Chapter 29 Funeral

Half a year has passed, and the summer heat has faded into winter.

The cold wind, accompanied by light rain, forced every student to wear thick winter school uniforms.

The first semester of senior year has ended.

The students, each holding an umbrella, jogged away from the campus.

Luo Di was still the same as always, leaving the campus almost right on time. He didn’t have the habit of carrying an umbrella, but simply used the hood of his school uniform to cover his head, and left the school last, ignoring the security guard’s gaze.

It’s been a while since I left school, but the school gate, which should be quiet, is now filled with a familiar voice.

” Luo Di, hello!”

Looking up,

The class monitor, with half his face buried in his scarf, was standing on the curb waving frequently.

Seeing that Luo Di was still moving slowly, she took the initiative to hold up an umbrella and come over. The umbrella was just the right size to cover the two of them.

Luo Di whispered, “Isn’t a car coming to pick you up?”

“The driver had to take the day off today because of something at home, so I’ll take a taxi home by myself. But school lets out an hour early today, so I can go home a little later.”

My house seems to be on the same route as yours, so I’ll wait for you to walk together! I haven’t taken the bus in ages, this will be a good opportunity to experience it.

“She really does have the air of a spoiled young lady.”

“Hey~ at least it lets you say a few more words.”

The bus was half empty in winter. Luo Di still habitually sat in the last window seat, but this time the area around him seemed a bit crowded.

“How’s your knife going?”

“It’s alright. I occasionally hear the zombies grinding their teeth, but the Research Bureau’s monthly checks have all come back normal.”

“That’s good. There are only six months left until the entrance exam. I can already imagine the surprised looks on the faces of all the students when you show this during the physical fitness test. Maybe you can even get first place in the whole school.”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as I can start working at the company normally, that’s enough.”

Luo Di stared out the window, seemingly remembering something, but was quickly pulled back by a light elbow strike.

“What are your plans for winter break? My family can give me about three days of free time. How about we organize a trip somewhere for everyone?”

“No.” Luo Di refused decisively. He had already made a thirty-day movie-watching plan and didn’t want it to be disrupted.

“Hey~ If Xiao Gao calls you, would you go? I’ve seen you two doing push-ups together every day lately, and you even chat on your way back to the classroom after dinner.”

“I’m really not going.”

“All right.”

The conversation seemed to have died down, and the entire back row fell silent.

The class monitor followed Luo Di’s gaze and looked out the window. Although he didn’t know what was so interesting, his heart gradually calmed down.

“ We have arrived at Thirteenth Resettlement Community. The doors will close in ten seconds.”

“They’re gone.”

Luo Di squeezed past the squad leader’s legs and skillfully circled the pole to get off the bus.

Somewhat strangely, when Luo Di got off the bus, he had a feeling he had never had before: that such a perfunctory farewell to the winter break was not quite right.

So he turned around and looked out the back window of the bus, preparing to say a more formal goodbye to the class monitor.

Before he could even wave, he discovered that his class monitor, who had gotten off the bus with him, was standing right behind him.

Why are you getting out of the car?

“Oh? Didn’t we already say I could go home a little later? Besides, it seems you didn’t bring an umbrella, I can take you home.”

“You should go home first, I don’t need an umbrella.”

“No.” Wu Wen also refused this time, her eyes filled with seriousness.

“Downstairs only.”

“Yay!” The serious class monitor immediately returned to normal and walked ahead with light steps.

The two had not walked far in the resettlement community when they heard a mournful wail, and yellow paper fluttered by.

Looking ahead,

A funeral was being held downstairs in a residential building right next to Luo Di’s house.

The two stopped talking and tried to pass by quietly.

It seemed like it had just happened not long ago; the relatives dressed in black at the scene were all crying their eyes out.

When Luo Di passed by the mourning hall, he put his hands together and bowed his head in respect. The class monitor walking next to him followed suit.

Just as the two of them lowered their heads,

Whew~

A cold wind swept by, and with the added warmth of winter, it seemed to seep into the skin and brush against the surface of the bones.

The chill forced the two to quicken their pace as they passed through the funeral area. Ahead lay a building at the very back of the resettlement community, where Luo Di lived.

The squad leader didn’t push his luck and stopped walking.

The two stood together under the umbrella, their arms touching.

The class monitor reached out and pulled down the scarf in front of her, bringing his moist lips as close as possible, almost touching Luo Di’s ear, and whispered:

“Hey~ Did you see that just now? The portrait hanging in the mourning hall looks like that of a young girl.”

“I saw it. Let’s stop discussing funerals.”

“Ugh~” The class monitor quickly covered his mouth, but then whispered, “What should I do? I’m a little scared. Can you take me back to the bus stop?”

“You must be braver than me, right?”

“Tsk~ I just wanted to talk to you more, since I’ll be spending the next month with my tutor, which is going to be so boring!”

By the way, I have three days free during winter break. Could I come over to your place and do my homework together? That shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, right?

“Don’t.”

“Hey… Bye-bye, see you next semester.”

The class monitor stopped insisting and pulled his scarf back up. As he turned to leave, his eyes seemed to have lost some of their luster.

Not long after she left, she heard a faint sound behind her.

“If we’re doing homework… we can meet at a fast food restaurant that’s not too far away, it’s not convenient at my home.”

“good.”

The class monitor simply replied quietly without turning around.

On her way back to the bus stop alone, the class monitor passed by the mourning hall again, and the chill intensified, as if something was urging her to leave.

Meanwhile, Luo Di had already reached the top floor.

“Dad, Mom, older sister, I’m back.”

“How did the exam go?” His father’s voice came from the kitchen.

“The same as always.”

“Come and eat, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m going to wash my hands.”

When Luo Di went to the restroom to wash his hands, he also looked out through the window. His gaze fell on the bus stop outside the resettlement community. After catching sight of that familiar figure and the color of the umbrella, he turned and left.

Return to the dining table and sit with your family.

“Hey bro, we’re planning to go on a trip during the holidays, wanna come?”

“I’m not going.”

“Great! Then the important task of guarding the house is entrusted to you.”

“Okay, be careful on the road.”

Living alone is Luo Di’s favorite thing. She has even started to fantasize about the blissful feeling of watching a movie, lifting dumbbells, and eating homemade sesame cakes all at the same time.

…

【The tenth day of the Lunar New Year】

There are only ten days left until the end of winter vacation.

Yesterday, Luo Di’s family embarked on their journey, and Luo Di officially began her happy solo time.

He got up early in the morning and cleaned the house while eating a steamed bun. Just as he finished everything and was about to do his homework…

Knock knock!

A series of heavy knocks suddenly came from the door.

Luo Di glanced at the time on his wristband 【08:40】, but the community office opened at nine o’clock, so they would never come knocking at this time.

He looked through the peephole at the door, but there was no one outside.

Did you hear me wrong?

Just as Luo Di turned to leave, preparing to go back to doing his homework…

Knock knock!

There was another knock on the door.

Luo Di rushed back to the bedroom and retrieved the Machete from under the bed, which was wrapped around Shroud.

There was still no one through the peephole.

This time, however, Luo Di did not leave. Instead, he held onto the doorknob and waited quietly.

Knock knock!

On the third knock, he suddenly opened the door and swung out the knife wrapped in white cloth.

His movements stopped mid-air, only to see a high school girl squatting at the door, already in a gesture of surrender.

” Luo Di, do you have to be so cautious… You scared me to death.”

“Squad leader!?”

Luo Di instinctively pulled the door back to block out what was happening inside.

“Don’t worry~ I won’t go in without your permission.”

Didn’t you say we could meet at a fast food restaurant to do homework? I guessed I’d get a rude reply if I called you, so I just came here instead.

“Are you going? It’s okay if you don’t, I can ask Anna.”

“Go, wait for me a moment.”