"Xiao Wu, let them solve their mess themselves. Come on, let's sit."
Su Bei tugged the little rabbit girl aside, the two sitting on a chair in the academy's hall. He wasn't particularly worried—Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang's history could only collapse, nine times out of ten. Why intrude? Better to watch drama with snacks.
Xiao Wu smiled sweetly, holding up a tanghulu skewer. "Brother, eat too. But be careful when you bite—don't poke your mouth on the stick!"
"Mm—"
Su Bei chomped happily, his tiny cheeks puffing round with candied fruit, making him look adorably stuffed. Xiao Wu giggled, eyes curving, holding out her palm earnestly. "If it's too sour, spit it out, I'll eat it for you~"
The warmth of their closeness spread through the hall.
By the doors, Tang San lingered quietly. His gaze flicked over the pair—boy and girl, natural intimacy hanging between them.
Their relationship… doesn't look like siblings.
His small pupils narrowed, conflicted. "They're like childhood sweethearts," he muttered softly. "And that boy…"
His eyes lingered unwillingly. So beautiful it's unreal. Even a man can't help but be drawn closer.
A restless heat prickled his chest. This "Subei" shone too brightly.
He caught himself staring and quickly looked away, embarrassed. But curiosity won out. He stepped forward, wanting to speak, blurting awkwardly: "Um… what's the relationship between… your mother and my teacher?"
Because what he'd just seen in the hall looked nothing like simple acquaintanceship. Not enemies, not friends. Something deeper, tangled.
Su Bei licked his lips, fruit juice tart on his tongue. Sourness crept down his throat; he smacked his mouth deliberately. "Gee… sour."
Xiao Wu copied him, giggling: "This fruit really is sour!"
Su Bei wiped his mouth sighing, then leaned close. "Whatever you think, remember what Brother Bei said before, Xiao Wu. That man Yu Xiaogang is not a good person."
Xiao Wu nodded obediently. "Mn! Knowing people's faces doesn't mean knowing their hearts. That's what Brother Bei told me!"
Tang San frowned faintly. For him, the "Master" had just stood up to defend him against the porter's mockery. How could such a man be bad?
"But… he helped me," Tang San said uncertainly. "He doesn't seem like a bad man…"
"Naive." Su Bei's eyes narrowed like sharp stars. "That's because you're young. You have no experience. Men like Yu Xiaogang hide their claws. They love vulnerable talent to prey upon."
Tang San hesitated. This boy's steady tone carried an adult's calm—a depth that pried into his heart.
Su Bei smiled faintly, leaning back knowingly. Hook set.
Tang San, unable to ignore him, finally extended his hand across. "My name is Tang San. From Holy Soul Village. I… I hope we can be friends."
"Subei," the boy answered clearly, shaking back with elegance. "This is my sister, Xiao Wu." Then, with a sly dagger-smile, he added, "We came to Notting College. Unexpectedly, we found ourselves face to face with that scum man."
Xiao Wu huffed, arms crossed. "Hmph! The kind of man you mustn't get close to—for your own safety."
Tang San froze, uneasy. His instincts said no, but his heart whispered otherwise. The boy's voice… so confident. Like a lantern illuminating fog.
Su Bei slyly rubbed his throat, signaling. "Little Wu, fetch me some water? I'm parched."
Xiao Wu's steps hurried off down the hall, braid swinging. Her absence left Su Bei and Tang San in silence. Perfect.
Su Bei leaned forward, voice dropping low. "Since you asked, let me tell you the truth. You deserve to know the kind of man you're calling 'Teacher.'"
Tang San's eyes sharpened.
"Yu Xiaogang was once young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan," Su Bei began softly. "But his martial soul mutated. Weak. Forever trapped below Soul Elder realm. So he abandoned all ambition. Threw away name, love, future—all for pride."
Tang San stiffened.
Su Bei continued, voice weaving ropes around Tang San's mind. "Years ago, he courted the Saintess of Spirit Hall. But when scorned for weakness? He fled. Cowardice, wrapped in excuses. Later, he met my godmother, and nearly married her—until news spread they were cousins. Instead of protecting her… he ran again. Left her wounded. Alone."
Su Bei's eyes hardened. "Twice he fled. Twice he left behind women who believed him. That pattern never changes. That is your 'Teacher.' Cowardice dressed as theory."
Tang San's face went pale. "…No… is that true?"
"Yes." Su Bei stabbed the point, eyes cold as steel. "He will flaunt his so-called theories, half-real, half-fake. But if a man abandons love and responsibility, is that the one you'll entrust your fate to?"
Tang San's heart wavered violently. His eyes blazed. "If it were me… I would never abandon the one I loved. Even if heaven itself blocked me!"
Su Bei's brow rose, impressed but sly. He patted Tang San's shoulder and whispered, "Fine sentiment. But look in there."
He nodded toward the hall, where Erlong's furious voice rang.
"That man abandoned her. Twice. Can you still respect him?"
Tang San's fists clenched, jaw tight.
"Let me tell you another truth."
Su Bei leaned closer, intoxicating fragrance brushing Tang San's cheek. The boy's face reddened faintly; his heart skipped under the pressure of Su Bei's shining aura.
Su Bei smirked faintly. "Yu Xiaogang took interest in you not from kindness—but calculation. The porter mocked you as Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power. Do you understand? That means your talent is rare. He wants to shackle himself to you like a parasite, ride your future glory to save his own reputation."
The words slammed like iron plates on Tang San's ear. His eyes widened.
Su Bei's hand landed heavy on his shoulder. "Open your eyes, Tang San. You are Heaven's child. Don't chain yourself to a coward desperate to cling to others. Choose your own path. Find your own teacher, or walk your own road. Don't become his prop."
Tang San trembled. Across from him, Su Bei's face glowed like jade, every word carrying gravity like destiny.
He's… right.
In that moment, Tiny San's reverence for the so-called Grandmaster cracked.
At that same time, Su Bei smiled inwardly, satisfied. The script is broken. The man who once bound Tang San will be abandoned. Slowly and surely, Yu Xiaogang—your fate is sealed by my beauty.
Outside, Liu Erlong's scream rattled the doors.
"Yu Xiaogang! You are less than trash to me now!"
And inside the hall—Tang San's faith in the "Master" withered.