The First Cup of Milk Tea in Autumn

"It's all over. Let's head back; it'll be dark soon." Lu Leng spoke as he led the way back to Spirit Hall.

"Nana, what happened after we passed out?"

"Let's talk when we get back. This place still isn't safe." Hu Liena supported Xie Yue.

"Mm." Xie Yue nodded.

Lu Leng led the way at the front, with the other three following behind him. Hu Liena supported Xie Yue, while Yan had to rely on his own willpower.

Before night fell, the four of them safely returned to Spirit City and found an inn to rest in for the night.

Only after entering the inn did Hu Liena tell the two of them everything that had happened, including the fact that she had obtained a spirit bone. Naturally, she left out the part about Lu Leng peeking at her.

After hearing it all, Xie Yue and Yan thanked Lu Leng, but they were also utterly shocked. Even after dinner that night, they had yet to recover from their amazement. Yan, especially, gained a new understanding of Lu Leng's strength.

Late that night, Lu Leng was already fast asleep, but Hu Liena, in the room next door, simply could not fall asleep.

She tossed and turned in bed, unable to get comfortable no matter what position she tried. When she finally managed to settle down, a strange expression appeared on her face—sometimes she giggled foolishly, sometimes she was calm...

Lu Leng's figure kept flashing through her mind. His confidence, his cold pride, his strength, and the commanding presence with which he controlled the entire situation lingered in her thoughts. The moment she closed her eyes, he appeared uncontrollably.

Especially the moment he saved her. Back then, they had been incredibly close, less than a centimeter apart. They had almost kissed. The situation had been too urgent for her to think much of it then, but recalling it now made her face burn and her heart race.

Before she could think any further, the image shifted to Lu Leng peeking at her backside. She immediately became furious, but upon further thought, that anger was mixed with a trace of shyness.

No way... Could I really like him?

Impossible. How could I like that arrogant brat? Ever since he came to Spirit Hall, he has targeted me whenever he could, and he even called me a little wild boar...

That's right. Absolutely impossible!

...He's not even seven yet. Would that count as illegal?

The next morning, after breakfast, the four returned to Spirit Hall.

"Eh? You didn't sleep well last night?" Lu Leng could not help asking when he saw Hu Liena's sleepy-eyed appearance.

"What the hell is it to you?" Hu Liena immediately flushed with embarrassment and glared at him irritably.

Lu Leng's mouth twitched. He wanted nothing more than to slap himself. I'm asking for it. I clearly don't get along with this girl, yet I still had to run my mouth.

After they returned safely to Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong immediately summoned them.

Hu Liena omitted some of the more dangerous details before telling Bibi Dong everything that had happened. After hearing it, Bibi Dong openly showed her appreciation for Lu Leng.

When Hu Liena saw this, her heart inexplicably soured. But when she remembered that Lu Leng had saved her, she smiled, and that trace of bitterness vanished without a trace.

"All right, you may leave. Autumn begins in three days, and that will also be the day Spirit Academy starts. Nana, take Lu Leng to enroll," Bibi Dong said.

"Yes, Teacher." The two replied respectfully before taking their leave.

"Nana, stay behind. Let me examine your spirit bone and spirit skill, then help you analyze them," Bibi Dong called out to Hu Liena.

"Yes, Teacher."

Delight appeared on Hu Liena's face. It seemed her teacher had not forgotten about her.

Three days later, Hu Liena came to find Lu Leng.

"Let's go. I'm taking you to enroll today."

"Wait a moment, I'm almost done." Lu Leng's hands were busy, and he did not even turn his head as he answered.

"What are you messing around with?" Curious, Hu Liena leaned over to look.

Lu Leng held a bowl filled with something like milk, though it was slightly pink in color. There was also translucent fruit pulp and black round pearls inside, though she had no idea what they were.

"It smells lightly sweet. What kind of food are you making?" Hu Liena took a sniff, catching the fragrance of fruit in the air. She had long learned from Bibi Dong that Lu Leng was a good cook who often made all sorts of delicious things, but she had never had the chance to taste any.

"This is called milk tea. Want to try some?"

"Really?" Hu Liena was somewhat surprised. This was the first time Lu Leng had taken the initiative to offer her food.

"You aren't planning to use me as a test subject, are you?" Hu Liena reconsidered.

"Try it or don't." Lu Leng snorted.

"I'll try it. Why wouldn't I?" Hu Liena picked up a spoon. Being a test subject for this would not be much of a loss. She immediately scooped up a spoonful, put it in her mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed it along with the fruit pulp.

It really was delicious!

So Teacher hadn't lied to me. This kid really was an excellent cook.

"Not bad. Give me more." Hu Liena picked up a large bowl and, without asking Lu Leng's permission, prepared to scoop herself a huge serving.

"Take less. Leave some for Teacher." Lu Leng hurriedly stopped her. There was not much to begin with, and with that scoop, she had taken two-thirds of it.

"You're so good at making it. Just make more later."

"By the way, what is this called?"

"It doesn't have a name." Lu Leng answered irritably.

"Such a good thing doesn't have a name? What a shame."

"Then let's call it Pink Love." Lu Leng thought it made sense, so he gave it a name. It reminded him of the good times in his previous life.

"So tacky..." Hu Liena said disdainfully, though an unusual feeling stirred within her heart.

Pink Love?

Is he confessing to me?

But he's still so young...

Should I reject him?

"Why are you standing there like an idiot? Move aside. I'm taking a cup to Teacher." Lu Leng's disdainful voice instantly shattered Hu Liena's fantasies.

"Hmph, I knew it." Hu Liena pouted angrily.

"Why do I have to drink mine from a bowl, while Teacher gets something so fancy? And even a straw?" Hu Liena suddenly noticed that what Lu Leng held was different. It was in a special cup, complete with a pretty straw.

Immediately, the milk tea in her bowl no longer seemed appealing.

"Because you're a little wild boar. Little wild boars don't need anything fancy."

"You're the little wild boar! Your whole family is little wild boars..."

Soon, Lu Leng arrived at the Pope's Palace.

"Lu Leng? Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to enroll today?" Bibi Dong had been busy, her expression somewhat melancholy, but the moment she saw Lu Leng, her voice softened as she asked.

"Teacher, I invented a new food. Before leaving, I specifically came to bring some to you." Lu Leng smiled and placed the milk tea before her.

"How thoughtful." Bibi Dong knew Lu Leng was a good cook who often made delicious things. Seeing another new creation, she became curious as well.

With a smile, Lu Leng handed the milk tea to Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong accepted it and examined it curiously. It was pink and delicate-looking. "What is this?"

"The first cup of milk tea in autumn."