Chapter 147 Homecoming

　　After getting off the spacecraft and onto the connecting bus, it was two o'clock in the afternoon when they returned to Tianjing Mech Academy. The bus stopped at the entrance of Tianjing Mech Academy. Having experienced the rigorous training and the excitement of advancing in the Mid-Season Competition, everyone slept soundly on the bus.

　　Looking at the familiar Tianjing Mech Academy outside the window, a strange feeling arose in the hearts of Zhou Naiyi and the others. In the past, Tianjing Mech Academy was just the school they attended, but now, it was their alma mater for which they had fought. They couldn't control the feeling of pride that welled up inside them.

　　Ma Long opened the mirror function of his Skylink and began to tidy up his hairstyle. He would rather lose his head than mess up his hair, especially since Sheng Man should be waiting for him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and besides, he was returning with honor in such a handsome manner. He might be able to make some excessive demands. He had been thinking about it all night.

　　Finally, the bus arrived, and Tianjing Mech Academy was still the same familiar Tianjing Mech Academy.

　　"Ah, why is no one here? Didn't they get the notice that we were coming back?" Ma Long was slightly disappointed. There were only a few people at the door, none of whom were there to welcome them.

　　"Get out of the car, stop making a fuss!" Zhou Naiyi said.

　　The others got off the bus with their bags one after another. There really wasn't anyone to welcome them. But soon, a glance around made them realize something was wrong. There were people all along both sides of the road inside the school, and they erupted in earth-shattering cheers when they saw them.

　　Tianjing!

　　Invincible!

　　Tianjing is invincible!

　　A banner was unfurled: "Welcome the heroes home!"

　　Countless people waved their arms and roared to the sky. During the Mid-Season Competition, the entire Tianjing Mech Academy was shrouded in dark clouds, because the competition system was too harsh. It could be said that the Mid-Season Competition, which used to be relaxed and focused on participation, was too unfriendly to Tianjing Mech Academy. The sixteen slots were filled with powerful individuals. In fact, everyone was not optimistic about Tianjing Mech Academy's advancement. At the same time, there were rumors and gossip, saying that Chao Qinglong and North Carolina were displeased with Tianjing, and the New Five Tigers were also targeting Tianjing. In short, Tianjing had stepped on a toad and would definitely be eliminated. Many people spread the rumors as if they had seen it with their own eyes.

　　Tan Ziyuan and others came up with flowers. The people who received the flowers were a little overwhelmed. They thought that a small gesture would be enough, but they didn't expect it to be so lively.

　　This was spontaneous. The decline of Tianjing Mech Academy was almost a consensus among everyone. This time, making it into the Mid-Season Competition felt like stumbling and bumping along the way. Plus, the sudden appearance of the golden zone assessment made everyone even more unsure. But Tianjing Mech Academy withstood the pressure and advanced strongly, and not as the bottom team, but ninth!

　　This was a top ten with real gold content!

　　At the same time, it preserved Tianjing Mech Academy's A-level military academy rating. If they had been eliminated this time, Tianjing might have become A- and entered the demotion evaluation list.

　　Sheng Man presented flowers, and of course, a passionate kiss. In an instant, the cheers became even louder. Of course, this couple was originally the fairy couple of Tianji. They caused a sensation when school started. Many people were not optimistic about the school belle and school hunk combination, and were waiting for a breakup drama, but their relationship became more and more wonderful.

　　Taking the flowers from Lu Lingxiao, Zuo Xiaotang was a little at a loss. He thought that the first bouquet of flowers he would receive in his life would be in front of his grave.

　　"Wow, Xiaotang, you're a great hero, our MVP, congratulations!" Lu Lingxiao said generously.

　　"No, no, I'm not!" Zuo Xiaotang waved his hands quickly. What MVP was he?

　　"Haha, Brother Zuo is a true genius. The great god has stunned a group of snipers on Earth. Awesome plus!" Ma Long said, putting his arm around Zuo Xiaotang's shoulders, doing his part as the hype man.

　　"I... I didn't do anything." Zuo Xiaotang glanced at Lu Lingxiao, his face flushed. Lu Lingxiao smiled even more happily.

　　"We all know. You were the fifth-ranked sniper in the Mid-Season Competition. That's the best sniper result Tianjing Mech Academy has ever had. You don't know how many fans you have!"

　　In the crowd, many people held up portraits of Zuo Xiaotang. The slightly chubby Xiao Pang carried a sniper rifle, his right hand pulling the trigger, and his left hand making a handsome charge command gesture, so cool it was off the charts.

　　"Brother Zuo, awesome!"

　　"As the only one who advanced to the Mid-Season Competition without awakening the golden zone, there's really no one else like him."

　　"Once he awakens, how amazing would that be?"

　　"I think he definitely awakened. There's no need to expose his strength to that extent. Our goal is the S-Rank Competition!"

　　"I think so too. Senior Zuo is a low-key person!"

　　"He hides his strength deeply."

　　Suddenly becoming famous, Zuo Xiaotang was still a little unaccustomed to it, but there were people who were adapting, such as Ma Long and Huo Ying. These two were simply in their element, feeling great. Although they didn't know the specifics, the briefing said that Huo Ying had made a crucial life-or-death performance in the Mid-Season Competition, forcefully awakening the golden zone in the test, saving Tianjing Mech Academy from near elimination and receiving a commendation from the officer in charge of the Mid-Season Competition, displaying the courage of a warrior.

　　What is a true warrior?

　　Knowing that paying with one's life might only lead to failure, yet still going all out and not retreating!

　　This year's Mid-Season Competition was the most difficult and high-quality in history.

　　It should be known that half a year ago, this was still a substitute who couldn't get into the competition, a water dispenser attendant, a big black egg, and the comedic relief of the old team. Now he was already a great god who had participated in the Mid-Season Competition.

　　"The principal glossed over your performance, saying that you need to conserve your strength at this stage. I don't think you'll mind, and you might even be happy," Tan Ziyuan said with a smile.

　　"Principal, you know my heart well," Li Wu nodded.

　　A smokescreen should still be laid down, whether it's useful or not is another matter.

　　Amidst the cheers of the crowd, it took half an hour for everyone to return to the dormitory, especially Ma Long and Huo Ying, who wished they could just stay where they were. They were taken away by the murderous gaze of Big Sister Yi. Long Danni gave them two days off, saving them the empty formalities, and also rejected interviews from more than a dozen media outlets.

　　Zhou Naiyi and Musashi were going home, Ma Long and Sheng Man were of course going on a date, which single dogs couldn't understand. Huo Ying was going to the hospital for a comprehensive examination and to develop a recovery plan. Li Wu and Zuo Xiaotang went to the orphanage first.

　　Compared to Li Wu, who brought a large bag of Martian potatoes, Zuo Xiaotang bought some special little toys.

　　The two of them took a taxi with their bags to the orphanage, listening to the laughter and lively voices inside.

　　"Could it be that they knew we were coming back?" Zuo Xiaotang said with a smile.

　　Li Wu didn't care about that. He opened his throat and shouted, "Little rascals, General Li is back!"

　　Whoosh, a group of little kids rushed out. Dandan ran the fastest, jumping directly onto Li Wu.

　　"Haozi, Haozi, where have you been? You haven't come back for so long!"

　　"You little rascal, I went to buy delicious food, Martian specialties!"

　　"Wow, Martian specialties, what, what, let me see!" Hearing about food, Dandan immediately climbed down, and the group of children behind him opened the package.

　　"Tch, I thought it was something special, potatoes, we've eaten those before!"

　　"Ahem, it's different, these are Martian potatoes!"

　　"Still potatoes!"

　　"Haha," Zuo Xiaotang laughed so hard he bent over. "Come on, let's see what General Zuo brought."

　　Because of the luggage weight limit, Zuo Xiaotang bought a pile of small pendants, all kinds of things, and the children immediately scrambled for them happily, while the potatoes on the ground were extremely awkward.

　　But Erya picked one up and took a bite. Her still-growing front teeth couldn't bite through it, and she looked at Li Wu, the liar, with tears in her eyes.

　　"Wow, Erya, you've become even prettier after not seeing you for a few days. Let me see, whose little friend is so beautiful!"

　　When Erya heard that she had become prettier, she immediately became happy again.

　　"Senior, I think I might have been tricked. You're so good at coaxing girls." A sweet voice sounded, and A Youyou appeared in front of Li Wu, her bright eyes also filled with excited light.

　　Li Wu was stunned, rubbed his eyes, "Ah, what are you doing here?"

　　"Brother Haozi, Brother Haozi, this sister can also sing, and she brought a lot of gifts, just as pretty as the last sister!"

　　"I think the last sister was prettier, and she can dance."

　　"No, this sister is prettier, she sings well."

　　The sweat on Li Wu's forehead dripped down. These little rascals, if you can't talk, then don't talk.

　　"Ahem, A Youyou, that... it's a long story."

　　"A Youyou..." Li Wu was a little at a loss. The twelve tricks of crossing the sea that Teacher Ma had taught him were long forgotten.

　　"I know everything, don't talk." Saying that, she walked up to Li Wu and gently leaned against him.

　　Embracing A Youyou, feeling the warmth and refreshing fragrance that he had never experienced before, looking at the little guys around him who were playing happily and bullying Zuo Xiaotang, Li Wu suddenly felt that it would be nice if time just stopped like this.

　　This was the family he wanted to protect for the rest of his life.

　　"Ahem."

　　An impatient and untimely cough sounded, and Su Yu and the director walked out of the house.

　　"A Youyou, you've met him, we have to go back, we're in a hurry!" Su Yu barely maintained her composure.

　　This crazy girl, after finally returning to the solar system, didn't go back to the moon immediately, but secretly came to Earth just to see Li Wu, she's crazy, and I'm crazy for agreeing to it.

　　"Aunt, give us some time," A Youyou said, having grown up after experiencing Kepler.

　　"Be careful!" Su Yu said, looking at the lively and lovely children, her heart softened. This little bit of time, probably nothing would happen.

　　Arriving in the room, Li Wu gave A Youyou a warm hug, slowly cupped A Youyou's face, and A Youyou gently bit her lip, her starry eyes becoming watery and tender.

　　Woo...

　　After a while, putting A Youyou on his lap, Li Wu still hadn't recovered from the surprise, "How did you know about this place?"

　　"Sister Tita told me, humph, I could hear it, she was showing off to me!"

　　"That time I was..." Although nothing happened, Li Wu wanted to explain clearly.

　　"I know, silly, I'm teasing you!" A Youyou smiled, "Congratulations, you advanced to the S-Rank Competition."

　　"It was nothing."

　　"I know, I know, you're the Puppet God." A Youyou couldn't help but tease him a little, showing a little temper.

　　Woo-um.

　　How could Li Wu endure this?