243: Invited to hunt

Principal Zheng’s fingers tapped on the table, one after another; Director Wu was anxious, but how could he not be anxious himself?

The teams for the other three grades had already been decided; only the third-year team was still undecided.

He had been hoping to rely on Gu Xiaoyue and Chu Li to lead the team this year and win three consecutive championships.

Gu Xiaoyue had been missing for so long, and with only Chu Li as a high-level combatant, Chu Li would have to be the captain.

As for the others, while Wei Liuyun, Sun Jian, and Zhuang Yanxin were not weak, compared to Huaqing, Xiangzhong’s lineup was not good enough.

At most, they could only get third place in the National Competition.

Where on earth did Gu Xiaoyue go? It’s truly frustrating!

Chu Li received the notification that he was the captain for this National Competition, so he gathered Fang Xiaoyu, Ye Wanrou, and Chen Yixuan at his training ground.

“Xiao Yue hasn’t had any news recently. The school informed me to be the captain for the National Competition. My idea is that it should still be us few—”

Fang Xiaoyu didn’t speak, but Ye Wanrou was the first to back out.

“Last year, it was because Xiao Yue insisted on bringing me along and even had conflicts with the previous team members.

It’s uncertain if she can participate this year, so Chen Yixuan and I should probably just forget about it.”

Ye Wanrou and Chen Yixuan exchanged glances, then continued.

“What’s more, there are only four of us, which isn’t enough. It’s better to call in some high-level combatants; our ranking might be higher then.”

After Ye Wanrou finished speaking, she waited for Chu Li to respond.

But Chu Li narrowed his eyes, staring at the entrance of the training ground.

Ye Wanrou also looked back, and a somewhat familiar figure approached from a distance—

“Hey, Chu! I wonder if I’m coming at the right time! Moon, is she still missing?”

Charlie walked closer to them, speaking slightly improved Dragon Kingdom language, and even struck a pose.

Ye Wanrou covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Charlie, why are you here?”

“Haha, that’s a long story!”

Everyone here was on their side and knew about his previous struggle for the peerage.

Charlie didn’t hide anything and briefly explained what happened after he returned to Sun Never Sets.

After all, Vincent’s mother’s influence was indeed powerful, and after weighing the pros and cons, he secured the greatest benefits for himself.

He also asked Vincent for some things, which he didn’t disclose in detail to Chu Li, Ye Wanrou, and the others.

A Hanxing Tree—

Beside the Hanxing Tree, a Hanxing Grass would grow every year; this was a family heirloom of Duke Howard.

To avoid entanglement with Charlie and inherit the peerage quickly, Vincent reluctantly gave him one.

Charlie also received news of Gu Xiaoyue’s disappearance in Sun Never Sets. After handling all his affairs, he came to Nanya to wait for her return.

He happened to overhear Chu Li and the others discussing the National Competition.

“If your National Competition team is short on people, I can join!

Anyway, I’ll be waiting for Moon in Nanya, and Allen has already gone to process my enrollment!”

“Good, then it’s settled!”

Chu Li extended his fist, his eyes firm.

Charlie gave everyone a wink, then extended his fist and collided it with Chu Li’s in the air!

“Haha, you’re all here!”

A clear female voice rang out, and Duan Yao also poked her head out from the entrance of the training ground.

“You, you, you—why are you here too?”

Ye Wanrou’s eyes widened. No one’s arrival was more surprising than Duan Yao’s!

“Originally, I planned to descend the mountain a month before the National Competition.

But I heard that Gu Xiaoyue was missing, and I really couldn’t stay on the mountain, so I came down early.

Why is everyone here? Is training about to start?”

“Uh-huh, but the Nanya team for the competition is still short one person, and Chu Li is worrying about it!”

Charlie was also a natural at socializing and quickly chimed in.

“What’s the big deal? Just add me, and it’ll be fine!

I’ll go find the principal to add me to the student roster, and then I can participate!”

Duan Yao said casually, “That’s how I did it in Anhuai last year!”

“But Chen Yixuan and I were just telling Chu Li to replace us, so that would mean two fewer people!”

Ye Wanrou weakly raised her hand. With Gu Xiaoyue not around, she really felt bad about continuing to occupy a spot in the competition.

“Put your mind at ease,” Duan Yao came over and pressed down Ye Wanrou’s hand, “If she were here, she would definitely bring you guys along!”

“Hmm, even if she didn’t bring me, she’d bring you guys.”

Fang Xiaoyu rubbed his nose, speaking his true feelings.

Chu Li punched Fang Xiaoyu’s shoulder.

“Then you’re wrong; she’d put Charlie in reserve!”

Everyone burst into laughter; it was a world where only Charlie was hurt!

With the National Competition roster set, Chu Li went to the principal’s office to submit the list.

Principal Zheng secretly rejoiced; with this lineup—

First place in this year’s National Competition would still undoubtedly belong to Nanya!

Gu Xiaoyue, who had been cooped up in her room for four months, would occasionally go out invisibly for a stroll, always at night.

She was indeed feeling quite bored. When White Gaze brought her food, she suggested going to the mall to buy some things.

Gu Xiaoyue didn’t appear particularly weak in front of White Gaze, but White Gaze was still worried about her having lost her companion beast and kept wanting her to continue resting.

“But I’ve been cooped up in my room for over four months; it’s too stuffy. I should go out and get some fresh air.”

White Gaze had no choice but to agree. Luckily, he had the day off tomorrow, so he could accompany her shopping.

The next morning, as Gu Xiaoyue and White Gaze left, they ran into Bai Rongxuan waiting there.

“Mr. Gu, I trust you are well. I heard you are going out to shop today, so I specifically came to accompany you.”

Bai Rongxuan came over and bowed respectfully.

Gu Xiaoyue nodded expressionlessly, but her heart immediately became more wary.

During the months she had been recuperating in her room, Bai Rongxuan and Bai Shengrui hadn’t even come to visit.

Now that she was about to go out, Bai Rongxuan was sticking to her.

The mall had previously said they would send new products for Gu Xiaoyue’s pet beasts to sample.

Ever since her accident, everyone had vanished without a trace.

Gu Xiaoyue understood them, though; people would flock to the powerful and abandon the fallen—it was very realistic.

It was good that she didn’t want too much interaction with them anyway; their avoidance was actually more beneficial to her.

“No need to trouble Eldest Young Master; it’s fine for Third Young Master to accompany me.”

Gu Xiaoyue refused. Although she didn’t know Bai Rongxuan’s intentions, it was better to avoid him if possible.

“Third Brother is young and doesn’t know how to take care of people.

Mr. Gu, you are not well. Besides car pick-up and drop-off, I have also prepared a sedan chair for you.”

Oh, is that so—

Gu Xiaoyue thought for a moment. The sedan chair prepared by Bai Rongxuan could just show her physical weakness, so going with the flow would also work.

She glanced at the somewhat awkward White Gaze and patted his hand.

“Indeed, Eldest Young Master is more thoughtful. I already feel a bit tired after just a few steps, so a sedan chair is perfect.”

Upon arriving at the mall, Gu Xiaoyue got out of Bai Rongxuan’s car and immediately got into the sedan chair.

She sighed softly, as if even the short car ride had exhausted her immensely.

“Let’s go to the fierce beast corpse vendor first. I still have some, so sell them all—

Leave the star coins to White Gaze. I don’t have much time left, so I’ll just buy whatever.”

Bai Rongxuan immediately went to find the mall manager, a glint flashing in his eyes after he turned away.

This time, Gu Xiaoyue sold two hundred mature fifth-order fierce beast corpses, adding another one hundred million star coins to White Gaze’s account.

Perhaps because Bai Rongxuan was present, the sales assistants were all well-behaved this time, providing good service without being snobbish.

Gu Xiaoyue bought some pet snacks and emergency food, then browsed for a while longer before deciding to return.

A few days later, Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi actually came to visit Gu Xiaoyue, even inviting her to their royal family’s triennial hunting event.

It should be noted that during the four months she had been cooped up in her room, Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi had only sent someone to visit her once.

Although her monthly allowance was issued as usual and collected by White Gaze, this was the first time he had personally come to see her.

Gu Xiaoyue couldn’t help but murmur to herself, could it be that the wild grass Bai Yu Kang ate wasn’t very effective?

Seeing that she was still alive after losing her companion beast, was he planning to ask her for spirit plants again?

Gu Xiaoyue felt a bit annoyed. Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi clearly knew she wasn’t well, yet he still invited her to participate in a hunt!

It seemed Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi had no intention of letting her refuse!

She reluctantly agreed.

Bai Yu Kang and Prince Yi Bai Jin Yi were both insatiable, and fighting alone truly exhausted her physically and mentally. She also had to constantly worry about White Gaze being implicated.

She even considered whether she should just fake her death and run away!

On the day of the hunt, all participating royal family members stayed in the local temporary palace.

The night before the official start of the hunt, there was the most dreaded banquet activity for Gu Xiaoyue.

As a specially invited guest, she couldn’t escape it. She could only pretend to be physically weak, leaning against a table and chair, staring blankly at the people toasting and mingling before her.

After a splendid song and dance performance, the banquet reached its climax.

Bai Yu Kang intended to let everyone freely toast, but before he could speak, Bai Rongxuan stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, today is a good day. Your grandson has a request, and I hope you can grant it—”