"In any case, you'll understand what a monster academy is within two days of enrolling."
There was a hint of teasing in Tang Yin's voice.
"What I'm curious about is, how do you know so much about Shrek Academy? Is it famous in Suotuo City?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise.
Xiao Wu shrugged. "It's pretty famous. They advertise a lot. Whenever enrollment season is near, the academy's name keeps cropping up in people's conversations."
What Xiao Wu didn't say was this:
She and Tang Yin had a history with Shrek Academy.
After all, they'd lived in Suotuo City for two years.
The city wasn't that big, and the two of them often visited the Soto Great Soul Arena.
It was inevitable that they'd run into Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others.
Because of this, they'd also drawn the attention of Flender and Yu Xiaogang.
Over time, Yu Xiaogang learned that Tang Yin and Xiao Wu were studying at Suotuo Intermediate Soul Master Academy.
But even knowing that, Yu Xiaogang could do nothing about it. He couldn't force them to transfer to Shrek Academy, either.
And since Tang Yin and Xiao Wu deliberately kept their distance, they'd had almost no dealings with Yu Xiaogang.
"Ning Rongrong, weren't you going to register at Shrek Academy?"
"If you don't go soon, it'll be dark."
Tang Yin reminded her.
"Oh!"
"I still don't know your name!"
Tang Yin's figure was reflected in Ning Rongrong's limpid eyes.
"His name is Tang Yin," Xiao Wu said with a smile. At the same time, she wrapped both arms around his, looking especially affectionate.
The sudden gesture seemed deliberately meant for Ning Rongrong to see.
"Tang~ Yin~" Ning Rongrong murmured, then asked, "Are you two studying here in Suotuo City, too?"
Xiao Wu had a sudden inspiration. "That's right! But we've already graduated, and we're leaving soon!"
Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully.
"Ning Rongrong, hurry up and go register at Shrek Academy!" Xiao Wu said, then pulled Tang Yin away. "We'll be going now!"
Ning Rongrong still wanted to say something, but Xiao Wu had already led Tang Yin off into the distance. She sighed. "Forget it. I'd better take care of what I came for."
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu pulled Tang Yin along for a while before suddenly stopping and turning to look in the direction Ning Rongrong had gone.
"Xiao Wu, what are you looking at?"
"She's already gone."
Tang Yin followed her gaze, but Ning Rongrong was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm making sure she doesn't follow us."
"The way she looked at you just now was a little off. She hid it well, but my instincts tell me she has designs on you," Xiao Wu said, narrowing her eyes.
Tang Yin's lips twitched.
Before they knew it, they'd wandered in front of the Rose Hotel.
"Rose Hotel~"
"Tang Yin, I've always wanted to stay here for a night, but never got the chance."
"Why don't we stay here tonight and go back to the academy tomorrow?" Xiao Wu asked, gazing at him expectantly.
"But this is a couples' hotel. I don't want people looking at me strangely," Tang Yin said helplessly.
"That's all right! We can just get one room!" Xiao Wu said, unconcerned.
Tang Yin lowered his eyes to look at her, his thoughts in turmoil. Xiao Wu had grown into a beautiful young woman, and there were very few people her age who could surpass her in appearance.
How could he not have feelings for her?
But before they'd crossed that final line, staying at a couples' hotel just felt strange.
"Tang Yin, why are you staring at me like that~" Under his gaze, Xiao Wu's cheeks gradually flushed, and affection began to well up in her eyes.
Tang Yin came back to himself and awkwardly looked around. But he didn't just stand there like a log. Instead, he took Xiao Wu's slender, jade-like left hand and led her into the Rose Hotel.
At the hotel front desk, the receptionist's eyes lit up when he saw Tang Yin and Xiao Wu approaching.
After all, there wasn't a pair of young beauties as handsome and sweet as Tang Yin and Xiao Wu anywhere in Suotuo City.
"What can I do for you two?" the receptionist asked with a smile.
"Ahem!"
Xiao Wu cleared her throat and spoke before Tang Yin could. "We'd like two rooms!"
The receptionist froze.
A man and a woman at a couples' hotel, asking for two rooms?
But when he looked at Xiao Wu, he saw her frantically signaling to him.
She held up one finger.
"Are you two sure you want two rooms?" the receptionist asked again, uncertainly.
This time, he looked at Tang Yin.
Meanwhile, Tang Yin was also frantically signaling to the receptionist. He, too, quietly held up one finger, with a money pouch dangling from it.
His meaning was obvious.
But aloud, he asked, "Do you still have two rooms available?"
The receptionist's eyes lit up.
A little extra on the side!
But when he looked back at Xiao Wu, she was glaring at him fiercely, her teeth clenched as if she wanted to devour him alive. Yet she still had one finger held up.
"I'm afraid we're out of luck, sir. The Rose Hotel only has one room left."
"Why don't you two make do?"
"Rest assured, our rooms are spacious, and all our facilities are the best in Suotuo City. I'm sure you'll be satisfied."
The receptionist spoke with a broad smile.
"Fine!"
Tang Yin nodded impassively, but inwardly he was thoroughly pleased.
He knew how to play along!
He casually held out the money pouch in his hand to the receptionist.
The receptionist, in turn, handed him a key.
"Here's your key!"
"Third floor, Rose Heaven!"
Tang Yin took the key and thanked him.
Xiao Wu also gave the receptionist a subtle nod, very pleased. The corners of her mouth kept rising.
He knew how to play along!
"Wait!"
Just as Tang Yin and Xiao Wu were about to head upstairs, an arrogant male voice called out from behind them.
Tang Yin found it somewhat familiar.
He turned around.
The person who'd arrived was none other than Dai Mubai.
"Does it have to be this much of a coincidence..."
Tang Yin groaned inwardly.
They'd run into him even here.
Xiao Wu turned and saw Dai Mubai had suddenly appeared, ruining her plans. Her anger flared at once. "Dai Mubai, are you asking to die?!"
When Dai Mubai saw that Tang Yin and Xiao Wu had claimed the "last room"—at least in name—he froze. His arms tightened around the twin sisters he was holding without thinking, making the girls frown and wince in pain.
They were only ordinary people. How could they endure being manhandled like that by a Soul Master like Dai Mubai?
"Get lost!"
"Or I'll beat you up!"
The Storage Soul Tool on Xiao Wu's left hand flashed, and a finely crafted pink-and-white hammer suddenly appeared. The instant it struck the floor, it landed with a deep, rumbling thud.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai didn't dare linger. He immediately left the Rose Hotel with the twin sisters in his arms, without saying a word.