Chapter 29

Early morning, Shrek Academy's main gate.

The exhibition match team had already assembled.

Six children stood at the entrance, with several large boxes behind them containing competition equipment and daily necessities.

The teacher leading the team, Shen Yi, stood at the front, talking to Lan Muzi about something.

Lan Muzi was not the team leader today. He had only come to see them off.

Ye Xinglan stood in the middle of the group, her golden ponytail tied neatly. She looked energetic, but her gaze drifted slightly, as though she were thinking about something.

A round-faced Little Boy beside her leaned over, still holding half a steamed bun he had not finished.

"Xinglan, have you eaten?" Xu Lizhi's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of ingratiation.

Ye Xinglan did not turn around. "I have."

Xu Lizhi took a bite of his bun and edged closer. "I bought a few extra this morning. Do you want—"

"No."

Xu Lizhi shrank his neck, but he did not leave. He stood beside her, continuing to chatter on and off.

"When do you think Elder Ya Li will come? I've never met Elder Ya Li. I heard she's especially gentle..."

Ye Xinglan ignored him.

She looked toward the gate, her fingers unconsciously tapping against her shoulder.

Xu Lizhi was still talking, his soft voice rolling around beside her like a little gas canister.

"...My mom said Skysea City has lots of delicious food, especially seafood. Xinglan, have you eaten seafood before? I never have. I definitely have to try it this time..."

Ye Xinglan's ears automatically filtered out all those sounds.

Her gaze remained fixed on the entrance without moving.

Then she saw them.

Ya Li walked out through the gate, wearing a long white dress, her hair pinned up behind her head. She looked gentle yet efficient.

She was holding someone's hand. He had grown much thinner and much paler, and his hair was slightly longer than before, draping over his shoulders.

He wore a silver-white coat. When the wind blew, the hem of his robe fluttered, making him look like a sliver of moonlight that could be scattered by the wind at any moment.

He did not walk quickly. Every step was steady, but it was obvious that his body had not fully recovered. After a few steps, he would pause to adjust his breathing.

Yun Jingheng.

Ye Xinglan's eyes instantly lit up.

She raised her foot and walked over.

Xu Lizhi had just reached the part about how Skysea City's fish balls were supposedly especially springy. Before he could finish, the person beside him was already gone.

He froze for a moment, looking at Ye Xinglan's retreating back. His mouth opened slightly, and a few crumbs fell from the bun in his hand.

"Xinglan?"

Ye Xinglan did not turn back.

She walked quickly, so quickly that she was practically running.

Shen Yi was talking to Lan Muzi when she caught sight of a figure rushing out from the group. Her brows furrowed, but when she saw that the person was heading toward Ya Li, she said nothing.

Ye Xinglan stopped in front of Yun Jingheng and stared at his face for several seconds.

He was even paler than last time, so thin that his chin had become sharp. There was a faint shadow beneath his eyes as well. One look was enough to tell that he had not been sleeping well.

But those eyes were still black and bright.

"Why did you come?" she asked.

Yun Jingheng looked at her. "To watch you compete."

Ye Xinglan froze for a moment. "Is your body better?"

Yun Jingheng shook his head. "Not better. But I can walk."

Ye Xinglan stared at him for two seconds, then the corners of her mouth curved upward.

She did not say anything else and turned to walk back to the group.

But this time, she walked much more slowly, one step at a time, no longer as hurried as before.

Xu Lizhi stood where he was, watching Ye Xinglan return, then looking at the boy in silver-white clothes in the distance, then back at Ye Xinglan. His mouth opened, but he did not know what to say.

Ye Xinglan stopped beside him.

"Who's that?" Xu Lizhi asked quietly.

Ye Xinglan did not answer, but the corners of her mouth were still curved.

Shen Yi went forward. "Elder Ya Li."

Ya Li smiled and nodded. "Teacher Shen, thank you for your hard work."

Shen Yi shook her head. "It's only what I should do. It is our honor that Elder Ya Li is accompanying us."

She glanced at Yun Jingheng beside Ya Li. "This is..."

Ya Li placed a hand on Yun Jingheng's shoulder. "My son, Yun Jingheng. He's coming along to have a look. He won't be a bother, will he?"

Shen Yi's gaze lingered on Yun Jingheng for a moment.

Of course, she had heard that name before—the Sea God Pavilion Master's son, the boy who had slept for an entire year, the Moon that had drawn the attention of the entire continent. It was all because of him.

She had expected to see a more... different child.

But the one standing before her now was merely a thin, pale boy who looked somewhat weak.

He was very quiet, standing beside Ya Li without making a fuss, with no particular expression on his face.

"How could he be a bother?"

Shen Yi withdrew her gaze. "The more, the merrier."

She turned and returned to the front of the group. "Everyone's here. Let's go."

The six children picked up their bags and followed Shen Yi out.

Ye Xinglan walked in the middle of the group, with Xu Lizhi beside her.

The little gas canister was still quietly asking this and that, but Ye Xinglan did not hear a single word.

She simply walked, step by step, the corners of her mouth curved as though she were hiding a secret only she knew.

Yun Jingheng walked at the very back of the group with Ya Li.

He did not walk quickly, but every step was steady. The wind blew past, lifting the hem of his silver-white robe.

He looked up at the sky. The sky was blue, and the clouds were white. He had not seen a sky like this in a very long time.

When the group walked out through Shrek's gates, Ye Xinglan looked back once.

Yun Jingheng was walking with his head lowered and did not notice her. She withdrew her gaze and continued onward.

Her steps became much lighter.

Xu Lizhi quietly said beside her, "Xinglan, you seem really happy today."

Ye Xinglan glanced at him. "No."

Xu Lizhi did not believe her, but he did not dare ask again.

Shrek had booked an entire train carriage. Shen Yi sat at the very front, Ya Li sat at the very back, and the children sat in the middle.

Ye Xinglan chose a window seat, leaving the seat beside her empty.

Xu Lizhi sat beside her, not daring to say much either.

Xu Lizhi froze for a moment. "Why?"

Ye Xinglan looked out the window and said nothing.

Yun Jingheng sat at the back, leaning against Ya Li's shoulder with his eyes closed.

Ya Li gently stroked his head while flipping through a book with her other hand.

The carriage was quiet, with only the sound of wheels rolling over the tracks.

They arrived at Skysea City.

By the time the train entered the station, it was already afternoon.

Sunlight streamed through the carriage windows, carrying the fishy salt scent of the sea.

Yun Jingheng was jostled awake. When he opened his eyes, he realized he was leaning against his mother's lap. Ya Li was looking down at him, gently rubbing his hair.

"Are we there?" His voice was still a little hoarse.

Ya Li nodded and helped pull his coat closer around him.

"We're here. We'll stay at the hotel first and go to the arena tomorrow."

Yun Jingheng sat up straight and stretched his neck.

His body felt a little better than it had in the morning, but it was still limp, like a noodle soaked in water.

Ya Li's soul skill slowly circulated within him, nourishing his dried-up meridians like warm water.

After the journey, he had not fully recovered, but at least he no longer became breathless from walking.

When the group got off the train, Ye Xinglan walked ahead and glanced back.

Only after seeing Yun Jingheng following beside Ya Li, his complexion a little better than it had been that morning, did she withdraw her gaze.

The hotel stood by the sea, a white building with balconies facing the ocean.

Shen Yi handled check-in at the front desk while the children waited in the lobby.

Xu Lizhi stood beside Ye Xinglan, and his stomach suddenly growled.

He covered his stomach and smiled awkwardly.

"Hungry already?" Ye Xinglan glanced at him.

"A little," Xu Lizhi said softly.

He was actually very hungry. The steamed bun from that morning had long since been digested, and he had barely eaten anything on the train.

But he did not dare say so, afraid of causing trouble for the teacher.

After Shen Yi finished checking in, she began assigning rooms.

"Two to a room. Don't run around. Gather in the lobby at seven tonight for dinner."

Xu Lizhi tugged on Ye Xinglan's sleeve. "Xinglan, should we go over there and see if they sell anything to eat?"

Ye Xinglan frowned. "Wait for dinner. We'll eat together then."

Xu Lizhi let go and said nothing more, but his stomach growled again.

He lowered his head, looking a little wronged.

Ye Xinglan glanced at him and sighed. "I have food in my bag. I'll give you some later."

"Okay. Thank you, Xinglan."

By the time Yun Jingheng woke up, it was already evening. After arriving at the hotel and having dinner, Ya Li had been using her soul skill to restore his body.

He wriggled a little, stretched, and sat upright.

His mother was making a call on the balcony. From the look of it... she seemed to be calling his father.

His communicator rang. He glanced at it and saw that it was Ye Xinglan.

"Hello?"

"Yun Jingheng."

Ye Xinglan's voice was lowered, with a hint of gritted teeth in it. "Can you come over for a moment?"

"What happened?"

"Xu Lizhi sneaked out to eat, but he doesn't have money to pay. I didn't bring any either. Anyway... we got scammed."

Yun Jingheng was silent for a moment. "Where are you?"

Ye Xinglan gave him the rough location.

Yun Jingheng got out of bed, put on his shoes, informed Ya Li, and left the room.

Ya Li glanced at him from the balcony but did not stop him. She only said, "Come back early."

Yun Jingheng walked down the street. He did not walk quickly, but he was steady.

His body was still weak, but it was better than during the day. At least he did not get breathless while walking.

After turning down two streets, he saw Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi crouching in a corner with his head lowered too low to raise, and the owner standing there with his hands on his hips.

He walked over. "How much?"

"The total is four hundred thousand Federal Coins. The one who just left paid his portion, so there are still two hundred and sixty-six thousand, seven hundred Federal Coins left."

The owner looked him over. "Are you family?"

Yun Jingheng did not answer. He stiffened.

He slowly turned his head toward Xu Lizhi.

Are you fucking a pig? How did this meal not kill you?!

Two hundred and sixty thousand... Did you eat their entire stall empty?

Or did you gnaw through their family heirloom cooking pot?

He stared at Xu Lizhi. Xu Lizhi lowered his head, his ears so red they looked ready to drip blood. He had curled into a ball like a hamster caught red-handed.

Yun Jingheng took a deep breath, then another deep breath, his mind racing wildly.

Two hundred and sixty thousand Federal Coins.

He had lived in Shrek for ten years. His family had covered all his food and clothing, and he did not even have two thousand in his pocket. Otherwise, why would he have gone to rob the Soul Guidance Department?

Where was he supposed to get two hundred and sixty thousand?

His father had money. The Sea God Pavilion Master's salary certainly was not low.

But he could not exactly call home and say, "Dad, transfer me two hundred and sixty thousand. My teammate got detained because he ate without money to pay the bill," could he?

His father would give it to him, but where would he put his face when he went back?

He looked at Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan stood to the side with her arms folded, her ears red, but her gaze clearly said, I don't have money either, so stop looking at me.

Yun Jingheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Xu Lizhi again.

Xu Lizhi lowered his head even further, practically curling into a ball.

What the fuck did you even eat?

Yun Jingheng really wanted to ask.

But he held it in.

He looked at the owner. "Can it be any cheaper?"

The owner shook his head. "The prices are clearly marked, fair to young and old alike. Everything he ordered was top-quality ingredients: three-head abalone, black truffles, bluefin tuna... and a bottle of fifty-year-aged Sea God Wine."

The owner counted on his fingers. "That bottle alone cost one hundred and fifty thousand."

Yun Jingheng took another deep breath.

He was drinking too? How old was he, drinking alcohol already?

No, that wasn't the point.

The point was, he was just a little brat who had sneaked out to eat, yet he had ordered three-head abalone, black truffles, bluefin tuna, and that whole pile of grilled fish?

Was he here to compete or to spend his honeymoon?

He glanced at Xu Lizhi's stomach.

It was round and bulging, truly not like the result of eating just one meal.

Fine, being able to eat was a blessing.

He pulled out his communicator, hesitated for a moment, then dialed Yun Ming's number.

"Hello? What is it, Jing Heng?"

"Dad, send me some money. I saw something I want to buy..."

"Sure."

After ending the call, he looked at the notification.

One million.

Heh... should I buy a humpback whale to take home later?