Conflict (Four Updates)

Tang San left decisively, without a trace of reluctance.

Although he was starving, and although the coarse flatbread was hard to chew, since he had acknowledged Grandmaster as his teacher, he already regarded him as a father. He would never allow anyone to insult him.

"Forget it, Brother Sheng. Don't mind that kid. He's got a strange temper. Let's eat first," someone persuaded.

Ao Tian took Xiao Wu's hand and headed for the stairs.

Xiao Wu cried out in surprise, her little face swiftly turning bright red as her heart pounded wildly. It was the first time a boy had held her hand like this.

She tugged hard, but failed to pull free.

"Where are you taking me?" she could not help asking.

"To eat on the second floor." Ao Tian did not even turn his head.

"Ah—aren't we staying here to eat with them?"

Ao Tian stopped, turned to look at Wang Sheng and the others, and said, "I'm treating. Whoever wants to eat, come along."

With that, he pulled Xiao Wu up the stairs.

The remaining nine looked at one another, all swallowing involuntarily. They were deeply tempted, and in the end, they all looked toward Wang Sheng.

"Brother Sheng, are we going?" someone asked.

Wang Sheng hesitated for a moment. Looking at the unattainable second floor, he gritted his teeth and said, "Since Ao Tian is treating, let's go up and broaden our horizons."

If I don't go up this time, who knows when I'll ever get another chance to set foot on the second floor and taste all those delicacies?

The moment Wang Sheng decided to go upstairs, he had already prepared himself to owe Ao Tian a favor.

The youths hurried toward the stairs.

"From now on, Ao Tian is our friend. Got it?" Wang Sheng instructed in a low voice.

"Got it. From now on, Ao Tian's business is our business."

"..."

Ao Tian did not look back, but the corners of his lips curled up slightly. With just a little money, he had won over their hearts.

With a few lackeys at Nuoding Academy, he would not need to personally handle everything in the future, saving himself plenty of trouble.

For example, the work-study students' daily task of cleaning the academy could be handed entirely to Wang Sheng and the others.

If he did not feel like attending class, he could also have Wang Sheng answer roll call for him...

Unlike the first floor, which had only one main hall, the canteen's second floor was divided into separate private rooms.

"Ao Tian... let go of me," Xiao Wu said awkwardly.

Although she thought Ao Tian's hand was warm and comfortable, she still had to maintain a girl's modesty.

Ao Tian released Xiao Wu's tender and smooth little hand and took the lead into one of the private rooms.

"Big Bad Guy!" Xiao Wu muttered with a flushed face before following him inside.

"Look at Boss. On the very first day, she's already gotten together with Ao Tian," someone teased from behind.

Wang Sheng glanced at the few guys behind him and said, "When you get back, take a piss and look at yourselves. Don't ever set your sights on Boss again."

The few of them did not enter the private room right away. Instead, they stood at the door, curiously taking in the second floor's surroundings.

The second floor was not as crowded and noisy as the first. It was elegant and quiet, yet Wang Sheng and the others could not help feeling uneasy upon arriving here.

It was their first time in such an upscale place.

Xiao Wu suddenly poked her head out from the doorway and asked, "Why aren't you coming in? What are you standing there for?"

Wang Sheng and the others hurried into the room.

Inside, Ao Tian had nearly finished choosing the dishes. He had basically ordered every signature dish available here.

Although he was the one treating them, there was no way he could let the others order.

Wang Sheng and the others had probably never eaten like this before. There was no point expecting them to order.

He checked off more than a dozen dishes in one go, then pushed the menu to Xiao Wu beside him. "Order whatever you want to eat."

Xiao Wu shook her head. "I don't understand this. Help me see if they have carrots."

Ao Tian was a little speechless. A rabbit really did love carrots.

He searched through the menu and found that they really did have them, so he added another dish.

After ordering, he tossed the menu to Wang Sheng across from him. "Take another look. Order whatever you want. Don't worry about saving me money."

Wang Sheng and the others crowded together, curiously looking over the menu. Prices were marked beside the wide variety of dish names.

The instant they saw the prices clearly, Wang Sheng and the others nearly sucked in a breath. A single dish here could cover several days' worth of their meals.

"Th-that's enough," Wang Sheng said, his voice trembling slightly.

Even though he was not the one paying, it was inevitable that he would be nervous experiencing something like this for the first time.

Just then, a waitress who looked to be in her twenties pushed open the door and entered. In a sweet voice, she said, "Hello, have you finished ordering..."

Before she could finish, she saw the children inside. Nearly all of them were plainly dressed, and several even had patches on their clothes.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she reminded them, "Are you sure you want to eat here?"

Ao Tian was worldly-wise. How could he not see what the girl was thinking?

He could not be bothered to say more. Taking out a Gold Soul Coin, he tossed it in the air and said, "We've already ordered. Hurry up and prepare the food."

The girl looked at the Gold Soul Coin in Ao Tian's hand, then at the adorable and handsome Ao Tian. It took her more than ten seconds to react.

"Oh, all right. Please wait a moment."

The girl picked up the menu and left the room. Since this group of children could afford to pay, there was no need for her to worry.

That child really was good-looking...

Before long, the dishes began arriving one after another.

Wang Sheng and the others were still somewhat restrained at first, but after tasting the delicious food, they could no longer resist the temptation.

Youths had astonishing appetites. The more than dozen dishes Ao Tian had ordered were completely wiped out in the end, without even a drop of soup left.

Wang Sheng and the others' bellies were round and swollen, their burps rising one after another, making Ao Tian smile.

Their gazes still lingered on the empty plates. Ao Tian felt that if he were not here, these guys would probably lick the plates clean.

There was also a box beside Wang Sheng. After receiving Ao Tian's permission, he had packed some food for Tang San.

Thinking back on it now, he felt that speaking badly about Tang San's teacher in front of Tang San had been excessive, so he wanted to apologize to him.

Xiao Wu wiped her mouth and said, "Ao Tian, thank you for bringing me to eat such delicious food. In my... six years of life, I've never eaten anything this good."

She patted her chest and let out a breath. That was close. I nearly let it slip.

Wang Sheng stood up and pulled the others to their feet as well. He said loudly, "Ao Tian, from now on, leave your work-study student duties to us. Sister Xiao Wu's too—we'll take care of them all."

Ao Tian smiled. "Sure. Then if you want to eat here again in the future, just call me anytime."

Wang Sheng repeatedly said there was no need. Being able to eat one meal this expensive had already left him completely satisfied.

Just then, the door was violently pushed open, and a group of youths with toothpicks in their mouths walked in.

"Yo, it really is you, Wang Sheng. I heard your voice from outside. Since when were work-study students qualified to eat here? Aren't you lowering our standards?" Boss Xiao spoke with his nostrils raised, his gaze sweeping over Ao Tian and the others before finally stopping on Xiao Wu.

"Boss, looks like we need to teach them a lesson. Otherwise, if they come here again in the future, how are we supposed to have any appetite?" one of Boss Xiao's lackeys said.

"Makes sense." Boss Xiao laughed loudly. "Hand over all your money. Without money, you won't be coming to the second floor to eat anymore."

Wang Sheng slammed the table and roared, "Xiao Chenyu, don't go too far!"

"Oh? Getting rebellious, are we?" Boss Xiao raised his hand and slapped Wang Sheng's face again and again. "I am going too far. What can you do about it?"

Wang Sheng clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"Pah, coward." Boss Xiao said, "I'll give you three choices. First, hand over all your money. Second, let that little loli accompany me for two days. Third, meet at the small hill behind the academy. If you lose, hand over both your money and the little loli."