The moment Sanhartha stepped into the seventh dormitory, the atmosphere inside was already tense.
Two figures stood at the center of the room.
One was Tang San—thin, calm, and steady, his posture composed despite faint dust on his clothes. Opposite him stood a young girl, her stance relaxed yet balanced, long braided hair swaying lightly behind her. Her eyes were bright, filled with a lively confidence that did not belong to someone timid.
Sanhartha recognized them instantly.
Tang San… Xiao Wu.
So this was it—the first clash.
Wang Sheng stood to one side, arms crossed, watching with a complicated expression. The other working students gathered around, holding their breath.
Xiao Wu tilted her head slightly, hands on her hips.
"So," she said lightly, "if I beat you, I become the boss, right?"
Tang San nodded after a brief pause.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation.
The next instant, Xiao Wu moved.
Her kick shot out swiftly, light yet sharp, aimed straight at Tang San's chin. Tang San reacted immediately, stepping aside and catching her ankle with practiced precision. His movements were efficient, clearly trained.
Sanhartha's eyes narrowed slightly.
Good basics. But…
Tang San followed up instinctively, attempting to push Xiao Wu off balance using his shoulder. Under normal circumstances, it would have worked.
But Xiao Wu's body twisted like flowing water.
Her ankle slipped free. Using Tang San's own force, she pivoted effortlessly, her legs coiling around his shoulders. In one smooth motion, she used her flexibility and momentum to throw him backward.
Tang San hit the ground.
The dormitory fell into stunned silence.
Sanhartha watched closely, every movement etched into his mind.
Soft-force redirection. Extreme flexibility. Dangerous at close range.
Tang San rose immediately, brushing himself off. His expression was calm, devoid of anger or excuse.
"I lost," he said simply.
Xiao Wu smiled faintly, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
"Then I'm the boss."
No one objected.
Wang Sheng let out a breath he had been holding, then stepped forward and explained the situation of the working students—how they were bullied, how the boss had to stand for them. Tang San listened quietly, then nodded.
"I won't allow that anymore."
Sanhartha observed silently.
Responsibility over pride… as expected.
Later, an awkward problem arose—Xiao Wu had no bedding. Tang San's bedding, newly issued, stood out clearly. After brief hesitation, the two beds were pushed together, a clear boundary marked between them.
Xiao Wu drew the line herself.
"Cross it without permission," she said casually, "and don't blame me."
Tang San nodded quickly.
The matter settled.
As the dormitory gradually returned to calm, Sanhartha took his seat near the wall. He had not spoken once, yet his presence felt strangely steady.
Xiao Wu glanced at him again, curiosity flickering.
"You're quiet," she said. "Didn't you find that interesting?"
Sanhartha met her gaze calmly.
"It was instructive."
Xiao Wu blinked, then laughed softly.
"You're strange."
Sanhartha did not deny it.
Tang San glanced toward him briefly, sensing the same thing Xiao Wu did—this boy was different.
That night, as the dormitory lights dimmed and breathing slowly evened out, Sanhartha lay awake, eyes half-closed.
The first clash has occurred, he thought calmly.
The threads are moving.
This time, however—
He was already inside the weave.