You've Really Made Things Hard for Me!

The next morning.

Lin Yaoyang and Wang Dong entered the classroom just as the bell rang.

The classroom was already full. Because of what had happened with Zhou Yi yesterday, Class One had not held any lessons all day. Today was their official first day.

The moment Lin Yaoyang appeared at the door, everyone in the classroom turned to look at him.

Some were curious, some respectful, some admiring, and some scrutinizing.

Lin Yaoyang's expression remained unchanged as he walked to the last row under everyone's gaze and sat beside Wang Dong.

A tide of murmurs rose through the room.

"Damn, this guy's completely fine?"

"Of course. A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor with three purple rings and one black ring—would you be willing to punish him?"

"True... The Academy probably can't wait to pamper a genius like him."

"If it weren't for him, we really would have had to run a hundred laps yesterday! We might've even been expelled!"

"Exactly! If we're choosing a class monitor, I'll definitely vote for him!"

At the front, a female student with emerald-green hair tied into twin ponytails turned around, her beautiful eyes shining brightly.

"He's handsome and strong. It'd be great if he were my boyfriend..."

Just then, someone walked in.

She was a female teacher who looked to be around thirty. Young and pretty, she wore her neat short hair cropped close and was dressed in the green robes of a Shrek teacher, with a gentle smile on her face.

She walked up to the podium, swept her gaze over the class, and smiled. "My name is Mu Jin, and from now on, I'll be your homeroom teacher. I'm also the homeroom teacher of Class Nine. If you can't find me normally, you can look for me there."

Compared to Zhou Yi's severity and oppressive presence, Mu Jin felt like a spring breeze. Her voice was soft, and her smile was warm, making people relax without even realizing it.

The students exchanged looks and saw relief in one another's eyes.

Great. She wasn't the fierce kind of teacher.

Mu Jin looked at the young faces below her and said with a smile, "I don't think our class introduced ourselves yesterday, did we? Why don't we do that now?"

The moment her words fell, the classroom went quiet for a beat.

Most of the students said nothing. Instead, they silently turned to look at Lin Yaoyang in the back.

Lin Yaoyang: "..."

You've really made things hard for me.

Mu Jin: "???"

Following everyone's gazes, Mu Jin looked over and saw the orange-red-haired boy in the last row.

Two-thirds of the class was looking at this kid? Did this new student really have such prestige in the class?

With dozens of eyes fixed on him, Lin Yaoyang showed no expression as he spoke in an even tone. "Since our homeroom teacher has asked us to introduce ourselves, then let's introduce ourselves."

As soon as he finished speaking, the first student in the first row shot to his feet.

"My name is Hao Ren, and I'm from the Heaven Dou Empire..."

One after another, they rose in an orderly fashion.

Standing at the podium, Mu Jin could not help but twitch at the corner of her mouth.

She had told them to introduce themselves, and no one moved. This kid said one sentence, and the entire class sprang into action.

So who exactly was the homeroom teacher here?

Yet instead of being angry, she became even more interested in the orange-red-haired boy.

Especially after hearing that he had beaten Zhou Yi yesterday.

She had heard that Zhou Yi had been beaten by a new student, scorched black all over by some strange flames. Even several healing-type Soul Saints had been unable to treat her, which had delighted Mu Jin immensely.

In Mu Jin's eyes, anyone who made Zhou Yi suffer was a good student.

And the student who had made Zhou Yi suffer was now sitting in her class.

Soon, everyone had finished introducing themselves.

Mu Jin clapped her hands and said with a smile, "Alright, now let's choose a class monitor. Who would like to give it a try?"

As she spoke, her gaze naturally fell on Lin Yaoyang.

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

Mu Jin's gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Lin Yaoyang. Smiling, she said, "Student Lin Yaoyang, would you be willing to take on the responsibility of class monitor?"

Everyone's eyes focused on Lin Yaoyang once more.

Lin Yaoyang stood, a faint smile on his face. His tone was calm and confident. "Thank you for your trust, Teacher."

After saying that, he sat back down.

Decisive and straightforward, without the slightest hesitation.

Mu Jin nodded, very satisfied with her new class monitor's attitude.

"When I'm not here, the class monitor's words will be my words. I hope everyone will cooperate with the class monitor's work."

She paused, then added, "Oh, and the vice class monitor will be chosen by the class monitor."

Everyone once again turned to Lin Yaoyang in unison.

Lin Yaoyang looked around the classroom. His gaze paused on the emerald-haired girl in the front row, then on Huo Yuhao, before finally falling on Wang Dong beside him.

"Little Wang," he said. "You'll do."

Wang Dong: "..."

She took a deep breath, struggling to maintain the smile on her face as she forced out two words through gritted teeth. "Alright."

The students beside her looked at her enviously, but Wang Dong did not want this at all.

She would probably never be able to shake off the nickname Little Wang for the rest of her life.

Mu Jin smiled but said nothing more.

"Alright, the class officers are in place. Let's begin the official lesson."

By evening, the setting sun had dyed the horizon orange-red.

Lin Yaoyang changed into casual clothes and led Wang Dong out of the dormitory building toward the Academy gate.

Wang Dong followed behind him, her pink-blue short hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze as she looked around curiously.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Out to get something to eat," Lin Yaoyang said without turning around. "I'm sick of eating at the cafeteria every day."

Wang Dong pursed her lips, said nothing else, and quickened her pace to follow him.

The main gate of Shrek Academy was Shrek City's eastern gate. The sky was gradually darkening, but the avenue outside the eastern gate was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Countless vendors had gathered there, selling everything from snacks and medicinal herbs to daily necessities. Their wares filled the street, while hawking, bargaining, and laughter intertwined in the air.

The most numerous stalls sold all kinds of food. Clearly, they had come for the students of Shrek Academy.

"Wow, it's so lively here!" Wang Dong's eyes lit up, and even her steps became lighter. She had grown up in her clan and rarely had the chance to see such lively everyday scenes.

Lin Yaoyang smiled at her. "Come on, let's get something to eat."

Wang Dong nodded. The two walked side by side, browsing the roadside stalls.

Grilled skewers, wontons, candied hawthorns, fried cakes... The aromas of all kinds of food mingled together, stirring their appetites.

One moment Wang Dong pointed at something and said she wanted it; the next, she pointed at something else and said she wanted that too. Lin Yaoyang did not waste words and simply paid for everything.

Before long, Wang Dong's arms were full of food, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster that had stolen a stash of grain.

"Slow down. No one's going to steal it from you," Lin Yaoyang said helplessly.

"Mmph mmph mmph..." Wang Dong's mouth was stuffed full, and she mumbled something that no one could understand.