Xiao Chenyu's Provocation

"Phew, we finally got the beds pushed together. But Cao Yan, why is your bedding so big?" Xiao Wu let out a breath of hot air and plopped down on the bed without the slightest bit of restraint.

Wang Sheng had helped buy the bedding. It was an adult-sized pink set with quite a large surface area. Though it could not cover both beds completely, it covered over seventy percent of them—more than enough for Cao Yan to make an issue of it.

"Ahem. Grandpa said a boy's blanket should be a little bigger, or he won't be able to wrap up his wife in it someday," Cao Yan said. Although he did not have a grandfather, that did not stop him from lying.

"Hmph, don't talk nonsense! See this? This is the boundary. If you dare cross it, don't blame me for breaking your legs, understand?" Xiao Wu's pretty face flushed. She hurriedly used her bundle to mark out a boundary in the gap between the two beds and spoke sternly.

"No. You said you'd be cold sleeping alone. We could actually hold each other to keep warm. What do you think?" Cao Yan spoke earnestly, his eyes as clear as a spring, making him look like a perfect gentleman.

"You... how can you say that? I'm a girl." Xiao Wu's little face turned red as she spoke, panic rising in her heart.

She had only wanted to share some of the bedding and sneak a few carrots. Why did she feel like she had fallen into a trap instead?

However, Xiao Wu quickly talked herself around. Cao Yan had to be worried about her. Besides, it was no big deal—they were still so young.

"Hmph, I don't even care. Why are you, a girl, so afraid? Are you scared I'll sleep with you or something?" Cao Yan retorted. Seeing Xiao Wu's expression, he nearly laughed.

The beds had already been pushed together. Even if Xiao Wu wanted to back out now, it was impossible. Cao Yan secretly smiled to himself.

"You!"

"Unless you agree to one request of mine, then I'll agree to yours." Xiao Wu's cheeks puffed up red with anger, making her look even cuter, though she spoke with some reluctance.

"What request?" Cao Yan asked unhurriedly. No matter what, he would not be the one losing out.

"Cao Yan, can I have one of your carrots? I saw you have quite a lot on your bed," Xiao Wu said softly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the little basket of carrots as drool began to flow from her mouth.

Carrots had always been her favorite delicacy, and she had not eaten one in a very long time.

Sweet, tender, juicy carrots were a temptation no rabbit could resist, and she was no exception.

"Sure, but you can only have one. Don't keep thinking about them afterward, got it?" Cao Yan nodded, grabbed a carrot, and without another word stuffed it into Xiao Wu's mouth with practiced ease.

"Cao Yan, do you like carrots too? Why do you have so many on your bed?" Xiao Wu lightly licked the carrot in her mouth, her heart satisfied as she asked curiously.

"Uh, yes. Carrots are crisp and sweet. They really are delicious. And I don't just like carrots—I also like pink grapes. Grandpa said good children shouldn't be picky eaters." Cao Yan spoke calmly as he looked at Xiao Wu.

"Hmph! I like them too." Xiao Wu gave a soft snort and happily enjoyed the carrot in her mouth. Her table manners were hardly elegant, but she was still utterly charming.

As they watched this scene, the members of Seventh Dorm stared wide-eyed, their childish faces full of longing.

At last, Wang Sheng could not bear to watch any longer and stepped forward to remind them, "Sister Xiao Wu, Boss, it's time for lunch."

The moment she heard there was food, Xiao Wu sprang to her feet and said excitedly, "Great! What are we having?"

As she spoke, Xiao Wu did not forget to lick the carrot in her hand with her tender little tongue, reluctant to throw it away.

Wang Sheng exchanged looks with the other Work-Study Students, then gave a helpless smile. "We Work-Study Students come from poor families, after all. For many of us, the food in the cafeteria is something we can only look at from afar. Usually, it's already good enough if we can get a full meal."

Upon hearing that, the smile on Xiao Wu's little face faded slightly into bitterness, and she furrowed her brow. "Do you need money to eat? Those Soul Coins you mentioned, right?"

If not for her stunning appearance, Wang Sheng might have cursed. Of course meals cost money. Who would give out free lunches? Still, he could tell that she was probably short on money.

"You came at just the right time. Boss said he's treating everyone to lunch today, so you don't have to worry about not having money." Wang Sheng smiled foolishly and spoke generously. He still had the money left over from what Cao Yan had given him to buy bedding, enough for a good meal.

"Don't worry. As the boss, I naturally can't let you go without. Just say what you want to eat. If there isn't enough money, put it on my tab." Cao Yan spoke magnanimously, nodding to Xiao Wu with gentleness in his gaze.

To win over this rabbit, he had to take it step by step. This was only the beginning.

"Boss is mighty!" the students shouted in unison.

For Work-Study Students like them, sometimes all it took to deepen their bond was a good meal.

If they had admired Cao Yan's strength before, then now they had thoroughly accepted him as their new boss.

Xiao Wu, in particular, immediately beamed with joy. She was so delighted that she bounced along beside Cao Yan the whole way, clinging to him so tightly he could not shake her off.

After leaving Seventh Dorm, Wang Sheng led the group straight toward the cafeteria. He seemed extremely familiar with the place. To reach it, they first had to cross the playground.

The playground was already bustling with activity. Many young boys and girls with immature faces gathered together, smiles bright across their faces.

The loose school uniforms draped over the youthful, lively girls, giving off a faint allure. At this age, many girls had already begun developing and had quite nice figures. Walking across the playground, they formed a beautiful sight of their own.

Nuoding Academy's cafeteria was large, divided into two floors. Only teachers responsible for vocational instruction were qualified to dine on the upper floor, where the food was not cheap either.

But today, Wang Sheng was going upstairs for the first time.

Because he now had a new boss.

"Isn't this Wang Sheng and his bunch of poor bastards?" The moment they entered the cafeteria, a voice dripping with mockery suddenly rang out.

The voice came from the second floor.

A handsome student stood there, looking around eleven or twelve years old. His words were filled with ridicule, and the disdain in his eyes needed no concealment.

Several students from other grades clustered around him. They were well dressed and rather handsome, clearly part of his group.

"Well, well, Wang Sheng, when did you start playing someone else's dog? That doesn't seem like you."

"Boss Xiao, this brat Wang Sheng needs a beating. Should we break his legs and let him see how powerful our boss is?"

"That's right. Trash will always be trash. They probably can never afford to eat on the second floor."

"What are you? What's so great about the second floor?" Xiao Wu pointed at the boy's nose, anger surging up in her as her face darkened.

On the way here, Wang Sheng had already told Xiao Wu about how lowly the Work-Study Students' status was. Now, it seemed it was true.

"What a pretty little girl. Too bad she's a Work-Study Student. Otherwise, I could have had some fun with her. What a disappointment. Wang Sheng, I'm going to eat now, so I'll let you off this time." Xiao Chenyu turned to leave.

"Boss Xiao, I advise you to watch your mouth. Seventh Dorm has a new boss now. Be careful your words don't bring disaster upon you," Wang Sheng said with his head held high, refusing to yield.

Before, perhaps he would have swallowed his pride before Xiao Chenyu due to his lack of strength.

But things were different now. With Boss Cao Yan here, he had no reason to be afraid anymore.

"So he's Xiao Chenyu? You should both be Soul Masters, right? How can you not beat him?" Cao Yan lightly patted Wang Sheng's shoulder and asked with concern.

"Boss, his Martial Soul is a wolf, while mine is a tiger. Wolves are the kings of all beasts. My Martial Soul can't compare to his, so he's always been able to beat me down." Wang Sheng scratched his head, looking utterly honest.

The quality of a Martial Soul was closely tied to a Soul Master's combat ability. Among beast Martial Souls, wolves had always been the nemesis of tigers, so it was no surprise that Wang Sheng lost.

"Hmph, Wang Sheng, that guy is so annoying. Looks like you've suffered plenty of bullying from him, haven't you? Do you dare come with me and teach him a lesson?" Xiao Wu said angrily, waving her little fists and putting on a fierce expression.

Xiao Wu herself was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. Even though she was only six years old, she possessed Innate Full Soul Power. If they fought, Xiao Chenyu would definitely not be her match.

"But, Sister Xiao Wu, I can't beat him. His Martial Soul happens to counter mine," Wang Sheng said weakly. He still remembered how utterly miserable he had been when the other side beat him senseless.

"Hmph, then I'll go myself. Xiao Chenyu, do you dare fight me?" Xiao Wu shouted fiercely. She raised a little hand and pointed in the direction Xiao Chenyu's group was leaving, her face full of determination.

At her words, Xiao Chenyu and the others stopped, their expressions turning ugly.

"Little girl, you're pretty arrogant. Don't you know I'm the boss of Nuoding Academy?" Xiao Chenyu slowly turned around, his gaze cold as he stared at Xiao Wu. Like a volcano ready to erupt, he could explode at any moment.

"Hmph, who's afraid of who? Whoever loses is the loser's grandson." Xiao Wu spoke as she was about to rush forward.

Just then, a warm hand caught Xiao Wu's delicate wrist, stopping her.

"Cao Yan, why are you holding me back?"

"Let me handle something like this. You're a girl, after all. I'm worried you'll get hurt." Cao Yan smiled as he felt the lingering warmth on Xiao Wu's wrist.

"O-okay."

Xiao Wu stared blankly at Cao Yan's face with her beautiful eyes. Her heart trembled quickly, her little face flushed, and she obediently nodded without saying another word.