The next morning, an unprecedented aroma filled the cafeteria at Shrek Academy.
For once, Flender hadn't bought those dry steamed buns and pickles. Instead, he'd brought back a huge basket of steaming-hot buns and fried dough sticks, along with several large bowls of steaming soy milk.
Ma Hongjun saw the breakfast on the table and his eyes went wide. Without a word, he grabbed a bun and stuffed it into his mouth. The others gradually took their seats, all somewhat surprised by the lavish spread.
Flender was usually so stingy. Why had he suddenly changed his ways today?
Flender stood by the table holding his soy milk, his smile especially radiant. He'd already begun picturing a beautiful future in his mind.
Each of Xiao Qing's eight students was a standout among their peers. If they went as a team to compete at the Soul Fighting Arena, wouldn't it be as easy as chopping melons and cutting vegetables?
As long as they kept winning, the prize money would snowball. When that happened, Flender wouldn't have to do a thing. He could just lie back in his chair and count his money.
Renovating the school buildings? Replacing training equipment? Eating meat every day? None of those would be a problem anymore!
The more Flender thought about it, the happier he became, until his grin nearly reached his ears.
He raised his soy milk and said loudly, "Come on, children. After this meal, I hope you'll triumph at the Soul Fighting Arena! Win for yourselves, win for Shrek! Win the funding we'll need for the next few years!"
Xiao Qing looked at Flender's expression, as if he could already see mountains of gold and silver. He said nothing, merely lifted his soy milk.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others followed suit, raising