Tang San's Suspicion and the Question of Fate

Dorm Seven.

Xiao Wu stumbled back to the dormitory, practically falling through the door.

She staggered to her bed, collapsed onto the hard wooden frame, and curled into a ball.

Sacrifice?

Her soul trapped within a Soul Ring?

Even after finally being resurrected, she would be controlled by the Asura God and dragged to the God Realm?

These words pierced her heart like needles.

As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form, she had left the Star Dou Forest for two reasons: to experience human life and find the meaning of her existence, and to seek revenge...

Furthermore, she had always believed that as long as she kept her identity hidden, she could safely pass through her growth period.

But now, Lin Yi's inner voice told her that nothing was as simple as she had imagined.

Sacrifice myself for Tang San? Xiao Wu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and closed them, the image of the black-haired boy with the perpetually serious expression appearing in her mind.

She admitted that Tang San was indeed different from the others.

A six-year-old child with the composure of an adult, possessing immense combat talent and treating her quite well.

That was why she had grown close to him, feeling that having someone like him to protect her would be safe.

But now, everything was different.

If what Lin Yi said was true, then her future destiny was to offer her life and soul to Tang San.

"Why?" Xiao Wu climbed up from the bed, a flash of stubbornness in her eyes. "Why should I sacrifice myself for him?"

She was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, one of the overlords of the Star Dou Forest; why should she give everything to a human?

"No, my destiny will be decided by me."

She took a deep breath to steady her emotions, deciding to go back and find Lin Yi.

Since Lin Yi knew so much, perhaps he would know how to change her fate.

But just as she prepared to leave, someone walked into the dormitory.

"Xiao Wu?"

Tang San stood not far away, holding a package, looking at her with confusion.

He took a few steps closer and smiled gently. "What's wrong? Are you alright? I just got back from outside and went to the cleaning area to find you, but Lin Yi said you had something to attend to."

Xiao Wu composed herself and forced a smile. "I... I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early."

"Not feeling well?" Tang San's brows furrowed slightly. "Where does it hurt? Should we go see someone?"

"No need, I'm already feeling much better." Xiao Wu shook her head, her gaze falling on the paper package in Tang San's hand. "What is that?"

"Oh, this." Tang San handed the package over. "I went to the blacksmith shop to collect my wages and bought a few meat buns on the way."

An enticing aroma wafted from the paper, the scent of freshly steamed meat buns.

In the past, Xiao Wu would have happily taken them and showered Tang San with praise.

But at this moment, looking at the package, her heart was a complex mess of emotions.

"Xiao Wu?" Tang San noticed she hadn't taken them and pushed the package forward again. "Eat them while they're hot; they won't taste good once they go cold."

"Thank you." Xiao Wu finally took the package, but her fingers barely brushed his before she pulled back. "I'm going to find Lin Yi; he might be overwhelmed cleaning by himself."

With that, she turned and walked away with the package.

"Xiao Wu." Tang San called out to her.

"Yes?"

Tang San looked at her, his expression complex. "That Lin Yi... did he say something to you?"

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, but quickly replied, "No, he's just a new work-study student. What could he possibly say to me?"

She was certain now: Tang San had not heard Lin Yi's inner voice at all.

"Is that so?" Tang San's tone was clearly skeptical. "But I feel like ever since Lin Yi appeared, your attitude toward me has changed."

Xiao Wu was momentarily speechless.

It was true; ever since she heard Lin Yi's inner voice, her attitude toward Tang San had shifted.

But she could not tell him the reason for this change.

"You're overthinking it." Xiao Wu gave a strained smile. "I just think that since he's a new classmate, I should look out for him a bit."

Tang San stared intently at Xiao Wu. "Is it really just that?"

"Yes." Xiao Wu nodded, not giving Tang San a chance to speak further. "Thanks for the buns, I'm leaving now."

She walked quickly out of the dormitory, leaving Tang San standing there alone.

Tang San watched her retreating figure, his brows knitting together tighter and tighter.

He did not understand how things had turned out this way.

What exactly is so special about Lin Yi?

Why is Xiao Wu so enthusiastic toward him?

Why are all the other students so enthusiastic toward him as well?

And those teachers, the way they look at him is also strange...

"Lin Yi..." Tang San whispered the name, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.

He would like to see for himself exactly what was so special about this Lin Yi.

Meanwhile, in the first-floor corridor of the teaching building.

Lin Yi had already finished cleaning his assigned area.

He straightened his back, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and muttered to himself.

[A six-year-old body really is quite weak.]

[But then again, the plot today has gone off the rails a bit too much.]

[The clingy Xiao Wu actually stayed away from Tang San for the first time ever?]

[But that's fine. If Xiao Wu doesn't get too close to Tang San, it might be a good thing. If she returns to the Star Dou Great Forest early, she won't have to go down the path of sacrifice.]

As he thought this, he packed up his cleaning tools, preparing to head back to the tool room.

Just as he reached the stairs, a figure suddenly stood at the corner.

"Lin Yi!"

Xiao Wu stood before him, holding a paper parcel; it was clear she had been waiting for a while.

"Xiao Wu?" Lin Yi looked at her in surprise. "Didn't you have something to do and leave?"

"I..." Xiao Wu bit her lip. "I really wasn't feeling well earlier, but I'm much better now."

[What is wrong with this little rabbit? One minute she's unwell, the next she's fine?]

Lin Yi complained inwardly, but on the surface, he asked with concern, "Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine." Xiao Wu shook her head and handed over the paper parcel. "Here, meat buns. They're still warm."

Lin Yi was stunned. "This..."

"Don't be polite, I couldn't finish them." Xiao Wu shoved the parcel into Lin Yi's hands without room for argument. "Eat up, they won't taste good once they get cold."

The paper parcel radiated a warm sensation, accompanied by an enticing aroma.

Lin Yi opened it to find three plump, white meat buns that looked delicious.

[I was wondering why this little rabbit suddenly left; turns out she went to buy meat buns.]

Hearing this inner voice, Xiao Wu felt a bit awkward.

She hadn't gone to buy meat buns at all; these were the ones Tang San had given her.

However, she didn't explain, simply watching Lin Yi.

"I couldn't possibly." Although Lin Yi said this, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.

He hadn't been full after that hard, black bun this morning, and seeing the meat buns now, his appetite was completely piqued.

"Go ahead and eat." Xiao Wu smiled slightly, urging him on.

"Alright." Lin Yi stopped being polite, picked up a bun, and took a bite.

The filling was succulent, the broth savory, and the dough soft and fluffy.

This was the best meal he had eaten since transmigrating to the Douluo Continent.

[So delicious... this is what real food is supposed to taste like.]

[Looks like I need to find a way to make money soon so I can afford good food.]

Listening to Lin Yi's inner voice, Xiao Wu's eyes flickered.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked as if casually, "Lin Yi, tell me... if someone knew their future was going to be miserable, what should they do?"