High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1011: Chapter 73 Zheng Qing’s Gift

It was two o’clock in the afternoon on February 14th.

Zheng Qing had been busy all morning. With the help of the sprites, he had just finished cleaning the dormitory and tidying up his bed. He lay down for not even two hours, pondering his thoughts when he heard Xin Fat Man’s noisy voice.

This annoyed him greatly.

Especially since Fat Man’s discussion revolved around whether the Gypsy witch had broken up with him, a piece of gossip he couldn’t just ignore.

”She was busy during the day, and we’ll attend the Valentine’s Day ball organized by the Jiuyou Academy Student Union together later... if that’s what you mean,” the young scholarship student patiently replied, ”As for the gift, of course, I have one. I’ve prepared it a long time ago.”

In this matter, he wasn’t lying.

Although his relationship with Elena was a bit delicate, it didn’t mean that their relationship was unusual.

The holidays that should be celebrated, the gifts that should be given, both completed them very tacitly—sometimes from a third-party perspective, Zheng Qing always felt their relationship was like ’Flowers in a Mirror,’ clear yet illusionary.

But life is like a play, without surpassing the realm of a Big Wizard, who can truly see the uncertain future?

”What gift did you prepare? Don’t tell me it’s another dress from Green Xifang!” Xin Fat Man asked with a slant, his tone filled with teasing, ”Or perhaps, did you switch to another store this year? Like, Ground Brush?”

Last year, just a month after school started, Zheng Qing bought Elena a Bohemian long skirt from Green Xifang, along with a string of pretty carmine little pearls.

However, for over a month, he never gave her the gift.

This incident became a big joke in dorm 403.

”It’s not a skirt... nor clothes,” Zheng Qing’s face reddened slightly. He pretended not to hear Fat Man’s teasing, still fixating on the sprites in his hand, but his mind had already shifted from those previous heavy thoughts. He muttered, adding, ”It’s not a Pandora’s gift box, or a Cat’s Eye Stone or anything like that. It’s a jar of facial mask.”

Last New Year, the gift he gave Elena was a Pandora’s gift box, just like the gifts from Su Shijun and other friends.

Previously, on Christmas, his gift to her was a honey-colored Cat’s Eye Gemstone—this gemstone was a tribute paid by the cat clan when he was their leader, found in a certain corner of the school.

A Valentine’s gift should naturally not repeat previous ones.

This was very clear.

During the previous semester, when he followed Jiang Yu to Green Xifang to buy clothes, she suggested buying a small animal as a gift for Elena. However, considering the uniqueness of Valentine’s Day, buying a small animal seemed odd, so Zheng Qing ultimately abandoned the idea.

Recently, while hanging out in North Beta Town, Zheng Qing had noticed the witches’ preferences on the street. He thought that a product called ’Miaojiang’ or ’Worm’ series of cosmetics seemed like a good choice.

Thus, ultimately, he chose a facial mask called ’Worm Pearl Mud’ from Linjinghua as today’s gift.

”Giving makeup? That couldn’t be worse,” Xin Fat Man mocked mercilessly after hearing Zheng Qing’s muttered self-dialogue, ”Do you mean to say that Elena’s skin looks bad, or her makeup is bad? I think this is the second worst choice next to giving a mirror.”

Zheng Qing’s expression immediately fell upon hearing Fat Man’s analysis.

The kind of thing that only reassurance from others could provide peace. If opposed by someone else, even if the gift is good, there would always be a nagging doubt when giving it.

He couldn’t help but turn to look at Doctor Xiao for a bit of support.

But Xiao Xiao’s supplement hit him hard.

”Although Xin Fat Man doesn’t have much romantic experience, and his advice is purely dogmatic, his words are not without reason,” Doctor Xiao jabbed at Xin Fat Man before taking a swing at Zheng Qing, ”If you don’t know Elena’s skin type, preferences, or the brands she usually uses, I wouldn’t recommend you give her cosmetics. Girls are very picky about this, and if you get it wrong, it could be disastrous.”

Zheng Qing sighed deeply, then suddenly his eyes lit up.

He turned his head, staring intently at Doctor Xiao.

”Doctor, what gift do you plan to give then?” he asked eagerly. The situation between Xiao Xiao and Mister Sima was secret, but everyone in Dorm 403 was very aware of it.

Standing to the side, Xin Fat Man chuckled gloomily.

Faintly, from behind Dylan’s bed curtain, there was a rustling sound, as if the Blood Werewolf Mister, who loved to sleep in, was lifting his coffin lid.

Xiao Xiao looked stern, staring expressionlessly at the cost student.

”Staverianos’s ’A Complete History of Magic’ 1970 edition,” the doctor calmly replied, ”But I think your Gypsy witch wouldn’t like such a gift.”

”Wow, the first edition of ’A Complete History of Magic’! I heard that each one is signed by Staverianos!” Dylan couldn’t hide in his coffin any longer, he lifted the curtain and shouted, ”The Three Flavor Bookstore’s buyback price has already soared to twenty jade coins! Are you still the poor doctor that I knew?”

Xiao Xiao tugged at the corner of his mouth, disdaining to answer the question.

”Last year at the Academy’s hunting party, the doctor made a fortune from gambling, not to mention his share in the store,” Zheng Qing was very aware of Xiao Xiao’s income and knew he could afford the price but was still amazed at the expense of the book: ”That gift is too expensive!”

”It’s not bought. It’s my own... I had brought it from home earlier,” explained Xiao Xiao in a muted voice, unwilling to elaborate further.

This answer brightened Zheng Qing’s eyes.

His hand went involuntarily to the Grey Cloth Bag at his waist.

In a box inside the bag, there was a Talisman Scroll that he had just completed. The scroll contained a full set of over a thousand basic runes, each with a brief description. Such a scroll was just a cut away from being used as a talisman and was very valuable.

But from another perspective, these runes were all drawn by himself, so apart from a bit of consumed energy, the cost of other materials like cinnabar and paper was negligible.

Sincerity, value, and considering Elena’s keen interest in Talisman Studies, Zheng Qing felt he had found the best gift.

”What about Jiang Da Headmaster? Aren’t you giving her a gift?” Xin Fat Man made his deadly move again.

Zheng Qing scowled, grumbling, ”Get lost!”

Xin Fat Man had been fine not mentioning Jiang Yu, but as soon as he did, Zheng Qing felt guilty—ever since Su Shijun told him that Jiang Yu knew Poseidon’s secret, he had been very anxious about meeting that cold witch.

It wasn’t because he feared Jiang Yu would tell someone else the secret.

It was purely guilt.

He didn’t know why.