Shrek Academy cafeteria.
Nan Fusheng and Fors sat facing each other, inevitably drawing the stares of those around them. Of course, most gazes were on Fors.
The few that landed on Nan Fusheng brimmed with either envy, scrutiny, or outright hostility—the classic hatred reserved for the "lucky guy with a girl."
"I mean, you really didn't need to do that," Nan Fusheng said helplessly, meeting Fors's gaze. "I don't really mind myself, but being targeted like this is a pain. Especially since you literally dragged me away from Xiaoyan just now—that's bound to cause misunderstandings."
"Hehe, don't play dumb. Don't I know you better than anyone?" Fors shot back immediately. "And come on, isn't being misunderstood by Xiaoyan kind of fun? Like one of those cheesy romance dramas?"
As his own avatar, how could she not know his true nature? Classic case of "a straight man who mouths denial but secretly enjoys it."
"…Fine, you're right." Nan Fusheng felt exposed. Fors wasn't wrong. He really was curious to see Xu Xiaoyan's reaction.
Truth be told, nothing amused him more than watching women fight over him. Even if a real fight broke out, it would probably just be Fors one-sidedly crushing Xiaoyan—but he still enjoyed the spectacle.
Like he was the protagonist of some melodramatic soap opera, with the heroine and rival love interest competing over him. Just the thought was entertaining.
"So," Nan Fusheng asked, "do you have any plans after this? You didn't join Shrek Academy just out of boredom, right? Surely you've got something in mind—like humiliating Shrek's students?"
"Nope." Fors's reply was utterly casual.
"…No?"
"Nope. Too lazy to plan. If I can study here, great. If not, who cares? Worst case, you'll support me for life. If I get expelled, I'll just move into your place, live off your rice, and laze around forever."
Fors embodied pure salted-fish energy. Her cultivation to level forty had been mostly fueled by Nan Fusheng's supplied energy rather than her own effort.
"You're hopeless," Nan Fusheng muttered. "Just don't come crying when someone beats you up."
After all, she was still his avatar. He couldn't just let her slack off endlessly. Look at Rufa and Kamui—other than some early support, they'd mostly cultivated on their own. That's why, despite being lower-level than Fors, they had a much stronger work ethic.
"What! You'd hit me? Waaaah, you're so cruel!" (﹏)
"…Wait, no!" Nan Fusheng froze, but one look at Fors's exaggerated pout told him he was in trouble.
Turning his head, sure enough, he saw Xu Xiaoyan, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie glaring daggers at him.
"Looks like you've got some explaining to do. I'll leave you to it." Fors, satisfied that her little scheme had worked, slipped away without hesitation.
"Hey, wait—ugh, forget it. I can explain this." Nan Fusheng turned back toward the trio.
"Alright then, explain." Xu Xiaoyan smiled sweetly, though Nan Fusheng felt a chill run down his spine. "How exactly are you planning to 'support someone for life'?"
"Uh… how much did you hear?" he asked, panicking. Sure, he liked watching women fight—but not when the fire was aimed at him.
"Hmph! What else? Were you two discussing things unfit for anyone else to hear?" Gu Yue snapped. Just earlier, she'd been comforting Xiaoyan, ready to beat Nan Fusheng up if he bullied her.
And now? She'd walked into the cafeteria to find him and Fors eating together, laughing, and then overheard Fors saying things like 'you'll feed me for life'.
Gu Yue wasn't human herself, but she genuinely liked Xu Xiaoyan's cheerful personality. Naturally, she wasn't about to take Nan Fusheng's side now.
"No, really—it's not what you think!" Nan Fusheng raised his hands quickly. "Fors was just teasing me when she noticed you. That's all. Don't let her fool you."
"…I'll believe that," Xu Xiaoyan said after a pause. "But Fors? When did the two of you get so close?"
"That was after I helped her out at the hotel. She told me to call her that. More importantly, where's Wulin? Why are there only three of you?"
Nan Fusheng knew he had to change the subject fast, before Xiaoyan dug deeper with more lethal questions.
"You mean our captain?" Xie Xie picked up the cue immediately, pointing toward the cafeteria entrance. "Over there."
Nan Fusheng followed his gaze. Outside, Tang Wulin stood holding a sign. Using his Purple Demon Eyes, Nan Fusheng read it clearly:
"I am a Level 4 Blacksmith. Offering one set of Thousand-Refined, Grade-One metals in exchange for a year's worth of meals. Payment accepted for food. Please invite me to eat directly if interested."
"…Seriously?" Nan Fusheng was speechless. "Wulin's selling himself out just for food?"
"You're acting surprised? You know his appetite. If he really cut loose, all of us combined couldn't afford to feed him for a day." Xie Xie shrugged.
In Shrek's cafeteria, regular students ate for free—but work-study students had to pay. And payment wasn't in federal coins; Shrek only recognized contribution points.
Contribution points were basically a local currency in Shrek City. Everyone here accepted them, even if they refused federal coins. But outside Shrek City, they were worthless.
"Yeah," Xie Xie went on, "our captain isn't like some people who can just freeload off a girl forever."
Cough, cough! Nan Fusheng choked on air. Xu Xiaoyan's passive-aggressive jab hit hard. Hadn't he explained everything already? Why was she still throwing shade?