Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

"?"

Yu Zhe didn't know why she suddenly blurted out such a sentence, but she still slowly said what needed to be said: "Don't feel pressured, Zi Xiao. You need to know that when I donate money to the orphanage, it's not just for you. Just like you save money to make yourself feel better, I'm actually doing it for myself too."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Zixiao didn't understand. She didn't know what comfort her brother would get from donating money.

"Think about it, when you first came to the Su family, I was so cruel to you. Now I regret it. Although that time has passed, I still can't get over it. So at least donating some money to the orphanage you used to go to will make me feel better. Using this little money to get some peace of mind, isn't that a great deal?"

Zixiao looked into Yuzhe's bright and playful eyes and burst out laughing.

What do you mean by "this little bit of money"? You call that a huge profit? I really don't understand my brother.

However, hearing him say that, Zixiao felt much less pressure.

Seeing that it was working, Yu Zhe continued, "So this can be considered a donation from us siblings to the orphanage. What, Zi Xiao, don't you want to stand on the same side as me?"

"Can...can I...?"

“If you can’t do it, then no one can. My proud little sister, have a little more confidence, okay? And from now on, you can’t be stingy with money. I can support you.”

Zixiao first snuggled against Yuzhe like a kitten, and after a long while she got up and nodded.

"Okay... but brother, you have to promise me one thing. Next time something like this happens, just let me know. I won't stop you, but at least let me know."

"Okay, okay, I promise I'll do it next time. So, little sister, can you forgive me now?"

Zixiao seemed to have returned to her usual self, sitting up straight and looking at Yuzhe affectionately with a smile: "Yes, I forgive you, but let me make it clear first, I've never blamed you, brother~"

"You little rascal, you've learned to be so glib?"

9. You don't look well?

"I see. You didn't come to school yesterday because you were doing charity work."

After listening to Yu Zhe's story, Qin Ruoke remarked with emotion, "It's so good that those children are fortunate to have met such a kind person like you."

"No, as I just said, although the result was indeed charity, I'm not that noble. I just wanted to make Zixiao happy."

It was during the break between math classes, and Yu Zhe was bored. Plus, Xiao Meng seemed very interested in his itinerary from yesterday, so he gave her a brief account.

Qin Ruoke also put down her pen and came over to listen halfway through.

Xiao Meng, sitting in the empty seat behind Yu Zhe, laughed and said, "Even so, those children still benefit from this. No, maybe their entire lives will change because of it. Yu Zhe, you should be more aware of that."

"No, I'm very self-aware. Because of this, Zixiao even sulked and ignored me for five minutes."

"Haha... what kind of bet is five minutes?"

"She's angry, it's more like she's throwing a tantrum." Xiao Meng thought for a moment, "But I really didn't expect Su Zixiao to have that side to her. Usually, she seems cold and aloof, like she doesn't want to talk to anyone, right?"

When asked, Qin Ruoke nodded: "Indeed, even though I live next door now, when I occasionally go over and see her, I don't show much expression. Maybe I can only show a more genuine side to Yuzhe..."

When Qin Ruoke mentioned this, it was as if she was talking about herself. Not only Su Zixiao, but Qin Ruoke herself only opened her heart to Yu Zhe.

Yu Zhe simply waved his hand at the matter: "Hey, she's just a bit introverted. You see her as cold, but she just doesn't know how to express herself. Zi Xiao is actually very sunny by nature."

That's the little sun in Yu Zhe's heart, how could it not be sunny?

"Hmm, I'm starting to feel a little envious," Xiao Meng muttered to herself. "This little sister is almost skipping a grade."

"What are you saying?" Yu Zhe didn't understand what the little girl was muttering.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little envious, right?"

Qin Ruoke was exasperated. "Why are you asking me again?"

She didn't respond with words, but simply nodded slightly.

To be honest, Yu Zhe didn't pay much attention to this interaction, or rather, he simply wasn't in the mood to care.

Although I had told them quite a bit, there was one thing I hadn't mentioned: the part about Yang Qiuyun.

We still didn't get an answer yesterday, which is quite regrettable.

Moreover, when Grandma Mo saw her off at the door, she remembered a sentence that Yang Qiuyun had muttered to herself ten years ago when she adopted Zixiao, and she relayed it to Yuzhe.

"This child is so pitiful. Life without family must be so lonely. Fortunately, everything will get better in the future. It's just a pity for my Yuzhe. The pain he will experience in a few years will be even more painful than that of these children who have been orphaned since childhood. Sigh, who isn't an orphan at some point?"

Are you insulting me?!

How am I an orphan? That sounds like an insult!

However, despite her complaints, Yu Zhe certainly understood the logic. Putting aside the fact that such slang didn't exist ten years ago, the fact that her mother was talking to herself meant that she was already planning something back then.

Moreover, even knowing that these plans would cause some psychological trauma to Yu Zhe, she still continued to carry them out.

This is what confuses and frustrates Yu Zhe. When he was a child, his mother always doted on him the most. What could possibly happen that would lead to this situation, even if it meant faking his death?

So Yu Zhe was very frustrated, more frustrated than ever before, because there was no clue that allowed him to contact Yang Qiuyun. Even if he knew she was alive, it wouldn't make much difference.

It was almost as if... his mother was deliberately avoiding him.

This feeling is not pleasant.

"Yu Zhe, are you... alright? You don't look too good." Xiao Meng, who was just chatting with Qin Ruoke, asked worriedly.

"Are you sick? Do you need to go to the infirmary?" Qin Ruoke frowned as she noticed the problem. Yu Zhe had seemed listless since earlier, and his complexion appeared somewhat pale. Although he was usually quite fair-skinned, his current paleness seemed to lack color.

It looked just like the weak complexion he had when he had a fever last time.

"Oh, it's nothing, you're overthinking it. I must have stayed up late last night and didn't get enough rest. I'll go home and take a nap during my lunch break, and I'll be fine soon."

"Is...is that so? But we should still go to the infirmary, just in case he has a cold or fever..."

"Really, there's no need." Yu Zhe smiled at Xiao Meng, indicating that she shouldn't worry. Yu Zhe felt that she knew her own condition very well. "Although I am indeed a little weak, I'm not that fragile. If I had to go to the infirmary for this, that would be too absurd."

"But..." Qin Ruoke was still worried.

"It's really nothing, don't overthink it, I know what I'm doing."

Yu Zhe didn't want the girls to worry about him. Besides, he knew his own condition; he had always been like this since he was a child. When he thought about some troubling things, he might get a headache. It wasn't anything serious; he just needed to rest for a while.

Seeing that the two were still staring at him with concern, Yu Zhe gave a wry smile and could only change the subject.

"Hey Xiaomeng, I overheard Xiao Li talking about some year-end class dinner at the door. Have you heard about it? You're the class monitor, you should know, right?"

"Huh? Oh yes, that's true." Xiao Meng was already confused by Yu Zhe's rambling topic, so she answered his question first. "After the final exams and before the Spring Festival, it seems that the students are planning to have a meal together. After all, there's only one semester left, and everyone has it tough. They'll invite the teachers, which can be considered a pep talk before the college entrance exam."

After saying that, Xiaomeng clapped her hands: "Yuzhe, are you going to participate too? But you're not interested in these noisy occasions, are you... although it should be quite fun."

Having spent so much time with Yu Zhe, Xiao Meng has come to know some of his preferences, among which his love of quiet is particularly evident.

"Who said I don't want to participate?" Yu Zhe said with a mischievous smile. "What's the big deal? It's a class reunion. If I don't go, then what's the point of transferring here? Oh well, I'll just get a feel for the atmosphere."

No, no, no… If you participate, you'll definitely have to say a few words. Doesn't Xiaomeng know that everyone in class secretly treats Yuzhe like a god, or at least an "angel"? Someone even asked this morning if Yuzhe would participate. Xiaomeng was quite worried about this, but if Yuzhe is willing to participate…

That would be perfect.

After saying that, Yu Zhe looked at Qin Ruoke next to him and asked, "Little Ruoke, what about you? Do you want to join the dinner party?"

Qin Ruoke had been observing Yu Zhe's complexion since earlier, and it seemed that, as he said, his complexion had improved since the topic was brought up, but it was still somewhat pale. She would observe further; health issues should not be taken lightly.

Feeling a little relieved, she looked at Yu Zhe and said, "If you go, I'll go."

Huh? When did you become my little follower?

10. Being a tool is tough too (Bonus chapter for monthly pass winners)

"Alright, then call me when the time comes, I might just forget."

"Okay, that's not a problem. The main issue is Yu Zhe, you..."

Ring ring…

Qin Ruoke wanted to ask Yu Zhe about his health, but the school bell rang at that moment.

The classroom quieted down, and Xiaomeng had no choice but to return to her seat.

Well, even though I managed to distract myself a bit, Yu Zhe still feels a bit uneasy.

I really need to do something to stop thinking about these troubling things.

So before Xiaomeng walked back, he asked in a low voice, "Xiaomeng, do you want to go to the comic club after class? I feel like reading some comics."

"Okay, okay! I'll go right after class!"

Xiao Meng was overjoyed. The Comic Club was the only legitimate place where she could be alone with Yu Zhe, and Yu Zhe would go there a few times a week.

Hehehe, Xiaomeng is already looking forward to the end of get out of class.

........................

Manga Research Society.

This small activity room, though not large, is filled with comics and is usually only occupied by Yu Zhe and Xiao Meng.

However, Xiaomeng, who entered the clubroom first, was visibly annoyed.

Because there was a young girl sitting in a seat not far away.

This girl was none other than Zhang Zhi, the fortune-telling girl who had previously given her advice.

She's sitting there now, eating a bag of potato chips and happily reading comics.

Seeing Xiaomeng walk in, she turned her head and said, "Hmm? Senior Xiaomeng, you're here? I've been thinking about what you told me last time, and I think I'll agree to it! Anyway, it won't do me any harm."

The thing I mentioned last time was that Xiaomeng invited her to join the comics club.

Xiao Meng's idea at the time was to have this strategist join the club so that he could more easily help her come up with ideas.

Of course, in return for this help, Zhang Zhi is free to look at the comics here.

She also really likes these anime and manga cultures, otherwise she wouldn't have set up a fortune-telling booth at the anime convention. So after thinking about it, she agreed to do it today.

Xiao Meng figured that since Yu Zhe rarely came to this club, she could listen to Zhang Zhi's suggestions on how to get closer to Yu Zhe.

When Yu Zhe arrives, she can send Zhang Zhi away! In short, this way, Xiao Meng can get some good ideas without interfering with her alone time with Yu Zhe, while Zhang Zhi can read comics as she pleases. It's a win-win situation for both of them.

Why do you have to agree today? Does that mean my chance to be alone with Yuzhe today is ruined?

Before Xiaomeng could speak, Yuzhe followed her in, and of course he also saw Zhang Zhi sitting not far away.

"Hmm? And who is this?"

Well, now that we've run into each other, Xiaomeng can't just send Zhang Zhi away now, can she?

There was nothing she could do but introduce her to Yu Zhe: "This is Zhang Zhi, a junior in the second year of high school, the strategist... cough cough, she's a friend I met by chance. I invited her to join the club before, and it seems... she agreed."

Hearing the voices, Zhang Zhi turned around again and immediately saw Yu Zhe standing at the door.