You Really Threw Away Your Dignity?

The atmosphere in the scene was somewhat delicate.

Mu Xiaoyan sat sideways, propping her cheek up with one hand as she looked at the Vague Man.

"I've seen you before."

The Vague Man turned his head slightly, his gaze seeming to linger on her face for a moment.

His tone was calm, without the slightest ripple.

Mu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up, thinking she had caught his attention. "Really? Where?"

"When I asked that question."

The Vague Man's voice remained lazy, yet it made Mu Xiaoyan's heart skip a beat.

"Back then, among the crowd, you were one of the people laughing at me."

The moment those words came out, Mu Xiaoyan, who had been wearing a shy expression, froze instantly.

The cute expression on her little face visibly went blank.

Then she awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth and let out two dry laughs.

"Ah... that... brother, you misunderstood." She hurriedly waved her hands.

"I wasn't laughing at you back then. I just thought the idea you brought up was too far-fetched."

"It was interesting, so that's why I laughed."

"Is that so?"

The Vague Man merely replied with those two words, looking as though he had no interest in dealing with her.

But that cold attitude did not deter Mu Xiaoyan.

She stubbornly remained seated and began making idle conversation with him.

"Where does brother live? I see you sunbathing here every day."

"Not far."

"What is brother's Martial Soul? Is it a plant-type one? Otherwise, why would you ask that question?"

"No."

No matter what Mu Xiaoyan asked, the Vague Man always looked as though he was merely humoring her.

The viewers across the continent found the scene amusing.

"Is this what they call pressing a warm face against a cold butt?"

"I have to say, she can actually keep this conversation going? I really admire this girl."

By then, the sky was gradually darkening.

The Vague Man seemed to have been bothered beyond endurance. He stood up, patted the bits of grass from his clothes, and was about to leave.

Just then, a familiar figure came jogging over.

It was Jiang Zhu.

She ran back to the square, panting heavily, while carefully protecting an exquisite little box in her hands.

When she saw Mu Xiaoyan sitting on the grass, her steps paused slightly, and a trace of confusion crossed her face.

But out of politeness, she gave a friendly smile and took the initiative to greet her.

Mu Xiaoyan also stood up, smoothed her skirt, and politely returned the greeting.

Then she turned toward the Vague Man, her face blooming with a brilliant smile as though the earlier awkwardness had never happened.

"Brother, I had a great time talking with you today!"

"When I'm free, I'll come play with you again!"

With that, she waved gently and left with elegant steps.

Quite a few viewers were left speechless as they watched her departing figure.

"You call those few perfunctory answers having a great chat?"

Jiang Zhu stared blankly in the direction Mu Xiaoyan had left, then looked at the Vague Man without asking any questions.

She opened the little box in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "Look!"

"These are little cookies a friend I healed gave me. They're especially delicious!"

"I thought you probably hadn't left yet, so I came back to eat with you."

The Vague Man, who had been preparing to leave, looked at the box of cookies held out before him, then at her delighted face.

He said nothing and silently sat back down.

Jiang Zhu happily sat down beside him.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder, watching the sun set.

This scene was worlds apart from when Mu Xiaoyan had been there just moments ago.

The scene shifted repeatedly.

As the days passed, two entirely different scenes always appeared in that square.

In one, Jiang Zhu accompanied the Vague Man. The two either discussed everyday matters or sat quietly lost in thought, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.

In the next, Mu Xiaoyan stubbornly lingered at his side, probing and hinting in every possible way.

Meanwhile, the Vague Man remained indifferent.

Shrek Academy.

Ma Hongjun watched the scene with envy and jealousy all over his face. "Wuwuwu... this is youth!"

"I want a female student to keep me company every day too."

Oscar also looked longingly at the scene. "It's making my heart stir."

"Dean!"

The two turned to Flender in unison.

"When will our academy recruit some female students?"

"We want to have scenes like this too!"

Flender rolled his eyes speechlessly. "Sure!"

He rubbed his fingers together. "Give me the funds, and I'll expand enrollment."

"No money? Then stop talking nonsense."

The scene changed once again.

The setting was no longer that pleasant square, but an academy office.

Teacher Yang, who had appeared before, now wore a stern expression as she looked seriously at Jiang Zhu, who stood before her with her head lowered.

"Jiang Zhu! Look at your recent Soul Power test results!"

Teacher Yang slapped the desk in disappointment.

"You've already fallen far behind the other students your age!"

"If this continues, the gap will only grow wider!"

"I know you're kindhearted, but have you been wasting too much time and energy treating others?"

"Have you even sacrificed your cultivation time?"

Teacher Yang sighed and earnestly advised her.

"You need to seize this golden period of cultivation and focus on improving yourself!"

"From today onward, don't treat people so casually anymore. Do you understand?"

Jiang Zhu lowered her head and answered softly, "Yes... Teacher, I understand."

After leaving the office.

Jiang Zhu was somewhat downcast as she walked along the academy's tree-lined path.

Her teacher's words kept echoing in her mind.

Just then, three male students approached from ahead.

When they saw Jiang Zhu, their eyes lit up, and they immediately surrounded her.

"Ouch! Jiang Zhu, we finally found you!"

One of the smiling boys rolled up his sleeve, revealing a faint red mark on his arm.

"I accidentally scraped it while sparring with someone earlier. It hurts like hell."

"Come on, help us brothers treat it."

The other two joined in as well. One had a bit of bruising on his leg, while the other had scraped his palm.

For Soul Masters, such minor injuries would heal in a couple of days.

Yet they acted as though it were only natural, stretching their arms out before Jiang Zhu.

Jiang Zhu looked at them and instinctively wanted to summon her Martial Soul.

But the next moment, she remembered Teacher Yang's warning. Her hand froze in midair before slowly lowering again.

"Um..."

Jiang Zhu bit her lip and said with some difficulty, "Teacher Yang told me to focus on cultivation..."

"And your injuries..."

The three students' expressions immediately darkened.

"Hey? Jiang Zhu, that's not very nice of you, is it?"

"It's just a small favor. It won't delay you for more than a few minutes, will it?"

"You used to come whenever we called. What, after not seeing us for a day or two, you've learned to put on airs?"

Their aggressive tone left Jiang Zhu, who had never been good with words, frozen in place.

For a moment, she did not know what to say. Her eyes even reddened with anxiety.

Just then.

An angry voice suddenly came from nearby.

"You have the nerve to ask Jiang Zhu to treat such tiny injuries?"

Everyone turned to look.

A handsome young man strode over.

He crossed the distance in a few steps, stood in front of Jiang Zhu to shield her behind him, and looked at the three students with contempt.

"You still call yourselves Soul Masters? You want to become the backbone of Spirit Hall someday?"

"I think you're three spineless cowards!"

The three students were stunned by the scolding. The one in the lead muttered resentfully.

"Qian Xiaosheng, don't act so arrogant just because you're talented!"

"What does this have to do with you? We weren't asking you!"

Qian Xiaosheng sneered. "Then pay her!"

"What, because Jiang Zhu is kind and feels too embarrassed to ask for money, you really decided to throw away your dignity?"

"You're using Jiang Zhu as free labor? Where do you get that confidence?"

The three of them turned pale and flushed by turns, but Qian Xiaosheng was an outstanding student, so they did not dare make a move.

They merely shot him and Jiang Zhu vicious looks before turning around and leaving.

After driving off those three shameless students, Qian Xiaosheng turned around and looked at Jiang Zhu, who stood silently with her head lowered.

"Are you alright?"

At that moment, Qian Xiaosheng's tone carried cautious concern.

"If you run into shameless people like that in the future, just ignore them."

"People like them have no conscience. Even if you treat them ten thousand times..."

"They won't be grateful to you. Instead, they'll think it's only natural."

Jiang Zhu bit her pale lips, her fingers twisting together. She raised her head and forced a smile.

"I'm fine... Thank you for earlier, Qian Xiaosheng."