Recalling how he was almost stomped and had his leg broken when he proposed to her back then, he felt a chill.
While fearful, a hint of fantasy still couldn't help but arise in his heart.
"Flender, don't mention her again. It's impossible between her and me. Everything was just my wishful thinking!"
Yu Xiaogang sighed faintly, a nostalgic look flashing in his eyes, feeling a bit self-pitying.
Back then, as the leader of the Golden Triangle, the "Corner of Wisdom."
He was quite famous throughout the Spirit Master's world.
But he never expected to develop such feelings for his own cousin.
"Xiaogang, you can fool others, but you can't fool me, let alone yourself! Do you dare say you've forgotten your third sister?"
Flender shook his head helplessly, looking at Yu Xiaogang with a teasing expression.
He also felt a bit of a sigh in his heart, never expecting that Yu Xiaogang would actually stop moving around in the Spirit Master's world because of his third sister's angry words.
"Enough! Flender, don't talk about her anymore. It's been twenty years, and everything is already too late!"
"Now she should have found her own destination. All I hope now is to train Little San into a talent. I don't dare to have too many extravagant hopes regarding relationships!"
Although he said he had let go, Yu Xiaogang's gaze was somewhat dazed.
How could he forget?
The days when the Golden Triangle roamed the Spirit Master's world together were the most beautiful memories in his heart.
After half a year of imprisonment and torture in Spirit Hall, he became neither human nor ghost.
Like a stray dog, he had a home but couldn't return!
The entire Spirit Master's world viewed him as a joke.
His dignity was ruthlessly crushed to dust!
And her... her slight concern for him, her every frown and smile, were a warm light that re-illuminated him.
It allowed him to regain his confidence and vow to prove himself!
It was precisely because of this that he would do such a morally wrong thing, even knowing their identities!
When Flender saw his infatuated look, he knew full well that he still couldn't forget her.
"Actually, I once saw the third sister, she..."
Hearing that Flender had seen her after the three of them parted ways, Yu Xiaogang's heart trembled.
But as Flender spoke of her recent situation, he suddenly stood up, glared at Flender, and interrupted him with a sharp rebuke.
"Shut up, Flender!"
"Don't say anymore, I don't want to know! I don't want to be unhappy because of these old matters!"
Yu Xiaogang's emotions suddenly became agitated, his eyes staring fixedly at Flender, bloodshot.
His body, even his heart, was trembling.
"You..." Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang's angry expression, unable to utter another word for a long time.
He could only shake his head helplessly: "Alright, alright, these are your own affairs! But Xiaogang... as your brother, I will always support you!"
Yu Xiaogang did not respond.
Only he knew that he wasn't angry.
He was just afraid.
He was afraid to hear the news that she was already married. He couldn't bear to shatter the beautiful fantasy in his heart.
Flender saw his reddened eyes and stopped bringing up those matters.
He could somewhat understand Yu Xiaogang's pain.
Wasn't he also engaging in wishful thinking?
Taking a deep breath, Flender changed the subject.
"Have you been home?"
"Home?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head stiffly.
He said coldly: "I haven't had a home for a long time!"
"It's been so many years, that's your home after all! Although they don't welcome you, blood is thicker than water..."
Yu Xiaogang raised his hand, signaling Flender to stop talking.
"Alright! I won't go back until I prove myself. I've had enough of their cold stares, and I don't want to be laughed at by those people anymore!"
He clasped his hands behind his back and turned around.
Looking up at the bright full moon outside the window, his eyes even held tears.
His frame also appeared somewhat hunched.
After all these years, how could he not have thought about going back to visit?
But he couldn't go back! He didn't dare to go back!
He was afraid that his second uncle would find out about what he had done!
His dignity could no longer withstand being trampled upon again!
Flender somewhat guessed these concerns in his heart.
He knew that he was a person with extremely strong self-esteem.
He gave a helpless bitter smile.
"You're still so stubborn, why bother?"
Yu Xiaogang didn't speak again, silently holding back his tears. His self-esteem wouldn't allow him to show such a state in front of others.
...
The night was pervasive, and the moonlight was very gentle.
At this time, in the girls' dormitory under the night, besides Xiao Wu and the two other girls, there was one more person.
Ye Qiu hadn't come out since he went in.
He even did his washing and grooming in the three girls' living quarters.
Girls' grooming naturally takes a lot of time, and the lights in the room were still on.
After Zhu Zhuqing finished washing, she sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate.
Ye Qiu, on the other hand, lay down in Ning Rongrong's quilt, fulfilling what he had promised.
"Xiao Qiu~!"
At this moment, Xiao Wu had just finished washing.
As soon as she came out, she ran to the bed impatiently.
"Rongrong! You hurry up and get up to cultivate!"
"Ah! Xiao Wu... what are you doing?!"
Xiao Wu directly lifted a corner of the quilt, revealing Ning Rongrong, who was buried in the quilt, quietly receiving a massage from Ye Qiu.
Fortunately, Ye Qiu had already withdrawn his hand in time, not exposing the business secret between him and Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled, and she angrily straightened her clothes.
She pouted discontentedly at Xiao Wu, as her warmed quilt was being given to her.
She rolled her eyes at Ye Qiu again, and hit him twice irritably: "Idiot, you hurt me."
"Ahem~ well, I didn't want to!" Ye Qiu smiled helplessly.
Who told Xiao Wu to be so fast that he, who was somewhat engrossed in his work, didn't even notice in time.
Ning Rongrong also wouldn't let him leak the massage formula.
He could only quickly stop his movements.
"Xiao Qiu~ what were you doing just now?" Xiao Wu looked at them strangely.
"N-nothing, when I got up just now, he pressed down on my hair!" Ning Rongrong said in a flustered manner, and without waiting for Xiao Wu's response, she stood up.
As if with her tail between her legs, she trotted towards the bathroom. She had to change into long pants, or she would catch a cold.
Xiao Wu looked at her back strangely, but didn't dwell on it. Now, sleeping with Xiao Qiu was more important.
"Xiao Qiu~ hurry and help me dry my hair, don't get Rongrong's bed wet!"
Ye Qiu, who was pulled up by Xiao Wu, smiled awkwardly twice.
What Xiao Wu was worried about had actually already happened.
But he wouldn't say that.
"Mm! Get closer to me..." Ye Qiu pulled Xiao Wu, making her sit on the edge of the bed.
A reddish glow appeared in his hand, slowly drying her hair, while also slightly warming the quilt.
"Thank you, Xiao Qiu~!" Xiao Wu turned around and hugged Ye Qiu, her two long legs also naturally entering the quilt.
"Uh~ be honest! It's very late already, rest early." Ye Qiu looked at the little rabbit constantly rubbing against him in his arms, and couldn't help but roll his eyes at her.
"Mm! I'll listen to you, my dearest Lord Xiao Qiu!" Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue at Ye Qiu, quickly sinking into the covers and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Rongrong, remember to turn off the light!"
"Got it, hmph!"
Ning Rongrong, who had just walked out of the bathroom, pouted and snorted, glaring at Xiao Wu who had taken over her spot.
If she didn't want to get Ye Qiu's gift earlier and break through to Spirit Elder sooner, so as not to fall too far behind, she wouldn't have just given in to Xiao Wu and the others like that.
"Rongrong, good night!" Ye Qiu looked at her apologetically, and then everything went dark.
Ning Rongrong had already turned off the light.
"Good night!"
In the darkness, Ning Rongrong hummed twice, responding to Ye Qiu somewhat reluctantly.
Her voice was very soft, though.
She groped her way to Xiao Wu's bed and sat down cross-legged.
She calmed her mind and began to cultivate.
Not long after, in the dark room, a pair of beautiful eyes emitted a faint glow.
Zhu Zhuqing had already finished her brief cultivation. Although this opportunity was not as good as being alone, she still didn't want to miss it.
"Ye Qiu~"
She quietly felt her way to the side of the bed and lay down without hesitation.
"Zhuqing..." Ye Qiu naturally felt her movements and the gentle touch that pressed against him.
He grabbed Xiao Wu's exploring hand, hugged her, and squeezed further in.
It was already a relatively narrow single bed, and Zhu Zhuqing was exceptionally gifted, so it naturally felt a bit crowded.
Xiao Wu, who thought she could have him all to herself and was in high spirits, pouted and spoke from a distance.
"Zhuqing, why aren't you cultivating anymore?"
"I want to accompany Ye Qiu!" Zhu Zhuqing silently took an arm and held it in her embrace.
She closed her eyes, leaned against Ye Qiu's shoulder, and pressed close to him.
After consuming the Immortal Herb, her cultivation had increased so much at once.
She had already saved a lot of cultivation time; she was just taking a small portion of that time to accompany Ye Qiu.
"Alright, then let's be together..." Xiao Wu nodded helplessly, no longer acting shamelessly. She hugged an arm, leaned against Ye Qiu's shoulder, and slowly closed her eyes.
The room became exceptionally quiet, only breathing could be heard.
Ye Qiu enjoyed the bliss of having multiple companions, inhaling the distinct scents of the three girls, yet his heart was surprisingly calm.
It seemed that his purpose in coming to Shrek was almost complete.
Once Oscar bought a set of Hidden Weapons.
If there were no surprises, he should be able to temporarily retreat with the three girls!
Mysterious Heaven Skill and such, he could also let the girls start cultivating them.
These things would also greatly benefit them.
...
The night slowly dissipated, and when the first hint of dawn appeared in the distant sky, until the sun rose high.
The entire Shrek was somewhat quiet.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had not returned all night.
There was still no movement in the three girls' dormitory.
Yu Xiaogang, who had waited all night, got up early, brewed a pot of medicinal chicken soup, and was walking towards Tang San's dormitory.
Thump, thump!
He gently knocked on the door, and his familiar voice immediately came from inside the room.
"Is that Little Ao? Come in!"
At this moment, Oscar had already gone out for breakfast from the room.
Only Tang San was there alone, bandaged, leaning on his bed, squinting, as if deep in thought.
Creak!
The dormitory door opened, and Yu Xiaogang stepped inside.
Seeing his disciple's appearance, an unknown fire instantly rose in his heart.
That Ye Qiu was so ruthless!
He forced a slight smile onto his stiff, stern face.
Trying to lighten his voice: "Little San, how's your recovery?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Tang San's body trembled.
He turned his head in shock, his face filled with great joy.
He immediately recognized the person in front of him.
"Teacher! When did you arrive?!"
In his joyful inquiry, he almost stood up to welcome him.
But the pain in his body made him grimace.
"Teacher, please forgive my disrespect."
"Why say such things? Just lie down properly if you're injured. Those manners are all superficial. It's been so many years, don't I, as your teacher, know what kind of character you are, child!"
Yu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward, helped Tang San, and made him lean back again.
"I just arrived here the day before yesterday. I heard you were injured. I originally wanted to come see you last night, but I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I rushed here early today!"
Yu Xiaogang finished answering Tang San's question, then patted the food container he brought, placed by the bed: "Here, this is chicken soup I specially brewed for you, it will help your recovery!"
"Thank you, Teacher." Tang San was so touched that tears were about to well up in his eyes.
Since he left Saint Spirit Village and entered Notting College, he had not seen his alcoholic father again.
From then on, his teacher filled that void of kinship.
Although he was not good with words and was very strict when teaching him.
But Tang San indeed received a lot of care and affection from him. He understood that his teacher's strictness was all for his own good.
For Tang San, besides his father, his teacher was the closest person to him.
Originally, there was also Xiao Wu... but she was snatched away by Ye Qiu!
Thinking of this, Tang San felt another wave of frustration.
Noticing the change in Tang San's expression, Yu Xiaogang thought he was troubled by his spirit ring.
He reached out and stroked his head.
"Little San, I've already heard about your situation from Teacher Zhao and Flender!"
"Teacher, my... my third spirit ring..." Tang San came back to his senses, stammering, finding it a bit difficult to speak.
Yu Xiaogang's face suddenly darkened.
"I already know! Little San, I ask you, have I ever taught you to absorb spirit rings from Spirit Beasts of unknown years?"
Tang San was stunned, and immediately understood that his teacher must have known the whole story, knowing that he had almost been in danger.
When he saw the Man Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring at that time, he only thought it was a rare treasure, and indeed he was careless.
He could only honestly lower his head and shake it: "No!"
Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly, his face completely devoid of a smile, only sternness.
"Then you still dare to act recklessly? Don't you know the danger of the Man Faced Demon Spider? If something happened to you, how would I explain it to your father?"
"You must understand, you are my only disciple, you are my hope! Without my permission, you cannot die! Did you hear me?!"
Yu Xiaogang's cold voice made Tang San's eyes redden.
Although these words weren't pleasant, he could still hear the genuine concern his teacher had for him.
He was truly afraid of something happening to him!
"I was wrong, Teacher, but..."
But while moved, he also felt a bit wronged in his heart.
"But this disciple could feel it! I was able to withstand it at the time, it was all because of a villain interfering that my third spirit ring became like this!"
Towards the end of his words, Tang San had become gritting his teeth.
His eyes were filled with hatred and killing intent!
Rashly absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring was indeed his fault, but he had his own estimation of his state at the time!
If there hadn't been an accident, he would have definitely obtained an over-limit spirit ring!
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, not making a sound for a long time.
After a long while, he finally sighed: "Your teacher believes you! But what's done is done, we can only try to make up for it as much as possible now!"
"Alright, drink the chicken soup first, then let me see the changes in your Blue Silver Grass."
Wishing everyone a happy life!
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