Yuhao's Self-Persuasion and Gratitude

Mu En's eyes immediately lit up, the gleam in them brimming with undisguised delight.

He slapped the armrest of his bamboo chair, making it creak harshly. Sitting up ramrod straight, he raised his voice a few notches. "Good, good, good! Since she's that promising, I'll make an exception and grant her core disciple status today! Once you've settled her in, you need to make a trip to Sea God Island, understand?"

"Understood, Master." Tang Wulin nodded with a smile, his voice carrying the high spirits of youth.

Mu En waved him off and reclined in the bamboo chair again. "Hurry up and go. Don't stand around here getting in the way of my sunbathing."

Tang Wulin chuckled and turned to wave at Na'er. "Let's go. We'll put your things away upstairs, then head to Sea God Island."

Na'er hurried after him, clutching the sleeve he held out to her. She tilted her head up and gave him a sweet, obedient smile touched with anticipation. Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the parasol tree leaves, falling into her violet eyes like scattered diamonds and making them sparkle.

Tang Wulin led Na'er toward the dormitory building. The creaking of the swaying bamboo chair mingled with the rustle of wind through the parasol leaves, and Shrek Academy in the afternoon was peaceful and serene.

Still, Shrek Academy's situation really needed to change. Once he became Pavilion Master, he would have to set things straight.

Tang Wulin brought Na'er to the dormitory stairs and smilingly released the wrist he had been holding.

He looked down at the little girl before him, who only reached his chest. Her long silver-white hair fell smoothly over her shoulders.

In the dim light of the stairwell, it glimmered with a faint, gentle sheen.

Those clear violet eyes were raised quietly, looking up at him.

She waited silently for him to speak.

Tang Wulin smiled softly and gently patted the top of her soft hair, as though soothing a tame kitten he had just brought home.

"Your room is 403."

"Brother's room is on the first floor, so I won't go up with you. The boys' rooms are on the lower three floors, while the girls' rooms are on the fourth floor. Boys aren't allowed on the girls' floor."

He paused slightly, then added in a softer voice, "If anyone bullies you..."

He took a brass key from the pocket of his outer robe, lightly dangling it from his fingertips. The metal clinked together with a crisp, pleasant jingle.

Then he held it out before Na'er so she could see the small inscription carved into it.

"108."

"If anyone wrongs you, come find Brother in room 108."

Na'er tilted her head slightly, then nodded. She handed the key back to Tang Wulin and smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents.

"I'll remember it. 108."

"Alright, go upstairs and get settled."

Tang Wulin took back the key and casually slipped it into his pocket.

"Once you've unpacked and rested, since classes don't start until tomorrow morning, Brother will take you around Shrek City."

"Especially Sea God Island. The scenery there is far prettier than the outer academy."

Na'er obediently agreed, turned, and slowly made her way upstairs. Her silver hair swayed gently with each step, and the hem of her skirt brushed lightly past the stairwell corner. Her slender figure soon vanished into the shadows of the second-floor landing.

Only a few strands of silvery hair swayed beyond the railing for a moment before disappearing completely.

Tang Wulin stood there quietly for a while before turning and walking slowly down the corridor toward his own dormitory.

Dormitory 108 was the third room beside the corridor restroom.

More than half the paint on the doorframe had long since peeled away.

The dark, rough wood beneath was exposed.

A thin layer of dust had gathered along the edges of the door cracks.

Tang Wulin inserted the key into the lock and gently turned it twice.

With a soft click, the door opened.

Before he could step inside—

A heavy, stale smell of dust rushed into his face. Caught off guard, he turned his head and coughed twice, raising a hand to fan away the floating dust.

Squinting, he quickly surveyed the entire room.

A thick layer of dust covered the windowsill.

Half an inch of dust lay across the tabletop, blanketing every object.

The bare bedframe held only an old, grimy straw mat.

Several dried cobwebs hung from the corners of the walls.

In one corner sat an overturned broken earthenware jar, crooked and dilapidated, as though it had been left there for years.

The entire room was desolate and cold, as if no one had lived there in a very long time.

Even faint footprints could be seen on the surface of the dust, old marks that made it seem as though the place had gone unattended for months.

Tang Wulin stood in the doorway in silence for two breaths, then raised a hand and lightly rubbed his brow.

Good grief, I almost forgot!

My room in Sea God Pavilion was elegant, clean, and tidy. I forgot how awful the outer academy's conditions were.

This is bad, this is bad. After getting used to such comfortable dorms, I'm not really used to living in the outer academy anymore.

Still, this place seemed much better than the work-study student dormitory Tang Wulin and the others lived in.

He took half a step back and gently pulled the door shut.

Then he turned to look at the dormitory door next door.

The neighboring door was clean and neat, without a trace of mottled dust.

Warm yellow light seeped through the cracks.

Faint sounds of movement came from inside.

It seemed someone lived there and had already tidied up. Judging by the state of the outside, whoever it was clearly knew how to keep things in order.

He slowly walked over, curled his fingers, and knocked three times.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Footsteps sounded from inside, drawing closer with clarity. The door was gently pulled open from within, revealing a thin, youthful face.

It looked familiar!

Huo Yuhao?!

Huo Yuhao wore that old outer robe washed pale with age, and he was still tightly gripping a clean rag in his hand. He had clearly been wiping down the table just moments ago.

When he looked up and saw Tang Wulin at the door, he froze for a moment. Then his blue eyes brightened slightly, filled with delight.

"Brother Tang?"

Tang Wulin casually leaned against the doorframe, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. He raised a hand to scratch the back of his head and gestured toward his own room with his chin.

His tone was relaxed and casual, natural and open.

"Yuhao, there's too much dust in my room. I'm honestly too lazy to clean it myself."

"Help me clean it up, and I'll give you a gold soul coin. How about it?"

His gaze was open and clear, with a gentle smile at the corners of his lips.

There was not the slightest hint of condescending charity in his manner. Instead, it seemed as though he were sincerely entrusting him with a small favor.

He appeared remarkably modest and polite.

Huo Yuhao was briefly stunned. He lowered his head to look at the rag in his hand.

Then he looked back at Tang Wulin's perfectly justified lazy expression and instantly understood his intentions and consideration. The fingers gripping the rag tightened slightly, and a burning warmth rose in his heart.

The moment Tang Wulin saw that expression, he realized this guy had apparently talked himself into it.

Huo Yuhao nodded forcefully, his voice sincere and serious.

"Alright! Don't worry, Brother Tang. I'll make it spotless!"

Tang Wulin raised his hand and lightly tossed him the key.

Huo Yuhao raised his hand and caught it steadily, clutching it tightly in his palm.

Tang Wulin patted him on the shoulder and smiled warmly.

"Thanks. I'm heading out for a while. I'll come back later to get the key."

With that, he turned and walked toward the end of the corridor.

His steps were light, calm, and unhurried.

Huo Yuhao stood in the doorway, quietly watching his retreating figure.