Tang San, Your Head's Looking a Little Green

But when she thought of Tang San, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the way those people looked at her—

"Master."

Her voice was so soft, it was almost inaudible.

Like a mosquito buzzing.

Ji Ye looked at her without saying a word.

Xiao Wu took a deep breath and spoke a little louder.

"Master."

Ji Ye smiled, looking very pleased.

"Good girl."

He reached out and ruffled Xiao Wu's hair again.

Xiao Wu bit her lip but didn't pull away.

"Go back," Ji Ye said.

"Starting tomorrow, you know what to do."

Xiao Wu nodded and turned toward Shrek Academy.

After taking a few steps, she stopped and looked back at Ji Ye.

"Will... will you..."

"Will I what?"

"Will you tell anyone?"

Ji Ye looked at her, the smile at the corner of his mouth fading a little as his gaze grew more serious.

"As long as you behave, I won't tell anyone."

Xiao Wu looked into his eyes for several seconds.

There was no deception or mockery in them, only a sincerity she couldn't quite describe.

She lowered her head, whispered, "Thank you," and then ran off barefoot.

Ji Ye stood beneath the old locust tree, watching her disappear through the gates of Shrek Academy.

Thank you?

The smile slowly disappeared from Ji Ye's lips, and his expression grew calm.

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu," he murmured to himself, his voice so low only he could hear it.

"Don't blame me."

"This world was never fair to Soul Beasts."

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, everyone gathered on the training field.

Tang San arrived first and stood in the middle of the field.

Xiao Wu stood beside him, looking downcast.

"What's wrong, Xiao Wu? Didn't you sleep well last night?" Tang San asked with concern. He had never seen her like this before.

Xiao Wu shook her head.

"I'm fine."

After she spoke, Dai Mubai and the others arrived at the training field too.

"Morning, Mubai," Tang San greeted him.

But Dai Mubai ignored him and leaned against the old locust tree by himself, arms crossed over his chest, his expression rather sour.

Tang San couldn't make heads or tails of it.

What was with everyone today?

"Morning, Tang San."

Ning Rongrong came skipping over. She had changed into a fresh green dress and redone her hair, looking much more polished than the day before.

"Morning, Rongrong," Tang San replied with a smile.

Now that was more like it.

Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar arrived as well.

They exchanged greetings.

Just then, Ji Ye walked over too.

He had changed out of his gray clothes and was now wearing blue.

He looked even more handsome.

His pace was neither hurried nor slow, and a faint smile played on his face. He looked downright unfairly handsome.

Ning Rongrong stared at him, completely transfixed.

The corners of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth lifted slightly, then quickly settled back into a neutral expression.

Dai Mubai turned his face away, refusing to look at Ji Ye, and muttered a few words under his breath.

He still wasn't convinced.

Oscar's gaze shifted back and forth between Ning Rongrong and Ji Ye, a bitter smile on his lips.

Ji Ye walked to the front of the group and stopped.

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Ji Ye's expression shifted.

His gaze carried a hint of warning.

Xiao Wu's body trembled slightly. She bit her lip and slowly began edging to the side.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

She moved away from Tang San and stopped beside Ji Ye.

Tang San froze.

He turned to look at Xiao Wu, his eyes full of confusion.

"Xiao Wu?"

Xiao Wu didn't look at him. She kept her head down, both hands clasped in front of her, her fingers twisting together like a knot.

Tang San called her again.

"Xiao Wu?"

Her shoulders trembled, but she still didn't lift her head or respond.

Ma Hongjun sidled over and nudged Tang San with his elbow, wearing a sleazy grin. He lowered his voice, but not so much that the people around them couldn't hear.

"Tang San, looks like your wife ran off with someone else."

Tang San's expression changed.

He could hardly believe it.

He and Xiao Wu had known each other for six years, from the age of six to twelve. They had gone to school together, eaten together, cultivated together, and traveled together from Notting City to Suotuo City.

He had never imagined Xiao Wu would leave his side.

"Xiao Wu, what's wrong?" Tang San kept his voice fairly calm, but his clenched fist gave away what he was feeling.

Xiao Wu still didn't answer.

Her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes were a little red, but she fought back the tears.

She didn't dare look at Tang San.

She was afraid Ji Ye would tell everyone she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Then everyone would ostracize her and Xiao San.

She couldn't let that happen.

The corners of Ji Ye's mouth lifted slightly.

He reached out and ruffled Xiao Wu's hair in front of everyone.

His fingers ran through her light brown hair, the gesture so natural it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded.

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. Her expression shifted from shock to confusion, then from confusion to jealousy.

She stamped her foot hard.

Zhu Zhuqing gave a snort and looked away from Ji Ye.

But the rise and fall of her chest showed that she was far from calm.

Leaning against the tree, Dai Mubai saw what was happening and instead curled his lips.

He didn't know why, but watching Ji Ye touch another girl's head somehow made him feel inexplicably relieved.

Ma Hongjun's mouth formed a perfect O. Then he grinned sleazily and nudged Tang San with his elbow again.

"Tang San, your head's looking a little green."

Tang San ignored him.

He stared at Ji Ye's hand, at the way it ruffled Xiao Wu's head again and again.

His fists clenched with a crack, his knuckles turning white as veins bulged across the backs of his hands.

But he didn't lash out.

Deep down, he felt that Xiao Wu must have had her reasons for doing this!

Tang San took a deep breath and forced down the anger surging in his chest, but he never unclenched his fists.

As Ji Ye ruffled her hair, Xiao Wu's body was stiff as a block of wood.

She could feel Tang San's gaze on her, stabbing into her like two knives.

She wanted to cry, but held it in.

Again and again, she told herself:

For Xiao San, for everyone, she couldn't let them know she was a Soul Beast.

Ji Ye withdrew his hand, the smile on his lips deepening.

He glanced at Xiao Wu. She kept her head down and didn't look at him, but she gave a slight nod.

Ji Ye shifted his gaze away, satisfied.

The training field was silent for a few seconds.

Then the sound of heavy footsteps came from the direction of the dean's office.

Everyone turned around.

Zhao Wuji walked over.

He went to the front of the group, stopped, and swept his gaze over everyone.

His eyes lingered on Ji Ye for a second before moving on.

"Today's training assignment—"

Zhao Wuji had barely started speaking when a hand went up.

Oscar.

Zhao Wuji frowned.

"Oscar, what is it?"

Oscar swallowed, his expression complicated.

He looked excited, nervous, and a little embarrassed.

"Teacher Zhao, I've broken through to level thirty."