Ye Feiyang curled his lip and thought, If it weren't this good, would you willingly become my disciple?
But he had no intention of revealing those thoughts.
He changed the subject and asked, "Do you remember when I warned you that a Titled Douluo had set his sights on you?"
In truth, the conditions had long since been met. With both sides willing, taking her as a disciple could have been settled smoothly.
But Ye Feiyang still wanted to administer one more strong dose of medicine, ensuring that Xiao Wu would completely make up her mind.
"Of course I remember." Xiao Wu replied softly, her voice carrying a faint, barely noticeable tremble. "Because of what you said, I often woke up in the middle of the night and secretly cried under the covers."
By now, she no longer doubted that Ye Feiyang had been lying to her.
"Teacher, do you know that person?"
"Of course I do." Ye Feiyang's tone was calm, as though he were discussing something utterly insignificant. "If I told you who he was, you'd probably get quite a shock."
Xiao Wu froze slightly—wasn't she already living in constant fear these past few days even without knowing?
She muttered to herself, several possible figures flashing through her mind, yet she could not determine who it was.
"You brought this up now... are you planning to tell me the truth?" she asked quietly, her heartbeat quickening involuntarily.
"I was thinking about it. There's no harm in telling you now." Ye Feiyang's tone took on a hint of amusement. "But once I say it, it may affect your relationship with Tang San. Do you still want to know?"
"What? It has something to do with Third Brother?" Xiao Wu blurted out, her eyes widening instantly.
Ye Feiyang lightly curled his lip—she really called him "Third Brother" quite naturally.
He did not think he was sowing discord.
After all, in the eyes of that so-called "protagonist group," he had probably long been branded a villain.
Since that was the case, as a "villain," wasn't it perfectly reasonable for him to use a few tricks and schemes?
Opportunities never came knocking on their own. If he wanted something, he had to fight for it himself.
Wasn't Xiao Wu before him one of Tang San's greatest opportunities?
He had wanted to snatch away this "sword sheath" for a long time.
Besides, everything he said was the truth. As for what others might infer from it, that had nothing to do with him.
"It does concern him. What, you don't believe me?"
Hearing that this matter was actually related to Tang San, Xiao Wu's heart felt as though something had fiercely clenched it, making even breathing difficult.
"Tell me. I want to know." She took a deep breath, her tone resolute.
Ye Feiyang casually rested both hands behind his head and said with an easy expression, "That person is Tang San's father, Tang Hao, known as the Clear Sky Douluo."
"He's actually been hiding in the shadows all along, watching Tang San's every move. Take a guess—when did you enter his field of vision?"
"If you hadn't been close to Tang San, you probably would have already..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Wu stiffened where she stood. Her face was filled with terror and disbelief, and her lips trembled slightly, yet she could not utter a single word.
"Teacher, is this true?" Only after a long while did she barely manage to squeeze out a sentence.
"Why would I lie to you? I even fought him a few days ago, all because you'd been distancing yourself from Tang San recently and were about to slip out of his control." Ye Feiyang's tone remained relaxed. "But don't worry. I already drove him away."
Xiao Wu's heart shuddered, and she did not even have the mind to be shocked that Ye Feiyang had driven away a Titled Douluo.
Her mind was now filled with one thought: if this was true, hadn't she been like prey raised in captivity all these years?
She recalled how she had often followed Tang San back to Holy Soul Village in her early years. Thinking back on it now made her scalp tingle.
The person she had always believed she could rely on had such a terrifying background hidden behind him?
But if he had that kind of identity, why had Tang San come to be a work-study student? Wasn't that obviously setting someone up—no, setting up a soul beast?
Ye Feiyang quietly watched Xiao Wu's reaction and muttered inwardly, This girl isn't going to turn evil just because she learned about this, is she?
Judging by her expression, probably not.
It would not be fun if she turned evil. He still preferred the innocent and lively Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu forced out a smile uglier than crying, her voice hoarse. "Thinking back on it now, I was practically a clown..."
"Teacher, do you think I'm especially foolish?"
Ye Feiyang shook his head, his tone sincere. "You're not foolish. You were just inexperienced and did not understand how dangerous people's hearts could be."
"You were still weak then. How could you possibly have noticed a Titled Douluo deliberately concealing himself?"
He changed the subject again and asked, "Do you remember why you chose to take human form?"
"To... to avenge my mother." Xiao Wu spoke of the goal buried deep in her heart, her voice carrying a hint of confusion—she had lived in comfort for so long that she had nearly forgotten her original purpose.
"Then think carefully. What have you done these past few years?" Ye Feiyang's words were like a sharp blade, stabbing straight into the softest part of her heart.
Xiao Wu was instantly rendered speechless, unable to say a word.
That was right. What had she been doing all these years?
She clearly possessed powerful origin energy and could have accelerated her growth, but in reality, her Soul Power had progressed slowly.
When had she nearly forgotten her original hatred and goal?
Thinking of the past six years, she had spent almost every day following Tang San around, gradually casting cultivation aside.
If she had continued cultivating diligently, with her talent and advantages, she might have already reached the Soul King or even Soul Emperor realm by now.
"I... I was wrong, Teacher." Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes began to redden again. "Can I still be saved?"
"Of course you can." Ye Feiyang gave her a definite answer, his tone firm.
Xiao Wu abruptly raised her head, light rekindling in her eyes. "I'll work hard! Teacher, please help me!"
"My disciple, of course I'll help." Ye Feiyang smiled faintly. "All right, just pretend you don't know anything. Keep everything as it was."
"That old scheming bastard probably won't come trouble you again anytime soon."
Xiao Wu still felt empty inside—after spending so many years with Tang San, it would be a lie to say she felt nothing for him.
"Teacher, do you think Third Brother knows my identity?" After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked the question.
Ye Feiyang did not hide it from her. "He doesn't know yet."
Hearing that, Xiao Wu felt slightly better.
But even so, she felt she could no longer face Tang San as she once had.
She knew very clearly that the two of them could never return to the way things were.
"Teacher, how about I move here and live with you? I'm... I'm a little scared to go back to Shrek Academy." She pleaded softly, her voice carrying a trace of vulnerability.
After learning of Tang Hao's existence, she had felt unsafe all along. Now, Ye Feiyang seemed to be the only person she could rely on.
"Hm? Aren't you afraid your Third Brother will overthink things?" Ye Feiyang raised a brow and deliberately teased her.
Xiao Wu glared at him irritably. "Teacher, I only see him as an older brother. I was immature when I was little..."
Whenever she thought of the ridiculous things she had done in the past, Xiao Wu felt like dying of embarrassment.
She had originally only wanted to share his bedding for warmth. Who would have thought that in the end, even her reputation was nearly ruined?
Although nothing had happened, she did not dare imagine what Ye Feiyang and the others would think of her if they found out.
But seeing that faint, elusive amusement in Ye Feiyang's eyes, she felt that he might already know everything about her past.
She secretly shook her head with a bitter smile—if things were truly as she thought, did that mean she could only obediently remain his disciple for the rest of her life?
Ah, why did she suddenly feel so unwilling?
Thinking of that, another indescribable frustration welled up inside her. She wished she could return to the past and start everything over.
"Why are you pulling such a long face? If there's something making you unhappy, tell me so I can be happy about it." Ye Feiyang deliberately teased.
Xiao Wu could not even force out a fake smile. At that moment, she was still unable to escape her tangled emotions.
"Teacher, if my past is shameful, would you still be willing to accept me as your disciple?" She finally voiced the worry hidden in her heart.
"Hm?" Ye Feiyang raised a brow. After thinking for a moment, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a measure of seriousness. "Xiao Wu, if you don't even know how to care for yourself, what right do you have to expect others to understand and accept you?"
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"You are who you are. You don't need to explain yourself to anyone, including me."
"Let the past stay in the past. People have to live in the present. Do you understand?"
Xiao Wu was moved once more, again experiencing the warmth of being understood and accepted.
Could she really let go of the past and begin her life anew?
She definitely could—Teacher said people had to live in the present, and Teacher would surely help her too.
At that thought, the knot in her heart seemed to suddenly unravel.
Heavens, this man looked so imposing, yet his heart was so soft and warm. How could anyone be this good?
The bit of conflict and unease in her heart was once again gently brushed away by Ye Feiyang's few words.
"All right, go back. Since you've made your decision, properly bid farewell to the past."
"Can... can you come with me?" Xiao Wu's voice carried a trace of pleading.
"No." Ye Feiyang refused decisively. "You have to face this alone. Go on, let me see your resolve."
Xiao Wu understood—some roads could only be walked alone in the end.
She nodded and turned toward Shrek Academy.
Ye Feiyang returned to Supreme Academy, but his gaze never truly left the activity across the way.
Distracted and unsettled, Xiao Wu walked to Tang San's dormitory door. She raised her hand several times, yet never found the courage to knock.
Just as she gathered her courage once more, Tang San's voice suddenly came from behind her. "Xiao Wu? Did you come to see me?"
Xiao Wu jumped at the sound—how did this person walk without making any noise at all?
Seeing Tang San again, countless emotions surged within her.
In the end, Tang San had never harmed her. They had even shared many happy memories.
But being around him was simply too dangerous.
Some things were fine when she did not know them, but once she knew the truth, there was no going back.
She was truly tired of living every day on edge, constantly watching her step.
"Third Brother, I have something to tell you." Xiao Wu took a deep breath, her tone incomparably serious.
Tang San also noticed that something was wrong with her expression, and his heart inexplicably tightened. "All right. Tell me, I'm listening."
"Third Brother, thank you for taking care of me all these years."
"I was immature when I was little and caused you a lot of trouble. I'm sorry."
"Xiao Wu..." Tang San vaguely sensed something and anxiously wanted to interrupt her, but Xiao Wu shook her head to stop him.
"Don't speak yet. Let me finish."
Tang San pressed his lips together and fell silent.
"I'm saying this because I want to tell you that, if possible, you'll always be my Third Brother."
"But I've decided to withdraw from the academy. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend school with you anymore."
Those words were like thunder, instantly causing Tang San's face to change drastically.
He grabbed Xiao Wu by the shoulders, his voice trembling. "Why? Xiao Wu, why are you withdrawing? Did someone force you? Was it Ye Feiyang... he must have forced you, right? I'll go ask him what's going on!"
Rage surged into Tang San's heart, and his entire face darkened.
He absolutely could not accept Xiao Wu leaving. Absolutely not!
During this time, he had imagined countless possibilities, but he had never expected Xiao Wu to take the initiative to leave.
Was it because he had neglected her before?
He suddenly regretted it beyond measure—when they had first arrived at the academy, Xiao Wu had mentioned transferring elsewhere. If he had listened to her then, would things not have turned out this way today?
But he had insisted on staying. Had she already sensed something from that moment onward?
Had she been giving him a chance? Then why had she not made things clear?
He told himself this, as though so long as he believed Xiao Wu had been forced, he could still salvage something.
"Third Brother, no one forced me. This is my own decision." Xiao Wu gently pushed his hands away, her tone calm yet firm.
"You can call me heartless, or cut ties with me... I'll accept it all."
"What can you possibly do even if you go find Brother Feiyang now?"
Tang San stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "What did you say? Why did you call that person 'Brother Feiyang'? I don't believe it. You must be lying to me!"
Looking at Tang San, who was nearly frantic, Xiao Wu only felt utterly exhausted.
At that moment, she truly realized that Tang San's feelings for her might have long surpassed mere sibling affection.
If it had been before, she might not have thought much of it, but now, her heart was filled only with exhaustion.
"I've said everything I needed to say. Third Brother, from now on, let's each live well."
"If you're willing, I'll still regard you as my older brother."
After saying that, she no longer looked at Tang San. She walked straight past him and headed outside the academy.
For her, giving Tang San an explanation was enough.
As for the academy teachers? She could leave that to Ye Feiyang. She had no desire to make trouble for herself again.
Saying those things to Tang San had already used up all her courage.
Besides, no one in all of Shrek Academy would probably dare refuse Ye Feiyang's request now, right?
Well, there really was one stubborn fool—Yu Xiaogang.
But did his opinion matter to Ye Feiyang?
Tang San stood frozen in place, lost and despondent, his mind in complete chaos. He even felt that Xiao Wu at that moment was somewhat unfamiliar, somewhat heartless.
At last, he understood what had been quietly slipping away these past few days—Xiao Wu.
She no longer belonged to him. She would no longer follow behind him all day, and he would no longer hear her call him "Third Brother" from time to time.
He closed his eyes, and a tear silently slid from the corner of his eye.
At that moment, his hatred for Ye Feiyang reached its peak.
He had to take Xiao Wu back, and only by becoming strong enough could he do it.
He was no longer lost. With firm steps, he headed toward Yu Xiaogang's dormitory, with only one thought in his heart:
"Teacher, please help me!"
Inside Supreme Academy, Xiao Wu entered through the gate uneasily, carrying several large bags of luggage.
The moment she stepped inside, she saw three familiar figures smiling at her.
"Xiao Wu, you're here!" Ning Rongrong lightly came forward, casually taking the luggage from Xiao Wu's hands, her tone cheerful.
"Teacher said you would definitely come. Sure enough, he was right again."
"We've already helped you clean up your room. From now on, we can cultivate together." Zhu Zhuqing also stepped forward to help, a gentle smile on her face.
Xiao Wu looked up at Ye Feiyang and said quietly, "Teacher, I've already made things clear to him. As for Shrek's headmaster..."
Ye Feiyang grinned and waved a hand. "Why bother with them? If they have anything to say, let them come to me directly."
"Get settled in first. I'll come see you later."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing helped Xiao Wu tidy up her room and put away her things. Before long, everything was in order.
Ye Feiyang arrived as promised and entered Xiao Wu's room.
Zhu Zhuqing had learned her lesson this time and had prepared tea early, unwilling to be called "clueless" again.
She handed the teacup to Xiao Wu and softly reminded her, "When taking a teacher, you should serve them tea."
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