Chapter 104: Old Geezer, Is It Safe to Park My Modded Scooter Out Front?
"Awesome! We're on break!"
Upon hearing the news of the holiday, the students instantly cheered, their earlier exhaustion swept away in a heartbeat.
Long Aotian shouted about going to eat a feast, while Gu Yunxi grabbed Bai Han, excitedly discussing where they should go to have fun.
Shen Lie, on the other hand, leaned in close to Chen Yu, asking if the Fang family was available for him to continue consulting on Armament Haki.
Ling Yue also walked up to Chen Yu. She hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Chen Yu, for this week off... do you want to come hang out at my place?"
"My home is right in the Capital. My dad said he wants to meet you."
Gu Yunxi immediately popped up, her eyes sparkling. "The Capital? I want to go too!"
Bai Han nodded indifferently. "As long as I find a spot to sleep, I'm good."
Long Aotian, Zhuge Jing, and the others hadn't planned on going home either. They intended to play in the Capital for a few days, so they clamored to join in as well.
Seeing that everyone wanted to go, a happy smile bloomed on Ling Yue's face. "Then let's meet at the training camp entrance tomorrow morning. I'll have the family driver pick us up."
The next morning.
Everyone gathered promptly at the training camp entrance.
The car from the Ling family was a black business van. It was incredibly spacious, easily accommodating everyone.
After driving for over three hours, they finally arrived at the Capital.
Through the car window, they could see a towering iron structure reaching into the clouds. The metallic body of the tower pulsed with a rhythmic, faint fluorescence.
"That..." Chen Yu pointed at the tower. "What is that?"
Ling Yue patiently explained, "That's a transmitter. It emits a signal that repels fierce beasts and shields the Capital from their perception. Its range covers the entire city."
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow. "As expected of the Alliance's central hub. You've even got this kind of black tech."
After entering the city proper, they didn't go to the Ling residence immediately. Instead, they spent some time wandering through the downtown malls.
A group of handsome young men and beautiful women walking together naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Some passersby even took out their phones to snap photos, thinking they had run into stars recording an idol variety show.
Since it was their first time visiting someone's home, showing up empty-handed was bad manners, so everyone tacitly agreed to buy some gifts.
The car drove for another half hour before stopping in front of a massive estate.
The manor's gates were forged from black metal, carved with exquisite dragon patterns. Two guards in uniform stood at the entrance, their posture ramrod straight, looking incredibly imposing.
"This is my home," Ling Yue said with a smile, stepping out of the car first.
The group followed Ling Yue into the estate, and the sight inside left them even more astounded.
They looked like country bumpkins entering a royal palace for the first time, a chorus of "Wow" echoing through the group.
Upon entering, they saw an antique-style courtyard filled with all sorts of flowers and vegetation.
In the center of the courtyard lay a massive pond where koi fish swam lazily.
Small artificial rockeries and pavilions were scattered artfully throughout, making the place look like a hidden paradise.
"Ling Yue, your house is way too luxurious!" Gu Yunxi couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Shen Lie walked up to a rockery, patting the stone. He sighed in admiration, "This rock is really hard. If I used it for punching practice, it would be amazing!"
Zhuge Jing pushed up his glasses, his gaze landing on the flowers in the courtyard. He whispered, "Holy cow, Sister Yue... most of these plants are rare species."
"Some can even be used to craft ability-enhancement potions. The variety here is way too complete."
Bai Han yawned. "Sleeping here should be very comfortable."
Ling Yue smiled at everyone. "Don't just stand at the gate. Come on, I'll take you inside to sit down."
Chen Yu's mouth twitched. Listen to yourself.
We've been walking for twenty minutes and we haven't even reached your front door yet?
Ling Yue led the group toward the villa deep within the estate.
Just as they reached the villa entrance, they saw a man in a white shirt standing there.
The man had a gentle and refined temperament, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He was holding a notebook, recording the growth of the flowers in front of him.
This man was Ling Wenhe.
Seeing Ling Yue, a gentle smile appeared on Ling Wenhe's face as he closed his notebook. "Ling Yue, you're back. Are you tired from the trip?"
"Dad!" Ling Yue called out, walking quickly to Ling Wenhe's side and holding his arm.
"These are my friends—Chen Yu, Gu Yunxi, Bai Han, and the others. I brought them over to hang out."
Ling Wenhe nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone one by one. His eyes were warm, without a hint of arrogance.
However, when his gaze landed on Chen Yu, he paused. A trace of scrutiny flashed deep in his eyes, barely detectable, before he returned to his warm smile. "Welcome to our home, everyone. You've had a long journey."
"Yue-Yue, why don't you take them for a tour first? Chen Yu, come with me. I'd like to have a few words with you."
Ling Yue paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. You guys talk first; I'll take them to the garden and wait for you."
She turned and whispered to Chen Yu, "What does my dad want to talk to you about?"
Chen Yu scratched his head. "Uncle Ling probably wants to ask about your ability going out of control."
Ling Yue glanced suspiciously at Ling Wenhe. She felt something was off, but she had no choice but to lead the others away for the tour.
Once the group was far enough away, the smile on Ling Wenhe's face vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, piercing gaze.
He strode quickly up to Chen Yu and, before Chen Yu could react, grabbed him in a headlock.
"You brat, you've got some nerve!" Ling Wenhe grit his teeth, his tone filled with anger.
"What kind of love potion did you feed our Ling Yue?! When I asked you to teach her Haki, it was to help her improve her strength."
"But you? You're trying to steal my base?!"
Chen Yu was being strangled a bit tight, but he didn't struggle.
He could feel that Ling Wenhe was controlling his strength. He wasn't truly trying to hurt him, just venting his agitation.
It was the first time he had seen Ling Wenhe this emotional.
He patted Ling Wenhe's arm, signaling him to let go first.
Ling Wenhe huffed and released his grip.
However, he continued to stare intensely at Chen Yu, crossing his arms over his chest. "For the past month, whenever Yue-Yue called me, she couldn't go three sentences without mentioning you."
"It was either 'Chen Yu taught me a new Haki technique,' or 'Chen Yu helped analyze my ability issues,' or 'Guess what Chen Yu did today.'"
Looking at Ling Wenhe's state, Chen Yu suddenly understood.
This old geezer thought his precious cabbage was about to be arched by a pig.
Chen Yu couldn't help but laugh. "Uncle Ling, is it safe to park my 'Ghost Fire' scooter at your front gate? It won't get stolen, right?"
Ling Wenhe: (‡▼益▼)!!!
Note: "Ghost Fire" refers to loud, modified scooters often ridden by street punks. Chen Yu is jokingly leaning into the "delinquent stealing the rich girl" stereotype.
Chen Yu explained, "I'm the training camp's assistant instructor. I teach her Haki and help analyze her abilities—isn't that exactly what I'm supposed to do?"
"Besides, Ling Yue and I are friends. Isn't it normal to mention me?"
"Friends?" Ling Wenhe scraped Chen Yu with a glare. "Does a 'friend' get mentioned every single day? Does a 'friend' get actively invited home to play?"
Chen Yu spread his hands. "Uncle Ling, where's your logic? Didn't you see the group of people just now?"
Ling Wenhe glared at Chen Yu again before sighing, his tone softening slightly.
A trace of heartache appeared in his eyes. "Ling Yue... that child hasn't had it easy since she was small."
"Her mother, Ling Xiao, went to garrison the Great Wall when she was five. She only comes back once or twice a year, and even then, she only stays for a few days before leaving again."
"Back then, I was busy with my research, constantly buried in the lab. Sometimes I even forgot to make her dinner, and she had to cook noodles for herself."
"Later, she awakened her ability. Her talent was exceptional. Born into the Ling family, she attracted so much attention. At barely five years old, the heavy burden of humanity's fate was pressed onto her shoulders."
Ling Wenhe's voice dropped lower. "She always stayed in her room alone, either reading or training her ability. Her loss of control over her powers meant she basically had no friends."
"Ling Yue has been very lonely." Ling Wenhe looked at Chen Yu. The anger in his eyes had faded, but he continued to choke him with words, "She hasn't had much contact with boys, so she's easily deceived by certain scumbags!"
Chen Yu: "..."
(To be Continued)