The Shrek Seven Devils stood on the street, all staring intently at the huge metal trash can.
The exposed leg kicked twice more, followed by the sound of rummaging through the trash can.
Splash!
A gray-haired girl slowly climbed out of the trash can, half of her body still hanging on the edge, but holding a Stellar Jade that emitted a faint glow in her hand.
The girl stared at the object in her hand for a few seconds, and a hint of satisfaction finally appeared on her previously expressionless face.
There really is something there.
She lowered her head, carefully wiped the dust off the surface of the Stellar Jade with her sleeve, then looked at it against the light to make sure it wasn't damaged before carefully stuffing it into her pocket.
Her movements were so practiced that it made one wonder if she had done this countless times before.
For a moment, none of the Shrek members spoke.
Oscar's lips twitched. "She was... really looking for something in the trash can just now?"
Dai Mubai paused for a moment, then said, "Probably."
Tang San was also somewhat unable to understand.
Spirit City is now filled with novelties brought by the Interastral Peace Corporation, so encountering a girl who stuffed herself entirely into a trash can doesn't seem so unacceptable.
But just as the girl stood up completely from the trash can and turned to look at the street, Ma Hongjun's expression changed instantly.
Her long gray hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her golden eyes held an indifferent look that showed little interest in anything. The girl was tall and slender, having just climbed out of a trash can; her clothes were still a little dusty, but this did nothing to affect her appearance.
Ma Hongjun stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape.
A trickle of saliva slowly dribbled down the corner of his mouth.
He himself was completely unaware, and simply grabbed Dai Mubai's arm and shook it hard twice.
" Boss Dai! Boss Dai, look!"
Dai Mubai's face darkened from being shaken so much. "I saw it, let go first."
Ma Hongjun wasn't listening to a word, his eyes still fixed on the gray-haired girl. "What a beauty! I've never seen such a beautiful woman in my entire life!"
He became more and more excited as he looked at it.
The girl's gaze, which seemed to regard everyone as trash, particularly struck a chord with him.
Ma Hongjun patted his chest.
" Boss Dai, Little Ao, and Little San."
"I think I'm in love!"
Tang San: "..."
Dai Mubai: "..."
Oscar, however, immediately became interested and, as if eager to stir up trouble, urged from the side, "Then what are you standing there for? Hurry up and go talk to them! The opportunity is right in front of you; you might miss it forever."
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up.
That makes sense.
He reached up and ran his hand through his hair, forcefully smoothing it back despite its already untidy appearance. He then straightened his clothes, striking what he considered a very dashing pose.
"Look carefully."
"Today I'll show you how Fatty manages to win over this beautiful girl."
Behind him, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing rolled their eyes at his expression.
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but complain, "Where does he get his confidence from?"
Xiao Wu pouted. "I don't know."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but the way she looked at Ma Hongjun was almost the same as how she looked at a turkey displaying its tail feathers.
Ma Hongjun was completely unaware of this.
Just as he was about to step forward, a clear female voice suddenly came from afar.
"Ah--!"
"Xing! Why are you rummaging through the trash cans again!"
The gray-haired girl, who had just finished putting away the Stellar Jade, paused.
She slowly turned her head.
On the other side of the street, two figures were walking quickly toward them.
Running ahead was a girl with light blue hair, who was staring at the stars with a look of utter despair on her face as she ran.
"I only haven't seen you for a moment!"
"Why did you go inside again!"
On March 7th, she ran up to Xing, looked at the trash can, then at the dust on her clothes, and immediately covered her forehead.
"Can't you just leave the trash cans of Spirit City alone?"
Xing said matter-of-factly, "There's something inside."
"You can't just crawl inside something!"
"This way we can find it faster."
"Is it a matter of speed or not!"
On March 7th, my head started to hurt.
Qian Renxue, who was following behind her, had also come over.
Her long golden hair cascaded down her back, and her white and gold dress accentuated her slender figure. At twenty-one, she had long since shed the naivety of her youth, and her eyes now held a touch of coolness and composure. Yet, as she watched Xing emerge from the trash can, a clear smile still lingered in her eyes.
The moment the three of them stood together.
Shrek suddenly fell silent.
Aloof and noble.
A lively and adorable one.
A tall, aloof woman.
Standing together with three completely different auras, not only Ma Hongjun, but even Dai Mubai and Oscar were visibly taken aback.
Tang San's reaction was slightly better; at least he didn't almost press his eyes against it like Ma Hongjun did. However, after shifting his gaze away, he couldn't help but glance over there a few times out of the corner of his eye.
Ma Hongjun was even more energetic.
One beautiful woman turned into three.
What's this called?
This is called destiny!
He pulled out a wilted rose from somewhere; the petals were already curled up, and it was unclear how long he had kept it in the Soul Tool.
Ma Hongjun hid the rose behind his back, took a deep breath, and walked over with what he thought was a very dashing gait.
Dai Mubai's eyelids twitched upon seeing this.
"Fatty..."
It's too late.
Ma Hongjun walked up to the three of them, flipped his wrist, and handed over the wilted rose.
"Several beautiful ladies."
"Can we get to know each other?"
He slightly raised his chin, trying to make himself look more like a master.
"I am Ma Hongjun, a key member of the Shrek Academy Team."
Xing looked down at the rose, then at Ma Hongjun.
She scratched her head.
I don't quite understand.
"What are you doing?"
Ma Hongjun's smile froze.
March 7th already showed a very disgusted expression, and even moved half a step closer to Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft."
With that smile, her originally cool and aloof features softened instantly.
Ma Hongjun felt a sudden "buzz" in his head.
If what I said just now was merely a fleeting feeling of attraction...
They're almost at heaven now.
Qian Renxue reached out and took the rose, examining it closely. She seemed to find the nearly wilted flower quite interesting.
When Ma Hongjun saw this scene, his heart started pounding wildly.
Accepted!
She answered!
Is Fatty really going to have a lucky day with women?
Before he could even feel happy, Qian Renxue had already raised her eyes and looked at him with a smile.
"Little brother."
"But my sister has a boyfriend."
Ma Hongjun waved his hand, completely unfazed.
"It's okay, sister, I don't mind."
Dai Mubai, standing behind, immediately facepalmed.
Oscar almost burst out laughing.
Ma Hongjun, however, grew increasingly confident. "Besides, I'm not an ordinary person, I'm a genius! Our Shrek Academy has already made it to the finals, and I'm a key member of the team. Once the competition starts, you'll see what I'm capable of, sister."
Qian Renxue's smile deepened.
March 7th couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "How can this person be so shameless..."
Xing nodded seriously.
"Really."
Ma Hongjun is preparing to continue proving his talent.
Just then, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
Ma Hongjun's body stiffened abruptly.
He instinctively tried to turn his head, but in the instant he exerted force, he felt as if he had been firmly nailed to the spot by something.
The hand on the shoulder clearly wasn't using much force.
But his legs, waist, and even the Soul Power that was just about to circulate within him all seemed to be suppressed by an invisible force at this moment.
I can't move.
The smugness on Ma Hongjun's face vanished instantly.
Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others behind them all had their pupils shrink simultaneously.
when?!
There was clearly no one there just now.
With so many of them standing there, not one of them noticed when the other person had appeared behind Ma Hongjun!
A purple glint flashed in Tang San's eyes, and he subconsciously focused his gaze.
A dark-haired young man was standing behind Ma Hongjun, with one hand casually on his shoulder and a faint smile on his face.
Lin Yuan glanced at Qian Renxue in front of him, then looked down at Ma Hongjun was frozen in place.
"Genius?"
A bead of cold sweat had appeared on Ma Hongjun's forehead.
Lin Yuan smiled.
I've seen many geniuses.
His hand was still on Ma Hongjun's shoulder, but his tone was as relaxed as if he were chatting casually with someone.
"But--"
They all call me a genius.
Lin Yuan lowered his head slightly.
"Little brother."