"Xiao Wu, why?"
Tang San looked utterly baffled, even a little hurt. He was the one who had produced the Meal Voucher. He was the one who wanted to treat Xiao Wu to dinner.
So why was Xiao Wu taking Li Yuan out to eat?
Xiao Wu turned back to him and blinked, as if she had only just remembered she owed him an explanation.
"Because Xiao Yuan helped me out a lot before. We're almost graduating, so this is the perfect chance to thank him with a meal."
"Oh, so that's it."
Understanding dawned on Tang San. He immediately felt much better, even a little excited.
He had spent years pursuing Xiao Wu without making much progress.
One big reason was that Xiao Wu always seemed to seek out Li Yuan.
But now things were looking up!
What did Xiao Wu suddenly treating Li Yuan to a meal to thank him mean?
She was obviously trying to "repay a favor."
Once that debt of gratitude was paid, wouldn't she and Li Yuan be completely even, with a clean line drawn between them?
Wouldn't that give him, Tang San, his chance?
At the thought, some of the hostility faded from Tang San's gaze as he looked at Li Yuan.
He straightened his back and ordered Li Yuan in a tone that almost sounded like the man of the house. "Li Yuan, make sure you take good care of Xiao Wu during dinner. Don't bully her!"
He had no fondness for someone who had shown contempt for his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, time and again.
At that, Li Yuan's lips curved into an unreadable smile. He glanced at Tang San. "That's rich. She hasn't said a word, but here you are warning me? If there's something wrong with your head, go get it checked."
He couldn't be bothered to waste more words on Tang San. He turned to Xiao Wu, his tone flat. "Xiao Wu, are we going or not? If not, I'm heading back to the dorm."
"Oh, Tang San, why did you have to open your mouth? Honestly!"
Seeing Li Yuan about to leave, Xiao Wu grew frantic. She stamped her foot at Tang San and scolded him.
It had taken so much effort to convince herself to spend a fortune (though she no longer had to) and swallow her pride. She couldn't let Li Yuan walk away now.
After Xiao Wu yelled at him, Tang San stood at a loss, like a child who had done something wrong. "Xiao Wu, I—I was only looking out for you..."
"If you're looking out for me, then keep your mouth shut!"
Xiao Wu cut him off irritably, then turned back with an instant smile. She grabbed Li Yuan's hand, her voice turning coaxing. "Xiao Yuan, don't listen to his nonsense. Let's go eat right now!"
Without waiting for Li Yuan to respond, she pulled him briskly toward the academy gates.
She acted as though one second's delay might make Li Yuan change his mind—or give Tang San another chance to say something infuriating.
Tang San stood rooted to the spot, his outstretched hand frozen in midair. Watching the pair disappear into the distance, he opened his mouth and hurriedly called, "Xiao Wu, I'm sorry! Make sure you both enjoy your meal!"
Once their figures vanished from sight, he slapped himself hard across the face, full of regret. Why did I have to open my big mouth?
Soon, though, Tang San began consoling himself. Forget it. Let Li Yuan have this one. We're graduating soon anyway. Someone like him, with no background or resources... Yeah, he'll probably end up scraping by at some ordinary intermediate Soul Master Academy.
A flicker of superiority crossed his eyes. Good thing Teacher already got me in touch with an Advanced Soul Master Academy... I'll tell Xiao Wu in a few days. She'll be thrilled, won't she?
I heard even the most ordinary teacher there is a Soul Emperor... I can't imagine what kind of person the dean must be.
Tang San could practically see Xiao Wu gazing at him in admiration.
By comparison, Li Yuan's future looked dim.
Tang San was filled with relief that he had become Yu Xiaogang's disciple so early.
Otherwise, with his humble origins and meager knowledge back then, how could he ever have come into contact with an academy of that caliber?
One generation planted the trees; the next enjoyed their shade.
Tang San had learned that lesson all too well during his previous life in the Tang Sect.
Why were the Tang Sect's direct-line disciples allowed to cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, while he, an outer disciple, wasn't even allowed a glimpse?
He would never forget the suffocating feeling of being shut out of the core inheritance.
Nor had he ever regretted stealing the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
At worst, he would spread the Tang Sect Secret Arts far and wide in this life. That could count as repaying the Tang Sect for "passing down its teachings."
And now, his teacher Yu Xiaogang was the "earlier generation" planting a great tree for him, while Shrek Academy was its broad canopy of shade.
Tang San looked once more in the direction Li Yuan and Xiao Wu had gone. The last trace of displeasure in his eyes gave way to pity from on high.
Li Yuan, Li Yuan. If you'd become Teacher's disciple, you could have had a chance to go to Shrek too... What a shame you're blind to what's right in front of you!
He shook his head, as if he could already see how vastly their paths would diverge, then turned toward Yu Xiaogang's office.
Notting Restaurant.
At a table by the window, one plate of delicious food after another was brought out.
The two of them and a snake ate to their hearts' content.
Within an hour, Xiao Wu had been fed until she was stuffed.
Her little belly bulged, contracting every so often.
From breathing, of course.
Xiao Wu gave a satisfied little burp. "Ahh~ I haven't eaten this much in ages. Xiao Yuan, why do you think Tang San's so nice?"
The little rabbit, with no brains to speak of, had no idea Tang San was pursuing her.
She just thought he was a pretty nice guy!
Li Yuan leaned back in his chair with a slender toothpick between his lips and drawled, "Who knows? Maybe... he's cosplaying Fei Yangyang."
"Co... cosplaying Fei Yangyang?"
"What does that mean?"
Xiao Wu was completely lost.
Li Yuan didn't bother explaining further. "Nothing. Just think of him as a nice guy. Anyway, are you done eating? If you are, go pay the bill."
As everyone knew, nice guys ranked below dogs. They weren't even allowed at the table for meals, had to smoke cigarette butts, had no toilet paper when they took a dump, and could only drink iced black tea at room temperature.
"A nice guy?"
Xiao Wu was still utterly confused, but she understood "pay the bill."
She tried to stand, but halfway up, her legs went weak. Thump! She dropped back into her seat, her little face scrunched up.
Li Yuan asked, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Wu held her stomach and laughed awkwardly, her cheeks bright red. "Um... hehe, I think I ate too much. I'm a little unsteady on my feet."
Li Yuan put a hand to his forehead. "Sigh... I really can't believe you! Couldn't you have eaten a little less and known your limits?"
"All right, all right, I know."
Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue. "I promise I won't do this next time we go out to eat!"
Li Yuan shot her a glare. "You're already thinking about next time? Forget it. Give me the Meal Voucher. I'll pay."
"Oh, okay. Here."
Xiao Wu obediently handed over the Meal Voucher. Watching Li Yuan head toward the counter, she suddenly felt something was off.
Huh? Wait... I'm supposed to be treating him. Why does it feel like he treated me, then scolded me like a parent?
By the time she belatedly worked it out, Li Yuan had paid and returned.
He frowned. "Can you walk?"
Xiao Wu tried moving, only to give another tiny burp. She looked miserable. "Burp~ I... don't think so. My stomach's so full it hurts a little whenever I stand up."
"What a hassle."
Li Yuan pursed his lips and said nothing more.
He bent down slightly, slipped one arm beneath her smooth, tender thighs, supported her back with the other, and lifted her into his arms.
Hmm. She felt unexpectedly nice to hold.
Her skin was soft and smooth, though she was too skinny and weighed next to nothing.
If she put on a little weight, she'd probably feel even better...
"Ah!"
Suddenly lifted off the ground, Xiao Wu let out a startled cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around Li Yuan's neck. Her cheeks instantly flushed pink. "W-what are you doing?"
"Walking."
Carrying her, Li Yuan headed out of the restaurant at an even pace. "Have you seen what time it is? The moon's already high in the sky. If I wait for you to digest your food before we leave, we'll be here until midnight."
Xiao Wu turned to look at the moon hanging high outside the window. It really was late.
She muttered softly, "Still... you didn't have to be so rough..."
Her voice was so quiet Li Yuan didn't hear her.
Whether it was a complaint or something else, no one could say.
Outside the gates of Notting Academy.
Tang San paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, craning his neck now and then toward the road leading to the restaurant.
Why isn't Xiao Wu back yet... Don't tell me that bastard Li Yuan has tried something with her?
Before you continue