A Love Triangle? Not a Chance!

"Don't overthink it," Dai Huabin patted her shoulder. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Ning Tian looked up at him and nodded.

Just then, three figures walked in side by side.

Her long, light blue hair swayed gently in the morning breeze; that was Wang Dong'er.

She was wearing her third-grade school uniform, but she managed to make it look sharp and imposing. Her slender figure had grown even taller than last semester.

Beside her was Xiao Xiao, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, the ends of her emerald green hair swaying back and forth, skipping and hopping along beside Wang Dong'er.

On the other side, Cui Yajie's long red hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the face bestowed upon her by the Nine-Tailed Fox Martial Soul was beginning to show the beginnings of a bewitching allure.

Her exquisite features were enough to make any passing male student take a second look.

Dai Huabin was slightly startled.

He noticed that Wang Dong'er's appearance had become even more striking than last semester. Her facial features had matured beyond her girlish innocence, and her eyes and brows now possessed a bright and sharp quality.

Needless to say, Cui Yajie's bloodline Nine-Tailed Fox is undeniable; the longer she grows, the more demonic she becomes.

Dai Huabin glanced at Xiao Xiao a few more times. The little girl had indeed grown a bit taller, but she was still small, with her head barely reaching Wang Dong'er's shoulder.

It's a pity, the shelf life of lolis is probably only two or three years.

In comparison, Ice Empress's permanently loli-like body type is the real winner.

"Huabin!"

Cui Yajie called out from afar and quickened her pace to jog over, her long red hair flying behind her.

Wang Dong'er didn't shout, but her pace noticeably quickened.

"Squad leader!"

Xiao Xiao immediately started running, her green ponytail swinging like a little windmill.

Ning Tian's expression shifted subtly for a moment.

The three people stopped in front of Dai Huabin almost simultaneously.

Cui Yajie stood closest, smiling as she looked him over. Xiao Xiao squeezed to his right, while Wang Dong'er stood a step further away, her chin slightly raised.

"Where did you go during the holiday instead of staying in the dorm?" Wang Dong'er asked first, her tone carrying a hint of accusation.

"I had to go out for a while," Dai Huabin replied briefly.

"What is it?" Wang Dong'er pressed.

"Keep it confidential."

Wang Dong'er snorted and turned her face away, but didn't take a step back.

Cui Yajie was much more direct, taking two steps closer and looking up at Dai Huabin's face:

"Huabin, have you gotten even more handsome? Did you go treasure hunting during the holiday?"

"Your lips are as sweet as honey," Ning Tian interjected from the side.

Cui Yajie turned her head and saw Ning Tian, raising an eyebrow. "Ning Tian's here too? You've come to see Huabin so early?"

Ning Tian, being more thick-skinned than her, smiled but didn't reply.

Xiao Xiao tugged at Dai Huabin's sleeve. "Class monitor, I've mastered a new way to use the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron during this holiday. Take me with you next time you fight!"

"Okay." Dai Huabin looked down at her. "You've grown taller."

Xiao Xiao immediately puffed out her chest. "Of course! I ate a lot of meat!"

Dai Huabin couldn't help but chuckle.

These words, coming from Xiao Xiao's mouth and given her small stature, were indeed somewhat comical.

Cui Yajie didn't let this opportunity pass, and took another half step forward:

"Huabin, you have a really nice smile. Do you want to have dinner together after school today? Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, and I are all here, so we can have a table together."

"Then you should stand up for me," Wang Dong'er replied coldly, but did not refuse.

Before Dai Huabin could answer, Ning Tian suddenly coughed lightly.

"Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you all." Ning Tian crossed his arms, his expression calm. "I'm now Huabin's fiancée. Sister Zhu Lu approves."

There was a two-second silence on the stone-paved road.

Cui Yajie's smile froze for a second.

Xiao Xiao released her grip on Dai Huabin's sleeve and looked up at him.

Wang Dong'er turned around, her pinkish-blue eyes filled with complex emotions.

"When did this happen?" Cui Yajie was the first to react, her voice still laughing, but her speech was much faster.

"It was decided during the holiday."

Ning Tian wasn't trying to show off; he was just stating the facts.

"Both families have agreed to the marriage alliance between the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the White Tiger Duke Mansion."

Dai Huabin neither denied nor added anything.

He did indeed agree to this.

Ning Qiushui's offer was sincere enough, and Ning Tian himself was willing to accept it.

Although the father did not give a clear reply to the White Tiger Duke Mansion, his tacit approval was quite evident. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's support capabilities and financial resources would be an excellent asset to the Duke Mansion.

Cui Yajie was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

She reached up and tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear, her tone becoming more relaxed. "So what? Lulu has already accepted it, why would I be afraid of having another Ning Tian as a sister?"

Ning Tian was somewhat surprised.

That's a statement made with absolute certainty.

Wang Dong'er didn't speak, but her fingers clenched and unclenched inside her sleeve.

She had considered this issue. Dai Huabin was the heir to the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and it was impossible for him to have only one woman in the future; she had known this for a long time.

But knowing this is one thing, actually hearing that Ning Tian had already taken the lead and secured the title was quite another.

I still feel a bit upset.

"Alright then," Wang Dong'er said calmly. "Congratulations."

Ning Tian glanced at her but didn't say anything more.

Xiao Xiao scratched her head, looking somewhat conflicted.

She wasn't very good at handling these complicated interpersonal relationships, but she quickly figured it out: her feelings for the class monitor wouldn't change, and she could worry about titles and status later.

"Can we still have dinner together?" Xiao Xiao asked.

"Of course you can." Dai Huabin patted her head.

The atmosphere eased considerably.

Taking the opportunity, Cui Yajie moved closer again, this time without concealing her intentions.

She turned slightly to the side, her shoulder almost touching Dai Huabin's arm, raised her chin, and parted her red lips slightly:

"Huabin, I won't back down just because there's another competitor. You know, Nine-Tailed Fox foxes are born to vie for favor."

This is a blunt and bold statement.

Ning Tian's brow twitched.

Dai Huabin looked down at Cui Yajie's delicate face, but felt nothing in his heart.

That's just how this girl is. The Nine-Tailed Fox Martial Soul gave her more than just beauty; it also innate boldness and aggression.

"Alright, tone it down." Dai Huabin reached out and lightly flicked her forehead. "We're outside."

Cui Yajie covered her forehead and took a step back, but the corners of her mouth turned up even higher.

Wang Dong'er watched this scene from the side, her lips pursed.

She couldn't do what Cui Yajie did—make a direct statement—but she silently moved half a step to Dai Huabin's left, shortening the distance between them to within an arm's length.

Dai Huabin noticed this subtle movement.

That's just how Wang Dong'er is.

She never said anything nice, and would even occasionally retort to him. But her actions showed that she was always getting closer to him.

Xiao Xiao was even more direct. She grabbed Dai Huabin's sleeve again, with a perfectly valid reason:

"I'm short and can't keep up with you when you walk, so it's easier for you to pull me along."