A Shopping Invitation

The next day, the sun was already high in the sky.

Zhang Bufan got up feeling refreshed and carefully dressed himself up. Though his looks were already impressive, as the saying went, clothes made the man, and a saddle made the horse. For a first official "date," he had to leave a good impression on the girl.

He changed into a moon-white brocade robe made from top-grade Ice Silkworm Silk. It was impervious to water and fire and naturally cooling, with faint Cloud Patterns embroidered in silver thread. It was low-key yet luxurious. He had asked the three Committee Members to prepare it for him. Apparently, it was worth enough to bankrupt a minor noble family.

After checking himself in the water mirror, Zhang Bufan nodded in satisfaction. "Mm, handsome! With these looks and this presence, even back on Earth, I'd definitely be a top idol, the kind who'd charm countless young girls!"

After admiring himself for a while, he judged that the time was about right and leisurely made his way toward Blazing Fire Academy's barracks in Heaven Dou City.

He did not use any Soul Power or Space Ability, simply walking like an ordinary young master from a wealthy family. Along the way, he could feel countless open and covert gazes fixed on him, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, awe, and even a hint of fear.

Clearly, yesterday's news had already spread everywhere.

Zhang Bufan did not care in the slightest. He was even in a rather good mood, winking at a few young girls who had been secretly watching him. Their faces immediately flushed, their hearts raced, and they shrieked as they ran away.

Ah, having too much charm is a burden too, he sighed inwardly, though the corners of his lips could not help but rise.

When he arrived at the entrance to Blazing Fire Academy's barracks, he was recognized at once, just as expected. The student guarding the gate looked as though he had seen a ghost, his face turning pale as he stammered a greeting. "Z-Zhang... Young Master Zhang! P-Please come in! The dean instructed us that you may enter at any time!"

His attitude was so respectful that he practically wanted to kneel and welcome him in.

Zhang Bufan waved a hand and smiled gently. "No need to be nervous. I'm here to see Huo Wu."

"Miss... Miss is in the courtyard. I-I'll go inform her right away!" After saying that, the student scrambled inside as though fleeing for his life.

Zhang Bufan rubbed his nose, feeling somewhat speechless. Was he really that frightening?

Before long, Huo Wu appeared at the entrance. Today, she wore a fiery red fitted outfit that perfectly outlined her exquisite figure. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail, making her look neat and capable while retaining a touch of girlish charm. Yet her expression seemed somewhat unnatural, and her eyes flickered as she did not dare meet Zhang Bufan's gaze.

Clearly, she had heard the rumors spreading wildly outside. Coupled with the shock of personally witnessing everything yesterday, her feelings were incomparably complicated as she faced Zhang Bufan now.

"Y-You... why are you here?" There was a trace of barely noticeable nervousness in Huo Wu's voice.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Bufan found it immensely amusing. He deliberately leaned closer and smiled. "What? You agreed to it yesterday, and you've already forgotten today? You really do have a short memory, Miss Huo Wu."

He was very close. His fresh, pleasant scent washed over her, and Huo Wu could even make out his long eyelashes and smiling lips. Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and she instinctively took half a step back, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening.

"W-Who forgot?!" She forced herself to remain calm and turned her face away. "It's just shopping, isn't it? Fine, let's go!"

"Then shall we?" Zhang Bufan made a welcoming gesture.

Huo Wu hesitated. Looking at the academy students and teachers secretly watching from around them, she bit her lip and said softly, "Y-You... when we're outside in the future, could you... stop always..."

"Stop always doing what?" Zhang Bufan asked knowingly.

"Stop always calling me... 'Wu'er,' 'Wu'er'!" Huo Wu's voice dropped even lower, carrying a trace of embarrassed annoyance. This guy always called her so intimately. It was unbearably awkward in front of everyone.

At that, Zhang Bufan immediately put on a wronged expression. "Why? I think it sounds nice. Wu'er, Wu'er—it rolls right off the tongue! Look, your brother is called Huo Wushuang, and I call you Wu'er. It distinguishes the two of you perfectly."

"You!" Huo Wu choked with anger. What kind of twisted logic was that?!

"Besides," Zhang Bufan suddenly dropped his teasing expression. His gaze burned as he looked at her, and his tone carried an unquestionable dominance. "The woman I, Zhang Bufan, have set my sights on—I'll call her whatever I want. Does it matter what anyone else thinks?"

His gaze was too direct, too scorching, as though it carried an electric current that instantly pierced through Huo Wu's defenses. Her face felt even hotter, and her heart pounded so fiercely it seemed ready to leap out of her chest.

The woman he has set his sights on...?

He... he really...

Huo Wu's mind went blank, and for a moment, she did not know how to refute him.

Seeing her flustered, helpless look, her cheeks flushed crimson, Zhang Bufan's mood improved greatly. Knowing he could not push too hard, he stopped while he was ahead. His lazy smile returned as he changed the subject. "All right, enough of that. Let's go, my Vice Dean. Today, I'll give you the chance to be my guide and show me around the Heaven Dou Imperial City properly."

He naturally reached out, intending to take Huo Wu's hand.

Like a startled deer, Huo Wu abruptly pulled her hand behind her back and shot him a reproachful glare. "Who wants to be your guide? And who is your Vice Dean?!"

This guy was getting more and more outrageous!

Zhang Bufan did not force the matter. He chuckled, withdrew his hand, and made a gesture of "after you."

Huo Wu took a deep breath, trying hard to calm her wildly pounding heart as she told herself not to stoop to this guy's level. She took the lead and walked toward the academy's exit. Yet no matter how one looked at it, her steps seemed somewhat flustered.

Zhang Bufan followed half a step behind her at an unhurried pace. Watching her ponytail sway lightly with each step and her graceful, alluring back, the smile on his lips grew increasingly brilliant.

Mm, the proud, prickly Flame Goddess had quite a unique charm when she was shy.

This shopping trip looked like it would be very interesting.

Behind them, countless pairs of eyes within Blazing Fire Academy's barracks witnessed the scene. In particular, when they saw their young miss—usually as proud and confident as a Flame Goddess—display such girlish shyness before that young man, everyone's feelings became indescribably complicated.

Dean Huo Lie stood before the office window, watching his daughter leave side by side with that unfathomable young man. His brows were tightly furrowed before finally turning into a long sigh.

"A grown daughter can't be kept at home forever... I just hope this kid is reliable..."

At that moment, the countless Power Bases in Heaven Dou City that had been watching Zhang Bufan also received the news at once—

That mysterious and powerful Zhang Bufan had gone shopping with Huo Wu of Blazing Fire Academy!

For a time, who knew how many spies secretly followed after them, or how many leaders of Power Bases began reassessing the weight of Blazing Fire Academy and the Huo Family.

A seemingly ordinary shopping trip had set the entire Heaven Dou City on edge.