The next morning at nine o'clock was the registration time for Peking University Elementary School Affiliated.
Dad Yang and Yang's mother left the matter to Tong Yang and the others, planning to enjoy some quality time for themselves. Recently, Dad Yang had been busy with work matters and had spent little time with the family.
While queuing up for registration, many children around the same age as Tong Le and Yang Lin arrived nearby.
Tong Le, being more outgoing, easily blended in with them, while Yang Lin just kept his head down and followed behind him without a word.
Tong Yang and Chu Shiyu stood behind them, occasionally exchanging a few words.
"I plan to move to the school dorm in a couple of days," Chu Shiyu said.
"But there are still over ten days until the semester starts."
"It's boring at home anyway, and I don't want to keep disturbing my aunt and her family."
Tong Yang said, "Suit yourself."
After registration, Tong Yang took them to collect their school uniforms. After lunch, they would return to school in the afternoon.
Typically, after registration, formal classes start on September 1st. However, Peking University Elementary School Affiliated was re-dividing classes for the fifth grade and required a pre-semester test.
"You two won't be in the same class anymore," Chu Shiyu remarked.
Tong Le said, "It's okay, I'll often go find Linlin to play. We'll definitely make other friends too."
Yang Lin lowered his head and said, "Mm..."
Chu Shiyu ruffled his hair. "Lele, please look after Linlin more at school then. Don't let him get bullied by others."
Tong Le nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Sister Shiyu. I'll protect Linlin. Besides, I don't think Linlin will get bullied."
"That's good."
"Let's go, I'll take you to eat."
After the meal, they strolled around the area, bought them new stationery, and then sent them back to school.
Classes hadn't been assigned yet, so Tong Le and Yang Lin were temporarily placed in a random class, sitting in the last few rows.
The teacher was organizing test papers on the podium. Tong Le took out his pencil case from his backpack, hung the blue backpack on his chair, and sat upright with proper posture. His delicate, well-behaved features made him look like a little girl, causing other students in the classroom to frequently glance back at him.
Yang Lin sat in the seat next to him, always habitually keeping his head down to avoid others' gazes.
Noticing Tong Yang and the other still standing outside the window, Tong Le tugged Yang Lin's sleeve. They both looked up simultaneously, smiled at them, and then waved.
Yang Lin's smile was somewhat shy as he also raised his arm to wave in the air.
After leaving the teaching building, Chu Shiyu sighed. "It would be better if Linlin could still be in the same class as your Lele."
Tong Yang said, "What does it matter if they're not in the same class?"
"I'm worried he might get bullied again. Being with Lele has made him much more cheerful."
"Linlin's issue is psychological. I asked Tong Le. Back in the old neighborhood, apart from those few mischievous kids, no one bullied or ostracized him. He's just too introverted; besides Lele, he doesn't talk to other classmates."
Chu Shiyu nodded. "That's true. My aunt and her husband care so much about Linlin that they've simply indulged him and never intervened."
"Tong Le can't always be looking out for Linlin, especially now that they won't be in the same class. Their learning progress will be different too."
"So what should we do?" Chu Shiyu said helplessly.
Tong Yang thought for a moment. "Doesn't he quite like Xu Junyue? Perhaps a carefree, unconventional personality might help him let his guard down. Let's have him spend more time with Xu Junyue in the future."
Chu Shiyu seemed to recall something and suddenly chuckled. "Do you think Linlin might actually get a tiger tattooed on his face in the future? Or come back with pink hair?"
A hint of amusement showed on Tong Yang's face. "That's not impossible."
"But my aunt and her husband would probably be very pleased to see a Linlin like that. They've always hoped he could be a bit rebellious and have some youthful energy."
"Rebellious?" Tong Yang looked up thoughtfully. "I wonder what Tong Le will be like when he goes through a rebellious phase."
Chu Shiyu shook her head. "Lele definitely won't have a rebellious phase. He could never bear to cause you trouble."
Tong Yang said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. I'm actually quite curious to see what he'd be like when rebellious."
"You might never get to see that."
After the start-of-term exams ended, they rested at home for a day. The night before the official start of school, Tong Yang received the grade rankings and class assignment results.
As expected, even without systematic exposure to the capital's teaching methods, Tong Le still achieved excellent results in the entrance exam, ranking fifth in the entire grade and successfully entering the "Rocket Class" of Peking University Elementary School Affiliated.
The teacher sent Tong Yang a long introduction about the Rocket Class. The class only admits twenty students, most of whom possess outstanding talent in specific areas. Their learning direction and pace would be significantly different from ordinary students. If over ninety percent of the students meet the standards in the second semester final exams, they can directly skip to middle school. Even the guaranteed combined bachelor's, master's, and doctoral program at Peking University promised to Tong Le requires him to achieve a comprehensive grade ranking within the top five of his class before graduating from middle school.
In other words, in the talent-filled Rocket Class of Peking University Elementary School Affiliated, only the top five students in comprehensive ranking can enjoy the guaranteed combined program at Peking University.
It also means that in the future, even if Tong Le and Yang Lin are in the same school, they will have virtually no time to play or spend time together. They won't even be able to discuss their studies, as their paths would diverge.
"Aunt Yu, what's Linlin's ranking?" Tong Yang asked.
Yang's mother sat on the sofa, looking worried, occasionally glancing towards Yang Lin's closed door.
"Linlin is over three hundredth, assigned to Class Eight."
Chu Shiyu said, "Linlin scoring over three hundredth is already very impressive. Besides, the teaching methods and question styles here are different from the old neighborhood."
"What about Lele? How did he do?"
Tong Yang said, "He did well. He got into the Rocket Class."
Yang's mother's face lit up with joy. "Really? That's wonderful! I knew that child Lele would have no problem."
Tong Yang pressed her lips together and didn't speak.
"Ah, it's just that Linlin relies on Lele too much. I wonder if he'll be upset."
As the three of them were talking, Yang Lin's closed door suddenly opened, and a string of bell-like laughter spilled out.
"Lele! I didn't say that!"
"You clearly did!"
Tong Le was the first to run out of the room, holding a drawing, and cheerfully ran up to the three of them.
"Auntie Yang, this is a portrait Linlin drew for you!" Tong Le placed the drawing in front of them.
The three looked down. It was a simple sketch.
"I asked Linlin why Auntie Yang was standing on a rainbow-colored cloud. He said, 'Mom is like a fairy, of course she should stand on a cloud!'"
"Lele! Stop talking!" Yang Lin, flushed with embarrassment, pounced to cover Tong Le's mouth.
Yang's mother stared blankly at the drawing in her hand, her eyes suddenly turning red.
"Sister Tong Yang, I know Lele's secret too!" Yang Lin said, not to be outdone.
"Linlin!" Tong Le instantly panicked, turning around to cover Yang Lin's mouth.
"Lele said he hopes Sister will never get a boyfriend, because no one can take care of you better than him!"
Tong Le instantly flushed red from his forehead down to his neck. "I did not!"
"You did! You absolutely did!"
"Linlin!"
"Lele!"
"Pfft, hahaha..."
"You two..."
Yang's mother and Chu Shiyu immediately burst into laughter.
Tong Yang covered her eyes, holding back her smile.
In all this time, it was the first time they had seen the two of them argue.
The three adults watched the commotion for a good while before stepping in to mediate. By then, Tong Le and Yang Lin were already panting and exhausted, their faces red and necks flushed.
"Alright, you two, is this really necessary?"
Yang Lin said, "He's the one who told our secret to Mom!"
Tong Le said, "He's the one who said that once Sister gets a boyfriend, she won't want me anymore!"
Tong Yang pinched his cheek. "Linlin was just teasing you."
"Linlin, you too, how could you say that Tong Yang's sister would abandon Lele if she got a boyfriend?"
"Apologize to each other."
Tong Le seemed to realize his mistake and proactively bowed to apologize to Yang Lin. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told our little secret to Yang's mother. You were planning to give that drawing to her anyway."
Yang Lin sniffled and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that to you. Tong Yang's sister would never abandon you."
"Made up? Give each other a hug."
"Hehe."
The two little ones hugged, letting bygones be bygones.
Yang's mother and Chu Shiyu exchanged a look, feeling this was a good opportunity. They would have to tell them sooner or later anyway.
"Linlin, Lele, the exam results and class placements are out," Yang's mother said.
Tong Le and Yang Lin both froze simultaneously, turning their eyes to Yang's mother in unison.
"You're not in the same class." Yang's mother stated the final conclusion first, wanting to gauge their reactions.
Tong Le said, "We already knew that."
Yang Lin nodded and said, "Lele's grades are much better than mine. I couldn't test into Lele's class."
Yang's mother breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued, "Linlin, you ranked 324th. There are over seven hundred students in the fifth grade at Beida Elementary! And your teacher is different from theirs. Getting such a high rank on your first try is already amazing!"
"Linlin, you're so awesome! The questions here are completely different from the ones in the old district. You're really great!" Tong Le said.
Yang Lin smiled shyly. "There were a few questions I didn't know how to do. I thought I'd be at the bottom of the class."
"Not at all!"
"What about Lele? What rank did he get?" Yang Lin asked curiously.
The exam rankings of other students were only known to their parents. Several pairs of eyes shifted to Tong Yang.
Tong Le looked nervous yet expectant, and Yang Lin felt much the same.
Tong Yang said, "Fifth place."
"Fifth place..."
"Lele, you're amazing!" Yang Lin jumped up and threw an arm around Tong Le's shoulders. "I knew you could do it! You're awesome! So impressive!"
Yang's mother said, "Lele, you're wonderful."
"Fifth place... You're not planning to follow in your sister's footsteps and aim for first in the whole city, are you?"
Tong Le's eyes curved, sparkling, and he nodded. "In the future, I'll be like my sister and get first place too!"
"Both our little ones are so amazing! Mom wants to give you gifts. Is there anything you want?"
"I want to give Yang's mother a gift too! You've worked hard taking care of us!"
"I want to give Mom a gift too!"
Yang's mother was so amused she couldn't close her mouth from smiling. The living room was bustling with excitement.
Late at night, Tong Yang and Chu Shiyu were still awake.
Chu Shiyu said, "I thought Linlin would be upset."
"Me too."
"But it's a good thing he's not as fragile as we imagined."
"Want some water?" Tong Yang picked up the empty glass from the bedside table and asked.
"Yes."
Tong Yang opened the door and walked out of the bedroom. The lights outside were off, everything was dark.
But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed light coming from under Tong Le's door.
Was Tong Le still awake? It was almost eleven.
Tong Yang hesitated for a moment, then walked to the door and knocked.
Tong Le's sleep schedule was usually very regular. Normally, he should have turned off the lights and gone to bed by 9:30. What was going on today?
A few seconds later, light footsteps sounded from behind the door, and it opened from the inside.
"Sister?" Tong Le stood behind the door looking at her, his face full of sleepiness.
Tong Yang peered past him into the room. "Not asleep yet?"
Tong Le turned and walked back into the room, sitting down at his desk. On it were sheets of scratch paper covered in writing.
He rubbed his tired eyes, yawned, his hair was messy, and he mumbled, "I'll go to sleep in a bit."
"What are you doing?" Tong Yang leaned against the desk and asked.
Tong Le picked up a pen. He was left-handed, and there was already a noticeable mark on his left index finger, probably from holding the pen for a long time.
Tong Le said, "I want to try to write down from memory all the questions from yesterday's exam that I can still remember."
Tong Yang asked, puzzled, "Why?"
"Even though the questions here are different from the old district, I knew how to do every single one. I thought I wouldn't lose too many points."
Tong Yang smoothed down a strand of his unruly hair. "You didn't lose too many points. Fifth in the whole grade is already very impressive."
Tong Le shook his head. "I'm not impressive. Sister has gotten first place in every single exam since she was little."
That's because I was always in the old district. It's normal for you to need time to adjust. I've had my share of exam setbacks too. Don't deny yourself because of one exam result. It's meaningless.
Tong Le looked up at her, his eyes curving into a smile. "I understand, Sister. I just have the last two major problems left. I'll go to sleep as soon as I finish them."
Tong Yang nodded and asked, "Do you need my help?"
Tong Le shook his head. "No need. You have tutoring tomorrow, you should rest early. I can manage on my own."
"You have school tomorrow too. Finish up and rest. Don't overthink things."
"Mhmm, I know. Sister, you should go back and rest."
"Okay."
Tong Yang left the room, closing the door behind her.
Although she had hoped that in the future, Tong Le would be different from her and not feel pressured about studying, now he was actually becoming more and more like her. Back then, Tong Yang had worked extremely hard to ensure she didn't make a single mistake on exams, practicing her handwriting on test papers and mental arithmetic to achieve flawless results.
But if Tong Le liked it this way, then so be it.
Some people are born with very high standards for themselves.
On the morning of September 1st, Tong Yang went to her tutoring job and also took on the responsibility of sending the two children to school.
After dropping them off, Tong Yang checked the time. She still had over half an hour before her tutoring session, so she decided to say hello to the homeroom teacher of the advanced class, escorting them to their respective classrooms to confirm their seats.
Beida Elementary covered a vast area with advanced facilities and a modern architectural style. There were over a dozen teaching buildings alone. Tong Le and Yang Lin were not only in different classes but also in different buildings.
After taking Yang Lin to Class 8, Fifth Grade, she took Tong Le to Advanced Class 5, located in the building furthest back, away from the playground and cafeteria.
Beida Elementary had one advanced class per grade level. This last building, apart from the six advanced classes, housed all the teachers' offices.
According to their homeroom teacher, to save time going to and from the cafeteria, they didn't need to go there for lunch or dinner; an auntie would specially deliver their meals ahead of mealtime.
Furthermore, except for students with some artistic specialties, their class schedule only included core subjects and physical education. However, after every major exam, there would be some intensive art and music training sessions, which were optional to attend.
Arriving at Rocket Class Five, although there were only twenty students, the classroom was the same size as a regular one. Desks and chairs were concentrated in the center, while both sides and the back of the room were filled with many facilities that ordinary fifth or sixth graders would never need. Some items even Tong Yang couldn't name.
"Sis, I'm here," Tong Le said, turning back.
"Go on in."
"Be careful on your way! Bye!"
"Mhm."
Watching him walk into the classroom wearing the blue school uniform that cost four figures for two sets, the classmates around him were different from the kids she'd passed on the way. They sat quietly and composed at their seats, tablets openly placed on their desks. They weren't playing games or watching cartoons, but were looking up content not typically studied at his age.
The classroom facilities were comprehensive, with various instruments and apparatus needed for math and physics placed on both sides.
Tong Yang suddenly felt a bit grateful she hadn't left Tong Le in the old city district. Here, he could receive the best teaching conditions and environment. Combined with his very solid foundation, he would surely become a talent needed by the country in the future.
Tong Yang watched for half a minute before turning to leave, thinking she should buy Tong Le a tablet computer; it would probably be useful for his studies.
Leaving the Affiliated Primary School of Peking University, she unlocked a shared bike and headed towards Half Moon Villa. Yan Qing's tutoring sessions had only two lessons left. After today, she would completely return to school to prepare for her own studies.
To deal with possible unexpected events that might occur and prevent them from affecting her academics, Tong Yang had borrowed many physics textbooks. She familiarized herself with all the theoretical knowledge from the books and also found some online lectures by Peking University physics professors to watch. She had basically mastered the theoretical knowledge, which would make attending classes much easier.
Even if she was forced to miss a few classes occasionally, it wouldn't have any impact on her.
As for other subjects, Tong Yang wasn't sure yet which ones there were, so she could only hastily get a systematic overview of math and English.
Although Tong Yang had plans to double major in astronomy, implementing it was very difficult. Even she felt time was extremely tight. However, Chu Shiyu had already decided to study astronomy, so she could borrow her textbooks then. There would always be a way.
Riding past familiar streets, Tong Yang couldn't help but glance in the direction the boy had left that day.
Even though it was just for a moment, Tong Yang felt she had still seen his appearance clearly.
Perhaps she was mistaken, or perhaps she was being delusional, but she actually thought that boy looked very similar to Tong Le.
How could that be?
Even if Tong Le from a parallel world hadn't died, he should still be a nine-year-old child.
The boy she saw that day was clearly a few years older than Tong Yang.
Intuition told her things weren't that simple, but reason told her it couldn't possibly be Tong Le from a parallel world no matter what.
Could he be another person in this world, besides herself, who shares a blood relation with Tong Le? Some secret child of her scumbag dad or scumbag mom?
But the age still didn't match.
As for the 749 Bureau, they were still investigating He Jingjing's case, trying to find other possible people from parallel worlds through her background. Once Ye Huai's condition improved a bit, they would probably enter a parallel world under his guidance.
Soon, arriving near Half Moon Villa, Tong Yang locked the bike, greeted the security guard, and walked in.
Whoever he was, Tong Yang had a strange feeling he wouldn't harm her or Tong Le, so she hadn't deeply pursued his origins or whereabouts.
If they met again next time, perhaps she could ask him.
"Teacher Tong, you're here." Aunt Liu opened the door and welcomed her in.
Tong Yang's eyes swept around the living room, and she said in surprise, "The furniture still isn't chosen?"
Aunt Liu said helplessly, "No. Qingqing disagreed, so the sir and madam had to choose again."
Tong Yang nodded, "Alright."
On the evening of August 27th, after Yan Qing's suicide attempt was thwarted, she suddenly seemed to have had a breakthrough, like her meridians were cleared. She stopped tormenting herself and started tormenting her parents in new ways every day.
Today she smashed the TV, tomorrow she dismantled the sofa, dissatisfied with this and that. She called a moving company in one go and threw out everything she didn't like.
Yan Qing's mother, afraid she might do something foolish again, did whatever she asked, devoting all her energy to the household. She hired an agent for her work, trying every possible way to make Yan Qing happy every day. The two of them also never mentioned divorce again.
"Teacher Tong, Qingqing brought a friend over today. She wants to attend two lessons with you. The fee will be doubled. Is that okay?"
"Okay," Tong Yang nodded in agreement. That little girl often found such things for her, saying she was afraid Tong Yang was short on money and wanted to help her earn some extra.
Teaching the same two lessons for double the pay, Tong Yang certainly had no reason to refuse.
"Teacher Tong is here," Aunt Liu called out from the doorway. Within seconds, the sound of rapid footsteps was heard.
"Tong Yang sis, you're here!" Yan Qing stood cheerfully behind the door. Having thoroughly stirred up the house these past two days, her mood had visibly improved.
"Mhm," Tong Yang acknowledged with a nod, taking off her backpack and walking in.
"This is my classmate, Liang Xi."
The girl was wearing a pristine school uniform, her hair tied in a ponytail. Seeing Tong Yang look at her, she immediately stood up, restless and uneasy.
"H-hello, teacher..." Liang Xi greeted her timidly, appearing very nervous.
Tong Yang gave a slight nod, "Hello."
Yan Qing walked over to Liang Xi, putting an arm around her shoulder, and said, "Don't be scared. Tong Yang sis just looks a bit fierce."
Tong Yang closed the bedroom door and glanced at them.
"Why are you wearing your school uniform?"
Liang Xi tensed up nervously and said, "I... I told my mom I was going to school, so..."
Yan Qing patted her shoulder and said to Tong Yang, "School started today. Some advanced classes have already begun lessons."
"Liang Xi and I aren't in advanced classes. She heard I have a very good tutoring teacher, so she wanted to try attending two lessons."
Liang Xi stammered, "I... I have pocket money... I can pay the lesson fee..."
"Mhm," Tong Yang nodded somewhat indifferently. Why Liang Xi was here wasn't her concern. As long as they paid, she would teach.
"The learning progress..."
"Liang Xi can follow the same as me. Our levels are about the same."
"Have a seat."
Yan Qing wasn't wrong; the two were at a similar level. Liang Xi must have attended many tutoring classes over the summer, and she adapted well to the high school knowledge Tong Yang taught them, her mind turning quite flexibly.
After the first class ended, Tong Yang let them rest for half an hour before continuing. She left the room and went to the living room, leaving the space entirely to them.
"Teacher Tong, are you hungry? There's still cake in the fridge. Should I cut you a piece?"
"No need, thank you."
Tong Yang sat on the sofa playing with her phone. She entered a shopping app and searched for tablet prices, which were barely within her acceptable range.
"Tong Yang, are you buying a tablet?" Yan Qing had somehow come to her side, craning her neck to look at the phone.
"Yes, buying one for my brother. It should be useful for studying."
"Studying? Aren't you afraid he'll just use it to play games?"
Tong Yang said, "It's fine if he wants to play during breaks."
"Isn't he not even ten yet? How's his self-control? While electronic devices are convenient, it's not great if kids get too addicted."
"His self-control is good. I've seen that almost all his classmates have one, so it should be useful. Besides, his tenth birthday is coming up soon."
Yan Qing asked curiously, "Can they bring electronic devices to their school?"
"They probably can, since everyone brings them."
"What kind of school is it?"
"Why are you asking so much?"
"Hmph! Can't I even ask?"
Tong Yang ignored her and asked, "What tablet is better?"
Yan Qing said, "I think they're all about the same. Anyway, I never use a tablet for studying."
"For studying, that brand should be better, though the price is relatively more expensive." Liang Xi spoke softly.
Tong Yang turned her phone around and asked, "Is it this brand?"
"Yes, it can last a long time."
"Thank you."
Tong Yang clicked into the product page and selected the latest model, with the largest storage, in blue. The cost was already catching up to her earnings from these days of tutoring.
"Let's go, back to class."
"Ah! Has half an hour passed already? I haven't rested enough."
"Stop complaining, get in here."
"Oh..."
After the second class ended, Tong Yang packed her things, shouldered her backpack, and instructed, "Yan Qing, high school math is completely different from middle school math. You must build a solid foundation in the first semester. Don't get cocky and restless just because you think you're smart. You can learn a bit from Liang Xi in this regard."
"Alright! I got it!"
"Liang Xi, your current study method is fine, but it will be difficult to improve further if you stick to it. Although you're smart, your thinking isn't flexible enough. You can also learn a bit from Yan Qing."
Liang Xi lowered her head awkwardly. "Thank you, Teacher Tong."
She had been like this since Tong Yang arrived, probably due to very strict parents and a repressed living environment.
"I'll be going then."
"Tong Yang, can you still tutor me when you have time in the future?" Yan Qing said pitifully.
"I won't have time during the school term. Search online for things you don't understand. If that really doesn't work, then message me. I can't guarantee when I'll reply."
"Oh!"
"Teacher Tong!" Aunt Liu suddenly called out to Tong Yang, holding a large red envelope. "Teacher Tong, you've worked hard this period. Qingqing has caused you a lot of trouble. Her exam results at the start of term have indeed improved quite a bit. This is a little token of appreciation prepared by the madam and sir. They also wanted to apologize and hope you won't mind what happened before, and that you can continue as Qingqing's tutor during future holidays."
Tong Yang looked at the oversized red envelope in Aunt Liu's hand and accepted it without much hesitation. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, you're welcome! It's us who should be thanking you."
Tong Yang put the red envelope into her backpack, turned back to Yan Qing and said, "You can ask me if you have questions. I'll try to reply."
Yan Qing rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Tong Yang, you're only saying you'll reply because of the red envelope, right?"
Tong Yang nodded openly. "Yes."
Her frank admission instead made everyone's eyes crinkle with amusement.
"Aunt Liu, I'll head off now."
"Alright! Teacher Tong, be careful on your way."
"I... I'll be leaving too..." Liang Xi shouldered her backpack, speaking a bit faster than usual.
"Well then, you two can leave together."
"Mmm..." Liang Xi glanced at Tong Yang and quickly lowered her head again.
Tong Yang paused slightly while putting on her shoes, narrowing her eyes with an unreadable expression.
She had felt something was off when she arrived. Summer vacation was already over. The idea of Liang Xi coming to her for a trial lesson behind her parents' back seemed illogical no matter how she thought about it.
Tong Yang finished putting on her shoes, pressed the elevator button, and waited for her by the door.
Liang Xi walked over to Tong Yang's side at a leisurely pace, backpack on, took a deep breath and said, "Teacher Tong, let's go."
Tong Yang didn't miss the fear in her eyes directed at herself.
Tong Yang didn't have many friends, but that didn't mean people should be afraid of her upon sight, right? She had been quite polite to Liang Xi, after all, since her personality was different from Yan Qing's.
They took the elevator to the first floor and walked out in silence.
Tong Yang didn't initiate conversation, wanting to see what the other person was really up to.
Liang Xi mustered her courage several times to speak to her, but ultimately swallowed the words at the last moment.
Since she wasn't speaking, Tong Yang couldn't be bothered to ask either. The other girl was only two years younger, still a kid.
"Teacher Tong, I... I have a stomach ache. Can you sit with me for a while?"
Passing by an empty pavilion, Liang Xi suddenly called out to stop her.
Even she found the excuse lame. When Tong Yang looked over, she found Liang Xi's face as red as a boiled crab.
"Sure." Tong Yang agreed casually and walked into the pavilion with her, sitting down.
"Teacher Tong, I heard you came from Yao City?" Liang Xi asked with a hint of caution.
"Who told you that?"
"Qingqing. She mentioned it to me in passing."
Tong Yang leaned against the stone pillar, looking up at her. "Yes, is there something?"
Liang Xi hesitated for a moment. "Then it's true..."
"What did you say?" Tong Yang looked at her suspiciously.
Liang Xi looked up at her, but quickly averted her gaze upon meeting her eyes. "You... you..."
Her stammering annoyed Tong Yang, who raised her voice. "Speak if you have something to say. Otherwise, I'm leaving."
"I do!"
As if afraid Tong Yang would really leave, she suddenly exclaimed.
Tong Yang sat back down. Seeing her still acting hesitant and unable to speak, she frowned. "Well, say it then."
"Do... do you know about parallel worlds?" She clenched her hands tightly together and blurted it out in one go.
This time, it was Tong Yang's turn to fall silent.
She sat up straight, scrutinizing Liang Xi. From her appearance, there was no visible connection to parallel worlds.
"Where did you hear about this?" Tong Yang asked instead of answering.
Liang Xi said, "Someone told me that Tong Yang from Yao City knows about parallel worlds. So when I heard Qingqing mention your name and background, I just..."
Tong Yang asked, "Do you know about parallel worlds?"
Liang Xi shook her head vigorously. "I don't know..."
"Then there isn't one," Tong Yang answered decisively, not sure why Liang Xi was asking. She really didn't want to involve a child in this.
"There is!" Liang Xi suddenly shouted with even more certainty.
"Teacher Tong, I haven't been to a parallel world, but I've seen someone from one!"
Tong Yang's expression shifted slightly. "You've seen someone from a parallel world?"
"Mhm, don't not believe me, I really have."
Tong Yang leaned back. "I don't believe it. How could there be parallel worlds?"
"Really!" Liang Xi's expression grew anxious. "I'm not lying to you! It was that person who told me to come find you."
"That person told you to find me? To do what? Even if parallel worlds exist, what does it have to do with me?"
Liang Xi said gravely, "She said you're very powerful, that you killed a lot of people in the parallel world, and now people over there are lining up waiting to kill you!"
Tong Yang: "..."
"Lining up to kill me?"
"Yes!"
"What else did she say?"
Liang Xi hesitated before saying, "She said... perhaps only you can help her."
Tong Yang looked momentarily stunned, then scoffed. "She said I can help her?"
"Are you joking?"
Liang Xi shook her head. "I'm not joking. She asked me to find you. She has something she wants to say to you."
Tong Yang gradually stopped smiling, her gaze sweeping over Liang Xi's face. "How do you know her?"
Liang Xi said, "I've known her for a long time."
"How long exactly?"
"Almost eight years."
"You're seven?"
"Why did you meet?"
Liang Xi fell into recollection. "My parents were very strict. They wouldn't let me be friends with people they didn't approve of, so when I was little, I didn't have a single friend. But one day she suddenly appeared. She became my friend, chatted and played with me. She would always disappear whenever my parents came. Later, for a while, I thought she was an imaginary friend I made up."
"Who is she?"
Liang Xi pressed her lips together. "She's Yan Qing."
Upon hearing this, Tong Yang just felt a headache. The Yan Qing from the parallel world became friends with Liang Xi, and then she also became friends with the Yan Qing from the real world?
Tong Yang hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why does she want to find me? Why does she think I would help her?"
"If I've killed many people from the parallel world, she should understand that even if I met her, I wouldn't show any mercy."
Liang Xi shook her head. "She just asked me to help find you."
Tong Yang lifted her chin slightly. "Found me, and then what? What are you planning to do?"
"She wants you to go to the parallel world."
Tong Yang let out a laugh to herself. "I won't go. If she has something to say, she can come to the real world and tell me."
Tong Yang wasn't a fool. If she actively entered the parallel world, those people would have no restrictions and could attack her without restraint. Even if she could enter a cycle, there was no need to do something so stupid.
Liang Xi's expression was hesitant. She took out her phone. "Then... can we exchange contact information? When she appears, I'll call you."
"Fine."
Tong Yang added her on a social media app. Afterwards, they got up and left Half Moon Manor.
Tong Yang hadn't outright refused Liang Xi. On one hand, she wanted to know the other party's goal; on the other hand, she hadn't directly admitted to having contact with the parallel world and couldn't be sure how much of Liang Xi's story was true.
Or perhaps, it was a mix of truth and lies.
After leaving, she didn't go to Dad Yang and Yang's mother's place, but returned directly to the university.
Chu Shiyu had moved into the dorm today and was in the same room as her.
By the time Tong Yang got back to the university, Chu Shiyu was already sweaty from tidying up her things.
The young lady from a wealthy family had never tidied up a room by herself before. Now that she was away at university, she had to do everything herself, which seemed quite a struggle.
"I should have applied to live off-campus! Grandma would definitely have approved it anyway."
Tong Yang put her backpack on the desk and said offhandedly, "It's not too late to regret it now."
"Too late! I finally managed to make the bed myself. It'd be a waste not to sleep in it for at least a few days!"
Tong Yang poured herself a glass of water. "We're not in the same major. Is it okay for you to live here?"
Chu Shiyu shot her a look. "You ask after I've already moved in? Can I still switch dorms?"
"Maybe."
"Just shut up."
Tong Yang had never lived in a dorm before, nor had she spent too much time under the same roof with others, but she was used to being squeezed together with Chu Shiyu often.
"By the way, you took them to school today. Are their classes far apart?"
"Moderately. You can't make a round trip between them in the fifteen minutes between classes."
Chu Shiyu pouted. "You call that 'moderately'?"
"What's for lunch?"
"The cafeteria? If it's bad, I'm never eating there again."
"Fine, my treat."
"???"
"You should have said you were treating earlier! I would have picked a more expensive place!"
Tong Yang glanced at her sideways. "Guess why I asked where you wanted to eat first?"
Chu Shiyu: "..."
After a few seconds, she looked at Tong Yang suspiciously. It wasn't that she thought the other girl was stingy—Tong Yang was quite generous most of the time—she just didn't like spending money on meaningless things, like today's lunch.
"Did you win a prize?" Chu Shiyu asked curiously.
Tong Yang wore an all-knowing expression. "A student's parent gave me a big red envelope."
"How big?"
"Twenty thousand."
"Twenty thousand? Your tutoring fees aren't even twenty thousand. How come it's so much? Don't you feel guilty taking it?"
Tong Yang took the oversized red envelope out of her backpack. She hadn't counted the exact amount, but judging by the thickness, it was around twenty thousand.
"Her daughter tried to jump off a building a few days ago, and I stopped her. Do you think I should feel guilty taking it?"
Chu Shiyu was stunned. "J-jump off a building?"
"Mhm. Let's go, eat."
In the afternoon, Tong Yang didn't have any tutoring. She stayed in the dorm reading.
Chu Shiyu was originally binge-watching a drama. After two episodes, she noticed Tong Yang had been reading non-stop and started getting restless. She borrowed an English book from Tong Yang and started reading too.
By eight in the evening, it was already dark outside.
Tong Yang finished showering, dried her hair, mopped the dorm floor, and then went back to reading.
"Tong Yang! You're such a grade-grinder. You make me feel like I can't even take a break."
Tong Yang glanced at her. "It's fine. Even if you don't rest, you still won't score higher than me."
"Just shut up!"
She hadn't been reading long when her phone buzzed—a voice call from Liang Xi.
Tong Yang picked up her phone, looked at it, and hung up directly. She tapped through her contacts, performed a series of actions, and initiated a video call instead.
Chu Shiyu, watching from behind, couldn't help but shake her head. "You're such an extrovert, aren't you? Scary."
"What's an extrovert?"
"It's someone with a lively personality..." Chu Shiyu paused, then said decisively, "You're not one."
"Hello? T-Teacher Tong, why did you suddenly, suddenly..." Liang Xi was on the other side of the screen, looking as flustered as ever.
Tong Yang got straight to the point. "Where is she?"
"Tong Yang, I'm here!"
The phone was suddenly snatched away, and a familiar face appeared on the screen.
