Pan Li'er

"Ye Ying…" Just as I was about to speak, Ye Ying's delicate face instantly turned a shade of anxiety. "It's nothing," I replied with a shrug, feeling inexplicably at a loss for words. Delivering a decisive rejection was hardly a pleasant experience. I lowered my gaze as I walked past Yuan Lang and Ye Ying, causing Ye Ying to breathe a sigh of relief. As she caught sight of my leisurely retreating figure, she suddenly recalled the afternoon class and exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm going to be late!" before sprinting away. Today, Ye Ying was dressed in loose-fitting athletic shorts and a sleeveless white top, her calves elegantly displayed, straight and graceful, which inexplicably reminded me of the first time I had seen Julia, with her revealing attire.

"It seems Ye Ying's figure surpasses Julia's!" I thought, only to hear Julia's voice echo in my mind with a disapproving hum. I dared not offend this little demon and quickly cut off my wandering thoughts. "The girl you like certainly doesn't play coy; she even forgot to call her temporary boyfriend while running. Do you want me to help you win her back?" "No! Seeking help to pursue a girl—shouldn't it be me doing the chasing?" A hand suddenly draped over my shoulder, and instinctively, I tensed my shoulder and retaliated with an elbow strike. That hand swiftly redirected to catch my elbow, bracing against my move. When I turned to face him, Yuan Lang immediately raised both hands in a gesture of apology, saying, "I didn't mean to start a fight;

I just wanted to point out that it seems we're both going to be late.

"You're overly sensitive," I muttered, hurriedly expressing my thanks. Just as I was about to quicken my pace, Yuan Lang added, "I didn't expect you to have some skills, Wang Lin. You're welcome to join our martial arts club!" "Hmph, I guarantee I'll outshine all your members," I thought to myself, hastening my steps. Yuan Lang seemed to take it as a challenge and matched my pace, running alongside me. Before I ventured to Demon Island, I certainly wouldn't have been able to outrun an athletic student like Yuan Lang. Back then, my physical fitness was merely average. However, now… in an instant, I had left Yuan Lang far behind. If it weren't for my reservations, I could have easily outpaced a cheetah; Yuan Lang was just an ordinary high school student—how could he possibly be my match? The moment I stepped into the classroom, the bell rang, and I narrowly avoided being late. Yuan Lang, who lagged slightly behind, would undoubtedly be tardy, but that was of no concern to me. 

The afternoon class was dedicated to preparing for tomorrow's final exams, with teachers bustling about, creating quite a lively atmosphere. I had completely given up on this exam, spending the entire afternoon in a daze. Through the various battles on Demon Island, I had mastered the techniques of the Flying Flower Sweep and the Carefree Cave Palm, allowing me to execute them effortlessly in combat. My reflexes had become instinctual, ingrained in every muscle of my body. My proficiency in leg techniques had reached a point where I could unleash seventeen or eighteen kicks in an instant, leaving ordinary observers barely able to perceive my movements. Although the Carefree Cave Palm was a tier below the Flying Flower Sweep, my hands were more agile than my legs, and I could match their speed. I'm not boasting; even without employing tenfold strength or any extraordinary abilities, the angle, timing, and speed of a single elbow strike would be sufficient to floor a professional boxer.

Yet, Yuan Lang managed to deliver the most appropriate counterattack in such a short time, not only neutralizing my strike but also creating distance that prevented me from launching a follow-up attack. Such effortless skill was not something a mere martial arts enthusiast could achieve; it required at least a decade or two of rigorous training.

Although I had heard that Yuan Lang hailed from a martial arts family, I hadn't expected him to be this formidable. The force behind his palm strike was astonishing, clearly not a mere warning; otherwise, it wouldn't have provoked my counter. "Next time, if he doesn't know his place, I won't hold back," I thought, dismissing the reasons behind Yuan Lang's desire to assert himself. 

As the school day drew to a close, the teachers finally relented, allowing the weary students some peace, and my ears were finally free from the clamor. My classmates were busy packing their bags, and I intended to head home. At that moment, my classmate Pan Li'er approached me with a cheerful smile, asking, "Wang Lin, do you have any plans for the summer vacation? Some of us are thinking of going to the beach; would you like to join?" "No, I need to focus on catching up with my studies;

I can't afford to fall behind in the new semester," I replied. Pan Li'er's expression dimmed, but my excuse was unassailable, leaving her with little to say. After I finished packing my bag, I noticed Pan Li'er had not yet left, and curiosity got the better of me. "Aren't you going home?

I inquired. Pan Li'er's eyes sparkled as she suddenly smiled and said, "I just need to buy a book, and it's on the way to your house. Let's go together!" I hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. 

Pan Li'er was quite well-known among the girls in our first-year class as a beautiful girl, while Ye Ying embodied the quintessential pure type; Pan Li'er was more of a mature type, with a figure that could rival Western girls, and her demeanor was rather open. I wasn't particularly fond of her type, but for some reason, ever since school started, Pan Li'er seemed to enjoy talking to me. We had gone out a few times, but it was always in a group, and nothing significant had occurred. With Pan Li'er by my side, I couldn't drive home; tomorrow was the final exam, and I wouldn't have time to study if I went home. It was unnecessary to take this vehicle, which was meant for gaming, back home. Although I had given up, even a last-minute effort was better than none. 

On our way, Pan Li'er was in high spirits, chattering about various rumors from school over the past month, which began to wear on my patience, and I couldn't help but show it on my face. "Wang Lin, do you really dislike me?" she suddenly asked. Caught off guard, I instinctively replied, "No, I'm just a bit afraid of you."

"Why are you afraid of me?

Realizing I had misspoken, I decided to be straightforward. "You seem like the kind of girl who loves to have fun.

I'm afraid that if we get too close, I might develop feelings I shouldn't have, and then when things get heated, you'd turn cold and say, 'I was just playing with you,' and I'd be left thinking I was serious… or that I've already fallen for someone else and you shouldn't come looking for me anymore."

I shrugged, looking at Pan Li'er with a sense of resignation. "In that case, I'd feel really unlucky and unfortunate."