Lin Xi was very mature. Without showing off, she said she would report to 201 immediately, and that a helicopter would take about half an hour to reach Sanyang Town. She told me to be careful.
After giving her the detailed address and name of the inn, I hung up and waited patiently.
I was a bit hungry after running for so long. I went down to the kitchen on the first floor, but found no ready-to-eat food. In a bedroom next door, I found a box of blueberry pastries. There was a thermos with hot water, indicating the owner had only left recently. On the table, there was a strawberry-patterned cup, and judging by the pink decorations, I guessed the bedroom belonged to a young girl.
I poured a cup of water and ate half the box of blueberry pastries to regain some strength. Just as I finished, I sensed human presence outside. I didn't want to give up this excellent observation post, so I quickly restored the bedroom to its original state and returned to the small storeroom on the third floor.
The main gate of the courtyard was opened, and an electric tricycle drove in. A middle-aged man was driving, and a young woman sat in the passenger seat, holding an infant. In the back of the tricycle, a girl in her early twenties, wearing a uniform from a northern university, was sitting.
Oh right, northern universities were already on winter break. The holiday schedules for northern and southern universities were quite different. Northern universities had longer winter breaks of about two months to avoid the cold, and shorter summer breaks of just over a month. Southern universities were the opposite, with long summer breaks of two months to avoid the heat, and short winter breaks of just over a month.
The family got out of the vehicle, chatting and laughing, and began unloading their purchases. The back of the tricycle was filled with goods.
After they entered the house, I didn't pay much attention at first, until I suddenly heard a scream from below.
"Ah! Who ate my blueberry pastries! I specifically saved them for lunch!"
It must have been the university student.
The voice behind her was quieter, presumably her mother comforting her, suggesting perhaps a mouse had eaten them and offering her money to buy another packet.
Then, I clearly heard what the younger girl said next.
"Haha, I was afraid my little brother would eat them, so I hid a packet upstairs. I'll go get it!"
Upstairs? Could she mean the third floor?
Thump, thump, thump. The girl's footsteps grew closer. She reached the second floor and didn't stop, starting to climb the metal stairs to the third floor. Clang, clang, clang.
This was bad. Although the third floor was a small storeroom, there wasn't much in it, and I had nowhere to hide. If I jumped out the window now and caused a commotion, the demons' hearing was very sharp. From a hundred meters away, they might detect me!
Knock out the girl? That was even worse. I'd have to knock out her whole family, but my aim wasn't good. What if I killed someone?
As I was wondering what to do, a squeak. The small door to the third floor was opened. I looked around and, sure enough, saw a box of blueberry pastries on a nearby crate. Why hadn't I noticed it earlier? If I had known, I would have eaten this one!
"Huh?" The female university student saw me and her eyes widened.
She didn't scream, which surprised me. She had screamed when her blueberry pastries were stolen, but now she didn't scream upon seeing a stranger. Did I have less appeal to her than a box of blueberry pastries?
She must be a real foodie!
I instinctively picked up the box of blueberry pastries and handed it to her.
The university student timidly took back her beloved item and asked in a small voice, "Who... who are you?"
Looking at the university emblem on her chest, I had an idea. "I'm your senior, also from Shengjing University."
"Ah? Se-senior? You know me?" the female university student asked in surprise.
"Yes, I've seen you. You're Wen Hui, right?" I said, feigning calmness and smiling.
"Yes! How did you know!"
I had heard her mother call her Wen Hui just now!
"You've forgotten. When you first started as a freshman, we met at the welcome desk, and I even helped you carry some of your luggage," I bluffed. The welcome events at all universities were chaotic; she would surely have a hazy memory.
Indeed, Wen Hui nodded. "Really? There were so many seniors then, I couldn't remember them all... But why are you here?"
I made a shushing gesture. "I was traveling in this small town and got into trouble. I'm not a student anymore; I've stayed on as a teacher and work in the academic affairs office. I happened to know your address, so I hid here!"
I was impressed with myself. The story was seamless.