A Minor Conflict in the Cafeteria

Ye Qiu, lying on the bed, lifted his eyelids, turned over, and under Xiao Wu's expectant gaze, he lazily said:

"I'm hungry too, let's go together."

"Yay!"

Seeing that her money bag was going too, Xiao Wu excitedly stood up.

Wang Sheng turned his gaze to Tang San.

But Tang San was nothing like Ye Qiu. His family's blacksmith shop was truly as poor as a church mouse.

All the money had gone to his father, Tang Hao, for wine. To avoid starving, he had brought extra dry rations, coarse biscuits he had made himself.

Tang San calmly shook his head. He didn't have a single copper coin right now. He'd have to wait until he started working tomorrow to get paid.

"You guys go, I won't."

"Come on, Third Brother!" Wang Sheng stepped forward and put his arm around Tang San's shoulders, understanding that feeling of being broke.

"Let's all go together. I'll cover the food costs for you and Sister Xiao Wu for these two days," Wang Sheng said generously. He could afford this much.

To spare Tang San's pride, Wang Sheng added, "We'll be roommates from now on anyway. Once you become a Soul Master, you can directly receive a monthly subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin from the Martial Soul Hall. You can treat me then!"

"Gold Soul Coin?!"

Tang San's eyes lit up.

Although he had some doubts, he no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement.

"Wang Sheng, you can have Ye Qiu pay for my share. I don't want to owe debts everywhere," Xiao Wu's crisp voice rang out. She skipped over to Ye Qiu and pulled him up with a giggle.

"Ye Qiu, get up quickly!"

"Haha. Alright, Sister Xiao Wu, let's head out then."

Wang Sheng chuckled and led the group towards the academy's cafeteria.

During the walk, Tang San ran up to Wang Sheng's side, asking about the Soul Master subsidy he had mentioned.

Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu listened quietly.

The Seventh Dorm was exclusive to work-study students, and its location wasn't great, being far from classrooms and the cafeteria.

However, this junior academy wasn't large to begin with. Walking and listening to Wang Sheng's explanation, they reached the cafeteria in less than fifteen minutes.

"It's so big!"

Xiao Wu exclaimed, looking at the vast hall.

Tang San nodded slightly in agreement.

"Of course. It can accommodate all six grades and the faculty of Notting Academy dining at the same time!" Wang Sheng explained.

Xiao Wu looked around, but the windows nearby didn't seem to have what she wanted. She looked at Wang Sheng. "Are there no fresh vegetables and carrots here?"

Wang Sheng replied, "The first floor probably doesn't. I'm not sure about the second."

"Then let's go check out the second floor!" Xiao Wu waved her small hand, ready to move.

Wang Sheng scratched his head awkwardly and explained, "Sister Xiao Wu, let's wait until we get paid before going to the second floor. Things up there are very expensive."

"Ah?"

Xiao Wu's eyes widened in surprise, then she quickly recovered and looked pitifully at Ye Qiu.

"Ye Qiu~ Ah.!"

Ye Qiu mercilessly tapped her rabbit head. "What are you thinking? Do you really think I'm a money bag? You still haven't paid me for the bedding! And I don't have much money left either!"

"Why are you so fierce!"

Xiao Wu hugged her head, a few tears welling up at the corners of her eyes. She pouted and glared at Ye Qiu.

"In that case, we'll just eat on the first floor then!" Tang San chuckled, looking at Xiao Wu's pitiable state, his heart stirred. If she looked at him like that, he might be even happier.

As soon as Tang San finished speaking, someone else picked up his words.

"That's right, poor people should have some self-awareness. The second floor isn't a place for lowly work-study students like you."

A group of elegantly dressed young men and women walked down from the second floor. The arrogant voice came from one of them, who stood on the stairs, looking down at Ye Qiu and his companions with disdain and disgust.

"How about this? I'll treat you to this meal. I'll let you eat my leftovers, how about that? Happy now!"

"Hahaha.!"

As soon as he said that, the people around him burst into laughter, looking at Ye Qiu and the others with amusement.

Wang Sheng quickly lowered his voice and whispered to his three dorm brothers. "Boss, Sister Xiao Wu, Third Brother, these are the noble students in the academy. They love to bully us work-study students. The person who just spoke is called Ling Feng."

Before he could finish, Xiao Wu couldn't stand the indignity anymore. She stepped forward and shouted, "What are you laughing at? Do you want a beating!?"

Seeing Xiao Wu, the leader, Ling Feng,'s eyes lit up. He leaned against the banister, his expression flippant.

"Yo! I didn't expect there to be a little loli among this year's work-study students."

"Too bad she's also a lowly poor ghost," another person added.

The self-proclaimed noble ones burst into laughter again.

The other party's constant use of terms like "pauper" and "lowly" made Tang San, who initially didn't want to argue with children, frown.

"Xiao Wu, go."

Ye Qiu let out a cold laugh, about to unleash the rabbit, but saw Xiao Wu couldn't hold back and had already darted out. She leaped up the stairs in a few strides and slapped at Ling Feng.

"I think you're asking for a beating!"

Xiao Wu's sudden outburst startled Ling Feng, who raised a hand and summoned Martial Soul.

"Armored Shield Martial Soul, defend!"

A golden shield blocked Xiao Wu's attack.

"Martial Rod Martial Soul, attack!"

The person who had interjected earlier suddenly made a move.

A wooden staff appeared in his hand, which he flicked a few times, creating afterimages as he thrust it towards Xiao Wu.

Bang!

The staff was firmly gripped by a dark, black arm. Ye Qiu, relying on his powerful perception, instantly discerned the afterimages. Holding the staff, the man strained to pull it free.

Ye Qiu sneered, and when the man exerted his full strength, he suddenly let go.

Thud, thud, thud!

The man stumbled, nearly falling on his backside. After regaining his balance, his face flushed red, and he swung the martial staff again.

"Brat! You're asking for death!"

Slap!

Suddenly, a strand of Blue Silver Grass whipped across the man's eyes. Ye Qiu knew Tang San had made his move.

Ye Qiu didn't hesitate, seizing the opportunity to deliver an elbow strike that sent the man reeling, then kicked him down the stairs.

Bang!

A sound came from the side. Xiao Wu had broken through Ling Feng's defense, her palm landing on Ling Feng's face, also sending him tumbling down the stairs.

The three looked down at Ling Feng and the other man from above.

Ling Feng, lying on the ground and clutching his swollen face, looked up at them hatefully.

"You lowly work-study students dare to hit me? Aren't you afraid the academy will expel you!"

"You scoundrel, still spouting such nonsense!"

Wang Sheng, who had finally reacted, grabbed Ling Feng by the collar, ready to throw a couple of punches.

Amidst Ling Feng's yelp, a stern, hoarse voice suddenly rang out, stopping Wang Sheng's action.

"Stop!"

"It's Master!"

The surrounding students whispered as they looked at the newcomer.

The person was Yu Xiaogang, with a stern black face and wearing an old, black academic robe.

Yu Xiaogang stood beside Wang Sheng, his hands clasped behind his back.

He said sternly, "No private fights are allowed on campus, don't you know? If there's a next time, you'll be expelled directly!"

Wishing you all a happy life!