To compensate Mei for the bullying she had endured, the school specially built her a brand-new changing room, allowing her to change into her gym uniform without having to do so in front of other students, giving her more privacy.
It was probably a way to vent Raiden Ryoma's anger. ME Corp ranked high in all of Nagazora City, and as an Anti-Entropy Executor, Raiden Ryoma didn't care about ordinary people as much as Schicksal did. Dealing with the few school officials in the principal's office was like an eagle catching chicks; as long as he wanted to, he could make them scram at any time.
In contrast, Schicksal had the most stringent system. As long as one didn't provoke them, Valkyries or noble factions generally wouldn't come looking for trouble.
Furthermore, during class, the PE teacher surprisingly only conducted the most basic warm-up exercises before letting everyone have free time.
Li Wu could roughly guess a bit of it. It was also because Raiden Ryoma had made a move, and the school yielded some benefits to curry favor with Mei. He just didn't expect it to be this exaggerated.
It covered all aspects of life, for fear that Mei would suffer even a little grievance.
As the person closest to Mei, he naturally received some of this preferential treatment as well. It was just that, in Li Wu's eyes, this preferential treatment was meaningless, even somewhat annoying.
For no other reason than it was full of the cheap feeling of deliberate pandering.
Moreover, as more and more noble students surrounded Mei, Li Wu found that the classmates who used to chat with him had dwindled. When most commoners saw him, even if they could smile, the smile was extremely stiff, and then they would quickly pull their friends away, afraid of causing trouble.
Faced with this situation, unlike Mei, the policy Li Wu chose was surprisingly consistent with Kiana's: he no longer expressed his opinions and no longer participated in any topics.
He stuck a label on himself that said he was unwilling to communicate.
If there was one thing that caught Li Wu's attention, it was that Kiana seemed to be secretly observing him, for reasons unknown.
The school dismissal bell soon rang. The sunlight slanted across the mountain ridge, and the entire school was enveloped in a thin golden veil, brimming with vitality.
But behind this vitality, Li Wu only felt oppression. He stayed silently by Mei's side, quietly listening to her conversations with the noble girls.
Mei seemed to enjoy this way of interacting very much. She replied to the topics of every classmate around her with politeness and high emotional intelligence. After every sentence, she could always stir people's emotions—either regret or excitement. It was like a resplendent stage play, where the leading actress could shock and sway the supporting cast with her every gesture, making them express their feelings with exaggerated words and actions.
Li Wu was not a social expert; in fact, he was better at playing the role of an invisible person.
For example, at middle school reunions, even after spending a long time dressing neatly, the moment he entered the crowd, he would accurately find the most hidden corner to stare at his phone.
He would occasionally look up to see what his classmates were chatting about but never join the topic.
It couldn't be helped. If he chimed in and no one responded, wouldn't he be labeled as "no one cares" for the entire party? What a pity that would be. Even if everyone didn't say it, they would definitely think that person was extremely pitiful, waiting forever with no one coming to smooth things over.
Compared to a guy with no popularity, gathering around a "topic figure" was more interesting, right? It would never be awkward, and even a meager sense of participation would make people's hearts surge.
Human interactions were just like this...
Now, Li Wu faced the same situation. Everyone was chatting eagerly with Mei. Whether it was the topic or the rhythm, there was absolutely no opportunity to cut in.
Forget it...
Li Wu deemed it his own problem and simply gave up trying to blend in.
It wasn't his circle anyway. As long as Mei could build a sound personality, it didn't matter if he suffered a little grievance.
It wasn't until they stopped at the school gate that this incredibly oppressive atmosphere ended. Mei bid them farewell and walked with Li Wu on the familiar sidewalk.
"Little Li, I'm sorry. I haven't chatted so congenially with friends from before in a long time. I didn't notice that you hadn't spoken the whole time..." Mei looked up at him pitifully.
Li Wu lowered his gaze, and what caught his eye was a neck as white and proud as a swan's. He didn't know if it was because of the lighting, but Li Wu felt that Mei had grown a bit taller, almost at eye level with him.
She used to have to stand on tiptoes to barely reach him, but now her line of sight was faintly higher than his.
It's probably the lighting, yeah...
Li Wu didn't ask what exactly they had talked about, or what the interesting parts were. He also didn't evaluate that conversation, which seemed friendly but was actually full of calculation and hypocrisy.
He just nodded slightly, keeping his tone as gentle as possible. "It's okay. Interpersonal relationships are very important."
"Little Li, aren't you afraid that if I make new friends, I won't be as good to you anymore? It's always like that on TV. Once you meet more friends, your world expands, and when you look back at the people around you, you feel they're lacking. Does Little Li think that's just a TV trope, and reality isn't like that?"
Mei ran in front of Li Wu, tilting her face and asking teasingly.
Li Wu stopped walking. After thinking for a moment, his gaze bypassed Mei and fell gently on a white bird that had also stopped on the power line.
He didn't know what kind of bird it was, but occasionally, for just a moment, Li Wu felt there was no difference between him and it.
"Being afraid or not is meaningless. Everyone is the same. If the things you experience are profound enough, and the people you meet are many enough, sooner or later, a day will come when you think the past wasn't that great." Li Wu's pupils were full, holding only that flock of white birds flying south, and nothing else. "As long as there are enough samples in your memory, even the sample you once considered the most valuable will become dim and lusterless."
"So, Little Li, you think that in the end, everyone will lose their sense of novelty for past things and then turn their gaze to other things?" Mei asked, narrowing her eyes.
"True value needs people to actively endow it. Perhaps in some people's eyes, out of a perfect score of one hundred, they can add ninety points themselves; in other people's eyes, out of a perfect score of one hundred, the memories are only worth ten points. Everyone will experience more things and meet more people, but in the end, not all things and people will stay in your memory. If someone you once cared deeply about eventually fades in color, and you even frequently fail to remember them... Even if they are right beside you, separation is only a matter of time. After all—"
"People's minds are always bound to change. Since they are no longer an old friend, they are a new person."
Li Wu walked forward, stopping only when he was beside Mei.
"Let's go. The bus stop is up ahead."
"Little Li, my dad came to pick me up today. Let's take the car back together. Dad and I haven't seen each other in a long time. Tonight, the three of us can have a good talk about future matters. He also has a lot to say to you."
Li Wu looked toward the bus stop, and sure enough, there was an extended black luxury car parked by the side of the road.
Even though dismissal time was the most crowded, no other cars came close to the black luxury car. For ordinary people, even disregarding the owner's status as a formidable figure, this car alone was worth a lifetime of their labor. If they even scratched it, their life would be over.
Is this the "privilege" of an Anti-Entropy Executor?
"..."
Li Wu turned back to observe Raiden Mei, wanting to see something in her eyes, but gradually, he lost that interest.
"I have nothing to talk about with your dad. I won't hide it from you. Back when you collapsed from mental exhaustion after using the Herrscher authority, I took you to see him. We both exchanged harsh words and had a conflict. I don't want to ride in the same car as him."
"Besides, I'm used to taking the bus or a taxi. I don't want to ride in someone else's private car."
High school students leaving school trickled out of the gate. As they passed Li Wu and Raiden Mei, they couldn't help but cast sideways glances, but under the silencing glare of the black-clad bodyguards brought by Raiden Ryoma, they quickly left.
The restless vitality of dusk blended into the two silhouettes—one tall, one short—of Raiden Mei and Li Wu, looking at each other.
Raiden Mei stood frozen in place, hesitating for a long time. Her gaze swept back and forth between the black luxury car parked by the road and the bus packed with passengers at the stop. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, Li Wu interrupted her directly, not giving her a chance to say more.
"Don't worry, I'm not angry. Tonight, you spend some good time talking with your dad. Blood is thicker than water; this is something that cannot be changed, and no one can replace it. Explain the misunderstandings. Your dad still loves you very much. His mind just wasn't very clear after going to prison, but he should be fine now. If there's a chance later, I'll talk to him again. Today, you go home with your dad first."
"Also, I'm giving this black card back to you. You don't need to tell me you're not lacking money. I know you have money, more than many people. But I don't want to be nagged by your dad, saying I only helped you for this card. If you want us all to sit together harmoniously, you can give it back to me then. Understand?"
Li Wu placed his hands on Raiden Mei's shoulders, turned her toward the black luxury car, and gave her a slight push forward, directly making the choice for Raiden Mei.
If we can't sit together harmoniously, I wouldn't want this black card even if it were given to me for free.
Li Wu understood that it was hard to make a decision between family and a lover.
He had faced the same situation himself once.
He had two best friends, but unfortunately, they argued over something. Every time he hung out with one, the other saw it as nothing short of betrayal.
But staying neutral would bring mockery for standing on the wrong side, under the guise of: If you aren't standing with the correct side, you are standing with the wrong side.
Right and wrong were easy to distinguish, but what about feelings? Could feelings be quantified so easily? Li Wu wanted to ask, what kind of bastard could say such a thing without distinguishing the specific situation?
From then on, Li Wu understood what to do when facing this kind of thing again.
That was to actively withdraw.
Those who truly care about you will never put you in a difficult position.
Since Raiden Mei couldn't make a decision, he would make the choice for her.
The reason was also sufficient, not unforgivable.
Raiden Mei's lips trembled, but she couldn't make a sound. She watched helplessly as Li Wu turned around and slowly walked toward the bus stop.
Turning her head back, the window of the black luxury car had already rolled down. That incredibly familiar and incredibly kind face appeared in Raiden Mei's vision. She thought she would never see him again in this life, thought that if they met again, his face would be ferocious.
Wrong. She was all wrong.
Raiden Ryoma's stern and harsh face actually changed in an instant, revealing a smile gentle to the bone.
In just an instant, Raiden Mei was like a swallow that had found its nest. With her heart set on home, she rushed over like flying, "Dad!"
"Mei, you've suffered grievances."
Raiden Ryoma stepped out of the car and hugged his lunging daughter, his right hand gently patting her back, signaling her to be at ease.
"Li... Li Wu, is he with you?"
"Little Li said he doesn't want to see you right now..."
"Is that so... that makes sense. After all, having gone through that kind of situation, anyone would have trouble letting go of their grudge. But this kid is a formidable, ruthless character. After I came back, I cleaned up a lot of 'garbage.' Most of the people who bullied you had that kind of background. When they saw me, hmph, some even knelt down and begged for mercy on the spot. This kid has guts, not even putting the current me in his eyes. But, he indeed has the qualifications to do so."
Raiden Ryoma's eyes showed undisguised appreciation for Li Wu.
He had conducted a complete investigation on Li Wu.
It could be said that this child was the one who almost pulled Mei back from hell. With no background, single-handedly, relying purely on risking his life, surviving the Reaper's scythe time and time again by a fluke.
His luck could be considered good, but his perseverance was even more unyielding.
Although... Li Wu hadn't done any of the things he said. In fact, it could be said that at first, Li Wu was just a coward who wanted to run away when faced with difficulties, breaking down to the point of giving up on himself several times, and only persevering until now out of unwillingness and that "skill."
Raiden Mei broke free from Raiden Ryoma's embrace. Standing by the road, she looked at Li Wu walking away, watching him step into the crowded bus, her heart exceptionally complicated.
Little Li had become a bit strange today. She couldn't put her finger on it, but he was just different from before.
Did she do something wrong?
Should she have chosen to go with Little Li instead of going home with the biological father she hadn't seen in so long?
Raiden Mei didn't quite understand. She felt that whatever she did was wrong. As things stood, she could only wait to properly compensate him later.
"Dad, Little Li is really good. I gave him your black card, but he just returned it to me... I want to get some things from you to compensate him."
Raiden Ryoma took the black card from his pocket. Under the glow of the setting sun, the black glossy material looked incredibly profound. The material to make the black card alone was worth a fortune, and now it was bathed in the most precious thing in the world—sunlight—making it instantly the one-dimensional protagonist that drew the gazes of the people around.
Yes.
Sometimes, an object is more charming and soul-stirring than a living person.
Because everyone knew that object symbolized a lifetime without worry about food and clothing, symbolized that worries born of money would disappear, symbolized a successful and wealthy life.
However, looking at this black card, the smile on Raiden Ryoma's face became somewhat stiff. He turned his head to look at the bus stop where the boy had been, but he had long vanished without a trace.
As an experienced person, especially as a man, Raiden Ryoma understood what this behavior meant better than Raiden Mei did.
Originally, Raiden Ryoma thought that besides her appearance, Li Wu was mostly after this black card.
But taking it out now, if Li Wu had accepted this card, he could have lived a dream-like, luxurious life.
But...
Li Wu returned the black card to Raiden Mei, returning it to him.
For a man with extremely strong self-esteem, this behavior was clearly telling you: I don't need your charity, nor do I need your pity. Put away your arrogant gaze! You don't deserve to look down on me!
This kid...
Is even prouder than I was back then!
Are his bones made of carbon alloy? How can they be so hard?
Raiden Ryoma shook his head, throwing away all the guilt in his heart. He had to find a reasonable excuse to persuade himself, and also his daughter, to make Li Wu's sacrifices seem expected.
Soon, Raiden Ryoma found a blind spot from his previous conversation with Li Wu—
The "atonement" Li Wu had mentioned.
"By the way, Mei. The first time we met, Li Wu told me that many people in school bullied you. He said it was for 'atonement.' Was Li Wu also one of the people who bullied you before? Don't worry, Dad won't do anything to him. I just want to ask. After all, he's your lifesaver. Dad isn't the kind of person who doesn't distinguish right from wrong."
Raiden Ryoma deliberately softened his tone, wanting Raiden Mei to drop her guard.
In fact, Raiden Mei had absolutely no deviation regarding his departure. She tilted her head and answered in confusion, "No, Little Li never bullied me. On the contrary, many times when I was bullied by classmates and locked in the restroom with water poured on me... it was Little Li who took me out and let me clean myself up. He never bullied me at all. 'Atonement'? Actually, the one who should be making atonement is me. I kept wanting to kill Little Li before. Fortunately, I later realized he is really good and completely lacks the filthy thoughts in other boys' minds, so I dispelled that idea."
After hearing his own daughter's account, Raiden Ryoma froze completely.
The one who should be making atonement isn't Li Wu, but my own daughter?
Then what did Li Wu's "atonement" mean? Could it be just a reason he came up with to trick her into feeling at ease?
No, no, no...
How is that possible...
Seeking nothing, just risking his life to face unknown enemies?
How could such a kind person exist in this world?
Such people mostly die young. Good people simply aren't suited to survive in this polar night of a society, let alone face the formidable enemies I arranged—mercenaries, cyborgs, Far East nobles...
Not being caught in the crossfire and surviving is already a blessing. How could he drag a burden along, hold out until now, and then ask for nothing and leave all alone?
What is he after?
Raiden Ryoma couldn't understand, couldn't figure out the reason for Li Wu's actions at all. Looking at the empty bus stop, Raiden Ryoma suddenly felt that his daughter had made a huge mistake.
At the same time, Li Wu returned to the apartment, threw his school bag casually onto the sofa, made some preparations, and walked toward the black market indicated on the map.
But only as he was walking did he subconsciously realize that Holy Blood required money to buy...
"Was returning the black card to Raiden Mei the wrong decision?"
Li Wu stood on the bustling street, asking himself.
"No, even if I did it again, I would still do it. Then this decision wasn't a wrong one. If I really can't buy the Holy Blood, then forget it. Buying it is just icing on the cake anyway. The wound on my shoulder is completely healed, it doesn't matter..."