Mei shook her head, a hint of playful exasperation in her eyes. Unable to resist, she leaned down and gently kissed Kiana's forehead.
"Kiana, full HP restored!"
Receiving Mei's kiss, Kiana immediately sat up from Mei's embrace, grinning foolishly while holding her forehead as if she had just obtained the greatest treasure in the world.
Fu Hua looked at Mei, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, then at Kiana, who was grinning like an idiot. A hint of confusion flashed across her otherwise serious expression.
Feeling Fu Hua's gaze, Mei became a little flustered and asked, "Squad leader, did you find anything?"
--------------------------------
Fu Hua furrowed her brows tightly, as if contemplating something important. Upon hearing Mei's call, she shook her head solemnly.
"I didn't see anyone. They must have run away before I arrived. Whether that's good or bad remains unknown, but they left this behind at the scene. Maybe you two know something about it."
Fu Hua raised the doll in her hand. The sight of it made Kiana and Mei's pupils contract instantly as they both displayed surprised expressions.
"This is..."
Mei hesitantly took the doll from Fu Hua's hand, her fingertips gently rubbing its fluffy surface as a trace of astonishment flashed through her eyes.
Kiana pressed against Mei's face, snatching the doll from her hands. Seeing its familiar appearance, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief and said, "Mei, this doll..."
"Yes."
Mei took out her phone and removed the Black Kite doll hanging from it for comparison. From its size to its texture, it was clear that both came from the same store.
Fu Hua remained silent on the side. Taking out the doll was meant to confirm her suspicions, and judging from the shocked yet delighted expressions of the two, she was somewhat convinced.
Mei clenched the doll in her hand. Ever since the Third Eruption, she had been tormented by guilt for causing Fu Lin's death.
Now, learning that Fu Lin might still be alive, her eyes instantly brightened with hope as she eagerly looked at Fu Hua and asked, "Class monitor, this doll is indeed from the same store as the one Fu Lin gave me and Kiana... Could that figure we saw earlier have been Fu Lin? He didn't actually die, did he?"
"I won't rule out that possibility. Before they leave St. Freya, I'll report this to the dean. Once we catch them, you can interrogate them in person."
Fu Hua adjusted her glasses, a smirk forming on her lips. She emphasized the word "interrogate," clearly planning something devious.
And just as Fu Hua suspected, at that very moment, the person in question—Fu Lin—was leaning against a wall in a secluded corner, panting and complaining. "Huff... I... I swear, this damn system never gives me a proper teleportation tool..."
"The teleportation talisman sent me right to that old antique, and the void wormhole dumped me next to that idiot paramecium. To hell with random teleportation..."
"Good thing I had my time-stop pocket watch, or I'd have been caught by that old antique. That was way too close."
"If I ever use the system's teleportation tools again, I'll change my surname!"
After a hysterical rant, Fu Lin finally calmed down. He glanced at the time-stop pocket watch in his hand, now in cooldown mode, and quietly stored it back in his system inventory.
Running his fingers through his messy hair, he patted off nonexistent dust from his clothes.
After a bit of disguise, he strolled leisurely down the tree-lined path. Watching the cheerful Valkyries chatting in small groups around him, he had no intention of leaving St. Freya in a hurry.
Instead, he casually walked with his hands behind his back. Whenever he passed by Valkyries coming his way, he even waved at them politely.
Feeling the bright and lively atmosphere around him, Fu Lin's lips curled into a smile. The gloom in his heart vanished, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh in a thick accent:
"This... is youth~!"
As time passed, dusk quietly arrived, painting the sky in a golden hue. Unknowingly, Fu Lin had wandered through most of St. Freya.
At that moment, the lively laughter from the nearby square caught his attention, prompting him to quicken his pace.
Upon arrival, he found the square packed with people. Countless stunning Valkyries had gathered, forming a dazzling spectacle. The atmosphere was bustling with excitement.
And where there was excitement, there were always people eager to join in. Curiously, Fu Lin blended into the crowd.
"Tsk tsk tsk, unbelievable, truly unbelievable. This beautiful young lady, the future you in a parallel world is destined for greatness, wealth, and a bright future~"
"Really, master?"
"Would I lie to you? Cough But... the journey may have some ups and downs. A single misstep, and you might fall into an abyss. So, do you want to change your fate and make your future path smoother?"
"Yes!"
"Do you wish for a benefactor to aid you?"
"Yes!"
"Excellent. However... turning misfortune into fortune and changing destiny requires a small token of sincerity."
"How much?"
"Cough cough We're not talking money, we're talking 'yen.' Just 6480 yen, and with righteousness as vast as the heavens... I will immediately change your fate, regardless of the risks!"
"How about it? Isn't this a bargain?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
[Balance received: 6,480 yen]
"Ah, I have already seen your fate. Now, let me reverse destiny for you!"
As the conversation ended, Fu Lin, standing at the edge of the crowd, was already full of question marks. He couldn't describe the feeling inside him—something between confusion and an urge to expose the fraud.
But this voice... this familiar tone... Who else could it be but Fu Shi?!
Since it was Fu Shi, he could only spoil her. Besides, she was making quite a profit.
Fu Lin couldn't hold back a chuckle. The corners of his mouth, hidden under his mask, slowly curled up as he thought to himself
"It really is fate between me and Fu Shi, to run into her even here... Hehehe~"