Chapter 76

"You're...Pepe?"

Although his heart was in turmoil, Xi Siling still had to maintain a calm appearance.

The two hadn't seen each other for seven or eight years since Lin Zhipei was adopted. Although each other's physical features were very obvious, they shouldn't have recognized each other so quickly.

The boy smiled brightly and walked with a brisk pace, just like a Samoyed that starts wagging its tail and running wildly when it sees its owner. Even the names are similar.

"Yes, Brother Si Ling, I'm Pepe!"

The pink-haired boy almost teleported to Xi Siling's side and sat down directly.

"It's been such a long time since we last met. I really miss you!"

The power of this straight ball is really not something that ordinary people can withstand. Perhaps this is the true meaning of a sunny and cheerful big boy?

Xi Siling tried his best to remain calm and friendly. "It's been... seven years since we last met, right?"

These words were said to Liu Huaqi. If Liu Huaqi didn't know Lin Zipei, it would be fine and he would just be wasting his time. But the child next to him happened to be reborn. Before being sure of the true relationship between Lin Zipei and Liu Huaqi, Xi Siling had to maintain his "neutral" attitude.

But Lin Zhipei didn't seem to notice his awkwardness or alienation, and frowned in dissatisfaction, "It's eight years and three months! Brother Si Ling has already forgotten it?"

Xi Siling:......

Why do you remember it so clearly? Although we had a very good relationship when we were young, it's not possible that I still miss you after so long...

Looking at those aggrieved eyes that seemed hurt by his indifference, Xi Siling felt his scalp tingling.

Strictly speaking, it may not be just eight years, but also include the ten to twenty years from the previous life until death.

They really haven't seen each other since Lin Zhipei was adopted.

Xi Siling decided not to respond to the silent accusation and just pretend that nothing had happened.

"This is my childhood playmate Lin Zhipei. This is the first time we've met since I was adopted eight years ago."

He turned to look at Liuhuaqi and introduced it to the child very naturally, emphasizing the 'eight years ago' in the last sentence.

Liu Huaqi really didn't know that Lin Zhipei and Xi Siling were from the same orphanage. In the years when he and Lin Zhipei knew each other in his previous life, the other party never mentioned Senior Xi even once.

His inner thoughts were naturally hidden very well, as if he was meeting Lin Zhipei for the first time.

"Hello, I'm Liuhuaqi, the junior and roommate of our senior."

The greeting was quite normal, but the tone was much colder than when he usually spoke to me.

It seemed to Xi Siling that 77's attitude towards Pepe was very complicated.

It seemed that Liuhuaqi himself was also struggling with how to treat this former "friend".

There is no doubt that there is something fishy going on in the comic book plot of Lao Zei.

"On the way to save the world, I met the journalism professor Nanbei Laozei. His writing style is as strong as a monster. I tried my best to defeat him!"

"Roommate?! You're so lucky! I'd also like to go to the secret text if I could, so sad-"

Lin Zhipei was so frank even when expressing her envy.

He really envied Liu Huaqi for being able to be roommates with Brother Si Ling.

It's a pity that he will never have this opportunity in his life.

Liu Huaqi dealt with it with a forced smile, and he didn't know how to respond.

Xi Siling didn't know how to respond.

However, it seems that Pepe has never attended any formal supernatural academy for study. The fact that he can become "friends" with the protagonist of the comics means that he also has supernatural powers.

Why?

The atmosphere gradually became awkward, but fortunately Teacher Tang appeared in time to resolve the situation.

"Dinner is ready, let's talk after we eat!"

——

It is said that before coming to the orphanage, Teacher Tang Yang was the owner and chef of a hotel, so the meals are of first-class standard.

Being a chef is a job that truly tests both physical strength and technical skills. It is amazing that Ms. Tang, as a woman, can have the best of both worlds.

Xi Siling also learned cooking skills from Teacher Tang Yang. According to what adults often say, Xi Siling was a very sensible and well-behaved child when he was young. Whenever he saw the teachers were busy, he would go to help.

Since I go to the kitchen so often, it makes sense to "steal" and learn some cooking skills.

"Try it? Is it the flavor you liked when you were kids?"

Teacher Tang specially made the food that Xi Siling and Lin Zipei loved to eat when they were children. Time passed too quickly. The little kid who was not even as tall as her waist had grown into such a handsome boy in the blink of an eye. How could she not be happy?

Especially Xi Siling, this child impressed her the most. Although her real home is still here, due to her busy study and work, it is good enough for her to come back twice a year.

Not to mention Lin Zhipei, this is his first time back since he was adopted.

She did not favor one over the other and even specially greeted the junior student brought by Xi Siling.

"Xiao Qi, would you like to try it too? If you have any preferences, tell me later!"

Liu Huaqi nodded shyly, "Thank you, Teacher Tang."

What a polite and good child! Teacher Tang’s smile became even brighter.

Because it was prepared in advance, this meal was almost made according to the standards of the New Year’s Eve dinner. Even people who can’t cook can see the host’s intentions.

He standing here hasn't tasted such a loving meal for many years, so it's inevitable that he has some complicated emotions.

It seemed that Xi Siling had lost more than he realized.

"Brother Si Ling, you always peeled shrimps for me when we were kids. Now you want to try the shrimps I peeled?"

The shrimps that appeared in the bowl interrupted Xi Siling's thoughts. He turned back blankly to look at the source of the sound, and then bumped into that brilliant smile.

hiss--

For some reason, there was a chill on the other side that frightened him.

This strange sense of déjà vu made the food in the bowl suddenly taste less delicious.

"Thank you, but no, please eat more."

He had to find out what was happening about Lin Zhipei and Liu Huaqi as soon as possible. It was really worrying that things were not under his control.

Seeing Lin Zipei's slightly lost expression, Xi Siling began to urge his memory to rewind rapidly.

After all, the last time I saw Pepe was nearly seventeen or eighteen years ago, and the situation has changed a lot.

But soon, Xi Siling retrieved a brief conversation from the corner of his memory.

At this time in his previous life, he also chose to return to the orphanage to celebrate the New Year.

But at that time Liu Huaqi had already dropped out of school, Lan Yi and Li Ke did not qualify to enter the Lingyan class, and he was still in self-doubt because of Zi Yi Ri De's behavior.

After the mid-year competition ended, Xi Siling did not return to the orphanage so early, but finally found time to meet Liu Huaqi.

When we got back here, Teacher Tang said, "Do you remember Pepe? The kid you played with very well when you were little. He came back a few days ago and said he wanted to see you, but he had to go back because of something at home."

Xi Siling called the number recorded by Teacher Tang. A man answered the phone and said that Pepe had gone out and had not returned yet.

The same thing happened three times after I called back, and finally the matter was left unresolved.

......

Xi Siling suddenly felt guilty.

"By the way, your secret text mid-year competition just ended, what were the results... Ouch!"

Zhong Huai had already drunk the beer he had been longing for, but before he could finish his words, he was slapped hard on the head by Teacher Tang next to him.

"Did it just end? Didn't you know that your own child won first place? I told you the day Si Ling came back with the news. You're just making small talk!"

Zhong Huai's eyes were confused for a moment, and he didn't know whether he was drunk or beaten.

But he knew he was in the wrong, "Sorry, sorry, hahaha, you are worthy of being Si Ling! My child is just excellent!"

"And the student Xiao Qi next to him is the first in the combat group." Teacher Tang added.

It's just like a parent asking his or her child to greet people.

Zhong Huai laughed out loud, "First in the combat group, that's even more amazing, heroes emerge from youth!"

Teacher Tang looked as if he couldn't bear to watch it, and was quite speechless, "Don't worry about him, eat your food."

The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant throughout the meal, thanks of course to these lively and active children.

Compared to the food in front of me, the TV time after dinner is more attractive.

However, in order to reduce Teacher Tang’s burden, everyone would consciously wash their own dishes and put them back into the cupboard. They were all sensible and well-behaved children.

Xi Siling didn't plan to sit idle either, so she stood up to help Teacher Tang.

"77, why don't you go watch TV with the kids? Teacher Tang and I will come find you after we finish cleaning up."

Liuhuaci replaced the choice with practical action, picked up the plates on the table and walked towards the kitchen.

"Let me help too, so everyone can rest early."

He didn't want to be treated as an outsider by the seniors in the department, even if that was the case.

Besides, Liuhuaqi doesn't want to be outdone by Lin Cipei.

Then he was arranged by Teacher Tang to wash dishes with Lin Zhipei.

Liuhuaqi: ....

Compared to his hidden hostility, Lin Zhipei was much more "friendly" towards him.

"If you are Brother Si Ling's junior, then you just entered the secret text school this year, right?"

The boy next to him was the truly lively and outgoing one, and he would look ridiculous if he continued pretending.

He couldn't get used to it anyway.

"Um."

Lin Zhipei was washing dishes as lively as if she was dancing, "Ah - that's great, I also want to go to Miwen - if I can become Brother Si Ling, um... and your classmate!"

This was not the first time he had said this, because in his previous life, Lin Zhipei had mentioned his regrets countless times.

That is the secret text of not being able to enter school.

In the past, Liu Huaqi expressed a subtle disdain in his heart for his regret, but now it seems that what Lin Zhipei really wants is not the secret admission document, but to be able to get closer to the senior in the department.

Xi Siling, who was wiping the dishes, said: Ahhh!

He was too lazy to guess who was thinking about him. There were only a few people around, so the most important thing was to communicate with the system.

"I actually... probably... maybe... I know why their relationship is so awkward."

When Xi Siling was free, the system finally sorted out what it wanted to say.

Xi Siling was indeed a little anxious, but he was still thinking seriously.

"How do you know?"

After all, the system's understanding of the past comes from Xi Siling's own memories and the old thief's plot that has been changed beyond all recognition. Logically speaking, the system shouldn't know that.

"Guess how long it took for Lin Zhipei to die and for you to die."

"......"

The system didn't give Xi Siling the chance to hesitate.

"It's not even a month, dear~"