She was about to overcome the greatest hardship she'd ever faced. What else could she do?
Xuanyuan Sheng tossed the golden ball in his hand.
It was the first time he'd seen something that wasn't knowledge-related. Its golden gleam was rather pleasing to the eye.
It had just fallen from Xiao Xiao.
It had dropped after the Martial Soul Fusion ended. Xiao Xiao had been so drained at the time that he hadn't planned to break the thing open.
But now he was on his way home, so Xuanyuan Sheng decided to see what this first drop was.
Under the force of his squeeze, the golden ball crumbled into fragments and vanished.
Looking at the object in his hand, Xuanyuan Sheng couldn't say what it was, but it felt strangely familiar.
Like a fragment of something.
The next moment, the fragment entered his body and disappeared.
He'd probably have to collect all the pieces before he could find out what it really was.
Taking in the familiar scenery along the way, Xuanyuan Sheng pushed open the door to the little attic.
The moment he stepped inside, he caught a strange smell.
"Sister Lexuan, what are you making?"
He put on a stern expression, his face serious to the extreme, because he recognized a few of the ingredients.
Weren't these things supposed to be good for your kidneys?
"Just a moment. It needs a little more time."
"How about I cook for you today, Sister Lexuan?"
Xuanyuan Sheng offered to take over the cooking at just the right moment.
If he cooked, then they wouldn't have to eat this stuff.
"No need..."
Before Xuanyuan Sheng could say anything more, Zhang Lexuan tied on her apron to keep oil stains off her clothes. A small bow rested at her slender waist.
Her hair was done in a conspicuous bun, a style quite different from her usual look.
With practiced ease, she showed off her true skill as a chef.
Behind her,
Xuanyuan Sheng couldn't tear his eyes away, whether from the unusual food or from Sister Lexuan's completely transformed appearance.
And where Xuanyuan Sheng couldn't see her, Zhang Lexuan shyly lifted a strand of hair that had fallen against her cheek.
Was changing her hairstyle really that strange? He'd been staring at her the whole time. She couldn't help thinking resentfully.
A few days ago, she'd noticed how interested Xuanyuan Sheng was in Xiao Xiao's bun. He'd even tried to reach out and touch it several times.
So that afternoon, Zhang Lexuan had deliberately tried the same hairstyle. But her little brother's gaze didn't seem as interested as it had been in Xiao Xiao's bun. He seemed more curious than anything.
As for making these dishes today, she'd had to work up a lot of courage. In the end, it was her concern for Xiao Sheng's health that had helped her overcome her reluctance. She'd followed the Ten-Complete Tonic Soup recipe included with her cooking skill and prepared a special version just for him.
It was all because of Xiao Sheng that she'd gone to such lengths.
If she hadn't heard that afternoon about the little girl... indulging herself or whatever, Zhang Lexuan would never have known that someone with such poor character was hanging around her little brother.
She'd been worrying ever since. What if Xiao Sheng really went astray and started hanging around with those classmates of his?
But then Zhang Lexuan had thought it over and decided to trust her little brother.
She'd raised him from childhood. Even if there were bad influences around him, they wouldn't lead him astray so easily.
Still, the people around Xiao Sheng were all rather frail, and she worried they might pass their weakness on to her little brother.
Using a towel, she carried the steaming hot soup to Xuanyuan Sheng.
The warmth of the clay pot brushed her fingertips. Unable to help herself, she pinched her earlobe, letting the heat fade.
When Zhang Lexuan looked down again, she found Xuanyuan Sheng gazing at her face.
"What is it?" Zhang Lexuan touched her cheek with one hand and tilted her head in confusion. "Is there something strange about your big sister?"
Strange? Sure. Strange how good-looking she is.
Hearing Xuanyuan Sheng's unspoken compliment, Zhang Lexuan's worries vanished completely.
She still felt a little resentful toward the system, though.
At that moment, she felt the same way Xiao Xiao did. Why couldn't it have been mind-reading?
If it had been mind-reading, she could have truly become Xuanyuan Sheng's perfect big sister.
Xuanyuan Sheng had also noticed that Zhang Lexuan's bun was done exactly like the one Xiao Xiao had worn that day.
He silently walked up behind Zhang Lexuan, gave it a squeeze, and then let it loose.
Her hair fell like a waterfall, cascading over her shoulders.
"Sister Lexuan, don't talk about fashion with that little kid anymore. What would a little kid know about what a grown woman should look like?"
Xuanyuan Sheng picked up another bowl and quietly set it in front of Zhang Lexuan.
"What I want is to look like a grown woman."
Warmth flowed through Zhang Lexuan's heart. She knew Xiao Sheng meant she should just be herself.
By the time she came back to her senses,
she realized the bowl in front of her had already been piled into a little mountain.
Zhang Lexuan smiled helplessly and could only join him in finishing the nourishing soup.
After the meal,
the two sat on the sofa.
Zhang Lexuan looked at Xuanyuan Sheng, who seemed utterly resigned to his fate. "All right, there's something important I need to tell you."
Xuanyuan Sheng raised one hand to show that he was listening.
Zhang Lexuan took out a sheet of paper and handed it to him.
After reading it, Xuanyuan Sheng asked in confusion, "What's this Teacher Selection Meeting?"
He'd never known that Shrek had a system where teachers selected students. Hadn't it always been the Titled Douluos who chose talented students to teach?
Why did the paper say that teachers from the Outer Courtyard and the Inner Courtyard would select students from the Outer Courtyard to train?
Zhang Lexuan waved her hand.
"I don't know much about it. I only know it was a proposal jointly put forward by Teacher Zhou Yi of the Outer Courtyard and Fan Yu of the Soul Tool Department."
As his big sister, how could I not get involved in something like this? Go on, take Xuanyuan Sheng's custody... his teaching rights.
Zhang Lexuan glanced at the quest the system had issued. She'd received it that afternoon when she came into contact with the paper.
She was always serious when it came to Xuanyuan Sheng, but this time was different.
Or rather...
It was more like an informal event. Anyone selected by a teacher who truly had potential would effectively become a candidate for the Inner Courtyard Core Disciples.
Xuanyuan Sheng found it fascinating—or, rather, unfamiliar.
It was like the shock of seeing an old acquaintance suddenly act shrewd for once. He couldn't believe Zhou Yi had thought of this.
Everyone who got into Shrek had talent.
The Outer Courtyard spread the geniuses who could enter the Inner Courtyard across different classes. But with teachers making their own selections, they could pick out genuine talent and avoid overlooking too many promising students.
With her finger, Zhang Lexuan lightly nudged Xuanyuan Sheng's shoulder and teased, "What, afraid that Perverted Old Auntie you've been talking about will pick you?"
Before Xuanyuan Sheng could answer,
Zhang Lexuan gently ruffled his hair and declared with a commanding air:
"Don't be afraid. No one can outcompete your big sister."
"Mm... huh?"
Sis, you're the Inner Courtyard Senior Sister. Are you going to teach in the Outer Courtyard too?
Before you continue