Softy lay quietly on the ground and simply watched as Gao Peng dragged the fat crane away .

After making sure that Gao Peng was far away, Softy got up, stuck its front paws out and gave a lazy stretch . Its back curved into an arch and its black tail swished about gently .

Softy elegantly walked to the telephone . Using its left claw, it managed to place the telephone right beside its ear . From its right paw, a single claw stuck out, which it used to gently press on the number pad .

Softy's call was answered . Meow? it said lazily .

As though totally used to it, the person on the other side answered, "Understood . "

Putting down the phone, the receptionist girl from the furniture shop took out pen and paper, scribbled something down, and spoke to her supervisor . "Supervisor, the old customer at No . 12 is requesting a new set of furniture . "

"Alright, Li, go over to his house to check out what needs to be changed . Then call back and we'll send someone over with the furniture . "

"Yes, supervisor . " A young man dressed in a blue short-sleeved s.h.i.+rt left the building and drove off to the outskirts on a motorcycle .

. . .

Back in his own home, Gao Peng instructed Dumby to drop Flamy .

Flamy fell to the floor with a crash . No matter how hard it tried, Flamy could not get up from the ground because it was too fat . It couldn't fly, either . It was totally round, just like a ball .

Tweet, tweet? Flamy asked its comrades in surprise . Why are you not helping me up?

Da Zi's antennae wavered as it got ready to help Flamy up .

"Don't . If Flamy can't get up on its own today, it doesn't have to get up anymore," said Gao Peng unceremoniously .

Flamy blinked and then lay on the ground, playing dead .

. . .

Gao Peng placed the fat penguin on the treadmill in his villa .

"You will properly exercise for me for the next few days," Gao Peng told Flamy, patting it on the head .

Flamy's red crest was a bright red, the color fresh blood . It was a lump of red flesh on its head . It felt rough to the touch, like a bunch of ice-cold gravel . There was plenty of friction as his hands ran across the crest . Flamy had a fire attribute, but its crest was ice cold . The surface of Flamy's feathers also felt smooth and silky, and it was really nice to touch them .

Afterward, Gao Peng packed up a bit before driving to school .

He had been riding on Stripey most of the time, and his b.u.t.t was aching . Riding in a vehicle was definitely more comfortable . As he drove his large truck down the highway, he caught the envious glares of many . Such a metallic beast like that driving down the roads was indeed very eye-catching .

Gao Peng parked his truck in a parking lot not far from the school . He turned off the engine, got out, and walked toward the school .

Cla.s.ses were in session . Usually, after getting two days off after the college entrance examinations, the school would carry out the extra summer holiday lessons for the high school soph.o.m.ores . It was a show of warmth and caring for their students .

Gao Peng was, by right, a high school senior . He had just graduated early . Knowing that he had already finished his examinations and that his cla.s.smates were still in the cla.s.srooms working hard, Gao Peng could not resist wanting to go in and take a look at them .

The security guard stopped Gao Peng, saying, "Outsiders are not allowed to enter the school . "

Next to the security guard rested a Steel-Backed Manul, which raised its head and glared menacingly at Gao Peng . Its smooth and round body looked just like a ball . Even without revealing such an expression, it already looked incredibly vicious .

But this manul was also still small, only the length of two palms . Its meaty cheeks grew a few strands of long white whiskers, which swayed when the wind blew . It menacingly circled around Gao Peng, walking in a unique manner . Its feet pointed outward while its heels turned inward, just like the Chinese character for "eight . "

"Uncle, I am from this school," said Gao Peng, fis.h.i.+ng out his student ID .

The security guard took it to take a look . "It is from our school," he said . Then he stared suspiciously at Gao Peng . "But why do I find you so familiar?"

Hearing the guard's words, the manul pounced at Gao Peng with a little mew . It tore a hole in Gao Peng's pants with its little teeth .

Gao Peng gently raised his right leg and the palm-sized manul fell over backwards with its legs sticking out in the air . It rolled over on the ground and then viciously pounced at Gao Peng again .

"Stop it," Gao Peng scolded the fat little thing in a deep tone .

He bent down and picked up the manul, finding that the little fella was actually lighter than he had thought it would be . Its smooth fur was rather thick, just like a thick layer of hide . The short, fluffy furs p.r.i.c.ked Gao Peng's palm, making it itch .

After being picked up by Gao Peng, the little fella kept reaching out with its paws to attack . It was extremely comical and cute .

The manul cat was known among felines for having short, stubby legs . With its large square face, round ears, and short stubby tail, it looked like a chubby, little thing .

"Uncle, how come you're raising a manul cat now?" Gao Peng asked curiously . He remembered that the security guard didn't have any pet in the past .

The security guard frowned at Gao Peng . "I've had this little kitten for almost half a month . You're a student here, but you don't know that?"

Uhh…

Gao Peng was at a loss for words . He did not think that the security guard would be so serious about his work .

"I'm from Year 2, Cla.s.s 3 . I took the college entrance examinations early…" Gao Peng began explaining the situation to the guard .

The security guard slapped his forehead . "I remember now! You're the salted fis.h.!.+"

Gao Peng's face fell .

The security guard chuckled as he took out his phone . With a very practiced motion, he unlocked his phone, opened up WeChat, and scrolled through one of his chats . Very quickly, he found the picture, and tapped on it to enlarge it .

Gao Peng was lying spread-eagled on a large rock . Around him were his familiars, all in similar positions . Below were the words in large white font: "I have become a salted fish . "

Gao Peng's face froze with an awkward smile .

"No wonder you looked so familiar! You're the salted fish," chuckled the security guard .

"Uncle, how long has this picture been spreading around?"

"It's been popular for a while now . Hey, hey, don't go . There are a few more, and they're all pretty funny . " The security guard kept scrolling, showing Gao Peng memes of other examination partic.i.p.ants as well .

One was of this boy sitting in a very ungraceful manner on his flying Volcanic Vulture, his hands wrapped tightly around the familiar's neck . His hair was blown into a mess, his face was pale, and his expression was frightening . Below were the words "trembling in fear . "

Puchi .

Gao Peng tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help it .

Then, he felt anger bubbling from within . Just who had taken such a handsome photo of him and secretly uploaded it onto the web!?

In the cla.s.sroom, Li Zigong suddenly sneezed .

"Just a while ago, the princ.i.p.al held a meeting to praise you . You've brought fame to Chang'an Third High," said the security guard, laughing . "Since this is your alma mater, please go in . "

Gao Peng thanked the security guard and walked toward the school building .

The Steel-Backed Manul kitten cautiously hid behind the guards's legs, staring at Gao Peng as he pa.s.sed . It even mewed menacingly as Gao Peng looked over .

Gao Peng smiled and continued walking into the school .

School was still the same . Nothing big had changed, and the teachers were all still there . But for some reason, it had still lost that sense of familiarity . It was like a stranger returning to an old home that another family had moved into .

Below the math building were a few pots of bonsai . Under the blazing sun, they were all baked brown .

Suddenly, Gao Peng heard the school bell ring . A h.o.a.rd of students came scrambling down the stairs toward the cafeteria .

Gao Peng shook his head . He had a complicated look in his eyes . He knew that he would not have a chance to come back to this school in the future .

After things were settled, he would be heading over to Yuzhou, even though Chang'an was his home . But still, was a place without family still considered home?

. . . . Softy lay quietly on the ground and simply watched as Gao Peng dragged the fat crane away . After making sure that Gao Peng was far away, Softy got up, stuck its front paws out and gave a lazy stretch . Its back curved into an arch and its black tail swished about gently . Softy elegantly walked to the telephone . Using its left claw, it managed to place the telephone right beside its ear . From its right paw, a single claw stuck out, which it used to gently press on the number pad . Softys call was answered . Meow? it said lazily . As though totally used to it, the person on the other side answered, Understood . Putting down the phone, the receptionist girl from the furniture shop took out pen and paper, scribbled something down, and spoke to her supervisor . Supervisor, the old customer at No . 12 is requesting a new set of furniture . Alright, Li, go over to his house to check out what needs to be changed . Then call back and well send someone over with the furniture . Yes, supervisor . A young man dressed in a blue short-sleeved s.h.i.+rt left the building and drove off to the outskirts on a motorcycle Back in his own home, Gao Peng instructed Dumby to drop Flamy . Flamy fell to the floor with a crash . No matter how hard it tried, Flamy could not get up from the ground because it was too fat . It couldnt fly, either . It was totally round, just like a ball . Tweet, tweet? Flamy asked its comrades in surprise . Why are you not helping me up? . . Da Zis antennae wavered as it got ready to help Flamy up . Dont . If Flamy cant get up on its own today, it doesnt have to get up anymore, said Gao Peng unceremoniously . Flamy blinked and then lay on the ground, playing dead Gao Peng placed the fat penguin on the treadmill in his villa . You will properly exercise for me for the next few days, Gao Peng told Flamy, patting it on the head . Flamys red crest was a bright red, the color fresh blood . It was a lump of red flesh on its head . It felt rough to the touch, like a bunch of ice-cold gravel . There was plenty of friction as his hands ran across the crest . Flamy had a fire attribute, but its crest was ice cold . The surface of Flamys feathers also felt smooth and silky, and it was really nice to touch them . Afterward, Gao Peng packed up a bit before driving to school . He had been riding on Stripey most of the time, and his b.u.t.t was aching . Riding in a vehicle was definitely more comfortable . As he drove his large truck down the highway, he caught the envious glares of many . Such a metallic beast like that driving down the roads was indeed very eye-catching . Gao Peng parked his truck in a parking lot not far from the school . He turned off the engine, got out, and walked toward the school . Cla.s.ses were in session . Usually, after getting two days off after the college entrance examinations, the school would carry out the extra summer holiday lessons for the high school soph.o.m.ores . It was a show of warmth and caring for their students . Gao Peng was, by right, a high school senior . He had just graduated early . Knowing that he had already finished his examinations and that his cla.s.smates were still in the cla.s.srooms working hard, Gao Peng could not resist wanting to go in and take a look at them . The security guard stopped Gao Peng, saying, Outsiders are not allowed to enter the school . . . . . Next to the security guard rested a Steel-Backed Manul, which raised its head and glared menacingly at Gao Peng . Its smooth and round body looked just like a ball . Even without revealing such an expression, it already looked incredibly vicious . But this manul was also still small, only the length of two palms . Its meaty cheeks grew a few strands of long white whiskers, which swayed when the wind blew . It menacingly circled around Gao Peng, walking in a unique manner . Its feet pointed outward while its heels turned inward, just like the Chinese character for eight . Uncle, I am from this school, said Gao Peng, fis.h.i.+ng out his student ID . The security guard took it to take a look . It is from our school, he said . Then he stared suspiciously at Gao Peng . But why do I find you so familiar? Hearing the guards words, the manul pounced at Gao Peng with a little mew . It tore a hole in Gao Pengs pants with its little teeth . Gao Peng gently raised his right leg and the palm-sized manul fell over backwards with its legs sticking out in the air . It rolled over on the ground and then viciously pounced at Gao Peng again . Stop it, Gao Peng scolded the fat little thing in a deep tone . He bent down and picked up the manul, finding that the little fella was actually lighter than he had thought it would be . Its smooth fur was rather thick, just like a thick layer of hide . The short, fluffy furs p.r.i.c.ked Gao Pengs palm, making it itch . After being picked up by Gao Peng, the little fella kept reaching out with its paws to attack . It was extremely comical and cute . The manul cat was known among felines for having short, stubby legs . With its large square face, round ears, and short stubby tail, it looked like a chubby, little thing . Uncle, how come youre raising a manul cat now? Gao Peng asked curiously . He remembered that the security guard didnt have any pet in the past . The security guard frowned at Gao Peng . Ive had this little kitten for almost half a month . Youre a student here, but you dont know that? Uhh… Gao Peng was at a loss for words . He did not think that the security guard would be so serious about his work . Im from Year 2, Cla.s.s 3 . I took the college entrance examinations early… Gao Peng began explaining the situation to the guard . The security guard slapped his forehead . I remember now! Youre the salted fis.h.!.+ Gao Pengs face fell . The security guard chuckled as he took out his phone . With a very practiced motion, he unlocked his phone, opened up WeChat, and scrolled through one of his chats . Very quickly, he found the picture, and tapped on it to enlarge it . Gao Peng was lying spread-eagled on a large rock . Around him were his familiars, all in similar positions . Below were the words in large white font: I have become a salted fish . Gao Pengs face froze with an awkward smile . No wonder you looked so familiar! Youre the salted fish, chuckled the security guard . Uncle, how long has this picture been spreading around? Its been popular for a while now . Hey, hey, dont go . There are a few more, and theyre all pretty funny . The security guard kept scrolling, showing Gao Peng memes of other examination partic.i.p.ants as well . One was of this boy sitting in a very ungraceful manner on his flying Volcanic Vulture, his hands wrapped tightly around the familiars neck . His hair was blown into a mess, his face was pale, and his expression was frightening . Below were the words trembling in fear . Puchi . Gao Peng tried not to laugh, but he couldnt help it . Then, he felt anger bubbling from within . Just who had taken such a handsome photo of him and secretly uploaded it onto the web!? In the cla.s.sroom, Li Zigong suddenly sneezed . Just a while ago, the princ.i.p.al held a meeting to praise you . Youve brought fame to Changan Third High, said the security guard, laughing . Since this is your alma mater, please go in . Gao Peng thanked the security guard and walked toward the school building . The Steel-Backed Manul kitten cautiously hid behind the guardss legs, staring at Gao Peng as he pa.s.sed . It even mewed menacingly as Gao Peng looked over . Gao Peng smiled and continued walking into the school . School was still the same . Nothing big had changed, and the teachers were all still there . But for some reason, it had still lost that sense of familiarity . It was like a stranger returning to an old home that another family had moved into . Below the math building were a few pots of bonsai . Under the blazing sun, they were all baked brown . Suddenly, Gao Peng heard the school bell ring . A h.o.a.rd of students came scrambling down the stairs toward the cafeteria . Gao Peng shook his head . He had a complicated look in his eyes . He knew that he would not have a chance to come back to this school in the future . After things were settled, he would be heading over to Yuzhou, even though Changan was his home . But still, was a place without family still considered home?