Outer Ring Scrapes, Inner Ring Burns

Early morning.

Lin Mo opened his eyes. Currently, his cultivation routine involved taking medicinal pills and refining them while sleeping.

When he arrived at the main hall, He Guoan hadn’t shown up yet.

However, the farmhouse had already prepared breakfast.

It was like a hotel-style buffet, offering fish and meat porridge, steamed buns, fried noodles, fried rice noodles, youtiao (fried dough sticks), and other dishes, along with some side dishes.

The main selling point was quantity—enough to fill anyone up.

Lin Mo scooped a plate of fried noodles and a large bowl of fish and meat porridge.

The morning shift was handled by a different group of people.

After sitting down, Lin Mo sprinkled some pepper into the porridge before taking a sip.

The slight spiciness of the pepper masked the faint fishy taste of the porridge while enhancing its overall flavor.

As he drank, footsteps approached from behind.

It was Jiang Yunlu.

She was already dressed neatly, her long hair tied in a different updo today, giving off a vibe reminiscent of a certain Overwatch mom.

Though Jiang Yunlu’s figure and face were slimmer, she was still undeniably attractive.

Beside her, the ever-present strategist Wang Qin followed, chatting as they picked their breakfast.

Jiang Yunlu noticed Lin Mo first. She set her tray down at his table, and this time, Wang Qin didn’t avoid him either, sitting right beside Jiang Yunlu.

"Good morning," Jiang Yunlu said softly.

"Morning," Lin Mo nodded in response.

"When are we heading back?" Wang Qin asked casually.

"After lunch. We still have school tomorrow, so we’ll leave half a day for rest."

Lin Mo dipped a youtiao into his porridge.

After taking a bite of the crispy dough, he looked up at Jiang Yunlu.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

Jiang Yunlu nodded. "Fine. I’m not picky about beds."

For a young mistress, she certainly lacked any spoiled tendencies.

After breakfast, Wang Qin spoke up. "I’ll go pack my things."

With that, she left immediately.

Typical of her.

Jiang Yunlu, however, said, "Take me around the area. Show me where you were fishing yesterday."

"Sure."

Though she didn’t know the way, Jiang Yunlu walked ahead.

Since they were at a farmhouse, she wore long pants.

She strolled along the field ridges by the reservoir, the morning dew still clinging to the grass and brushing against her pants as she passed.

From behind, Jiang Yunlu still had a youthful, unrefined charm.

Lin Mo remembered that in his past life, by their third year of high school, Jiang Yunlu had grown taller and her figure had filled out more. But now, there was a delicate, adolescent beauty about her.

"What are you thinking about? You’re so quiet," the girl turned to look at him.

She wasn’t worried about him staring at her from behind, nor was she afraid of falling into the water.

"I was thinking that in three years, you’ll definitely be even prettier, with a better figure."

The words slipped out before Lin Mo could stop himself.

Jiang Yunlu’s face instantly flushed red. She spun around and glared at him. "Lin Mo! Do you realize that with words like those, I could call you a shameless flirt?"

"I was giving you a blessing. How could you mistake kindness for malice?"

Jiang Yunlu raised her hand and lightly smacked him.

"Who are you calling a dog?"

"Me, alright?"

"Of course! You’re the dog!"

"Keep it up, and I’ll bite you."

......

After lunch, the group gathered to head back.

Deng Yang hadn’t reconciled with Kang Hongbo, but he kept his mouth shut this time.

After all, if he were actually left behind, he’d have to walk all the way to the station.

Once back at school, everyone dispersed.

Chu Miaomiao went home with Xie Yuling for dinner.

As someone who frequently mooched meals, Lin Mo naturally tagged along, though he did bring dishes with him this time.

After New Year’s, finals loomed closer.

With about ten days left, everyone buckled down to study.

Since most of them were naturally bright students, they adapted quickly to the high school rhythm, and their talents soon shone through.

Lin Mo fielded countless questions daily, even from Xue Zigui, who occasionally turned around to ask for help.

Overall, Class Eight had strong camaraderie and morale.

Lin Jiajun sighed while reading the newspaper.

"Where will I go after the arts and sciences split?"

"You’ll become Class Eight’s rival," Lin Mo remarked casually.

"We’d get crushed," Lin Jiajun said, though his tone and expression were relaxed.

Lin Mo remained unfazed as the days passed. After the P.E. teacher finished exams, he suddenly "fell ill."

All music and P.E. classes turned into review sessions.

Even self-study periods were taken over by teachers solving problems.

It wasn’t high-pressure, but it did dampen the usual playful atmosphere.

No troublemakers from other classes showed up either. Everything progressed smoothly, almost mundanely.

But this kind of ordinary routine was... really boring.

So...

"I got a love letter," Xie Yuling announced on their way home.

"Not surprised. You’re smart and pretty. If you don’t get love letters, who would?"

Lin Mo walked beside her, a lollipop in his mouth.

"I threw it straight into the trash."

Lin Mo gave her a thumbs-up. If he received one, he’d do the same.

After all, he had a history.

As the two walked side by side toward the urban village, a figure suddenly blocked their path.

"Xie Yuling, I’ve liked you since middle school. Even if you don’t like me back, please give me a chance to be your friend."

The boy held out a yellow envelope in a half-bow.

Lin Mo couldn’t help but glance at Xie Yuling.

His eyes asked, "This one?"

Xie Yuling studied the letter and nodded silently.

Lin Mo thought for a moment, then sighed.

"Hey, buddy, come with me for a sec."

The boy clearly recognized Lin Mo and snapped, "Lin Mo, you playboy! Don’t think just because you can fight that I’m scared of you!"

Well, if you’re going to be like that...

Lin Mo took two steps back, returning to Xie Yuling’s side, and draped an arm over her shoulder.

"Go on, sweetheart. Someone’s confessing to you. He even wants to be your friend."

Xie Yuling didn’t shake him off. Instead, she said coolly, "Do you not have any friends? Is that why you’re forcing this? That’s just an excuse to get close to me. I already threw that letter away. You dug it out of the trash and handed it back to me—doesn’t that disgust you?!"

Ruthless.

Lin Mo hadn’t expected Xie Yuling’s words to be this brutal.