Backstab?

After lunch, the three returned to Dorm 205.

Xie Xie plopped down beside his bed, a gossipy grin on his face as he eagerly asked, "Fang Yang, could Gu Yue be interested in you?"

He waggled his eyebrows. "Not only did she invite you to lunch herself, she specifically wanted to sit beside you, and she even gave you her drumstick in the end."

Zhou Changxi, who was in the dorm, also stopped what he was doing upon hearing this and perked up his ears to listen to the conversation between Fang Yang and the others.

Fang Yang smiled. "Xie Xie, don't make wild guesses. Gu Yue might just be a friendly person."

Xie Xie waved his arms dramatically. "Wow, friendly? You didn't see the way she looked at you!"

He imitated Gu Yue's expression and deliberately lowered his voice in a profound tone. "That was definitely more than just 'friendly'!"

Fang Yang wore a helpless smile. "Even if she really is interested in me, I happen to like her too."

Xie Xie instantly perked up at those words, springing off the bed like a carp. "I knew it! You two definitely have something going on!"

"Fang Yang, tell me honestly. Are you lusting after Gu Yue's body?"

As he spoke, he patted Tang Wulin on the shoulder again. "Wulin, don't you think so?"

Tang Wulin, who had been quietly listening, scratched his head and gave an honest smile. "I do think Gu Yue treats Fang Yang very differently..."

Xie Xie dramatically clutched his chest. "Heavens, even Tang Wulin can tell! Fang Yang, just admit it!"

Fang Yang shook his head, the corner of his mouth slightly raised as a faint smile lingered on his face. "Xie Xie, what do you know? This is called love at first sight!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he checked the time and his expression changed slightly. "Oh no, shouldn't we be heading to the Sports Field now? We'll be late if we wait any longer!"

"Whoa!"

Xie Xie was about to egg him on with more teasing, but Hearing This, he jolted with A Start.

He suddenly recalled Wu Changkong's icy face and the terrifying punishment awaiting latecomers, making his whole body shudder.

"Move, move!"

Xie Xie grabbed Tang Wulin's arm, his voice going shrill. "Teacher Wu's punishment is no joke!"

At exactly two in the afternoon, the blazing sun hung high overhead.

Heatwaves rolled across the Intermediate Department Sports Field of Eastsea Academy.

Just like in the morning, Class Five's students gathered On Time with heavy steps, ready to face the afternoon's Physical Training.

As for Wu Changkong's supposed schedule of Physical Training in the morning and theory class in the afternoon, it simply did not exist.

Wu Changkong explained it this way: "With your current physical fitness, what theory are you supposed to study? When your physical fitness improves, then we'll have theory classes!"

Compared with the morning, the afternoon's Physical Training was even harsher.

Endurance training had been replaced with strength exercises such as frog jumps, squats, and push-ups.

Having already gone through the morning's Physical Training, the students were utterly exhausted.

With the scorching sun on top of that, in less than half an hour, Class Five's students were sprawled all over the Sports Field from exhaustion.

Wu Changkong was already used to this sort of thing.

He first had the students perform relaxation exercises for a while.

Once they had recovered some of their strength, he began the second round of Physical Training.

Only Fang Yang remained relaxed, because he had not participated in Wu Changkong's Physical Training at all.

Wu Changkong felt that Fang Yang's physical constitution was far too strong and that he had no need for Physical Training, so he told him to find somewhere to practice Fire Control on his own.

Fang Yang naturally had no objections to that.

After all, this kind of Physical Training was of little use to someone with the Golden Dragon King Bloodline like him.

Several hours passed. When Wu Changkong announced the end of Physical Training—

Class Five's students practically collapsed onto the ground, their eyes unfocused as though even their last shred of strength had been drained away.

They dragged their heavy feet and barely managed to line up, looking as though they had just survived a brutal war.

At that moment, there was no light left in their hearts...

Then, Wu Changkong's voice remained as cold as ever.

"All students, assemble! Today's training ends here. Go back and rest properly. Remember to use the method I taught you to relax your muscles and avoid soreness tomorrow. Dismissed!"

"Yes..."

The response came scattered and weak, like the final sighs of dying people.

Feeling as though they had been granted a reprieve, the students all let out long breaths and prepared to leave with their exhausted bodies.

Then Wu Changkong said to Fang Yang and the other three, "Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, the four of you are to come to my office tonight after dinner."

"What? We still have to go tonight!?"

Xie Xie let out a wail, his Legs going limp as he nearly dropped to his knees.

A full day of Physical Training had already left him completely drained. Hearing that he still had extra training to do made him feel as though he had fallen into an abyss.

Tang Wulin was actually doing all right. Although he no longer had the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, the Blue Silver Emperor constantly restored him.

"Xie Xie, Teacher Wu is doing this for our own good too. Come on, I'll help you back."

Tang Wulin supported the swaying Xie Xie and comforted him gently.

"Thanks, Wulin..."

Xie Xie forced out a bitter smile, his fondness for Tang Wulin increasing by a few more points.

However, when he caught sight of Fang Yang in the distance, his gaze immediately turned resentful.

Fang Yang, you bastard, it was bad enough that you relied on your strong physique to skip Physical Training the entire time.

Now you didn't even care about your own brother, only about taking care of Gu Yue!

At that moment, Fang Yang was carefully supporting Gu Yue.

Gu Yue's fair cheeks were faintly flushed from exhaustion. The loose strands of hair on her forehead had been soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her skin.

She breathed lightly, her steps somewhat unsteady, but Fang Yang supported her firmly, so she was in no danger of falling.

"Can you still walk?" Fang Yang asked softly, concern in his voice.

Gu Yue softly murmured, "Mm," and did not refuse his help.

Seeing this, Xie Xie could not help muttering through Gritting Teeth, "Choosing women over friends..."

Tang Wulin smiled helplessly as he supported Xie Xie. "Let's go. If we don't leave now, all the food in the cafeteria will be gone."

Fang Yang helped Gu Yue to the foot of the Girls' Dormitory Building.

He stopped and said softly, "Gu Yue, I'll walk you this far. See you tonight."

Gu Yue raised her head slightly, her black hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze.

A faint smile appeared on her lips, and a soft glimmer flashed through her eyes as she said, "Mm, see you tonight."

With that, Gu Yue turned and headed toward the dormitory building. Her slender back looked especially graceful beneath the glow of the setting sun.

Na'er, I'm sorry, but Fang Yang is mine. Gu Yue said softly to herself.

At that very moment, Na'er, far away at Shrek Academy, suddenly clutched her chest for no reason.

Her face filled with confusion as she murmured, "Why do I feel like something isn't quite right?"

Fang Yang remained where he was, quietly watching her leave. Only after her figure disappeared around the corner of the dormitory corridor did he finally turn and leave.