It’s A Monster Chapter 64: Extra 4

Chapter 64: Extra 4

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

After Xu You smoothly passed his first exam, the whole monster city seemed a bit swollen with pride, thinking the legal code test was nothing. Zhou Yuansong took the opportunity to encourage him: “Ride this momentum straight up the ladder, aim for a perfect pass. When you buy review materials, remember to keep the receipts. The department will reimburse you.”

Maybe thinking just reimbursing materials wasn’t enough incentive, Zhou Yuansong rummaged through his drawer and pulled out a stack of secretly kept dining and movie vouchers. He told Xu You to relax for two days before diving back into the intense, serious, lively, and orderly studying.

Lin Su took a free morning and went with Shi Wenze to accompany Xu You to the monster bookstore to buy materials. The other subjects weren’t too bad, but English was genuinely tough.

Xu You tossed a vocabulary book into the cart while the little monsters in the children’s section happily tore at a “Tear-Resistant Ultraman” book. The differences between monsters felt huge to him—what were those kids holding? Light swords? He wanted one too.

Shi Wenze said, “Pass the exam, and you’ll get one.”

Xu You seized the chance to ask, “Then get me a one-to-one replica.”

Shi Wenze nodded. “No problem.”

“Really?” Xu You eyed him suspiciously. “Don’t blame me for being blunt, but ever since you started dating, you act like you don’t have a dime of your own money. If you ever get kicked out after a fight, you might need to rely on charity.”

Shi Wenze patted his head. “Hah, Daddy’s got money!”

From the other side, Lin Su came over carrying a pile of books and dumped them into the cart with a “whoosh.” Xu You’s eyes went wide in panic—how could someone shop at a bookstore like it was a supermarket? Were all these really necessary? Maybe they should pick more carefully?

“No need to stress. Some are for Aunt Wang’s extracurricular reading—her grandson is starting elementary school this year.” Shi Wenze pushed the cart toward the exit. “But if you want, you can keep some. Besides, your and Li Maomao’s IQs aren’t that different… wait!”

Before he finished, Xu You flicked his tail, nearly making him stumble into the cart. Lin Su dodged back quietly, watching the two of them brawl in front of the cashier. Their level of lawfulness was worse than the well-behaved group of little mountain monkeys waiting in line beside them. So he decisively left through the shopping aisle, refusing to stay and embarrass himself.

Five minutes later, Shi Wenze and Xu You came out empty-handed. On this point, they were quite father-and-son-like, agreeing that the books didn’t need to be taken home immediately. The bookstore didn’t offer same-day delivery and took three days, but that was better than lugging the heavy load—and it wouldn’t interfere with their hot pot plans.

Lin Su said, “….” Never mind. No more words.

The Sea Bottom Hot Pot wasn’t crowded at lunchtime. Xu You stood in line holding a bowl of sauces. Ahead of him was a foreign guy—blond hair, blue eyes—looking exactly like an English test. Xu You’s stomach cramped nervously. He looked around furtively, afraid he’d be called on for a conversation.

But sure enough, the foreign guy seemed confused about some of the sauces. Pointing at a bowl, he rattled off a string of questions. Xu You didn’t understand, so he just nodded and said, “Yes, yes, very delicious.” Everything in a hot pot restaurant was delicious anyway. Then the guy dumped three scoops of chili into his bowl and left.

Xu You watched him go with an apologetic look in his eyes. Back at their booth, he asked Shi Wenze, “How did you pass the English exam back then?”

Shi Wenze answered, “By rote memorization and guessing.”

Xu You thought that method was totally feasible. “No wonder you passed but still can’t say three full English sentences.”

“But at least I passed. No need to run away whenever the inspection team shows up.” Shi Wenze said as he tenderly cooked tripe for his wife, trying hard to provide a quality home life. After all that, he hadn’t even eaten a bite himself—who could understand a hardworking househusband’s suffering?

After the hot pot, the three of them went to a movie. Few films were showing simultaneously: either romance or horror. Xu You obviously refused to watch a romance with this gay couple, insisting on Midnight Hazelnut 2. Shi Wenze thought the title sounded like a waste of life, but since Lin Su wanted to see it too, he had no choice but to queue for popcorn and soda.

When they finished the ticket check, the previous show had just ended. They waited by the door for a long time before two tall guys slowly walked out—one headed to the restroom, the other kept yawning and standing at the door, eventually turning to look at Shi Wenze’s group. His eyes filled with confusion—how could anyone besides him actually pay to see this legendary trainwreck of a movie?

Lin Su asked, “Was it good?”

Gao answered honestly, “I don’t know. I fell asleep.”

Lin Su thought that was a new approach: falling asleep in a couple’s seat, no matter what the movie was about.

After the two guys left, Xu You suspected he was overly influenced by love because even kids seemed to be getting into early romance these days—and that was unacceptable.

Though Midnight Hazelnut 2 was a 3D film, Lin Su didn’t use his glasses. The three had the theater to themselves, and Xu You politely disappeared to the back row, leaving plenty of space for the two of them.

Amid the surround-sound screams, Lin Su focused on his chest muscle patches, very satisfied with his boyfriend’s physique. If there weren’t cameras around, he might have even reached out to touch him.

Shi Wenze wasn’t in the mood for the movie either. He had one arm around Lin Su’s waist and squeezed gently every time a scary effect played. At first over the clothes, but within half an hour, his palm was pressed directly against the skin.

Maybe because of the influence of Qilin’s breath, a small patch of dragon scales appeared on Lin Su’s waist. They were originally cold, but warmed up and became sensitive under Shi Wenze’s touch.

“Don’t move!” he whispered.

Shi Wenze asked, “Not comfortable?”

There was no discomfort — just a comfort that was a little too much. If it hadn’t been a movie for three people, Lin Su might have just taken him straight home.

But Xu You didn’t have that luxury. The movie was so awful and boring that he didn’t even last five minutes before drifting off to sleep. He was jolted awake near the end by a scream from a female ghost. When he opened his eyes, the theater lights were already on. Lin Su and Shi Wenze were packing up and walking toward him, so he quickly stood and wiped his eyes.

Lin Su muttered, “…If I had known, I would have left an hour ago.”

Xu You wondered aloud why such a terrible movie even got released. Shi Wenze, the only one who still remembered a little bit of the plot, explained that at least it served as a warning—because the story’s heroine was murdered while skipping class. The lesson: if you don’t study well, you’ll fail—on all fronts.

Xu You snapped, “Please, shut up.”

Lin Su said, “Let’s go back to the tattoo parlor.”

Xu You felt a creeping sense of dread. “What for?”

Lin Su answered, “Tutoring.”

“But the books haven’t arrived yet!”

“English doesn’t need books.”

Shi Wenze added, “Don’t bother pulling his arm, it won’t help.”

“Wah!” Xu You complained. In the end, they went home for the tutoring session—because at least in this house, nobody could go against Lin Su.

Xu You laid his head on the table, struggling to memorize “abandon,” while looking at Shi Wenze with frustration. “When are you going to get up already?”

Shi Wenze munched on sunflower seeds nearby. “Why stand? If you don’t stand, you lie down for love.”

Xu You sighed with no plan. But as he sighed, the exams passed one after another. Even English got a B+—not just a B, but a plus. Rounded up, that was basically a specialist-level score. He even thought that if he tried harder, he might get into a top university’s doctoral program.

Shi Wenze admired this confidence. He tossed a huge box holding a light sword to Xu You. “Dinner at my place at seven.”

Xu You caught it with both hands. “Did you buy this or Lin Su?”

Shi Wenze asked, “Does it matter?”

Xu You knew the game. Since you asked that way, it must be Lin Su. Of course, you have no money! Shi Wenze grumbled, “Damn! I don’t want this son anymore!”

But Lin Su did want it. He was very satisfied with how well his tutoring worked, and ordered a fresh flower cake to celebrate Xu You’s exam success. Besides Lin Su and Shi Wenze, probably the happiest was Zhou Yuansong, who could finally stop stressing over inspection teams. He even joked that next time the inspection team came, he’d frame Xu You’s transcript in a shiny gold frame and hang it at the office to show off.

It was clear the rest of the department found the urgent affairs office annoying—and they weren’t wrong.

Lin Lu had the day off and came over to mooch a meal. She also took time to call her mother. Recently, Shi Ge’s cooking skills had improved a lot—his sauerkraut fish was comparable to a top chef’s.

“Brother? He doesn’t have any skill. He can’t even cook, and just stands by the stove whining, giving all kinds of useless advice.”

For example, “Tomato scrambled eggs can’t be served on red plates. Yellow plates are no good either—it clashes.”

Si Longqiu got a headache just hearing this. But Shi Wenze found it adorable and delegated the important job of plate selection to his wife. He turned off the stove and patiently waited by the pot. “No rush, take your time. If the food gets cold, just reheat it.”

Meanwhile, Xu You was starving in the living room—hungry enough to stick his chest to his back. No love, no food—that was the only certain fact about this celebration party’s guest of honor, right?

He couldn’t help but ask his sister, “Why isn’t dinner ready yet?”

Lin Lu answered, “It could have been ready half an hour ago, but Shi Ge wanted to arrange the cold dishes into a perfect floral display, so he kept working on it. His plating skills still need practice.”

Xu You felt moved to tears. Should he be touched? Probably not. Fortunately, with Lin Su’s help, they finally arranged a flawless display—so the celebration’s guest of honor wouldn’t end up eating sunflower seeds to fullness. When they cut the cake, Xu You even wore a shiny golden hat. He was very touched, but also felt empty—after passing the exam, it was like he suddenly lost his goal. Was this the eternal loneliness of a winner?

Shi Wenze said, “You’re overthinking. There are plenty of professional exams ahead. After you finish your cake, go sign up. I’ve already copied all your documents.”

Xu You, “….” So sad. Better eat two more bowls.

 

 

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