"Xiao Yan, my young friend, I'm rather embarrassed to disturb you so late at night." Seeing Xiao Yan enter, Flender immediately smiled, slowly rose to his feet, and spoke mildly.
Xiao Yan smiled, briefly exchanged a glance with Dugu Bo beside him, then found a chair and sat down. "What brings you here so late, Dean Flender?"
"Nothing much. I was passing by and thought I'd come in for a drink of water." Flender's hawklike eyes lingered on Xiao Yan as he spoke with some embarrassment.
"A drink of water?" Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head, but said nothing more. He picked up the teacup beside him and took a small sip, then lifted his gaze to stare at Flender. He certainly did not believe this profiteer had really come for a drink of water.
Under Xiao Yan's stare, the smile on Flender's face lasted only a moment before fading helplessly. After a brief silence, he said slowly, "Xiao Yan, my young friend, I imagine you've heard what happened at Shrek Academy today?"
"Those disappointing students of mine mistakenly consumed a medicinal herb that drains their vitality, and now their bodies are in serious trouble. Do you know any way to resolve it? If you do, I'll certainly reward you handsomely!"
"Dean Flender, shouldn't you be asking Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, about something like this? He's Jia Nan Academy's master alchemist." Xiao Yan remained unmoved and instead passed the matter to Dugu Bo.
"..." At those words, Dugu Bo's face darkened.
Flender stared fixedly at Xiao Yan. After a moment, he stopped beating around the bush and came straight to the point. "Xiao Yan, my young friend, others might be too foolish to see certain things, but do you think I can't see them either? Given the abilities you've