Xingtie: My silly online friend is actually a raccoon!

"Human, why haven't you returned yet? Her Majesty the Queen is hungry."

The moment the bell rang in the school building corridor, Lu Ze's cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

He took out his phone, but before he could even speak, Bella's urgent urging came from the other end.

Lu Ze slung his backpack over his shoulder and strolled slowly towards the stairwell, blending into the flow of students leaving get out of class.

"I just finished class. Why don't you have Sirin open a portal and come pick me up?"

He said this with a smile on his lips, though he knew perfectly well that it was impossible.

If someone were to open a portal out of thin air in public, his peaceful daily life would likely come to an end.

It's already exhausting to be constantly transported to other worlds; I'd rather just live a peaceful life here.

There was a half-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by an angry roar.

Clearly, Little Dragon Man has lost his temper again.

"Human, how dare you! You're not getting lunch today!"

Bella angrily hung up the phone, and all Lu Ze could hear on the other end was the busy tone of the call being disconnected.

He took the phone away from his ear, looked at the words "Call Ended" on the screen, and shook his head with a smile.

After spending a week together, he had completely figured out Bella's temperament.

He might say he won't get any, but in the end, he'll most likely still leave a portion of the food carefully wrapped in plastic wrap.

He was already used to Bella's sharp tongue but kind heart.

After all, Lu Ze understands pride and arrogance quite well.

"Did your girlfriend call you?"

A clear voice suddenly came from the side.

Lu Ze turned his head slightly, and An Lin Yue was walking beside him, half a step away.

Her smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a simple, off-white thin sweater, the fabric of which was clearly not cheap.

Her features are delicate and pretty; she's the kind of girl who would be secretly photographed and posted on the confession wall if she walked around campus. The title of "class beauty" is well-deserved.

Lu Ze would occasionally chat with her, but they weren't particularly close. However, since their seats weren't far apart, they would always exchange a few pleasantries whenever they bumped into each other.

An Linyue stared intently at Lu Ze with her big, bright eyes.

She vaguely heard something like "invite me to stay for dinner" on the phone, and it was clearly a girl's voice on the other end.

It didn't sound like a mother's tone, but rather a younger, slightly spoiled one.

Although Lu Ze's reaction sounded like he was talking to a family member, she couldn't help but ask.

She seemed to be just mentioning it casually, and her tone didn't have any particular fluctuations.

Only An Linyue herself knew that during those two seconds of waiting for the answer, her heart beat a beat faster than usual.

"No, that's my sister—"

Before Lu Ze could finish speaking, everything around him suddenly changed.

One second he was in the corridor of the teaching building, surrounded by students who were about to go to the school cafeteria for lunch; the next second, it was as if someone had pressed the mute button and then switched to a cassette tape with the theme of a bustling city.

"Specialty soda soy milk! A local favorite, it's tangy and flavorful, give it a try if you're feeling adventurous."

"Garlic sprouts with pork belly, spicy chicken cubes, braised fish with pork belly, and Chenpo tofu—there's something for everyone, perfect for both drinking and eating."

"The steamed buns are big, the dumplings are small, and a few steamed buns are enough to fill you up. They're delicious, tasty, and inexpensive."

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, mingled with the clanging of spatulas and the clatter of teacups, flooded the senses of Lu Ze.

When he came to his senses, he was already standing in the middle of an old-fashioned street.

The stone path underfoot has been polished smooth and slightly concave by the years. On both sides are two-story wooden pavilions with vermilion pillars supporting upturned eaves and signs with traditional Chinese characters hanging above the doorways.

In the distance, clouds and mist swirl around, and towering, tower-like buildings can be vaguely seen, their outlines appearing solemn and ancient in the pale golden light of the sky.