47: Encounter at the school gate

No one in the family blamed Lin Yu.

In their hearts, as long as he could turn back, it was more important than anything else.

Father Lin saw his son lower his head and remain silent, thinking he was still blaming himself for past events, so he sighed heavily and patted his shoulder.

"Xiao Yu, don't overthink it. Money lost can be earned again, but if the family is gone, everything is gone."

"Your mother is right, your return is the best thing."

Lin Yu looked up, at his parents' temples, already touched by the trials of life, and his sister's eyes, full of trust.

He didn't explain, nor did he make any promises.

He just picked up a bun and placed it in Lin Yao's bowl.

"Eat quickly. After you finish, I'll go with you to your Awakening and get your Epic-tier profession."

"Hmph, I don't want an Epic-tier at all," Lin Yao huffed proudly, but still happily took a big bite of the bun. "I'm definitely going to Awaken a Mythic-tier!"

"Alright, Mythic-tier," Lin Yu echoed with a smile.

After a warm breakfast, the siblings prepared to leave.

Linzhou No. 1 High School.

A place Lin Yu was intimately familiar with, yet had been away from for five years.

Strictly speaking, he was also a student of Linzhou No. 1 High School.

And because he hadn't yet taken the College Entrance Examination, he wasn't even considered graduated yet... Walking on this road to school with his sister again, Lin Yu felt a lot of emotions.

Five years ago, he was like this, full of anticipation for the future and a touch of nervousness, walking on this road to his own professional Awakening.

Five years later, things and people had changed.

Today's road was more crowded than at any time in his memory.

Both sides of the road were lined with all kinds of vehicles, and groups of students and parents formed a human tide, surging in the same direction.

Everyone's face was filled with complex emotions: anticipation, nervousness, anxiety.

Professional Awakening, for everyone in this world, was a paramount event that determined their destiny.

One step to heaven, one step to the mundane.

"Brother, look at that person over there. That's Li Mo, the top student in our grade. I heard he was already reserved by the 'Tower of the Firmament,' so he can get in no matter what profession he Awakens!"

"And that one in the red dress, that's our school beauty. The line of people pursuing her could stretch from the school gate to the city center square!"

"Wow, isn't that Teacher Wang? He's not wearing his usual unchanging plaid shirt today!"

Lin Yao held Lin Yu's arm, chattering all the way, her little mouth never stopping.

She kept introducing the "influential figures" on the road to Lin Yu, as if to make up for all the school gossip he had missed over the years in these short ten-odd minutes.

Lin Yu listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

His sister's vitality diluted the complex emotions he felt returning to a familiar place.

This is good.

Just like this, it's also quite good.

Soon, the gate of Linzhou No. 1 High School appeared before them.

A huge red banner hung at the entrance—"Warmly Welcome the Class of 20xx Senior Students Back to School for the Professional Awakening Ceremony."

The crowd at the school gate was even denser, almost shoulder to shoulder.

Security guards and teachers were painstakingly maintaining order, guiding students and parents to different streams.

Just then, a small commotion suddenly arose in the crowd.

Many people's attention was drawn to a figure who had just alighted from a car at the school gate.

It was an extremely burly and tall male student. He was a head taller than the adults around him, and his solid muscles almost burst through his school uniform.

Just standing there, he exuded a strong sense of oppression.

Lin Yu's steps paused.

Lin Yao also noticed the big guy. She tugged at Lin Yu's sleeve and whispered an introduction.

"Brother, do you see him? That's Zhao Tianyang from the next class, the one I mentioned to you!"

"He's the one I wrote the leave slip for!"

Zhao Tianyang was currently surrounded by his parents. His mother was wiping away tears excitedly, while his father vigorously patted his shoulder, his face filled with the ecstasy of having him back from the brink.

"Tianyang, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

"Dad, Mom, I'm fine now, really fine," Zhao Tianyang comforted his parents.

Then, he saw it.

He saw the figure standing at the edge of the crowd, calmly observing everything.

Master!

It's Master!

The blood in Zhao Tianyang's body instantly boiled at this moment!

After returning home yesterday, his parents saw him return to normal, and the joy and excitement of having survived a calamity were beyond words.

He knew who gave him all of this.

It was his Master who gave him a second life and gave his entire family a new beginning!

This kindness was heavier than Mount Tai!

He almost subconsciously wanted to push through the crowd and rush over!

He wanted to kneel before his Master and express his gratitude and loyalty with the most devout posture!

However, he had barely taken a step.

Lin Yu in the crowd just shook his head ever so slightly.

The movement was so small that it was almost imperceptible.

But Zhao Tianyang understood.

His forward momentum was like having a bucket of ice water poured over his head, instantly freezing him in place.

Master... doesn't want his identity exposed.

Zhao Tianyang's heart pounded, and cold sweat immediately broke out.

He had almost caused unnecessary trouble for his Master due to his impulsiveness!

Damn it!

His brain raced.

No, it can't just be like this.

Master is right in front of him; he must do something!

He saw the girl next to his Master.

He took a deep breath, forced a simple and grateful smile onto his face, and proactively walked towards Lin Yao.

The surrounding students all knew Zhao Tianyang, the student with special talents. Seeing him walk straight towards them, they subconsciously made way for him.

Lin Yao was also stunned. She hadn't expected Zhao Tianyang to come towards her.

"He... what's he doing?" She nervously clutched Lin Yu's arm.

Under the gaze of the entire school, the burly Zhao Tianyang walked up to Lin Yao, and then, at an angle that surprised everyone, he bowed slightly.

His attitude carried a genuine sense of respect and gratitude.

"Classmate Lin Yao, thank you."

"Huh?" Lin Yao was completely bewildered.

"Before... something happened at home, and I wasn't feeling well. Thanks to the leave slip you approved for me, I was able to rest at home in peace," Zhao Tianyang's words were very sincere. "My parents kept saying they wanted to properly thank you, our class monitor. Today, I finally have the chance. Really, thank you so much!"

After speaking, he bowed again solemnly.

This scene left everyone around him dumbfounded.

Who was Zhao Tianyang?

Although his grades weren't great, he was a notoriously tough guy at school. Relying on his tall stature, he usually walked with a swagger. When had he ever been so polite to anyone?

Moreover, the other person was a girl!

Lin Yao's mind went blank. She was completely overwhelmed by this sudden gratitude and could only stammer in response.

"N-nothing, it's nothing. It's what classmates do, helping each other..."

Zhao Tianyang thanked her a few more times, then straightened up, explained a few things to his parents, and then the family of three walked into the campus.

Even after Zhao Tianyang's figure disappeared, Lin Yao was still in a state of euphoria.

She felt like the eyes of the entire school were on her.

That feeling was so wonderful!

She suddenly turned her head, puffed out her small chest, and looked at Lin Yu triumphantly, her face full of "praise me."

"Brother! You saw it, right!"

"I told you! My power as class monitor is immense!"