Chapter 351.1: Studying Abroad

Just as Chu Guang was contemplating on how to find a breakthrough with Pai, Pai herself was racking her brain, pondering on how she could snatch Xiaoyu away from Chu Guang.

Of course, the term snatch away was clearly inappropriate.

Xiaoyu was a free individual and not anyone’s possession.

However, what frustrated Pai was that her good friend lacked any initiative, despite being good in every way!

Pai couldn’t help but wonder what that person named Chu Guang had done to Xiaoyu, making her mention everything her Big Brother Chu said like a broken record the entire day.

Nevertheless, Pai still wanted to take Xiaoyu to Camp 101.

A genuine school awaited there, along with a group of knowledgeable teachers who could help her unlock her potential.

Pai was confident that she wasn’t mistaken. Xiaoyu’s talents were exceptionally rare among the survivors in the wasteland, to the point where it could be described as being one in a million.

These talents had already manifested in language and arithmetic; she was like an uncut jade. Not to exaggerate, but excluding the lack of a bionic chip, her innate talents were no less than Pai herself.

However, her environment had limited her potential, providing no space for her to fully unleash her abilities.

Pai couldn’t bear to see her good friend miss out on this precious opportunity.

In a few more years, she would miss the golden period of learning. Although it didn’t mean she would be overshadowed by others, missing the opportunity would require her to put in twice the effort.

Lost in these thoughts, Pai unconsciously stepped into the elevator and arrived on level B4, heading towards the direction of the library.

Yet, perhaps because she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings, as she was turning a corner, she coincidentally collided with Xia Yan, who was coming out of the door.

“Ouch!” Letting out a brief cry, Pai covered her nose.

Gazing at this girl who barely reached her chest, Xia Yan quickly asked when she saw her teary eyes. “Sorry, are you okay?”

Rubbing her nose, Pai muttered, “

Ngh...

I’m fine. I should be the one apologizing. Sorry, I got distracted and didn’t watch where I was going.”

Oh?

This child seems to understand manners.

Just as Xia Yan was thinking this, she suddenly noticed that this person had their right hand covering their nose and was continuously rubbing it.

Her face blushed instantly. Unable to help herself, she muttered under her breath, “Is... Is it that serious?”

She had clearly grown a little in that area recently.

“

Mhm

?” Hearing something from the lady in front of her, Pai lifted her head.

Caught in the gaze of those teary eyes, Xia Yan cleared her throat and changed the subject, “You’re... Pai, right? What brings you here?”

“Yes, I’m, Pai! I... I want to meet your administrator!” Pai was hesitant at first, but after being asked, she finally made up her mind.

“That guy... I mean, our esteemed administrator is quite busy right now. If it’s not something particularly urgent, you can talk to me too.”

Seeing Pai as a playful child, Xia Yan spoke in a comforting tone, even though she wasn’t quite sure how to comfort a child.

Feeling underestimated, Pai’s eyebrows furrowed, and she said earnestly, “It’s a very important matter! It concerns the future of my good friend!”

The future of a good friend?

Xia Yan was about to express her confusion, and before she could even speak, a nimble figure slipped quietly past her and darted into the library.

As Pai entered the library, Chu Guang was on a phone call with Luca, inquiring about the situation of the mission. “... How’s everything on your end? Any casualties? Do I need to send more personnel?”

Although the New Alliance had previously dispatched personnel to Boulder Town, the formal diplomatic mission was a first.

“We’re doing well. The casualties were all on the attackers’ side. Please don’t worry about us, sir.” Hearing the concern in the administrator’s voice, Luca’s tone held a touch of gratitude.

After briefing on the situation, he continued, “I interrogated the attackers. They claimed to have taken the commission from a man named Byte at Pirate’s Bay Tavern, employed by an employer who preferred to remain anonymous.”

“According to their description, this person was quite generous. Unlike those stingy traveling merchants, he gave them an upfront payment of 1,000 chips. Considering the middleman’s cut, the actual reward is likely even higher.”

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Guang spoke slowly, “

Mhm...

I understand the situation. I will arrange for further investigation into the mastermind behind the attack against you.”

Although Chu Guang anticipated that such a situation might arise, he didn’t expect the other party to act so decisively.

A force was trying to obstruct the New Alliance from signing a friendly contract with Boulder Town, and this incident served as a wake-up call for him.

“Furthermore, you must be cautious on your journey. Even when you reach Boulder Town, you can’t let your guard down. Someone is attempting to interfere and sabotage our relationship with our neighbors. I fear their methods won’t be limited to ambushing us on the way,”

Luca earnestly responded. “I feel the same way... I have a bad premonition that real trouble lies ahead, and we’ll encounter it once we arrive.”

Chu Guang nodded. “Staying vigilant is the right approach.”

“After reaching your destination, visit our office first. Talk to Shu Yu to understand the current local situation, and then proceed to the City Hall to negotiate the agreement.”

Luca respectfully replied, “Understood, sir.”

After briefing on various matters, Chu Guang hung up the phone and took off his headphones, placing them on the desk.

And after a momentary pause, he spoke in a gentle voice, “I’m done with my work. Is there something you want to talk to me about?”

Hearing Chu Guang’s voice, Pai, who had been hiding behind the bookshelf near the door, realized she had been discovered. Blushing, she walked out from behind the shelf, her face showing an embarrassed expression.

“I-I didn’t mean to eavesdrop... Oh, no, I actually didn’t hear anything clearly. I’m sorry!”

Watching Pai bowing her head, Chu Guang smiled and said, “I know, don’t worry about it.”

Of course, he knew this girl had come to find him. He knew it before she even stepped into the elevator.

Every inch of space in the shelter was under his control. Even the tiles on the floor obeyed him, not to mention the elevator.

If he wished, he could even make the faucets in the public restroom talk. But he wouldn’t do something as dumb as that.

If it were really a conversation that shouldn’t be heard, she wouldn’t have been able to get off the elevator, let alone walk over.

Although Chu Guang said not to worry about it, Pai still had an expression of guilt on her face.

Even though she was accustomed to being carefree, she knew eavesdropping on others’ conversations was not a good behavior. Though she knew it wasn’t intentional, not knocking on the door was indeed her mistake.

At that moment, Xia Yan walked in from outside the library.

Glancing at Pai beside her and then at Chu Guang, she suddenly seemed to understand something.

A subtle trace of cunningness flashed in her eyes, and she spoke with an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry I didn’t stop her... I was negligent...”

Indeed.

This woman seems to understand me quite well.

Chu Guang shot Xia Yan an approving look, then gently shook his head and continued in line with her words, “It’s okay. Although I was discussing something important with my trusted confidant, Miss Pai from Camp 101 is our friend. I believe even if she overheard the conversation, she wouldn’t disclose what I just said to anyone else... Can I trust you, Pai?”

Using the clever approach to make the other party owe a favor might not be the best approach, especially considering the age difference.

However, it was clearly not the time to be concerned about his methods.

Pai, who was standing at the door, blushed deeply, wishing she could find a hole to hide herself in.

The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble for others, and she disliked owing favors.

But hearing the first half of what Chu Guang said, she felt like she had stumbled upon some tremendous secret, and caused significant trouble for her friend. Although she didn’t understand a word of the phone conversation, the fact that she heard it could not be changed.

Thinking about it now, Pai couldn’t help but regret not leaving in time or reminding Chu Guang that she was there, rather than instinctively hiding behind a bookshelf.

Now, there was no way to explain it!

“I... I’ll erase that memory from my brain now!”

“That’s not necessary. As I said, I trust you.” Chu Guang interjected with a slight cough, halting Pai from spiraling into her thoughts.

Speaking of erasing memory from the brain, was it really possible?

But it wasn’t the time to discuss such matters.

In order to avoid appearing overly deliberate, Chu Guang didn’t rush to reveal his own concerns. Seeing Pai being silent, he casually changed the subject, smoothly diverting the conversation. “It seems you have something to discuss with me. What is it?”

The guilt-ridden Pai had lost all her previous assertiveness. She stole a glance at Chu Guang and whispered, “I... want to take Xiaoyu back to Camp 101.”