Deliberately Watching Zhu Zhuqing's Reaction

The afternoon sun warmed him all over, its sticky heat clinging to his skin. It was not sweltering, but it made him reluctant to move.

As Lin Chen walked toward the academy, he raised a hand and rubbed his cheek. His fingertips carried the coolness of the breeze, while his thoughts remained a tangled mess, endlessly replaying the farce outside the Rose Hotel.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai.

The central characters of the original story had all gathered today.

The quarrel over a room, the Soul Ring standoff, and Tang San's thoroughly pretentious declaration about Martial Souls—the classic scene had played out in full, without missing a beat.

The only difference was the addition of an outsider: him.

Most importantly, the hair crystal that should have fallen into Tang San's hands now rested safely inside his Soul Tool. That very real stroke of fortune had changed owners completely.

Back in the dormitory area, Lin Chen did not return to his own room. Instead, he turned and headed straight for Zhu Zhuqing's room next door.

Inside, Zhu Zhuqing was tidying the items on her desk. Her slender fingers straightened the books one by one and wiped a thin layer of dust from the corner. She seemed to have just finished and was preparing to sit cross-legged and regulate her breathing.

The instant the knock sounded, she paused, then reached out and opened the door.

Seeing Lin Chen standing outside, she relaxed her taut shoulders. Much of the chill faded from her eyes, and she stepped aside to let him in, asking softly:

"You're back? Someone came by earlier to call you to the academy gates. What happened?"

The room was spotless. A faint, clean scent of soapberry drifted through the air, mingling with the cool freshness unique to the young