Stingy Ghost, How Could It Be You?

Dugu Yan held Poseinan's hand, skipping and hopping as she led him through the winding streets and alleys.

Poseinan had assumed she would tire herself out after a little while.

To his surprise, the girl remained high-spirited and full of energy from start to finish.

There was not the slightest sign of her slowing down.

This actually made Poseinan start to doubt his own life.

Wasn't he the one who suggested going out for a stroll?

How did he end up being led astray by a little girl?

It wasn't until the two of them arrived in front of an imposing academy.

"Brother Nan, this is the branch of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for primary students!"

"I was supposed to attend school here, but unfortunately, my father fell ill, so Grandpa asked me to stay home and take care of him."

The little girl's tone was very dejected as she spoke.

It was clear she still felt quite regretful about it.

It was true, after all; all her peers had gone off to school.

Being the only one left at home, it would be impossible not to feel lonely.

Seeing the longing in Dugu Yan's eyes, Poseinan simply suggested, "Come on, I'll take you inside to look around."

"Eh, really?"

Dugu Yan gazed at him with wide, expectant eyes.

"Follow me."

Poseinan led her around to a secluded corner of the wall, lifted her up effortlessly with one hand, and nimbly vaulted over the wall, secretly feeling fortunate.

He was glad he had spent so much time climbing walls to go to internet cafes in his past life; he knew exactly where it was quiet, easy to climb, and unlikely to be spotted.

Otherwise, even a clever housewife would struggle to cook a meal without rice.

"Wow, Brother Nan, you're so amazing! You were actually able to lift me up with just one hand!"

Dugu Yan's mouth hung slightly open as she looked at Poseinan with a face full of admiration, feeling incredibly envious.

If she had strength like that, would she be able to protect her father and grandfather?

Who could resist the burning, worshipful gaze of a child?

Poseinan couldn't help but feel a bit smug, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Hmph, want to become as strong as me?"

Dugu Yan nodded vigorously. "I do!"

Poseinan patted the little girl's head and instructed, "Then eat plenty of food. Also, remember to eat that Earth Dragon Golden Melon tonight and practice your cultivation, you hear me?"

"Mm-hmm! I've got it all memorized!"

Afterward, the two of them wandered around the academy.

The academy was bustling with people, and many students a few years older than them noticed the two little ones, Poseinan and Dugu Yan, and began to whisper among themselves.

After all, one with blue hair and the other with purple, both possessing delicate, doll-like features, they were quite eye-catching in the crowd.

"That little blue-haired kid is so cute! He's definitely going to be a handsome guy when he grows up. I really want to go over and pinch his cheeks."

"Cute? What's so cute about him? He's just average, not even as handsome as me."

"You? You? Tsk tsk tsk, if you don't have a mirror, surely you have some urine to look at your reflection in?"

"Exactly, exactly. People really need to have some self-awareness. I think that little purple-haired girl is also so pretty. My god, what kind of divine combination are they? Could they be childhood sweethearts?"

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?"

As soon as he spoke, the crowd that had gathered vanished in an instant.

The balding teacher walked up to Poseinan and Dugu Yan, putting on what he thought was a gentle smile. "Little ones..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Dugu Yan let out a shriek, grabbed Poseinan, and ran. "Brother Nan, run! A creepy uncle is coming!"

The teacher: "..."

I just happen to be a little ugly, that's all.

What do you mean, "creepy uncle"?

The two of them scrambled away, finally running out of the academy and finding a spot to crouch down.

Dugu Yan panted, "That scared me to death. Good thing we ran fast."

Poseinan wiped his forehead and asked, puzzled, "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 is truly rich!

"Forget it, I'm not playing with you anymore. I'm going for a stroll by myself."

Dugu Yan grew anxious at once. "Oh, Brother Nan, just wait a little longer, Lingling will be out of school soon."

"Give it a rest. Do you really think I don't know the time? Still trying to pull a fast one on me?"

Poseinan rolled his eyes and pointed at the clock on a nearby shop.

Based on the primary academy students getting out at five o'clock, it was only four now; there was at least another hour to go.

Dugu Yan's face flushed red, and she stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "Hehe... you caught me."

Poseinan stood up and brushed off his backside, preparing to leave. "If you want to wait, then wait here by yourself. I'll come back to find you later."

Dugu Yan looked earnest. "Alright, then... Brother Nan, you must come back early, okay?"

"No problem."

The following hour passed.

Poseinan wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City, which was a decent way to pass the time.

Seeing the sun gradually slanting westward, the clocks on the street-side shops slowly ticked toward five o'clock.

Poseinan brushed the dust off his hem, recalled his promise to Dugu Yan, and turned to head in the direction of the Heaven Dou Royal Primary Academy.

Just as he reached the academy gate, before he could even spot Dugu Yan, he heard a sharp, arrogant shout.

Poseinan frowned and quickened his pace.

In the corner by the academy gate, a senior student of about eleven or twelve, wearing the academy uniform, stood with his hands on his hips, blocking two little girls with a savage expression.

One of them was Dugu Yan.

She gripped the hand of the blue-haired girl beside her tightly, her small body tensed. Even though there was fear in her eyes, she stubbornly stood in front of her companion, glaring at the senior student.

The blue-haired girl beside her had delicate features and was shrinking timidly against Dugu Yan's side, looking exceptionally helpless.

"You little brats, you clearly bumped into my younger brother, so why don't you hurry up and apologize? Don't blame me for teaching you a lesson on behalf of your parents if you don't!"

Dugu Yan said indignantly, "You're lying! It was clearly him who bumped into us on purpose!"

"Well, well, you little brat, you bumped into my brother and you still dare to talk back!"

The senior student lifted his chin and reached out to shove Dugu Yan.

"What a shameless rascal, bullying the young!"

A layer of coldness instantly covered Poseinan's eyes. He accelerated his pace and, without the slightest hesitation, put his strength into a kick that slammed into the senior student's lower back.

"Bang!"

With a dull thud, the boy, completely caught off guard, lost his balance from the kick of a child who looked only about six years old.

He lunged forward and fell face-first into the dirt, looking utterly wretched.

The passing students were stunned and stopped in their tracks to look over.

Poseinan stood in front of Dugu Yan, staring at the boy climbing up from the ground, and shouted coldly, "Get lost!"

The senior student was in pain and bewildered. He clutched his lower back, grimacing, and looked up at Poseinan, who didn't even reach his chest. A surge of fear instantly welled up in his heart.

He couldn't fathom how such a small child could have so much strength, knocking him to the ground with a single kick.

But now, being pointed at by the surrounding crowd and meeting Poseinan's icy gaze, he no longer dared to be arrogant. He scrambled up and scurried away in a panic.

Dugu Yan looked at the small back standing before her, and her eyes instantly grew hot. "Brother Nan, you're finally here!"

The blue-haired girl beside her also stepped forward timidly, preparing to thank him, but suddenly froze.

"Eh, stingy ghost, why is it you?!!"