Next Time, Next Time For Sure!

The air in the private room seemed to freeze.

But almost immediately, a similar thought surfaced in most people's minds:

Although Su Li was also a commoner, she was the principal's last disciple and held an important position at the Martial School, wielding considerable power. Even ordinary rich second-generation heirs like Zhang Yang would never dare to provoke her.

She must be here to see Lu Jue on official business.

Besides that, what other connection could they possibly have?

One was the aloof School Belle, holding a certain authority at the Martial School, and the other was a commoner student dressed plainly. No one would think of anything else.

However, even so, the cold aura Su Li carried instantly stunned everyone.

Whether they were boys or girls, the moment she stepped in, they unconsciously restrained their expressions. The mocking or spectating looks that were originally on their faces became somewhat unnatural.

Compared to Zeng Qian's meticulous appearance, Su Li's extremely simple yet spotless white training clothes made her look inexplicably tacky.

Zhang Yang's outstretched hand and forced smile froze completely. An unprecedented embarrassment caused the muscles in his cheeks to twitch uncontrollably.

He, the "protagonist" who thought highly of himself, was being so thoroughly ignored by Su Li. This was more humiliating than being slapped directly.

He could only force himself to believe: It must be that the school has urgent business with Lu Jue, which is why she didn't have time to greet me.

Lu Jue, who was directly named, was indeed bewildered.

He quickly scanned his mind. The only thing he could think of was the brief eye contact he had with Su Li in the cafeteria a few days ago.

She came looking for him because of that?

How vengeful could this woman be?

Were there already seventy or eighty sycophants ambushing outside? Just waiting to beat him up when he went out?

Lu Jue's internal alarm bells rang loudly.

Inside the private room, with everyone watching, she had to follow some rules.

But if he went out with her, to some secluded corner, he wouldn't be able to explain himself and would be at her mercy.

So, under everyone's gaze, Lu Jue looked into Su Li's clear eyes, which showed no emotion, and without thinking, replied brazenly:

"Why don't we just talk here?"

Su Li clearly hadn't expected such an answer.

A fleeting hint of surprise flashed across her usually calm face. After a second of thought, she actually nodded.

"Classmate Lu Jue, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to a simple meal!"

"!?

Su Li's words struck everyone like a bolt of lightning, leaving them stunned.

Treat him to a meal!?

Su Li was actually inviting a male student to dinner!?

And so directly, in this kind of setting!?

Everyone was dumbfounded, their brains completely short-circuited.

The forced smile on Zhang Yang's face completely shattered, leaving only a twisted expression of disbelief.

The women who had been mocking Lu Jue earlier covered their mouths, their eyes wide open. They looked at Su Li, then at Lu Jue, as if trying to find any trace of a joke on their faces.

However, Su Li maintained her usual formal expression, as if she had just issued a routine meeting notice, not a piece of news that could detonate the entire Martial School.

Lu Jue was stunned for a long time.

Inviting me to dinner? Not looking for trouble?

This turn of events is a bit abrupt!

He didn't naively believe that Su Li had taken a liking to him.

If there wasn't any urgent matter, he might have considered going for a good meal.

But tonight, he had to go home and quickly master "Sound Location." Forget about the commoner School Belle, even if a female Martial Saint herself came, it wouldn't work!

So, Lu Jue shook his head decisively:

"I'm not free tonight!"

Four words, clear and concise, without any polite embellishments.

Everyone: "!!!"

He refused?! He actually refused!?

Refused Su Li's dinner invitation!?

However, it wasn't over yet.

As if feeling that his reason wasn't sufficient, Lu Jue added honestly:

"I've already eaten, maybe next time, definitely next time!"

Silence.

A deathly silence.

If they had only been shocked before, now, everyone's expression had completely turned to horror.

He's already full?

These reasons, which sounded almost pathetic, were actually used by him to reject Su Li's invitation to dinner?!

This wasn't just being unappreciative; this was outright madness! Unreasonable!

Despite being rejected so dismissively, Su Li's face showed no embarrassment. Instead, a hint of confusion, completely uncharacteristic of her usual demeanor, appeared.

Ever since their chance encounter in the cafeteria that day, her good friend Tang Ning had inexplicably taken a liking to this guy named Lu Jue.

With the Martial Arts Examination looming, Tang Ning was so preoccupied that she couldn't eat or sleep, acting as if she were possessed.

As a good friend, Su Li naturally had to help Tang Ning overcome this emotional hurdle.

However, since she was eight years old, the principal had taken notice of her and made her her sole disciple.

For ten years, she had either been practicing martial arts or managing the affairs of the Martial School. When it came to romantic relationships between men and women, she was practically a blank slate.

So, she specially left behind the flying message from her "blind date," Liu Jue, asking for advice on how to proceed.

The other party then gave her an idea:

Flirt!

The word reminded her of the scenes where young masters invited her out for meals.

Although she had never agreed to any of them, she could clearly sense their impure intentions.

This should be considered flirting, right?

She had someone tail Lu Jue for two days, and he was always mysteriously heading into the small woods.

It wasn't until just now that she finally found an opportunity. Impatiently setting aside her work, she burst in directly.

But why didn't it work?

Was the procedure wrong?

She tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes filled with confusion, as if she had encountered a problem more difficult to understand than an advanced martial skill.

But soon, she remembered the entire process of those young masters inviting her to dinner.

Thus, under everyone's stunned gazes, the civilian School Belle, known for her calm and competence, did something that sent the atmosphere of the entire private room spiraling into absurdity—

She actually took out a notepad and pen from her pocket.

Then, she stood there, frowning slightly, completely ignoring everyone, muttering softly as she meticulously wrote and drew on the notepad:

"Sorry, classmate Lu Jue, I was too abrupt! Let's talk again next time when you're free!"

Su Li quickly finished writing the note and looked up at Lu Jue again, speaking calmly in a highly formulaic tone.

After speaking, she turned decisively.

But just as she reached for the doorknob, she seemed to realize something was missing and stopped abruptly, turning back.

Her gaze fell on Lu Jue again:

"Oh, right, classmate Lu Jue, I forgot to say this earlier."

"You look quite handsome today!"

After uttering these few sentences, which were enough to cause a nuclear-level explosion within the Martial School, Su Li felt she had perfectly added the missing "flattery" segment to the "procedure." She nodded at Lu Jue again.

Only then did she truly open the door and quickly disappear down the corridor, leaving behind a private room where everyone's worldview had shattered and chaos reigned.