The Conspicuous "Someone Xie"

Looking at Wu Zhangkong's flawless face, Long Hengxu's anger vanished in an instant, and he felt as if he were floating on air:

Did I hear that right? She apologized to me, she actually apologized to me!

So, should I forgive her, or should I forgive her?

Overjoyed, Long Hengxu immediately waved his hands and said, "It's no trouble at all, Teacher Wu, there's no need to be so formal!"

"You are right." Wu Zhangkong placed the recommendation letter on the desk and said matter-of-factly, "Then please trouble yourself to process the enrollment procedures for this student, and while you're at it, assign her to our class."

"I didn't ask you to be this formal either!!"

Over at the academy playground, Xie Xie had once again been planted into the ground by Gu Yue.

It wasn't that he couldn't outrun Gu Yue, but he had laughed so hard during his escape that he lost his breath, stumbled, and was caught red-handed by Gu Yue, leading to his tragic fate.

By the time Wu Zhangkong returned from the Academic Affairs Office, the running task she had assigned was nearly complete.

The first thing she saw was the eye-catching Xie Xie.

Xie Xie was still sporting his striking afro, his face covered in bruises, looking utterly wretched.

As soon as he saw Wu Zhangkong return, Xie Xie darted out like a bolt, hanging onto her leg while sobbing with snot and tears:

"Teacher Wu, save me! Gu Yue has planted me like a radish eight hundred times!"

Sniffle~

"My waist, my soul power! If you had arrived any later, you would have lost your most handsome student!"

While crying and shouting, he shamelessly wiped his tears and snot onto Wu Zhangkong's pant leg.

Wu Zhangkong caught a glimpse of the stains appearing on her trousers, her cold, elegant brows furrowing almost imperceptibly as she lifted her leg slightly, trying to shake Xie Xie off.

But Xie Xie clung to her like an octopus, his arms and legs locked tightly around her, wailing as he cried:

"Wuuuuuu~"

"Teacher Wu, you can't just ignore your most handsome student!"

Wu Zhangkong tried several times to pry the human leech off, but failed.

At this point, even she, usually cold and reticent, was at a loss. The icy aura around her dimmed, replaced by sheer helplessness, and she could only let him hang off her leg, throwing his tantrum.

Beside them, Gu Yue's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

The fireball in her palm crackled, "Xie Xie, say one more word of nonsense, and I'll plant you in the ground right now so you can never be pulled out again!"

Strangely enough, Gu Yue seemed to be Xie Xie's natural nemesis; a single sentence was enough to make him shut his mouth.

In the end, it was Tang Wulin who stepped in and forcibly pulled Xie Xie off.

"Assemble." Wu Zhangkong finally spoke.

Immediately, the students of Class Five, who had been watching the spectacle, dragged their exhausted bodies to stand in the center of the playground.

"That's all for this morning, dismissed."

"Gu Yue, you stay behind."

Hearing the word "dismissed," Xie Xie stopped his antics immediately and dashed toward the dormitory, overjoyed.

Class is over, class is over!

But before he had run halfway, he was grabbed by Tang Wulin, who had caught up to him.

"Hm?" Xie Xie turned his head in confusion. "What's up?"

Tang Wulin gripped the corner of Xie Xie's shirt, hesitating for a long while before speaking softly, "She bullies you so much, you shouldn't get so close to her in the future."

"Huh?" Xie Xie tilted his head, looking blank.

In his eyes, this didn't count as bullying at all; it was just playful banter between classmates.

Don't let his wretched appearance after being handled by Gu Yue fool you; in reality, he was perfectly fine.

A soul master's physical fitness was far beyond that of an ordinary person; with a slight circulation of soul power, any minor bumps or bruises would heal instantly.

Xie Xie was just about to explain, but seeing Tang Wulin's anxious expression, he suddenly realized.

Oh~ he's jealous!

Don't worry, brother, I won't fight you for Gu Yue. Besides, she doesn't think much of me anyway. When you two are finally in the Eternal Frozen Wasteland, I'll take Yuan En to the Far North and set off fireworks for you two!

While thinking this, Xie Xie patted Tang Wulin's shoulder with solemn, feigned seriousness.

Under Tang Wulin's puzzled gaze, Xie Xie suddenly leaned in, his tone carrying a hint of teasing: "Are you... jealous?"

Tang Wulin's face turned bright red in a flash, the tips of his ears burning hot. He waved his hands in a panic, trying to explain, "I, I'm not! I'm just worried about you!"

Xie Xie laughed with a mischievous glint, deliberately drawing out his tone: "Alright, alright, you're not, you're not~"

With an "I get it" expression, he patted Tang Wulin's shoulder again and whispered in a cheeky voice:

"Don't worry, I understand~"

Tang Wulin was so embarrassed he looked like he was about to boil over, steam rising from the top of his head; anyone who didn't know better would think someone's steam engine had been turned on.

After changing into clean clothes, the two of them headed to the cafeteria together.

Tang Wulin sat behind Bun Mountain as usual, head buried in his food, devouring it with great delight.

Xie Xie sat directly across from Tang Wulin, shoveling rice into his mouth with one hand while gnawing on a large chicken leg in the other, his face smeared with grease.

There was no helping it; compared to his high school cafeteria, the Eastsea Academy canteen was practically a state banquet!

Just then, a voice sounded from beside them:

"I can't finish mine, you can have this too."

As the words fell, a snowy-white, plump bun was gently placed onto Tang Wulin's tray.

Both of them looked up simultaneously. Gu Yue had already changed into her Eastsea Academy uniform, looking no different from the ordinary students around them.

"Thanks." Tang Wulin nodded at Gu Yue.

If one wanted to boost Tang Wulin's favorability, the simplest and most brutal method was feeding him; this foodie was most easily charmed by those who brought him food.

Xie Xie, still holding a chicken bone in his mouth, curled his lip.

Tch, they've only just met and they're already showing off their affection? Why don't you two just show off until you die!

Oh right, they did end up dying.

In the literal, physical sense.

Xie Xie crossed his arms, his lip curled so high it would be hard for Gu Yue not to notice.

Thinking back to what happened earlier, Gu Yue, as if possessed, picked a chicken leg from her own tray and dangled it in front of Xie Xie.

Xie Xie was instantly captivated, his eyes darting back and forth following the chicken leg.

"Want to eat it?"

"Yes!"

This was a Grade A Meal, it would be a waste not to eat it!

Watching Xie Xie's eyes light up as he stared fixedly at the chicken leg, Gu Yue's lips curled almost imperceptibly, though she deliberately pulled the chicken leg back.

"You can have it, but say something nice for me to hear first."

Xie Xie immediately put on a fawning smile, his mouth as sweet as if it had been smeared with honey: "Lord Gu Yue is the most amazing and the most beautiful! You're beautiful, kind-hearted, and generous! You're simply the number one beauty of our Eastsea Academy!"

Gu Yue raised an eyebrow, quite satisfied as she tossed the glistening chicken leg toward Xie Xie.

"Nom!"

Xie Xie stretched his neck and immediately bit down on the chicken leg.

While gnawing, he continued to butter her up, his words muffled: "Thank you, Lord Gu Yue! Lord Gu Yue is the best!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xie Xie suddenly let out a violent sneeze—

"Achoo!"

He frowned and rubbed his nose, looking puzzled: "That's strange, why did I suddenly feel a chill down my back?"

At that moment, Wu Zhangkong, having finished handling the follow-up matters, stood at the entrance of the cafeteria. Her dark green eyes remained cold and detached, yet the faint chill radiating from her body had inexplicably grown a few degrees heavier.