Chapter 1784: Chapter 1784

"Right, this might be the last time we come to visit you."

Xiao Xiao’s words just before leaving made Zheng Qing’s heart skip a beat. He thought his companions had learned some terrible news from the therapist, while he, the patient, was still in the dark.

Thankfully, the next sentence from the doctor put the young public-funded student at ease: "...the final exams are over, it’s summer vacation, and Dorm 403 will probably be empty tonight."

"Don’t feel lonely staying at school all by yourself."

Xin Fat Man waved cheerfully, but halfway through, his expression changed, and a hint of pale blue appeared on his face: "Uh... why is a single dog like me worried about Mr. Zha feeling lonely!"

"If anything happens, just send a flying paper crane,"

Zhang Ji Xin placed the overflowing fruit platter on the bedside table and gently patted Zheng Qing’s shoulder: "There’s someone at my place in Beta Town during the summer, you can always reach me..."

Zheng murmured, waving his hand: "Got it, got it, I’m not a three-year-old... Remember to check on D&K before you leave, don’t let someone empty the shop without us knowing. Also, last time someone from Greenhill Mansion mentioned that Beta Town has a subsidy policy for shops damaged during this black tide, make sure to report more losses..."

"Just relax and stay in bed." Zhang Ji Xin made a decisive gesture: "Everyone will keep an eye on the store, there’s no need for you as a patient to worry."

Xin Fat Man’s focus was always a bit special in contrast.

"Why are you so close with Greenhill Mansion," he grabbed an apple slice and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing indignantly: "At the beginning, we all helped in her garden, and I did the most!"

The companions were still unaware of the relationship between Su Shijun and Zheng Qing, thinking they first met because they helped with the pumpkin collection at Greenhill Mansion before Christmas last year.

This only made Fatty feel more unjust.

Zheng Qing vaguely replied: "Well, isn’t there Poseidon... It gets along well with Su Ya, and there’s also Li Meng, she often goes to Greenhill Mansion to play."

This explanation was quite flawed. Fortunately, Xiao Xiao brought up another issue at this moment, shifting the topic, allowing the young public-funded student to breathe a big sigh of relief.

"Did the hospital say how long you need to stay?" Xiao Xiao looked at the potion candle, half-burned: "Not mentioning this single room, the daily magic potions, care, and that kind of potion candle must cost a lot."

"The school said I have insurance." Zheng Qing mumbled.

He wasn’t sure when he bought insurance, but when he practiced the transformation technique before, needing to use transformation potions, Professor Yao mentioned he had insurance, so this time, the young wizard easily accepted this explanation.

"Being a public-funded student is great." Fatty envied, pouting.

"So you’re probably staying at school this summer?" Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses: "Have you informed your family? Do you need us to help greet them?"

"No, no, no, please don’t."

Zheng Qing hurriedly stopped them: "The School Works Committee people came before and mentioned this to me. They said the school would arrange an alchemy puppet substitute to go home for me, so there won’t be any related trouble."

"Wow, a substitute-level alchemy puppet!"

Fatty exclaimed again: "It must be very expensive! Are our tuition fees every year wasted on this kind of thing? Public-funded students cost too much money!"

"I might not be a public-funded student next year." Zheng Qing responded weakly.

"I already have the theme for my next article," Fatty mused, stroking his chin: "Let’s discuss school public fund spending. As students who pay full tuition, we have a responsibility to supervise how the school spends money."

"Most of the school’s income comes from patent royalties from research institutes, New World exploration, and donations from alumni, which have little to do with us."

Being from a prestigious family, Zhang Ji Xin knew more about these matters and reminded him:

"Even if the annual excess profits from the Pet Garden and Hundred Herb Gardens exceed our tuition fees... You can write a report, but don’t lose sight of the main issue and make a joke."

"Am I the kind of journalist with no standards?" Fatty frowned and gave the red-faced male wizard a side glance.

Xiao Xiao wisely refrained from joining the discussion between Xin Fat Man and Zhang Ji Xin.

"Since everything’s arranged, we’re relieved."

He took off his glasses, dusted off his robe, turned to Zheng Qing, and hesitated for a few seconds before comforting him: "As for the public-funded student thing, there’s no need to worry. Remember, you’re still the ’World’ in the ’Magic Wand’ Great Arcana, as long as your grades are decent, I’m sure the school won’t hesitate to give you a public-funded spot."

"I’m not worried at all." Zheng Qing grumbled, trying to appear unconcerned.

"Well then, goodbye."

The short warlock clasped his hands, bowed deeply, and bid farewell to Zheng Qing: "See you in two months!"

"No need to be so serious about saying goodbye." Zheng Qing was startled by his actions, almost springing out of bed. He quickly propped himself up, trying to stop him.

"Farewells should be taken seriously."

Xiao Xiao straightened up, put his glasses back on, and looked serious: "Sending off with a ’goodbye’ means there’s a chance to meet again. It’s an ancient blessing and an anticipation before departure."

Xin Fat Man rarely showed some seriousness, patting Zheng Qing on the shoulder: "Partings come at times, another meeting is not far away."

Zhang Ji Xin, not being eloquent, just patted Zheng Qing’s shoulder again and said, "Rest up, see you at the trial ceremony."

Their gestures made Zheng Qing feel uneasy.

They weren’t so serious last winter break, why make such a fuss for just over a month, less than two months of vacation?

Especially when they bowed and saluted for a farewell when he was still lying on the bed.

It felt like some kind of ceremony.

It gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.

Making Zheng Qing increasingly uncomfortable.

But this discomfort turned into a sense of longing and inexplicable emptiness as his companions left, because Zheng Qing knew that when the sun shone on his face again tomorrow morning, no one would rush into his ward with fried dough sticks, soy milk, and buns, shouting for him to eat breakfast.

From afar, faint yet clear conversations of his companions echoed from the corridor outside the ward.

"... Substitute-level alchemy puppets come in grades too."

"After all, it’s just mimicking a college student on vacation, the difficulty is low... As long as it has basic functions like eating, sleeping, and playing on the phone, and learns to respond powerlessly to parents’ scolding, it can handle 95% of situations."

"It doesn’t even need to learn detailed grooming!"

"Sounds like a waste."

"How many college students on vacation aren’t wastes?"

Zheng Qing smiled softly and turned to look out the window.

The sun was setting in the west, a time for farewell.