The girl with the ponytail instinctively took a few steps back. However, in her haste to distance herself from Yin Zhao-an, she bumped into the desk behind her and cried out in pain, a flash of grievance briefly appearing in her eyes. Then, after glaring at Tang Yu with disgust, the girl left the classroom angrily.
When Yin Zhao-an saw the ponytail girl leaving in a huff, a grin formed on her face. Compared to her usual appearance, there were actually hints of an unruly adult in her current appearance.
When Tang Yu met with those pitch-black eyes again, she was startled to realize that she had fallen into a trance just now. Immediately, she lowered her head in a panic, finished packing her bag, and got up to leave.
Once again, Yin Zhao-an took Tang Yu's schoolbag and slung it over her shoulder. While she was at it, she tried to place an arm around Tang Yu's shoulders, only for Tang Yu to avoid it the next second.
Yin Zhao-an helplessly shrugged when she saw Tang Yu's reaction and stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"Tang-Tang, do you know that girl's name?" Yin Zhao-an nonchalantly asked while following Tang Yu.
Tang Yu shook her head. She never bothered to remember any of her classmates' names. Even during her previous life, the only people whose names she bothered to remember were Zhao Yu, the Fang siblings(Fang Ling and her elder brother), and a neighbor.
Yin Zhao-an frowned when she heard this answer. Then, in a slightly sagacious tone, she said, "This won't do, Tang-Tang. You can't keep behaving like this. If you don't even remember your bullies, how are you supposed to get back at them? Remember to memorize their names next time and tell them to me, okay?"
Yin Zhao-an quickened her pace a little and overtook Tang Yu. Then, she matched Tang Yu's pace and started walking backward in front of Tang Yu like a big dog. The only thing she was missing now was a wagging tail on her back. "Come on, do it for my desk. Remember them, okay? Okay...?"
"Look out!"
Tang Yu suddenly pulled Yin Zhao-an to her, their shoulders slamming into each other. The force of the impact was so great that Tang Yu felt her head hurting.
Yin Zhao-an was initially surprised by Tang Yu's actions. However, when she heard sparking electricity, she turned to look behind her with lingering fear in her eyes. There was an open manhole cover behind her, and a cable worker was currently repairing a high-voltage wire inside. Had she advanced by a few more steps just now, she would have fallen into the manhole and...become barbecue.
Tang Yu's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and a chill crawled down her back. Her eyebrows were also furrowed, and visible anger was in her eyes.
Yin Zhao-an wasn't a dense person. Hurriedly, she straightened her back and apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Tang-Tang. I hurt you, didn't I? I promise I didn't do it on purpose."
Fuck…
Tang Yu inwardly rolled her eyes at Yin Zhao-an and pulled the girl away from the maintenance area. Then, she let go of Yin Zhao-an's hand and continued walking forward without looking back, leaving Yin Zhao-an to chase after her with a tearful look.
Even after Tang Yu arrived at the usual crossroads, Yin Zhao-an still didn't know what she had done wrong. She could only watch as Tang Yu disappeared into the distance while she wept... Okay, she wasn't actually crying.
...
Standing in front of the entrance to her house's courtyard Tang Yu pulled out the courtyard entrance's key and held it up to the lock. However, before she could insert the key, the wind gently blew against the door and pushed it open, revealing a small gap.
Tang Yu's heart thumped, and a chill crawled down her spine. When she looked up, she didn't see any light or hear any sound coming from her house.
Immediately, Tang Yu started to search through her memories. However, even after searching every nook and cranny of her brain, she failed to recall any clues pertaining to this situation. In other words, everything inside the house was now unknown territory to her.
At a loss on what to do, Tang Yu leaned against the courtyard wall and crouched down. Then, while looking at the empty street with a depressed look on her face, she sighed heavily and thought to herself, So, am I going to sleep on the street tonight?
While Tang Yu wondered where she should go tonight, the lower half of a person's body suddenly appeared in her vision. After her previous life's experiences, Tang Yu had already formed a subconscious response to such sudden appearances—covering her head.
"What's wrong, Tang-Tang?" said a voice in a very soft and gentle tone. It was as if the speaker was worried she would get startled by their voice. Subsequently, Tang Yu felt a gentle pat on her shoulder.
An-An…
Tang Yu slowly raised her head and met with the pair of dark and pristine eyes yet again. This time, reflected in those dark eyes was her current helpless state.
"Are you alright?"
Tang Yu stood up from the ground and shook her head while looking down, a bitter feeling enveloping her heart. When she lay in the cold and damp basement, she had imagined countless times how Yin Zhao-an would come to her rescue. She believed Yin Zhao-an would arrive before her like a hero, carry her away like a princess, and say to her: "Don't be scared, Tang-Tang. Let's go home."
Unfortunately, she never got to see such a scene.
Yin Zhao-an hesitated to speak when she saw Tang Yu's current state. After mentally struggling for words for a moment, she said, "But...you're shaking."
"..."
It's none of your business whether I'm trembling or not!! After suppressing the anger within her, Tang Yu asked, "Why are you here?"
"Uh… That…" Yin Zhao-an's eyes shifted around guiltily. I can't possibly say that I've been secretly sending you home for two years already, right? Wouldn't that make me look like a pervert?
Relying on her quick-witted mind, Yin Zhao-an hurriedly thought of an excuse and said, "Ah, yes... You haven't promised me you'll remember those people's names, so I came here to remind you. Yes, that's right..."
Tang Yu didn't respond to Yin Zhao-an's excuse. Instead, she glanced upstairs at her room. The curtains were currently drawn, so it wasn't possible to see the situation inside even if it were currently daytime, let alone in the evening.
Yin Zhao-an followed Tang Yu's gaze and looked upstairs, failing to see anything. Then, she heard Tang Yu calm voice saying, "There is someone upstairs."