Ning Rongrong's words, which were almost a confession, scared Su Xiaoqi half to death. He quickly took a step back and said,
"Don't—at most, we're just friends who hang out together. It's not like what you're implying."
Ning Rongrong wasn't upset; she kept smiling sweetly at Su Xiaoqi. If not for his earlier words, she would've suffered a major blow this time, so she felt extremely grateful to him.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing took the initiative to grab Su Xiaoqi's hand and said,
"Xiaoqi, I'm a little tired."
As a fellow woman, she could clearly sense that Ning Rongrong's affection for Su Xiaoqi had increased significantly. She needed to assert her own claim through action.
"Alright, then let's go back."
Su Xiaoqi nodded to Zhu Zhuqing, then turned to Flander and smiled:
"Dean Flander, we're heading out now—see you tonight."
"Oh right, don't forget to have Tang San and Xiao Wu run fifty laps around the village."
He actually had at least 30,000 more words to say, especially about people like Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai—he hadn't even had a chance to roast them yet.
But it didn't matter. There would be plenty of time in the future. When they headed to the Star Dou Great Forest, that would be the real show.
"Flander, I was almost fooled by you just now. Starting today, I'll live outside with Xiaoqi and the others. If you can't stand it, just kick me out of the academy."
"But let me remind you: losing me, Ning Rongrong, will be a loss for Shrek Academy."
After saying that, Ning Rongrong chased after Su Xiaoqi. In her eyes now, this ragtag bunch at Shrek Academy couldn't compare to Su Xiaoqi in importance. From now on, she would only hang out with him.
Flander watched the trio's retreating backs, his face dark as water. Of course, he wouldn't let Ning Rongrong leave. Everything he had said just now was only to temper her attitude, and even that was said only after getting Ning Fengzhi's consent.
Everything had been going smoothly—until Su Xiaoqi messed it all up.
That brat Su Xiaoqi was now giving him a huge headache. As long as he remained at the academy, peace would be impossible. He had to find a way to get rid of him.
Dai Mubai walked up to Flander and cautiously asked,
"Dean, are we just going to let them go like that?"
Flander, who had a belly full of rage with nowhere to vent it, roared:
"Otherwise what? If you've got the guts, go bring Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing back yourself!"
"And the rest of you—go run laps around the village! Zhu Zhuqing is already at level 30, and you're still wasting time not training!"
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun didn't even dare breathe loudly after seeing Flander blow up. Tang San spoke up:
"The dean is right. Xiao Wu and I will finish the fifty laps today."
Xiao Wu tugged on Tang San and whispered:
"Brother, do we really have to run? Fifty laps... that's exhausting."
This time, Tang San didn't coddle her. With a serious expression, he said:
"Xiao Wu, do you want to lose to Zhu Zhuqing again next time? Don't forget—she's the youngest among us."
Xiao Wu paused for a moment, then said,
"Alright, brother, I'll run with you. I used to be the boss lady of the academy, and I'll stay the boss lady."
"Xiaogang, he really is your disciple."
Flander looked at Tang San's back with satisfaction. But when he turned and saw the three standing there like logs, he immediately shouted:
"You three—go run as well! They're running fifty laps, and each of you will run thirty. I'll have the other teachers watch you. Miss even one lap, and you don't eat!"
"Yes..."
The three of them replied with long faces. Dai Mubai shifted all his hatred onto Su Xiaoqi.
Ma Hongjun felt completely wronged—he hadn't done anything!
Oscar, meanwhile, felt a bit disheartened. On one hand, Ning Rongrong's true nature was hard for him to accept. On the other hand, he had shrunk back just now. He hadn't spoken up when she needed someone most.
After all the students left, Zhao Wuji walked over to Flander and asked,
"What are you planning to do with that brat?"
Flander shook his head and said,
"For now, just leave him be. We don't know his identity or background yet. Let's wait for that person's investigation results first."
"Wu Ji, until then, you must not act rashly."
Zhao Wuji nodded and said,
"I understand. Anyone who can bring out a soul bone of that level can't be simple. And he himself is strange—I can't see through him at all."
"At this rate, I'm afraid Mubai will have a hard time winning Zhu Zhuqing back."
Flander sighed and said,
"The internal struggles of the Star Luo Empire's royal family aren't something we can interfere with. All we can do is try to win Mubai some opportunities."
"In a few days, I'll trouble you to take Zhu Zhuqing and that brat to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain soul rings. By the time you return, that old friend of mine should have arrived—he'll definitely know how to humble that brat."
Zhao Wuji grinned,
"What trouble? I'm the vice dean, after all. If that brat does go with us, I'll make him suffer a little. With so many soul beasts there, a little 'accident' is only natural."
Flander chuckled,
"You're still so petty. But fine, play around all you want—just don't let anything fatal happen."
---
**Meanwhile**, on the way back to Soto City, Su Xiaoqi had no idea that several people already had their eyes on him. At this moment, he was busy making up a story for Ning Rongrong.
Pestered endlessly by her questions, Su Xiaoqi finally gave in and told her a half-truth about him and Zhu Zhuqing.
He didn't hide Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai's identities from her. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could easily find out with some investigation—Ning Fengzhi might already know, given how closely he monitored Ning Rongrong after she left the sect.
As for himself, he crafted a persona of someone from a secluded noble family. The Douluo Continent was vast—he didn't believe the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect knew everything.
As for how he met Zhu Zhuqing, that was even simpler: he left his clan to gain experience and, by chance, encountered Zhu Zhuqing while she was on the run and saved her. The two gradually developed feelings for each other through shared experiences.
Their reason for coming to Shrek Academy? Zhu Zhuqing, abandoned by a scumbag, brought her new boyfriend to slap the scumbag in the face. What could be more satisfying?
After hearing the story, Ning Rongrong was completely touched. She waved her fists and said:
"That Dai Mubai is a complete scumbag! So what if he's from the Star Luo imperial family? Others might fear him, but I'm not afraid!"
"Zhuqing, from now on, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be your backing!"
"No need." Zhu Zhuqing directly rejected her kindness and looked at Su Xiaoqi.
"With him, that's enough. His backing is my backing."
With both of them supported by the **chat group**, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect meant nothing. Even the entire Douluo Continent was insignificant in comparison.