Lanba Academy

"Zhuqing, I really miss Brother Hongjun," Xiao Wu said, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed into the distance. Her voice carried a trace of resentment.

"It's been so long, and Brother Hongjun still hasn't come back. I wonder if he's been bullied in that forest..."

Sigh...

Thinking of this, the girl sighed heavily again.

Zhu Zhuqing also missed him a little. A hint of gloom appeared on her usually cold face.

"I think Brother Hongjun should be back soon. After all, it's been quite a while. Don't you think so, Zhuqing?"

Xiao Wu turned to look at her after pondering for a moment.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly in agreement.

Sitting beside them, Gu Yuena heard their conversation. Her silver eyes moved slightly.

Judging by the time, Ma Hongjun should have finished cultivating his Qi and Blood Soul Ring.

It seemed that he should indeed be returning.

As soon as Xiao Wu received Zhu Zhuqing's affirmation, her mood instantly brightened. Her radiant smile dazzled several boys who were secretly watching from afar.

Just then, a tall figure—about 1.8 meters in height—hesitated for a moment before walking directly toward the three girls.

"Xiao Wu, my name is Tai Long. You're really beautiful."

The burly young man looked a bit nervous. His thick fingers tapped the table.

Crack!

A crack instantly appeared on the wooden tabletop.

Xiao Wu frowned. Her delicate eyebrows knitted as she looked coldly at the guy in front of her.

"Big guy, what do you want? Do I need you to tell me whether I'm good-looking or not?"

Her tone was sharp and direct.

Xiao Wu had never been known for her patience with outsiders.

As the former big sister of the academy, nobody dared to provoke her.

Tai Long looked at the angry girl in front of him, but instead of backing off, his heart raced even more.

Ah… so cute.

At this moment, the girl before him looked breathtakingly beautiful. He was completely smitten.

"Xiao Wu, I'm the head student of this academy. Will you be my girlfriend? Don't worry, if you agree, no one will ever dare bully you again."

Tai Long wanted to take a step forward, but the fierce glare in Xiao Wu's eyes stopped him in his tracks.

He had been observing Xiao Wu for a long time and knew she didn't have a boyfriend. If he didn't make a move now, when would he?

Gathering his courage, Tai Long suddenly reached out, trying to grab Xiao Wu's hand.

The girl with scorpion braids swiftly dodged, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Zhuqing! Beat this guy up for me!"

With a sharp shout, Xiao Wu leaped nimbly. In a few swift steps, she landed right on Tai Long.

Her long legs wrapped tightly around his neck. With a powerful twist—

Boom!

A loud crash echoed as Tai Long's massive body was flung through the air, landing heavily on the ground.

He was completely stunned, barely able to react.

Before he could move, a foot stomped down hard onto his face.

"You bastard! How dare you try to grab my hand? I'll beat you to death!"

Pouting angrily, the girl stood over him.

"Zhuqing! Finish him off for me! Break his hands! He dares lay a hand on me!"

Xiao Wu's face turned fierce. Her eyes locked onto Tai Long's arms as if she were seriously considering snapping them.

She looked like she was waiting for the right moment to cripple him.

Realizing the danger, Tai Long quickly activated his Martial Spirit. His already burly frame grew even larger and more muscular.

At that moment—

Ma Hongjun had just returned. Before he could ask anyone where the Shrek members were, the commotion caught his attention.

Just as he was about to turn away, a familiar figure at the edge of his vision made him pause.

The girl with scorpion braids leaned in, circling around behind Tai Long. Her slender hand grabbed his arm as she activated her soul skill without hesitation.

Tai Long was caught off guard. He didn't expect Xiao Wu to get so close, and now he had no chance to fight back.

Xiao Wu didn't give him any time to react. With a smooth technique, she tossed him aside. Zhu Zhuqing coordinated perfectly—ready to strike the moment Tai Long hit the ground to prevent any counterattack.

Gu Yuena had been watching the entire scene with boredom. Then her eyes shifted beyond the crowd.

Ma Hongjun walked up to the silver-haired girl, confusion written on his face.

"What's going on with Xiao Wu and Zhuqing? Why are they fighting?"

The red-haired boy asked curiously.

Before Gu Yuena could respond, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing also noticed the red-haired figure.

"Brother Hongjun!"

The girl with scorpion braids twisted her waist, pulled back her raised leg, stomped hard on Tai Long's face one last time, then dashed over to Ma Hongjun's side.

Her face was full of joy as she looked at the red-haired boy.

Zhu Zhuqing also walked over, her usual cold eyes now softened with a faint happiness.

"You're finally back! If you didn't come back soon, we were about to go looking for you."

Xiao Wu clung tightly to Ma Hongjun's right arm, her soft body pressing completely against him.

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment but then quietly stepped forward and grabbed his left hand.

The two beauties now stood close to him, one on each side. Instantly, the red-haired boy became the public enemy of every male in the academy.

"Who is that guy? Why is Xiao Wu being so close to him?"

"Damn... I'm so jealous."

"Seriously, who is this guy? How does he have two goddesses clinging to him?"

"...!"

Envious whispers rippled through the crowd.

Tai Long gasped for breath.

He touched his swollen face gently and winced as pain shot through his cheek.

Hiss...

As he finally got up from the ground, bruised and battered, this was the scene that greeted him:

The girl he liked was now holding another boy's arm, laughing and smiling sweetly.

"Xiao Wu... who... who is he?!"

Tai Long gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain as he rushed forward in two big strides.

His eyes glared at Ma Hongjun, filled with fury as if he was about to start a fight.

Xiao Wu's cheerful face immediately turned cold.

"What? Haven't had enough? You want me to hit you again?"

"Since when is my business any of yours?"

Her tone was so rude and dismissive that it crushed Tai Long's already broken heart.

"Xiao Wu... how could you do this to me..."

The big guy's voice trembled with grievance.

"Scram. I don't even know you. Showing up here crying in front of me... Next time I see you, I'll beat you even harder."

Xiao Wu was completely disgusted by the harassment. Her words were full of harsh disdain.

Tai Long's face turned pale with hurt.

When his gaze landed on Ma Hongjun—still held by Xiao Wu—an intense anger burned in his eyes.

"Just wait, kid. I'll make sure you learn who deserves to stand next to Xiao Wu."

Tai Long pointed at Ma Hongjun and growled viciously.

Before Ma Hongjun could even open his mouth, Xiao Wu already looked ready to attack again.

Seeing that, Tai Long quickly stepped back.

Even as he retreated, his eyes were still fixed on Ma Hongjun, filled with resentment.

"You... you wait for me!"

After throwing that line, he turned and fled.

Ma Hongjun silently watched as the big guy hurried away.

Only then did he fully understand what had just happened.

Clearly... Xiao Wu's charm was way too overwhelming. She had accidentally attracted a walking disaster of a love rival.