Wang Feng waited in front of the house, waiting for Ma Xiaotao, who was getting ready—changing her clothes and tidying up her appearance.
After a while, Ma Xiaotao finally came out. She was wearing a red dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure, with her long dark red hair flowing down to her waist.
Wang Feng was momentarily captivated by her appearance, especially when his eyes unintentionally landed on Ma Xiaotao's "precious assets" that swayed as she walked. But he quickly shook his head, scolding himself. "What are you thinking, Wang Feng? That's not respectful to Senior Ma!"
Ma Xiaotao, noticing Wang Feng's gaze, actually felt pleased. Though a bit embarrassed, strangely enough, she didn't feel disgusted at all. In fact, her heart was filled with happiness from being noticed by him.
She was confused. "Do I have feelings for Wang Feng? But we've only known each other for a few days..."
What she didn't realize was that her Martial Soul had absorbed energy from Wang Feng's Ethereal Lotus, causing her to become dependent on that energy. Without knowing it, this influenced her feelings—making her want to stay close to Wang Feng and feel comfortable by his side.
Wang Feng smiled. "Senior, shall we go?"
They walked toward Wang Feng's dormitory. When they arrived at Sea God Lake, Ma Xiaotao invited him to take a walk along the lake's edge. Wang Feng didn't refuse; he was also curious about how the lake looked at night.
The moonlight reflected softly on the surface of Sea God Lake, creating silvery ripples that danced across the water. The calm night was accompanied by a cool breeze that occasionally swept through Ma Xiaotao's long red hair.
"I didn't expect the view here to be this beautiful at night," Ma Xiaotao said in a softer tone than usual, her eyes gazing far out across the lake.
Wang Feng nodded, but his gaze was more often fixed on the person beside him than on the scenery. "Indeed, it's breathtaking." Yet his tone made it clear that what he found "breathtaking" wasn't the lake.
Ma Xiaotao turned to him, catching the hidden meaning. But she didn't scold him. Instead, a small smile curved on her lips.
They continued walking, their shoulders occasionally brushing. The conversation flowed easily—about training, the teachers at Shrek Academy, and other small things. Ma Xiaotao even found herself laughing a few times, her voice—usually distant and cool—now light and joyful.
Unconsciously, the distance between them grew closer. Their pace slowed, as if reluctant to end the conversation or the evening together.
"I'm glad we got to walk together tonight," Ma Xiaotao said softly.
"So am I," Wang Feng replied, gazing at the lake with a faint smile on his face.
The night wore on, but for the two of them, time seemed to slow—as if the world was making space just for the two of them.
Finally, they arrived in front of the dorm building.
Ma Xiaotao lowered her gaze, fidgeting with the hem of her dress with suddenly nervous fingers. "Looks like… we've arrived," she murmured, her voice nearly a whisper.
Wang Feng slowly nodded. "Yeah." But he didn't move. Both of them stood still, as if waiting for something.
"Senior…" Wang Feng finally broke the silence.
"Yes?" Ma Xiaotao looked at him, her eyes sparkling under the light.
Wang Feng hesitated for a moment. "Didn't you say you wanted to give me something? That's why you walked me home. What was it you wanted to give me, Senior?"
Ma Xiaotao flinched at the question. Her body felt even hotter. "Did I... really say that?" she panicked. It was just an excuse she had come up with on the spot to spend more time with him.
But now, under Wang Feng's hopeful gaze, she couldn't back out.
"Ah… yes," she murmured, her voice trembling.
She took a short breath, her small hands clenched tightly at the sides of her red dress. "This is crazy... but I can't hold it back anymore."
With a sudden, startling movement, Ma Xiaotao closed the distance between them. Wang Feng's eyes widened when the heat of her hand suddenly grabbed his collar—
And before he could react, soft lips pressed against his.
The world seemed to stop spinning.
Wang Feng froze, every sense overwhelmed by the unexpected sensation. Ma Xiaotao's lips were sweeter than he ever imagined—slightly trembling, yet full of conviction. Her distinctive scent filled the space between them—a perfect blend of blazing fire and exotic spices. Her hands, which had been gripping his collar tightly, now moved to his shoulders, her nails nearly digging through the fabric.
"She... really—" Wang Feng's mind struggled to comprehend.
But the magical moment lasted only three seconds before Ma Xiaotao suddenly stumbled back. Her flawless face now blazed red, unable to hide the storm of emotions surging inside her.
"This—!" she stammered, but her voice quickly dropped to a husky whisper rich with meaning, "This is the gift… for all your help." Every word that slipped from her lips—still wet from the kiss—seemed to carry a thousand unspoken feelings.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left. Wang Feng stood frozen, his fingers touching his still-warm lips. He didn't snap out of it until Ma Xiaotao's figure disappeared in the distance.
Several seconds after Ma Xiaotao vanished beyond the dormitory doors, Wang Feng was still rooted in place. The cool night air contrasted sharply with the heat rising from his face, and his heart thumped uncontrollably.
His hand reflexively remained on his lips, as if trying to confirm that what had just happened wasn't a dream. His eyes stared blankly—not in confusion, but because his mind was filled with only one thing: Ma Xiaotao.
"…She really kiss—" Wang Feng cut off the thought midway, quickly shaking his head while looking at the ground. "Calm down, Wang Feng. You have to stay calm."
But calm was the last thing he felt.
The sweet taste still lingered on his lips. His chest continued to pound, and Ma Xiaotao's distinct fiery fragrance seemed to cling to the air around him. Even her warmth still felt imprinted on his skin, though she was long gone.
"…If this is the effect of my Martial Soul… then this is dangerous," Wang Feng muttered, finally moving slowly toward his dorm room. "Extremely dangerous…"
Wang Feng walked toward his room, mumbling to himself several times. His mind was still replaying the moment Ma Xiaotao kissed him in front of the building.
On the way, he remained in that dazed state. People who passed by gave him strange looks. One student muttered, "Why's he smiling to himself in the middle of the night?" but Wang Feng didn't care.
Unconsciously, he arrived at his room door. Just as Wang Feng reached out to open it, someone opened the door from inside.