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"Fang Yang, listen to me—this Gu Yue is off. Something's seriously wrong with her!"
Xie Xie grabbed Fang Yang's arm, lowering his voice while repeatedly glancing toward Gu Yue in the distance.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Fang Yang looked at him, bewildered.
"I can't quite put my finger on it…" Xie Xie frowned. "But just looking at her… I get this creepy feeling, like she could beat me to a pulp any second!"
He swallowed hard. "And think about it—such a gorgeous, powerful girl suddenly shows up and gets close to you? She's definitely plotting something!"
"As guys, we've gotta protect ourselves!"
Tang Wulin, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "Xie Xie… are you just jealous of Fang Yang?"
"Me? Jealous?!" Xie Xie shot upright, voice rising an octave. "I've got looks, status—I'm basically perfect! Why would I be jealous of him?!"
Fang Yang shook his head with a smile. "Xie Xie, aren't you being a bit too sensitive? Gu Yue seems perfectly normal."
"But—" Xie Xie tried to argue—when Tang Wulin's stomach growled loudly, cutting him off.
"Enough talk," Tang Wulin groaned, rubbing his belly pitifully. "I ran all morning—I'm starving! Fang Yang, Xie Xie—let's go to the cafeteria!"
"Sure. Today's my treat," Fang Yang said, patting Xie Xie's shoulder. "Xie Xie's paying."
"What?! Why do I have to pay?!" Xie Xie's eyes bulged.
Tang Wulin was already halfway across the courtyard. "Come on! I'm about to faint from hunger!"
For Tang Wulin, nothing else mattered—filling his stomach came first!
Just then, Gu Yue approached them.
The breeze tousled her long black hair, gleaming under the sunlight.
She smiled softly. "Fang Yang, I'm hungry too. Mind if I join you for lunch?"
Xie Xie opened his mouth to refuse—but Fang Yang shot him a look.
Tang Wulin instantly understood and clamped a hand over Xie Xie's mouth.
"Mmmph! Mmmph!" Xie Xie struggled, muffled protests escaping uselessly.
Gu Yue blinked. "Fang Yang… is he… okay?"
"Oh, don't mind him," Fang Yang said smoothly. "He's just so excited at the thought of eating lunch with you—he's speechless."
Xie Xie: "..." (Internally screaming: "WTF, seriously?!")
A glint of amusement flickered in Gu Yue's eyes. She pretended not to notice Xie Xie's distress and walked beside Fang Yang.
Thus, the four of them headed to the academy cafeteria.
The Middle Division's cafeteria was in a three-story building beside the main academic hall. Each floor served two grades—first and second years ate on the first floor.
Three service windows were labeled Class A, B, and C.
- Class C: Free, basic meals.
- Class B: Partially paid, better quality.
- Class A: Fully paid—but premium ingredients, the best the academy offered.
"Excuse me, sir," Fang Yang said politely at the Class A window, "four Class A meals, please."
Since Fang Yang had taken Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline, Tang Wulin no longer possessed the monstrous appetite he had in the original timeline.
Hearing the familiar voice, the cafeteria worker looked up—and grinned when he saw them. "Ah, it's you boys again! Here for Class A, I see!"
His eyes landed on Gu Yue—and lit up. "Oho! And who's this lovely young lady? Your girlfriend?"
Gu Yue's cheeks instantly flushed pink.
Why are you blushing like an apple?!
Fang Yang chuckled. "You've got it wrong, sir. This is our new classmate—Gu Yue."
"Hah! She's a fine one—I've got a good eye for people!" the cook winked at Fang Yang while generously piling extra portions onto their plates.
Gu Yue spoke softly. "Fang Yang, let me treat you all this time."
"No need," Fang Yang shook his head. "We have a fixed payment system."
He turned to Xie Xie with a sly grin. "Your turn."
Xie Xie groaned. "Again?!"
But he obediently swiped his card for four Class A meals.
Tang Wulin snickered—earning a death glare from Xie Xie.
They found a table. Fang Yang and Gu Yue sat side by side.
Opposite them: Xie Xie, mourning his empty wallet, and Tang Wulin, already wielding his chopsticks like a warrior.
Gu Yue picked up her chopsticks, gently plucked a juicy, fragrant chicken leg from her plate, and placed it in Fang Yang's dish.
"I'm not very hungry. You can have this," she said softly.
"Thanks," Fang Yang said without hesitation—and took a big bite.
Across the table, Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's chopsticks clattered onto their plates.
They locked eyes—and launched a frantic, silent conversation:
Xie Xie's eyebrows shot up and down: "Wulin! Did you SEE that?!"
Tang Wulin's eyes widened further: "I saw! That was a CHICKEN LEG!!"
Xie Xie scowled: "They're definitely up to something."
Tang Wulin nodded vigorously: "I think so too."
Just then—Gu Yue looked up and gave them a knowing, enigmatic smile.
Xie Xie's spine went ice-cold. He immediately buried his face in his bowl, pretending he saw nothing.
"A real man doesn't pick fights with women. If I can't win, I'll just hide!" he muttered inwardly.
After all, Fang Yang vs. Gu Yue's morning duel was still fresh in his mind.
He knew full well: despite being a girl, Gu Yue could crush him without breaking a sweat.
And him? Against Fang Yang?
One move—and he'd be roadkill.
As for Tang Wulin—now stripped of the Golden Dragon King's bloodline—Gu Yue merely gave him a fleeting glance before returning her attention to Fang Yang.
Truthfully, she was surprised.
She'd assumed Na'er had simply fallen for an unusual boy—
but she never expected Fang Yang to carry the scent of the Golden Dragon King.
His blood essence could fool others—but not her.
Especially in that moment earlier—when she'd "accidentally" stumbled, and Fang Yang caught her.
In that instant, she'd felt the Golden Dragon King's bloodline surging within him.
"Gu Yue," Fang Yang said gently, noticing her near-empty plate, "you've barely eaten. There's afternoon training—you should eat more."
Looking at her, he couldn't help but think of Na'er.
That little brat—also an incarnation of the Silver Dragon King—had an appetite that could devour a feast!
Gu Yue smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Fang Yang. I've always had a small appetite. This is more than enough."
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