By the afternoon, the class finally came to an end.
"Ah, it's finally over. I'm starving to death," Xiao Ling groaned, clutching her stomach dramatically.
She turned her head and looked at Lu Tianming, who was still seated, carefully writing his notes from the lecture. As a work-study student, the academy provided them with all the essentials for learning—books, notebooks, pens, and other supplies.
"Xiao Lu, aren't you hungry?" she asked, her face full of exaggerated suffering.
"Hm, I am," Lu Tianming replied absentmindedly, not even looking up.
"Good! Then come with me to the cafeteria. We can eat there." She stood up as she spoke, grabbing his arm and shaking him impatiently.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Let me pack my things first," he said helplessly.
After agreeing, he neatly placed all the items provided by the academy into his bag.
"Well then, let's go," he said, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
"Okay!" Xiao Ling shouted excitedly. Picking up her belongings, she rushed out of the classroom and headed straight toward the cafeteria, with Lu Tianming following close behind.
The academy cafeteria was not far from the teaching building, so they arrived within a few minutes.
As soon as they entered, they saw many students seated on the first floor, enjoying their meals in a lively atmosphere.
Lu Tianming and Xiao Ling walked inside together. On the first floor of the cafeteria, various kinds of food were displayed, but all of them required payment. Although Lu Tianming did have money, he could not take it out at the moment, as it was stored inside his storage ring.
"Xiao Lu, tell me what you want to eat. I'll treat you," Xiao Ling said teasingly, putting on the air of a proud big sister.
"You?" Lu Tianming glanced at her and asked disdainfully, "Do you even have money?"
"Hehe, I do," she replied confidently, puffing out her chest. "Not much, but enough for at least one meal."
Seeing her exaggerated actions, Lu Tianming couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
"Pfft."
Back in the village, she had always acted quiet and reserved. Now, however, her true colors were finally showing.
"You—why are you laughing?" Xiao Ling demanded angrily when she heard him.
"Nothing," Lu Tianming said calmly. "And there's no need to waste money on expensive food right now. Once we start receiving our work-study rewards from the academy, we can eat properly then. For now, let's just have the free meal provided for us."
Hearing his words, Xiao Ling opened her mouth to argue—but in the end, she found herself unable to refute him.
"Hmph, do whatever you want then," Xiao Ling muttered softly. She stomped her foot lightly and puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
Lu Tianming could only shake his head before turning and walking toward the free-meal counter, where several students were already standing in line.
When his turn finally came, the man behind the window looked at him and asked kindly, "What would you like, little one?"
"Uh… is there a menu for the free meals as well?" Lu Tianming asked, somewhat confused.
"Yes," the man replied with a smile. "We have rice, bread, steamed buns, vegetable soup, fried vegetables, and pickles. You can choose any three items for one set."
"Oh, I see. Then please give me rice, vegetable soup, and pickles," Lu Tianming said politely. "Also, prepare two sets—one for my sister as well."
"Oh? Your sister studies at this academy too?" The man asked, looking at the young and unfamiliar face with a hint of curiosity.
"We're from the same village," Lu Tianming replied, pointing toward Xiao Ling, who was standing nearby. "There she is."
"Alright, wait a moment," the man said. After glancing at Xiao Ling, he began preparing the food trays.
After preparing both trays, the man handed them to Lu Tianming.
"Here's your food, little one. Eat well and grow strong."
"Thank you, mister," Lu Tianming said. Taking the trays, he gave a polite bow before walking toward an empty table nearby.
"Haha, what a well-mannered child," the man muttered, then returned to his work.
Lu Tianming placed the trays on the table and signaled to Xiao Ling.
"Oh, you brought it already? Great! I can finally eat," Xiao Ling said eagerly. She hurried over, sat down, and immediately picked up her spoon.
Lu Tianming also began eating. He still needed energy for his daily training, so he didn't plan to waste time.
Just as they were eating, a sudden commotion erupted inside the cafeteria.
"How dare you take the Young Lord's seat!" a loud shout echoed from the middle of the hall.
Lu Tianming looked up toward the source of the noise—and what he saw made his eyes narrow.
Several students, clearly from a senior class, were surrounding and beating a lone boy.
What stranger is that, no one was stopping them. This made him somewhat angry.
"Hey, stop that." Unconsciously, he stood up and shouted at the people who were beating the boy.
His shout echoed throughout the hall, and he became the centre of attraction.
Those boys also looked towards him menacingly.
"What? Do you also want some beatings?" A wretched face boy asked with strange smile, which made him uncomfortable.
"Xiao Lu, what are you doing?" Xiao Ling said in quite voice, looking anxiously towards him. But he gave her a reassuring look. Before shouting again. What shocked Lu Tianming even more was that no one stepped forward to stop them. This made a trace of anger rise in his chest.
"Hey, stop that!"
Before he realized it, he had already stood up and shouted at the students beating the boy.
His voice echoed through the cafeteria, instantly drawing everyone's attention. In a moment, he became the center of the hall.
The group of boys also turned to look at him, their expressions dark and unfriendly.
"What? Do you want a beating too?" one of them sneered. His twisted smile made Lu Tianming feel uneasy.
"Xiao Lu, what are you doing?" Xiao Ling whispered anxiously, tugging at his sleeve.
Lu Tianming glanced at her and gave a reassuring look. Then he turned back and raised his voice again.
"I said, stop hurting that boy," he repeated, his tone firm and unwavering.
Hearing his command a second time, the senior students' faces darkened with anger. They took a step forward, clearly intending to teach him a lesson.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out from the upper floor.
"You little brats! What are you doing? Can't you even let people eat in peace?!"
The sudden shout froze the entire cafeteria.
When Lu Tianming and Xiao Ling heard that voice, recognition flashed in their eyes.
It was their class teacher—Mu Bing.
She swept her gaze across everyone from above, lingering especially on the group of boys—and on Lu Tianming.
"All of you, leave the cafeteria immediately," Mu Bing said coldly. "Otherwise, be prepared for expulsion."
The moment the word expulsion was spoken, the students' faces changed. The arrogant seniors immediately began to retreat.
"Wait."
Before they could scatter, a calm and noble-sounding voice rang out.
"I heard Teacher Mu Bing can expel anyone at will. Is that really true?"
From within the group, a boy dressed in lavish clothes stepped forward, his posture relaxed and confident.
"Young Lord!"
The surrounding boys immediately bowed to him in respect.
Seeing this, Lu Tianming frowned in confusion. Why are they bowing to him?
"Oh? I was wondering who dared to cause trouble in the cafeteria," Mu Bing said mockingly when she saw him. "So it's the City Lord's little brat."
The moment her words fell, a few students nearby couldn't hold back their laughter.
The boy's refined expression instantly shattered.
"How dare you mock me!" he snapped angrily. The noble grace he had shown moments ago vanished, replaced by an ugly and furious glare.
"Hmph, how dare I?" Mu Bing sneered. "Believe it or not, I can expel you right here and now—and even your father wouldn't be able to do anything about it."
Hearing this, the noble boy's face twisted with anger. However, after glaring at her for a moment, he chose not to refute her again.
"Let's go," he said coldly, turning around and striding out of the cafeteria.
The group of boys quickly followed behind him, none of them daring to linger.
With the dispute finally over, the tense atmosphere inside the cafeteria gradually eased. Conversations resumed, and the sound of eating once again filled the hall.
Lu Tianming let out a quiet breath before sitting back down. He continued eating alongside Xiao Ling, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened—though the ripples from the incident had already begun to spread.
//////
Thanks for Everyone's support!!!!!!