Chapter 78: Little Kids Can’t Go Off with Strangers… Part 2

Damn it, it was just playing a con artist, wasn’t it?

He gritted his teeth, didn’t bother heating them, and viciously shoved a skewer into his mouth, tearing off the biggest chunk of meat.

Even if he got found out, would the cops come arrest him?

He wasn’t scamming money or sex—just letting someone misunderstand for a bit. What law did that break? So what if he liked pretending to be a big shot? Couldn’t a guy daydream in broad daylight?

Xun Jia chewed the meat and started crying.

He wiped away the tears, feeling cold in his thin clothes, thin blanket that let wind through. But also hot, like fire burning inside.

Not just inside—burning in his throat too.

He wondered why. He wasn’t fragile; he’d worked four jobs a day before without complaint. Why tears today?

Xun Jia belatedly looked down and realized he’d bitten into a chili pepper.

He spat it out quick, rummaged the rental—no water in sight. Eyes watering red, he bolted out to the convenience store.

He couldn’t handle even a little spice!

…

Seles walked Xie Jianxun to his hotel room door and watched him swipe the keycard to open it.

The door slid open, but Xie Jianxun didn’t go in right away.

He turned back and thanked Seles sincerely. “I didn’t expect you to get involved too, Mr. Seles… It sounds like a pretty risky idea.”

Seles looked down. “Yeah, that’s why I’m in. If something goes wrong with your plan, I can cover for you, keep it from the worst outcome.”

Xie Jianxun paused, seeing the light flicker in the young man’s eyes.

He tilted his head. “Don’t you think tricking someone like that is kinda mean?”

Seles smiled.

He casually ran a hand through his hair, glancing away. “I know who he’s talking about—a nouveau riche family, sucking up to the Silver Watchtower’s old powers to gain a foothold there. Their young master takes after them, toyed with plenty of girls’ hearts… But big shots he cozied up to smoothed it all over, so he’s lived comfy till now. If Mr. Xun risks exposing his true colors, it’d be a good thing.”

Seeing Xie Jianxun still hesitant, Seles clapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” he promised confidently. “It’ll be fine.”

Xie Jianxun said worriedly, “I just blurted it out in the heat of the moment—a rotten idea.”

“Whether it’s rotten or not, Mr. Xun will judge for himself.”

Seles pushed him into the room and made to close the door. “Not sleeping? It’s almost midnight.”

Xie Jianxun glanced down in surprise. “This late? Good night, Seles!”

“Good night.” Seles replied steadily.

The door shut. Xie Jianxun thought it over and figured he had a point.

Give Xun Jia some time; he’d figure out his next step. Xie Jianxun had just given him a path so he wouldn’t feel cornered.

Now it was up to Xun Jia’s choice.

Then his Light Brain pinged—a message from Seles, who’d agonized before finally sending that “puppy flinging pillow” emoji. He seemed to really like the cute sticker.

Xie Jianxun found it novel.

Who’d have thought big, tall Seles had a soft spot for cute little animals.

The next morning, no message from Xun Jia.

Xie Jianxun figured he needed time to think, so he looked up Gu Xuning’s contact. In the verification, he wrote primly: This is Xie Jianxun, the guy with the Modified Screwdriver.

Approved instantly.

Gu Xuning’s message popped up: “Morning. I was just about to look for you.”

Xie Jianxun paused. He’d barely remembered that Modified Screwdriver himself—how’d the guy hold onto it this long?

He replied politely: “We collided pretty hard yesterday. You still hurt? I’m free if you want to go to the hospital.”

Xie Jianxun: “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

After a pause, like he was thinking how to keep the chat going, Gu Xuning said, “If you’re free now, wanna meet up? I can return your thing.”

Xie Jianxun agreed.

He asked where to meet, and after a moment’s thought, the other party suggested an easy-to-find location: “Silver University Changxia Campus east gate. Does that work? There’s a high-speed maglev stop right there.”

Xie Jianxun checked the map and saw it was indeed convenient—just take the high-speed maglev train to the station and get off.

He typed: “Sure, I’ll be there soon.”

Xie Jianxun left his room, found the nearest high-speed maglev station on the electronic map, bought a ticket, and followed the crowd inside.

Half an hour later, he arrived and got off.

Exiting the maglev platform, Xie Jianxun stood on the steps, staring at the massive university gate that loomed like a city wall. His feet refused to move.

Silver First Comprehensive University.

The characters gleamed silver on a square stone stele at the gate.

So this was the university Julius had promised to send him to—one with such an awe-inspiring presence.

That bastard had even tried to renege on his promise, threatening to keep him from experiencing campus life!

The thought made Xie Jianxun furious.

He regretted not smashing the parts right into Julius’s face during their last Light Brain call!

“Xie… Jianxun?”

A somewhat unfamiliar voice called from behind. Xie Jianxun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his emotions. With a blank expression, he thought that he’d settle scores with a certain someone later.

The newcomer was Gu Xuning, captain of Silver University’s Intelligent Mecha Combat Team, but he wasn’t alone—he’d brought a little curly-haired guy with him.

The curly-haired one rushed up first and bowed repeatedly to Xie Jianxun. “Thank you! Thank you for our captain bumping into you! Otherwise, I really would’ve died on the spot in the lounge—either beaten to death by my teammates or scared to death by the captain’s glare!”

Xie Jianxun: “…”

Gu Xuning: “…”

The young man said with a headache, “He, you need to reflect on yourself. How do you keep losing things every day?”

The curly-haired one shrank smaller and smaller. “I… I don’t know either…”

They promptly returned the Modified Screwdriver and solemnly expressed their thanks. Gu Xuning even asked if Xie Jianxun had never been to Silver University before and offered to show him around.

Xie Jianxun smiled. “No need. You guys go ahead with your business. I’ll just wander around on my own.”

Gu Xuning said, “Contact me on my Light Brain if anything comes up.”

He glanced at Xie Jianxun and suddenly lit up like he’d discovered a new continent. “Your eyes are gold!”

Silver University’s two future mech engineers left. Unable to resist the temptation, Xie Jianxun registered at the gate guard’s post and entered the campus.

Just as he’d imagined: beautiful buildings, spacious walkways, and students brimming with youthful energy everywhere.

He took a great liking to the place.

He couldn’t help imagining how fulfilling every day would be if he studied here.

Suddenly, he spotted a short figure standing under a tree’s shade, looking lost.

Drawing closer, he saw it was a young child.

The kid had a round face with delicate features like a porcelain doll—adorably cute.

He clutched a book to his chest, cover facing inward, so Xie Jianxun couldn’t make out the title.

The child seemed anxious, his expression troubled.

He’d probably gotten separated from his family, lost his way, and was feeling scared.

Xie Jianxun’s heart softened. He approached slowly, squatted down, and greeted the child. “Hello, little sir. Are you lost?”

The child paused, then slowly looked up at him.

His eyes widened round, making him look even cuter.

Xie Jianxun glanced back slightly to point the way. “The guard post is just a bit further that way. You should go there, and the guard uncle can help find your family, okay?”

The child stared at him silently, seeming a bit puzzled.

But the puzzlement soon vanished.

He let out a muffled “mm” and opened his arms toward Xie Jianxun, signaling for a hug.

Xie Jianxun was flattered. He hadn’t expected the child to let a stranger pick him up. He quickly refused, but the child’s arms stayed outstretched, his attitude firm.

In the end, Xie Jianxun gave in, scooped up the child, and headed toward the guard post.

As they walked, he lectured gently. “Little sir, you absolutely cannot let strangers hug you like this. Sure, security is much better these days, but who knows who might be a bad guy? What if they kidnap you and dump you in a space pirate den? You wouldn’t even be able to cry then.”

The child hugged his neck, still silent, but nodded and clung even tighter.

He was very light, so Xie Jianxun didn’t expend much effort.

At the guard post, he set the child down and told the guard there was a lost kid who needed help finding his family.

The guard watched wide-eyed as Xie Jianxun carried him over, his expression shifting unpredictably.

He glanced at the child’s impassive face and stammered, “O-okay, got it.”

Xie Jianxun waved goodbye to the child, who surprisingly waved back interactively, as if saying farewell.

Once Xie Jianxun had left, the guard lowered his head and took a deep breath.

In a dry tone, he said, “Good morning, Professor.”