Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 751 610 Love Story Comes Suddenly_1

"Sis, I'm heading out."

On Friday evening, Yuan Zhao bent down, hoisted his backpack, and dragged his suitcase. He turned to bid farewell to his cousin, who had accompanied him to the door.

Yuan Yuan scrutinized his fully-equipped appearance and asked again, "Did you pack everything?"

"Yeah, I've got it all. Don't worry."

Yuan Zhao grinned and gave a thumbs-up. He looked like he was about to head off on a school field trip, full of youthful sunshine.

Yuan Yuan sighed. He sure didn't seem very reliable. "What about the keys Uncle gave you?"

"They're in my pocket too."

Yuan Zhao patted his pocket. "It's just a trip. I might not even have to do anything there, so don't worry about me, Sis."

Yuan Yuan didn't say anything.

She had wanted to tell him to stay safe, but for someone from the Social Security Agency, such words were meaningless. How could she not know what kind of powder keg Yingzhou had become? With her cousin looking so unreliable, he might just end up leaping into a raging inferno or a mountain of blades.

But as the legitimate heir of the Yuan Family, how could he possibly escape such a fate?

After thinking for a long time, she simply said, "I hope you come back safely."

"Don't worry, Huai Shi is there," Yuan Zhao said, waving his hand. "If anything happens, he can take the lead. I'm too lazy to step up."

"..."

Yuan Yuan's expression instantly became complex. "Professor Huai Shi might not be able to go anymore."

"Huh?"

After a moment of silence, the teenage girl sighed. "Apparently, he was caught by the Self-Defense Forces a few days ago trying to sneak into Current Circumstances... He was extradited by the Astronomical Society and should still be in London, right?"

Even though he knew his cousin was worried, Yuan Zhao couldn't help but snicker. He grew even more cheerful.

"HAHAHA! If you visit him in jail, remember to mock him thoroughly for me," Yuan Zhao said, raising an eyebrow and whistling. "Let him stay put in London. Now it's time for the real protagonist to make an entrance!"

Ah, this overwhelming sense of mission! This familiar sensation of legacy! Yes, the groundwork has been laid. Now it's time for the grand entrance of the true hero, Dongxia's future star of hope, Lord Yuan Zhao!

Once out the door, Yuan Zhao couldn't help but dance with joy. With each step forward, he seemed to inhale the sweet scent of freedom.

This liberating relief, this eager anticipation, and this refreshing breeze on my face! Hear that, Yuan Zhao? That's the future calling!

Full of hope, the young Yuan Zhao ran along the path to his future.

Yingzhou, figurines, models, and pretty girls, here I come!

Although he was on a mission from the Social Security Agency, Yuan Zhao was still officially a student at the Ivory Tower. He couldn't use his Dongxia Genealogy status to enter Yingzhou.

As a designated member of the academic exchange team, Yuan Zhao might not have known a thing about scholarship, but that didn't stop him from being youthfully charming and a smooth talker.

In that sense, perhaps he had grown up a bit?

He might still be a bit immature, but at least he had become much more obedient under Yuan Yuan's Iron Fist and had learned how to interact politely with others. It didn't take long for him to become acquainted with the dozens of professors and students in the exchange group. Even the usually strict Vice Principal Isaac hadn't given him too hard a time because of his identity or his ulterior motives.

And just like that, he smoothly blended into the group.

It was because of this that he noticed a solitary figure lingering on the fringes of the group.

In the corner of the waiting room, by the window, sat a delicate figure. In the dim glow of the sunset, the white hem of her dress cascaded from the edge of the chair, covering her ankles and revealing only the straps of her shoes and a glimpse of her fair skin. Her long, faintly blue-tinted hair cascaded from her shoulders, and a corner of the silk scarf around her slender neck peeked out playfully.

She seemed engrossed in a book, but her gaze wasn't actually on its pages. In the window's reflection, her delicate and serene face occasionally lifted. She would gaze outside, her eyes hazy as if sinking into the gathering dusk.

So familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

An inexplicable jolt shot through Yuan Zhao's heart, causing his steady pulse to skip a beat. He stood there, dazed. It took a long while before he came back to his senses, feeling his face burn. It was flushed hot.

He felt an irresistible urge to approach her. He got up and walked over, wanting to strike up a conversation but finding himself at a loss for words. After a long hesitation, he finally mustered the courage to speak, but he was so nervous that his voice cracked.

"Uh, hello?"

The girl's shoulders trembled slightly as she turned, startled, to look at him. Her eyes, like those of a frightened deer, were wide and bewildered.

"Hello, I... I'm Yuan Zhao."

Yuan Zhao tried hard to manage a friendly smile and offered his hand. "Are you also a member of the exchange group?"

The girl stared at him for a long moment, silent. Just as Yuan Zhao was beginning to feel awkward, he saw her raise a finger to her throat. She then waved her hand, her lips moving but no sound emerging.

Yuan Zhao finally understood. She can't speak?

Seeming unaccustomed to such close interaction, the teenage girl fumbled through her bag, somewhat flustered, before respectfully presenting him with a business card with both hands.

The business card faintly carried her delicate fragrance. The content wasn't complex. Besides the Ivory Tower emblem and a phone number, there were only two lines of neat handwriting:

Huaizhi Sushi

"Su...Zi? What a cute name..." Yuan Zhao blurted out his thoughts.

The girl's gaze instantly darted away.

His heart skipped another beat, and he couldn't stop himself from blushing.

"Sorry, that just slipped out... I didn't mean to... I just wanted to introduce myself. You, uh, you can keep reading. I won't bother you anymore..."

He was still in a daze when he stumbled back to his seat, a bewildered, silly grin plastered on his face, completely smitten. He was still clutching the business card. Unbelievable! He'd actually managed to talk to her and even get her phone number so easily!

He remained intoxicated by this unexpected joy and surprise all the way until he boarded the train. For once, Yuan Zhao was so elated he didn't even spare a thought to mock that bastard when Huai Shi's name came up in conversation.

His eyes kept involuntarily glancing towards her. Even the older girls sitting opposite him noticed and couldn't help but cover their mouths to giggle.

However, as he frequently observed her, he noticed that SuZi didn't seem to fit in with the group. Unable to speak, she couldn't join their conversations and sat alone at the back, reading or daydreaming. Yuan Zhao wanted to go over and talk to her, but he didn't know what to say and could only watch her from a distance.

Vice Principal Isaac, however, seemed to have an issue with her. During their several private interactions, his expression was stern, as if he were scolding her or coldly giving commands.

Poor SuZi, a timid girl unable to speak, could only nod awkwardly and try to smile. This is outrageous! Yuan Zhao thought.

After this happened a few times, even the other professors and students felt the vice principal was being overly harsh. They made excuses about discussing work to pull him away.

"SuZi... AHEM. Miss Huaizhi, don't be afraid." Yuan Zhao finally mustered the courage to sit beside her and said earnestly, "If Mr. Isaac gives you a hard time again, I'll help you."

The girl looked at him, her eyes wide with astonishment and disbelief. She seemed a little embarrassed. After a long moment, she nodded gently, her gaze shyly falling.

Yuan Zhao stared blankly for a moment, his face flushing red. He felt as if his heart were melting.

With the ice broken, he finally had a chance to talk with her. SuZi didn't seem to mind his stuttering or social awkwardness. She always listened patiently, occasionally nodding in agreement. Only, she would occasionally glance towards where the vice principal was, clearly still somewhat afraid, the shadow of his treatment lingering.

This made Yuan Zhao's blood boil. That Isaac is a despicable man! Bullying a girl like that—how can he call himself a teacher? He probably harbors indecent thoughts toward Miss Huaizhi! His determination to protect Miss Huaizhi grew even firmer.

Meanwhile, Vice Principal Isaac also seemed to look over frequently. Several times he looked like he was about to get up, but his colleagues beside him held him back, reasoning with him at length. Thus, they couldn't interrupt Yuan Zhao and SuZi's time together.

Yuan Zhao noted this and sneered inwardly. Hmph, he's getting antsy! He deliberately changed seats to block the vice principal's prying gaze and smiled at the astonished SuZi.

SuZi looked bewildered for a moment, then offered him a grateful smile.

Internally, she was (sarcastically) moved and thought:

Damn it, this obnoxious brat is driving me insane! What in the world does Yuan Zhao think he's doing? Vice Principal, please, come save me!

But no matter how much 'Miss Huaizhi' prayed internally, Mr. Isaac was unable to rescue her from her predicament.

Yuan Zhao talked ceaselessly the entire way. By the time they arrived in Yingzhou, Lady SuZi already knew he was a promising young man from Dongxia. His family owned houses, cars, and even horses. He was a future pillar of the Social Security Agency and a popular, good-looking streamer of fighting games. He had two very impressive sisters, and so on. His father was very strict, his mother very gentle, and all the siblings got along very well.

She also learned that she needed to be very careful and wary of someone named Huai Shi. He was supposedly a beast in human clothing who enjoyed toying with innocent young girls like herself. Once in that lecher's clutches, she would be subjected to unspeakable things, marked like chattel with a 'zheng' character, and would never escape the control and exploitation of that perverted Evil Ghost.

But she shouldn't worry, because the obnoxious brat in front of her would definitely protect her...

This is really too damn much!

Beelzebub, in her backpack, had been cackling non-stop since morning—a full twelve hours—while Miss Huaizhi felt she was going mad.

But the obnoxious brat in front of her still wasn't finished.

If she weren't so worried about revealing her identity, Miss Huaizhi would have loved to drag him to the restroom, lift her skirt, and let him see what she had that was bigger than his...

Fortunately, just as 'SuZi' was on the brink of spewing profanities, the train finally reached its destination.

——Welcome to Yingzhou—Kyoto!