Volume One: Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter Twelve: Let Me Tell You a Story, Junior Brother (Part One)

"Miss Summer," Li Qingchi said with a gentle smile, "I'm terribly sorry for obstructing your way."

"Sorry, we'll make way for you," the student council members apologized one after another, all except for Shiyan, who seemed unimpressed.

"No need for formalities," Miss Summer waved her hand.

"We're classmates, after all. Why be so confrontational?" Miss Summer glanced at Mo Xing. "Isn't that right, Mo Xing?"

"Uh... yes, yes!" Mo Xing was momentarily stunned by Miss Summer mentioning his name.

"Then, for Miss Summer's sake, we won't hold anything against you today," Li Qingchi smiled.

"We're not keen on making a fuss either," Chen Anye shrugged.

"I'll take my leave, then."

Under everyone's gaze, Miss Summer departed.

"I'll be off as well," Li Qingchi said with a smile. "Until we meet again."

Watching Li Qingchi walk away, the student council members sighed.

"You've really made it, being mentioned by Miss Summer herself!" Chen Anye clapped Mo Xing on the shoulder, and the others began discussing it.

"Who is she?" Mo Xing asked in confusion.

"Do you think she's beautiful?" Chen Anye inquired.

"She is... quite beautiful," Mo Xing hesitated.

"She's one of the school's most admired figures," Chen Anye said. "You're lucky, my friend. She has other identities too! Listen, let me tell you—"

"Enough, let's get back to the meeting," Shiyan interrupted, "The president returns the day after tomorrow."

Mo Xing only now noticed that Shiyan hadn't spoken much, and from her eyes, he sensed something: she didn't seem to like Miss Summer.

If the two girls were flowers, Miss Summer would be the peony adored by the world, while Shiyan would be the lotus unstained by the mud.

"Mo Xing..."

Mo Xing snapped out of his thoughts to find Shiyan calling his name.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm leaving," Shiyan replied. "Good luck with the freshman assessment the day after tomorrow."

"Alright, I will!" Mo Xing said.

Shiyan gave him a look and then left with the other student council members.

Mo Xing watched Shiyan's figure recede into the distance, feeling as though she had something left unsaid. Well, perhaps next time he'll have a chance to ask her!

The sun set in the west, painting the clouds with crimson, and Mo Xing walked back to the Rennes Apartments.

The moment he pushed open the dormitory door, he was stunned:

Everything seemed newly replaced; the shoes on the rack were neatly arranged, the floor gleamed, the lights shone brightly. Had it not been for Mian Hua and Cai Hong lying exhausted on the sofa, Mo Xing might have thought he'd entered the wrong room!

"You're back? We're nearly dead from exhaustion," Cai Hong said weakly, sounding breathless, while Mian Hua was so tired he couldn't even speak.

"You two are this industrious?" Mo Xing looked around, running his hand over the smooth table.

"That... that man is coming back!" Cai Hong struggled to finish the sentence.

"That? That man?" Mo Xing asked, puzzled.

Cai Hong didn't respond. Soon after, Mo Xing heard him snoring—he must have fallen asleep from fatigue.

An hour later.

"Back from the grave!" Mian Hua devoured the dinner Mo Xing had prepared.

"I never thought you could cook," Cai Hong said, stuffing his mouth, "and it smells amazing!"

"Not at all," Mo Xing replied. "I saw you bought ingredients and had everything ready, so I just cooked while I was at it."

Mo Xing thought to himself, amazed at how similar the kitchenware in the Aslant world was to those of his previous life—almost as if they were cast from the same mold.

"By the way, senior brothers, who is this person you're talking about? Who made you work so hard cleaning?" Mo Xing asked.

"Mo Xing, remember? There's still an empty bed in our dorm," Mian Hua suddenly became serious, putting down his chopsticks.

"I didn't pay much attention," Mo Xing replied. "I've only slept here one night; the rest I've spent in the hospital."

"Mian Hua, stop beating around the bush! It's not a big deal, just tell him," Cai Hong said impatiently.

"Alright! We have another roommate, his name is Zhang Zhihao. He's a second-year student. When he entered last year, he was already at Blue Grade Level Two—absolutely gifted!" Mian Hua exclaimed.

"Entered at Blue Grade Level Two?" Mo Xing was stunned. "I think Teacher Tianqi mentioned him during registration..."

"Yes," Mian Hua affirmed.

"As Teacher Tianqi said, since the founding of our school, only three freshmen have entered at Blue Grade Level. Zhang Zhihao is one of them!"

"Is he difficult to get along with?" Mo Xing wondered.

"No, actually, he's very friendly to us. He often shares stories, eats hotpot with us, and we help each other out. He's simply the best roommate in all of Aslant," Mian Hua said.

"Though you're right, there's one thing you missed," Cai Hong interjected. "Actually, Zhang Zhihao is closest to me. You're only second!"

"Nonsense! When I met him, you were still lost at the school gate!" Mian Hua laughed.

"So what? You only met him half an hour before me! And I've lent him more books than you've treated him to hotpot!" Cai Hong glared at him.

"He loves reading! Is this trivial matter really worth comparing?" Mian Hua retorted.

Mo Xing watched the two argue, feeling as if he were witnessing two concubines fighting for the emperor's favor, and wiped sweat from his brow.

"Alright, enough arguing. Let's talk about something else!" Mo Xing quickly said. "Do you know who Miss Summer is?"

"Miss Summer?" Cai Hong turned his head.

"What’s up, kid? Interested in the school beauty?" Mian Hua was drawn into the conversation.

"No, no, no! I’m just asking," Mo Xing hurriedly explained, his face reddening.

"Alright, since you're so curious, let your senior tell you a story," Mian Hua smiled.

"Summer Ningxin, daughter of Aslant’s wealthiest man, respectfully known as Miss Summer. Though she keeps a low profile, her noble aura is unmistakable."

"Summer Ningxin..." Mo Xing nodded. "Nice name."

"Besides her wealth, she's also one of the most admired girls at our school. With just those two traits, you're out of her league," Mian Hua shook his head. "So better give up early."

"Senior, I really never thought of pursuing her!" Mo Xing protested, spreading his hands.

"Best if that's true. You don't know—she's a second-year, and already reached Blue Grade Level Six!" Mian Hua marveled. "A true prodigy!"

"Blue Grade Level Six? Are all second-years that strong?" Mo Xing was astonished.

"Not really, see Cai Hong here is an exception!" Mian Hua replied.

"Ahem, Mian Hua, aren't you a third-year and still lower level than me?" Cai Hong chuckled.

"Hmph, not worth arguing," Mian Hua said. "Summer Ningxin is also a cold-headed queen. She seldom says more than three sentences to anyone."

Mo Xing thought about it—indeed, she’d only spoken briefly at the Hades Training Grounds that afternoon.

"But exceptions exist," Mian Hua said. "Someone broke that rule."

"Who... who was it?" Mo Xing asked, now even more curious.

"Who else?" Cai Hong smiled. "He actually is—"

"Zhang Zhihao!"