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Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Sister Xiao Wu's Unforgettable Past

At this moment, Xiao Wu, who didn't have a single copper coin in her pocket, was deeply conflicted.

Accustomed to being called "Sister Xiao Wu," she wanted Chu Chengzhou to address her as such. However, her stomach wasn't cooperating, and she also wanted him to treat her to a meal.

Xiao Wu: This is really too difficult for Sister Xiao Wu!

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Wu made up her mind and said: "One meal isn't enough!"

Well, well, well~ Sister Xiao Wu has caved!

"I'll treat you to dinner too!"

Chu Chengzhou declared with a "generous" expression.

"Deal!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Wu immediately agreed.

Heaven and earth are vast, but nothing is more important than the stomach. In the end, Sister Xiao Wu succumbed to her hunger!

In her previous life as a rabbit, her food consisted of Blue Silver Grass that was abundant in the forest, occasionally supplemented by carrots for variety.

But now, having transformed into a "human cub," her sense of taste had changed, and Blue Silver Grass was no longer edible.

Although it would cost two meals' worth of money, Chu Chengzhou didn't care. Compared to calling Xiao Wu "Sister Xiao Wu," two meals—or even covering her food expenses for the entire semester—wasn't much.

Moreover, today was the first day of school, and Chu Chengzhou, who had some savings, had already planned to treat everyone to a meal.

Having resolved the matter with Xiao Wu, Chu Chengzhou continued arranging his bedding.

"Hey~, where did you guys get your bedding?"

Suddenly, Xiao Wu asked another "idiotic" question.

"Where did the bedding come from?"

This question nearly made the work-study students in Dormitory Seven burst out laughing.

Where else could the bedding come from? From home, of course!

However, judging by Xiao Wu's tone, she hadn't brought any bedding with her. Was she this scatterbrained?

Seeing the astonished looks on the faces of her little brothers, Xiao Wu immediately realized she'd made another blunder. Her face turned red, feeling slightly embarrassed.

But true to her title as Sister Xiao Wu, she perfectly embodied the principle of "If I don't feel awkward, then the awkwardness belongs to you." Pretending nothing happened, she began examining the bedding of everyone in the dormitory.

No bedding of her own? No problem—as long as her little brothers had some!

What belonged to her little brothers was hers, and what was hers remained hers.

After a quick survey, Xiao Wu discovered that the bedding of the work-study students in Dormitory Seven—likely due to their poor family backgrounds—though not particularly dirty, was mostly worn and tattered. The exception was Chu Chengzhou.

Thus, the penniless Sister Xiao Wu began scheming how to acquire Chu Chengzhou's bedding.

Upon seeing this, the work-study students who had originally planned to offer their bedding to their new big sister quickly abandoned the idea.

Of course, Sister Xiao Wu was a girl—beautiful and talented. Their ragged bedding simply didn't match her status.

Besides, they couldn't handle the situation properly—it was better left to Boss Chu!

Not long after, when Chu Chengzhou finished arranging his bedding, he noticed Xiao Wu staring at him intently.

"… What do you want?"

Chu Chengzhou felt his scalp tingling under her gaze.

"Little Chu~ your cute Sister Xiao Wu didn't bring any bedding. Don't you think we should…?"

Xiao Wu pointed to the freshly arranged bedding on Chu Chengzhou's bed and patted his shoulder with an air of seniority.

"Don't even think about it. I'm not sharing a bed with you! And I'm not Little Chu, nor will I call you Sister Xiao Wu."

Chu Chengzhou sternly refused.

Though this was the Douluo Continent and there were no laws against it, the education he had received in his past life forbade him from engaging in such unsavory behavior!

"Pfft~ What are you thinking? You're so young and already acting like this!

I meant borrowing your bedding for a few days until I can buy my own and return it to you!"

Xiao Wu spat, her face turning red as she spoke.

Do you really think Sister Xiao Wu is that kind of person? Uh… well, Sister Xiao Wu isn't human…

Misunderstanding the situation, Xiao Wu suddenly felt a bit awkward.

Chu Chengzhou quickly changed the subject to avoid further embarrassment: "If I lend you my bedding, what will I sleep on?"

"They have bedding, don't they? Why don't you squeeze in with them?"

Xiao Wu pointed to Wang Sheng and the others nearby.

Chu Chengzhou: "…"

Why didn't she suggest squeezing in with me?

Of course, he didn't say this aloud to avoid being accused of being a pervert.

The crime of harassing minors—one he couldn't bear now, or ever!

"Lending you my bedding for a few days is fine, and I might even give it to you outright. But…"

"But what?"

Xiao Wu quickly asked.

"If I ever ask you to be my sparring partner in the future, you can't refuse."

Experience in combat was crucial.

Chu Chengzhou didn't want to end up like Qian Renxue from the original story—despite her immense strength, her lack of practical experience led to her downfall against Tang San, whose level was significantly lower.

With Xiao Wu's strength and talent, she was more than qualified to be a sparring partner.

Of course, asking Xiao Wu to spar wasn't something he planned to do now—or anytime soon.

Chu Chengzhou intended to continue refining his body-refining skills for a while longer. At the very least, he needed to reach a physical condition comparable to Xiao Wu's; otherwise, it would be pure masochism.

As for the bedding issue? He could always fetch another one from home or buy a new set from the market.

"No problem! Leave this to Sister Xiao Wu!"

Hearing that Chu Chengzhou's request was so simple, Xiao Wu enthusiastically patted her chest in assurance.

Sparring equals fighting, and fighting was something Sister Xiao Wu excelled at—not just enjoyed!

And she'd even get to beat up Chu Chengzhou for free. Such a sweet deal was hard to come by, even if you searched with a lantern.

"I hope you won't cry when Sister Xiao Wu beats you up!"

Xiao Wu gave Chu Chengzhou a meaningful glance.

Soon after, seeing that it was almost mealtime, Chu Chengzhou called out to everyone: "It's time to eat! Let's go to the second floor of the cafeteria—I'm treating!"

Instantly, all the work-study students broke into wide smiles.

Coming from modest backgrounds, whether at the academy or at home, their meals were usually plain.

Delicious food was out of the question—just being full was already considered good.

Every time Chu Chengzhou treated them, it was on the second floor of the cafeteria. The small private kitchen there was a rare feast for them, and they'd even eat an extra bowl of rice compared to usual.

This was especially true for Xiao Wu, whose pockets were so empty they didn't even jingle.

Since coming to the human world, you couldn't imagine how Sister Xiao Wu, without a single relative to rely on, managed to survive.

Have you ever chewed raw Blue Silver Grass?

When she was starving, Sister Xiao Wu had done just that!

But the past was the past—unpleasant memories best left unspoken.

With that, the group of eleven, led by the generous Chu Chengzhou, stormed toward the cafeteria with great enthusiasm.

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