Chapter 6: That Bad Man

“Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy.”

Wang Yan got up at 5:00 a.m. and began cleaning the house.

After that, he went out for a light jog.

He had always wanted Tong Xingyao to join him for morning runs.

Proper exercise was necessary to grow strong, tall, and powerful.

Yet Tong Xingyao could never wake up.

He had no idea why.

At first, he thought she had been secretly staying up late behind his back.

But yesterday she had gone to sleep with him.

She had been very well-behaved and slept early.

If this kept up, how would she grow taller?

Although Tong Xingyao was already a head taller than Wang Yan, she still had not reached the average height of women in this world.

Sweating heavily, Wang Yan jogged half a lap around the residential complex and prepared to rest for a while.

When he looked up, he saw Pei Zhanxi carrying a bag of fruit, seemingly on her way somewhere.

He recalled the bizarre scene from yesterday.

He had merely called out to her once.

Yet the “Fear” notifications above her head had poured out like flowing water.

Could someone be spreading rumors about him?

Wang Yan could not help but ponder.

In the end, he decided he had to clear up this misunderstanding.

“Classmate Pei, is there some misunderstanding between us?”

Wang Yan jogged closer as he spoke.

[+10 Fear]

[+10 Fear]

[+10 Fear]

…

More notifications popped up above Pei Zhanxi’s head.

Wang Yan felt rather helpless.

Seeing him approach, Pei Zhanxi began to jog away.

Wang Yan persistently gave chase, determined to wash away the stain on his reputation.

“Classmate, why are you running?”

Although women in this world had significant physical advantages, Pei Zhanxi was wearing high heels and carrying a heavy bag.

It severely limited her speed.

Gritting her teeth, she threw the bag onto the ground and ran forward, her heels clacking rapidly.

However, high heels were not suited for long-distance running.

Though she did manage to shake Wang Yan off briefly, halfway through she twisted her ankle.

Looking at the large bag of fruit on the ground, Wang Yan did not know what to say.

He ran a bit farther and finally found Pei Zhanxi unconscious beneath a utility pole.

Seeing the dent in the pole and the obvious dragging marks on the cement ground, Wang Yan was astonished.

Someone had actually endured the pain of a sprained ankle, crawled that fast, and slammed into a pole?

After calling a taxi and sending Pei Zhanxi to the hospital, Wang Yan left.

Meanwhile, on the still-warm bed, Tong Xingyao slowly woke up.

She glanced at the time.

It was already 7:00 a.m.?

She did not get up immediately.

Instead, she burrowed into the blankets for a while longer.

Her body felt somewhat weak.

She had lost count of how many times it had been.

Endlessly approaching the finish line yet never reaching it did not relieve pressure.

If anything, it only deepened the body’s exhaustion.

Tong Xingyao had read countless online posts.

She had fantasized before.

But each time, she cut the fantasy short herself.

She checked the time again.

Almost 7:30.

Wang Yan had not woken her.

Something felt off.

She opened her messaging app and slowly sent Wang Yan a single “?”

She decided that if there was no reply within three seconds, she would call the police.

But just as she thought that, Wang Yan quickly sent a message back, explaining that something unexpected had come up.

It was nothing serious.

He simply would not be able to make her breakfast.

There was plenty of cola in the fridge.

Wang Yan had seen her drink bottle after bottle the other day, so he had exchanged many more and stocked the refrigerator.

He also suggested that she visit the newly opened mall on the next street over.

She could buy whatever she wanted and eat whatever she liked.

She had to make sure she fed herself well.

He reminded her to take more money from the small wooden box, just like always.

Even though Wang Yan knew she would not do so.

He did not know why.

If he did not personally hand her the money, she would not take it.

She would not even say anything when she ran out.

Just like yesterday at noon.

It had clearly been Wang Yan who forgot.

Yet Tong Xingyao would rather go hungry than mention it.

In response, Wang Yan could only offer even more care to compensate.

Tong Xingyao dressed and washed up before stepping out of the house.

She took two bottles of cola from the fridge.

As soon as she exited the building, she saw Guo Zimu walking toward her from a distance.

“This is for you.”

Tong Xingyao handed her a can.

Guo Zimu accepted it.

She examined the unfamiliar soda brand in her hand.

It was ice-cold.

“What brand is this?”

“I’ve never seen it before.”

She scrutinized the can carefully.

“Don’t tell me that stingy guy from your house bought some off-brand knockoff somewhere.”

Guo Zimu looked at it suspiciously.

“I knew it. He only bullies you. Did you give him all the money you earned yesterday again?”

“It’s good.”

Tong Xingyao explained.

Before leaving the house, she had already drunk a can.

That indescribable refreshing sensation had instantly washed away the exhaustion from last night.

Guo Zimu hesitated but eventually popped the tab.

Pshh.

A wisp of cold vapor escaped.

That alone piqued her interest.

Glug, glug.

After a few gulps, Guo Zimu’s pupils shook violently.

That fizzy pressure.

That crisp sweetness.

“What is this thing?”

Her attitude flipped completely.

“This is delicious. I want more.”

Tong Xingyao nodded.

“Mm. Okay.”

She brought Guo Zimu back home.

The sofa was clean.

The tables and chairs were neatly arranged.

Even the trash can beside the dining table had been emptied.

Tong Xingyao led Guo Zimu to the refrigerator.

When she opened it, Guo Zimu’s eyes widened.

An entire shelf was filled with that same drink.

The two of them drank to their hearts’ content.

Before leaving, they stuffed a few more bottles into their cloth bags.

“There’s still plenty of time before class. Where are we going?”

“To eat.”

“Eat outside?”

“Mm.”

Guo Zimu found it hard to believe.

Tong Xingyao suggesting eating breakfast outside was practically unheard of.

“Do you even have money? Which bad person gave you how much?”

Tong Xingyao pulled the 700 yuan from her pocket and showed it to Guo Zimu.

“A lot.”

Guo Zimu frowned deeply.

“Compared to your usual allowance, it is a lot.”

“But yesterday you made over ten thousand.”

“That bad man took it all from you.”

“With ten thousand, you could buy so much good food.”

Guo Zimu felt indignant on her behalf.

“In the future, hide it secretly. Don’t let him find it. Then he won’t be able to take it. That’s your hard-earned money.”

Tong Xingyao lowered her head and said nothing.

After a while, she shook her head.

She carefully smoothed out the wrinkled bills and placed them into her small wallet.

“These are mine.”

“What he gives me is…”

Guo Zimu stamped her foot in anger.

“Forget it. Let’s not talk about it. Come on, we’ll go eat something good.”

“I’ll tell that bad man later to give your money back.”

Guo Zimu gritted her teeth whenever she thought of Wang Yan.