Can I Eat with You?

"I'm giving you a minute. Get back to your dorms and change into clean clothes, then return to the classroom at once! Be one second late, and you'll face my punishment!"

Zhou Yi's words snapped everyone back to reality. She had resumed her stern demeanor, her voice sharp as she called to the panting students, who were still sneaking glances at Cao Longyan and the others.

Under Zhou Yi's imposing authority, everyone immediately looked away. Not daring to waste a moment, they all took off running toward the dormitory buildings.

Their clothes had already been torn to varying degrees during their challenge against Zhou Yi, and the laps they'd just run had soaked them with sweat.

Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao also quickly realized that Zhou Yi had deliberately helped them out of an awkward situation.

The moment their eyes met, the two stood so close that their cheeks flushed in unison. They instinctively sprang apart, and the atmosphere turned strangely intimate.

Cao Longyan broke the silence first. His gaze fell on Xiao Xiao's pale face, and his voice retained its signature gentleness, though now it carried a note of concern.

"Xiao Xiao, do you still have the strength to run back to your dorm and change?"

Xiao Xiao bit her lower lip. She wanted to stubbornly shake her head and insist that she had the strength, but her body betrayed her.

She barely managed to take one step before her legs went weak. She swayed and nearly fell to the ground again.

Seeing this, Cao Longyan didn't hesitate. He hurried forward and swept Xiao Xiao into his arms.

His movements were gentle yet steady, his voice warm but leaving no room for argument.

"Don't push yourself. You can barely walk right now, so let me help you. If you still have the strength in your arms, hold on around my neck. Be careful not to fall."

His arms supported Xiao Xiao securely. He held his fists slightly forward, deliberately avoiding her sensitive areas and keeping the perfect distance.

Leaning against Cao Longyan, Xiao Xiao felt the faint, icy chill radiating from him. But she didn't feel cold. Instead, it brought her an inexplicable sense of comfort and warmth.

With his handsome, gentle face so close to hers, her mind went blank. Almost without thinking, she gave a quiet "Mm," obediently raised her arms, and wrapped them lightly around his neck. Then, cheeks burning with embarrassment, she buried her face against his chest and didn't dare look up again.

As he spoke, he lowered his eyes to his uniform. It had been fairly neat before, but the sudden burst of extreme speed when he caught Xiao Xiao had badly damaged the hem and cuffs. Fortunately, only the edges were torn and no skin showed. Otherwise, the freshmen watching wouldn't have just looked shocked and eager for gossip.

Not far away, Zhou Yi watched the two of them leave, the corners of her mouth lifting despite herself.

She had been holding in a bit of "anger."

Cao Longyan had openly stood up to her in front of everyone, costing her some face in front of the freshmen. This was the perfect chance to get a little "revenge" on him.

With that thought, Zhou Yi raised her voice and shouted toward the freshmen, who had already run some distance ahead.

"You, the boy carrying that girl—hurry up! If you don't make it to class in time, you'll both be punished!"

Her words instantly caught the freshmen's attention. Everyone turned around, their gazes landing on Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao in unison. A chorus of "Oohhh" swept across the entire plaza, followed by one teasing cheer after another.

Cao Longyan paused for a moment, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He didn't mind the teasing; he just hadn't expected Zhou Yi to turn her mischievous side on him so soon.

In his arms, Xiao Xiao's cheeks grew even redder at the sound of everyone's teasing. She could practically feel her ears burning.

She gave Cao Longyan's clothes a gentle tug, her voice small and shy.

"Cao Longyan, you should put me down. I can walk back slowly by myself. I don't want to hold you back..."

Cao Longyan lowered his head and saw her face buried against his chest, her head trembling slightly. He couldn't help but chuckle, his voice warm and firm.

"Don't worry. You won't hold me back. Hold on tight."

His smile struck Xiao Xiao right in the heart. She stared at him, utterly dazed, then instinctively buried her already-flushed face even deeper against his chest as her heart pounded.

As soon as he finished speaking, he put a little force into his step and smoothly picked up speed. He shot forward like an arrow, reaching Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao in an instant.

Wang Dong looked at Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao, then gave him a knowing look. She secretly winked at Cao Longyan and made an encouraging gesture.

Without a word, Wang Dong grabbed the still-dazed Huo Yuhao and hurried ahead, deliberately putting some distance between them and Cao Longyan so the two could be alone.

Cao Longyan stared at their retreating backs, his face full of question marks.

Wait, what did Wang Dong think she knew? And what did she mean by encouraging him? He was only looking after Xiao Xiao because he'd liked the sweet but resilient girl in the original story and didn't want her to get hurt. That was all...

Besides, he'd meant to ask Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao to grab the spare uniform he needed from his dorm. He was worried they'd run out of time, and a teacher's authority still had to be respected.

Before long, Cao Longyan carried Xiao Xiao to the bottom of the dormitory building.

He knew that Shrek's dormitory rules were clear: the fourth floor and above were for girls, and boys weren't allowed in.

So he gently set Xiao Xiao down at the third-floor landing, his voice still soft.

"We're on the third floor. Take your time going up, and be careful."

Xiao Xiao steadied herself and looked up. Her cheeks were still flushed, and she avoided his gaze as she murmured,

"Thank you, Cao Longyan. I'm really sorry for the trouble today..."

Then, using the little strength she had just recovered, she turned and hurried toward the girls' dormitory on the fourth floor without looking back, her face red to the roots of her hair.

Cao Longyan watched her go and let out a long breath. Then he turned toward the Male Dormitory, changed into a clean uniform, and headed straight to the classroom.

The theory lessons that followed were dull. Cao Longyan already knew the material by heart—he understood it even better than Zhou Yi did.

Still, he paid attention, and whenever Zhou Yi called on him, he answered well.

Whenever Zhou Yi wasn't looking, he simply pretended to keep his eyes open while sinking his consciousness into the Spiritual Sea of Consciousness. There, he joined Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Ice Empress, and Electrolux in studying how to fuse Soul Power, spiritual power, and spiritual force.

Before anyone knew it, the morning's theory lessons were over.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Zhou Yi walked straight over to Huo Yuhao and said evenly,

"Huo Yuhao, come with me to my office for a moment."

Huo Yuhao paused, then nodded. After saying goodbye to Cao Longyan and Wang Dong, he followed Zhou Yi out of the classroom.

Cao Longyan stayed in his seat, unlike Wang Dong, who was curious.

He knew that Zhou Yi was most likely following the original story and wanted to give Huo Yuhao special training by having him join the Soul Guidance Department...

But he was curious: without the opportunities he'd had in the original story, how had Huo Yuhao impressed Zhou Yi by getting through her challenge?

Beside him, Wang Dong looked anxiously in the direction Huo Yuhao had gone and muttered,

"Why did Teacher Zhou call Yuhao in? Could it be because his Soul Power is too low..."

Cao Longyan shot Wang Dong an exasperated look and lightly tapped her on the head.

"Hey, Longyan, why'd you hit me on the head?"

Wang Dong covered her head and glared at Cao Longyan.

"I was checking whether I could knock some sense into you. What do you think about all day? Come on, let's go to the cafeteria. If we're late, all the good food will be gone."

"You... You're making me furious!"

Wang Dong watched Cao Longyan turn and walk away as soon as he'd finished speaking. She could only fume and stomp her foot before following him out of the classroom and toward the cafeteria.

Just then, a petite figure in green hurried over and blocked Cao Longyan's path.

It was Xiao Xiao, now wearing a clean uniform.

Her hair was neatly combed, and a faint blush still colored her cheeks. She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her gaze wavering as she looked at Cao Longyan.

"Cao Longyan... classmate, can I... can I eat with you?"