Finally Waiting

In the span of a few breaths, the sound of chaotic footsteps and murmurs erupted outside the entrance of Dorm Seven.

Curious students, passing teachers, and even some dormitory staff gathered at the noise, craning their necks and pointing fingers, instantly packing the doorway until it was impassable.

"Isn't that the Grandmaster?"

"Who did he say was eating and drinking for free?"

"What's wrong with the work-study students?"

Yu Xiaogang's face, already deathly pale from vomiting blood earlier that day, drained of all remaining color, looking frighteningly ghastly.

He rushed to the door in a panic, spreading his arms wide as he explained anxiously:

"No! That's not the case at all! Don't listen to his nonsense! It's a misunderstanding! Everything is just a misunderstanding!"

He spoke incoherently, fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

His position at Notting Academy was already precarious, as he barely clung to his status by relying on his old friendship with the Dean. The last thing he wanted was to be embroiled in a scandal involving "bullying students," as that could cost him his final place of refuge.

Inside the room, Zhao Linchuan smacked his lips, sauntered back to his makeshift bed, and sat down. He even leaned back comfortably and whispered:

"Xiao Wu, come here and knead my shoulders."

"If you do a good job, I'll buy you all the carrots you can eat tomorrow."

"Really?" Xiao Wu, who had been busy peeking at the commotion at the door, perked up the moment she heard the word "carrots," her large eyes sparkling.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"Didn't we just meet...? Forget it, you'd better not be lying to me!"

Xiao Wu immediately forgot she had been sulking, nimbly climbing behind Zhao Linchuan. Her small hands began to knead his shoulders with great enthusiasm, though her technique was rather heavy-handed.

Zhao Linchuan half-closed his eyes, enjoying the unprofessional "massage" while peering through the gaps in the crowd. He watched with great interest as Yu Xiaogang and Tang San struggled to handle the increasingly nosy and sharp-tongued onlookers.

A full two quarters of an hour passed before Yu Xiaogang, his throat nearly parched from talking, finally managed to pacify and disperse the restless crowd.

He dragged his exhausted body back into Dorm Seven, his back soaked through with cold sweat.

He shot a vicious glare at Zhao Linchuan, who was lounging on his bed with a look of utter contentment; the look in his eyes suggested he wanted to swallow him whole.

He walked to Tang San's bedside, bent down, and lowered his voice, his tone icy, "San, get some good rest today."

"Tomorrow morning, I will take you to the Hunting Soul Forest to obtain your first soul ring!"

He deliberately glanced at Zhao Linchuan, his voice low but loud enough for those in the room to hear clearly.

"Without a teacher's guidance, waiting for the academy to organize a group trip is inefficient and dangerous."

"Once you successfully absorb a soul ring, your soul power will increase, and you will master your first soul skill..."

"...it will also teach certain ignorant brats what the true path of a soul master is!"

Upon hearing this, a sickly flush appeared on Tang San's pale face, and he nodded heavily, "Yes! Teacher, please rest assured!"

"I will not let you down. I will prove with facts... that your theories are correct!"

Every word drifted clearly into Zhao Linchuan's ears.

He kept his eyes closed, appearing as if he were about to fall asleep under Xiao Wu's "massage," but his mind was racing.

Obtain the first soul ring? Should I throw a wrench in his plans to make this first ring a bit more "memorable"?

Just as he was weighing his options—

[Detected current plot environment, triggered choice mission.]

[Son of Destiny (Pseudo) Tang San is about to obtain his signature soul ring skill.]

[Option 1: Ignore him. Without Blue Silver Entanglement, is Tang San even Tang San? (Allow him to obtain the Mandala Snake soul ring.)]

[Reward: Puni First Soul Ring (Growth-type) x1, God-Bestowed Soul Ring x1, System Points x50,000.]

[Option 2: Throw a wrench in his plans and leave a "deep" impression.]

[Reward: Puni First Soul Ring (Growth-type) x1, Gold Beans x36 (Each can summon one Golden Armored Warrior), System Points x50,000.]

A growth-type soul ring! I've finally waited for it! Zhao Linchuan's thoughts whirled.

Throwing a wrench in his plans and letting him obtain the Mandala Snake soul ring didn't seem mutually exclusive.

He could "help" make the process... much more "unforgettable."

System, can I choose both? he asked tentatively in his mind.

[...]

The system replied with silence.

Fine, Zhao Linchuan stopped hesitating, I choose option two.

[Choice completed. Mission "Leave a deep impression on Tang San" accepted. Rewards will be issued automatically upon completion.]

Zhao Linchuan stretched comfortably and then lifted the eye-catching pink quilt to crawl inside.

The bedding was already toasty warm from Xiao Wu.

He reached out and pinched Xiao Wu's cheek as she leaned in, "The bed is nice and warm. From now on, stay by my side and be my personal maid for warming the bed and folding the blankets. You'll have all the carrots you can eat."

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes at him, turned around, and presented the back of her head to him, though she didn't offer a rebuttal.

Zhao Linchuan didn't mind, pulling the quilt up and mumbling, "Time to sleep!"

The next morning, the early sunlight filtered through the windows of Dorm Seven, casting a golden glow across the room.

Zhao Linchuan sat up with a long yawn, looking bleary-eyed and incredibly sluggish.

He rubbed his eyes and spoke to Xiao Wu, who had already woken up and was staring at him with eager anticipation:

"Xiao Wu, I'm going out to buy you some carrots. I'll be back tonight."

"You won't be back until tonight?" Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment. "Aren't you going to class today? I heard the first period is Spirit Beast Identification; it's very important."

"Class?" Zhao Linchuan recalled the famous words of a certain "legendary figure" from his past life: 'Study? Study my ass!'

He replied, "I have important business today. As for class... it won't be too late to attend next time."

With that, he nimbly rolled out of bed, threw on his outer robe, and sauntered out.

A quarter of an hour later, in a residence in the west of the city.

Zhao Linchuan sat alone in the main seat of the spacious yet somewhat empty central hall, his fingers tapping unconsciously against the smooth tabletop as he pondered how to create a sufficiently "profound" "accident" for Tang San's first spirit-hunting journey.

Just then, a series of footsteps, so light they were almost inaudible, approached from the distance.

The person clearly controlled their pace and breathing with intent.

Yue Shen walked in, carrying an ebony tray with light, elegant steps.

On the tray sat a celadon teacup, steam curling upward, the fragrance of the tea elegant and refined.

She had changed into a simple, light blue casual outfit today, her long hair not styled in any complex updo, but merely held loosely by a jade hairpin. It stripped away some of her usual mysterious coldness, replacing it with a touch of domestic gentleness.

Of course, that was if one ignored her eyes, which were far too calm and profound.

She placed the teacup gently on the table beside Zhao Linchuan, then stepped back half a pace, hands folded over her abdomen, and lowered her head slightly.

"Young Master, please have some tea."

"Mm." Zhao Linchuan acknowledged her, picked up the teacup, blew away the foam, and took a sip. The temperature was just right.

He looked up at Yue Shen, who stood respectfully to the side, and asked casually, "Why are you up so early?"

(Testing the waters; if you like it, please follow for updates.)