Xu Yuan's Wariness

The children nearby gathered around too, praising Xu Yuan one after another.

Wang Sheng even hurried over to Xu Yuan, his face lit up with excitement. "Xu Yuan, you're seriously strong."

Xu Yuan scratched his head. "I'm all right, I guess."

Just then, Tang San walked in. He looked at the lively scene, puzzled for a moment, then went to his spot to make his bed.

Xiao Wu noticed Tang San come in, but when she saw the pimples covering half his face, she changed her mind about greeting him.

After the excitement died down, everyone went back to what they were doing.

Wang Sheng explained a few things about the school to Xu Yuan and Xiao Wu, including why they had to choose an Eldest.

Xiao Wu patted her chest. "Don't worry. Sister Xiao Wu will protect you."

Wang Sheng hurriedly nodded along. "Of course! Sister Xiao Wu is so strong. With you looking out for us, no one at the academy will dare bully us!"

Xu Yuan sat on the edge of his bed. Seeing Xiao Wu act like a little grown-up, he couldn't help the corners of his mouth from lifting.

Xiao Wu smugly swayed her head. Then, as if she'd suddenly remembered something, she turned to Tang San, who was making his bed, and called out, "Hey, newcomer, what's your name?"

Tang San paused, then turned around. The pimples on his face stood out under the dim light.

His voice was calm. "Tang San."

Xiao Wu nodded to show she'd heard him. She'd only asked out of politeness; she had no interest in getting to know Tang San.

Watching Tang San make his bed reminded Xiao Wu of something: she didn't have any bedding.

Xiao Wu blinked and muttered, "Oh no, I forgot to bring my bedding."

Her voice wasn't loud, but Xu Yuan and Wang Sheng heard her.

Wang Sheng offered, "Eldest, you can sleep in my bed."

Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose and glanced at Wang Sheng's bed. "Your bed was filthy yesterday. I'm not sleeping there."

Then her eyes shifted to Xu Yuan's neatly made bed, and they lit up.

Xiao Wu bounced over to the bed, braced both hands on its edge, and looked up at Xu Yuan with a hint of a wheedling tone. "Xu Yuan, your bed looks clean. Can I squeeze in with you for a few nights? I promise I'll be good and won't toss and turn!"

Xu Yuan was going to refuse and lend Xiao Wu some money so she could buy bedding. He didn't want anyone thinking he was a lolicon.

Just then, God King Tang San said, "Say yes. It's a good chance to grow closer."

Xu Yuan: "..."

Fine, fine, Tang San. What strange hobby have you awakened?

Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu. The little girl was gazing at him with big, watery eyes.

"I..." Xu Yuan had just started to make an excuse when—

Xiao Wu beat him to it, grabbing his sleeve and giving it a gentle tug. "Pleeease? Just for a few nights. I'll move out as soon as I buy bedding. I promise I won't trouble you!"

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a lovable, coaxing lilt that was hard to refuse.

Wang Sheng watched, stunned. Sister Xiao Wu had been shrieking after being thrown to the ground one moment, and the next she was sweet-talking Xu Yuan. She really was Eldest material—she changed faces faster than turning a page.

Xu Yuan was helpless against her tugging. And with that person in his Sea of Consciousness still going on and on about how the chance wouldn't come again, he could only steel himself and nod. "...All right."

"Wonderful!" Xiao Wu cheered at once.

Just then, a teacher pushed open the door and walked in.

The teacher asked, "Which one of you is Xu Yuan, Xiao Wu, and Tang San?"

The dormitory fell silent at once, and everyone turned to look at the teacher in the doorway.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes.

Xu Yuan stood up. "I'm Xu Yuan."

Xiao Wu hopped down from the bed and brushed the dust off her clothes. "I'm Xiao Wu!"

Tang San had just finished making his bed. He turned around at the sound of their voices and replied calmly, "I'm Tang San."

The middle-aged man nodded. "Xu Yuan, you and Tang... Xiao Wu will clean the garden south of the sports field. Tang San, you'll clean the toilets on the north side."

Xu Yuan froze at the middle-aged man's words.

It had been obvious that the teacher was about to assign him and Tang San to clean the garden south of the sports field together. Why had he suddenly changed it to him and Xiao Wu?

It seemed God King Tang San had used his power to interfere. Xu Yuan couldn't help becoming wary of him.

He had to watch out for whatever other trump cards God King Tang San might have, lest Tang San catch him off guard.

Xiao Wu hadn't given it a second thought. She looked excited. "Xu Yuan, we'll clean the garden together tomorrow!"

Xu Yuan forced a smile and gave a slight nod.

Tang San, meanwhile, remained calm. He didn't complain at all about being assigned to clean the toilets, as though he were already used to all sorts of difficult tasks.

After giving his instructions, the teacher turned and left.

Wang Sheng glanced at Tang San with some sympathy, then whispered to Xu Yuan and the others, "Eldest, let me tell you, cleaning the toilets is the worst job of all."

Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Why? Cleaning toilets is a bit dirty, but it's not that big a deal, is it?"

Wang Sheng pursed his lips. "You wouldn't know. Older students often go to the toilets to cause trouble. They deliberately make the place even dirtier and bully the new students assigned to clean it, making them do extra work. And there are some strange smells in there, too. They say being around them for too long is bad for your health."

Xiao Wu furrowed her brows, sounding indignant. "That's a thing? They're picking on him too much! We can't just stand by and let Tang San get bullied."

She didn't particularly like Tang San, but after seeing how guilty Eldest felt, she decided she ought to help him out.

Xu Yuan nodded. He knew God King Tang San was behind Tang San's assignment to clean the toilets.

"We can't just go help Tang San outright. That might make things worse," Xu Yuan said. "Let's see how things go first, then step in when the time is right."

Xiao Wu nodded reluctantly. "All right. We'll wait and see."

Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "Eldest, I'll show you around the school."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands. "Sure, sure! I haven't gotten familiar with the school yet, so it'd be great to have you show us around!"

Xu Yuan agreed that it was a good chance to learn about the school, so he nodded.

Wang Sheng led Xu Yuan and Xiao Wu out of the dormitory. As they walked along a campus path, he began enthusiastically explaining things. "Look, that's the classroom building. That's where we'll have lessons."

Xiao Wu looked around curiously, then pointed at an old-looking building. "What's that building for?"

Wang Sheng followed the direction of her finger and explained, "That's the library. It has lots of valuable books about Soul Masters and Soul Beasts. But you need a teacher's permission to go in, and you can only borrow one book at a time."