Do you think I'm cute

Saturday, the first hints of summer heat were in the air.

Two buses stood side by side at the school gate, distinctly separate.

The one on the left had its luggage compartment stuffed with several oversized badminton bags. A few boys in sportswear, arms slung over each other’s shoulders, were laughing and roughhousing as they boarded last.

The bus on the right was much quieter. The students climbing aboard carried only small backpacks, and some were even reading books.

One bus was headed to Pengcheng for a math competition, the other for a badminton tournament.

The scholars and the athletes—two parallel lines—briefly converged here before diverging onto their separate paths.

Yet there was no interaction between the two groups; they simply boarded their respective buses.

Jiang Yunlu, however, didn’t get on. She stood in the empty space between the two buses, letting the warm morning breeze ruffle her hair.

"Yunlu! Hurry up and get on, it’s hot out here!" a teammate called from inside the bus.

She waved them off, her gaze fixed on the school gate.

Before long, a leisurely figure drifted into her line of sight.

"Lin Mo! Over here!" Jiang Yunlu’s eyes suddenly brightened. Wearing a striking green T-shirt, she raised her arm high, as if afraid he might miss her.

Lin Mo, his bag slung over one shoulder, quickened his pace slightly when he saw her, a faint smile crossing his face.

"Any louder and the broadcasting station could hear you," he teased as he reached her.

"Good morning, Lin Mo," Jiang Yunlu replied, completely ignoring his jab.

"Morning. Though it looks like I won’t be able to watch your match today," Lin Mo said, glancing at the two buses.

"I already asked Director Huang—they said your team is coming back today," Jiang Yunlu said rapidly, as if delivering urgent intel.

"Ours is a knockout round. If I keep winning today, I’ll have to play again tomorrow."

She clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lin Mo.

"You’ll cheer for me, right?"

Her tone was expectant, nervous, and carried a hint of unyielding insistence.

Lin Mo nodded firmly.

"Of course."

"Then I’ll cheer for you too!" Encouraged, she eagerly pulled something from her pocket.

It was a small felt doll, no bigger than half a palm—a black cat with striking blue eyes, its expression cool and aloof.

Though the craftsmanship was a little clumsy, the care put into it was evident.

"I worked on this for a while. It’s for you! Do your best!" She pressed the cat into Lin Mo’s hand.

The wool still carried the warmth from her palm. Lin Mo looked down at the blue-eyed cat, then back at Jiang Yunlu, unable to resist ruffling her hair.

The girl didn’t resist, though her cheeks flushed pink.

"Alright, let’s both do our best," he said softly. "Maybe if we get back early enough, we can grab dinner together."

"Really?"

Jiang Yunlu’s lips curled upward uncontrollably, as if she could already taste the victory celebration.

"It’s a promise! No take-backs."

"Lin Mo! Time to board!" Xu Haoming called from the bus door.

Since they were heading to Pengcheng, Lin Mo’s group had to leave a little earlier.

"Go on," Jiang Yunlu urged, giving him a gentle push.

Lin Mo nodded and turned toward the math competition bus.

Before stepping on, he glanced back—the girl was still there, waving vigorously.

Seated in his usual spot, Lin Mo unfolded his palm.

The blue-eyed black cat lay there, full of spirit.

"Hah, pretty cute."

—System: Think I’m cute?—

As Lin Mo descended the stairs, Xu Haoming and Director Huang exchanged a glance.

As expected, he was the first one down again.

The draft papers from last time had already been verified.

Zero mistakes—Lin Mo’s first-round score was practically confirmed as perfect.

This time, none of the teachers from other schools tried to show off.

The provincial competition was divided into two rounds, usually held on separate days. But after the previous incident, the second round had been postponed until after May Day.

Since the second round was more difficult, some students had only signed up for the first round, so the number of participants this time was smaller.

Yet Lin Mo still finished around the same time.

When he came down, Xu Haoming practically received his draft papers with both hands.

Director Huang casually gestured toward the school gate, making several teachers’ eyes twitch.

Why did this scene feel so familiar?

While others were still recalling the past, Lin Mo and Director Huang had already stepped outside.

This time, the competition venue was different, so they had to walk a short distance to find a tea restaurant.

Sitting inside, Lin Mo remembered the police van parked across the street.

"Nothing’s going to happen this time, right?"

"Pengcheng isn’t Gotham. There aren’t that many crazy incidents here."

Perhaps because of what had happened before, the city had stationed police vans nearby as a precaution.

Talk about VIP treatment.

Director Huang nodded in agreement. "True. I heard Pengcheng’s tea restaurants are pretty authentic. Let’s see what they have."

He patted his chest. "Don’t worry, it’s on me."

"Since Director Huang’s treating, I won’t hold back."

Lin Mo ordered a Hong Kong-style lemon tea, some French toast, and a scoop of ice cream—enough for him.

Director Huang, on the other hand, went for a curry beef brisket instant noodle set.

"What exactly are 'instant noodles'?" Director Huang asked after ordering.

"It’s just another term for ramen, named after a Hong Kong brand.

Guess you’re not from Guangdong, Director Huang?"

Lin Mo asked casually.

"Nope, I’m from Jiangsu. Got assigned here and just settled down."

That made sense. Still, reaching the position of director at a key school meant Huang Zhirong had some skills.

Just then, the door of the tea restaurant swung open.

"Two Set C meals."

A man and a woman casually took the booth behind Lin Mo.

His expression didn’t change, but the woman behind him had already started complaining.

"No idea why we’re still stuck in Pengcheng. Can’t find anyone, and the Ning Family should be safe by now.

I heard that guy with the fisherman’s hat cracked a big case in Goat City and met some really impressive person."

The man across from her frowned. "Public place. Watch your words."

"I’m not saying much. But I heard the fisherman’s hat team almost got wiped out—if it weren’t for some expert showing up..."

"Enough. Stop talking."

Zhai Xun’s eyes swept the room, confirming no one was paying attention to their conversation.

Unbeknownst to him, Lin Mo was seated right behind the punk girl.