Chapter 1209 - 921: Bonds?

Chapter 1209: Chapter 921: Bonds?

Winter in Nara is not exactly the peak tourist season.

As the heavy snow falls, people on the streets become even scarcer, with only vehicles silently coming and going, the sound of the snow powder breaking covered by the honking beneath.

When resting at the gas station, Huai Shi bought two bottles of water from the convenience store.

Luo Su, however, was unfazed by the heavy snow, sitting on a bench at the corner smoking a cigar, looking very much like a polar bear, yet oddly harmonious. It’s hard to say what others thought, as it didn’t cause any commotion at all.

"Here, the tea you wanted."

Huai Shi handed over the items, then unfolded the complimentary tourist map, deciphering the symbols and directions: "Where are you going to meet your old friend?"

"I don’t know. After all these years with no contact, all I know is she’s in Nara, and nothing else." Luo Su shook his head.

"Hey, what now? I can’t just go to the city government and have them broadcast a missing person announcement, can I?"

Huai Shi laughed at the thought of such a scene: "’Little XX friend from the Ivory Tower, your friend Luo Su is waiting for you at the city government, and he’s brought the Beheading King of Jinling with him, wanting to perform a show for you,’ like that?"

"Hey, show some respect for the seniors, Huai Shi, she’s old enough to be your grandma."

Luo Su flicked the cigar carelessly into the bushes, brushed the white fur on his body: "No need to search, I know where she is, where there are the most animals, just follow me."

With that said, the polar bear stood up, swaggering along the road.

Heading straight into...

Nara Park?

Huai Shi rubbed his eyes, incredulous—it’s not so much Luo Su’s ability to find people, as it is the bizarre sight of a polar bear running into a herd of free-roaming deer in Nara Park, a surreal scene beyond words.

Perhaps due to the sudden heavy snow, tourists in Nara Park had run to cafes to warm up, leaving it unexpectedly spacious.

Huai Shi followed behind Luo Su, aimlessly wandering, growing increasingly curious: "By the way, who are you looking for?"

"Let me think... probably the class beauty from back then?"

Luo Su pinched his chin and laughed: "During our fourth training session, Yang Zi was the most dazzling girl in the basic class. Many people’s eyes were sneaking glances at her during class. She often tied her hair in a ponytail back then, a small mole would show up on the nape of her neck..."

"Hey, don’t talk about your youthful campus romance, okay?" Huai Shi couldn’t stand it.

"It’s appreciation of beauty, okay? Besides, I had a girlfriend back then."

Luo Su turned back, giving Huai Shi a disdainful glance, adding:

"—Two of them."

Huai Shi choked on his words, at a loss for how to respond.

Just suddenly thought, somehow this polar bear’s neck seemed like the uncut type...

His hands itched.

"You haven’t had any contact over the years?" Huai Shi asked.

"Utopia is so big, I can’t possibly have everyone’s phone number, right? Besides, back then I was all about becoming the Registrar of the Book of Fate and didn’t much care about anyone else, and later... well, didn’t have time to bother." Luo Su sighed: "When the Heavenly Kingdom fell, she was just hosting a project in the Current Circumstances, unharmed herself. But her teacher and parents all passed away, it’s said she later recuperated in the psychological measurement room of the Existence Institute for some time... really wonder how she’s been all these years."

He paused, turned back with a serious reminder: "When you meet her, remember to be respectful, she has a big temper... she used to be the best in bionics and mechanical Life Science in Utopia, also the scholar most fond of fighting. If it gets serious, you might not be able to beat her."

"That exaggerated?" Huai Shi was stunned.

Luo Su said nothing, walking for a bit further before suddenly stopping.

Looking into the distance.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, the silhouette turned her back to them, squatting on the ground, tending to an injured doe, replacing the splint on its bones.

She wasn’t unexpectedly old, rather, unexpectedly young.

She looked about twenty-something, with an intellectual air, gently stroking the doe’s neck, causing the restless deer to obediently lie on the ground, letting her do as she pleased.

"Wait here for me."

Luo Su quietly instructed, leaving Huai Shi in place, walking forward alone.

Not rushing to disturb, instead gazing at that silhouette, for a long time, quietly waiting for her to finish her work.

Full of patience.

Until her work wrapped up, she turned to look at the visitor behind. Seemingly not expecting Luo Su’s arrival, she paused, raising her eyebrows in detachment.

"Is there something, sir?"

"It’s been a long time, Yang Zi." Luo Su softly reflected: "How have you been?"

"...Sorry, sir."

After a brief silence, the woman in front of Luo Su shook her head slowly: "You might have mistaken me for someone else."

"After all these years, you still look exactly the same, how could I mistake you? But everyone’s aged, can’t possibly still hold grudges from the past, right?"

Luo Su sighed: "I came this time for something important to discuss with you."

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

She coldly picked up the medicine box: "If you’re looking for someone, you can go to the broadcast room, I still have work, I won’t be accompanying you."

Luo Su was taken aback, unprepared for such a cold reaction after all these years, instinctively blocking her path: "Wait, Yang Zi, won’t you even give me a moment to speak?"

The woman glanced at him indifferently, changed direction, and turned to leave, again being blocked by Luo Su.

Yet, it seemed no further discussion was possible.

"A rocky start."

In the distance, Huai Shi couldn’t help but sigh.

Looks like the people from Utopia might not be thrilled to see Luo Su, after all, after dreams shatter, how many have the courage to start anew?

But what’s that got to do with me, Huaihai Road Little Peppa?

Since there’s nothing better to do, he simply bought two packs of biscuits from a stall selling Deer Fairy Shells nearby and casually fed the deer gathered around him.

Feeding deer and watching a show, isn’t it delightful?

To be honest, feeding deer is quite fun...

"Auntie, two more packs, please."

He turned around and took out his wallet, happily rubbing the deer, wishing this great show would continue, ideally with a sequel. But the elderly lady smoking behind the stall finally couldn’t stand it anymore.

She shook her head and rolled her eyes in disdain.

"You guys are together?" she asked.

"Uh, kind of." Huai Shi shrugged, gloatingly saying, "That old man is nuts, don’t mind him."

"Ha, I noticed."

The old lady stubbed out her cigarette with her foot: "Back in the day, he wasn’t any good, couldn’t move when he saw pretty girls, leaving affection everywhere. It really suits you, no wonder you’re master and apprentice."

"What?"

Huai Shi was taken aback, seeming to notice something was off.

Then, he heard a deafening roar.

Like a lion roaring angrily right beside his ear!

"——Luo Su, you bastard, are you here to piss me off?"

Former Utopia scholar, now a senior volunteer at Nara Park, ninety-six-year-old Mrs. Caogene Yang Zi took a deep breath, shouting contemptuously:

"You’re so old now, yet still holding onto young girls, how much more shameful do you want to be!"

"..."

In the silence, Huai Shi’s smile froze in place.

Dumbfounded.

Oh my...

.

"Ah, turns out it’s your granddaughter, no wonder there’s such a resemblance."

Ten minutes later, next to the stall, Luo Su holding convenience store coffee, lined up his head: "No wonder it’s me, with keen insight! In a blink, even the granddaughter has grown up, Yang Zi, you’re truly something."

"Haha, you just wanted sexual harassment, right?"

Caogene Yang Zi lit another cigarette, glancing sideways at the old dog in front of her: "After all these years, is this a reality show? Coming out to scare people for fun? Where’s the camera?"

"...Accidents, just accidents."

Luo Su gestured with his hands: "You see, Yang Zi, me finding my way here, isn’t that what you Yingzhou people call a deep bond between us? We’re partners, no need to be so harsh."

"Haha." Yang Zi sneered, "Call me Ms. Caogene, we’re not that familiar."

Huai Shi nodded gleefully on the side.

"Speak quickly, fart quickly." Yang Zi urged impatiently.

"Right here?"

Luo Su looked at the surrounding snowflakes slowly falling: "After so many years apart, can we at least have a meal together? I just want to know if you’re doing well."

"Just that?" Mrs. Yang Zi squinted at him.

"Just that."

Luo Su nodded, not at all guilty, answering frankly.

After a long silence, the old lady finished her cigarette, couldn’t help but sigh and shook her head: "Alright, follow me..."

After tidying up her stall, the old lady pushed a tricycle, leading them as they turned to leave.

.

.

Forty minutes later, in a warm room, the air conditioning blew a gentle breeze.

Yang Zi came out of the kitchen and placed a soup pot on the gas stove, covering it with a lid.

"Wait a bit, in about ten minutes it’ll be ready to eat."

She took off her oven mitts, rubbed her aching old back, shaking her head with emotion: "Though the taste isn’t great, it’s better than having nothing to eat.

Hope you two don’t say anything awkward."

She said, casting a cold glance at the two guests.

Huai Shi holding a half-eaten orange, feeling like he was caught in an awkward situation.

This is all Luo Su’s fault, I’m just a cold and unfeeling eating machine, could I have any bad intentions!

And Luo Su was restless, wandering around the room, examining the various arrangements with curiosity.

"Do you live alone? Where’s your granddaughter?"

"Too many people are annoying, I like peace and quiet. Ever since my husband passed away, I’ve lived alone. Dragon Gallbladder lives with her parents, visits occasionally on weekends."

"You’re really tidy, Yang Zi, you’re so capable." Luo Su hadn’t finished complimenting when the old lady interrupted expressionlessly: "The hourly worker comes weekly."

"If you’re going to cook, why not let my student try his skills, Huai Shi, quickly show the predecessor a..."

"No need." The elder remained cold, "I can’t get used to anything else."

Pfft.

Huai Shi chuckled beside, the first time seeing Luo Su eat humble pie.

Secretly delighted!