Xiao Wu Was Disappointed in Tang San-His Chance to Play Cao Cao Had Arrived

That figure...

Ninety-nine percent perfect-a rare treasure...

Too bad that brat Chen Jue had sullied her.

Ah!

But I could still have some fun with her.

Tang San's imagination had already run wild as he lost himself in daydreams.

Ning Rongrong responded with a gentle smile, inwardly relieved that, at least, they had not yet brushed against the edge of that unknown crisis.

Thank goodness my period started yesterday. With "Aunt Flo" shielding us, we escaped this time. Otherwise, we'd have been in trouble!

Seeing Ning Rongrong's relaxed expression, Dean Flender let out a soft breath of relief.

Then he mobilized the abundant soul power within him, gathering a warm glow in his palm.

The glow slowly settled over Ning Rongrong's lower abdomen.

Ning Rongrong felt a warm current instantly seep through her entire body. Though fleeting, its warmth was unmistakable.

At the sight, Flender's lips curved into a relieved smile, satisfaction glimmering in his eyes.

"Whew-"

He exhaled softly, the great stone weighing on his heart finally dropping away.

Thank goodness nothing happened. It seems they really might have encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast!

After all, he did not want to punish such talented students!

As Tang San watched Dean Flender slowly withdraw his palm from probing into the distance, urgency surged within him. Almost instinctively, he stepped forward, anticipation shining in his eyes.

"Dean, how was it? Did they..."

His voice carried both anxiety and urgency, but before he could finish, Dean Flender raised a hand to stop him.

"Enough. They weren't fooling around. They may really have encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast and been delayed!"

At those words, Tang San's expression froze. His pupils contracted, and he was instantly dumbstruck!

What??

That can't be possible!

Doesn't that mean I lost the bet?

I have to kneel and apologize to Chen Jue and Ning Rongrong?

Having to kneel before the person he hated most would hurt worse than being killed.

And Xiao Wu is still here. This... this is too humiliating!

How will Xiao Wu look at me?

What will she think of me?

I...

At the thought, Tang San trembled violently. His legs seemed to lose all their strength, and he involuntarily collapsed to the ground.

Amid the drifting dust, he knelt in a posture bordering on despair, his face white as paper, his eyes filled with disarray and disbelief.

Even Dai Mubai, standing nearby, felt his heart tighten as astonishment flashed through his eyes.

Chen Jue really encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast?

Though he found it somewhat hard to believe, the facts were right before him.

Then he glanced at the already broken Tang San and breathed a sigh of relief.

Good thing I didn't join Tang San and just watched from the sidelines.

Otherwise, kneeling to apologize to Chen Jue would have been far too humiliating!

And it would definitely cost me a lot of points with Zhu Zhuqing.

Suddenly, inspiration flashed through Dai Mubai's mind. Seemingly struck by a realization, he curled his lips into a smile.

San, oh, San!

I'll do you a huge favor in a moment. You'd better seize the chance!

Don't lose the greater prize over a trifling thing!

Chen Jue's gaze swept casually over Tang San. An amused smile curled his lips as mocking words drifted out.

"Tang San, you said it yourself. You'd better honor your word!"

"We didn't force you, did we?"

His words held a teasing edge, and he looked at Tang San as though he were a clown.

Beside him, Ning Rongrong parted her rosy lips and chimed in.

"Exactly. Tang San, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?"

Faced with this sudden pressure, panic flashed through Tang San's eyes. He hurriedly looked toward Flender, his gaze filled with pleas for help.

Though Flender could not bear the sight, he could only shake his head bitterly.

This was one favor he could not grant.

Helping would mean offending Chen Jue.

He did not want to leave a bad impression on the exceptionally gifted Chen Jue.

Besides, Tang San had brought this upon himself.

Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing also noticed that Tang San was seeking Dean Flender's help.

Hmph!

You were so self-righteous while bullying our man just now.

Today, we'll show you that our man isn't so easily bullied!

"Can you even call yourself a man if you won't keep your word? Just cut that thing off. It's useless on you anyway! What a creep!"

"Xiao Wu, look at your brother. He won't keep his word. How did you end up accepting someone like that as your brother?"

A faint flush crept over Xiao Wu's cheeks, but it came not from a young girl's bashfulness. Instead, it sprang from indescribable embarrassment and the bitterness of wounded pride.

She lowered her head, her long hair gently concealing eyes brimming with complicated emotions, as though she could not even find a place to rest her gaze.

In her heart, the admiration and dependence she felt toward Tang San seemed, at that moment, to be quietly severed by an invisible film.

If Tang San had simply knelt and apologized,

she would still have respected him.

But... sigh!

"Tang San, you're no longer my brother. You've disappointed me too much!"

Xiao Wu's words carried an unprecedented resolve.

With that, she turned away, her steps carrying both determination and a desire to escape, as though lingering even another second would let embarrassment and shame engulf her like a rising tide.

Seeing this, Chen Jue broke into a smile worthy of Cao Cao.

They say a woman's heartbreak gives a man the perfect chance to slip through the cracks in her defenses.

Hasn't that chance just arrived?

Since heaven has handed me this golden opportunity, I won't stand on ceremony.

Tang San, you're the one who gave me this chance. You can't blame me...

"Xiao Wu..."

Tang San's murmur trembled softly in the air, a trace of indescribable despair passing through the depths of his eyes.

All of this had begun because of Chen Jue. His hatred blazed within him like wildfire sweeping across the plains.

Don't let me find an opening. Otherwise, I'll rip out your tendons, tear out your bones, and end your bloodline.

But his present circumstances left him no choice but to compromise.

"Fine! I'll kneel!"

Brief though they were, every word weighed heavily. Tang San forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions and prepared to rise, his legs slightly bent.

Now, he only wanted to finish this damned bet as quickly as possible, then go comfort Xiao Wu.

He hoped to win Xiao Wu's forgiveness.

Just as Tang San was about to stand up and prepare to kneel, Dai Mubai's voice rang out.

However, he had wrapped his voice in soul power so that only Tang San could hear it.

"I have a way to help you turn this round around-or at least make it a draw!"

Tang San, who had felt that life held nothing more for him, instantly felt as though he were basking in a spring breeze after hearing Dai Mubai's words.

Now that's a true brother!

Giving me a helping hand when it matters most.

"What is it?!"

"I can tell you, but..."

Dai Mubai's gaze seemingly strayed across Tang San's waist, a deeper meaning lurking in his eyes.

Tang San understood immediately.

As understanding dawned, an almost imperceptible shadow crept over Tang San's brow, and a cold gleam flashed through his eyes.

Damn it, and here I thought of you as a brother.

I give you my heart as a brother, and you play mind games with me.

You want to fleece me just for helping? You're looting a burning house!

But he had no other option right now. It was only a soul tool-surely that was better than kneeling before Chen Jue.

After weighing the gains and losses, Tang San nodded in agreement.

Then Dai Mubai told Tang San his method.

Hearing it, Tang San suddenly understood. He could not help pressing a hand to his forehead and smiling self-mockingly, hating himself for not having thought of it.

Then he fixed his eyes on Chen Jue.

You want me to kneel? Dream on.

This round is a draw.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong's brow flickered with impatience. She pointed straight at Tang San, her voice edged with biting mockery.

"Seriously! Aren't you going to kneel and apologize? What little trick are you trying to pull, Tang San? Creep!"

A cold smile curled Tang San's lips. He slowly raised his eyes to meet Ning Rongrong's angry stare, his voice steady and forceful.

"Kneel? Just on the strength of your empty claims?"

Then he looked at Flender and began explaining.

"Dean, although they didn't take the final step, they might have done other things, such as... you know?"

"So their claims are riddled with suspicious points!"

"That's why I refuse to accept having to kneel!"

"There's still something wrong with these girls!"

"Please judge this fairly, Dean!"

In just a few sentences, he pushed his disadvantage onto Chen Jue's side.

Nearby, Zhao Wuji lightly pressed his fingers against his temples, impatience and irritation showing between his brows.

"Why don't we just let it go?"

"Don't!"

Tang San did not want this hard-won opportunity to vanish before his eyes.

He then looked toward Flender.

"Dean! This is a very serious issue. If you shield Chen Jue, Oscar and the others will follow his example. What then? Everything will descend into chaos!"

Seeing this, Dai Mubai also stepped forward and began stirring things up.

"That's right! Dean! We can't just drop this matter!"

Faced with this scene, Chen Jue shook his head helplessly.

Looks like someone won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin!