Douluo Dalu: I Can Become Stronger by Pitfalling Yu Xiaogang

Zhu Zhuqing, having grown up in that kind of family environment, saying something like that was completely within Zhang Tianyu's expectations.

"Miss, brilliantly put." Zhang Tianyu seriously gave her a thumbs-up as well.

Well said! I didn't feel the slightest bit guilty about that Martial Ethics-less sneak attack anymore!

"You don't seem guilty at all, do you?" the system asked doubtfully.

"Shut up. Cut the crap."

Seeing him raise his thumb, Zhu Zhuqing actually rolled her eyes at him in a surprisingly charming manner. "You know, sometimes I think you're frivolous and unreliable, but other times I think you're far too serious."

"To be honest," Zhang Tianyu said solemnly, "this frivolous side of mine only comes out around friends. Real friends, that is. Because I think that getting along with friends should often be relaxed and pleasant. Being overly serious is only suitable for elders and strangers."

"So you consider me a real friend?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

Zhang Tianyu smiled. "Don't you consider me a real friend too? I remember you being quite cold toward everyone else."

Zhu Zhuqing froze. Then her little face flushed red, and she turned away without saying anything.

Oh yeah!

The first step was taken!

Judging by Zhu Zhuqing's reaction and expression, the rest of the plan to win her over was in the bag!

When they returned to the entrance of Zhu Zhuqing's dormitory, Huangquan slowly descended. Zhu Zhuqing stepped off the sword and turned back to look at Zhang Tianyu.

"Then get some rest early. Good night."

With that, Zhang Tianyu waved, controlled the flying sword, turned, and flew away.

Watching Zhang Tianyu's departing figure, Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and let out a soft sigh.

This wondrous experience of the night would ultimately be nothing more than a fleeting dream!

Once she woke tomorrow morning, life would return to how it had always been.

She would still bear the pressure of her family and her marriage engagement to Dai Mubai;

And Zhang Tianyu would still be Xiao Wu's Zhang Tianyu;

Just as before, she could only hide in a corner, silently watch Zhang Tianyu, and silently envy Xiao Wu for having such a wonderful partner.

A tear slid down from the corner of her eye.

The night breeze brushed across her face, drying the tear streak in an instant.

Such was fate. What could I do?

If I wanted to change my fate, I could only become stronger. When the day came that I cultivated to become a Titled Douluo and stood proudly above the continent, I would be able to break free from these shackles!

This has always been my sole motivation and ultimate goal for becoming stronger!

At that thought, she suddenly clenched her fists.

I'll take Zhang Tianyu as my goal, and make defeating opponents above my level in a single blow my goal!

If Zhang Tianyu knew what she was thinking, he would definitely think the girl had gone mad.

It was fine to compete with anyone, but she absolutely should not compete with someone who had a system cheat.

The next day.

As the morning sun rose, Zhang Tianyu arrived at the cafeteria with Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong as usual. Zhu Zhuqing was already there.

It seemed like she was the first to arrive every day.

No idea whether she was good at anything else, but when it came to eating, she was always number one.

Hearing the commotion, Zhu Zhuqing turned to glance at them. Seeing the three of them, she acted as usual, like an emotionless eating machine, coldly nodding as a greeting.

But when her gaze shifted to Zhang Tianyu, the coldness in her eyes clearly softened quite a bit.

After exchanging greetings, the three sat down to eat. At that moment, Ma Hongjun strode in looking refreshed and invigorated.

"Yo, good morning!" He was obviously in a great mood and cheerfully took the initiative to greet them.

Zhang Tianyu naturally returned the greeting, but the three girls ignored him.

Then Dai Mubai walked in carrying a chill from outside. Upon seeing Zhang Tianyu, he merely nodded instead of greeting him as usual.

Hmm?

Could that bastard have found out that I went on a date with Zhu Zhuqing last night?

Damn! Then I can only silence him for good!

Zhang Tianyu was overthinking it.

Dai Mubai was wearing a miserable expression because Zhu Zhuqing had ignored him last night, then Ning Rongrong had given him a good verbal thrashing. When he wanted to teach Ning Rongrong a lesson, Zhang Tianyu had stopped him.

Nothing had gone right for him at all.

Yet just as Dai Mubai sat down to eat with a dark expression, making the atmosphere somewhat heavy, Ning Rongrong suddenly said to Dai Mubai, "Dai Mubai, I did do some things wrong last night, and I apologize to you for that."

Everyone was stunned.

Dai Mubai no longer wore that pissy face. Instead, he looked at Ning Rongrong in surprise. "Well, well. Young Miss Ning knows how to apologize and admit her mistakes too?"

Ning Rongrong countered, "Didn't you apologize and admit your mistakes last night too? If you can do it, why can't I?"

Dai Mubai smiled calmly. "Fine. We're all classmates. Let's put this matter behind us."

Faint smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

In truth, everyone was thinking more or less the same thing. They were already such a small group; anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't want internal divisions.

So, seeing the two toxic elements of the group finally settle down and make peace was something everyone was happy to see.

With the two of them reconciling, Dai Mubai's mood improved slightly.

But then he noticed Ning Rongrong looking at Zhang Tianyu with an expression that seemed to say, "Bro, did I do good?"

And Zhang Tianyu answered her with a look that said, "Bro, awesome."

After that series of exchanges made Ning Rongrong's eyes light up with little hearts, Dai Mubai frowned again.

As an experienced veteran, he felt that something seemed off between the two of them.

What's going on? he wondered. Wasn't Ning Rongrong supposed to be Oscar's target? Why is she making eyes at that bastard Zhang Tianyu now?

Could it be that Zhang Tianyu wants to learn from me and become a man of many romances? Starting with two-timing?

No, that can't be right. Logically, Zhang Tianyu—

Where's Xiao Wu? Are you blind? Why don't you keep an eye on your man, you idiot?

However, when Dai Mubai looked toward Xiao Wu, he was stunned—

Xiao Wu was actually grinning happily as she watched Zhang Tianyu and Ning Rongrong. Her expression seemed to say:

"My assessment is: extremely satisfied."

The two of them are practically flirting right in front of you, and you're not doing anything? You're even smiling?

Fine, laugh all you want. Sooner or later, you'll have your chance to cry.

When you find out that Zhang Tianyu is two-timing and that you aren't the only woman by his side, cry your heart out.

But the next second, when Dai Mubai shifted his gaze to Zhu Zhuqing, he froze completely!

Ah! Zhuqing! My Zhuqing!

What's wrong with you?

Why are you looking at Zhang Tianyu with that unsettling look too?

You should be looking at me like that!

Very quickly, Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her gaze and continued eating with full concentration.

So quickly that Dai Mubai wondered if he had only imagined it.

After thinking it over, Dai Mubai began consoling himself inwardly:

Zhang Tianyu is handsome, kills enemies quickly, is incredibly strong, and is loved by everyone. It's perfectly normal for Zhu Zhuqing to look at him a few extra times. I look at beautiful women a few extra times too!

Ning Rongrong has little life experience, so it's only natural that a fine young man like Zhang Tianyu would win her heart.

But my Zhu Zhuqing isn't like her. My Zhuqing is a cold and glamorous goddess. At most, she only glanced at him because of how outstanding he is. The one in her heart must be me!

That's right. Young Master Dai has that kind of confidence!

Still pretending, acting like you don't care about me? Fine, then I'll provoke you a little!

With that thought, Dai Mubai spoke up. "Fatty, you're not going out tonight, right?"

Ma Hongjun nodded and said quietly, "Most of the Evil Fire was vented last night. I probably won't be going out for the next couple of days."

Dai Mubai said, "Good. Stay in the dorm tonight. I'm going out for a bit—to find those twins from last time."

Fatty's eyes lit up. "Boss Dai, if you're eating meat, will I get any soup?"

Dai Mubai said irritably, "That kind of thing is only enjoyable when both sides are willing. A forced melon is never sweet."

As he said that, he deliberately glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't even acknowledge him, as though she had not heard a thing.

You can really keep your cool, huh?

A flash of disgust passed through Ning Rongrong's eyes, and her lips moved a few times.

Zhang Tianyu did not understand lip-reading, but the system did.

Ning Rongrong had said:

"A dog can't stop eating crap."

The class bell rang, and everyone hurriedly left the Cafeteria.

Then Zhang Tianyu felt that something was off. Why hadn't Tang San come to eat?

When they arrived at the training ground, Tang San had already been waiting for them. Seeing everyone arrive, he smiled and greeted them.

"Why didn't you go eat?" Zhang Tianyu asked.

"I got too absorbed in cultivation and missed mealtime." Tang San scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

Flender walked over and swept his gaze around. Everyone was present except Oscar, and he immediately frowned.

"Today is the second class. Where's Oscar? Did he sleep in again?"

Tang San hurriedly said, "Dean, when I came out, he was still cultivating. Perhaps he entered meditation and couldn't wake up in time."

Flender said, "This class can't begin without him. Tang San, go call him."

Tang San was just about to return to the dorms when he saw Oscar rushing over from that direction.

"Oscar, are you itching to run laps again?" Dean Flender glared at him.

Oscar quickly shouted, "No, Dean, listen to my explanation! I broke through! I've reached level thirty!"

At those words, everyone looked astonished.

Zhang Tianyu was no exception, though a sly grin was hidden in his eyes.

Flender was delighted. "Good, Oscar, I wasn't wrong about you! You're the second among the current students to reach level thirty. On behalf of the academy, congratulations!"

Everyone offered their congratulations as well. Once that was done, Flender said, "Today's class is adaptive training. Each person will eat one of Oscar's Big Sausages and one Small Sausage."

The boys did not care, but the three girls' expressions all changed!

"Notice: You have received the mission [A Wonderful Day Begins with Messing with People]. Mission objective: Mess with Tang San and Dai Mubai. Any method is permitted, and any consequences are permitted... Mission reward: Random Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Reward Points +10. Time limit: half an hour. Exceeding the time limit counts as failure; being exposed counts as failure; successfully messing with only one of them also counts as failure. Failure penalty: migraine headaches for three days."

"Don't worry, there's no way I'll fail. Half an hour is plenty. I'll make sure it's all perfectly arranged." Zhang Tianyu chuckled wickedly.