At Noon, School Let Out

The sun stood high in the sky.

In the blink of an eye, it was lunchtime.

Ye Zi Yun and Xiao Ning'er were both privileged students, so they went home as soon as school let out.

"Zi Yun, don't forget you owe me two thousand," Chang Ping said, hurrying over to her and quietly reminding her in her ear.

He did it because he didn't want anyone else to find out Ye Zi Yun owed him money and lose face.

Ye Zi Yun's little face flushed slightly, and she gave a soft "Mm."

No boy had ever been this close to her before. Even though she knew Chang Ping hadn't meant anything by it, she was still terribly shy.

Naturally, such an intimate gesture made certain people unhappy.

"Damn it! Don't hold me back. I'm going over there to cripple him!" Shen Yue roared, seething with rage.

Lu Piao and Du Ze both moved their hands behind their backs, clearing the way for him.

Shen Yue was instantly left awkwardly standing there.

"Hmph. I ate something bad this morning, and my stomach's bothering me. I'll spare him for now. I'll settle things with him another day."

Lu Piao looked at Shen Yue with disdain and thought, What a coward! If it were me, I'd charge in and fight him.

"Hey! You're Chang Ping, right? Hello, I'm Xiao Xue." A girl in red ran over and greeted Chang Ping enthusiastically.

"Xue'er?" Lu Piao felt as if he'd been whacked over the head.

This cheerful, lively girl was his childhood friend—and the one he secretly loved.

What did she want with Chang Ping?

"Hello, Xiao Xue. You're really pretty." Chang Ping smiled and held out his broad palm. "May I ask what you're looking for me about?"

Xiao Xue also reached out and shook his hand.

His palm was broad and warm, making her heart flutter.

Xiao Xue's little face turned red. She pulled her hand back, hid it behind her, and shook her head. "Nothing in particular. I heard you're famous around the academy, so I came to meet you. Are you free at lunchtime? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Her cousin had been the former Beginner Warrior Class instructor, crippled by Tie Lang. Chang Ping had beaten Tie Lang until he was on his knees begging for mercy, avenging her cousin. Her cousin had asked her to thank him on his behalf by inviting him to a meal or something.

"Sorry, I've already made plans for lunch. Maybe another day?" Chang Ping said with a smile, scratching his head.

He'd mainly turned her down because he was worried he'd make the young girl cry when she ate.

"Okay. Another day." Xiao Xue nodded shyly.

As he watched the girl run off happily, Chang Ping blinked and thought, Did she misunderstand something? I said I'd treat her to a meal another day. It's not anything weird.

"Damn it! Don't hold me back. I'm going to kill him!" Lu Piao snapped, raising his fist at Chang Ping.

If Nie Li and Du Ze hadn't been holding him back, he would have charged over.

And then Chang Ping would have knocked him flat.

Shen Yue watched Lu Piao's tantrum with glee. The guy ought to understand now how awful I felt just a moment ago.

"What's the point?" Nie Li grabbed Lu Piao by the shoulders and shouted, "If you charge over now, you'll only humiliate yourself! Like the old saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there'll be no shortage of firewood. Brother, hold on a few more days. Trust me, I'll help you win back the one you love."

Lu Piao suddenly looked bashful and pouted. "What nonsense are you talking about? Xiao Xue isn't the one I love. She's my neighbor. I just don't want her getting tricked by some bad guy. Don't get the wrong idea!"

Nie Li smiled knowingly. Lu Piao was still the same old coward, liking someone but not daring to say so.

"Tomorrow! As soon as tomorrow comes, the price of Purple Mist Grass will skyrocket." Nie Li was certain. He still had thirty thousand Demon Spirit Coins from Shen Fei, and before prices went up, he planned to buy another batch after lunch.

They walked side by side along a quiet path through the bamboo grove, Chang Ping and Xiao Ning'er, with an awkward air between them.

Ye Zi Yun, eager to show off her treasure, had already left ahead of them.

"How's the Purple Mist Grass coming along?" Chang Ping asked first. She had probably sent servants to buy it from all the major apothecaries in the city.

If his guess was right, Nie Li's letter should have reached the Alchemist Association by now. The price of Purple Mist Grass would probably shoot up this afternoon or tomorrow.

"Here!" Xiao Ning'er said with a smile, handing Chang Ping a Space Ring.

Chang Ping opened his broad palm.

Xiao Ning'er lightly placed the ring in his hand, pouted her delicate lips, and said, "The servants brought it during the break after third period. All the Purple Mist Grass in the city is in here. I estimate it's more than five hundred thousand pounds."

Whenever she saw Chang Ping whispering with Ye Zi Yun, her heart ached.

Perhaps she had fallen for him.

"Nicely done!" Chang Ping sent his Soul Force into the ring to inspect its contents. Just as Xiao Ning'er had said. "Come on, stand still. I'll take a picture of you. The scenery around here is lovely." The bamboo grove was quiet and elegant.

Xiao Ning'er was the only girl in the class who hadn't had her picture taken.

Chang Ping took out his Simple Camera and reassured her. "Don't be nervous. I won't charge you for the first photo; it's free. Stand still and strike the pose you think looks best."

Xiao Ning'er was a little nervous about having her picture taken for the first time.

She walked over to a thick, bowl-sized bamboo stalk, clasped her hands behind her back, and shyly leaned against it.

The breeze swept through the grove, sending her hair and ribbons dancing.

"Click!"

Chang Ping waited for the right moment and pressed the shutter, capturing her at her loveliest.

"Come here!" Chang Ping beckoned Xiao Ning'er. He tore off the printed photo, took a heart-shaped frame from his Space Ring, fitted the picture inside, and handed it to her.

She turned the frame around and stared at the lifelike image of herself, opening her little mouth in astonishment.

It was so realistic!

"Thank you, Chang Ping!" Xiao Ning'er held the heart-shaped frame, her heart warm.

Chang Ping had deliberately given her a heart-shaped frame. Was he hinting that he liked her?

In fact, Chang Ping had only grabbed the first frame that came to hand. Xiao Ning'er was reading too much into it.

"No need to thank me. You did a good job, so you deserve it." Chang Ping waved his hand. "Go home. Take it slow on the way, and have a safe trip." After offering a few words of good luck, Chang Ping turned and left the bamboo grove.

Chang Ping had the feeling that the chef on the second floor was looking at him strangely, with a faint trace of murderous intent.

Since he was giving them so much business, they should have been grateful. Why would they want to kill him?

Chang Ping didn't like the way they looked at him, so he decided he'd never eat in the cafeteria again.

After leaving the academy gates, Chang Ping came to a steamed bun shop.

The pork-and-scallion buns had just come out of the steamer. They were piping hot and smelled delicious.

"How many would you like, sir?" the vendor asked with a beaming smile.

Chang Ping swallowed, cleared his throat, and said, "Bring me one whole steamer to start. I'll see if they're any good before deciding."

"One...whole steamer?" The vendor looked stunned. "Sir, these are big meat buns, not little dumplings. Can you really eat a whole steamer?"

"Quit the chatter and bring them out. Your master's got plenty of money!" Chang Ping sat down on a stool and took out a Demon Crystal Card, slapping it onto the table.

Ten thousand Demon Spirit Coins?

The vendor was startled. This gentleman really does have money to burn.