Prince Xue Beng was left with an explosive hairstyle from the firecracker.
His eyes were vacant, mouth hanging open as black smoke continuously poured out, as if his soul had been blasted out of his body. The others weren't faring much better.
Tom had accurately thrown the firecrackers right onto their noses—sticking there like glue.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong stared in shock at the firecracker's power, especially Ning Rongrong, who had once considered using them to teach Yu Xiaogang a lesson.
I should ask Shen An for a few more of these for self-defense, Ning Rongrong thought secretly. The power is just too great.
"But why is the explosion so strong, yet they aren't dead—just looking completely dumbfounded?"
Zhu Zhuqing cast a puzzled glance at Shen An. It was unbelievable that such a powerful firecracker exploding right in someone's face didn't kill them.
Shen An also fell into thought. Is it because these firecrackers come from the cartoon world and can't actually kill people?
After all, in Tom and Jerry, explosives never truly killed anyone.
Or perhaps, since Tom was the one who threw them this time, he only intended to teach them a lesson—just enough to stun, not harm.
Of course, specifics required specific analysis.
Shen An quietly decided that he would test this later on some irredeemably evil person to see if they could actually be lethal.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Shen An chuckled. "That noise probably drew attention. Let's slip away quietly first. I brought something special for you, Zhuqing."
However, Shen An didn't expect that the students of Heaven Dou Academy would remain completely unfazed by the explosion.
Most of the noble students in this academy were troublemakers themselves. A mere firecracker? They'd played with them before. As long as it wasn't a fight between soul masters, no one cared.
"Something special... for me?"
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes shimmered with excitement, her usually cold face betraying a faint smile. She even subtly glanced at Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong deliberately put on an unimpressed expression, as if to say, "Pfft, I already got one."
"Alright, let's go to my dorm. Wait—Jerry, what are you doing?" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly sounded alarmed.
Shen An turned to see Jerry stealthily pulling out a large firecracker, coating it with some unknown liquid.
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's voice, Jerry flinched, quickly lit the firecracker with a match, and then patted Tom's foot.
Gotta be fast, or this dumb cat will realize!
Tom turned his head in confusion, and Jerry took the opportunity to shove the firecracker into his paw.
Tom instinctively caught it and looked down.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
Tom jumped three feet in the air at the sight of the burning firecracker, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.
Upon landing, he frantically shook his paw, but the firecracker wouldn't budge.
Utterly panicked, Tom looked around and saw Shen An and the others had already retreated three meters away.
With no other choice, Tom placed his firecracker-holding paw on the ground, sat on it, clenched his teeth, and covered one ear with his free paw.
BOOM!
Dust flew everywhere as Tom was blasted into the air.
Jerry crossed his arms smugly, satisfied. That's for using my butt to strike a match!
---
Leaving the dazed Xue Beng and his group behind, Zhu Zhuqing led Shen An and the others to her room.
Her dorm was spacious, with exquisite decor and meticulously arranged furniture—far superior to the shabby accommodations at Shrek Academy.
Whether or not Heaven Dou Royal Academy was the best in the empire, its facilities were undoubtedly top-tier. From various simulated training environments to student living conditions, everything was premium—though the quality of the students themselves was questionable.
A delicate fragrance lingered in the room, unmistakably Zhu Zhuqing's natural scent.
After entering, Shen An closed all the doors and windows. After all, immortal herbs were precious—no need for prying eyes.
The room darkened instantly, and Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shen An curiously. What could be so secretive?
"Tom, bring it out."
Following the order, Tom spun around, now dressed in a sleek black-and-white tailcoat. He elegantly handed candles to Jerry—this was something the couple had planned in advance.
Not just Tom—Jerry, too, was dressed in a dapper tailcoat, his movements exuding more elegance than any so-called noble student in Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Watching them, Shen An suddenly felt a twinge of unease. What are they scheming now?
Tom and Jerry quickly lit the candles, filling the room with a romantic ambiance.
"Huh?"
A bouquet suddenly appeared in Shen An's arms—ice-blue roses intertwined with a single pitch-black flower shaped like a begonia.
The soft melodies of a violin and piano began to play, the soothing music enveloping the room.
Tom and Jerry, masters of music, were pouring their hearts into creating a moving, beautiful composition.
Zhu Zhuqing felt dizzy. Is Shen An... confessing to me with flowers?
Ahhh, this is so embarrassing! Rongrong is still here—at least let her leave first!
Her heart pounded wildly, her usually cool face now flushed with a breathtaking blush.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong's face paled, her body swaying slightly. Shouldn't Tom be on my side? Why is he setting up such a romantic scene for Zhuqing?
Avoiding Ning Rongrong's gaze guiltily, Tom focused on playing the violin.
As a cat of broad affections, Tom believes his master should be the same—the more lovely ladies, the better!
Shen An gazed at the stunningly beautiful girl before him, his heart stirring.
In the dim candlelight, Zhu Zhuqing's delicate features were illuminated like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm—a vision straight out of a classical painting.
Atmosphere and environment could influence people's words and actions. Just as Shen An was gathering his thoughts, the flustered Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up.
Her usually soft and melodious voice now deliberately loud:
"Stop! Zhuqing, don't misunderstand! Shen An gave me one too—but the roses are just for show. The real treasure is that rare immortal herb!"
Her words shattered the dreamy atmosphere Tom had carefully crafted.
Tom tossed aside his violin, deep in thought. Neither of these potential mistresses is being generous. If one would just take the lead, the other wouldn't escape Shen An's grasp anyway!
Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned complicated, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.
So... I'm not the only special one?
Her cherry lips parted slightly. "Oh... so Rongrong got one too?"