I Get Stronger When Called Up - Chapter 12

“First of all, I’d like to say that although I’m truly grateful to you for helping me with my problems, I can’t ask for too much…”

Xiao Bixue suddenly became shy.

“My mum said… you can only date when you go to college…”

“Invite me for lunch tomorrow.”

They spoke almost at the same time.

“What did you just say about dating?” Fang Qimai asked.

“Nothing… I didn’t say anything… just eat, right? Of course! Haha!”

The usually reserved Xiao Bixue laughed loudly to cover her embarrassment.

What was I thinking… I almost said the words ‘falling in love’.

If I said it, how would I face him later?

“Confusion Value +5 from Xiao Bixue.”

Fang Qimai: ?

Speaking of which, since middle school, there have always been a group of admirers who buy milk tea and various snacks for Xiao Bixue.

Xiao Bixue never thought that she would have to treat anyone to a meal.

…

“Let’s go.”

Fang Qimai slung his backpack over his shoulder and prepared to leave.

Xiao Bixue glanced at the time and was surprised to see that it was already past ten o’clock.

Time really flies when you’re studying seriously, and it’s never this late without going home.

Thinking about the latest sensational news, the case of the serial killer in Jiangcheng remains unsolved.

Xiao Bixue’s parents are divorced and she lives with her mother.

If she comes home late, her mother comes to pick her up.

Coincidentally, Xiao Bixue’s mother sprained her ankle in the last few days.

Her mother didn’t mind her staying out late to study, but she kept reminding her to be careful.

When she remembered the gruesome face of that murderer on the news, she started to feel a little uneasy.

“Um… Fang Qimai… it’s so late, I…” Xiao Bixue paused before continuing, “I’m a bit scared to go home alone…”

Fang Qimai stopped. “So you don’t want to go home and stay here for the night?”

Xiao Bixue: …

“From Xiao Bixue, Confusion Value +2.”

“I’m just joking. I keep my promises; come on, I’ll take you home.”

“Huh?”

“Downstairs.”

…

After the two of them went downstairs, a loud cry suddenly rang out.

“Fang Qimai, it’s you again! What’s wrong? Why didn’t you go home this late? Recently, with that serial killer causing panic, the school let out an hour early from the evening study sessions, and yet you’re still here after ten?”

“And you, you’re in the same class as Fang Qimai, aren’t you? It’s especially dangerous for girls! Go home early!”

[Ding! You have been named by Guo Hu, the head of the Security Section, as a reward: Thirty-Six Styles of Grappling Skill!]

…Guo Hu is a veteran, strong and robust, with considerable skills. He is the head of the school’s security department and is also the captain of the security team. Fang Qimai used to come to school late or play basketball until the security guards had cleared the campus. Over time, Guo Hu got to know Fang Qimai.

Today, when he met Fang Qimai and Xiao Bixue, Guo Hu couldn’t help but give them a lecture, because of his responsibilities. Xiao Bixue hurriedly said, “We’ll go back right away…”

Fang Qimai looked at Guo Hu seriously and said, “Old Guo.”

“What is it?”

Fang Qimai was grateful that the system had rewarded him with the ‘Thirty-Six Styles of Grappling’ because of him. If he ever met that murderer, he wouldn’t be afraid anymore.

Not knowing how to express his gratitude, Fang Qimai thought for a moment and said, “While we’re not around, please take good care of yourself, drink more hot water, don’t stay up too late, and go to bed early.

When Guo Hu heard this, he immediately became angry and replied, “To hell with it! When school is over, it’s over. What do you mean ‘when you’re not around’? I’ll take care of myself!”

After a pause, Guo Hu continued, “I’m on night duty tonight! Don’t talk to me about going to bed early! You little brat, if you don’t come home soon, don’t blame me for being rude!”

“Confusion Value of Guo Hu: +3.”

As he spoke, Guo Hu pretended to raise the electric baton he was holding.

Fang Qimai quickly took Xiao Bixue and left.

When they arrived at the bike park, Fang Qimai unlocked his mountain bike. He usually rode it to school.

“This bike can’t carry more than one person, but there are shared bikes outside, you should scan one.”

Xiao Bixue said quietly, “But I… I can’t ride a bike…”

“Can’t you say that more quietly?”

“I really can’t… Is that so strange? My mother wants me to concentrate on my studies, and I don’t have to do any housework. I’ve never ridden a bike since I was little, so I just can’t…”

Fang Qimai sighed, “What a waste of those long legs you have…”

“I…”

“Confusion Value of Xiao Bixue: +2.”

At this late hour, the last bus Xiao Bixue usually took had already left. Taking a taxi wasn’t very safe either, and considering her family situation, she was reluctant to spend money on a taxi.

Suddenly, Fang Qimai came up with a brilliant idea.

“I’ve got it!”

Saying this, Fang Qimai locked his bike again and went to the security room with Xiao Bixue, just as Guo Hu returned from his patrol.

“Hey! Why aren’t you leaving yet? Do you really want to see my skills?”

“Old Guo, don’t get excited. I have something to discuss with you.”

…

Guo Hu was taken aback when he heard this.

“What? You want my 28-inch bicycle? Since when did you have your eye on my beloved bike?”

“Your riding style on the 28-Inch Bicycle is so cool that everyone has to take a second look…”

“Stop flattering me, that’s my antique prized possession! It’s impossible for me to lend it to you!”

“Just borrow it for the night. You can have it back in the morning when I come to school, and it won’t interfere with your use of it.”

“I said no, it’s not for borrowing!”

Guo Hu was very firm in his stance and shooed the two of them straight out of the security room.

Xiao Bixue tugged on Fang Qimai’s sleeve and said, “Why don’t we just get a communal bike… I can try to see if I can ride one?”

“That won’t be enough. With how clumsy you are, if you end up breaking your leg, wouldn’t I have to carry you home every day? That would be too much trouble.

Xiao Bixue: !!!

Fang Qimai thought to himself, “Looks like I have to play my trump card.”

“Wait for me here.”

Xiao Bixue watched as Fang Qimai walked in.

…

In less than a minute, Guo Hu personally came out and unlocked the bike.

“I’ll leave you the bike, just be careful while riding.”

Guo Hu patted the 28 inch bike, “Don’t let this old looking bike fool you, it’s of good quality.”

Fang Qimai smiled confidently, “Alright, thank you, Old Guo.”

Guo Hu walked back into the security room a little dazed, thinking to himself, “How strange, I can’t bear to part with my beloved bike, yet I lent it to him… But it feels good to do a good deed”.

…

Xiao Bixue asked, “Hey? How did you convince him?”

Fang Qimai looked at his confusion value balance. After a difficult accumulation, he only had 2 points left.

“I have my own methods.”

Fang Qimai got on the bike, then patted the back seat and said to Xiao Bixue, “Get on.”

“This…”

Xiao Bixue felt a little shy, as she had never let a boy ride her before. “Hold on tight!”

Xiao Bixue sat sideways on the back seat and replied quietly with an “mm”.

…

“Old Guo, we’re leaving! Sleep early!”

“Damn it, I won’t sleep!”

Guo Hu rushed out of the security room, looked at Fang Qimai who had already ridden far away, and could only grumble as he walked back.

“Confusion Value of Guo Hu: +3”

“Confusion Value of Guo Hu: +5”

…

The street became quieter, with fewer pedestrians.

The only sound was the creaking of the 28-inch bicycle.

Fang Qimai pedalled fast while Xiao Bixue held onto the corner of his shirt, afraid to let go.

She could faintly smell Fang Qimai’s scent.

Strangely, even though he was drenched in sweat from playing basketball, he still had a pleasant scent.

In March, the weather in Jiangcheng began to warm up, and a light breeze blew, bringing a pleasant feeling.

The scene in front of her helped Xiao Bixue temporarily relieve some of her academic pressure.

As they rode along, Fang Qimai suddenly stopped.