Classic Grilled Fish

Surrounded by everyone's stares, Zhou Sichen grinned smugly.

"Hehe, don't look at me like that, everyone. Keep it low-key, keep it low-key."

Tang Wulin suddenly felt an urge to punch him.

So after all that, you were actually this impressive.

Wang Yan calmly asked Dai Huabin:

"Do you have any other objections now?"

"..."

Dai Huabin silently shook his head and sat down.

Yet no one saw the vicious glint flickering deep within his eyes.

Unlike the other students, Dai Huabin, who came from the Duke's Mansion, had received harsh, iron-blooded training from a young age.

In his eyes, strength was everything. A strong fist was the only true principle. Why should he, when he was stronger than Tang Wulin and Zhou Sichen, be ranked beneath them?

He was filled with resentment, but he also knew he could not change the mind of an old fossil like Wang Yan.

In that case, he would endure for now.

Once he found an opportunity later, he could casually cripple Tang Wulin. Then becoming class monitor would be no trouble at all.

Wang Yan did not know about Dai Huabin's dark thoughts. Seeing that the Young Master of the Duke's Mansion was no longer stirring up trouble, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He picked up a piece of chalk and gave the students a gentle smile.

"Then we'll leave the matter of the class monitor here. Now, let's begin class. Today's lesson will cover the origins of soul beasts and soul masters."

With that, he began writing on the blackboard and spoke of ancient legends.

"Countless years ago, there was a powerful god known as the Dragon God..."

Tang Wulin's expression shifted at the mention of the Dragon God.

Not long ago, he had learned the origins of the Golden Dragon King from Beibei. He was now exceptionally sensitive to the term Dragon God.

He had a feeling that everything Wang Yan was teaching in this lesson was meant specifically for him.

The legends of the Dragon God, the stories of the Gold and Silver Dragon Kings and the Nine Sons of the Dragon—perhaps they were all closely connected to him.

As a result, Tang Wulin listened with particular focus.

Time always passed quickly when one was engrossed. By the time Wang Yan set down his chalk, the bell signaling the end of class rang as well.

Wang Yan turned around, looked at the students who were still wanting more, and smiled slightly.

"Alright, that's all I have to teach today. Go back and digest it yourselves. I'll be asking questions in class tomorrow."

Only then did the students come back to their senses, and they began packing up to leave the classroom.

As expected, Zhou Sichen sidled over as soon as class ended, asking with a cheeky grin:

"Wulin, what are you doing after school? Can you bring me along?"

Tang Wulin was about to answer when Huo Yutong unexpectedly walked over.

"Wulin, Teacher Xiaoya and Brother Beibei said they'd take me to earn money by selling Grilled Fish. Do you want to come take a look too? There'll be free Grilled Fish."

Tang Wulin's eyes lit up.

"Sure!"

He still had not figured out Huo Yutong's exact relationship with Dai Huabin. This was the perfect chance to ask.

And even aside from that, there was free Grilled Fish to eat. Ever since he had eaten it last time, he had not been able to forget its flavor.

Beside them, Zhou Sichen looked at Tang Wulin, then at Huo Yutong. Suddenly, as though he understood something, his eyes flew wide open.

He threw an arm around Tang Wulin's shoulders, waggled his brows, and whispered in his ear:

"I never would've guessed it, Wulin. So this is the type you like. But now that I look closely, this girl really is quite nice. She's clearly the virtuous wife and loving mother type."

Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then quickly understood what he meant. He shoved Zhou Sichen away and said irritably:

"Stop twisting everything into something weird. I'm just going to help Sister Yutong sell Grilled Fish and earn money. It's not what you think."

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhou Sichen wore a sly grin, clearly not taking Tang Wulin's words to heart at all. "Then I'll take your word for it. I won't disturb you two any longer. If there's good news, remember to let your brother know."

With that, he hummed a tune and left without waiting for Tang Wulin to explain further.

After watching him go, Tang Wulin said apologetically to Huo Yutong:

"Sorry, Sister Yutong. I think he misunderstood our relationship."

Huo Yutong smiled gently.

"It's fine. Those who are innocent need not fear rumors. Besides, it's normal for people to misunderstand things when I'm around you. I was mentally prepared for it."

Tang Wulin was somewhat puzzled.

"Why is it normal for people to misunderstand things when they see you with me?"

Huo Yutong's gaze immediately turned strange.

So he still hasn't realized it.

"Didn't you notice that all the people sitting around you are girls? Wulin, you're very cute, and your strength and talent are both outstanding. Now you've become our class monitor too. I'm afraid quite a few girls have their eyes on you. It'd be stranger if there weren't any rumors."

"...I see."

No wonder he had always felt that the girls around him looked at him as though they were up to something.

So they really did mean that.

He stood and stretched, saying:

"Then let's go. Where are you selling Grilled Fish?"

"According to Teacher Xiaoya, it should be at the academy entrance."

As they talked, the two of them headed toward the academy gates.

The Teaching Building was not far from the entrance. Before long, they spotted Tang Ya and Beibei.

When she saw them approaching, Tang Ya hurried over.

"You two finally came. I thought you'd forgotten about this."

Tang Wulin immediately felt guilty.

"Sorry, Sister Xiaoya. We came straight here as soon as class ended."

"It's fine, we haven't been waiting long. Xiaoya was just teasing you." Beibei walked over as well and winked at him. "Of course, it's also possible that she really was getting impatient. Just now, she was practically drooling from how badly she was craving it."

"Bei—bei—"

"Sorry, sorry. Please spare me, Teacher Xiaoya."

Having been exposed by Beibei right to her face, Tang Ya flew into a rage from embarrassment and grabbed his ear. Beibei did not resist, merely laughing happily while repeatedly apologizing.

Only after quite a while did Tang Ya's anger finally subside. She gave a huff and said to Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong:

"Yutong, Wulin, let's go. This sect master is hungry."

With that, she took the lead out of the academy.

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong looked at each other, then burst out laughing. They followed her out of the academy as well.

Many small stalls had been set up outside the academy, where quite a few students ate while chatting happily.

"So that's how it is."

Looking at the scene, Tang Wulin nodded thoughtfully.

Huo Yutong asked curiously:

"What did you figure out?"

Tang Wulin spread his hands and gave a wry smile.

"Now I know why there are so few people in the academy restaurant. At the very least, most of the stalls here provide seats."

"True."

After hearing that, Huo Yutong immediately felt the same way.

The fact that Shrek Restaurant had no tables or chairs was truly absurd.

Just then, Tang Ya's urgent voice came from not far ahead.

"What are you two dawdling for? Hurry up and get over here!"

"Ah, we're coming!"

Tang Wulin quickly answered and ran over with Huo Yutong.

Author's Note

Wang Yan's account of the Dragon God legend follows the Douluo Dalu 2 setting. After all, he was from Douluo Dalu 2, so it was impossible for him to possess knowledge beyond time and space.

Also, let me make this clear first: this novel's Dragon God setting is not tied to Douluo Dalu 4. First, I never finished reading Douluo Dalu 4 because it was too absurd. Second, according to what people online say, did the Gold and Silver Dragon Kings become the Gold-Silver Dual Waste in Douluo Dalu 4? I can't accept that. Personally, I still prefer the settings from Douluo Dalu 2 and Legend of the Gods. Douluo Dalu 3 is acceptable too, but Douluo Dalu 4 can just be tossed out as non-burnable trash.