Aftermath

Wang Sheng and the others looked a bit strange, feeling awkward. Had this new little girl just become their boss?

Just then, a teacher walked in, carrying two brand-new quilts. He glanced at the dumbfounded children with some curiosity before asking, "I'm Mo Hen, you can call me Teacher Mo. Who are Tang San and Zhao Xuan?"

Tang San and Zhao Xuan stepped forward to respond. The teacher placed the quilts on a bed and said, "Master asked me to give these to you."

After speaking, he looked at Tang San with a strange expression and couldn't help but ask, "Did you really take Master as your teacher?"

Tang San looked at him calmly, a barely perceptible sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Yes."

"Master is a good teacher," Mo Hen said with some emotion, his gaze sincere and earnest.

"Huh?!" Tang San looked surprised. He had expected this teacher to mock him like the ones at the academic affairs office. He hadn't anticipated such high praise for Master, and his expression didn't seem faked.

Perhaps sensing Tang San's confusion, the teacher named Mo Hen smiled freely. "Perhaps others in this academy think Master is just a madman, but I don't."

"Although many of his theories haven't been proven, based on my observations over the years, many of Master's ideas are correct."

"Even if Master's strength isn't great, his theoretical knowledge is arguably the best on the continent."

"Since you've taken Master as your teacher, you should learn well," Mo Hen said with a sigh before leaving the Seventh Dormitory.

Tang San lowered his head, lost in thought. Zhao Xuan walked over and nudged him with his elbow. "Xiao San, looks like you've got good luck."

Tang San smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

At that moment, Xiao Wu, the newly appointed boss, surveyed the Seventh Dormitory before looking thoughtfully at the two new quilts.

Xiao Wu's bright, lively eyes flickered. She suddenly called out to Tang San, "Hey, you. Tang San, right?"

Tang San turned around, looking at the energetic girl with some confusion. "What is it?"

She blinked. "I'm the boss of the Seventh Dormitory, so you all have to listen to me."

Zhao Xuan raised an eyebrow, sensing things weren't that simple. Tang San nodded helplessly.

"Then..." Xiao Wu employed a feint, swiftly snatching one of the brand-new quilts Mo Hen had brought. She then said with a smile, "This one's mine then."

What a move, young hero, Zhao Xuan thought, wanting to praise her. But at that moment... glancing at the stunned Tang San beside him, he quickly grabbed the remaining quilt.

This one's mine!

Zhao Xuan smiled. This girl was quite something. If he hadn't noticed the mischievous, devilish smile on her lips just now, he might not have reacted in time.

Tang San watched their actions and finally understood, looking at the quilt Xiao Wu was holding. He felt dejected...

"Xiao San, hurry and snatch it back! And regain the dignity you just lost!" Zhao Xuan instigated from the side, clearly enjoying the chaos.

Tang San shot Zhao Xuan a fierce glare, recognizing the instigator. "We'll share a quilt tonight."

Zhao Xuan's expression changed. He hugged the quilt tightly and turned around abruptly. "No! I'm a restless sleeper."

Tang San smiled faintly, saying meaningfully, "I'll make you restless."

Zhao Xuan was startled. Although Xiao San couldn't beat him, this guy was skilled at making medicine. If he drugged him tonight, it would be impossible to guard against.

"Boss Tang, how about you use my quilt first? I can manage with half a quilt," Wang Hu said weakly from the side.

Although Tang San had been the shortest-serving dorm leader in the Seventh Dormitory, the fight just now had left a deep impression on him, so he still addressed Tang San as 'boss'.

A few quick-witted students immediately stepped forward. "Boss, you use my quilt. I can make do with just a mattress."

Tang San looked at the quilts and mattresses the students offered. Although they looked a bit worn, they seemed clean enough.

A warm current flowed through Tang San's heart. This proved that his decision to protect them just now was not wrong. Children from farming families were the most simple and honest, and worth protecting.

However, Tang San refused. He shook his head. "No need. I think he'll agree."

He then turned to look at Zhao Xuan, a smile that Zhao Xuan found rather threatening. Zhao Xuan shivered and forced a smile. "Ah? Yes! Yes!"

Tang San nodded and turned back to thank the students who had offered their quilts.

Zhao Xuan made up his mind: tomorrow, he would go out and buy a new set of bedding. He still had a few Gold Soul Coins that Zhao Shi had given him, and a set of bedding wouldn't cost much.

Xiao Wu, seeing that they had reached an agreement, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, sticking out her cute little tongue. She happily took her quilt to an unoccupied bed.

With the beds made, it was getting late. If they dallied any longer, they'd miss dinner.

So, Comrade Wang Sheng, the former former leader of the Seventh Dormitory, called out to the students. "Boss Tang, Sister Xiao Wu, and... Zhao Xuan, right? We should go eat. Let's go together."

Upon hearing about food, Xiao Wu immediately jumped up excitedly. "Okay! What delicious food are we having?"

Wang Sheng and the other Work-Study Students exchanged glances and said with a wry smile, "What good food can we Work-Study Students afford? We just grab something cheap at the cafeteria to get by."

Tang San shook his head. "You guys go ahead. I won't be going." His family was dirt poor, and Tang Hao spent all his money on alcohol. To avoid going hungry, he had brought some dry rations – coarse flatbreads he had made himself. They would be enough to fill his stomach for now. He would start working the day after tomorrow and get paid.

Zhao Xuan understood Tang San's family situation. He couldn't bear to let Xiao San gnaw on those coarse flatbreads, especially at his age when he should be growing.

So, he put his arm around Tang San's neck and said with a grin, "Xiao San, let's go. Big brother's treating you."

Tang San hesitated, then shook his head. "No need."

Zhao Xuan reached for Tang San's waist, his arm suddenly clamping down, trapping Tang San's arms. Tang San's ruddy face turned pale, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, Zhao Xuan awkwardly loosened his grip, coughed dryly, "Ahem, Xiao San, I'll treat you for these few meals, and you can treat me back later."

Tang San circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill to regulate his internal energy. Hearing Zhao Xuan's words, his heart warmed. He knew Zhao Xuan didn't want to embarrass him, so after some thought, he nodded and didn't refuse anymore.

Wang Sheng and the others by his side had their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. They had clearly seen what Zhao Xuan did just now; their former leader, Tang San, could barely catch his breath. Was this Zhao Xuan, who had been quietly watching the commotion, a formidable character?!

Immediately, their gazes towards Zhao Xuan held a hint of reverence.

Suddenly, a hesitant and shy voice came from Xiao Wu, the current "big sister" of their group, "Um... do we need those Soul Coins to eat?"

Wang Sheng and the others nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Big Sister, where did you come from, the deepest, most remote mountains? Isn't this common knowledge?

At this moment, even Zhao Xuan and Tang San looked at Xiao Wu with strange expressions.

Seeing their reactions, Xiao Wu glared at everyone in embarrassment and anger, scaring Wang Sheng and his group into taking a few steps back. They didn't want to experience Xiao Wu's soft skill again.

At this moment, Zhao Xuan spoke, "How about this, I'll cover your meal expenses for the next two days."

After all, the meal expenses for two days wouldn't cost much, and once school started in a few days, the work-study students would have an income source.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu was naturally overjoyed. "Really? Cough, cough... In that case, Big Sister Xiao Wu will protect you from now on."

Zhao Xuan raised an eyebrow and said leisurely, "Of course, it needs to be repaid."

Xiao Wu's expression stiffened, then she glared fiercely at Zhao Xuan and walked out. The other students from the Seventh Dormitory quickly followed.

Zhao Xuan chuckled. This little girl is still so arrogant?! Let's see what you do when you order food later and I don't pay. Thinking about it, Zhao Xuan suddenly burst out laughing.

Tang San, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but take a few steps back from Zhao Xuan, looking at him with surprise and uncertainty.

What is he thinking about?

The two of them arrived at the cafeteria later than the others from the Seventh Dormitory. As soon as they entered, they heard a discordant voice.

"Isn't this Wang Sheng and his bunch of poor devils?"

Tang San looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a group of senior students standing on the stairs between the first and second floors, looking down at them with disdain.

The speaker was a handsome-looking male student, about eleven or twelve years old. His eyes revealed deep contempt as he wagged a finger at Wang Sheng, "Poor devils are just poor devils. You probably can never eat on the second floor."

On the way to the cafeteria, Wang Sheng had already told Xiao Wu about the rule that the leader of the Seventh Dormitory would stand up for the work-study students. Xiao Wu had readily agreed. Seeing someone provoking them now, she immediately became angry. "What are you? What's so great about the second floor?"

"What's so great? Haha, you bunch of poor devils will never be able to afford it." The leading male student started laughing as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

Big Sister Xiao Wu was naturally furious, stamping her feet and gritting her teeth. Zhao Xuan couldn't help but find it amusing. This suits her Martial Soul very well. She really is like a little rabbit getting angry.

However, Zhao Xuan naturally couldn't stand by and watch. Or rather, his restless heart couldn't be contained. Perhaps he had suppressed himself for too long as an otaku in his previous life, and in this life, he just wanted to stir up some trouble.

Immediately, he pointed at the group of senior students upstairs and said, "You guys upstairs, if you've got the guts, come down and spar with me!"

The usual noise in the cafeteria instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at Zhao Xuan with wide eyes, as if they had seen something incredible.

Seeing the atmosphere freeze, Zhao Xuan, striking a pose by himself, felt a bit awkward. He was getting anxious. Hurry up and reply!

"You brat! Are you looking for death!" Suddenly, a roar came from the second floor, and then the entire second floor erupted. The senior students glared at Zhao Xuan one by one, their eyes as if they wanted to devour him.

Wang Sheng and the others trembled, but Zhao Xuan felt a sense of relief. Of course, his expression remained unchanged. He sneered and provocatively beckoned with his finger, further provoking them.

The senior students were naturally infuriated. Several of them had already rolled up their sleeves, ready to teach this ungrateful junior a lesson. Just then, a clear voice suddenly came from the entrance.

"Everyone, stop!"

At the entrance, a girl about the same age as Tang San and the others walked in. She had a pair of big, hazel eyes, and her pretty face was filled with anger. Her fluffy blonde hair trembled slightly as she moved.

"Xiao Lang! You're bullying the work-study students again!" Although the little girl was dressed luxuriously, she unexpectedly spoke up for the work-study students. She glared angrily with her big eyes, speaking without politeness.

The leading male student was the Xiao Lang she mentioned, the leader of the sixth grade, also known as Boss Xiao.

Boss Xiao and the group of senior students were so angry they almost exploded on the spot. Heaven knew, although he did like to bully work-study students, this time it wasn't really him who had initiated it.

However, Boss Xiao was also self-aware. Given his usual image, any explanation would be useless. So, he just glared fiercely at Zhao Xuan, as if he could kill him with his eyes.

Seeing that Boss Xiao remained silent, the girl took it as his tacit admission. She angrily said, "If you do this again, I'll have my grandpa expel all of you!"

Boss Xiao fell silent and angrily turned to leave. He was wary of this little girl. Although her strength wasn't great, her grandfather was the principal of Nuoding Academy.

Seeing Boss Xiao leave, the anger on the girl's face subsided. She walked up to Zhao Xuan and said calmly, "Hey! Work-study student, don't provoke the senior students next time, unless you want to get beaten up."

As soon as the little girl finished speaking, she turned around and walked towards the second floor. She actually knew that Zhao Xuan had provoked them first!

Zhao Xuan stared at all this, dumbfounded. Who the heck are you? You interrupted my script and are now lecturing me?!

At this moment, Wang Sheng quietly slipped next to Zhao Xuan and said, "Her name is Hermione. She's our Dean Dumbledore's granddaughter. She usually takes good care of us. Oh, and she's enrolling this year too."

Hermione? I'll remember you!

Zhao Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. This tsundere little brat.

(Haha. Female lead Hermione, no explanation needed! Just wanted to be a little mischievous, not breaking up the original pairing! Hermione's Martial Soul will be a wand. I really like Hermione as a child.)