“When did your family start raising a cat? I’ve never heard you mention it before.”
Upon learning that Gu Chen was going to start Commuting, Guo Ming’s face immediately fell, and suspicion began to involuntarily sprout in his heart.
“My dad picked up a stray cat recently. It was pretty pitiful, so we brought it home to raise. Why are you asking so many questions? Are you conducting a census?”
Gu Chen brushed him off casually.
Announcing this now was indeed a bit rushed.
She had originally thought that processing the Commuting permit would take some time, making it more natural to mention it later.
Who knew Teacher Li would have all the conditions met, so she had taken action early.
After all, starting to commute a day earlier meant one less day of risking discovery.
“But… I’ll be so bored by myself. Big Brother, can we keep the stray at my house? I’ll bring it to you on the weekends. How about it?”
It was obvious that Guo Ming still felt it was better to have someone around for company; otherwise, he wouldn’t even have anyone to talk to.
“That cat has social anxiety. Aside from me and my dad, it’s scared of everyone. There’s nothing I can do. Also, don’t tell anyone about the Commuting. Just keep it to yourself.”
Gu Chen even wondered if he actually knew she was a girl.
Why else was he looking so reluctant to let her go?
“Why?”
“Idiot. If news gets out that I’m Commuting, and those people you offended realize you’re alone in the Dormitory, what do you think will happen?”
Fortunately, Gu Chen had already thought of various reasons to force this guy into keeping the secret.
“That’s true… Got it. I promise I won’t tell a soul!”
Guo Ming shuddered in fear.
Normally, with Gu Chen in the Dormitory, no one dared to cause trouble, which was also why he didn’t want to live alone.
After trying to persuade her to stay a few more times to no avail, he could only give up.
‘Whew, finally dealt with this kid. Safe for now.’
Gu Chen breathed a sigh of relief to herself.
—
In the afternoon, because of the scene Li Fugui had caused, people from the police station still showed up.
However, it wasn’t a major issue; they were just there to understand the situation.
With so many witnesses and students recording the incident, there was both testimonial and physical evidence.
Li Fugui’s knife attack was backed by ironclad evidence, so he was bound for a grim end.
Even Teacher Li was deemed to have acted in Justifiable Defense to protect her students and wasn’t held responsible.
Finally, everything was resolved satisfactorily.
After evening self-study ended, Gu Chen clutched her Commuting permit and headed to the school gate, feeling a bit guilty.
Even though Teacher Li had guaranteed there would be no problems, she couldn’t help but feel nervous since she hadn’t tested it yet.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, she swiped her card at the window, her heart leaping into her throat.
*Beep!!*
As the check-in sound rang out, the security guard inside looked at the data on his computer.
Feeling guilty, Gu Chen stole a glance and saw the old security guard squinting at her.
Then he waved his hand, indicating she could leave…
‘Holy crap, his eyes really are just for show!’
Gu Chen couldn’t help but snark internally.
She hadn’t expected Teacher Li’s method to actually work.
She couldn’t be happier right now.
This was the first time she had left school after evening self-study.
It felt unfamiliar, so she stretched her arms.
Next, she went to the underground parking lot nearby, which also seemed to belong to the school and was monitored by the old security guard.
There were many cars parked inside, likely belonging to the school leaders.
After all, under the bone-marrow-sucking fee policies, if you couldn’t even afford a car, you’d be too embarrassed to even greet people.
After circling around once, she finally spotted a Blue Electric Scooter in a corner.
It must be the one Li Yanqiu had mentioned.
She inserted the key.
The battery was full, making it feel even more like it had been prepared specifically for her.
‘Did Teacher Li discover something?’
Gu Chen became increasingly confused.
She always felt that Li Yanqiu was mysterious, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
Regardless, the intent seemed to be for her own good.
Steeling her nerves, she was glad she had ridden an electric scooter before; otherwise, she really wouldn’t have been able to ride it away.
—
10 minutes later, Gu Chen arrived at her residential complex and successfully returned home.
‘Is Dad asleep?’
Since she hadn’t told Dad she was coming back, he didn’t know yet.
The living room lights were off, but the master bedroom door was closed.
In the quiet environment, she could vaguely hear sounds coming from the room.
Usually, she only returned on Fridays.
At all other times, Dad was home alone, and she didn’t know what he was up to.
‘What’s that noise?’
Stepping two paces closer, the sound became clearer.
It sounded like heavy panting, which caused Gu Chen’s eyes to widen instantly.
‘No way…’
What was Dad doing in his room?
Oh my god, could he really be doing something perverted while she wasn’t around, or even bringing some sketchy woman home?
Only when she pressed her ear against the door did she realize she might have misunderstood.
He seemed to be on the phone, just in a very emotional state.
“Chen is doing very well right now! He is my child, and I will be responsible for raising him. It’s not your place to worry!”
“If you truly want what’s best for this child, then never show up and don’t bother us, understand?”
“There’s nothing shameful about doing what’s necessary to live. You don’t need to worry about that; just mind your own business.”
Inside the room, Dad was speaking to someone unknown, and he had a huge temper.
Gu Chen couldn’t help but feel curious.
He was famous for his good temper.
Let alone fighting, he had never even raised his voice or gotten angry with anyone.
For Dad to use this kind of tone, it felt like there was some deep-seated grudge involved.
She had no idea who it could be.
*Achoo!!*
Just as she was about to listen some more, Gu Chen’s nose itched, and she instinctively sneezed.
“WHO’S THERE!?”
With such a loud noise, of course it was heard inside.
Following the sound of hurried footsteps, the door opened.
“Chen? You—why are you back?”
Dad’s grim expression softened immediately, replaced by surprise.
“Uh, yeah. I’m Commuting for the time being.”
Gu Chen was chilled to the bone by Dad’s expression just now and answered woodenly.
“Why the sudden Commuting? Did something happen at school? Was your identity as a girl discovered?”
“No, how could that be!”
Gu Chen immediately denied it.
She laid out her well-prepared excuse: “My Dormitory has been haunted lately. There are often women’s cries in the middle of the night; it’s terrifying. All the other dorms were full, so there was no choice but to arrange for me to start Commuting temporarily.”
“…”
“A place with so much masculine energy, and it’s haunted by a female ghost?”
Dad was a bit speechless.
If there were actually a female ghost there, she’d probably be scared pregnant!
“Yeah, who knows? Anyway, they said they’d investigate. What, can’t I come home?”
Gu Chen lied through her teeth, changing the subject.
“Alright then. I’ll save some dinner for you from now on.”
Dad didn’t know whether to believe her or not, but he could only accept it.
He asked tentatively, “Just now, were you eavesdropping at the door?”
“I heard you talking to someone, and you seemed pretty angry. What’s wrong? Does that guy owe you money?”
Gu Chen told the truth, truly not understanding the situation.
“It’s nothing. Just some old history not worth mentioning.”
“Okay, I’m going back to my room to rest then.”
Gu Chen didn’t bother asking more.
She turned and opened her bedroom door.
“Wait!”
Just as she opened it, Dad thought of something and yelled to stop her.
But it was already too late.
“AH!!”
The instant the lights flickered on, Gu Chen let out a scream.
Her scalp tingled, and she nearly peed her pants on the spot.
Because her room was actually filled with various Inflatable Dolls, looking exceptionally eerie in the dead of night…