Chapter 41: We Should Thank This God
Editor:Â Atlas Studios
They exchanged a look.
Lu Mian said in a low voice, âThank you.â
There was a hint of frustration in her voice.
Xiao Qimo gave her a quick once-over, saw the annoyed look, and her hands were in her pockets. He smiled slightly and handed her an unopened pack of cigarette and lighter.
âLooking for these?â
Xiao Qimoâs observation skills were really impressive.
âI havenât smoked in a long time. I carried them just in case,â he explained ineffably.
Lu Mian was startled. She regained her wits and took the lighter but not the packet of cigarette. âI promised someone not to smoke.â
Xiao Qimo watched her lean lazily against the wall before he had the chance to recover from her words. Her white, slender fingers rubbed against the wheel of the lighter producing a small cluster of flame.
She was smelling the lighter gas.
From time to time, she even flicked the flame with her fingertips with a cynical diffidence and detachment.
She wasnât just provoking the flame.
Xiao Qimoâs Adamâs apple rolled a little, but he still reminded her kindly, âLighter gas contains butane which is bad for your health.â
âIt is bad.â Lu Mian smiled. âBut it can numb the nerves and calm people down.â
Xiao Qimo sensed some complexity from her voice. âYou know that girl?â
Actually, he was very keen to ask about their story.
It was also his first time trying to actively understand a girlâs mind.
He had even missed the chance to search for Thirteen because of this selfishness.
Lu Mian gave him an absentminded smile. Her fingertips closed the lighter cover, making a crisp âclickâ sound. She tossed it at Xiao Qimo. The high-grade metal drew a graceful arc in the air, and then steadily fell into the manâs palm.
âIâm going in to see Sui Yuan.â
Xiao Qimo clutched the slightly heated lighter. His lips curled up as darkness filled his profound eyes beneath the gold-framed glasses.
Lu Mian entered the room and saw Sui Yuan.
Sui Yuanâs face was pale. Her head hung low and she didnât speak, like a child who had made a mistake.
Lu Mian casually touched her small, flat head. It felt prickly.
She neither asked why nor reprimanded Sui Yuan. Instead, she asked bluntly, âYou wish to join the physics competition?â
Sui Yuan nodded, again depressed. âBut the registration form is with the teacherâ¦â
âHeh, whatâs the big deal?â Lu Mian laughed easily. âThere are your fingerprints in the room next door. Go in there and rest after you pack up. Iâll go back to school first.â
Seeing that she was leaving, Sui Yuan grabbed a corner of her blouse with concern. âMianmian, donât fight⦠you will get hurt.â
Lu Mian knew she was worried about her. She simply waved her hand in an understatement.
âThey will. I wonât.â
Her words were wild and arrogant, but without pretense.
âButâ¦â
In Lu Mianâs opinion, Sui Yuan looked weak, and yet she was trying so hard to care about others. Lu Mian couldnât stop herself from reaching out her fist and gave the little girl a hard knock on her head.
âMianmianâ¦â
Before Sui Yuan became more shy, Lu Mian retracted her fist and turned to leave. She turned back and winked at Sui Yuan, looking cool but amorous.
Sui Yuan froze. Her pale face blushed at a rate which was visible to the naked eye.
Xiao Qimo and Ye Jinwen stood side by side. They felt something was wrong with the scene they had just witnessed.
When he heard the sound of the door closing from outside, Ye Jinwen hurried over to Sui Yuanâs side with a gossipy face.
âLittle girl, what is going on with you and Lu Mian?â
âWe, ahâ¦â Sui Yuan smiled timidly. â⦠are past friends.â
â¦
In the school, Elder Su received the news that Sui Yuan was safe and he notified the school as well.
Some of the teachers were glad that there was no trouble!
It was also fortunate that Elder Su had enlisted the help of the God. That helped to find Sui Yuan quickly.
Otherwise, the consequences were truly unthinkable.
âElder Su, we should thank this God!â
Elder Su nodded approvingly. His weather-beaten eyes carried a complexity that others couldnât understand.
His voice was distant. âItâs time to thank her properlyâ¦â