Survival in the Class: I'm the Only Boy on the Bus

[BGM: Duvet - Bôa]

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Upon hearing Gu Yu's words, Li Muqing suddenly pursed her lips and briefly recounted the events to Gu Yu.

Xia Lingling stopped drawing circles to curse the couples who were feeding her dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).

She stood up, patted her little skirt, walked to the side, and gently pointed at the air.

Xia Lingling's fingertips touched the surface of a calm lake, causing ripples in the air, and a blue portal unfolded before her.

After listening to Li Muqing's explanation, Gu Yu looked at the girl with pigtails who was much shorter than him and Li Muqing, and his brows furrowed slightly.

When Gu Yu learned that Mu Qing was leaving with Xia Lingling, although he was very reluctant to part with her, he was still grateful to Xia Lingling.

At the very least, she not only saved Mu Qing, but also helped Mu Qing stand up again.

Gu Yu has always felt guilty for causing Li Muqing to lose her legs during her youth, a time when she should have been running freely.

I wish I hadn't gone to deliver food that day.

If only I didn't look at my phone while riding my electric scooter.

After learning that Li Muqing had lost both legs, Gu Yu initially took care of her with feelings of guilt and self-blame.

Over time, I fell in love with this brave and cheerful girl.

At this moment, Li Muqing kept her head down, her hands folded in front of her and gripping the hem of her clothes, looking like a well-behaved girl who had done something wrong and was waiting to be punished.

Li Muqing was afraid that Yu-ge would find out that for his sake, she had not only inexplicably signed some kind of contract, but also inexplicably gained a younger sister, and was even going to be the BOSS of some SS-level dungeon.

Therefore, Li Muqing's feelings were complicated; she was reluctant to part with him, but also afraid of being blamed by Brother Yu.

But she has no regrets about her decision!

If she had another chance, she would not only sign the contract, but she would sign her name even faster!

Gu Yu looked at Li Muqing, who was keeping her head down and not saying a word, and his heart softened immediately.

How could I possibly blame Li Muqing?

He would only blame himself for being useless, for not being able to protect Mu Qing, and for Mu Qing having to sacrifice her freedom to save him.

However, Gu Yu's feelings were somewhat complicated at this moment.

He was both grateful for Xia Lingling's help and somewhat dissatisfied that she wanted to take Mu Qing away; gratitude and helplessness were intertwined.

Gu Yu sighed softly, then raised his right hand and gently pinched Li Muqing's cheek:

"I know... I've wronged you..."

"I..."

Xia Lingling couldn't stand the couple's cloying affection any longer, so she tossed the [A-Rank Talent Awakening Book] in her hand to Gu Yu:

"Hey, that's enough! I don't want to eat any more dog food!"

"Here you go! This is a reward from me!"

Gu Yu was interrupted by Xia Lingling before he could finish speaking. He instinctively took the Awakening Book that Xia Lingling threw to him.

Xia Lingling's right white ponytail hung down in front of her chest. With a practiced flick of her right hand, she tossed the ponytail behind her and shrugged helplessly.

"Alright, alright! It's just borrowing your girlfriend to act in a play for me! It's not like it's a life-or-death situation!"

"Don't worry! I hate cuckoldry stories, I won't cheat on you! It's just that I'm playing the role of a really powerful boss!"

"In this godforsaken place, it's much better for my sister to be with me than with a useless guy like you!"

As she spoke, Xia Lingling crossed her arms and thrust out her...not-so-impressive chest.

But the way she looked at Gu Yu with her chin raised seemed quite proud.

Under the red fox mask, Xia Lingling rolled her eyes at Gu Yu, her left lip turned up high, revealing a small white tiger tooth, and she gave him a look as if he were trash.

And she was even glancing sideways at Gu Yu...

All that's missing is the phrase "Hopeless hental~"...

And it was in the tone a younger sister would use when talking to her older brother...

It certainly won't be the kind of tone that sounds very imposing...

And, you know, these little devils are the best at being super sweet...

Xia Lingling mentally complained:

If it weren't for my sister liking this boy, I wouldn't even bother wasting my breath on this weakling.

Jiang Chen with the 43999 number seems pretty amazing. I'll go find him and hang out sometime, hehe~!

Thinking of this, Xia Lingling actually pulled out a folding chair from behind her, unfolded it, and casually sat down.

She slowly crossed her legs, her toes swaying back and forth.

Xia Lingling propped her knee up with her right elbow, supported her chin with her palm, and swung her right foot, curling her toes toward Gu Yu as if greeting him with her foot.

A close-up with clear meaning...

"Oh my gosh! You'd better work hard, big brother! I guarantee you'll meet my sister on your very first SS-rank dungeon!"

"Whether you can bring your sister back then depends on whether you're capable enough! Hehehe!!!"

Xia Lingling had already conceived a great show in her mind.

She was incredibly excited about the grand performance and was bursting with anticipation.

I just hope there won't be any more deviations...

I was planning to increase my attack power today, but now... it's all turned into mental power...

Gu Yu pursed his lips and blinked rapidly, suppressing the reluctance in his heart.

He glanced at the [A-level Talent Awakening Book] in his hand, then at Xia Lingling, who was constantly waving her foot at him.

A slight smile played on his lips; he felt a sense of relief.

Gu Yu knew that Xia Lingling was definitely very powerful, and it was better for Mu Qing to follow Xia Lingling than to live a precarious life with him.

Once I've improved my strength, I'll definitely go and bring Mu Qing back!

Seeing Yu Ge's determined expression, Li Muqing's lips curled up in a smile.

She knew that Yu-ge was getting serious!

She herself understood that staying by Yu Ge's side would only be a burden to him.

Actually, if I weren't here, Yu Ge would definitely have gone to explore more dungeons, and maybe he would have already upgraded to a level 2 vehicle, or even a level 3 vehicle.

Brother Yu is avoiding the dungeons to protect himself...

Xia Lingling jumped up from the chair, hopped towards the blue portal with her hands behind her back, and even stuck out her pink tongue at Li Muqing:

"Sister~, it's almost time..."

Li Muqing nodded.

She turned to look at Gu Yu, stood on tiptoe, and lightly touched Gu Yu's lips.

Then she leaned close to Gu Yu's ear and whispered the gentlest words Gu Yu had ever heard in his life:

"Brother Yu... I'll wait for you... I'll wait for you forever..."

After saying what she wanted to say most, Li Muqing walked towards Xia Lingling.

She would take a few steps and then look back at Gu Yu, her eyes gradually reddening, but she never let the tears fall, and even maintained a smile to hide her reluctance.

Gu Yu gripped the Talent Awakening Book tightly in his left hand and clenched his right fist, staring intently at Li Muqing's retreating figure as she walked into the blue portal.

"brush--!"

The blue portal closed and disappeared instantly.

Only Gu Yu was left all alone...

At this moment, only the roar of the hunter zombies at the finish line and the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the wild grass could be heard.

Gu Yu stared blankly in the direction where the portal disappeared, his mind filled with Mu Qing's last words.

"Brother Yu... I'll wait for you..."

"I'll wait for you forever..."

...

After about ten minutes, Gu Yu finally moved and slowly walked towards the small truck.

He first closed the passenger door, then opened the driver's side door and got in.

After putting away the A-level Awakening Book in his hand, he subconsciously pulled up the passenger seatbelt and fastened it.

But when it came time to check if Li Muqing's sitting posture was appropriate, Gu Yu froze, his outstretched hand hanging in mid-air.

The passenger seat was empty...

He then realized that Mu Qing had already left...

The gentle deer that had always been by my side has left...

That leaves the resentful lion growing up alone...

At this moment, the sadness, self-blame, and regret that Gu Yu had been hiding from Li Muqing all came out like a flood bursting its banks.

Habits are a terrible thing.

When you get used to having someone by your side, used to having her in your life.

Only after that person is gone do you realize that her shadow is everywhere in your life.

These habits are difficult to change all at once...

For a long time, you will still think that the other person is still by your side.

Until you get home and find there's no hot meal...

While doing laundry, I subconsciously called out to her, "Do you have any clothes to wash?" but no one answered, only the empty house...

and many more...

That's when you realize she's no longer there...

At this moment, the emptiness in your heart and your longing for her will reach their peak.

Gu Yu was in that state at that moment...

His eyes welled up with tears, and he gave a bitter smile.

Gu Yu bent down, picked up the wild chrysanthemum that had fallen into the car, and put it back into the air conditioning vent in front of the passenger seat.

He looked at the small white and yellow wild chrysanthemums, his vision gradually blurred by tears, and his throat became sore and hard again.

Gu Yu was still trying to hold back his tears. He just wiped his eyes casually, then reached out and took the space backpack that Li Muqing had placed on the center console, and then shook off the glass shards.

At that moment, the 'little truck' that Li Muqing had casually drawn and the 'stick figures' holding hands directly entered Gu Yu's line of sight.

This is... their little home...

At that moment, Gu Yu could no longer hold back and began to sob, the tears he had been holding back finally spilling out.

He held his backpack, resting his chin on it, his shoulders trembling violently, his eyes fixed on the little house that Li Muqing had drawn.

It seems that in this way, Li Muqing is still...

Because Li Muqing had always kept this spatial backpack, it still carried her scent...

Gu Yu wasn't crying out loud; instead, she clenched her teeth, letting out sobs that escaped from between them, her gums bleeding...

Like a wounded lion, hiding in a cave, secretly licking its wounds...

He was actually very reluctant to let Li Muqing leave.

But he still pretended to be fine in front of Li Muqing, just because he didn't want her to worry.

But when Gu Yu saw this painting, all his pretense shattered, and he couldn't hold back any longer...

If you are strong enough.

If small trucks can be upgraded to level 3, or even level 4.

Does that mean Mu Qing won't leave?

Does that mean I can protect her by my side?

After a long while, a boy's angry roar of resentment exploded inside the small truck.

Gu Yu, who wanted to live a peaceful life with Li Muqing, died in this instance!

Now, here comes Yu-ge, who will do anything, even risk his life, to become stronger!

Gu Yu has only one goal in becoming stronger...

It means being able to live with Li Muqing in our little home...