Would It Be Different?
When the sunlight streamed into the dormitory the next day, Lin Ye was still half asleep.
He was awakened by the sound of Wang Dong'er getting up. Wang Dong'er moved very quietly, but the dormitory was too small and the beds were close together, so Lin Ye heard her as soon as she got out of bed.
Lin Ye didn't get up immediately. He closed his eyes and rested for a while before slowly sitting up.
Wang Dong'er was standing at the door, looking at Lin Ye.
Lin Ye casually asked what time it was, and Wang Dong'er replied that it was almost time for morning class.
Lin Ye responded, got out of bed, and went to wash up.
The two didn't say much; such quiet mornings were common in their dormitory.
When Lin Ye came out after washing his face, Wang Dong'er had already tidied up and was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for him.
The two went out together to the cafeteria to meet up with Xiao Xiao and the others.
The cafeteria was already quite crowded. Xiao Xiao occupied a table near the back, where Ning Tian and Wu Feng were also present.
Xiao Xiao saw Lin Ye and Wang Dong'er from afar, stood up and waved to them.
Lin Ye walked over and sat down. Xiao Xiao had already prepared breakfast for him: a plate of steamed buns, a bowl of porridge, and a boiled egg.
As usual, a large pile of food was piled up in front of Wu Feng, Ning Tian quietly ate a bowl of plain porridge.
The five people sat together, chatting idly. Xiao Xiao and Wu Feng were the ones making a ruckus, Ning Tian would occasionally chime in, and Lin Ye would focus on eating.
Wang Dong'er didn't say much today, and her face didn't show any special expression; she was as quiet as usual.
Ke Lin Ye noticed that she was eating her porridge more slowly than usual, as if she had something on her mind.
However, Lin Ye didn't ask; some things are better left unsaid at the dinner table.
The morning classes went by quickly, and the afternoon classes were the same.
They were all basic courses, nothing particularly noteworthy.
After school, Xiao Xiao suggested going to Shrek City for a stroll.
She said her classes have been packed these past few days, and she hasn't been able to leave the campus for a long time. If she doesn't go out into the city soon, her bones will start to rot.
Wu Feng was the first to respond, Ning Tian nodded indifferently, and Wang Dong'er did not object.
Lin Ye originally wanted to go back to the dormitory to write some diary entries, but seeing that the others were all in high spirits, he went with them.
The group left the school gate and walked along the main street into Shrek City.
Shrek City was still the same as always, incredibly lively.
All the shops on both sides of the street were open, the blue light of the Soul Tool shone through the shop windows, a faint aroma of herbs wafted from the entrance of the herbal medicine shop, and there was a queue in front of the pancake stall. The air was filled with the smells of various foods.
Xiao Xiao walked in front, sometimes looking at the trinkets on the street, sometimes teasing the caged birds hanging in the shops. Wu Feng laughed at her for acting like a child.
Ning Tian and Wang Dong'er walked at a leisurely pace behind, occasionally stopping to glance at the items on the stall.
Lin Ye walked at the very back, not thinking about anything, just weaving through the crowd with them.
The group strolled around for quite a while, looking at some novelties, playing some street games, and buying a few snacks to eat as they walked.
Later, when Xiao Xiao got tired, Ning Tian suggested that there was a branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in Shrek City nearby, where she could rest and have a meal.
The branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not far from the main street; just turn into a quieter alley and you'll arrive.
The storefront is small and unremarkable from the outside, but once you step inside, you'll find a hidden gem.
The interior was Qing Ya and tastefully furnished, with fresh fruits and freshly brewed tea laid out on the tables.
Ning Tian led a few people into the inner hall, and soon someone brought over food, all of which were delicate small dishes with a light and palatable taste.
The group ate and chatted, talking about trivial matters.
Lin Ye leaned back in his chair, listening to Xiao Xiao talk about a bird-like Soul Beast she saw on the street that day that could mimic human speech. Wu Feng chimed in from the side, saying that the bird was really ugly, but Xiao Xiao retorted.
Ning Tian put a piece of food into Wu Feng's bowl, and Wu Feng remained silent.
Wang Dong'er didn't eat much; she mostly just listened. Lin Ye was in a similar situation.
The meal was pleasant; no one brought up any heavy topics, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
It was already dark outside, and the Soul Guidance Lamp was swaying gently, its warm light shining through the window screen, casting a dim yellow glow inside the room.
After finishing their meal, Wu Feng said he wanted to wander around a bit more, but Ning Tian said it was getting late and they should go home.
After discussing it, the group decided to return to the academy.
By the time they returned to the Shrek Academy, it was already very late at night.
The bright lights at the school gate illuminated the stone steps in front of it.
Xiao Xiao and Wu Feng returned to the Female Dormitory, and Ning Tian also headed towards his own room.
Lin Ye and Wang Dong'er walked in silence, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone path.
The dormitory building was quiet; a few lights were on in the corridor, but most of the rooms were dark.
Lin Ye pushed open the dormitory door, and Wang Dong'er followed him in. The two chatted casually for a few minutes, nothing more than that they were a little tired from shopping today and that they had an early class tomorrow.
After Lin Ye lay down, he kept his eyes open and stared at the ceiling above him.
There was a very thin crack on the ceiling, extending from the side of the lampshade, like a dried-up river.
He listened to the faint sounds coming from Wang Dong'er's side, knowing that she wasn't asleep either. After a while, the sounds stopped, and Wang Dong'er's breathing gradually calmed down.
Lin Ye figured she was probably asleep.
He closed his eyes, but his mind began to race.
He hasn't written his diary entry for today yet, so he might as well write it now.
Lin Ye lay facing the ceiling, his consciousness sinking into Diary Copy, and began to write.
Yesterday I finished writing the idea of Huo Yuhao without Tang Wutong. As I delved deeper into that line of thought, I suddenly realized there were still some things I hadn't said properly.
Since we've already come this far, let's broaden our perspective on this issue.
If Huo Yuhao had never met Wang Dong or Tang Wutong, how much would his life have deviated? And how would those deviations, in turn, define him as a person?
Yesterday we discussed the romantic storyline and his situation in the Divine Realm. Today, I want to delve deeper: his growth path, his style of action, and his attitude towards people and things will all take different directions without this relationship.
[Let's talk about cultivation first. Huo Yuhao's growth rate is exceptionally fast compared to his peers at Shrek Academy. This is related to his own aptitude and opportunities, as well as how much effort he can put into each stage.]
When people are young, their energy and mental capacity are limited.
The more effort you put into one person, the less focus you can have when you're cultivating yourself.
After meeting Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao was in a state of emotional turmoil for quite some time.
There was sweetness, there was suspicion, there was anxiety and uncertainty.
Are these emotions useful for growth? Perhaps, after all, the Godhood of the God of Emotions requires all seven emotions to be present.
However, if we only consider cultivation efficiency, Huo Yuhao, without these fluctuations, would get into the zone much faster.
He will maintain a tighter pace in the early stages, and the timing of his breakthroughs may be shifted earlier overall.