章 77: Chapter 77: The Schemed Shrek Academy Students
After the opening ceremony, Class Zero returned to the hotel.
Jing Shaoyu had barely rested when he heard a knock at his door. To his surprise, it was Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue.
"What's this about?" Jing Shaoyu asked.
"Brother Shaoyu, we're in Tianhai City only once, so why not go out and explore?" Xu Xiaoyan smiled as she clung to his arm, pleading.
Gu Yue didn't say a word but promptly took hold of his other arm, leaving Jing Shaoyu even more puzzled. When had these two grown so close?
As it turned out, he was overthinking it—Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue's presence together was a mere coincidence.
"Sister Gu Yue, are you coming with us?" Xu Xiaoyan asked sweetly, though a flicker of annoyance passed briefly in her eyes, making her invitation sound more forced than genuine.
Gu Yue ignored Xu Xiaoyan's question, maintaining a calm gaze fixed on Jing Shaoyu, whose uncertainty grew under her steady look.
"Haha, well then, let's all go. It's more lively with a group," Jing Shaoyu replied, laughing and feigning ignorance.
"Hmph!" Xu Xiaoyan gave an irritated snort but reluctantly accepted. She could have chosen to leave, but that would have given Gu Yue the advantage, and she wasn't about to make it that easy.
So, the three left the hotel together and began exploring Tianhai City.
As the core city of the Tianhai Alliance and the Federation's eastern hub, Tianhai City far surpassed Donghai City in both scale and liveliness. Streets were filled with people, and with the Tianhai Alliance competition underway, the city's vibrancy had reached new heights. Crowded markets, bustling food streets, and teeming shopping districts were a sight to behold.
After visiting several famous spots, Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue felt underwhelmed.
"Honestly, Tianhai City's attractions aren't all that different from Donghai City's," Xu Xiaoyan muttered after leaving the last location.
"That's understandable," Jing Shaoyu explained with a chuckle. "Tianhai and Donghai are close, both in the eastern region, so the culture and customs are bound to overlap. To see something unique, you'd have to go inland or to the western or southern coast."
"Alright, I get it," Xu Xiaoyan sighed, accepting the reality.
"Why not the northern coast?" Gu Yue asked.
"The northern coast is part of the forbidden northern regions—there aren't any human cities there," Jing Shaoyu said with a shrug. "They say that from the far north, it's an endless frozen sea, with ice stretching hundreds of meters thick. I'd love to see it someday!"
"I'll go with you," Gu Yue offered softly.
Not to be outdone, Xu Xiaoyan quickly added, "Brother Shaoyu, I'll go with you too!"
"Alright, alright, I get it," Jing Shaoyu replied quickly, seeing the two were on the verge of arguing. "Let's save this plan for when we're stronger. Then, we'll definitely visit the far north together."
"Hmm!" The girls nodded, the tension between them easing.
As night fell, the three, having roamed all afternoon, were famished. They found a popular seafood restaurant filled with diners, deciding to eat before returning to the hotel.
The restaurant's seafood was delicious. Even Xu Xiaoyan, usually a light eater, indulged heartily. By the end, both girls were stuffed, reclining in their chairs with contented but bloated bellies.
"Alright, let's walk a bit to digest before heading back," Jing Shaoyu suggested after paying.
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan stood up, following him out of the restaurant.
As they passed through the lobby, Jing Shaoyu noticed two familiar figures—a round little guy and a tall girl with a ponytail. He paused, recognizing Shrek Academy's Leaf Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, the two who had been duped by Tang Wulin.
"Brother Shaoyu, what are you looking at?" Xu Xiaoyan followed his gaze, spotting Leaf Xinglan as she busied herself clearing tables. Not recognizing her immediately, she assumed Jing Shaoyu was staring because he found the girl pretty, and an indignant tone crept into her voice.
"Haven't you realized who she is?" Jing Shaoyu chuckled.
"Who?" Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue exchanged confused looks.
"She's the Shrek Academy student!" Gu Yue realized, her voice filled with surprise.
"Oh, it really is her!" Xu Xiaoyan gasped, now equally puzzled. "But why is she working here as a waitress? Are Shrek Academy students that hard-pressed for cash?"
Jing Shaoyu chuckled. "Possibly."
Meanwhile, Leaf Xinglan, feeling humiliated, was in a foul mood. As one of Shrek Academy's prized students, she'd never faced such indignity. In her heart, she vowed to make Tang Wulin pay for this. He'd tricked her into being a waitress, a task she saw as the ultimate humiliation. Yet despite her frustration, she continued diligently clearing the table before her.
Suddenly, she sensed someone staring and froze. Had her identity been exposed? She turned around and found herself face-to-face with three teens about her age, their faces brimming with curiosity.
"What are you looking at? Never seen a child laborer before?" she snapped, coldly.
"Nope, can't say I have," Xu Xiaoyan replied honestly, shaking her head.
"You…" Leaf Xinglan was at a loss for words, pointing helplessly at Xu Xiaoyan before angrily turning away, unable to muster a retort.
"Let's go," Jing Shaoyu said, losing interest in teasing the haughty girl. She was already fuming, and there was no need to make it worse, so he led Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue out of the restaurant.
Not long after they left, Leaf Xinglan rushed out of the kitchen, anxiously scanning the area, only to find them gone. She had recognized Jing Shaoyu and planned to ask for help getting Tang Wulin, but it was too late—the trio had already left.
It seemed Shrek Academy's two students would have to finish their shift, washing dishes to pay off their debt.
On their way back to the hotel, Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue still couldn't make sense of why such high-status students from Shrek Academy—esteemed guests of the Tianhai Alliance—were washing dishes in a restaurant.
"Brother Shaoyu, why would they be working there? Are Shrek Academy students really that short on money?" Xu Xiaoyan asked.
Jing Shaoyu laughed. "Maybe they got tricked."
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes widened in confusion. "Tricked? Is that possible? They're Shrek Academy students! Who would dare deceive them?"
Gu Yue scoffed. "So what if they're Shrek Academy students? They're human, too, which means they can still be fooled. Those two didn't exactly seem bright—it wouldn't surprise me if they got taken advantage of."
Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment and then nodded, saying, "You might be right. That chubby one did seem a bit naïve. Remember how he was asking everyone for food earlier? If he got tricked, it wouldn't be that surprising."
When the three returned to the hotel, they found Tang Wulin and Xie Xie laughing in the lounge. Spotting them, Xie Xie eagerly approached with a grin, eager to share a bit of juicy gossip.
"Captain, Gu Yue, Xiaoyan, guess what? Wulin here managed to fool those two Shrek Academy stars!"
Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue's expressions immediately turned astonished at Xie Xie's revelation.
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