The service, the treatment... Xu Jintang clicked his tongue in amazement, a feeling of envy welling up inside him.
"By the way, have you guys seen the trending topics?" Alice suddenly remembered something and brought up the subject. "There's a rumor circulating on the Star Network that members of the Mask Squad suddenly appeared at the Heaven Ascension Platform spot in our K006 Star Sector. I don't know if it's a rumor or true."
These words broke the silence.
Zhuang Silin, who was about to sip her tea, paused in mid-air. After hesitating for two seconds, her peripheral vision automatically swept towards Xu Jintang.
Xu Jintang also choked and quickly put down his teacup.
Feeling guilty, Song Tianqi suddenly straightened his back and adopted the appearance of an honest child.
Alice's attention was still on the trending topic of the Mask Squad, and she didn't notice the strange behavior of the others.
"The Mask Squad was really popular a while ago. Their appearance this time will probably bring a lot of buzz to the Heaven Ascension Platform."
Alice sighed, then picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Luckily, I had some free time recently and invested in the Heaven Ascension Platform franchise."
At this moment, Yu Wanyao and the others all turned their attention to Xu Jintang.
It wasn't until Zhuang Silin looked away that she changed the subject, saying, "I've heard that your school's official team members are all quite strong, and they've never participated in any public competitions. I wonder if Principal Alice would be so kind as to tell us a little about it?"
These words finally brought everyone's attention back to the main topic.
Principal Alice's smile deepened. " Teacher Zhuang, don't try to trick me. Your students from Leikedasi are so formidable, why would you care about us nobody? Inviting you here today is really just for fun; I simply wanted to have afternoon tea with you all."
Zhuang Silin didn't press the matter further, but instead steered the conversation to another topic. "On the way here, my students were all quite curious about Principal Alice's special abilities."
Alice paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"Indeed, quite a few people are curious about my special ability." Her gaze fell on Yu Wanyao and the others, and she raised the corners of her lips. "Then I'll show you little ones what it's like."
Xu Jintang recovered from the embarrassment he had just experienced.
She put down her teacup, cleared her throat, sat up straight, and looked at Alice with curiosity.
The others also gradually looked away.
Alice slowly raised her hand, her slender white hand unfolding, and a soft green light rose from her palm, followed by the appearance of a miniature green ancient tree.
Xu Jintang carefully examined the ancient tree. "Is this a tree?"
"That's right." Alice nodded. "My special ability is the Divine Bodhi Tree. It's an ancient tree that has been passed down from ancient times, and it has healing and life-extending effects."
Song Tianqi, standing nearby, exclaimed, "It can really extend lifespan? Wow, that tree is amazing!"
Alice chuckled. "Indeed, who wouldn't want to live a few more years? I'm in this state thanks to it."
Zhuang Silin stared intently at the Divine Bodhi Tree, lost in thought.
The reason why the Alice Family has maintained its position as the richest family in the K006 Star Sector for generations is that it has made a lot of money by selling health products that can prolong life.
Their chain stores have grown to over a hundred locations, with branches in other areas besides the K006 Star Sector. Their business is very large, in no way inferior to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Alice withdrew her powers, her smile unchanged. "Alright, I've satisfied everyone's curiosity. Now, let's begin afternoon tea. I've recently found quite a few delicious treats and desserts, which I'll share with you all."
The maid who had just left came back in with a tray of food.
Before long, several plates of desserts of different flavors and types were placed in front of Xu Jintang and the others.
When they first agreed to the appointment, Zhuang Silin, Yu Wanyao, and the others all thought that Alice might be trying to test their strength or something.
But as afternoon tea began, plate after plate of delicious food was placed in front of us.
The group realized that Alice genuinely just wanted to share the food with them.
Until the sun sets.
After having eaten and drunk their fill, Xu Jintang and his companions were personally escorted out of the manor by Alice.
On the way back to the hotel, Xu Jintang quietly commented, "This richest woman is quite warm and welcoming."
"Yes, that's right." Song Tianqi patted his belly contentedly. "She's so kind; she shared so much delicious food with us."
Xue Zhongqi was quite vigilant and a little worried. "What if the food she prepared for us is poisoned, and the poison takes effect precisely when we challenge the dojo tomorrow?"
Zhuang Silin shook her head. "No, the food this afternoon should be fine. Unless she can concoct a poison that even I can't detect."
The group gradually relaxed and continued walking towards the hotel.
As evening approached, the trending topic on Star Network about the Mask Squad appearing on the Heaven Ascension Platform exploded.
[Oh my god, I happened to pass by the Heaven Ascension Platform this morning, but it looked too crowded, so I didn't go in to squeeze in. Turns out the Mask Squad was there!]
[Several hours have passed, and the official Mask Squad account still hasn't clarified anything, so those two on the Heaven Ascension Platform really were just Foodie Hot Air Balloon, right?!]
Chapter 182
Inside a suite at Cosmos Interstellar Hotel.
Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi both lowered their heads, adopting a posture of sincere repentance.
Zhuang Silin stood opposite her with a stern face, her anger completely undisguised.
"Neither of you are allowed to leave my sight for the next few days! Also, double your training intensity during this period, and by the end of next weekend, each of you will have to write a 10,000-word self-criticism to catch up on your sleep!"
"Yes! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Xu Jintang stood ramrod straight.
Then, Song Tianqi, just like him, straightened his back and made a promise, "I also promise to complete the mission!"
Zhuang Silin rolled her eyes at the two of them, "I'd rather believe Green-Eyed Worm can dive than believe you two."
As is well known, the green worm is an insect monster unique to tropical climates, and it dies upon contact with water.
Xu Jintang forced a smile but didn't dare to say anything more.
Song Tianqi leaned against her, smiling obediently, without saying a word.
The buzz Mask Squad Heaven Ascension Platform Squad's appearance on the rooftop didn't die down until the following day.
During this time, the official account of the Heaven Ascension Platform attraction kept tagging the Mask Squad, reminding the two to remember to go and collect their prize money when they had some free time.
After that incident, Xu Jintang and his companion naturally dared not show their faces again and acted as if nothing had happened.
Until the challenge match against the Suofei'er Military Academy began.
The result of the challenge was not surprising at all; Leikedasi won the challenge with a score of 4:1.
Yu Wanyao and her group fought more and more fiercely. From being nervous and restrained at the beginning, they had completely transformed their mentality by the time they challenged the fourth military academy.
After finishing another challenge match, Zhuang Silin called Yu Wanyao and the other four to the conference room for a debriefing session.
Halfway through the meeting, there was a sudden knock on the door.
A hotel staff member's voice came from outside the door. "Hello, there's a visitor downstairs. They're looking for Ms. Zhuang Silin."
Zhuang Silin paused for a moment. Looking for her?
She doesn't know anyone in the K006 Star Sector.
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Silin replied, "Wait a moment, I'll be right down."
"You five, do your own recap first. I'll come back later and listen to your analysis," Zhuang Silin instructed, then turned and left.
At this moment, in the hotel's first-floor lounge area.
Xu Jintang rested his hands on the tea table, lazily squinting his eyes, the sunlight warming him.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors suddenly opened.
Zhuang Silin walked out with the staff.
The two walked to the front desk and soon saw a petite figure.
Judging from her figure, she should be a girl, but for some reason, she was wearing a hat and a mask, completely covering her facial features.
" Teacher Zhuang, it's me." The gentle voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Zhuang Silin was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized, "You are... Principal Alice?" Sensing that the other party seemed unwilling to reveal her identity, Zhuang Silin deliberately lowered her voice.
Alice nodded quietly. "Hmm, shall we find a quiet place to talk?"
"Okay," Zhuang Silin replied.
"Teachers! Where are you all going?" Song Tianqi's carefree voice suddenly came from behind.
This loud noise also woke up Xu Jintang, who was lying down next door.
She stretched and yawned, then subconsciously glanced towards the front desk.
At this moment, Song Tianqi had already rushed to Zhuang Silin's side.
Alice saw someone approaching and quickly lowered her head.
Song Tianqi looked Alice up and down curiously. "And who is this?"
Zhuang Silin didn't explicitly say, "Don't ask too many questions."
Alice seemed to hesitate for a moment, then suddenly looked up and said, " Teacher Zhuang, why don't we let him come along?"
Zhuang Silin hesitated for a moment, "Are you sure?"
"Well, let your student come too," Alice said.
Xu Jintang was stretching and walking this way.
" Xu Jintang, come with us," Zhuang Silin called out to her.
Xu Jintang, who had intended to take a break for a while, stopped in her tracks.
She turned her head and looked over, pausing for half a second as her gaze swept over Alice.
This person's build looks a bit like... Principal Alice?
Fifteen minutes later, Xu Jintang and his group entered a private room in the teahouse.
Xu Jintang walked last, closing the door behind him.
Alice, who had been covering her face, took off her hat and mask, revealing a tired-looking face.
"I apologize for bothering you all today, but there's a real reason why I need your help."
As she said this, Alice bowed deeply to the three of them.
Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi, who were suddenly pulled over, were stunned.
Zhuang Silin looked puzzled. "What happened?"
Alice sighed softly, "It's a problem with my family's pharmaceutical business. To be honest, just these past few days, a large batch of substandard drugs was discovered at one of our factories."