Ye Xinglan suddenly walked over to Ziyang's table.
Her pace was neither fast nor slow. She stopped in front of Ziyang, her golden ponytail swaying slightly in the night breeze.
"Ziyang," she called.
Ziyang looked up and asked in confusion, "What is it?"
Ye Xinglan fell silent for a moment before saying awkwardly, "Nothing... just saying hello."
"Then why are you here?" Ziyang asked, puzzled.
Ye Xinglan answered frankly, "Me? I'm an outer court student at Shrek Academy now, so I don't get to use many of the academy's facilities."
She paused, calmly stating the facts. "I came out to get something to eat."
She did not mention the match that day, nor the humiliation of the Shrek Seven being beaten without any ability to fight back.
Blame Ziyang?
Her own strength had been lacking. How could she have the nerve to blame someone else?
She stood there, her golden ponytail gently swaying in the night breeze. There was no particular expression on her face, but something indescribable flickered in her eyes.
Ziyang did not speak immediately. His gaze swept over her face. As an outer court student, she could not enjoy many of the academy's facilities, and she had come alone to a roadside stall—suddenly, the string in his mind labeled "talent recruitment" was plucked.
Shrek Academy treated geniuses like this. This genius was clearly fated for our Spirit Pagoda and should join it.
He set down his skewer, picked up a tissue to wipe his fingers, and casually said, "Things aren't too good over at Shrek Academy... are they?"
Ye Xinglan glanced at him but said nothing.
The corners of Ziyang's lips lifted slightly. It was exactly the same smile he had worn when interviewing Yuanen Yehui earlier—not politeness, but the look of a merchant who had spotted