She agreed! She actually agreed!

Chu Ge looked at the newcomer, surprise spreading across his face. She had just shown up, just like that?

Efficiency... Was it really that fast?

As he thought, his gaze settled on Ma Xiaotao. As one of the defining geniuses of this era, she truly carried the air of a favored daughter of heaven.

Her looks were just as outstanding, even possessing a certain sweetness. Of course, Chu Ge knew that depended on having the ability to tame her...

Otherwise, one would learn exactly what the Flame Witch was.

"Teacher."

"Who is this?"

While Chu Ge studied her, Ma Xiaotao's gaze also fell on him. He immediately caught her attention, and she asked with a puzzled expression.

So powerful. That was her first reaction.

Wasn't his presence a little too overwhelming? He clearly didn't look much older than me, yet somehow, he felt like someone from an entirely different world.

"Xiaotao, this is Chu Ge, a teacher who recently joined the academy. He's around your age. You two can spend more time talking."

Yan Shaozhe spoke slowly, a beaming smile on his face.

"A teacher at the academy?"

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao froze. That simple sentence had told her quite a lot.

Becoming a teacher at the academy was no easy feat. Those admitted through the regular channels had to be at least Soul Saints.

In other words, this man with such an extraordinary bearing was at least a seven-ring Soul Saint!

His talent had actually surpassed hers, charging toward the level of her eldest senior sister.

"Hello, I'm Ma Xiaotao. Just call me Xiaotao."

Ma Xiaotao put aside her surprise and gave the man before her a faint smile.

"Chu Ge."

Chu Ge smiled as well and held out a hand.

He's surprisingly gentle...

Ma Xiaotao paused, then took his hand, silently offering that assessment.

"Mm."

"I won't be staying with you two much longer. Have lunch together at noon."

Watching the scene before him, Yan Shaozhe could no longer contain his smile. It seemed these two had both made a good first impression on each other.

At this rate, their relationship bearing fruit was only a matter of time.

I wonder what my grandson should be called...

No wonder Yan Shaozhe could become dean in the era when the Child of Fortune was born. There was a reason for everything.

"Lunch..."

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao hesitated. Wasn't having her eat with someone she barely knew a little too rushed?

Besides, she wasn't in the habit of eating with others. She rarely even ate with other girls, let alone a man.

But considering that he was a guest, and her teacher seemed quite fond of him, showing him some hospitality seemed fine.

The two had only just met. One could say they knew nothing about each other beyond their names-at least, that was how Ma Xiaotao saw it.

So even without her saying anything, Chu Ge could fully sense the awkwardness hanging in the air.

"Dean Yan."

"I just remembered there are still a few places I haven't looked around. Why not have Xiaotao show me around?"

Noticing that Ma Xiaotao was lost in thought in much the same way he was, Chu Ge turned to Yan Shaozhe and spoke.

Who wouldn't like a beautiful girl? Having a meal together was nice, but there was really no need when they barely knew each other.

Hmm?

Xiaotao didn't refuse.

Yan Shaozhe paused, an imperceptible flash of delight crossing his eyes. He knew his disciple all too well. If she hadn't refused, that meant she had agreed.

She actually agreed.

He had never expected her to accept. After all, the two had only just met. Given his disciple's personality, having a meal together should have been impossible.

He had only suggested it so they would settle for the next-best option and go for a walk together. As long as the two could spend time together, that was a victory.

He hadn't expected Xiaotao to give him such a pleasant surprise.

"Go ahead."

"I've invited someone else over, so I won't be joining you. Xiaotao, take our young friend Chu Ge around."

Yan Shaozhe spoke with a kindly smile.

"Yes, Teacher."

"Then... shall we go?"

Ma Xiaotao nodded lightly, her gaze settling on Chu Ge as she asked softly.

"Let's go."

Chu Ge gave her a friendly smile and led the way outside. Ma Xiaotao quietly followed beside him, and the two gradually walked farther away.

Who knew how it looked to anyone else, but to a certain old man watching them intently, it was an especially beautiful sight, one that distinctly brought "a pair of newlyweds" to mind.

"Ooh~"

Watching the two leave side by side, Yan Shaozhe's eyes positively shone. He wished he could watch them a little longer, and his spirits soared.

"Chu Ge and Xiaotao really do look like husband and wife. Even their backs look so well matched."

He offered his assessment in all seriousness.

"Now, that raises a question."

"What should I name my grandson?"

Yan Shaozhe's thoughts drifted farther and farther away, his smile growing ever broader. How did that saying go?

Now it was-fantasy time!

Only then did the presence of another Titled Douluo appear nearby.

"Dean Yan Shaozhe, what are you thinking about that's made you so happy?"

The next moment, a brawny, white-haired old man appeared before him.

This was none other than Qian Duoduo, Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department and the teacher of Zhou Yi's husband, Fan Yu. Yan Shaozhe was the one who had summoned him.

"You're here."

Seeing the newcomer, Yan Shaozhe gave a quiet acknowledgment.

Hadn't Zhou Yi tried to use Fan Yu as her backing in front of Chu Ge? Well, he was all about treating everyone equally...

There was nothing wrong with him going to Qian Duoduo, was there?

"Because there's something worth being happy about."

"Of course I'm in a good mood."

Drawing his gaze back, Yan Shaozhe shook his head nonchalantly and answered in an even tone.

"Fine, fine, fine..."

A look of speechlessness crossed Qian Duoduo's face. As if he didn't know the man was happy because something happy had happened.

After all these years, Yan Shaozhe still hadn't changed.

"Go on, then. Why did you call me here?"

"A small matter. It concerns Zhou Yi."

Yan Shaozhe spoke calmly, as though discussing some utterly ordinary trifle.

"Zhou Yi? She belongs to your Martial Soul Department. Why call me? Just handle it yourselves."

Hearing this, Qian Duoduo immediately shook his head. He had thought it was something important. This was all?

It wasn't as though he didn't know Zhou Yi. She was his disciple's wife, after all, but ultimately, she was only a Soul Emperor.

Besides, her reputation in the Outer Court wasn't good. Even the teachers wished they could avoid her. How important could anything involving someone like that be?

"There's no need to notify our Soul Tool Department about something like this. Whatever the punishment, you can handle it."

Qian Duoduo spoke dismissively. He still trusted the man's abilities as dean.

As he spoke, he leisurely picked up a cup from Yan Shaozhe's tea table, preparing to enjoy a drink.

"Mm. She's already been dismissed."

Yan Shaozhe spoke seriously.

"Dismissed? Good, dismissing her is good... Pfft-"

"What did you say?"

Qian Duoduo took a sip of tea, but before he could swallow it, he spat the whole mouthful out in shock.

Dismissed?

The disciple's wife of the Soul Tool Department's two Titled Douluos had been dismissed, just like that?!

(End of chapter)