I Swear I Wasn't Trying to Steal Your Girl, Tang San!

Yu Xiaogang took Tang San and Ye Lin to the administration office,

where they finished registering in no time. He handed each of them a school uniform.

"The work-study dorms are in that row of low buildings on the east side of the academy. You can find your own way there."

When the two pushed open the door, seven or eight children were already gathered inside.

"New here?"

A boy stood up.

"I'm Wang Sheng, the head of this dorm."

"By the rules, every newcomer has to fight me. If you win, you become dorm head!"

A moment later, Tang San threw Wang Sheng across the room.

"You win. You're the dorm head now."

Before long, the dorm door opened again.

A little girl with a scorpion braid peeked inside.

"Hi, everyone! I'm Xiao Wu—Wu as in dancing. I'm a new work-study student. Hope we get along!"

The moment Tang San looked up and saw her, his gaze softened despite himself.

His expression remained calm as he gave a slight nod.

"Welcome."

But his thoughts told another story.

My dear wife, I finally get to see you again.

Xiao Wu's smile froze.

She whipped her head toward Tang San, her eyes wide.

Who? Who said that?

It was the voice of the black-haired boy in front of her, but his mouth hadn't moved!

She stared at Tang San for several seconds. He looked perfectly normal and even nodded politely at her.

Xiao Wu was about to pretend nothing had happened when the voice reached her ears again.

My wife, I've missed you so much.

Xiao Wu stopped short.

Who's your wife?!

What a creep!

They had only just met. How could he keep calling her his wife without a shred of shame?

She was about to let him have it when Tang San's thoughts took a different turn.

Wife, after you sacrificed yourself for me in our previous life, my strength grew enormously.

In this life, for your safety, once I get the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, I'll find a way to have you sacrifice yourself for me, then bring you back to life.

That way, we'll both grow much stronger.

And once you've sacrificed yourself for me, no one else will be after you.

Xiao Wu's expression changed instantly.

Sacrifice? Bring me back to life? How does he know what I am?!

He knew she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form.

Worse, he was already plotting how to make her sacrifice herself willingly, then resurrect her to reap even greater benefits.

This gentle-looking little boy was already scheming to send her to her death?

Disgusting.

Xiao Wu's stomach churned.

Wang Sheng gave a dry cough.

"Uh, well, the rule in Dorm Seven is that newcomers have to spar. Whoever wins gets to be the boss."

"Fine!"

Without another word, Xiao Wu whipped a leg toward Tang San.

Tang San stepped aside and dodged it.

They traded blows, fists and feet flying, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Tang San had the combat experience of his previous life.

He countered every attack Xiao Wu made at just the right moment. This was nothing like their last life.

As he defended himself, Tang San thought,

I have to be dorm head. Then I'll have every right to protect her. Whatever happens among the work-study students, I can stand in front of her.

Xiao Wu overcommitted to an attack, leaving herself open.

Tang San turned his wrist and instinctively used Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon. A gentle force pulled Xiao Wu off balance and sent her flying.

"Ow!"

Xiao Wu landed hard on her backside. The pain brought tears to her eyes.

Ye Lin was sitting nearby, and Xiao Wu landed right beside his feet.

Startled, he quickly crouched and reached out to help her. "Are you okay? Did that hurt?"

Xiao Wu used his arm to pull herself up and dusted off her pants.

"I'm fine. Thanks."

Tang San stood to one side, his face full of remorse.

"I was too rough... Are you hurt?"

His thoughts reached Xiao Wu once more.

Xiao Wu, I'm sorry, but I have to be dorm head. It's the only way I can protect you.

Xiao Wu raised her head and looked at Tang San.

Bullshit.

Protect me?

You just want me to sacrifice myself for you before anyone else discovers what I am!

Tang San stood a few steps away, still wearing an apologetic expression.

But his thoughts were another matter entirely.

Ye Lin touched my wife!

That asshole Ye Lin actually dared to put his hands on my wife!

His hand touched Xiao Wu's arm!

I'm furious!

Xiao Wu heard every thought.

Hmph!

What am I to you? You don't want me getting close to anyone else?

Then I'll get close to someone else.

Let's see how you like that!

She glanced at Tang San.

"It's fine. A bet's a bet. You won, so you're the dorm head."

With that, she plopped down beside Ye Lin, her shoulder almost touching his. She even gave his arm a pat.

"Thanks for helping me up. You're really nice."

Ye Lin went rigid.

He could feel the warmth of her shoulder on his left and Tang San's stare from the other side.

His scalp prickled, and every hair on his body stood on end.

Tang San's face was expressionless.

Inside, he was screaming.

Ye Lin, get your fucking hands off her!

Stay away from my wife!

Touch her one more time and I'll chop your hand off!

Xiao Wu listened to his thoughts and sneered inwardly.

Then she edged even closer to Ye Lin and took his hand with a bright smile.

"What's your name?"

Ye Lin said, "...Ye-Ye Lin."

Ye Lin swallowed and instinctively shrank away, trying to put some distance between them.

"Um... Xiao Wu, we shouldn't sit this close. A boy and a girl ought to keep their distance..."

Inside, he was practically howling.

I'm scared Tang San's going to hold a grudge!

I haven't even managed to get on his good side, and he's already got it in for me. Am I finished?

This guy's going to be a God King someday. If he holds this against me, I'll be the first person he kills when he becomes a god!

Tang San forced a smile.

"Right. Boys and girls should keep their distance."

Xiao Wu glanced at him.

"Then can you sit next to me?"

Tang San nodded at once. "Of course."

But just as he moved to sit down, Xiao Wu held out a hand to stop him.

"What are you doing?"

"I only asked if you could. I never told you to actually sit here."

"When I sit close to Ye Lin, you say boys and girls should keep their distance. So why doesn't that apply when you want to sit next to me?"

"You hypocrite!"

Tang San: ???

Xiao Wu grinned and leaned a little closer to Ye Lin.

"What are you so afraid of? We're all classmates. What's wrong with sitting close?"

"Forget all that stuff about boys and girls keeping their distance. I'm not afraid, so why are you?"

Tang San froze where he stood, unable to move.

His mouth twitched. "Then... then you two can sit there. It's fine."

His thoughts rang out again.

Ye Lin, just you wait. I won't forget this.

Xiao Wu heard him and smiled to herself.

Go ahead and remember it. The more you stew over it, the closer I'll sit to Ye Lin. I hope it drives you mad.

Ye Lin swallowed. Tang San, I swear I wasn't trying to steal your girl!