Chapter 100: First Visit to Notting City, Tricking Xiao Wu (2)
"Notting City, Notting College? If you're going to Notting College, I'll go with you. It would be boring to go alone."
Thanks to Old Leo, I learned that there was a spiritual master academy nearby called Notting College, and that Su Mo was also heading there.
Xiao Wu couldn't help but pout cutely, extending a delicate, white-onion-like finger to lightly tap her round, rosy cheek. As if thinking it over, she said:
"Well… Xiao Wu, I don't mind if you go to Notting College, but… do you have enough money to enroll or a spot as a work-study student?"
Old Leo was naturally very pleased to see Xiao Wu going to Notting College.
Just by looking at her simple clothes, it was clear she came from a poor family.
This made Old Leo's hand, which held his cane, unconsciously grip the handle, and a look of hesitation appeared on his face as he asked:
"Money? What's money?"
Since she lived in the Great Xingdou Forest, even though her mother, Arou, had taught Xiao Wu a lot about the human world, she had never mentioned money.
This made Xiao Wu's big black eyes gleam with confusion when she heard Old Leo mention money, and she asked curiously.
"This…"
Seeing Xiao Wu's confused expression, Old Leo was speechless.
Are there really families so poor in this world that they don't even tell their children what money is?
However, upon realizing that Xiao Wu truly didn't seem to know what money was—and obviously couldn't have any—Old Leo had no choice but to patiently explain.
"If you don't have money, you can still enter Notting College as long as you have a work-study quota."
"Xiao Wu, if you don't mind, our Daoxiang Village happens to have a reserved work-study quota this year. If you register as from our village, I can give you this spot."
"Really? Thank you, Grandpa!"
Although Xiao Wu didn't know what a work-study program was, when she heard she could enter Notting College, her big black eyes lit up, and she thanked Old Leo gratefully:
"Haha, Xiao Wu, you don't need to be so polite. You saved my life—it's just a work-study spot, it's nothing!"
Old Leo couldn't help but stroke his white beard in satisfaction at Xiao Wu's gratitude and said with a smile:
"Seems like I should've given the spot to Xiao Wu!"
On the other hand, seeing that Old Leo intended to give the village's student quota to Xiao Wu, Su Mo was moved and instantly understood a mystery from his previous life.
So this was how Xiao Wu, a 100,000-year-old spirit beast in human form, managed to get a student spot, entered Notting College, and ended up living with Tang San.
It turned out Xiao Wu had accidentally saved the old man, who, like Old Jack from the Holy Soul Village, must have been the village chief, and thus gave her the student quota.
But upon hearing this, Su Mo was about to interrupt.
If he hadn't come, he would've let Xiao Wu accept the quota given by Old Leo.
But since he was here—rich and powerful—
Of course, he would get Xiao Wu a regular admission spot, and wouldn't let her end up with Tang San.
Sure, it's fine if Tang San meets Xiao Wu and likes her.
After all, that makes things more exciting!
But even so, letting Xiao Wu and Tang San live in the same dormitory? Su Mo would have to be an idiot to allow that!
"Enrolling as a work-study student is pretty troublesome. Anyway, the tuition at Notting College isn't expensive—just one gold coin. Xiao Wu and I hit it off right away, like meeting a little sister. Why don't I handle this?"
So when Old Leo was about to give Xiao Wu the work-study student quota, Su Mo suddenly said with a chuckle.
Upon hearing this, Old Leo and Xiao Wu both looked at him.
"Well… if you can help, that'd be great."
"After all, even though work-study students don't pay tuition, they have to clean the academy every day as part of the mandatory work program. Honestly, it's kind of a hassle."
Realizing that Su Mo also planned to help Xiao Wu, Old Leo thought for a moment and then laughed.
"Is being a part-time student really that troublesome? Then I'll let Su Mo help me with this. Thanks, Su Mo!"
Xiao Wu was surprised to hear from Old Leo that part-time students had to clean the academy. She quickly waved her hand to show she didn't want that quota and asked Su Mo for help instead. In the end, she thanked him.
"It's nothing."
Su Mo simply smiled in response.
"By the way, I'm heading to Notting City. Xiao Wu, aren't you going to Notting College to enroll? Want to come with me?"
As if thinking of something, Su Mo looked at Xiao Wu again and asked with a smile:
"You're going to Notting City now? Then I'll go with you!"
Thinking that she was a bit of an airhead when it came to directions, Xiao Wu was afraid it would be hard for her to get to Notting City alone next time, so she quickly expressed her desire to go with Su Mo.
"Then goodbye, Grandpa!"
Since she was going to Notting City with Su Mo, Xiao Wu waved goodbye to Old Leo.
After saying their goodbyes, Su Mo took Xiao Wu and hurried off toward Notting City.
At that time, it was still midday and the sun was shining.
If they followed the normal pace and took the right route,
They would have arrived in Notting City before sunset—which was not what Su Mo wanted.
So, when Su Mo took Xiao Wu to Notting City, he deliberately pretended not to know the way and led her around in circles.
As a result, by the time they finally arrived in Notting City, it was nearly night.
In the sky, the deep red of the sunset was like fiery clouds surrounding the faint setting sun.
The twilight stained the sky, dyeing Notting City in a smoky yellow.
"Come on, let's go in!"
After bringing Xiao Wu to Notting City, Su Mo led her straight into the city.
Since it was already evening, Su Mo could only ask around for a hotel in Notting City to stay the night.
Eventually, after searching a bit, Su Mo took her to a luxurious hotel called Tulip Hotel.
Judging by the decor, the hotel looked quite upscale.
"Welcome!"
After Su Mo accompanied Xiao Wu into the hotel, on the way to the front desk, the hotel staff on both sides bowed respectfully.
The luxurious decor, combined with the warm greetings and impeccable uniforms of the staff, made Xiao Wu—who had never seen such things before—a little nervous, and she instinctively leaned closer to Su Mo.
Of course, Su Mo was pleased to see this.
"Excuse me, how many rooms do you have available?"
Upon reaching the reception, Su Mo pretended to ask seriously while looking at the receptionist in her spotless black uniform.
Though he looked serious on the surface, Su Mo was secretly using the emotional manipulation ability of his Fallen Angel Martial Spirit to influence the receptionist's thoughts, nudging her to think suspiciously about his relationship with Xiao Wu.
Whether it was Su Mo's influence or just the receptionist's sharp judgment,
Before he even finished speaking, she pulled out a registration form, pretended to look it over, and said apologetically:
"I'm sorry, sir, but there's only one room left in the hotel."
"What? Only one room?"
Hearing that, Su Mo frowned and looked at Xiao Wu.
Then, as if making a decision, Su Mo immediately grabbed Xiao Wu's soft white hand, turned around, and pretended to leave.
"Let's go check out other hotels."
"Wait, sir! You don't have to go to another hotel. Today's the day most universities in Notting City begin their term. All the hotels are nearly full. Even if you go, it'll likely be in vain!"
The receptionist quickly stopped Su Mo and advised him:
"This…"
Hearing the receptionist's words, Su Mo couldn't help frowning even more, as if hesitating.
"Uh… Su Mo, forget it. Let's just stay here."
After hearing the receptionist and seeing Su Mo hesitate, Xiao Wu mustered her courage and said:
Although she also wanted to go to another hotel upon learning that only one room was available, since she understood the difference between men and women,
She felt a bit embarrassed after hearing that the other hotels were in the same situation.
After all, she had followed Su Mo hoping to get free help.
While chatting on the way, Xiao Wu had also learned that in the human world, all services come with a cost.
She didn't have any money. Basically, all her food, clothing, lodging, and travel would depend on Su Mo from now on.
That made her feel somewhat embarrassed, and now that she had asked Su Mo to take care of her, she couldn't back out.
Anyway, hotel rooms are usually large, so if there's only one room, so be it.
Worst case, Su Mo can sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor.
That's what Xiao Wu thought.
(End of Chapter)