On the way back to Shrek, Ning Rongrong followed beside Fu Qin with eyes full of little hearts.
"Not bad, not bad!"
Dean Flender walked at the very front, his usually stingy praise now unshielded. He glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him, his tone carrying a hint of complexity.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda truly lives up to its reputation; the continent's number one auxiliary Spirit is definitely not an empty title. Coupled with your innate spirit power of rank nine, your future is limitless given time."
Ning Rongrong tilted her chin up, her face full of arrogant pride, yet she secretly stole a glance at Fu Qin from the corner of her eye, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
She knew that this victory relied more on Fu Qin's raw strength, but being recognized by Flender still made her heart feel sweet.
However, her young miss temper hadn't changed as she huffed, "Of course. Just look at who I am."
Flender rolled his eyes and didn't respond, clearly still somewhat helpless against her personality, though the approval in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
Ning Rongrong, this 'golden ingot,' had indeed smashed into Shrek's 'beggar's nest.' With her here, Shrek's overall strength would undoubtedly rise to a new level in the future.
Fu Qin chuckled inwardly. The result of this Spirit Fight was both expected and slightly surprising.
He already knew the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but truly experiencing the strength after the triple-buff stack still felt quite heaven-defying.
While he was lost in thought, Dai Mubai suddenly patted Tang San's shoulder, his tone suggestive.
In a low voice that only the two of them could hear, he whispered.
"Little San, it's rare to win a Spirit Fight tonight. Want to come with us to Suotuo City to find some fun? This time, I've told the Madam there to save three top-tier girls. As long as you go, I'll give one to you, brother."
Ma Hongjun immediately leaned in with a wretched look.
"Yeah, yeah, Little San, go and see for yourself. I guarantee it'll be an eye-opener!" Oscar also chimed in from the side.
A hint of hesitation appeared on Tang San's face, and his eyes subconsciously flickered toward Xiao Wu not far away. He was clearly a bit tempted.
But when he saw Xiao Wu's eyes suddenly turn cold, his heart jolted, and he immediately waved his hands.
"No, no, I still have to go back and cultivate. I won't be going."
Seeing this, Dai Mubai and the others had no choice but to give up. After jokingly teasing him for being "henpecked," they walked toward Suotuo City with their arms around each other's shoulders.
Fu Qin saw all this and a playful smile curled on his lips.
Tang San's reaction was just like in the original work; his concern for Xiao Wu was deep in his bones.
And Xiao Wu's protective manner also made Tang San's heart feel warm.
"Oh!"
Just then, Ning Rongrong's body tilted as if she had slipped, nearly falling.
Fu Qin instinctively reached out to support her waist. It felt soft and delicate, carrying a fragrance unique to a young girl.
"What's wrong?" Fu Qin asked, looking down with a hint of concern.
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed, her eyes darted away, and she slightly lifted one foot, saying aggrievedly, "I think I sprained my ankle. It hurts so much."
Just as Fu Qin was about to bend down to check, Tang San suddenly stepped forward and said sincerely.
"Fu Qin, let me carry Rongrong. You consumed a lot during the Spirit Fight just now; you should rest too."
As soon as he said this, not only did Ning Rongrong frown, but even Xiao Wu's expression instantly became very ugly.
Ning Rongrong refused directly, her tone filled with undisguised disgust.
"Go away, I don't want you to carry me."
As for Xiao Wu, her gaze turned cold, and her heart instantly exploded.
What did Tang San mean by this? Knowing full well that Ning Rongrong was his brother's future girlfriend, he still wanted to carry her?
Could it be that he wanted to have his cake and eat it too—trying to please her while also trying to hook up with Ning Rongrong?
Wanting to hit on his brother's future woman... it was simply delusional!
"Tang San, get the hell away from me!"
Xiao Wu didn't give Tang San any chance to explain. Her figure suddenly flashed, spirit power surging under her feet, and a whip kick carrying the sound of breaking air slammed fiercely toward Tang San's cheek.
Tang San didn't expect Xiao Wu to suddenly attack at all. Caught off guard, he had no time to react. He only felt a massive force on his face, and his whole body flew backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily into the bushes dozens of meters away, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Fu Qin was stunned for a moment; he hadn't expected Xiao Wu to strike so ruthlessly.
But this seemed quite normal. After all, Tang San was trying to steal his brother's girl right in front of Xiao Wu.
After kicking Tang San away, Xiao Wu turned to look at Ning Rongrong. Her eyes held a hint of subtle hostility, but she still suppressed her jealousy and said.
"Rongrong, let me carry you. Fu Qin is too tired."
Ning Rongrong frowned, clearly reluctant, but seeing Xiao Wu's undeniable look and knowing her sprained ankle was fake, she could only nod.
Xiao Wu squatted down and let Ning Rongrong lean on her back. When she stood up, she even gave Fu Qin a reproachful look, looking very much like a small beast asserting its territory.
Fu Qin laughed inwardly and walked quickly to Tang San's side, reaching out to help him up.
Tang San rubbed his swollen cheek, blood at the corner of his mouth, his face full of grievance and regret.
"Fu Qin, I didn't mean it that way. I just... Sigh, Xiao Wu misunderstood me."
"I know." Fu Qin patted his shoulder, his tone carrying a bit of teasing.
"San-ge, you need to think before you speak next time. After all, you know Sister Xiao Wu's situation; she can't tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes."
Tang San nodded with a bitter smile, cursing himself a thousand times in his heart, secretly vowing never to meddle in others' business again.
The group returned to Shrek Academy. After Xiao Wu handed Ning Rongrong over to Zhu Zhuqing, she turned to look at Fu Qin, her eyes filled with deep resentment and a hint of subtle urgency.
She even specifically winked at him, the meaning couldn't be clearer.
"Come find me."
Fu Qin understood. After greeting Tang San, he left everyone's sight.
...
Not long after.
He once again pushed open Xiao Wu's door.
But as soon as he entered, he was caught in a full embrace by a soft body.
"Fu Qin..." Xiao Wu's voice was sweet and clingy. She held his waist tightly, her head buried in his chest, her eyes showing undisguised resentment.
Fu Qin moved quickly, closing the door behind him and pulling her into his arms, leaning down to plant a kiss on her forehead.
"My dear Sister Xiao Wu, who has upset you again?"
"It's Tang San!" Xiao Wu looked up, her eyes full of dissatisfaction.
"He already has a beautiful, kind, and generous girlfriend like me, yet he still wanted to carry Ning Rongrong. I won't allow it!"
As she spoke, she stood on her tiptoes and proactively kissed Fu Qin's lips, her movements carrying a bit of urgency and dominance, as if asserting her ownership.
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Fu Qin felt his worldview slightly shatter.
Good grief.
One rule for the rich and another for the poor.
Haji Wu, as expected of you!
Of course.
Xiao Wu's double-standard behavior at this moment had nothing to do with him.
After all, he was just a bright and cheerful boy here to provide some warmth.
Between the two of them, only "consensual" things would happen.