They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

Time: Sacred Calendar 19018

Location: Outside—St. Green's streets—Night, gentle breeze

character:

Ning Muqiu: A reincarnated youth chosen by the goddess, bearing the title of "Chosen One," and regarded as the representative of the gods on earth. A year ago, he embarked on a journey with a hero's party, during which he glimpsed some of the truth about the Demon Queen. Currently, he is questioning the "correctness" of this world, making his own choices as an objective third party.

Anke: She doesn't have much of a role in this scene. Annoying pest, always bothering Ning Muqiu; a coward, she likes him but doesn't dare say it.

Mysterious white-haired girl: A girl Ning Muqiu meets in town. She was targeted after standing up for low-ranking people in a tavern, but was rescued by Ning Muqiu.

[Curtain rises, the story begins]

Unable to withstand An Ke's constant pestering and invitations, Ning Muqiu made an excuse to wander around town alone. Passing through the commercial district, many vendors flashed him ingratiating smiles upon seeing him.

Ning Muqiu: (Although I concealed my job title, it seems to have already spread.)

Vendor: (Handing over a large basket of apples in a friendly manner) Lord Ning, please do me the honor of taking these apples home with you and the brave warriors!

Ning Muqiu: (Waves her hand) No need to be so polite.

Vendor: (eagerly stuffing the basket into Ning Muqiu's hands) How can this be! Lord Ning and Lord Brave have been working tirelessly for the safety of our citizens. They have finally returned to our city after a year of hard work, and everyone is hoping that you can provide some assistance!

Merchant: As merchants, this is all we can do. We hope you won't find it offensive, Chosen One!

Ning Muqiu: (Realizing that she could not escape this politeness, she took out gold coins) Then at least let me pay the same amount as the market price.

Vendor: (Refusing again) I'm not a blacksmith or tailor, so if I had to charge you for these things, I would be so ungrateful! These apples aren't worth much, and being able to contribute a little effort to you is the most important honor for a vendor.

Vendor: Please be sure to try my family's proud apples with the brave adventurers! As a fruit vendor, I can assure you that they are absolutely the best in Green City!!

Other vendors: George! Don't just focus on selling your apples, I also want the Saviors to try the milk my family produces!

Realizing that staying any longer would lead to her being stared at, Ning Muqiu could only thank them and leave, carrying the basket of apples.

[After teleporting the apple to the inn and using magic to disguise her appearance and identity, Ning Muqiu continued exploring the town. Unbeknownst to her, she had arrived at the edge of the commercial district.]

A little girl in tattered clothes: (suddenly falls down)

(Passersby hurried by, paying no attention to the little girl's situation. Some even glanced at her, muttered "poor bastard," and left in disgust.)

Ning Muqiu: (Feeling somewhat disgusted, she decided to walk over)

(A white-haired girl arrived at the little girl's side before him, squatted down and helped her up.)

Mysterious girl: (Using a healing spell) Is something bothering you?

The little girl, dressed in tattered clothes: (shakes her head, whispers) No... I'm hungry...

Ning Muqiu: (Frowning, she used her professional ability to check the other party's panel from a distance)

Ning Muqiu: (Muttering to herself) My hunger level has reached the warning line, and my health is dropping like crazy. If my stamina bar is empty, then my health bar will be the next one—it's a bit dangerous.

Mysterious girl: (patting her pocket, looking a little embarrassed) I, I'll think of something.

Ning Muqiu: (Initially intending to step forward, but while checking the panel, she happened to glance at the girl and immediately stopped in her tracks.)

Mysterious girl: (Trying to ask a passerby for help) Excuse me! May I borrow some food from you? I have magic and can trade with you, or I can get some magical items later and trade with you—so please bring some food for this child first, okay? She seems to be about to collapse.

Passerby: (Glancing at the ragged, timid little girl and the white-haired girl blocking the way) Hmph, a "poor beggar" and a "hidden class" with ulterior motives, why should I help you?

Another passerby: (sarcastically) Class is an order ordained by God, a blessing and a grace. What credibility do you have, a blasphemous person like you who dares to conceal your class with magic?

The vendor who just delivered apples to Ning Muqiu: (Impatiently) Get out of here! Why should I give these things I've worked so hard to grow to you lowly commoners? Go back to your sewers! This commercial district isn't for people of your rank!

(The little girl's life points began to drain away, and the mysterious girl, increasingly anxious after being rejected by several people, gritted her teeth and tore off the pendant around her neck.)

Ning Muqiu: (Approaching with several steamed buns and a water bottle)

Ning Muqiu: ...Here, it's better to eat slowly.

Mysterious girl: (Startled, clutching the pendant in her hand) Excuse me, may I ask who you are?

Ning Muqiu: (Waves her hand) Just a passerby. You've been troubled for a long time, haven't you? I just couldn't stand watching anymore.

Ning Muqiu: (Seeing the little girl wolfing down her food, he frowned, took the steamed bun back, and, seeing the little girl's somewhat uneasy expression, tore the steamed bun into small, easy-to-swallow pieces.)

Ning Muqiu: (Not looking at the girl, casually) Perhaps I could come and help? She already had some hidden injuries, and she was too weak to use healing spells effectively.

Mysterious girl: (As if waking from a dream, she quickly squatted down, her face full of gratitude) Okay! Thank you!

Ning Muqiu: (Shakes her head) We're probably around the same age, no need for such respect. I'm just curious, since you possess magic, why don't you just "borrow" the food? That pendant must be very important to you, right?

Mysterious girl: (Slightly startled, instinctively wary) "Taking without permission is stealing." I am grateful to you, but I cannot agree with this idea.

Ning Muqiu: (Shaking her head with a smile) Don't be so wary. I'm just curious. I don't intend to use your magic to coerce you into doing me a favor.

Ning Muqiu: (Seeing that the mysterious girl was still on guard, he created a water ball with a flick of his finger) Although I am not strong enough, I am still a magician.

Mysterious Girl: (Surprised, then embarrassed) I'm sorry. Being able to use the Water Ball spell without chanting was just me being overly sensitive. This pendant… to be honest, it does hold special meaning for me. But I just feel that keeping it and then stealing it is far more insulting than selling or mortgaging it.

Mysterious girl: (Seeing the little girl's complexion gradually regain its rosy hue, she visibly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Ning Muqiu)

Mysterious girl: ...Thank you.

Ning Muqiu: It's okay. If I saw something like this and didn't help, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep either.

Mysterious girl: (Her eyes flickered slightly, she looked up, as if she had made up her mind) I don't know how to thank you. And there was the misunderstanding just now—so please accept this pendant.

Ning Muqiu: (Surprised) Isn't this something important?

Mysterious Girl: It's precisely because it's something important that this meeting is worth commemorating. For me, knowing that there are still people in this world who share the same attitude and views as me is already a huge encouragement.

Mysterious girl: So please accept this pendant as a testament to our friendship and faith.

Ning Muqiu: (with a wry smile) Faith and all that, I don’t remember ever saying anything so grand.

Mysterious Girl: (Shakes her head) I don't care about rank or status. I only consider the weight of life, and act solely on the conviction of my conscience. I disregard the strict boundaries set by God and treat all living beings equally, valuing their existence. In my opinion, you have already proven this ideal through your actions.

Mysterious Girl: (With a smile as bright as spring sunshine) This world should belong to all people striving to survive, not to be a plaything or chessboard for goddesses to play on a whim. Every saint can have a past, and every sinner can have a future. In my eyes, you are my comrade. So, please accept this.

This is the beginning of the epic that later generations have so fondly remembered.

[The first encounter between the Demon Queen and the Chosen One.]

[Next chapter preview: Wu Yuehua breathed a small sigh of relief and looked at me with a light smile.]

Xiao Chenyin tugged at my sleeve a little shyly.

"Among so many beautiful girls, which one is your destiny? Ah, or perhaps that handsome boy as well?"

That's true. Saying things like that to a client from a past life is one thing, but to tease the boss's wife who's always taken care of you feels like a twisted form of filial piety.

Chapter 114: Linwai High School is also not conducting any official business today.

"Clap clap clap clap!"

After Senior Wu Yuehua finished delivering her last line in this scene, the others who were watching the show with bated breath also generously offered their applause.

"Very good." The president of the drama club, who wore glasses, was a quiet and shy girl who became serious and meticulous as soon as she was on stage.

"Phew." Wu Yuehua breathed a small sigh of relief and chuckled as she looked at me. "That's great. But to be honest, when you suddenly pulled out a water balloon, I almost burst out laughing."

"What can we do? When it officially appears, they'll use a blue spotlight to indicate that it's water magic. I can't just say 'Look, this is water ball spell' empty-handed all the time, can I?" I said with a bit of helplessness.

Using transparent balloons filled with water was a bit odd, but it was a prop to fit the stage performance. And to make it a little more immersive, I even used some magic tricks to demonstrate it.

I've already tried my best!!

"...Brother and sister, can you have the rest of this steamed bun? I really can't eat anymore."

Between me and senior Wu Yuehua, Xiao Chenyin tugged at my sleeve somewhat shyly and said to us.

"Ah, it's alright, it's alright." Wu Yuehua quickly took the steamed bun from the side and tore half of it into my hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She rubbed Chen Yin's head. "Sorry, I made a few mistakes just now."

After all, my senior and I only had to recite our lines again, but Chen Yin always had to pretend to be hungry and eat steamed buns again.

"It's okay, I told my brother I wanted to participate myself." Chen Yin didn't seem to complain at all, and she performed very hard on stage.

"Xiaoyin is amazing!!" Su Qiqi, who had been brought over by Qiu Luxi, waved her hand and said from a spot a little distance away from the rehearsal area.

"Ah, Qiqi!!"

Chen Yin ran over excitedly. Perhaps because of their similar ages, the two little girls had become good friends after several recent rehearsals.

"I never thought I'd be able to participate in club activities like this," Senior Wu Yuehua said softly, holding a half-eaten steamed bun.

"My mother has also been temporarily taken to Qiu Luxi's house. I originally thought it would be a long time before I could go back to school—but I didn't expect that I could participate in the activities like this without having to ask for leave."

Even so, because of the sick leave application I made last time at university, my perfect attendance record is gone, isn't it?

I tore off a piece of steamed bun and stuffed it into my mouth, teasingly remarking.

"That's a real pity. But perhaps I would have cared more about it before. As for now, I seem to have let go of some of the pent-up frustration." Wu Yuehua laughed, "It's like some of the pent-up frustration inside has finally been released."

"Everyone, you've all worked hard~ I've made some coffee, would you like to take a break?"

Chu Qingya, holding a cup of coffee, smiled as she spoke from the doorway. "Young Miss" also seized the opportunity to slip in from the front hall, attracting the girls' attention and curiosity.

"Oh dear, you child."

After serving the coffee, Chu Qingya watched as the "young lady" was arrogantly and enjoying being watched by the group of girls, and said with a wry smile.

"Great, great! The steamed buns I just ate felt so dry... Um, I was wondering before, is 'Young Miss' too obsessed with looks?"

I walked over to Chu Qingya and took a sip of coffee.

To be fair, among the people who rehearsed in this former "music practice room," whether it was Qiu Luxi, Wu Yuehua, An Yu, or Chu Guyin, each of them was a high-caliber beauty.

Ning Ruoxin will have to arrive later due to her studies.

“That makes sense, after all, that child seems to have a special affection for you,” Chu Qingya replied with a smile.

"Huh? Then the one who should be in love isn't me, but that handsome guy over there, right?"

I raised my head and gestured to Chen Di, who was chatting with her younger sister.

"I see, I see. And what about you, Ning Ruoyu?"

"What do you mean?"

I really didn't understand.

"Among so many beautiful girls, which one is your destiny? Ah, or perhaps that handsome boy as well?"

Chu Qingya gave me a mischievous smile. The landlady usually acts like Li Wanying, the receptionist, but when she's with acquaintances in private, she's a bit like Zhang Yuexin—quirky and mischievous.

"You want it all? If it includes my beloved Guyin, or even puts Guyin first, I'd be happy to help. I'd be happy to create opportunities for you~"

For example, these kinds of boring topics, like the teasing of elders. For some reason, Chu Qingya always enjoys them.

So I decided to be straightforward, just like I would with some difficult customers.

"There is indeed someone I care about."

"Eh?!?!" The proprietress immediately leaned closer, her eyes filled with intense curiosity and excitement.

"Who?! Who?! Really?! Tell me, tell me, or give me some characteristics and I'll guess!!"

Seriously, this guy looks exactly like a high school girl gossiping.

"Judging from your usual interactions, is it that super cute short-haired girl over there? Or the elegant young lady you specifically brought to our store the other day? Ah! Could she be one of our employees?"

Chu Qingya moved very close to me, the faint scent of coffee emanating from her wafting over. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity; she seemed like a gossipy young girl.

"Tell me, tell me~ I absolutely don't have any ulterior motives and I would never secretly tell Guyin~ Believe me, trust me~ Auntie is very fair and objective! ...At most, I might secretly trip you up during your date to get revenge for Guyin, hehe~"

Seeing her so excited made me feel a little embarrassed. I originally thought she would just ask casually and then smile knowingly when she realized she'd been tricked. Now it seems the landlady isn't as mature as I imagined at all.

Honestly, the more serious you are, the more awkward I feel. But we've already built up this much groundwork, and if I don't continue making things up, it'll seem like I actually care about someone. I could only sigh and point at her.

"?" Chu Qingya was taken aback. "What do you mean? Over there?"

She looked back at herself, but there was nothing there.

"Of course it's you, my dear boss lady!"

No, it's like being teased in school about who you like; you should just say you like the person who asked the teasing question.

I just wanted to provoke Chu Qingya's teasing, and I even used a tone that sounded like a joke.

Even so, the proprietress suddenly trembled and instantly distanced herself from me.

I knew it! She really fell for it; I knew something was wrong. Now she's in a bind!

The proprietress turned around without saying a word, and I quickly tried to make up for my mistake from behind.