?"
"Mm-hmm! I'll remember!"
After that, the two of them wandered around the academy.
Students milled about the grounds. Quite a few, several years older than the two little ones, noticed Poseinan and Dugu Yan and began whispering among themselves.
After all, one had blue hair and the other purple. Both had adorable, doll-like faces, so they stood out in the crowd.
"That little blue-haired kid is so cute! He'll definitely grow up to be a handsome guy. I want to pinch his cheek!"
"What's so cute about him? He's just average. I'm better-looking."
"You? You? Tsk, tsk. If you don't have a mirror, surely you can find a puddle to look in?"
"Exactly. People should know their place. I think that little purple-haired girl is adorable, too. Oh my gosh, what kind of perfect match are they? Don't tell me they're betrothed!"
Just then, a balding teacher wearing glasses walked over and gave a light cough.
"Ahem! What are you all gathered here for? Why aren't you in class?"
At his words, the crowd that had gathered scattered in an instant.
The balding teacher walked up to Poseinan and Dugu Yan and put on what he thought was a kind smile. "Children..."
Before he could finish, Dugu Yan yelled, grabbed Poseinan, and ran. "Brother Nan, run! The creepy uncle's here!"
The balding teacher: "..."
I'm just a little ugly.
What do you mean, "creepy uncle"?
After fleeing in a panic, the two finally made it out of the academy and crouched down somewhere nearby.
Dugu Yan panted. "That scared me! Good thing we ran fast."
Poseinan wiped his forehead and asked, confused, "Why did we have to run?"
Dugu Yan tilted her head and looked at him. "Brother Nan, you're so silly!"
"Those ugly, creepy uncles will take us away and sell us!"
Poseinan's mouth twitched.
Little girl, your imagination really runs wild!
"Forget it. I'm done playing with you. I'm going for a walk on my own."
Dugu Yan immediately panicked. "Oh, Brother Nan, wait a little longer. Lingling will be out of school soon."
"Come on. You think I don't know what time it is? Trying to fool me?"
Poseinan rolled his eyes and pointed at the clock above a shop in the distance.
The primary academy students got out at five, and it was only four now. There was at least another hour to wait.
Dugu Yan's little face reddened, and she stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "Hehe... you caught me."
Poseinan stood up and brushed the dust off his backside, ready to leave. "If you want to wait, stay here by yourself. I'll come find you later."
Dugu Yan answered earnestly, "All right, then... Brother Nan, make sure you come back soon!"
"No problem."
For the next hour,
Poseinan wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City. It was a decent way to pass the time.
The sun gradually sank toward the west, and the clocks in the shops along the street crept toward five.
Poseinan brushed the dust from his clothes. Remembering his promise to Dugu Yan, he turned and headed back toward Heaven Dou Royal Primary Academy.
He had only just reached the academy gates and hadn't yet spotted Dugu Yan when a sharp, arrogant scolding rang out.
Poseinan frowned and hurried over.
In a corner by the academy entrance, an older boy of about eleven or twelve, dressed in the academy uniform, stood with his hands on his hips, blocking two little girls with a domineering look.
One of them was Dugu Yan.
She clutched the hand of the blue-haired girl beside her. Her small body was tense, and though fear showed in her eyes, she stubbornly stood in front of her friend and glared at the older boy.
The blue-haired girl beside her had delicate features and cowered timidly at Dugu Yan's side, looking utterly helpless.
"Little brat, you two clearly bumped into my little brother! Hurry up and apologize! Otherwise, don't blame me for teaching you a lesson on your parents' behalf!"
Dugu Yan puffed out her cheeks. "You're lying! He bumped into us on purpose!"
"Oh, so you bumped into my little brother and still dare to talk back, you little brat!"
The older boy lifted his chin and reached out to shove Dugu Yan.
"Picking on someone smaller than you? You shameless thug!"
A chill flashed through Poseinan's eyes. He quickened his pace and, without the slightest hesitation, planted a powerful kick in the older boy's lower back.
"Thud!"
The boy hadn't seen it coming. A child who looked barely six years old had kicked him so hard he lost his balance.
He pitched forward and landed face-first in the dirt, sprawled in a thoroughly miserable heap.
The students passing by stared in shock and stopped to watch.
Poseinan stepped in front of Dugu Yan, fixed his gaze on the boy as he scrambled up, and barked, "Get lost!"
The older boy was in pain and completely stunned. Clutching his lower back and grimacing, he looked up at Poseinan, who didn't even come up to his chest. A wave of fear washed over him.
He couldn't understand how a child so small could have so much strength, enough to kick him to the ground in one blow.
But with people all around pointing at him, and Poseinan's icy gaze fixed on him,
he didn't dare act tough anymore. He scrambled to his feet and ran off in disgrace.
Dugu Yan looked at the tiny figure standing in front of her, and her eyes instantly grew hot. "Brother Nan, you finally came!"
The blue-haired girl beside her timidly stepped forward to thank him, but suddenly froze.
"Huh? Stingy, why is it you?!"