Chapter 538 - 538: I Am Your Pursuer

A little over half an hour later, Zhao Yuan arrived at a famous hot pot restaurant downtown in a ride-hailing car.

Here in Western Shu Province, hot pot was the go-to choice for any occasion, from friendly get-togethers to birthday parties. For one, the people of Shu Province loved numbing and spicy food. For another, hot pot was a lively affair. Plus, no matter how long the meal stretched, the food would never get cold—after all, the red broth was always kept at a rolling boil.

After getting out of the car, Zhao Yuan pulled out his wallet, took out a bank card, and handed it to the Bone Woman. "Go look around the area for a bit," he instructed. "Oh, right, buy yourself a phone so I can get in touch with you. And clothes—you can pick out some styles you like. As for anything else, if you think it might be useful, feel free to buy it."

The clothes the Bone Woman was wearing were still his. After hunting the Raccoon Power and battling the Ant Thieves, the outfit wasn't bloodstained, but it was grimy and worn out. It was high time for a change. And while he and the Bone Woman had formed a Soul Contract, his own power wasn't yet strong enough to communicate with her telepathically. A modern tool like a cell phone was therefore essential.

"Yes!" The Bone Woman didn't stand on ceremony, taking the bank card before asking, "Should I take White Cat and the others with me?"

Zhao Yuan was about to agree, but White Cat seemed to have read his mind. It leaped onto his shoulder and stubbornly refused to budge. The two Little Dang Kang, for their part, clung tightly to White Cat's fur, sprawled across its back.

Although the two Little Dang Kang had known White Cat for less than a day, for some reason they had grown incredibly attached to it. Their affection for the cat already surpassed their bond with Zhao Yuan, the very person their mother had designated as their "babysitter."

Seeing this, Zhao Yuan could only smile wryly. "Never mind. I'll let them stay with me."

The Bone Woman nodded. She watched Zhao Yuan enter the hot pot restaurant before turning and heading to a nearby phone store.

Once inside, Zhao Yuan discovered the place was packed. He scanned the crowded restaurant but couldn't spot Lin Xue, so he took out his phone and gave her a call.

In a small private room, Lin Xue's phone sat on the table. When it rang, she quickly picked it up. Seeing Zhao Yuan's name on the screen, a blissful smile spread across her face. "You're here? We're in Osmanthus Hall. Where are you? Okay, just stay put. I'll come get you right now!"

After hanging up, she stood and announced to her high school classmates and the birthday girl, Weng Zhaoling, "My boyfriend's here. I'm going to get him."

Zhaoling was the girl whose voice Zhao Yuan had heard over the phone earlier.

She grinned. "Go on, hurry! I can't wait to see the man who managed to charm our goddess Xiaoxue."

The other classmates chimed in with teasing remarks.

"Why don't you make him find his own way? You're going to personally escort him? You spoil him way too much."

"You don't get it. This is Xiaoxue's way of showing off their love!"

"No wonder Xiaoxue kept her phone on the table, not even worried about it getting splattered with grease. She was waiting for her boyfriend's call all along."

Their comments made Lin Xue blush, and the rosy tint on her pretty face was utterly adorable.

Hearing their chatter and seeing Lin Xue's shy, adorable expression, the anger in Hu Dajun's heart blazed even hotter. His hatred for the still-unseen Zhao Yuan intensified.

Unfortunately, Lin Xue was too caught up in the joy of seeing Zhao Yuan again to notice Hu Dajun's strange reaction.

Stepping out of the private room, Lin Xue spotted Zhao Yuan in the main hall at once. "Over here!" she called out, waving as she hurried toward him.

Zhao Yuan saw her too. He walked over and smiled. "It's only been a few days, and you've gotten even more beautiful."

"Did you go to Huashang just to learn how to be a smooth-talker?" Lin Xue scoffed, though secretly she was delighted.

What girl didn't like being told she was beautiful by her boyfriend?

Their cheesy banter was so sweet it made a passing waiter shiver.

'Is it really okay to be so lovey-dovey in public like this?'

Lin Xue's gaze dropped to Zhao Yuan's shoulder. "Huh? Xiaobai came with you?" she asked, surprised. "Did he go all the way to Huashang with you too? Oh my gosh, what are these two things on his back? Are they piglets? They're so tiny and cute!"

Like most girls, Lin Xue had a soft spot for cute things. The two Little Dang Kang were only palm-sized, a creamy white color, and adorably goofy. She was instantly captivated.

For a moment, Lin Xue even forgot she was supposed to be introducing Zhao Yuan to her classmates. "Can I hold them?" she asked eagerly.

"Of course." Zhao Yuan gently plucked the two Little Dang Kang from White Cat's back and placed them in Lin Xue's arms.

The two little creatures were remarkably intelligent. Seeming to sense the special relationship between Lin Xue and Zhao Yuan, they didn't struggle at all. Instead, they settled obediently into her arms and, as she stroked them, let out soft, contented snuffles, their faces a picture of pure bliss.

Seeing that Lin Xue was taking forever just to fetch one person, Zhaoling came out of the private room. Standing in the doorway, she called out from a distance, "Xiaoxue, what are you two doing out there? If you don't come soon, all the food will be gone!"

"Ah, I almost forgot." Lin Xue stuck her tongue out sheepishly, a gesture that was both cute and alluring. "Come on, I'll introduce you to my high school friends. They're really curious about you. If they ask any questions that are too out of line, you don't have to answer. Just don't get mad, okay?"

Zhao Yuan laughed. "What's there to be angry about? Your friends are my friends. Don't worry, I'll make you proud."

Soon, the two of them returned to Osmanthus Hall.

The moment they walked through the door, the room erupted in a lively clamor, with everyone talking at once.

"Xiaoxue, hurry up and introduce him to us!"

"He looks alright. Not drop-dead gorgeous, but he's pleasant to look at."

"I guess he's barely good enough for our Xiaoxue."

Faced with this reception, Zhao Yuan wasn't the least bit intimidated.

'Seriously? What kind of major situations hadn't he been in? How could a little scene like this faze him?'

He smiled, his tone friendly but not overly effusive. "Hello, everyone. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhao Yuan. Like Xiaoxue, I'm a freshman at West Hua Medical University, but I'm in the Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine."

Lin Xue added her own introduction, "And this is my boyfriend."

Then she began introducing her high school classmates to Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan was polite, nodding to each person as they were introduced, and they returned the gesture.

But when they got to Hu Dajun, things took a different turn.

Lin Xue introduced him, "This is Hu Dajun. He was the top student in our high school class."

"Nice to meet you," Zhao Yuan said with a smile, extending his hand.

Hu Dajun didn't shake his hand. He didn't even stand up. He ignored Zhao Yuan completely and spoke directly to Lin Xue. "Xiaoxue, you left something out of your introduction. I'm also your suitor. I was in high school, and I still am now."