Wang Sheng, still humiliated, lifted his head firmly and said, "Your strength surpasses mine. From now on, you'll be the leader of Dorm 7."
Suifeng blinked in confusion—his memory of Douluo Continent was fuzzy. At this stage, only two names stood out: Master and Xiao Wu. All the other tertiary characters were forgettable.
Tang San, observing, frowned and asked, "Why does it have to be him as leader?"
Wang Sheng replied, "We're all from commoner families. Students from other dorms—rich kids, officials' kids—often bully us in Dorm 7. They're stronger than us. A leader should stand up for his own." He rolled up his sleeve defiantly.
Expecting a show of force, Suifeng casually brandished his jade xiao. Wang Sheng immediately took two steps back, startled.
Tang San noticed purple marks on Wang Sheng's arm—half-remembered evidence of past beatings. Suifeng contemplated briefly, ruling out any perverse interpretations given Wang Sheng's posture, gait, and facial expression... Okay, maybe that was overthinking.
Suifeng frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
Wang Sheng forced a smile. "They've been beating us up because we're weak. We hoped you'd take the leader's role and defend us in Dorm 7."
Suifeng twirled his jade flute, shook his head, and said apologetically, "First, I may have overreacted earlier. Second, I don't plan to be Dorm 7's leader—I don't have the time. But if someone bullies me or anyone I care about, I guarantee they'll regret it. For everyone else... sorry, not my concern."
Tang San bristled—his sense of justice compelled him to disagree. He believed in protecting the weak, something deeply instilled in him from the Tang Sect. But Suifeng's views came from a place of survival and self-preservation, shaped by his orphanage past and subsequent trials. His pragmatism was understood, if not shared.
Tang San opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. Suifeng continued softly, "If someone picks on you, I'll be the first to step up. But as for others—it's a matter of my mood. If you want, you can take the leader role—your strength is no less than mine."
Other students watched Suifeng. Despite his young appearance, his demonstrated power had earned their hope.
Tang San considered stepping up—seeing the hopeful plea in their eyes—but Suifeng frowned. He lamented the weakness of those who live begging for help. Helping now might spoil them; hardship was often the greatest teacher...
But he didn't say that. He knew Tang San understood.
Just then, a clear voice called from the hallway, "Is this Dorm 7?"
They looked up—everyone's eyes focused on the door. Even Suifeng, prepared as he was, couldn't help lighting up.
A pretty young girl stood in the doorway—around Suifeng's age and height. Her rosy complexion and sleek black hair, braided into a scorpion tail down to her hips, framed curious, bright eyes. She held a brand-new school uniform. Tang San had expected an all-boys dorm—what a surprise.
He stared at Suifeng. Are boys and girl's co-ed here?
Suifeng shrugged: "We're work-study students—they gave us free tuition and dorms. One girl's no big deal. I'm not sure about restroom rules, though."
Wang Sheng wiped his brow: "There is a women's loo. It just wasn't used before—us boys sometimes did."
No one spoke to greet the girl. Then she blinked at them sweetly and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Xiao Wu—Wu as in dance."
Wang Sheng, stepping forward for his leader, cleared his throat: "New student? Where from?"
She nodded shyly. "I just enrolled today. I'm from Soto City."
Suifeng recognized the name—Soto City was near the Star Dou Forest. Sounded right. Wang Sheng, though uninformed, nodded in acknowledgment to maintain composure.
Wang Sheng continued: "We're in Nodden Academy's Dorm 7. So, like they say— 'each place has its rules.' We have ours; listen to our dorm leader."
Xiao Wu tilted her head, lashes fluttering, and asked with a mischievous smile, "Leader? Who is that? Which one's the strongest?"
Everyone turned their gaze to Suifeng—he had shown his power. Suifeng met her look.
She smiled and asked, "Is it you?"
Suifeng hesitated—he'd tried to recall official teachings: the duel that justified headship had been between Tang San and Xiao Wu, not him, and he wasn't into girls. Plus, Xiao Wu still looked about six thousand years old in his last life…
Xiao Wu didn't wait for him—she launched an attack, kicking swiftly at Suifeng. He barely sidestepped, using his flute to parry her follow-up, his steps light as air. Each strike was missed.
Wang Sheng marveled: "Leader Suifeng's so elegant—even in a fight!"
Tang San noticed Suifeng could have ended it anytime, but held back, likely not wanting to strike a girl.
Xiao Wu grew frustrated. "You keep dodging—are you even a man?"
Suifeng smiled gently: "I'm not a man yet—I'm only six years old."
Xiao Wu bared her silver teeth and attacked again. Suifeng danced away like a breeze—graceful and untouchable.
Wang Sheng sighed admiringly. "Leader Suifeng lives up to the name—even fights with flair."