Chapter 79 Promise

"Xiao Ai~"

Lin Lang shook her ears and handed over the sandwich in the plastic bag: "I brought you dinner~" The tail behind her was also wagging. She remembered that when Xiao'er first came, she bought these egg sandwiches for three consecutive days. She must love them very much.

"Thanks!"

Chen Xiao'er was afraid that her roommates would notice her tears, so she leaned sideways to take the plastic bag and lowered her head, pretending to look at her phone.

She didn't dare sniff. She put the sandwich down, stood up, and ran out. "I'm going to buy some snacks. I suddenly want to eat snacks. Do you have anything to eat?"

"No, uh, how about some chocolate?"

Lin Lang caught a glimpse of the traces at the corner of her eyes, and his tail drooped quietly.

Zheng Lu nodded calmly: "Thank you, I want a bag of jelly."

After Chen Xiao'er's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Lin Lang helplessly spread his hands towards Zheng Lu. "Xiao'er really likes to get food from the weird side. Those snacks are probably abnormal. If you're scared, put them away first. Of course, don't hide them for too long."

"Of course I'll eat it all. That's the food Xiao'ai handed to me personally."

Zheng Lu pulled back the chair and sat down firmly. She turned on her communicator and set the screen background to the latest downloaded image: black background with white dots.

“…So, don’t confuse friendship with faith.” Lin Lang looked at her screen helplessly.

What is this, a follower mentality? It doesn't even rank among the many mental illnesses.

But even the somewhat obtuse Chen Xiao'er could sense that something was amiss with Zheng Lu. She'd quietly asked her a while ago, "Lulu has become so quiet. Is she like this during morning exercise too? Is there some psychological trauma?"

What can I say? "People who have been followers of theology since childhood are like this. They feel uncomfortable if they don't believe in something."

After all, members of those chaotic cults are very accustomed to believing in a "greater" individual, placing all their hopes and doubts on the great existence in order to escape the desperate reality.

Lin Lang originally didn't care about this attitude. It didn't matter where he escaped to, but he didn't want his roommate to have such an attitude towards another friend: human beings should hold hands and advance and retreat together, instead of hiding behind others and hoping for salvation.

Such a belief is something that is engraved into her bones by the human soul.

Zheng Lu thought for a moment, her eyes filled with innocence as she raised them. "So, as a friend, what do you think of Xiao'er's tears? And what should we do?"

"Uh..." Lin Lang was stunned by the question. After a long while, he scratched his head and looked outside and said, "Over here—ah, you've heard of the Human Soul Front, right?"

"I've heard of them. The book says they are a group of radical idealists, making futile efforts."

"Tsk, what kind of books are you reading? What do you mean by futile?"

Lin Lang sighed. A traitor like her couldn't speak for the Human Soul Front. After all, she'd already run away, so how could she possibly correct others' attitudes?

She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "In short, I agree with this: trust your companions and believe in the power of the human soul."

Lin Lang shook his wolf ears and tapped his forehead: "I believe Xiao'er has a strong soul. It would be bad for us to be too enthusiastic. Of course, if she really encounters any difficulties, I will do my best-"

Click.

The door opened and Chen Xiao'er ran in breathlessly, carrying a plastic bag.

In her left hand, she held a box of hot puffs and a bag of crystal jelly, and in her right hand, she held a large piece of gold-wrapped chocolate.

"Sorry for the wait~ Leave a few puffs for Ling, she might be back late."

Chen Xiao'er wiped the water droplets off her face vigorously, and the smile on her face seemed a little deliberate.

Lin Lang and Zheng Lu looked at each other, silently took the snacks, and helped her move the stool away.

However, Chen Xiao'er did not sit back among them. Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed with a somewhat melancholy look, glancing at the door from time to time.

The atmosphere was frozen in silence, and time passed by minute by minute.

Click, tap.

Finally, regular footsteps could be heard outside the door. They were heavier and more powerful than those of ordinary students. It was obvious that they were the work of an apostle.

"zero!"

Xiao'er stood up and walked towards the door, her face blooming with joy from the bottom of her heart.

Ling stopped at the door and nodded slightly: "Good evening."

After asking for her help, she started walking again. Each step was the same distance. It took her exactly three steps to reach the bed, and she could jump over at any time by holding on to the fence.

Chen Xiao'er lifted the puff she was holding in her arms and waved it gently in front of her senior. "Wait a minute, have you had dinner? These puffs are delicious~ The cream is so soft."

Her voice was soft and cottony, with a hint of sweet saliva, and she tried her best to raise the snack.

【Information Entry】

Zero glanced at the puff placed under his lips and found no unusual energy.

After filing the data, she said calmly, "No, I've already eaten. Just eat as much as you like."

After saying this, Ling pushed the ladder with his right hand and easily jumped onto the bed with the support of his supernatural strength.

She lay down against the pillow, her legs folded along the mattress, the whole posture elegant and space-saving.

Eh? Zero...seems a bit cold.

Is it my illusion? After all, senior sister is a very calm person.

No, Zero's reaction now is obviously much colder than before. Could it be that she just had an argument with the president in the office and is in a very bad mood?

Chen Xiao'er stood under the bed holding the puff. She stood on tiptoe and said carefully, "I'll put it in the refrigerator first. If you're hungry tonight, or want to eat it tomorrow, just take it."

The senior student sat upright on the upper bunk and replied in a calm voice, "No, my daily energy intake is carefully calculated, so there won't be any gaps. Since you like eating these, I suggest you eat them all and don't leave them for tomorrow."

What does this mean, please?

Isn't this level of attitude too much?

Chen Xiao'er couldn't stand it anymore. She mechanically opened the refrigerator and stuffed the puffs in, then lifted the bed curtain and sat back on her bed.

The roommates seemed to have noticed something was wrong between the two of them and did not dare to speak the whole time.

She leaned against the pillow, opened her phone, and flipped to the post that had just been published.

Looking at the words "good mood", my fingers tightened.

What is this? You said you hoped I would be happy and came to kiss me, but as soon as you came back you started to make a face... Is it over after the kiss?

Huh~ Chen Xiao'er took a deep breath: Calm down, calm down, calm down quickly——

Don’t think too much about it. Maybe the president really is a stress-freak and puts a lot of pressure on Zero?

Putting aside what the student union thinks about romantic relationships between seniors and juniors, it is definitely wrong to stand up the student union and come to the freshmen's place to take the sports test.

Zero is usually an excellent student, and this might be his first time being disciplined. Will it be recorded in his file? It's normal for an excellent student to be upset when seeing a blemish on their record.

Xiao'er quietly opened the address book.

[Xiao Ai: Are you angry? QWQ I'm sorry, I've been a burden to you today.]

A message immediately flashed below.

【Zero: I'm not angry, and you're not a burden to me. 】

?

[Xiao Ai: Why did the senior sister's attitude change a bit after she came back?]

【Zero: Wait a moment, let me think about it.】

The apostle on the upper bunk closed his eyes, exchanged data with thousands of machines at the same time, and started a comprehensive self-inspection.

One minute later she gave a definite reply.

【Zero: No changes.】

[Zero: If you think I've changed, it might be related to the previous treatment.] After all, the emotional module has been reset, so there may be some changes in behavior patterns.

Was it really because of the punishment? But the senior said she wasn't angry and didn't blame me.

Chen Xiao'er knocked on the pillow in distress.

She really wanted to believe that the senior sister was not angry, but her reaction did not show that she was not angry at all. Who would speak like that if they were not angry?

She began to understand some of the couple jokes that were on the Internet in the past.

When you ask, "Are you angry?" you have a rough idea of what's going on. Then the other person replies, "I'm not angry," in a perfectly normal tone. This might translate to, "I'm pissed off."

Woo, Zero, I'm really not good at this kind of communication!

Is this really a relationship?

A line of cold words suddenly surfaced in her heart, and Chen Xiao'er's fingers trembled slightly as she held the phone: Indeed. Although the senior sister took the initiative to kiss me, in my opinion, this was the most straightforward confession.

But the senior sister’s attitude after the kiss—did she regret it and want to handle the matter coldly?

No, no, I don’t want it!

Tears welled up in Chen Xiao'er's eyes and she curled up like a shrimp: I don't want this... My first love ended at the very beginning. When I think back on it later, I will feel like a big joke!

No, no hesitation, must be sure. She poked the question on the screen with trembling fingers.

[Xiao Ai: Ling, are we dating now? ]

Huh... so nervous.

Chen Xiao'er stared at the screen, expecting a positive answer but also afraid of seeing a light rejection.

Beep.

【Zero: We are companions.】

The term "companion" should be used for friends, not lovers.

Chen Xiao'er typed a bunch of messages, typing "Do you have romantic feelings for me?" twice and deleting them twice. Tears slid down her fingers, wetting the screen.

[Xiao Ai: Senior, if you dislike me, just tell me directly.]

【Zero: I have never disliked you. 】

【Xiao Ai: Then why did you kiss me but not want to date me? 】

This time the wait was very long. She counted to 120 seconds in her mind but still didn't get a response.

Chen Xiao'er hugged her legs and slowly lowered her head between her knees: No answer is also an answer.

rustle.

A ray of light shines on the face.

The bed curtains were suddenly lifted, and Ling's slender fingers pushed aside the curtains. His swan-like neck and most of his body gracefully stretched out onto the bed, and he immediately extended his right hand to her.

"zero?"

Chen Xiao'er threw her phone away in a daze. She timidly supported herself with the pillow and tried to move back, but her shoulder was pressed against the edge of the bed.

"Wait a minute, I need to confirm."

Ling's ice-blue eyes remained calm. She took the girl's hand as if it was a matter of course, and slowly intertwined their fingers.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Chen Xiao'er's heart was pounding. "What on earth is going on?" She didn't know. "I just didn't want to let go." She slowly tightened her fingers, pressing her palm against Ling's.

"Xiao Ai."

"Um……"

Ling slowly raised his eyes and looked at her, his eyes seemed to be twinkling with stars.

"I am willing to associate with you." ["I am willing to connect with you."]

Phew—her shyness and worry vanished, and Chen Xiao'er suddenly raised her voice and asked, "Really?! So, then am I now together with you, Senior Sister?"

She stared into Zero's eyes, seeking a positive answer.

Zero's eyes flickered, then became firm after a few seconds.

She leaned forward and rested her cheek against hers. "Give me a moment. The student council is very cautious about vetting members' feelings. You're special, maybe they'll agree."

"It takes time to observe. The Church is very cautious about applications to join the Soul Pool. You are special, so it's not impossible for you to join."

It turns out that the student union has to audit the love lives of its members?

The president's cold and beautiful face and 1.9-meter-long legs flashed through Xiao'ai's mind, and she suddenly had the illusion of seeing the king of the harem.

She should have been angry, but Zero's expression was so determined.

Anyone who sees such a serious look would regard the seemingly evasive words as a Romeo and Juliet-style agreement of resistance, right?

"good."

I also want to make Ling happy. Two-way giving and tolerance between lovers are normal. I will slowly adapt to the logic that I don’t understand in the years to come.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao'er leaned on her senior's shoulder and whispered softly, "Then let's... work hard together."

"Okay." A hint of gentleness finally appeared in the extremely serious voice, and in a trance, it returned to the state it was in long ago.

…

Phew~ Is the problem solved?

Having experienced so many things today, Chen Xiao'er felt that all the bones in her body were loose when she lay back on the pillow.

Just check your phone and go to sleep.

Just reply to netizens and high school classmates, and then delete all emails from unknown senders in the mailbox.

Well, you can tell who it is by looking at the killing messages and the question-asking comments like "I will forgive you if you are willing to kneel at my feet."

Block them all. I want to see how many mobile phones you have. If you have money, spend more.

Beep beep.

Professor Miroku? Why would the professor text me at this hour? Could it be my mother contacting me...

Xiao'er opened the text message nervously, and after reading the content, she suddenly covered her chest with her hands.

【Milo: Remember to study hard in the future. If you have any questions, I will give you some extra time for tutoring.】

Question: How badly does a person have to do on an exam for the teacher to send him a text message late at night reminding him to study hard?

Xiao Ai: Okay, teacher! I will definitely work hard! !

Chen Xiao'er turned around and asked weakly outside, "Lin Lang, Lulu, how did you guys do on the exam?"

Sorry, roommates, I really need a little emotional support. Please tell me I'm not alone. QAQ Everyone's relaxed after the Gaokao, right? We can all work hard together in the study room!

Lin Lang tossed and turned in bed, answering sullenly, "I'm not a cultured person. Besides, the emphasis of this school is completely different from the one back home. I'm sure I'll do average on the test."

Zheng Lu's voice also sounded softly, "I really enjoy studying. However, the self-study materials provided by my family are very different from the school materials. The answers to some knowledge points are even contradictory, so I must have made a lot of mistakes this time. I will definitely make up for it in the midterm exam, so please look forward to it."

"Oh~ I didn't do very well in the exam either. Let's work hard together from now on! Hehe."

That's great... No, that's terrible. I need to study hard with my roommates from now on~

Chen Xiao'er closed her eyes with peace of mind and fell into a sweet sleep.