Supported by Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, "Xuan Zi" slowly walked toward the raised platform.
The first-year students of Shrek Academy's outer court immediately noticed the approaching trio, puzzled and curious about who they were.
"That's Xuan Zi. He should be the academy's only decision-maker now. The other two are Zhang Lexuan, the Sea God Pavilion's successor from the generation after next, and the eldest senior sister among the inner court students. The other is the Flame Maniac, Ma Xiaotao. She's also an inner court student and only joined the Sea God Pavilion recently."
Bei Bei wore a gentle smile as he helpfully answered the new students' questions.
His refined, gentlemanly manner earned him considerable goodwill from the younger female students.
Bei Bei searched the crowd but could never find Tang Ya. She had clearly rushed over this morning, so how had she suddenly disappeared?
"Hey, Bei Bei, who are you looking for? Your Xiao Ya? I saw her leave with Jiang Nannan just now, so relax."
Xu Sanshi nudged Bei Bei with his elbow, grinning mischievously.
"No, no, no. I'm not looking for Xiao Ya. I'm just looking around."
"Keep being stubborn, then. All I'm thinking about now is having the holidays start sooner. You can keep working at it." Xu Sanshi patted his shoulder consolingly.
"All right, all right, I know your fiancée is waiting for you at home. Just get out of here."
Bei Bei smiled helplessly and looked toward Sea God Lake, boundless desolation in his eyes.
Everything that had happened yesterday was still vivid in his mind, and his heart was already in turmoil. Bei Bei decided to find Zhang Lexuan after this meeting ended. Unless he got an answer about how his great-great-grandfather had fallen, he would never be able to let this matter go.
Sea God Lake had suddenly disappeared, and Tang Ya's temperament had abruptly changed as well. She had ignored him for a long time. All those emotions weighed on him, with no outlet at all.
At that moment, Yan Shaozhe finally finished his speech and slowly descended from the platform.
"Xuan Zi."
Yan Shaozhe nodded respectfully to "Xuan Zi." He had never expected Xuan Zi, who had been at death's door yesterday, to actually pull through.
Although the preparations he had made yesterday were no longer needed, this was good too. Xuan Zi was still alive, which meant Shrek still had a pillar holding it up.
The pressure on him was not as great anymore either.
"Mm... Shao... Yan Shaozhe."
"Xuan Zi" called out somewhat awkwardly, his voice a little hoarse and rather strange to the ear.
Yan Shaozhe asked in confusion, "Xuan Zi? What's wrong? Has your body not recovered yet?"
Yan Shaozhe was concerned. "Xuan Zi" was now Shrek's final trump card. He had only just managed to pull through; if anything happened to him now, it would truly be too late for regrets.
"Dean Yan, Xuan Zi is fine. He just stumbled on the way here. His injuries were rather severe. I'll help him up, and he'll be fine. Isn't that right, 'Xuan Zi'?" Zhang Lexuan explained for him.
"Mm... yes."
Yan Shaozhe was still somewhat puzzled, but seeing that "Xuan Zi" seemed to be all right, he could only let Zhang Lexuan help him up.
Huo Yuhao was utterly exasperated. He had been at it with those two until well past midnight last night, and Sorrow had told him to come back this morning. In the end, it was just to make him give a speech?
Zhang Lexuan practically dragged Huo Yuhao onto the platform.
Looking at the dense sea of people, he really did not like this scene.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Zhang Lexuan from the inner court. Far, far too much happened yesterday..."
Zhang Lexuan made an opening statement, then frantically signaled with her eyes for "Xuan Zi" beside her to hurry up and say a few words.
In the end, unable to endure the forceful twisting pinch at his waist any longer, Huo Yuhao could only steel himself and say, "From today onward, Shrek will be counting on all of you... I will leave all Shrek's affairs to Lexuan from now on."
After saying that, Huo Yuhao rapidly rubbed his hands together at a speed invisible to the naked eye, freeing them from Zhang Lexuan's restraint, and tottered off the platform.
Seeing "Xuan Zi" come down, Yan Shaozhe hurried over to support him.
"Yan Shaozhe, I'm going into seclusion. I'll leave what comes next to you."
"Xuan Zi" waved him off, declined his help, and left without lingering.
By the time Zhang Lexuan on the platform reacted, there was nothing she could do.
It seems Lord Shadow has other things to do. I'd better not disturb him. Lord Shadow, I'll arrange everything for you.
Zhang Lexuan silently made up her mind. She would definitely arrange everything properly for Lord Shadow.
Since Lord Shadow was still in the academy, he must need the title of the Shrek Seven Devils.
Huo Yuhao had no idea what Zhang Lexuan was thinking. Once he reached a place where no one could see him, he removed the latex mask from his face and put it into his storage ring. This identity would still have its uses in the future, so naturally, he had to keep it.
Then his figure flashed, and he disappeared from the spot.
"Why hasn't Huo Yuhao come back yet?" Wang Dong'er waved a hand and peered in the direction Huo Yuhao had left.
Xiao Xiao said, "Didn't Yuhao go to the bathroom? Wang Dong, why don't you go check?"
Xiao Xiao was a little worried. Huo Yuhao really had been gone for quite some time.
"Huh? Me?! No... no way, absolutely not!"
Wang Dong'er's little face flushed bright red, and she waved both hands incessantly in vehement refusal.
How could I do that? I'm a girl too. How could I go into the boys' bathroom? I'm not a pervert.
"Hm? Why not? What if something's happened to Yuhao?! Wang Dong, hurry up and check."
Anxiety showed on Xiao Xiao's pretty face as she hurriedly urged Wang Dong beside her. She genuinely cared about Huo Yuhao.
"No... no..."
"What are you two talking about?" Huo Yuhao returned with a yawn, running his fingers through his messy hair.
"Yuhao, thank goodness you're back. Otherwise, I would've sent Wang Dong to find you. Why didn't you bring an umbrella?" Xiao Xiao pouted, looking utterly adorable.
Xiao Xiao pulled Huo Yuhao straight under the umbrella, handed it to him, and hugged his arm, gently wiping the rainwater from his head with a handkerchief.
Huo Yuhao cooperated readily and said nothing.
On the platform, Zhang Lexuan was still delivering her lengthy speech. Many students were listening attentively and had no time to pay attention to the three of them.
Seeing Huo Yuhao return, Wang Dong'er let out a great sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, terrified that her identity might be exposed.
If Huo Yuhao had not returned in time, she really might have given herself away.
She stole a glance at Huo Yuhao being affectionate with Xiao Xiao. His soaking-wet hair drew her gaze, and jealousy stirred in her heart again.
Wang Dong'er even considered whether she should return to being a girl.
Watching the intimate pair and Xiao Xiao's sweet smile, she tightly gripped the umbrella in her hand.
At least... at least I could stand beside him like that too...