A forcibly picked melon isn't sweet, but it quenches your thirst!

"You lost."

Su Chen sheathed his sword and looked at Xu Sanshi calmly.

Only then did the referee react. He hurriedly announced, "The match is over. Su Chen wins!"

"Impossible!!"

Xu Sanshi jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot. He struggled to stand, but the sharp pain in his chest forced him back down onto his knees.

"You must've cheated! Otherwise, how could you possibly..." he roared, his voice filled with disbelief and unwillingness to accept defeat.

Su Chen walked up to him and crouched down, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Cheat? Do I need to cheat to beat you?"

He patted Xu Sanshi on the shoulder, his tone so sincere it could make a person cry. "Brother, face reality. If you're bad, then train harder. If you can't handle losing, then don't play."

Su Chen stood up and faced the stands, his voice carrying clearly across the entire Soul Fighting Zone. "Remember your bet. From now on, stay away from Senior Sister Jiang Nannan."

He paused, as if remembering something, then turned to Xu Sanshi and added, "Oh, right. There's something I have to tell you—a forcibly picked melon isn't sweet."

Xu Sanshi glared at him furiously.

Su Chen smiled faintly, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth. "But it quenches your thirst, doesn't it?"

Someone in the stands couldn't hold back and let out a snort of laughter.

Su Chen shook his head and sighed, his expression full of sympathy. "Too bad you don't even have the right to pick one by force. The moment a melon sees you, it wants to roll right into someone else's arms. Isn't that tragic?"

"Pfft—hahaha!"

This time, even Jiang Nannan couldn't hold back. She hurriedly turned away, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

Wang Dong was already doubled over on the ground, laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face.

Tang Ya laughed as she slapped her thigh. "Hahahaha! Su Chen, your tongue is way too vicious! You're killing him on the inside!"

The entire crowd around them dissolved into laughter. Even the students who had initially supported Xu Sanshi were now struggling to hold it in, their faces flushed red.

"Su Chen, you...!"

Xu Sanshi pointed at Su Chen, his finger trembling and his lips quivering. His chest heaved violently, and his vision darkened again and again. Then his breath caught in his throat—

"Ugh!"

His eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.

That tongue of his was too vicious!

The physical attacks hadn't broken through Xu Sanshi's defenses, but the mental attack had dealt ten thousand points of critical damage!

The referee hurried over to examine him. After confirming that Xu Sanshi had only fainted from rage and wasn't in any danger, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He gave Su Chen a complicated look, then waved to signal the students to carry Xu Sanshi off the stage.

Su Chen shrugged and turned toward the steps.

Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Tang Ya naturally gathered around him, forming a little circle with Su Chen at its center. Jiang Nannan stood a little farther away, watching them, a faint blush rising on her face.

She hesitated, then stepped forward. Her voice was gentle but clear. "Su Chen, thank you."

Su Chen turned to her, his golden eyes especially bright in the night. He smiled faintly and replied calmly, "You're welcome."

Those three simple words somehow made Jiang Nannan's heart beat a little faster. She lowered her head, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers. Her shy, girlish manner was completely different from her usual cool demeanor.

Su Chen's gaze swept over the three people surrounding him, then settled on Tang Ya and Wang Dong. "Let's go. We haven't finished the grilled fish yet."

Tang Ya immediately sidled up with a grin and naturally hooked her arm through Su Chen's. "Right, right! Su Chen, you were amazing! Come on, come on. The grilled fish is on me tonight! Order whatever you want!"

Her gesture was so familiar and natural, as though she'd done it countless times before. Watching her, Wang Dong's little mouth unconsciously puckered up again.

"Hmph, weren't you just offering to treat us to grilled fish? Now it's whatever we want?" Wang Dong muttered, her voice dripping with jealousy. "Senior Sister Tang Ya, you sure change your tune fast."

Tang Ya blinked and deliberately teased her. "What, Junior Brother Wang Dong? How about...you hook your arm through his on the other side?"

"W-Who wants to do that!" Wang Dong's face reddened, and she turned away. "I couldn't care less!"

Though she said that, she still stood up and followed the other three.

Jiang Nannan was stunned for a moment. Watching the four of them disappear into the distance, she felt a complicated emotion stir within her.

Huo Yuhao stood not far away, his gaze following Su Chen the whole time. He also glanced at Xu Sanshi as he was carried off the stage. He remained silent for a long while—so long that Tang Ya noticed something was wrong.

"Yuhao, what's the matter?" Tang Ya asked with concern.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. His voice was very quiet. "Nothing. I just think...Big Brother Su Chen is really strong."

Strong enough that Huo Yuhao didn't even have the courage to try to catch up.

He had seen with his own eyes how effortlessly Su Chen had defeated Xu Sanshi—the sixth-year senior who, in his eyes, had been like an insurmountable mountain. And Su Chen hadn't even used his Martial Soul or a Soul Skill.

That gap couldn't be bridged by hard work alone.

"One day..." Huo Yuhao murmured to himself. "I'll become strong too—strong enough to protect the people I want to protect."

The atmosphere at the grilled-fish stall was lively.

Tang Ya made good on her promise. She not only treated everyone to grilled fish, but also ordered plenty of other snacks. The five of them sat around a simple table, the glow of the charcoal fire illuminating their faces.

Su Chen didn't eat much, but he tried a little of everything. His table manners were elegant, and his every gesture seemed to carry an innate nobility. Xiao Xiao stared at him, transfixed.

"Su Chen, you look so good when you eat..." Xiao Xiao rested her chin in her hands and couldn't help exclaiming.

Wang Dong immediately glared at her. "Hey, if you're eating, then eat. What are you staring at?"

"I-I was just saying..." Xiao Xiao stuck out her tongue, but still snuck a few glances at Su Chen.

Tang Ya watched the scene with a smile, then suddenly asked, "Su Chen, what are your plans from here? With your strength, won't staying in the freshman class be boring?"

Su Chen set down his bamboo skewer and wiped his mouth. "No. Shrek Academy is full of hidden talents. I still have a lot to learn."

He said it modestly, but everyone knew that, given what Su Chen had shown that day, he was probably stronger than many of the teachers.

Jiang Nannan softly chimed in, "You're right, Junior Su Chen. There's a lot worth learning at the academy, especially in the inner court...that's where the real geniuses gather."

"The inner court..." A look of longing flashed in Tang Ya's eyes. "I heard the requirements for entering the inner court are incredibly strict. You need to be exceptionally strong, and you also have to pass the Sea God Pavilion's assessment."

The Sea God Pavilion was Shrek Academy's highest authority and the sacred place in the hearts of countless students.

Su Chen didn't reply. He merely picked up his cup and took a sip of water. He was naturally interested in the beauties of the inner court, but not right now. His most urgent task was to improve his strength as quickly as possible and obtain his Second Martial Soul.

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways.

Tang Ya had wanted to stay a little longer, but looking at Su Chen's handsome face, she was afraid she'd do something rash if she lingered—like drag him off and keep him out all night or something.

She really did have a little bit of that idea, but with so many people around—and Su Chen was only twelve...

"Um...Nannan, I have a secret to tell you!" Tang Ya suddenly grabbed Jiang Nannan's hand, her face solemn.

Jiang Nannan: "???"

"Come on, come on. Let's go over there!" Without waiting for a reply, Tang Ya dragged Jiang Nannan toward the academy. Judging by the look of it, they seemed to be fleeing.

Jiang Nannan let herself be pulled along, glancing back at Su Chen. Her face flushed again. The two beauties soon disappeared into the night.

Huo Yuhao stood up too. "Big Brother Su Chen, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, I'll be going now. I still have to prepare the ingredients for tomorrow's grilled fish."

"Okay. See you tomorrow," Su Chen said with a nod.

Xiao Xiao looked at Su Chen, then at Wang Dong, and suddenly felt like she might be the odd one out. She scratched her head. "W-Well, I'll head back to the dorm too! See you in class tomorrow, Su Chen, Wang Dong!"

"Okay."

In the blink of an eye, only Su Chen and Wang Dong remained at the grilled-fish stall.

"Let's go," Su Chen said.

"Mm," Wang Dong replied.

They walked side by side along the road back to the dormitory, neither of them speaking. Wang Dong had both hands in her uniform pockets and her head lowered, lost in thought.

Su Chen, meanwhile, remained composed.

They walked in silence.

Back in Dormitory 108, Su Chen quickly washed up and changed into his pajamas. He was just about to turn off the light and go to sleep—

"Su Chen, are you asleep?"

Wang Dong's hushed voice came from the opposite bed.

Su Chen paused. "Not yet. What's wrong?"

There was silence for a few seconds, then Wang Dong's voice rang out, sounding a little awkward. "Could I...sleep with you tonight?"

Su Chen: "?"

"I forgot to air out my bed. It's a little damp," Wang Dong added, her voice growing quieter and quieter. "Don't worry, I won't take advantage of you..."

Though Su Chen was confused, he didn't think too much of it. He shifted over to make room, patted the empty space beside him, and said softly, "Come on."

Wang Dong immediately grabbed her pillow and came over, moving so quickly it was as if she was afraid Su Chen would change his mind. She slipped under the blanket, keeping a little distance from him. Her eyes darted about, though the tips of her ears had quietly turned red.

Seeing her like that, Su Chen suddenly found it rather amusing. He deliberately said, "Don't worry. I'm not interested in men."

Wang Dong: "...Hmph!"

She turned over with her back to Su Chen and didn't speak again.

The room fell quiet, leaving only the sound of their even breathing. Before long, Su Chen fell asleep—he really was tired. He'd fought two battles that day, and although neither had taken much effort, they had still worn him down mentally.

His breathing was even and steady. His golden hair spilled across the soft pillow, and his peaceful, lovely sleeping face had lost its usual sharpness, revealing a softer, more youthful side.

Wang Dong, on the other hand, tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The warm presence beside her drifted faintly around her nose. The clean, refreshing scent that was uniquely Su Chen's made her heart beat faster for no reason.

She quietly turned over and gazed at Su Chen's sleeping face in the dim night.

Moonlight spilled through the window, tracing a silver edge along his profile. His long eyelashes cast faint shadows over his eyelids; his nose was high and straight, and his lips...

Wang Dong's face grew even redder.

She reached out a small hand and, as if possessed, poked Su Chen's cheek. It felt warm and springy, and she snatched her hand back as if she'd been shocked.

"Idiot..." Wang Dong whispered, though she didn't know whether she meant Su Chen or herself.

She kept watching him for a long time, until sleep finally crept over her and she drifted off.

The next morning, Su Chen woke up right on time.

He opened his eyes and found something extra in his arms. At some point, Wang Dong had rolled over and curled up against him, fast asleep, her pinkish-blue hair strewn messily across the pillow.

Su Chen: "..."

He gently moved Wang Dong aside and got up to wash. By the time he came out of the bathroom, Wang Dong was awake too. She sat on the bed, staring blankly, her face clouded with confusion.

"If you're awake, hurry up and wash," Su Chen said.

Wang Dong responded with an "Oh" and stumbled out of bed. When she reached the bathroom, it suddenly hit her—wait, did I sleep with Su Chen last night?!

Her face turned red again.

The two of them finished getting ready and ran into Xiao Xiao just as they stepped outside. The girl had gone out of her way to tie her hair into twin ponytails that morning. Her light green hair stood out in the morning sun.

"Su Chen! Wang Dong!" Xiao Xiao waved happily. "Good morning!"

"Morning," Su Chen said with a nod.

Wang Dong yawned. "Morning..."

The three of them walked side by side toward the teaching building. They passed a number of students, and nearly everyone's gaze lingered on Su Chen for a moment. After his two fights the previous day, he'd become a celebrity in the outer court.

"Look, that's Su Chen!"

"Wow, he's even more handsome in person than the rumors said!"

"I heard he beat Senior Xu Sanshi with a single move yesterday..."

"That's not all. He injured Teacher Zhou Yi yesterday morning too!"

The chatter rose and fell around them. Listening to it, Wang Dong felt inexplicably annoyed. The way those people looked at Su Chen was like he was some kind of rare animal.

"Hmph. What a bunch of shallow people," she muttered.

Xiao Xiao heard her and covered her mouth to giggle. "Wang Dong, are you jealous?"

"Who's jealous!" Wang Dong immediately protested. "I just think they're too noisy!"

Su Chen ignored their bickering. His gaze had already settled on the building ahead—the classroom for Freshman Class Nine.

The day before, Director Du Weilun had personally found him and explained the class changes. Since Zhou Yi had been suspended for a week, all the students from the original Freshman Class One had been redistributed among the other classes. Su Chen, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao had been assigned to Class Nine.

Their homeroom teacher was Mu Jin.

Su Chen was very satisfied with this arrangement. Mu Jin wasn't as strong as Zhou Yi, but at least her teaching methods were normal. She wouldn't expel students at the drop of a hat.

The three of them entered the classroom and found that quite a few students were already there. As soon as Su Chen walked in, the noisy classroom fell silent. Everyone's eyes snapped toward him.

Surprise, curiosity, admiration, jealousy...all sorts of emotions mingled in the air.

Su Chen remained unfazed and walked straight to a seat in the back row—it was where he usually sat. Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao naturally followed him, sitting on either side.

They had only just sat down when the class bell rang.

A figure walked up to the podium.

She was a woman who appeared to be around thirty, dressed in a pale purple teacher's robe, her long hair swept into an elegant bun at the back of her head. She had gentle, graceful features, delicate facial features, fair skin, and a naturally warm smile.

Compared with that old witch Zhou Yi, this teacher was beyond measure more beautiful.