Cafeteria Turmoil and Subtle Jealousy

On her first night in Seventh Dormitory, Xiao Xiaoxiao did not sleep well.

The hard plank bed made her whole body ache, while the boys' snores and teeth-grinding rose and fell throughout the dormitory like a horribly discordant symphony. But what unsettled her even more was Xiao Wu, sprawled inelegantly across the bed diagonally opposite her, and Tang San in the neighboring bed, breathing evenly as though he had long been accustomed to such surroundings.

She secretly turned onto her side and, by the faint moonlight filtering in through the window, looked at Tang San's vague silhouette. A sour feeling rose in her heart. He and Xiao Wu seemed to have become familiar with each other all at once—one fight, and they were "one of us." Yet despite all her hard work raising his favorability, it felt as though something still stood between them.

No! She couldn't just lie back and do nothing! She had to take the initiative!

Early the next morning, just as dawn began to break, Tang San silently got out of bed. This had always been part of his cultivation routine.

Xiao Xiaoxiao had not been sleeping deeply either. The moment she heard movement, she forced her eyes open and climbed out of bed too. She remembered that in the original story, Xiao Wu would still be sleeping soundly at this time.

Sure enough, Xiao Wu was curled up beneath her blanket, sleeping sweetly with her cheeks puffed out. Every now and then, she smacked her lips and murmured in her sleep, "Carrots..."

Xiao Xiaoxiao quietly put on her school uniform, washed up, and followed Tang San out of the dormitory.

The morning air carried a chill, and the academy was silent.

Tang San gave her a somewhat surprised glance. "You're up so early?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao quickly put on an energetic smile, though her eyelids were still fighting to stay open. "Mm! It's the first day of school, so I'm excited! And I need to cultivate hard too—I can't fall behind!" She did her best to establish her diligent-student image. "Tang San, are you going to cultivate? Can I come with you? I promise I won't disturb you!"

Tang San looked at her big, expectant eyes, watery from lack of sleep, and nodded. "Suit yourself."

The two found a quiet corner. Tang San began practicing Purple Demon Eye before sitting in meditation to cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Xiao Xiaoxiao followed his example and sat cross-legged nearby, trying her best to sense the scant soul power within her body and circulate it according to the most basic method.

Though the results were negligible, she had to get the posture right! She had to let her idol see her determination!

By the time sunlight gradually spread across the academy grounds, the two had finished cultivating and returned to Seventh Dormitory. Xiao Wu had indeed just woken up and was sitting on her bed rubbing her eyes, looking adorably bleary-eyed.

"Little Sanzi, Xiaoxiao, where did you go?" she asked with a yawn, casually giving Tang San a nickname.

"We went to cultivate," Tang San answered as he began making his bed.

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue. "Cultivating so early in the morning is boring. Eating is the real business! I'm hungry!" She hopped off the bed, her energy instantly restored. "Come on, come on, let's eat! I heard the cafeteria's Carrot Buns are delicious!"

The Work-Study Students headed toward the cafeteria in a grand procession. Nuoding Academy's cafeteria was large and divided into several floors. The Work-Study Students had the lowest meal standard and all ate in the first-floor hall, where the food was the simplest.

Even so, seeing the steaming buns, porridge, simple stir-fried dishes, and the Carrot Buns Xiao Wu had been longing for in the serving windows, the children could not help swallowing.

Everyone lined up to get food. Tang San ordered the most ordinary meal, and Xiao Xiaoxiao copied him, getting roughly the same amount, though her eyes secretly drifted several times toward the fragrant-looking meat pies.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, unceremoniously ordered two Carrot Buns, a large bowl of porridge, and a small plate of side dishes, piling her tray full.

The three found an empty table and sat down. Wang Sheng and the other Work-Study Students also got their meals and sat nearby.

As Xiao Xiaoxiao watched Tang San and Xiao Wu seated across from her, the little calculations in her heart started up again. She carefully picked up the only small meat pie on her tray with her chopsticks, her face carrying a hint of shyness and concern as she held it out to Tang San. "Tang San, you should have this. You worked so hard cultivating this morning. You need to eat more so you can grow."

Tang San froze for a moment. He looked at the glistening little meat pie, then at Xiao Xiaoxiao's expression, which practically said, "I'm being completely sincere," and was just about to shake his head in refusal.

Beside them, Xiao Wu had her mouth stuffed full of bun, her cheeks puffed out as she spoke indistinctly. "Mmph... Xiaoxiao, you're so biased! Why give it to Little Sanzi but not me? I'm hungry too!" As she spoke, she blinked her big eyes and put on a pitiful expression.

Xiao Xiaoxiao: "..."

A miscalculation! She had forgotten that this rabbit was not only lively, but thick-skinned too!

Seeing Xiao Wu's expression, the corner of Tang San's mouth seemed to curl up almost imperceptibly. Then he said to Xiao Xiaoxiao, "No need. Eat it yourself. I have enough."

Xiao Xiaoxiao could only silently withdraw the meat pie and eat it herself, though it tasted like ash in her mouth.

Just then, a commotion arose at the cafeteria entrance. Several students dressed in noticeably finer, more polished clothes walked in. The one leading them was not very old, yet he held his chin high with an arrogant expression, several lackeys trailing behind him.

"Well, if it isn't Wang Sheng's bunch of poor Work-Study Students? Got some fresh blood this year?" The lead student's voice dripped with mockery. His gaze swept across the area occupied by Seventh Dormitory before finally landing on Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao. A flash of surprise and teasing appeared in his eyes. "Tsk, tsk. There are actually two little beauties among the Work-Study Students this year? What a waste, being stuck with a bunch of poor losers. Little sisters, want to come upstairs with your big brother and eat something good? I guarantee it'll be far better than this pig slop of yours!"

The moment those words came out, every Work-Study Student's expression darkened. Wang Sheng abruptly stood up and glared at him. "Xiao Chenyu, watch your mouth!"

The student called Xiao Chenyu gave a scornful laugh. "What? Wang Sheng, itching for another beating? Have you forgotten the lesson from last time?"

Xiao Wu stuffed the last bite of bun into her mouth, slammed a hand on the table, and sprang to her feet. Her Scorpion Braid flicked behind her as her large eyes widened roundly. "Hey! Who are you? Who are you calling pig slop? Our food is delicious! And who's your little sister? Don't act so familiar!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao's little face had turned red with anger, and she stood up as well. This guy was far too obnoxious!

Xiao Chenyu's face could not quite hold up after being snapped at by Xiao Wu. He sneered. "Heh, this little chili pepper has quite the bite! Work-Study Students should behave like Work-Study Students—just stay obediently on the first floor and chew your buns. Don't get in my way."

Tang San slowly set down his chopsticks and stood up, stepping in front of Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao. He looked calmly at Xiao Chenyu. "We were here first. Please leave."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable steadiness.

Xiao Chenyu sized Tang San up and down. Seeing his plain clothes, he laughed scornfully. "And who the hell are you? A Work-Study Student dares speak to me like that? Looking for a beating?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Xiao Wu could not stand it any longer. Rolling up her sleeves, she moved to step forward. "Then fight! Who's afraid of who? Little Sanzi, beat him up!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart tightened. She knew Xiao Chenyu's group had higher Soul Power Levels than they did. If a conflict broke out now, they would definitely be at a disadvantage. Instinctively, she grabbed Tang San's arm and whispered, "Tang San, there are too many of them. The teachers said we aren't allowed to fight privately..."

She was not afraid of trouble. She was worried Tang San would get hurt.

Tang San felt the light pressure on his arm and her concern. He turned to glance at her, his expression still calm but seeming to soften slightly. He gently patted the back of her hand—Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart instantly skipped a beat!—then said to Xiao Chenyu, "The academy has rules. Private fighting will be severely punished. Do you want to test that?"

Xiao Chenyu clearly had his own concerns. He shot Tang San a vicious glare, then greedily glanced at Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao before throwing out a threat. "Hmph, you got lucky! Just wait. Work-Study Students will always be Work-Study Students. You'll have it coming soon enough! Let's go!"

With that, he led his lackeys upstairs in a sorry state.

For the moment, the disturbance had subsided.

The Work-Study Students all breathed a sigh of relief, and there was a little more trust in the way they looked at Tang San. This new boss really could hold his ground when it mattered!

Xiao Wu sat back down in a huff and viciously bit into a bun. "Hmph! I'm so mad! Next time, I'll beat him until he's crawling around looking for his teeth!"

Tang San sat down as well and quietly continued eating.

Xiao Xiaoxiao was still immersed in Tang San's gentle pat on the back of her hand, her cheeks slightly warm. Was my idol comforting me? He noticed I was worried!

She secretly glanced at Tang San, then at Xiao Wu, who was still angrily gnawing on a bread roll.

Although Xiao Wu had drawn most of the fire, just now... hadn't Tang San stepped in front of both of them first? And he had accepted her concern too—though perhaps only because he didn't want to cause trouble?

Thinking that, the imbalance in Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart suddenly eased, replaced by a faint, secret delight.

It seemed that subtle, gradual care really did have an effect!

The first round of the dining war had had a small hiccup, but it seemed... she hadn't lost?

She picked up her chopsticks again, feeling as though even the porridge in her bowl had become a little sweeter.

Mm, the revolution had yet to succeed; Xiaoxiao still needed to work hard! Start with the little details, letting things seep in silently!

She decided that next time, she would serve her idol some food again! Mm... and she would give Xiao Wu something too, so it wouldn't look too obvious. Yes, that was it!