Six years later.
Suotuo City.
Inside a teahouse, a young man and woman sat by the window, leaning close as they talked.
The man wore a fitted black outfit. Tall and handsome, he had an air of carefree rebellion.
The woman was sweet and adorable, dressed in delicate pink like the girl next door. Every so often, the man beside her made her laugh, her giggles ringing like silver bells.
They were Ye Fan and Xiao Wu.
At Yu Xiaogang's suggestion and Tang San's urging, they had come here to enroll in Shrek.
After six years of waiting, the immortal herbs were finally drawing closer.
What frustrated Ye Fan, however, was that Yu Xiaogang seemed possessed. No matter what nightmares he sent him, his attitude toward Tang San always inexplicably returned to square one.
The more he frightened Yu Xiaogang, the better Yu Xiaogang treated Tang San...
Even when he created a future version of him in a dream to warn him, Yu Xiaogang actually wondered whether he himself was the problem?!
Later, Ye Fan had used a few little tricks to figure it out.
It all boiled down to one sentence.
Yu Xiaogang feared Tang San killing him, but he feared losing his chance to prove himself without Tang San even more.
Yu Xiaogang was past fifty. He had no chance to wait for another opportunity.
That savage really had gone mad.
Still, it was no big deal. There would be plenty more opportunities later...
Just then, an ordinary-looking man walked into the teahouse, carrying bags of all sizes.
As soon as he entered, he headed straight toward Ye Fan and Xiao Wu.
"Sister Xiao Wu, Brother Fan, here's your Carrot Cake and drinks."
Tang San set the things he was carrying on the table and looked at Xiao Wu expectantly.
At the sight of the eager Tang San, Xiao Wu's smile vanished, and she complained.
"You're so slow. Our tea's gone cold."
In any other novel, she would have looked like the vicious supporting female character.
Tang San, however, seemed utterly oblivious and hurried to apologize.
"Sorry, Sister Xiao Wu. There were just too many people in line. I even paid extra to buy these from someone else."
Watching Tang San tread so carefully, Ye Fan couldn't help laughing.
Ever since that incident years ago, Xiao Wu had barely paid this fellow any attention.
For a while afterward, Tang San had lost all appetite for food and drink.
Every day, he found new ways to apologize to Xiao Wu.
Especially after discovering that Tang Hao had disappeared, he had looked utterly alone and forlorn.
With Ye Fan fanning the flames, he had now become Xiao Wu's-and both of their-lackey.
All he could say was that this world's power to correct its course was terrifying.
Tang San would fall in love with Xiao Wu no matter what...
It had even caused him to fall behind a little in cultivation. He was only level twenty-eight.
At that thought, Ye Fan reached out and patted Xiao Wu.
"All right, Tang San brought everything back, didn't he? He's always reliable."
"Tch. Fine, I'll forgive him for your sake."
Xiao Wu spoke as she ate the Radish Cake without a shred of guilt.
Ye Fan winked at Tang San.
With these two playing good cop and bad cop, Tang San didn't even know whether he should hate Ye Fan.
This fellow was far too close to Xiao Wu... They were inseparable every day.
He, on the other hand, seemed like an outsider.
But without Ye Fan putting in a good word for him, he wouldn't even be able to stay by Xiao Wu's side...
And now he had to dutifully call him Brother.
Tang San's heart ached.
He could only endure this outcome in silence.
This was the conclusion he had reached after six years of simping... of reflection.
Still, for the moment, it was a good thing.
At least Xiao Wu was still willing to speak to him.
Ye Fan casually swept his peripheral gaze over the second floor, then began broadcasting his thoughts with practiced ease.
*[Tch, Tang San circles around Xiao Wu all day, keeping us from getting intimate...*
Who knows whether he'll keep pestering other people once we reach Shrek.
Like that little fool Rongrong...
*They'll have plenty of dealings with each other in the future, too. It's still dangerous.]*
Xiao Wu: "..."
You bastard! Sister Xiao Wu is right here beside you, and you're worrying about another woman!?
Although his thoughts over the past few years had given her some idea that she might not be Ye Fan's only woman in the future.
She was still furious!!!
She reached out and discreetly pinched Ye Fan's waist.
"Hiss!"
Ye Fan sucked in a sharp breath. Xiao Wu's two-finger soft technique was growing more refined by the day.
"Xiao Wu, what are you doing?"
He looked at Xiao Wu with an innocent expression.
But Xiao Wu had already anticipated his reaction and looked just as innocent.
She picked up a piece of Radish Cake with half a bite taken out of it and smilingly held it to Ye Fan's lips.
"Big brother~ This Radish Cake is really tasty. Hurry up and try it."
She deliberately pitched her voice into a sugary-sweet tone.
The moment that voice rang out, both Ye Fan and Tang San jolted.
Ye Fan felt that something was off about Xiao Wu.
Tang San was simply envious.
He wanted to be called big brother, too!
Looking into Xiao Wu's eyes, Ye Fan nevertheless leaned toward the Radish Cake and took a bite.
Honestly, the Radish Cake was pretty tasty.
Meanwhile, in the luxurious lounge upstairs.
A figure poked her head out and surveyed the floor below.
Her gaze settled on Ye Fan and Xiao Wu as he accepted the food she offered.
"Is he the one talking to me?"
Ning Rongrong leaned against the railing, quietly watching what was happening below.
Ever since those two had entered the teahouse, she had inexplicably been able to hear certain things.
Had she not been particularly observant, she wouldn't even have noticed the pair.
Through the snatches of their conversation and the voice she could inexplicably hear.
She had quickly identified the girl called Xiao Wu, then pinpointed Ye Fan.
"He actually called me little Rongrong... He's got some nerve."
Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes slightly, her thoughts unreadable.
Judging by those supposed inner thoughts, could this fellow see the future?
Of course, she had wreaked havoc on everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, from top to bottom. This man definitely wasn't from her sect.
Her father probably wouldn't trust a stranger to approach her like this, either.
Then a trace of a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
The people secretly protecting Ning Rongrong felt their hearts lurch at that smile.
They knew that smile all too well.
It was a sign that the Little Demoness was about to cause trouble again.
Following Ning Rongrong's gaze, they spotted the young couple downstairs and their simp, and silently pitied them.
They had no idea what the Little Demoness would do to them.
What baffled them even more was that they had absolutely no idea why these people had caught the Little Demoness's attention.
A little while later, after Ye Fan and the others had finished eating, they went out to browse the streets.
Naturally, Ning Rongrong followed them.
Unfortunately, Ning Rongrong's tailing skills were truly nothing to speak of.
As they walked down the street, all three of them sensed someone following them.
Clinging to Ye Fan's arm, Xiao Wu asked in confusion.
"Ye Fan, why does that girl keep following us?"
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