This world no longer matters.
Yingzhou, the missions from the Jurisdiction Bureau... none of it matters. It's all meaningless.
When Yuan Zhao emerged from the restroom, he seemed like a different person. Hunched over, he dejectedly followed the group from the Ivory Tower.
Like a walking corpse.
When his senior classmates caught sight of him, their expressions turned sympathetic. Poor young man, he's probably been rejected... they likely thought. That's just how it is; one must suffer society's harsh beatings to grow.
Keep at it, Yuan Zhao! Don't be defeated by yourself!
But to Yuan Zhao, those encouraging words were already meaningless.
The outside world is too frightening, Sister Yuan, I want to go home...
At this moment, all he wanted was to return to the warmth of his own room, take a bath, sip hot tea, curl up under his thick blanket, hug his head, and cry his heart out until he was too exhausted to cry anymore, then fall into a deep sleep.
It'd be best not to dream, not to wake up again. The 3D world is too filthy; I want to return to my 2D world...
Just as he was rubbing his red-rimmed eyes, struggling to hold back his sorrow, he heard voices from ahead.
"Is it snowing?"
"It's only November, quite early."
"Does that mean we can find time to go skiing? I want to soak in a hot spring. I've heard there are even wild monkeys in the mountains to join us! Aimon, you'll come with me, won't you?"
"Sure, whatever you want, I'll be with you."
Gazing at the affectionate couple, Yuan Zhao numbly averted his gaze and scoffed disdainfully.
Foolish 3D world, do you think this can hurt me? My heart has already... already... Already...
He had been about to say his heart had already died.
But when he raised his head and looked into the distance, he saw snowflakes softly falling against the square's sky, the glow of neon lights, and, at the edge of the crowd, that delicate, slender figure.
She was just standing there, amid the pure white snowfall.
As if she were becoming part of that pure world, almost blending into it.
Only her long hair fluttered in the wind.
Her black eyes lifted, illuminated by the distant, ethereal lights.
She raised her hands in surprise to catch the falling snowflakes, her smile as innocent and pure as a child's.
Like an elf amidst the snow.
Not of this world.
"Miss Huaizhi..."
Yuan Zhao stood frozen.
THUMP. It was as if a powerful jolt had struck his chest. His shattered heart seemed to mend, thumping violently, reviving the dying hope within him.
He felt fine again.
That's right, Yuan Zhao, it's too early to give up now! I haven't asked anything yet, I don't know anything! I've only seen some unsettling things, and they might not even be the truth. Besides, even if... even if...
Just as he was agonizing over whether to approach her, he realized the figure had vanished into the crowd.
Gone.
Yuan Zhao's eyes widened. He glanced at the group beside him and was shocked to realize she wasn't part of the Ivory Tower's procession.
"Where did she go?"
"Miss Huaizhi... her itinerary is different from ours."
The vice-principal paused beside him for a moment, then glanced sideways. "Also, Mr. Yuan, as a member of the Ivory Tower, you may not feel a strong sense of belonging to the school, but please try not to cause trouble during your upcoming solo activities."
"Especially, do not invoke the name of the Ivory Tower!"
He warned solemnly, "Regarding the two secret police in the restroom, the MPD has just issued a serious warning to us. We hope such an incident does not happen again!"
Restroom? Secret police? That's what it was! I understand now, I understand! Nothing sordid happened like I imagined! Lady SuZi was merely harassed by those two secret police and chose to fight back! What a relief, such a great relief...
Silently, Isaac watched the expressions shift continuously on the young man's face.
First, there was astonishment, then an involuntary smile of relief and reassurance, and finally, he was moved to tears.
Seriously, kid, what's wrong with you?
He took a bewildered step back, his gaze full of disdain.
Another one's gone
He was completely unaware of how this scene appeared to others.
Look at that! The vice-principal first bullied Miss Huaizhi, and now he's made the most innocent-looking boy in the group cry! He's utterly shameless, such a bully!
Feng Ping continued to suffer...
Eventually, when Yuan Zhao had finally calmed down a bit, Isaac raised his eyes to look at the car that had been waiting beside the square for a long time.
"Your ride is here, Mr. Yuan. It's time for you to go," he said. "Please remember, whatever you do, you must return when the academic exchange officially begins in half a month."