"Cough, cough... I'm fine, senior. It's just... I suddenly feel a little dizzy. Maybe... I'm too hungry." Long Jinyu made up an excuse.
"Too hungry?!" Ma Xiaotao grew even more anxious at that.
She glanced around the bustling cafeteria, spotted an empty four-person table not far away, and half supported, half pushed him into a chair.
"Sit still! Don't move! Wait here!"
She moved so fast she stirred the air, and her tone carried a hint of command.
"Mingming, Sister Ruoruo, keep an eye on him! I'll go get him something to eat!"
Without giving Long Jinyu a chance to refuse, she dashed toward the serving counter in a flurry, looking as if she were about to snap up a limited-edition Soul Bone.
"Hey! Wait for me! I know what's most nourishing!" Wu Ming's eyes lit up, and she followed. She was a regular at the Inner Court Cafeteria—and its resident "tyrant."
Seeing Long Jinyu's pallid face and the discomfort he was trying to suppress, Han Ruoruo gracefully sat down across from him and gazed at him with warm eyes. "Long, take it easy. They'll be back soon. Xiaotao's just worried about you."
She picked up the teapot on the table, poured him a cup of Clear Heart Tea, and pushed it toward him. "Here, drink some tea first. Warm up your stomach."
Long Jinyu took the teacup in both hands. Warmth seeped through the porcelain, and the tea's elegant fragrance soothed his senses.
Looking at the senior before him—gentle in bearing, powerful, and considerate—he couldn't help feeling a rush of warmth and sincere admiration.
"Sister Ruoruo really is... gentle yet resilient, blessed with astonishing talent." He took a small sip of tea. Warmth flowed down his throat, soothing his tired organs. "Someone like her... sigh, in the original story, she ended up with Wang Yan. It feels like a pearl cast before swine."
The thought flashed by, tinged with the regret of a "scholar" (a chuunibyou teenager ✓), but there was no contempt or disparagement in it.
He knew Wang Yan's knowledge and character well enough. The man was passable, but in Long Jinyu's eyes, in a world like Douluo where strength reigned supreme and people constantly fought to the death, he ultimately lacked the hard power needed to protect something so precious.
As his thoughts raced, Long Jinyu's mind looked beyond this top Inner Court female disciple and saw a reflection of Shrek's recent state of affairs:
"The Inner Court's imbalance between women and men is this severe. Han Ruoruo, Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and Wu Ming are all outstanding, while there are hardly any male students who can match them... I'm afraid talent isn't the only reason..."
His gaze grew serious. Combining what he knew from "history" with the logic of the real world, he instantly pieced together the situation:
"At its root, there are three reasons—"
"First."
"Xuan Zi's repeated major blunders as a team leader cost the academy batch after batch of its most talented and promising students. Those wounds have yet to heal, and the academy has been gravely weakened."
"Second."
"The continent is in turmoil, Evil Soul Masters run rampant, and the Supervision Group is utterly useless. Shrek's men are often full of spirit and willing to take on the most dangerous frontline purges and border defense missions. To protect the academy and the common people, many have met glorious deaths in dangerous places like the Star Dou Forest and the Ming Dou Mountain Range. That is a sign of duty—but also a drain."
"Third."
"In troubled times, young talents... especially young men, burn with an even stronger desire to make a name for themselves. Compared to the academy's relatively peaceful environment, the imperial armies and the great Soul Master legions are the battlefields where they believe they can earn merit faster and defend their homeland. Even Shrek, a 'holy land,' can't keep every man from yearning to march off to war."
Thinking of those "senior brothers and sisters" who might have been buried in foreign lands or were still fighting bloody battles on the frontier, Long Jinyu's earlier thoughts about the imbalance between men and women turned into solemn respect and a trace of helplessness.
In an age of war, where was there any true peace? For these exceptionally talented students to have grown this far, how many predecessors had silently shouldered the pressure in their own way?
[Heh, heh, heh. As expected of you, you humanities nerd! Such perspective, such depth, such concern for the fate of the nation! But...]
The deity's tone shifted, turning teasing.
[Are you sure the original author's brain was even a tenth as active as yours when he wrote "an imbalance between men and women"? Maybe he just thought, "More beauties are easy on the eyes"?]
"Ridiculous! This is a reasonable deduction based on the original story!"
"Didn't Dai Yueheng go into the military after graduating?"
"When Yao Haoxuan went to the Duke's Mansion, didn't he say he wanted to make a name for himself?"
Long Jinyu retorted inwardly, thoroughly annoyed.
"Cut the chatter! Hurry up and draft the 'Shrek Reform Plan'! Do it my way!"
[...Do you have enough points to pay for it? You dare order me around?]
He gently set down his teacup and gave Han Ruoruo a grateful, warm smile. "Thank you, senior. This tea's lovely." His admiration for her and his insight into the state of affairs both settled into the warmth of the tea.
Before long, Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming returned with several trays piled high with food.
"Quick! Kid, drink this first!" Ma Xiaotao set a bowl of clear, shimmering soup that radiated a cool aura heavily in front of Long Jinyu. It was the Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Soup Han Ruoruo had mentioned earlier. "Old Wang says this is the most nourishing. Drink it while it's hot!"
Wu Ming wasn't to be outdone. She pushed over a plate of fragrant, golden-brown, glistening meat. "Little junior, try this! Crimson Flame Savage Beef. It's cooked just right, tender, and great for replenishing your energy! Much more substantial than some dragon tendon!" At least she remembered the look on Long Jinyu's face when he'd heard "grilled dragon tendon," and even gave him a wink.
Han Ruoruo smiled and took a bowl of steaming Spirit Rice Porridge, cooked until soft and sweet, from the tray. "Long, you've used up too much energy, so your body can't handle anything too nourishing. Have some porridge first to line your stomach, then eat the meat."
Long Jinyu looked at the tabletop, suddenly piled high with "love-filled offerings" from three seniors, each with her own distinct charm yet every one radiant. "..."
Where would an upright, model Hanxia high schooler have ever experienced being surrounded by top-tier beauties and relentlessly showered with food?! Especially when these three were all famous goddesses of the Inner Court!
[Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!]
The little man inside him was so excited he took off on the spot, spiraled skyward, and started spamming his thoughts:
[Ma Xiaotao! Tsundere big sister!]
[Wu Ming! Energetic spicy sister!]
[Han Ruoruo! Gentle goddess!]
[Good heavens! A sister-complex's ultimate dream has come true on Douluo Continent?!
[I never dared dream this big on Blue Star! This transmigration was a total win!!!]
A flood of immense happiness mixed with intense embarrassment instantly swept over him.
[Ahhh! But this is so embarrassing! Do they think I'm a little baby who can't take care of himself?!]
[This is such a big scene! Everyone around us is watching!]
[But... but... being fussed over and fed by pretty older sisters... feels so good! Ahhh!]
[No, no! Stay calm, Long Jinyu! You're a scholar! You have to be reserved! Don't grin like a pervert! Keep a straight face! Keep a straight face, damn it!]
[You old lecher. Didn't you claim to be a decent person?]
[For crying out loud, who doesn't like pretty older sisters? I'm a normal person too, not a saint!]
[What else are teenagers supposed to be into if not lust? "How are you"?]
[Besides, I only made an observation! How does that make me a lecher?]
[Well... according to the information from Blue Star, teenagers like you are basically legendary machines... Ahem, ahem, ahem.]
[Machine my ass! You mean "foundational teenage hormones," huh?]
On the surface, he did his best to maintain a cool, aloof expression... ahem, a well-behaved junior's calm demeanor.
Yet his fair cheeks uncontrollably flushed a delicate pink, and his long lashes drooped as he tried to hide the excitement that was practically spilling out of his eyes.
"Thank you, Senior Xiaotao..."
"Thank you, Senior Wu Ming..."
"Thank you, Senior Han..."
"It's just..."
He pointed at the mountain of food before him, his tone tinged with "alarm" and "awkwardness."
"It's too much. I... I can't finish all this..."
"You have to eat it even if you can't finish!"
Ma Xiaotao immediately glared at him.
"Look how weak you are! You look like a gust of wind could knock you over! You're going to eat until you're back in shape!"
"Exactly! You need to eat more so you'll have the strength to... work!" Wu Ming chimed in with a grin, her eyes darting back and forth between him and Ma Xiaotao.
Han Ruoruo only smiled gently, silently telling him not to feel pressured.
Of course, Long Jinyu's claim that he "couldn't finish" was all an act.
He'd read the Douluo Dalu III manga! Tang Wulin and Na'er's terrifying appetites had left a deep impression on him!
As the inheritor of the Nine-Colored Dragon God, he'd already predicted his own "potential."
If he really let loose and ate? The food on this table, plus everything in the kitchen, probably wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between his teeth!
Then all the students would stare in shock at the cafeteria, emptied of every last bite... The thought was too horrifying to contemplate!
To avoid scaring everyone and to leave some food for the other students, he had to strategically pretend to be weak!
Under the "eager" gazes of the three seniors, Long Jinyu began his "performance."
[Spirit Rice Porridge! Sister Ruoruo recommended it! Fragrant! Sweet! I want to eat the whole pot!]
[Ahhh! This beef smells amazing! I want ten more plates! No! A hundred!]
[The Ice Crystal Jade Marrow Soup is delicious too! Three more bowls!]
He "struggled" to finish the food that a certain Tao had declared he "had to eat."
At the same time, he used all his willpower to stop himself from thinking about all the other tempting delicacies in the cafeteria.
He also had to keep up that bashful expression of someone who "really couldn't eat another bite."
At last, just as Long Jinyu felt he couldn't keep up the act any longer, the "battle" came to an end.
Wu Ming patted her stomach with satisfaction and looked at Long Jinyu curiously. "By the way, little junior, which little courtyard on Sea God Island are you staying in? What's it like? I'll come visit one of these days and get to know the place!"
"Cough! Cough, cough—!"
"Cough, cough! Uh..."
Long Jinyu and Ma Xiaotao choked at almost the exact same time, coughing violently as their faces instantly turned bright red!
With remarkable synchrony, they both turned sideways, their backs to Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo, their heads nearly touching as they formed a brief, private little space.
"What do we do? Tell her or not?" Long Jinyu whispered, his voice low and a little flustered. His warm breath brushed Ma Xiaotao's ear, making it grow hot.
Ma Xiaotao's heart beat faster. She bit her lower lip and whispered back, "Tell... tell her! We can't keep it from them! If that lunatic Wu Ming goes snooping around on her own... it'll be even more trouble!"
Seeing them huddled together, heads touching as they "schemed" with such obvious guilty consciences, Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo exchanged glances, both looking amused.
Long Jinyu drew a deep breath, turned around, and did his best to keep his expression calm as he faced Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo. He accepted his fate and said, "Uh... Senior Wu Ming, Senior Han, to be honest, I'm... currently staying in the Phoenix Perch Pavilion."
"Phoenix Perch Pavilion?" Wu Ming repeated without thinking, not immediately understanding.
Ma Xiaotao turned around too, as if she'd thrown caution to the wind. Her voice cracked with embarrassment as she added, "It's... it's that big villa! Mu En and the teacher arranged it! It's so he can help me suppress my Evil Fire! And... he needs a quiet environment! It's not what you're thinking!"
After she finished, her cheeks burned so hot they felt ready to catch fire. She didn't even dare look at the expressions on the other two's faces.
"Pfft—!"
Wu Ming spat out the mouthful of water she'd just taken! Forgetting to wipe it away, she clapped a hand over her mouth and looked at the bright-red Ma Xiaotao... and Long Jinyu's "I tried my best" expression. Then she slapped the table.
"The Phoenix Perch Pavilion?! Living together!"
"Oh my gosh! Xiaotao! Look at you!"
"You secretly brought such a handsome junior home?!"
"So it really is a 'Dragon Hidden in Phoenix Nest'?!"
She rubbed her hands together excitedly and lowered her voice. "You should've said so sooner! If I'd known you two were... ahem, living together, I wouldn't have dared joke around! No wonder you get so jealous! I understand, I understand! Your big sister gets it! Mu En is wise! Dean Yan is wise!"
"Damn it, Mingming! Stop talking nonsense!" Burning with embarrassment and indignation, Ma Xiaotao reached across the table to pinch her.
Long Jinyu looked at the scene and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
He cleared his throat and looked at Ma Xiaotao, who was still "dueling" with Wu Ming from across the table. At the right moment, he reminded her, "Senior, it's almost time. We still have something important to do this afternoon."
"Something important?" Ma Xiaotao paused and looked at him in confusion, not understanding at first. "What important thing?"
Wu Ming immediately seized the opportunity, her eyes turning extraordinarily suggestive as she drew out the words. "Ohhh? The ~im~por~tant~thing~ this afternoon? You've already got plans? You young people... have so much energy. You need to know when to hold back, Xiaotao~..."
"Wu! Ming!" Ma Xiaotao was so angry she was about to explode again.
Long Jinyu hurriedly explained, "Did you forget, senior? You promised me you'd apologize."
"Oh... oh! Right! Apologize!" Ma Xiaotao suddenly remembered and slapped her forehead in chagrin.
She was someone who drew a clear line between right and wrong. If she made a mistake, she could accept any punishment or beating, but apologizing...
Especially to a few little kids from the Outer Court... It made her feel a little awkward.
But since she'd promised Long Jinyu, she wouldn't go back on her word—and she didn't dare to, either...
"Come on, come on! Let's go now!" To escape Wu Ming's teasing gaze and the skin-crawling jokes, Ma Xiaotao grabbed Long Jinyu by the wrist and pulled him toward the exit, practically "fleeing for his life."
"Hey! Wait for me! This sounds fun..." Wu Ming immediately jumped up to follow. She loved watching Ma Xiaotao get flustered.
"Ming'er." Han Ruoruo stopped the eager Wu Ming just in time and gently shook her head. "This is between Xiaotao and Long. Let them handle it themselves."
She glanced meaningfully at the two hurrying away, then gave Wu Ming a knowing smile that said, "Don't disturb them."
Wu Ming immediately caught on and grinned mischievously. "Ohhh, got it, got it! All right, then. Ruoruo, let's go have tea with Senior Sister!" She called after Long Jinyu, "Little junior! I'll come visit you two at the Phoenix Perch Pavilion next time!"
Long Jinyu hurriedly looked back and gave them a polite, slightly rushed smile. "All right, Senior Wu Ming, Senior Han. See you later."
[Tea with Senior Sister?!]
[A tea party between girls?!]
[That sounds great! I want to go!]
The little man in his heart's eyes shone.
But the tight grip on his wrist from a certain someone immediately dragged him back to reality. He could only accept his fate and follow the "short-tempered" senior phoenix on their "apology tour."
Before you continue