Shui Bing'er's Invitation (Please Follow)

The registration teacher instinctively wanted to say, "That's a boy, isn't it?" But when she saw the headmistress's unquestionable expression, she forcibly swallowed the words.

She lowered her head, opened the registration book, and picked up her pen.

"Name?"

"Wu Changkong."

"Age?"

"Thirteen."

"Martial Soul?"

"Skyfrost Sword."

"Soul power level?"

"Thirty-nine."

Hearing that, the registration teacher looked up, thinking she had misheard.

"Th... thirty-nine? You mean twenty-nine, right?"

Shui Qinghan, who stood nearby, said, "It's thirty-nine. Don't doubt it. Just write it down."

The registration teacher took a deep breath and looked Wu Changkong up and down several times as though he were a monster before finally writing down the words "thirty-nine" in the registration book.

After finishing, she set down her pen and looked up at Wu Changkong's cold yet handsome face. Suddenly, she felt that this exception did not seem so hard to accept after all.

After all, talent should never have been divided by gender.

She closed the registration book and solemnly handed the admission notice to Wu Changkong.

"Welcome to Heavenwater Academy, Wu Changkong. Classes officially begin in three days. Remember to report in."

"Alright."

Shui Qinghan felt a complicated mix of emotions. Before today, she had never imagined that Heavenwater Academy would one day admit male students.

But at this moment, she felt that she had made the right decision.

Toward evening, the Shui Family's carriage traveled back along the road they had taken there.

"Wu Changkong, where is your home?" Shui Bing'er asked.

"Why ask all of a sudden? Are you coming to visit my home?"

"No. I meant that we could have the coachman take you there. Water Source Town isn't far, but it would still take nearly half an hour on foot."

"No need." Wu Changkong shook his head slightly. "I'll go find my father at the market in a while."

"He came to the city today to sell ironware at the market. At this hour, he should still be packing up his stall."

"Alright." Shui Bing'er nodded. "Don't forget. Report to the academy in three days."

"Okay. I'll be going now."

After saying this reluctantly, he turned and got out of the carriage.

"Wait..."

Shui Bing'er's voice came from behind him.

Wu Changkong paused and turned around. "What is it?"

Shui Bing'er hesitated. "Would you... like to come to my house for a cup of tea?"

She quickly explained, "You helped our academy vent its anger today, so you count as a guest of the Shui Family. It should be fine to sit for a while before leaving."

Shui Yue'er leaned close to Shui Bing'er's ear and said, "Sis, you're bringing a man home. Aren't you afraid Father will scold you?"

Shui Bing'er's expression stiffened, and a flush spread across her cheeks.

Wu Changkong heard their conversation and shook his head. "No need. I've been gone too long. My father will worry. Maybe next time."

"Then... alright."

"Mm. See you in three days."

Wu Changkong waved, then strode toward the market.

After Wu Changkong had gone far away, Shui Yue'er raised an eyebrow. "Sis, do you like Wu Changkong?"

"No. As the eldest daughter of the Shui Family, I merely ought to show proper hospitality."

"Oh~"

"Then why don't you invite anyone else for tea? Why did you invite him in particular?"

"The last time Feng Xiaotian visited our home, you wouldn't even give him a proper glance."

"But look at you today. You took the initiative to ask whether he wanted to come for tea. You took the initiative!"

"I said it was merely proper hospitality."

"Fine, fine, proper hospitality." Shui Yue'er rolled her eyes. "Then why are you blushing? Does proper hospitality come with blushing?"

"Big sister, your words don't match your heart~"

"I'm ignoring you. You're so annoying."

With that, Shui Bing'er turned away expressionlessly and got out of the carriage first.

"Hey, Sis! Wait for me! And you say there's nothing going on—your ears are completely red."

"Covering them with your hands won't help. I saw it!"

Wu Changkong had just walked out of the alley where the Shui Family lived. Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps ahead, accompanied by a familiar, rough voice.

"Changkong!"

Wu Changkong looked up and saw his father running toward him in great strides.

He was drenched in sweat. His eyes scanned his son up and down three or four times, and only after confirming that he was neither missing an arm nor a leg did he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Where the hell did you run off to?"

"I went to look for you at the market, but I couldn't find you no matter how long I searched. I asked several people, and they all said they hadn't seen you."