Chapter 14 Want to Walk the Same Path with You

The giant fish vanished in the wind like bubbles emerging on the surface of the water. Lin Xingjie felt all strength leave her body and she slumped down, leaning against the wall.

Exhaustion washed over her in an instant like a tide, and even breathing felt tiring. Clenching her teeth, she struggled to hold on, ensuring the boy in her arms did not fall to the ground.

Was this... the aftereffect of summoning monsters in reality?

Lin Xingjie, showcasing her remarkable abilities for the first time, had no time to feel joy or astonishment at her newfound power. She even forgot about taking the other person to the hospital, her arms growing numb from Xu Xiangyang's weight, yet she did not let go. Instead, she cradled his head on her knees and drifted into a deep sleep.

...

Xu Xiangyang's consciousness slowly began to return.

"Where am I..."

He felt warmth on his cheek, a muffled sensation, as if he was struggling to breathe, and hurriedly forced his eyes open.

What he saw was beyond his imagination.

Lin Xingjie, leaning against the wall with her eyes closed and head bowed, seemed to be asleep. Her long, straight black hair, cascading down following gravity, playfully tickled his face, causing his nose to itch.

Xu Xiangyang was taken aback. He realized that he was lying across the girl's thighs and, despite the layers of fabric and trousers between them, he could still feel the warmth from the back of his head and side of his face. This made Xu Xiangyang feel quite uncomfortable.

Yet he did not move. Xu Xiangyang looked up at the tranquil face of Lin Xingjie in her slumber. He had never seen her this way before. Under the glow of the setting sun, her fair complexion and neat features shone brilliantly, serene and peaceful, as if she were a lifelike statue of the Goddess; only the adhesive bandage on her cheek added a touch of liveliness typical of a youth.

He was momentarily speechless, mesmerized by her presence.

After a short while, Lin Xingjie's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she opened her eyes as if awakened by his movement. Rubbing her eyes softly, she mumbled,

"You're awake, huh."

"Uh... yeah."

Xu Xiangyang came to his senses, suddenly feeling an unexplainable panic. She, however, seemed unaware that there was anything amiss with the current situation.

"I, just now—"

As his breathing gradually stabilized, Xu Xiangyang finally managed to speak, his voice still hoarse from a dry throat.

"You fainted from fright earlier, what a scaredy-cat."

Lin Xingjie pondered for a moment, tilting her head slightly and answering with a light laugh.

...Was that really it?

Right, they were targeted by a pack of stray dogs, and then he just... wait, did he really faint just like that? In front of her? Was he that afraid of dogs?

Xu Xiangyang coughed once, sitting up awkwardly and moving away from her knees.

But it was only then that he fully recalled everything that had happened; no, the problem wasn't the dogs, he had seen... he had seen something very strange!

"What about that pack of dogs?"

"They ran off. I just yelled at them and they were all scared away. I didn't expect it to be that easy."

As Lin Xingjie spoke, she glanced at the scene where the creature she had summoned had "disposed of the evidence." The dogs that had clung together were already devoured without leaving a single trace, not even a drop of blood.

"Those little doggies might have looked fierce, but they wouldn't actually hurt anyone. Looks like we were overly worried."

Was that really the case?

Xu Xiangyang couldn't help but press his hand to his forehead and looked at her doubtfully. Yet Lin Xingjie maintained the same relaxed demeanor and continued,

"Still, I should thank you. I thought you were going to run away in fear just now. Those dogs were quite notorious around here, people with kids would avoid them when they saw them."

Lin Xingjie dusted off her clothes, stood up with an airy grace, and did a pirouette on the spot. She rested her hands behind her back and looked down at him,

"I didn't realize it was already afternoon. How are you feeling? Want me to accompany you to the hospital?"

"Er, no need."

"...Is that so."

The girl nodded and added,

"Then I'm going."

With that, she was ready to leave.

"Wait, didn't we agree to have a meal together?"

Xu Xiangyang subconsciously called out to her.

"Do you want to eat with me?"

Lin Xingjie turned her head, her face beaming with a smile.

Xu Xiangyang furrowed his brow, feeling that something about her seemed different.

"We had agreed to breakfast, if you want to invite me for dinner, then ask me again."

Xu Xiangyang ignored her teasing and earnestly asked,

"So, where are you planning to go? Not heading back home, I presume."

"Why would you say that?"

He pointed to the girl's hand.

The delicate palm that emerged from the sleeve of her wide coat was clutching the handle of a retractable baton so tightly that her knuckles were white and the veins blue.

"This? I can just give it back to you, right?"

She offered the baton to him.

Xu Xiangyang did not take it, but instead pointed out with a serious face,

"I think you're planning to hit someone."

"That question again..." Lin Xingjie sighed, "Alright, I admit it, I'm going to find them. How could I not seek revenge? When you're bullied, can you not fight back? If you choose to endure, they'll think you're an easy target, and then you'll never turn things around, understand?"

Initially, Lin Xingjie's plan was mainly focused on self-preservation. However, upon realizing she indeed had the power to retaliate, her intentions shifted.