Two Foodies, No, Three Foodies

"Next, we'll move on to practical training."

"Please follow me to Arena Six."

Zhang Lingxue led everyone to the arena.

Ye Bai noticed that Zhang Lingxue had changed into a casual outfit at some point, and she'd tied her hair into twin tails, making her look like the neighborhood basketball girl.

The male classmates loved it, letting out a collective whistle—though Ye Bai wasn't among them. Instead, he took a few steps back, putting distance between himself and the group.

He'd seen what happened to people who tried to mess with Zhang Lingxue. They ended up in a real bad way.

He'd only dared to act like that earlier because he was counting on being her prized student.

But when Zhang Lingxue's cold gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on him, Ye Bai knew—she was planning to take him down too.

"Alright, future Pet Beast Masters, let me see the mental state of your beasts."

"Today's lesson is titled 'How to Properly Understand Your Pet Beast.'"

After the homeroom teacher spoke, everyone released their pet beasts.

To Ye Bai's surprise, he spotted the Boxing Rabbit that He Qingyuan had abandoned, now standing beside a chubby classmate.

That classmate kept pulling Ruby Carrots and Golden Carrots from his pocket and tossing them to the Boxing Rabbit.

The Boxing Rabbit looked utterly pleased with itself, showing no trace of the sadness of being discarded.

Oh ho, looks like it found itself a long-term meal ticket.

One person and one rabbit were both munching away, filling the arena with crunching sounds.

And of course, Ye Bai's Thousand Changes Silkworm couldn't stand being left out. It hopped over, circling the chubby classmate with a fawning expression.

Before long, the chubby classmate noticed a plump, white Chameleon Silkworm at his feet, its tongue hanging down to the ground, drool dripping.

He instinctively held out a Gilded Golden Carrot: "Want it?" he asked in a muffled voice.

The Thousand Changes Silkworm nodded like it was pounding garlic, its eyes practically glued to the golden carrot.

"Then have it."

The chubby classmate stuffed the Gilded Golden Carrot into the silkworm's mouth.

The Thousand Changes Silkworm instinctively bit through the carrot's skin, and an exquisite flavor burst across its tongue.

At that moment, the silkworm felt like if it had wings, it would be soaring with joy.

It stared at the chubby classmate with burning eyes, as if he were a walking food supply.

Ye Bai silently pressed a hand to his forehead. Was he starving the Thousand Changes Silkworm or something? Why was it so gluttonous?

What had started as one person and one rabbit crunching away had now grown louder with the addition of the gluttonous silkworm.

Zhang Lingxue shot Ye Bai a resentful look, her eyes signaling him to control his pet beast.

Ye Bai just spread his hands, wearing a helpless expression.

Unless the Thousand Changes Silkworm was completely full, no one could interrupt its meal.

When patience ran out, there was no need to endure. Zhang Lingxue's fists clenched.

The Thousand Changes Silkworm suddenly felt like something was staring at it. A chill ran down its back. It looked up in confusion and was terrified out of its wits—it was that woman who'd been eyeing it lecherously.

"Thousand Changes Silkworm, is the food good?"

"You'll be the first to give everyone a demonstration."

Zhang Lingxue flashed a sinister smile. Paired with her not-unattractive features, she looked like a witch brewing poison in the forest—no, wait, like a witch brewing medicine for Wu Dalang.

The chubby classmate and the Boxing Rabbit were still lost in the deliciousness, unable to tear themselves away.

Zhang Lingxue let out a long sigh. This chubby classmate's name was Li Chen, the son of Jiaying City's richest man, Li Defu.

Because he'd been abused by a nanny as a child, he'd developed persecution paranoia. He felt like someone was out to get him at all times, and only eating could make him forget everything.

To treat his condition, Li Defu had taken him to see the world's top psychological expert, Charles.

After an examination, Charles told Li Defu that Li Chen just lacked love. If he found the right pet beast, his condition might improve.

Li Defu had brought in many pet beasts, but Li Chen would tremble in fear at the sight of every single one.

When the staff from Sacred Mountain Middle School called to ask when Li Chen would come to adopt a school pet beast, Li Defu took a last-ditch approach and let Li Chen enter the Secret Realm to choose one.

Zhang Lingxue, as his future homeroom teacher, accompanied them the whole way.

But as soon as Li Chen entered the Secret Realm, he was too scared to even walk, curling up in the car and refusing to get out.

When they reached the Boxing Rabbit's Farm, though, he spotted a rabbit that stood out from the crowd—alone and isolated.

This rabbit was skin and bones, looking like a gust of wind could knock it over.

It was training alone against a wooden post, its fists smashing the post to splinters.

"That Boxing Rabbit had been abandoned before, so it's wary of people. But it awakened a very special skill: Berserk."

"It hadn't eaten for days, just to prove a point. No matter how the staff tried to persuade it, it wouldn't listen."

Zhang Lingxue introduced him to everyone.

Li Chen could feel this rabbit's unwillingness, loneliness, and solitude—just like himself right now.

So Li Chen, for the first time ever, walked over. Even though he was terrified, he took one step at a time and pressed forward.

"Wait, walking in rashly is dangerous. That Boxing Rabbit still has some aggression."

Zhang Lingxue called out to warn him.

Li Chen heard her, but he paid no attention. He didn't want to leave a bad impression on this Boxing Rabbit.

The Boxing Rabbit, mid-training, sensed Li Chen's approach. It lifted its head and raised an eyebrow, as if to say, Something you need?

Li Chen saw an unshakable sorrow in the rabbit's ruby-like eyes, and his heart was stirred once more.

The Boxing Rabbit was so thin its jawline was visible. Its fists were covered in wood splinters, and fresh blood trickled out, dripping down the back of its hand onto the ground.

Its fists bore a mix of new and old wounds, countless scars, and the ground beneath was stained with dried blood.

"What a coincidence—I don't have a contracted pet beast yet. Would you like to be my friend?"

"I can promise I'll never abandon you for the rest of my life."

Li Chen scratched his head and asked the Boxing Rabbit.

Something in Li Chen's words touched the Boxing Rabbit's sorrow. Tears streamed down uncontrollably, drop by drop, falling to the ground.

Snot and tears smeared together.

"Cry it out—you'll feel better."

Li Chen reached out his chubby hand and gently wiped away the Boxing Rabbit's tears.

"Do you like Ruby Carrots?"

"I also have Sapphire Carrots and Golden Carrots here."

Li Chen stuffed a bulging backpack into the Boxing Rabbit's hands. "Go on, try them. I picked these out carefully—I think they're the tastiest things."