Ma Xiaotao Treats Him to Grilled Fish!

"You're quite a nice person."

After a long silence, Ma Xiaotao finally smiled, looking at the person before her as she spoke sincerely.

"Was that a compliment?"

Chu Ge smiled.

"Of course."

Ma Xiaotao nodded without hesitation and answered frankly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

After their brief exchange of pleasantries, the space around them seemed to freeze, filled with an awkward air.

Clearly, the two were still rather unfamiliar with each other. At least when it came to finding a topic of conversation, they had little to say.

"Do you want more grilled fish?"

Ultimately, Ma Xiaotao broke the silence first. She raised her head, glanced at the grilled fish shop nearby, and asked.

"Do you want more?"

Chu Ge thought for a moment, then turned the question back on her.

"I'm fine either way, really..."

Ma Xiaotao answered vaguely. She did not know whether she wanted more, but her stomach was honestly a little hungry.

But if he did not want any, wouldn't eating by herself make her seem like a glutton? Even though she had only eaten one fish all day.

"Then let's have some."

Seeing her like this, Chu Ge smiled and nodded, heading straight toward the grilled fish shop as he spoke.

Several copper coins had appeared in his hand at some point, held loosely in his grip.

"Huh?"

"Chu Ge, what are you..."

His sudden action startled Ma Xiaotao, and she hurriedly called out to him on instinct. Was he going to buy some?

"Buying grilled fish."

Chu Ge gave her a casual glance and answered nonchalantly.

With that, in the space of a few words, the copper coins disappeared, replaced by two skewers of grilled fish, one in each hand.

"Oh, oh."

Watching this, Ma Xiaotao looked thoughtful. Of course she knew he was buying grilled fish, but...

Wasn't she supposed to be treating him?

How had he ended up buying food for her instead?

"What are you standing there for? Don't you want any?"

Chu Ge handed her one skewer and kept the other, asking softly.

"I do, but..."

Ma Xiaotao could only accept the grilled fish, though indecision was still written all over her pretty face.

"You treated me earlier."

"Isn't it only natural that I return the favor?"

Seemingly guessing what she was thinking, Chu Ge waved a hand dismissively and spoke with righteous conviction.

"Huh?"

"Does that count?"

Ma Xiaotao grew thoughtful, turning his words over in her mind and beginning to find them persuasive.

She had treated him, so Chu Ge had treated her in return. That logic was sound, but something still felt a little off.

"Why wouldn't it?"

Chu Ge shook his head casually, took a bite of grilled fish, and replied with a smile.

But as he looked at Ma Xiaotao, an assessment quietly formed in his mind: A genius girl, adorably foolish.

Her genius needed no explanation. As for being adorably foolish, those who knew, knew-

Who treated someone to grilled fish, of all things!

As expected of the precious pearl Yan Shaozhe cradled in his palm. Though she seemed unapproachable to outsiders, she was really just a girl who had yet to grow up.

"Then I'll dig in."

Ma Xiaotao soon accepted Chu Ge's explanation and nodded quietly.

"Thank you."

The next moment, she lowered her head, took a small bite of grilled fish, and smiled.

"You're welcome."

Chu Ge smiled and shook his head.

Look, she even thanked me.

What a sweet smile.

Watching that faint smile on her face, Chu Ge could not help looking a little longer, marveling inwardly.

"Huh?"

"Is there something on my face?"

Noticing Chu Ge's gaze, Ma Xiaotao came back to her senses and asked curiously.

"No."

"Shall we head back?"

Chu Ge snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head with a smile.

"Are we going back already?"

Ma Xiaotao did not seem at all like the one who had brought him out for a stroll. Instead, she seemed to be the one he had invited, asking slowly.

"Well..."

Chu Ge did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Even though they had no idea what to say to each other, this girl still seemed reluctant to leave!

Is it because Dean Yan asked her to show me around?

He quickly arrived at an answer and felt rather helpless.

Yan Shaozhe, that dean...

He had certainly not risen to his position for nothing.

"We don't have to go back. Shall we wander around a little more?"

Chu Ge suggested softly with a faint smile.

"Let's go."

"There's a place in the outer court that's perfect for walks. I don't know if you usually go there, so I'll take you to see it."

After a moment's thought, Ma Xiaotao nodded earnestly and spoke with a smile. Then she set off in a certain direction.

Chu Ge quietly followed her.

However, after her earlier choice of the grilled fish shop, he started imagining where she might take him this time.

That grilled fish shop was pretty popular at Shrek. Perhaps the place she's taking me to this time is also...

He pondered inwardly.

Sure enough.

A short while later, when Ma Xiaotao led him to that peaceful path beside Sea God Lake, Chu Ge fell somewhat silent.

Without exaggeration, this was the very place he had visited on his first walk around the academy.

The reason was simple: it really was a haven for strolling, especially for young couples.

"Chu Ge."

"Isn't it beautiful here?"

A gentle breeze brushed their faces. Clearly in a good mood, Ma Xiaotao turned to him with a smile and asked.

"It really is beautiful."

Chu Ge obligingly nodded in agreement.

"I knew you'd like it."

At his response, her smile grew even brighter.

"Sometimes, when I feel stressed during cultivation, I come here for a walk. It helps me relax, both in body and mind."

Ma Xiaotao spoke slowly, her eyes dimming slightly as she brought up the subject.

Ever since she had reached the Soul King level, the evil fire that was the flaw in her Martial Soul had affected her cultivation almost constantly.

Even her emotions occasionally spiraled out of control like that.

She was under immense pressure. She did not even dare imagine what she would do about the ever-strengthening evil fire when she became a Soul Saint, a Soul Douluo, or even a Titled Douluo.

"Pressure isn't a bad thing. Without it, it's harder to push toward a breakthrough."

"When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road through. Everything will turn for the better, so don't lose heart."

Standing beside her, Chu Ge spoke frankly.

"Everything will turn for the better..."

"May your words bring me luck."

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao paused briefly, then smiled.

This person...

Really is so nice!

"Chu Ge."

"I'm going back to cultivate. See you next time."

After some time, Ma Xiaotao turned her gaze to Chu Ge and gave a small wave, a smile on her face.

They had eaten and taken their walk. It really was time to head back.

"Good luck with your cultivation. Take care."

Chu Ge answered with a smile, and the two parted ways.

On this outing, Ma Xiaotao had indulged her desire to share to the fullest.

She did not know whether he was happy, but she had certainly taken him to eat something she liked and visit a place she loved.

Best of all, Chu Ge had responded so positively!

It felt amazing!

"Fan Yu has been removed from his post, and Zhou Yi has been dismissed too. Hopefully, the academy's atmosphere will improve from now on."

Yan Shaozhe sat in his office, his expression gloomy and his mood far from cheerful.

When unhealthy practices rose to the surface, it could only mean that many more such cases had likely gone unnoticed. Zhou Yi was merely one example.

For the academy to keep improving, such practices had to be stamped out-ruthlessly.

"I just wonder..."

"How are Xiaotao and our young friend Chu Ge getting along now?"

Yan Shaozhe pushed his displeasure out of his mind, and a kindly smile soon returned to his face.

At this hour, the two had probably only just started eating. They would likely spend some time over their meal, then take a leisurely stroll around Shrek City once they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Their feelings warming was only a matter of time.

"Teacher, I'm back."

Just then, a voice abruptly roused him from his thoughts, leaving him looking puzzled.

Xiaotao?

How was she back so soon!

"Xiaotao, why are you back so soon?"

Yan Shaozhe asked in bewilderment.

"Huh?"

"Was I supposed to take longer?"

Ma Xiaotao asked without hesitation.

"A meal shouldn't have been over so quickly. Xiaotao, what did you two eat?"

Yan Shaozhe was utterly baffled. Even if they had started eating as soon as they left, a meal and a walk should not have taken so little time.

"Grilled fish."

Ma Xiaotao answered honestly.

"Grilled... fish?"

"You treated him to grilled fish!!!"

Disbelief was written all over Yan Shaozhe's face. She had invited someone to a meal, so why had she taken him for grilled fish!

His disciple...

How could she be so foolish!

(End of chapter)