“The charger, make sure you have it. How many sets of clothes did you pack? How many pairs of underwear?”
“Did you pack everything? Your admission letter, ID card, and…”
May 15th, six in the morning. The sun was shining brightly, and the weather was pleasant.
What a perfect day for a journey.
Inside Apartment 1201, Unit 3, Building 3 of Mingzhu Residential Area, chaos reigned.
Miss Huang Xiu, who had stayed up late browsing forums, had completely forgotten to pack her luggage in advance.
Now, her mother was lecturing her incessantly, a relentless barrage of instructions.
“I packed them, I packed everything! Look, four jackets, six sets of underwear, and socks. My ID card is here too.”
Huang Xiu opened her large green suitcase, displaying its contents to her mother. As she spoke, however, her voice suddenly faltered.
“Ah, I forgot the charger.”
A sheepish expression crossed her face, and then she scurried back into her room.
Her mother, meanwhile, wore a triumphant look. “See? I told you you’d forget something.”
“Don’t even think about asking me to mail it later; I won’t! Double-check everything thoroughly.”
Stuffing the charger into her backpack alongside her new laptop, Huang Xiu continued her meticulous check, ensuring nothing was missed.
At that moment, her father approached, pulling a small wad of red banknotes from his pocket and handing them to her.
Meeting Huang Xiu’s puzzled gaze, he said gently, “Even though mobile payments are common now, it’s always good to have some cash for emergencies.”
‘I don’t think I’ll need it,’ Huang Xiu mumbled, hesitant to take the money. Yet, unable to resist her parents’ persistent nagging, she accepted it.
After a final, thorough check confirmed everything was in order, Huang Xiu waved. “Xiaoxian, come here quickly!”
“Here I come!”
The mutated cactus bounded out of the room.
Even as a plant, it couldn’t escape the doting care of its elders. Compared to before, it had grown noticeably rounder, at least two full circles.
Even its thorns were considerably denser than before.
It had successfully evolved from a Mediterranean plant into a Norwegian forest.
Fortunately, Huang Xiu could control its size and retract its thorns using [Senluo].
Otherwise, it definitely wouldn’t fit in a pocket.
“What’s that behind you?” Huang Xiu’s sharp eyes immediately spotted something behind Huang Xiaoxian.
“Cough, cough,” Huang Xiaoxian’s green face took on a surprisingly human-like expression of embarrassment.
It stepped back half a pace, revealing the portable plastic flowerpot behind it.
“Master, can I bring this with me?”
“I’m used to sleeping in this flowerpot. I’m afraid I’ll get insomnia if I go to Tiandu and switch to a new one.”
It looked at Huang Xiu with a pitiful expression.
Gazing at the dirt-filled flowerpot, Huang Xiu decisively shook her head.
“Absolutely not!”
‘If that thing were crammed into her suitcase, her clothes and other belongings would undoubtedly be soiled.’
“Alright then,” Huang Xiaoxian’s head drooped instantly.
“It’s alright, Xiaoxian. Your mother will mail it to you later,” her mother said, a hint of tenderness in her voice.
She stepped forward and gently patted Huang Xiaoxian’s head—Huang Xiaoxian could control its thorns to avoid hurting anyone.
Huang Xiu:
‘Mom, that’s not what you said earlier!’
“Oh, really?” Huang Xiaoxian was overjoyed. It bounced over to her mother and gave her a kiss.
This delighted her mother, who burst into laughter.
Miss Xiu, with “family status” seemingly hovering above her head, finally couldn’t take it anymore.
“You plant succubus!” she muttered under her breath.
Then, activating [Senluo], she shrank Xiaoxian to the size of an apple, retracting all its thorns into its body.
“We’re running out of time, let’s go!” With that, she scooped up Xiaoxian and tucked it into her sweatpants pocket.
Considering the unique nature of Awakened individuals, the school thoughtfully arranged special high-speed train services for them.
The only drawback was the tight schedule.
This was especially true for new students like Huang Xiu, who neither lived close enough to be local to Yanghai, nor far enough to require staying overnight in Yanghai beforehand.
This was precisely why she had risen so early.
“Let’s go,” her father said, jingling the keys in his hand. The trio headed downstairs and got into the car.
Her mother also came along, settling into the passenger seat.
Though they couldn’t accompany Huang Xiu directly to the school gates, they could at least drop her off at the high-speed rail station.
The journey from Ying City to Yanghai High-speed Rail Station took over two hours. Engaging in conversation, the time passed quickly.
Huang Xiu’s throat was parched from talking. By the time she took a sip of water, the Audi beneath her had already begun to slow.
She glanced out the window, spotting the large sign for Yanghai High-speed Rail Station appearing on her front right.
The car decelerated to a halt, stopping at the second-floor entrance.
“Drive safely on your way, we won’t go inside,” her mother said, waving from the passenger seat.
Having rarely ventured out together, they planned to enjoy a full day in Yanghai, unwilling to waste even a single second.
This made Huang Xiu slightly suspicious. Was “sending her off to school” merely an excuse for them to go on a date?
Yet, if it truly was an excuse, she found herself surprisingly willing to accept it.
“You two have fun too!”
At the high-speed rail station entrance, the cheerful girl, clad in short skirt-pants and light green women’s sneakers, turned back, smiled, and winked.
With a final wave, she turned and entered the station.
“Oh, my daughter is so adorable,” her mother remarked, a look of profound satisfaction on her face as she watched the girl’s retreating figure.
After twenty days of her intensive ‘training,’ her daughter finally presented herself more like a proper young lady in public.
Her speech and demeanor showed no unusual traits.
This alone satisfied her, for seventeen years of habits and ways of speaking were not easily changed.
“Let’s go, honey!” Her mother looked at the man in the driver’s seat, her eyes brimming with affection.
The engine roared, and the car accelerated, turning away from the high-speed rail station entrance.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the girl walked through the high-speed rail station doors, suitcase in hand, arriving outside the waiting hall.
Yanghai High-speed Rail Station served as the transportation hub for the entire Yunshang Province. Even on a Monday morning, the foot traffic was considerable.
However, it was still negligible compared to weekends and holidays.
The entire hall was vast, and the girl looked around, feeling as though one could even play football inside.
So…
“Now what am I supposed to do?”
The girl, who had never left Yunshang Province or traveled by high-speed rail or plane, was utterly bewildered.
She decided to stand and observe how others managed.
****
Huang Xiu glanced at Huang Xiaoxian, who was sitting beside her, happily engrossed in its phone, giggling foolishly.
Huang Xiu let out a soft sigh.
‘This internet-addicted plant!’
If Huang Xiaoxian had learned anything during this short twenty-day summer vacation, it was undoubtedly how to use a mobile phone.
Initially, it had merely watched Huang Xiu play on her phone, lying beside her with eager eyes.
But once her father bought her a new phone for university, replacing her old one…
Huang Xiaoxian fully leveraged its plant succubus charm, sweet-talking Huang Xiu into handing over the old phone.
And then…
The Pandora’s Box named “internet” had been irrevocably opened.
“Let’s go,” Huang Xiu said, patting Huang Xiaoxian and opening her backpack for it to jump inside.
She got out of the car, retrieved her suitcase from the trunk, and slung her high school backpack over her shoulders.
“For safety, we won’t go inside with you,” her mother said. Huang Xiu, with her backpack on and Xiaoxian tucked away, walked towards the entrance.
In the distance, several waiting teachers smiled and approached her as they saw her.
“Hello, teachers!”
Huang Xiu greeted them politely, and Huang Xiaoxian poked its head out from the backpack, waving at the group.
“Hello there.”
The teachers were amused.
“Huang Xiu, please follow Teacher Li to the dormitory to complete your enrollment. Huang Xiaoxian can stay with us for now.”
‘That works.’
Huang Xiaoxian nodded, then burrowed back into Huang Xiu’s backpack.
Only then did Huang Xiu follow Teacher Li.
“‘Is she the legendary Huang Xiu?’”
“‘It’s her. She’s even cuter than in her photos.’”
“‘She certainly seems like a well-behaved child.’”
“‘Huang Xiaoxian is truly adorable.’”
“‘Indeed, what a little pet spirit.’”
“‘You wouldn’t believe it, but I just saw Huang Xiu’s file a few days ago. She’s the top scorer who got into our school!’”
“‘Heavens, no wonder she’s an Awakened individual, and so young too.’”
“‘She’s also very pretty.’”
“‘Teacher Li, I’ll watch Huang Xiaoxian. You can go ahead and attend to your duties.’”
“‘Alright, I’ll take Huang Xiaoxian to the infirmary shortly.’”
“‘The infirmary?’”
“‘Yes, to give it a physical examination and register its identity information.’”
“‘Understood.’”
Before Huang Xiu could fully process everything, she was already at the dormitory entrance.
After handing her the key and access card, Teacher Li departed.
Huang Xiu pushed open the door, revealing a four-person dormitory.
It featured two beds, two desks, two wardrobes, and even a private bathroom.
This was the highest-grade dormitory provided by the school, exclusively for Awakened individuals.
She had expected to find others already there, but it turned out she was the first.
Huang Xiu placed her backpack on the desk and took out all its contents. Besides essential toiletries and clothes, she had even brought a few comic books.
Remembering Huang Xiaoxian was still with the teachers, Huang Xiu pulled out her phone, intending to send it a message to check if everything was alright.
No sooner had she turned on her phone than she received a message from Huang Xiaoxian, containing just two words:
[No problem!]
Huang Xiu smiled. After a moment’s thought, she opened Douyin.
She was planning to do a live stream with Huang Xiaoxian today; otherwise, Huang Xiaoxian would surely throw a tantrum.
The moment Huang Xiu opened Douyin, she received messages from her fans:
[Streamer, why haven’t you started streaming today?]
[I’ve been waiting!]
[Start the stream quickly!]
Huang Xiu smiled again and replied:
[Starting soon!]
She then posted a live stream announcement:
[Xiaoxian and I have arrived at school. We’ll go live at 8 PM sharp!]
After posting the announcement, Huang Xiu sent a message to Huang Xiaoxian.
[I’m in the dorm. When are you coming over?]
Huang Xiaoxian:
[Paperwork done. Teachers are taking me to the infirmary for a check-up now. I’ll be there soon.]
Huang Xiu:
[Okay, be careful on your way.]
Huang Xiaoxian:
[Got it!]
Huang Xiu also put away all her clothes, neatly arranging them in the wardrobe.
Gazing at the clean dormitory, Huang Xiu felt a surge of curiosity.
She wondered what her other roommates would be like.
****
Inside the infirmary, Huang Xiaoxian lay within a machine, surrounded by various instruments. A teacher nearby was diligently recording information.
It knew these teachers were kind, but at the moment, it felt a little anxious.
It wanted to go live with Huang Xiu.
“The check-up is complete, Huang Xiaoxian.”
“Mm.”
Huang Xiaoxian looked at the teacher and nodded.
The teacher beside them packed up the machine and handed it a small booklet.
“This is your identity information. It contains your photo, so keep it safe.”
Huang Xiaoxian quickly took it, glanced at it, and then tucked it away.
“Teacher, can I go back to the dorm now?”
Huang Xiaoxian was growing increasingly impatient.
“Huang Xiaoxian, don’t rush. We have one more thing for you.”
The teachers chuckled.
Huang Xiaoxian looked at them curiously, not understanding why they were laughing.
“We know you enjoy playing on your phone, and that your old one was Huang Xiu’s hand-me-down. So, the school specially prepared a new one for you.”
The teacher next to them produced a phone and handed it to Huang Xiaoxian.
Huang Xiaoxian eagerly took it. Upon seeing the brand-new phone, its eyes lit up.
“Thank you, teachers!”
Huang Xiaoxian quickly expressed its gratitude, cradling the phone in its palm.
“Alright, you can head back to your dorm now. Be careful on your way.”
“Mm.”
Clutching its new phone, Huang Xiaoxian happily bounced.
Its dream had finally come true!
****
Inside the dormitory, Huang Xiu was tidying up when she suddenly heard movement outside the door. She opened it, and Huang Xiaoxian immediately pounced.
“Sister, I’m here!”
Huang Xiaoxian chirped joyfully.
Huang Xiu smiled, embracing it.
“So happy? Did something good happen?”
Huang Xiu stroked Huang Xiaoxian’s head, asking with a smile.
“Sister, look!”
Huang Xiaoxian pulled out its phone, presenting it to Huang Xiu like a treasure.
Huang Xiu paused, surprised to see the brand-new phone.
“This is?”
“The school gave it to me as a reward! Isn’t it nice?”
Huang Xiaoxian said, beaming.
“It’s lovely, absolutely lovely.”
Huang Xiu felt genuinely happy for Huang Xiaoxian.
“Alright, put the phone away quickly. Let’s start our live stream now.”
Huang Xiu prompted.
Huang Xiaoxian quickly put away its phone and then sat down next to Huang Xiu.
Huang Xiu opened her phone, ready to start the live stream.
[Streamer, you’re finally live! I’ve been waiting for ages!]
[Huang Xiaoxian, come out and work your charm!]
[How did the stream’s popularity get so high?]
Huang Xiu was surprised to see that the live stream audience had already reached several million.
‘It must be the announcement’s effect.’
Huang Xiu turned on the camera, greeting her fans alongside Huang Xiaoxian.
“Hello everyone, I’m Huang Xiu.”
“And I’m Huang Xiaoxian.”
[Huang Xiaoxian, long time no see!]
[Xiaoxian is so cute today!]
[I agree!]
[Huang Xiaoxian, have you gained weight again?]
Huang Xiaoxian saw the comment and looked displeased.
“No, I haven’t! I just grew taller!”
Huang Xiaoxian said, huffing indignantly.
[Haha, Xiaoxian is really adorable.]
[Streamer, your Xiaoxian is truly too cute.]
Huang Xiu chuckled.
“Hello everyone, Xiaoxian and I have arrived at school today, and we’ll be streaming from here from now on.”
Huang Xiu announced.
[Then we’ll get to see Xiaoxian often from now on!]
[That’s great, Huang Xiaoxian!]
[Congratulations, Streamer! Congratulations, Xiaoxian!]
[Huang Xiaoxian, are you very happy at school?]
Huang Xiaoxian nodded repeatedly, exclaiming happily, “I’m so happy!”
[Xiaoxian, have you made any friends?]
Huang Xiaoxian shook its head, a little dejected. “No.”
Huang Xiu stroked Huang Xiaoxian’s head, comforting it. “It’s alright, you will in the future.”
[Streamer, how could such a cute Huang Xiaoxian not make friends?]
[Exactly, Xiaoxian!]
[Streamer, take Xiaoxian out more often, and it’ll make friends.]