The cafeteria was already quite full, and they finally managed to find two empty seats. They ate and chatted for quite some time.
After their evening classes, the two didn't rush back to their dormitories but instead went to the park that the school had built.
The long pavilion was planted with many flowers and plants, but it was not the season for them to bloom. They had already fallen before Cao Yu arrived, so he had long missed the best time to appreciate them.
Every few dozen meters there was a wooden bench, and a few couples sat in twos and threes. Cao Yu and Meng Hongchen were the last couple to arrive.
"I didn't expect there to be anyone here." Cao Yu glanced around at the surroundings before turning his gaze away.
Meng Hongchen tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said gently, "Actually, there are quite a few couples in the academy."
"It's just that most of them are older students like us. The younger students are under much stricter supervision by the teachers."
Cao Yu laughed heartily, "Isn't this similar to the Shrek Academy? The academy even encourages students who enter the Inner Court to date. Every year, they hold the Sea God Lake Matchmaking Convention, allowing Inner Court students to choose their ideal partners."
A hint of curiosity flickered in Meng Hongchen's beautiful eyes as she gently chuckled, "Is your academy that good?"
"Of course! You can even get a girlfriend before graduation with guaranteed job placement. Where else can you find such a great college?"
The two arrived at a spot by the lake. The school had thoughtfully provided fishing gear next to the bench, but it was all locked in a cabinet made of Soul Tool and could only be rented by paying the corresponding amount of Gold Soul Coin.
"That's really thoughtful." Cao Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud. After all, it was his first time in this place, and he was quite curious to encounter something like this.
"The older, high-ranking Soul Engineer often come here to play, so they made this suggestion to my grandfather."
Meng Hongchen took the fishing rod from Cao Yu, baited it, and cast it into the lake.
However, their minds were clearly not on fishing; they drew closer and closer until they were practically touching.
Cao Yu reached out his other hand and hugged her. Meng Hongchen rested her head on his shoulder, her gaze fixed on the dark lake, perfectly embodying the saying "Jiang Taigong fishes, and those who are willing will take the bait."
Meng Hongchen whispered softly, "It's so quiet. I wish we could stay like this forever."
"Fool, life will be even more wonderful in the future. How can you let these temptations blind you?"
Before long, the two embraced and kissed, but they didn't catch a single fish all night.
His fishing skills are just as bad as the old man's.
It's true that people often can't do two things at once.
By midnight, all the couples had left, and only the two of them reluctantly left the park.
Several days passed quickly.
Under Teacher Liu's guidance, Cao Yu successfully completed the engraving of the five-layer magic array.
However, he still needs to use instruments to complete this task and needs to accumulate more experience before he can truly become proficient.
Cao Yu also didn't neglect his cultivation of Soul Power, spending three or four days a week specifically on improving his cultivation.
After feeding the Ice Empress embryo as usual, he closed the gate to the demiplane and stepped out.
It will take more than two more months for Ice Empress to successfully transform into human form.
Early in the morning, all the senior students in the school were mobilized, and at this moment, the short and stout figure was standing on the podium in the large square.
Holding a soul-guided megaphone, Jing Hongchen shouted, "Good morning, dear students!"
"Good morning, Master..."
Then, a sparse round of applause rang out from below the stage. Many people hadn't had time to eat breakfast, and some had even just gotten out of bed without brushing their teeth or washing their faces. Naturally, these people were unhappy, and even when they clapped, they seemed listless.
However, Jing Hongchen, standing on the podium, did not feel embarrassed at all, as if all of this was within his expectations.
Jing Hongchen remained unaffected and continued, "Here's the thing, the reason I woke everyone up so early this morning is to announce something here, but let me keep you in suspense for now and first explain some important points."
"..." In the end, he rambled on on the podium for more than ten minutes.
Just when everyone was about to lose patience, Jing Hongchen finally announced, "Here's the thing, considering how much pressure everyone is under from their studies, I've decided to organize a camping trip for you all to relax over the next few days. Just remember to be careful and follow the teacher's instructions, understand?"
Camping activities?
Upon hearing this news, all the trainees below jumped for joy. After all, it was the first time they had encountered such a wonderful opportunity to go out and have fun, and everyone was naturally very happy.
However, the younger students in the other teaching buildings stood on the railings, looking on with envy in their eyes.
Not long after, Jing Hongchen called Cao Yu over, looked at him with a kind expression, and asked, " Little Yu, what do you think of Meng Hongchen?"
This question came as a surprise. After a moment of stunned silence, Cao Yu finally spoke, "Very good. What's wrong, Hall Master?"
"So how are things going between you two?"
"Yes... we're officially a couple."
Jing Hongchen's gaze towards him grew even more benevolent, then she laughed loudly, "You're officially a couple? That's good, that's good. Hmm, you'd better treat her well, don't let her get bullied, or I won't let you off the hook."
Cao Yu naturally nodded in agreement, after all, this was Meng Hongchen's grandfather, and he had to give him face.
"I think you've got high hopes for me, kid. I won't say much more. Just spend this time with Meng. Alright, if that's all, you can go now."
"Alright, goodbye then, Hall Master." Cao Yu waved his hand, then turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he heard Jing Hongchen sigh from behind.
"Sigh, I wish you were from the Mingde Hall."
Cao Yu knew that Jing Hongchen had deliberately said this to him, but he pretended not to hear it and left.
Actually, Jing Hongchen's idea is quite easy to resolve.
When he conquers the Sun Moon Empire, this place will be his, Mingde Hall will be his, and to some extent, he will be a member of the Mingde Hall, or even the biggest boss behind the Mingde Hall.
If this idea ever comes true, he will definitely award Jing Hongchen an advanced science prize and then appoint him as Academy of Sciences.
It's just that we don't know what Jing Hongchen will think then; his expression will definitely be quite interesting.
Cao Yu even started to look forward to it, and couldn't help but whistle as he walked.
Meng Hongchen, who was waiting for him outside, put her arm around his shoulder and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you so happy?"
Your uncle said he wants to marry you to me.
(End of this chapter)