My name is Mo Hen. You can call me Teacher Mo. This bedding was sent by the Master for you," said the young man as he handed the bedding to Tang San.
While Tang San accepted it, Mo Hen began explaining the daily cleaning duties for work-study students and the schedule for the opening ceremony. Then, he turned and left.
Only then did Tang San glance at Zhu Wu. They had come together, yet the Master hadn't prepared bedding for Zhu Wu—clearly showing favoritism. But after scanning Zhu Wu up and down, Tang San understood.
Zhu Wu's skin was not only fair but also had a healthy glow. He was quite good-looking, almost comparable to Xiao Wu upon closer inspection. He didn't look like someone from a family too poor to afford a quilt.
It must be that the Master noticed this too and assumed Zhu Wu didn't need it.
Tang San's respect for the Master's keen observation grew even more. No wonder he could deduce so much from just one glance at Zhu Wu's spirit certificate.
"Since the semester starts tomorrow, maybe we should visit the Master later?" The thought crossed his mind naturally.
"Bedding? That's a problem!" Xiao Wu's voice suddenly rang out.
"It is!" Zhu Wu chimed in. "I don't have any either. Sister Xiao Wu, want to go out together later and buy some?"
"No way!" Xiao Wu flatly refused. "We've been walking all day—I'm exhausted and don't want to move at all."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward Tang San's bedding.
"Tang San, how about we talk things over?"
Zhu Wu glanced at her flawless, sweat-free, slightly glowing face and decided against probing with a line like "I can lend you money for bedding."
To be honest, in his previous life, he had suspected that Xiao Wu deliberately acted this way—either because she knew Tang San had innate full soul power, or she somehow sensed his soul beast bloodline. Otherwise, she had the entire afternoon to go buy bedding—why insist on sharing a bed with Tang San?
How much could bedding possibly cost? Even if she had no money and didn't want to go out, couldn't she borrow from other roommates and ask them to help buy it?
And Tang San too—he's lived two lifetimes, adding up to over thirty years. Yet he agreed to this? So much for being pure and honorable.
If you really wanted to be kind, just give her the bedding and buy another yourself in the afternoon. If you didn't have money, share with a male roommate until you do. What's so hard about that?
It all just seemed a bit too convenient.
Able to dodge ghost-trace movement skills, but can't dodge a girl leaning in for a kiss, huh? Zhu Wu couldn't help but think bitterly.
He had originally planned to test whether Xiao Wu was doing it on purpose, but now he figured—it didn't matter.
Tang Hao had already marked Xiao Wu, and Zhu Wu currently didn't have the strength to change anything. He couldn't exactly kill the rabbit spirit beast and feast on spicy rabbit heads just yet.
"I need to get stronger—fast," he sighed inwardly. Right now, he was just too weak.
"What are you proposing?" Though he had a guess, Tang San still asked.
"Obviously, sharing your bedding!" Xiao Wu declared boldly. "Your quilt looks big enough—it should be fine for two people. Let's push two beds together, then we can both have covers tonight."
"Huh?" Tang San was slightly taken aback. "That's not proper between a man and a woman, is it?"
"What's so improper about it?" Xiao Wu snorted confidently. "I'm a girl and I'm not worried—what are you scared of?"
"What, afraid I'll lose control and jump you in the middle of the night?"
"…" Witnessing this exchange firsthand left Zhu Wu completely speechless.
"Uh…" Around them, all the male roommates, including Tang San, were wide-eyed and dumbfounded.
A girl saying something this aggressive in front of a group of boys? None of them saw that coming.
"What 'uh'? Hurry up and move the beds! Weren't you full of strength when we fought earlier?" Xiao Wu huffed impatiently. "Be a man—stop dragging your feet like a wimp. I'm embarrassed for you!"
He may or may not be a man, but I know for sure he's missing a ball, Zhu Wu thought to himself.
Still, he had to admit, Xiao Wu's taunts worked. Tang San flushed red and quickly moved to push the beds together.
Seeing this, Zhu Wu turned to the other roommates and scratched his head. "Guess I'll head out and buy my own bedding."
"It's lunchtime—let's all go to the cafeteria together," Wang Sheng offered.
"I'll pass," Zhu Wu shook his head. "I'll just grab something on the way."
"Alright then," Wang Sheng didn't press further after hearing that.
Zhu Wu stopped paying attention to Tang San and Xiao Wu's boundary-pushing antics. He walked over to a vacant bed near a well-ventilated corner and set down his belongings. Then, he grabbed his uniform and headed to the bathroom.
When he came out after changing, the roommates were stunned.
Earlier, in plain clothes, he hadn't looked like much. But now, dressed in the clean and neat school uniform?
He looked ridiculously good.
Notting Academy's uniforms were unisex, and if they hadn't known Zhu Wu was a boy, they would've had real trouble telling.
With a delicate oval face, fair and luminous skin, a smooth forehead, long curled eyelashes, and bright brown eyes like sparkling crystals, his features radiated a spiritual glow. His shoulder-length hair was tied neatly at the back, and a healthy blush from time spent in the sun gave him a charming look.
He was the very picture of gentle beauty.
"Xiao Zhu, you're a girl?!" Xiao Wu blurted out in shock, eyes wide.
Let's go to the bathroom. I'll whip it out and show you.
Zhu Wu mentally facepalmed and said dryly, "No, I'm not."
Xiao Wu opened her mouth, visibly disappointed. So were the surrounding boys.
What kind of look is that? Zhu Wu felt a chill down his spine.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be off now," he said, striding back to his bed. He unpacked his clothes, laying them aside, and intentionally exposed some processed herbs to serve as camouflage. Then he tied up his bundle and slung it over his shoulder, walking out of the dorm without a word.
The remaining roommates looked at each other, stunned.
"Gotta say, Xiao Zhu really is good-looking—like a girl," Wang Sheng commented, using the nickname Xiao Wu had used.
He then looked up at Xiao Wu and Tang San. "Sister Xiao Wu, Tang San, let's go eat lunch?"
"Sure, sure!" Xiao Wu jumped off the bed excitedly.
"…"
Meanwhile, Zhu Wu had already exited the dorm and left the school grounds, retracing the road back toward the city's commercial area. While he wasn't familiar with the area around Notting Academy, he did know other parts of the city well, having been there with villagers to sell herbs before.
Thanks to the school uniform, no one dared to bother him—his journey went smoothly.
Before long, he reached a familiar alley, summoned Xiaobai, and had it release fresh herbs packed in a bamboo basket. He then strode toward a pharmacy.
Since Tang San had just enrolled and reunited with Xiao Wu, Zhu Wu didn't believe Tang Hao would follow them. It was safe enough.
Wasting no time, he carried the basket and ran toward the pharmacy.
"Boss! I'm here to sell herbs again!" he called out cheerfully as he entered.
"You're… Xiao Wu from Holy Spirit Village?" the shop clerk looked him up and down, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You awakened your soul power?" the shopkeeper exclaimed in surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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