Credits: Shadow260802
Listening to the exchange between Su Yu and Cai ier, the inner courtyard students couldn't help but feel secretly astonished.
They had to admit, that Su Yu was outrageously bold. Not only did he blatantly provoke Vice Dean Cai ier, but he also deliberately brought up Dean Xian Lin'er to rile her up. Everyone knew Cai ier and Xian Lin'er had a longstanding grudge. When it ca to courting death, Su Yu was practically a master.
So students who weren't fully aware of Su Yu's background secretly hoped that Cai ier would teach him a lesson. Su Yu's arrogance rubbed them the wrong way, and they were eager to see him humbled.
But those like Bei Bei, who had so understanding of Su Yu's background, knew better. Even if Cai ier wanted to, there was no way she could do anything to Su Yu. The fact that Cai ier hadn't lost her temper after Su Yu's provocations already spoke volus.
Watching Cai ier's expression—equal parts exasperation and forced restraint—Su Yu couldn't help but feel amused. He didn't particularly enjoy teasing her, but her husband, Yan Shaozhe, made it hard to resist. Yan Shaozhe wasn't just unpleasant; his personal life was nothing short of spectacularly ssy.
Apart from his entanglents with Xian Lin'er and Cai ier, he even had another confidante, Feng Ling, a woman whose impact far outshone Xian Lin'er's. After all, she was the first woman in Yan Shaozhe's life.
However, Su Yu refrained from bringing that up—it would've been too much. He also decided against continuing to provoke Cai ier. After all, she was just a woman, and he had no interest in bullying her endlessly.
Shifting his gaze, Su Yu scanned the crowd of Shrek Academy students. Most of them instinctively avoided his eyes, as if afraid of drawing his attention. Only Xiao Xiao, a young girl, stared at Su Yu openly with wide, curious eyes.
Finally, Su Yu's gaze settled on Zhang Lexuan. A sly smile curved his lips as he strode toward her.
Seeing Su Yu approaching, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but feel puzzled. What was this troublemaker up to now?
Su Yu stopped about two ters in front of her and began openly sizing her up—brazenly and unabashedly.
Zhang Lexuan didn't mind Su Yu looking at her; she had long since considered herself his. But given the crowd, his casual behavior was rather surprising.
Before she could speak, Su Yu broke the silence. "Sister, have we t before?"
His words left half the audience speechless.
Beside Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo chuckled and said, "Su Yu, that's such a cliché pick-up line."
Su Yu shook his head and responded seriously, "But I'm sure I've seen her before."
Though she didn't understand what Su Yu was getting at, Zhang Lexuan decided to play along. "Maybe during the Soul Master Tournant? I was one of Shrek's team leaders then."
"That's it!" Su Yu exclaid, feigning realization. "I knew I'd seen you before. A beauty like you is impossible to forget."
Bei Bei: "..."
Han Ruoruo: "..."
Cai ier, who was walking over: "..."
Was Su Yu trying to woo Zhang Lexuan? Did he even realize how much older she was?
Han Ruoruo raised an eyebrow and teased, "Su Yu, don't tell you're interested in Lexuan. You're too young to even understand what love is."
Su Yu turned his attention to Han Ruoruo, who had a stunning appearance and a graceful deanor befitting an older sister figure. "And how should I address this lovely sister?"
"Han Ruoruo," she replied with a charming smile.
"Senior Han Ruoruo." Su Yu nodded thoughtfully before asking, "Have you ever been in love?"
Han Ruoruo smiled faintly. "Not yet."
Su Yu bead. "Well, I have."
The statent caused Han Ruoruo's smile to falter slightly.
"So, maybe the one who doesn't understand love is you, Senior," Su Yu continued with a bright smile. "Of course, I didn't an to imply that being single at your age is sad or anything. Please don't take it personally."
Han Ruoruo: "..."
Her delicate face froze, and she clenched her fists tightly. One sentence from Su Yu had completely shattered her composure.
At twenty-eight, Han Ruoruo was older than Zhang Lexuan by two years and had yet to find a partner. Being called a big unmarried woman in a roundabout way was like a sharp dagger to her pride.
Though she tried to maintain a calm facade, her chest heaved visibly, betraying her turbulent emotions. The sight didn't escape Su Yu, who silently marveled at the striking image of her outrage.
In the original story, this captivating older sister was sohow won over by Wang Yan, a much older teacher. Su Yu found the idea both ridiculous and wasteful.
Finally, Han Ruoruo collected herself and tried to counterattack. "If you've already been in love, Su Yu, why are you still chasing after Lexuan? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Su Yu puffed out his chest and said confidently, "What's wrong with it? Who said having a girlfriend ans you can't pursue another one?"
His unapologetic boldness left Han Ruoruo stunned. She pointed at him, but no words ca out for a long mont.
"Su Yu, could you please show so rcy and stop tornting our students?" Cai ier finally intervened, her tone carrying a hint of pleading.
This little troublemaker had been stirring up chaos from the mont he arrived.
"Vice Dean Cai, you're exaggerating. I was just chatting with this senior," Su Yu replied innocently. "But since you've said so, I'll stop. My apologies for disturbing everyone. Goodbye."
With a aningful glance at Zhang Lexuan, Su Yu clasped his hands in a farewell gesture and turned to leave.
"Wait, Su Yu," Cai ier called out, clearly unwilling to let him go.
"What is it, Dean Cai?" Su Yu asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
Cai ier took a deep breath and said, "It's dangerous to venture into the Star Dou Forest alone. Why not join us?"
After all, this was a rare chance to encounter Su Yu. Shrek Academy had been looking for him for quite so ti. Whether it was Elder Xuan or Ma Xiaotao, they all regarded Su Yu as crucial to the academy's future. Letting him walk away now would be unacceptable.
"No need. I'm used to being on my own, but I appreciate the offer," Su Yu declined with a wave of his hand.
He knew exactly why Cai ier wanted him to stay, but there was no way he'd make it that easy for her. Where was the fun in that?
Cai ier grew anxious and added, "Su Yu, isn't this a fateful encounter? Shrek Academy would always welco your visit. Oh, and Ma Xiaotao has missed you dearly since your last eting."
If appealing to his sense of camaraderie didn't work, Cai ier wasn't above using Ma Xiaotao as a bargaining chip. Everyone knew the academy wanted to pair the two together.
As Ma Xiaotao and Zhang Lexuan differed, Ma Xiaotao couldn't live without Su Yu. In fact, without his help, her life would be in danger. As for whether Su Yu had other girlfriends or if Ma Xiaotao could truly find happiness, she couldn't afford to care about that now. Her top priority was convincing him to return to the academy.
After all, as Yan Shaozhe's wife, living with him for so many years had inevitably influenced her.
"Miss Xiaotao, it's true that I haven't seen her for quite so ti now. I still rember how she said she wanted to challenge again," Su Yu said, a nostalgic expression crossing his face.
Hearing this, Cai i'er's heart leaped with joy. "That's perfect, Su Yu. If you join us, you can et Xiaotao again."
Su Yu appeared to think for a mont, then waved his hand. "Let's forget about it. Looking at everyone here, it seems like I'm not very welco."
Cai i'er quickly responded, "How could that be? Our Shrek Academy is known for its hospitality. Isn't that right, everyone?"
Her gaze swept across the group of inner court disciples. Despite their reluctance, they nodded and voiced their agreent under Cai i'er's imposing presence.
Zhang Lexuan sighed inwardly. Su Yu had beco even more skilled at stirring the pot. With a few simple moves, he'd managed to suppress all the hostility directed toward him—and what's more, he made Shrek's people do the work.
She could already imagine how frustrated those who disliked Su Yu must feel.
After a mont's pause, Zhang Lexuan spoke. "Dean Cai is right. Our Shrek Academy is indeed very hospitable. Su Yu, would you consider traveling with us?"
Don't misunderstand her. Zhang Lexuan wasn't speaking to help Shrek Academy; she was simply expressing her longing for Su Yu. It had been two years since they'd last t—how could she not miss him?
After all, she had devoted all her thoughts and emotions to him.
Besides, from her understanding of Su Yu, it was clear that he intended to visit Shrek Academy. If he hadn't wanted to, he would've already left without sparing Cai i'er a second thought.
Others might not know him well, but she did. Given Su Yu's background, even a Titled Douluo like Cai i'er was likely not soone he paid much attention to.
As for whether Su Yu had other plans for visiting the academy, what did that matter to her? She saw herself as Su Yu's person—not Shrek Academy's.
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Su Yu promptly replied, "Since this beautiful sister is inviting , it would be impolite of to refuse."
Cai i'er was delighted, while Beibei, Han Ruoruo, and the rest of the group were speechless.
So were outright disdainful, while others, like Xiao Xiao, found themselves chard. After all, Su Yu was remarkably handso, unlike anyone she'd ever encountered.
Cai i'er, for her part, felt both relieved and overjoyed that Su Yu had agreed. Returning to the academy with him would undoubtedly be a huge surprise for everyone there.
At the sa ti, she felt a pang of sympathy for Zhang Lexuan. The girl was truly considerate—what a kindhearted child.
Even though she likely knew Su Yu's intentions toward her weren't entirely pure, she still chose to speak up and help.
Cai i'er's fondness for Zhang Lexuan grew to near admiration at this mont.
Collecting her thoughts, she turned to Su Yu and said, "Su Yu, a few of our disciples still need to obtain their soul rings. Would it be alright if we continued the hunt before returning to the academy?"
Given they were already in the forest, Cai i'er wanted to ensure her students got what they needed. But if Su Yu was adamant about returning imdiately, she'd have no choice but to comply—even if it ant making a second trip later.
"Dean Cai, it's entirely up to you. I'm just an outsider and wouldn't presu to interfere. Anything's fine by ," Su Yu said with a seemingly good-natured smile.
But Cai i'er couldn't help but feel wary.
Still, Su Yu's agreent made things much simpler.
The group resud their journey, continuing the search for soul beasts. Cai i'er, however, diverted more of her attention to Su Yu, ensuring he stayed in the center of the group—the safest spot.
This arrangent irked the inner court disciples to no end. Being forced to protect soone as aggravating as Su Yu was nearly unbearable, yet Cai i'er's orders left them no choice.
Standing closest to Su Yu were Xiao Xiao and Han Ruoruo. The forr was too weak to defend herself effectively, while the latter, as a control-system Soul Master, needed to be in the core position to exert control over the battlefield.
Su Yu frequently cast sidelong glances at Han Ruoruo. As Zhang Lexuan's confidante and close friend, she was undoubtedly powerful—already a Level 79 Soul Sage, likely on the verge of breaking through to the Soul Douluo level within the next year.
Though not as exceptional as Zhang Lexuan, she was still a top-tier talent.
It baffled Su Yu how soone of her caliber had ended up with that old lecher, Wang Yan. Of all the people, why him? It was a travesty.
Surely soone of her brilliance could have found a younger, more promising partner.
Of course, Su Yu wasn't just troubled by Han Ruoruo's situation; his thoughts briefly turned to Xiao Xiao and He Caitou. The re idea of pairing such a petite, adorable girl with a dark-skinned, bulky guy seed utterly incongruous like so plot in doujin.
Thankfully, this wasn't the original story. At this point, Xiao Xiao probably didn't even know He Caitou existed. After all, she hadn't participated in the Soul Master Tournant, so there had been no opportunity for them to et.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, considering He Caitou was one of the most perplexing characters in the original.
Though Su Yu disliked Xu Sanshi the most, He Caitou's story wasn't far behind in absurdity. A mber of the Sun Moon Empire's royal family enthusiastically joining Shrek's mission to bomb the capital? It was… challenging, to say the least, to rationalize.
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