Xiao Wu, under continuous and unsuccessful attacks, began to worry inwardly. Could she accept a little kid as a leader?
Remembering her past feats—crossing the south, storming the north, subduing Titans—she scoffed at this boy with his flimsy flute. Surely, he didn't even deserve to be a tadpole compared to her grandfather, who once extorted protection money in the Star Dou Forest.
Fueled by pride, Xiao Wu sped up by thirty percent, aiming to get close and apply her grappling skills. With this boy's thin arms and legs, once entangled, she was sure he couldn't escape.
"Heh, little treasure, just try and catch me…"
With that thought, she launched a flying sidekick, left leg first, right leg coiled for a follow-up—a double kick.
Suifeng thought to himself: I don't want to be the leader anyway. Let her deal with it. Someone wanted to step in—here's her chance.
So, he deliberately slowed his pace, feigning vulnerability. When Xiao Wu closed the distance, he gently used his jade flute to deflect her left kick and sidestepped her right.
Xiao Wu smiled. Gotcha now, little treasure.
She lashed out with both hands, grabbing under Suifeng's armpits, then leveraged his shoulders to hoist herself up. Her long, snow-white legs curled around his head, pinning him tightly. Suifeng, pinned in darkness, could barely breathe.
"Um, ah!" he gasped. "Xiao Wu, softer— you're squeezing me too tight, I can't breathe!"
Unaware of what she was pressing against, Suifeng spoke his mind. His words made Xiao Wu's features flush crimson. Embarrassed, she squeezed even tighter—even more suffocatingly.
He fought for each breath until finally, the air he inhaled carried her scent.
The realization overwhelmed Xiao Wu. She quickly loosened her grip. Only then did Suifeng manage to slip free.
The effort had drained Xiao Wu—her legs unsteady, her eyes misted, her face flushed, beads of sweat soaking her temple, her expression unexpectedly alluring.
Suifeng pulled a tissue from his system bag and began wiping sweat from his face. He frowned at his reflection—something felt off.
Watching the bizarre aftermath, Tang San, Wang Sheng, and other students were transfixed. So, this is how a fight like that looks—who knew?
Suifeng offered Xiao Wu a gentle, apologetic smile. "You win. You're now Dorm 7's leader."
Xiao Wu's almond eyes glared at him, and then she composed herself: "Hmph. Now I am the leader. Address me as 'Big Sis Xiao Wu' from now on."
Wang Sheng and the others quickly chimed in, "Yes, Big Sis Xiao Wu!" Tang San and Suifeng merely stood by in quiet regard.
Xiao Wu caught their reserved expressions and snapped, "Both of you have to call me 'Big Sis Xiao Wu' too!"
Suifeng laughed softly. "I saw you didn't have a soul ring, so I didn't use mine. Once you get your first soul ring and beat me, I'll acknowledge you."
Tang San shrugged, "You didn't beat me either. Beat me first, then talk."
Xiao Wu, fueled by her offended pride, tried to rise and reprimand them, but exhaustion from the fight made her feel limp.
Hmph. She thought. Let him off now—next time I'll show him the might of Big Sis Xiao Wu.
She then turned to the dormitory group, "Who can explain how things work around here?"
Since Wang Sheng had forfeited his "leader" role, he stepped forward as the lead, answering her questions.
After a while, Suifeng and Tang San had a good understanding of campus life.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and a teacher in his thirties with slightly green-tinted hair entered. He carried two fresh comforters.
"Who are Suifeng and Tang San?" the teacher asked.
Both boys stepped forward. Tang San asked, "That's us. May I ask what this is about?"
The teacher introduced himself, "I'm Teacher Mohen. Master asked me to bring these comforters to you." They even included new pillows.
"Who's 'Master'?" Tang San asked, puzzled. "I don't know them—why are they giving us bedding?"
Teacher Mohen smiled. "You'll understand soon. I can't say more—ask them yourself."
He left as quietly as he entered.
Suifeng understood right away—Master surely noticed them back at the school gate when Suifeng confronted the security guard. He remembered someone watching them then but didn't recognize them.
Now, having access to students' records thanks to the principal's connection, Master had learned enough about them.
"That caught someone's attention," Suifeng thought.
Tang San began spreading out the comforters to make the bed. He has a homemaker vibe, strangely.
He asked Suifeng as he worked, "Do you know who this 'Master' is?"
Suifeng scoffed, "No, but anyone who calls himself 'Master' is probably arrogant."
Tang San pondered the identity of this enigmatic figure.
Xiao Wu, watching Tang San prepare the bed, realized she didn't have bedding yet. Wang Sheng, ever the helpful sidekick, stepped forward: "Big Sis Xiao Wu, you forgot your comforter. You can use mine—I still have an extra."
Xiao Wu frowned at the old-looking, dirty blanket—unimpressed. She stepped past Wang Sheng to Tang San, whispering as he made his bed, "I don't have one. Could the two boys share a comforter and let me use one? It's big enough for three kids—we both share, and I'll place my bag between us. That okay?"
She tugged Tang San's arm, his head tilted as he saw her leaning forward—he blushed, dazzled, and agreed.
By the time he registered what had happened, Xiao Wu was already rolling contentedly on the freshly made bed, leaving Tang San embarrassed. He looked to Suifeng for help.
Suifeng shook his head with mock indignation. "That's my bed—just because I'm not perverted doesn't mean I like sleeping with boys." He gave Xiao Wu a pointed glance.
Tang San was even more flustered now. He tried to glance at Wang Sheng, hoping he'd intervene. Wang Sheng got the hint—but Suifeng subtly signaled him to stay quiet, and Wang Sheng obediently gazed at the scenery outside instead.
Sprawling flowers can blind the eyes. Without power, save your face, Wang Sheng realized, staying silent.
Suifeng finally nodded in satisfaction as Xiao Wu noticed his acceptance too. She still felt kindhearted:
"Alright, if you guys want, you two can sleep together," Tang San offered.
Suifeng then politely declined: "That's your bed, not mine. I'm not like that." He shot Xiao Wu another side-eye.
Tang San: I'm not perverted either! He eyed the extra comforter, then the blankets—glad Wang Sheng remained silent.
Finally, they settled: Suifeng on his bed with his blanket, Tang San in the middle, and Xiao Wu on the other bed. A compromise—for now.