But trouble soon followed!
At first, Xiao Tianyang didn't think much of it. After all, cooking had become a daily routine for him.
However, after the meal, ten out of the twenty-three people present experienced an immediate breakthrough in their soul power!
Initially, Flender and the others simply thought that Xiao Tianyang's cooking was more delicious than usual. What they didn't expect was the astonishing effect it had!
While they were already aware of the miraculous properties of Ye Tianyang's cooking, Liu Erlong and the teachers of Blue Tyrant Academy were completely dumbfounded. This was the first time they had ever heard of such an unbelievable phenomenon!
After listening to Yu Xiaogang's explanation, Liu Erlong suddenly understood.
"No wonder Xiao Wu kept praising this kid's cooking. So this is the reason!" She gazed at Xiao Tianyang with curious eyes, her beautiful yet piercing stare making him break out in a cold sweat.
"Dean Liu, there's no need to look at me like that. I can't prepare any dishes yet that will improve your soul power..."
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Xiao Tianyang's face.
Liu Erlong rolled her eyes. "You're a clever one, seeing through my thoughts immediately."
Then, with a sly smile, she added, "You said you can't yet, not that you can't ever. That means your cooking's effects are limited by your soul power level. Am I right?"
"Uh... I suppose that makes sense." Xiao Tianyang sensed something amiss but didn't dare to lie.
"If you can, you can. If you can't, you can't. Why hesitate?" Liu Erlong's tone turned slightly intimidating, sending a shiver down Xiao Tianyang's spine.
"Alright, alright." Xiao Tianyang could only sigh helplessly in surrender.
"That's more like it." Liu Erlong's stern demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a charming smile as she gestured for him to sit beside her.
"Forget it, Dean Liu. That seat's too hot for me." Xiao Tianyang quickly waved his hands in refusal.
Liu Erlong was about to retort when Yu Xiaogang intervened. "Alright, stop teasing him. Also, it's best if today's events aren't spread around."
His last words were spoken in a lower voice.
"Don't worry. I trust the people I've brought in." Liu Erlong responded seriously, though the affectionate look in her eyes made Yu Xiaogang retreat in defeat.
Xiao Tianyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll need to be more careful in the future. At worst, I'll just hand over some recipes. I'd rather not be targeted by this tigress..."
Truthfully, he hadn't expected that the grand feast he prepared would have such a significant effect. If he had known, he would have tested it privately instead of showing it off in public.
…
After the meal, the teachers from both Blue Tyrant Academy and Shrek Academy went off to explore the campus and familiarize themselves with the environment. Yu Xiaogang also took the Tang San away for reasons unknown.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar formed a small group, setting out to roam the city in search of opportunities to 'deliver justice.'
However, things became a bit unusual.
Xiao Tianyang suddenly realized that, aside from Saber, only Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing remained by his side.
And then there was the tigress... Liu Erlong's gaze toward him didn't seem quite right either.
'This is odd... Why do I feel like prey being watched by a predator?' Xiao Tianyang thought to himself before forcing a smile. "Dean Liu, is there something I can help you with?"
Liu Erlong's lips curled slightly. "I heard from Yu Xiaogang that you're the most unique and powerful student at Shrek Academy."
She then turned to Saber and the others. "Rongrong, can you take them out for a walk? I have something to discuss with this guy."
"Dean Liu, is there something we can't hear?" Ning Rongrong asked directly.
Liu Erlong rolled her eyes. "If there wasn't, would I have asked you to leave?"
Saber, ever perceptive, subtly tugged on Xiao Tianyang's sleeve beneath the table while glancing at him.
She had already noticed Liu Erlong's peculiar gaze toward Xiao Tianyang during the meal. Now, with this sudden request, she found it highly suspicious.
Although Liu Erlong's strength was overwhelming, that only made the situation more concerning. There was no way Saber was leaving without ensuring Xiao Tianyang's safety.
At least, not until she had his approval.
"Don't worry, you go ahead. I can handle it." Xiao Tianyang gently held Saber's small hand, offering a reassuring smile. Unlike before, he no longer felt nervous.
To be honest, he wasn't afraid of Liu Erlong harming him. He just wasn't sure how to deal with her unpredictable personality.
She gave off the feeling of a strict yet overprotective mother confronting her son... How could that not be intimidating?
As for what she truly wanted, he had no clue.
After all, the original plot didn't delve much into this fiery-tempered yet strikingly beautiful woman.
His discreet action went unnoticed by Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, though Saber's cheeks turned slightly red before she eventually nodded and left with the other two.
"I didn't expect that despite your polite demeanor, you have quite the cunning mind."
Seeing the girls leave, Liu Erlong let out a knowing humph.
"Dean Liu, I don't see how those two things are contradictory."
Xiao Tianyang responded calmly. "Besides, we're still young. We have plenty of time ahead, don't we?"
Liu Erlong's expression turned cold. "And what about later? Are you planning to waste their time, or do you just want to sit back and enjoy the blessings of having them all?"
She had already noticed what everyone else had.
Despite her fiery personality, she was still a woman—one who could see things even more clearly than Yu Xiaogang himself.
Wasn't the situation just now obvious enough?
Saber had already given her heart completely to Xiao Tianyang.
And Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing weren't far behind.
Faced with such a scene, how could Liu Erlong be in a good mood?
Xiao Tianyang simply shrugged. "Who knows what the future holds?"
Seeing that he wouldn't budge, Liu Erlong chose to drop the subject. She had only wanted to confirm that Xiao Tianyang wasn't a bad person—otherwise, she would have dealt with him long ago.
"Forget it. That's your problem to figure out. It's not my place to interfere."
She waved her hand dismissively before softening her gaze. "What I actually wanted to ask is... Was Xiaogang living in Nuoding City a few years ago?"
Xiao Tianyang exhaled in relief before nodding. "Yes. That's where Xiaosan and I met him."
Liu Erlong's voice carried a hint of sadness. "Can you tell me what he went through during those years?"
Xiao Tianyang internally sighed. 'This stupid woman, Love that can't be together... Why put yourself through it?'
Still, he replied with a smirk, "Of course. Let's start with the photo on grandmaster's desk the day I first entered his office..."
'Grandmaster, don't blame me for this. In the end, you're the one who benefits.' Xiao Tianyang chuckled evilly in his heart.
…
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