Xiao Wu strode over to Tang Tian and seized his arm in an utterly natural yet possessive embrace.
She pressed half her body against him, staring at Ning Rongrong like a little tigress guarding her food:
"Tian, who's this pretty lady dressed up so grandly?"
Tang Tian patted Xiao Wu's head, somewhat amused:
"Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Ohhh, so she's the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Xiao Wu deliberately drew out her words, but her grip on Tang Tian's arm tightened, her chin lifting slightly. Her declaration of ownership could hardly have been more obvious.
Watching this, Ning Rongrong felt a spark of competitiveness flare up, reviving the heiress's airs she had only just set aside.
She stood, smoothed her skirt with exquisite grace, and extended her fair little hand toward Xiao Wu, an impeccable smile curving her lips:
"Hello, I'm Ning Rongrong. I'll be staying at your academy for a while, so please look after me, little sister Xiao Wu."
She stressed the words "little sister."
The corner of Xiao Wu's eye twitched. She touched Ning Rongrong's fingertips perfunctorily before swiftly withdrawing her hand, watching her as warily as she would a thief.
Before the smell of gunpowder could spread, the courtyard gate was pushed open again.
Tang San walked in, holding a scroll of mechanical schematics he had just revised.
The moment he entered, he sensed the courtyard's exceedingly strange atmosphere of romantic rivalry.
He saw Xiao Wu clinging to his big brother's arm, consumed with jealousy, then the dignified Ning Rongrong standing opposite them. His steps faltered slightly.
His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Of course he knew the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
He had also heard of this little princess's notoriety for being