"How will the Academy deal with you?" Jiang Nannan asked nervously, still holding Shi Yu, as if afraid she wouldn't have this chance the next moment.
Killing a fellow student from the same Academy would certainly not be a light punishment.
She looked up, her eyes watery, at Shi Yu, and this gaze made Shi Yu's heart tremble slightly.
He reached out to wipe away Jiang Nannan's tears before saying, "They won't punish me. This matter is just over."
"Ah?" Jiang Nannan was so surprised she found it hard to believe.
"You didn't mishear. This matter is just over. I'm fine," Shi Yu repeated with a smile, a relaxed expression on his face.
"Just like that?" Although surprised, Jiang Nannan still felt it wasn't real.
Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao also came closer, heard Shi Yu's words, and showed surprise.
"The Academy didn't punish you?" Zhang Lexuan also found it a bit incredible.
Shi Yu looked at Zhang Lexuan and said, "Consider it not."
He didn't mention that his punishment was to forgive the Xuan Ming Sect twice in the future, nor did he mention that he had also become Mu En's disciple.
He didn't want to constantly talk about his Teacher, as it might easily cause Mu En's displeasure.
"Do you have a connection with a Senior Executive in the Academy?" Ma Xiaotao asked very directly.
The other party had killed someone and was still safe and sound. If it wasn't for a Senior Executive from the Academy stepping forward to protect him, there seemed to be no other possibility.
Shi Yu looked at Ma Xiaotao strangely, not recognizing her.
He shook his head, indicating that he had no connection, and didn't say anything more.
"Senior Apprentice Sister, thank you for standing up for me," Shi Yu expressed his gratitude to Zhang Lexuan.
Xu Sanshi was Bei Bei's brother, but Zhang Lexuan was still willing to stand up for him and take Xu Sanshi to the disciplinary office to accept punishment. This still made him feel good about her.
"I actually regret my decision," Zhang Lexuan didn't avoid Shi Yu, saying frankly, her expression complex.
She felt somewhat indebted to Xu Sanshi. If it weren't for her, things might not have escalated to this point.
"No matter what, thank you anyway," Shi Yu still thanked Zhang Lexuan.
At this time, Jiang Nannan had also recovered, and somewhat flustered, she left Shi Yu's embrace, her face flushed red, feeling very shy.
"Two Senior Apprentice Sisters, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first," Shi Yu said goodbye and prepared to leave.
Ma Xiaotao wanted to say something, but was stopped by Zhang Lexuan's gaze.
The hot-tempered Ma Xiaotao had genuine respect for Zhang Lexuan and was a little afraid of her. Being stopped like this, she immediately didn't dare to say anything more.
"Goodbye, two Senior Apprentice Sisters," Jiang Nannan also said goodbye to the two and left with Shi Yu.
"What on earth is going on?" Ma Xiaotao was very curious.
Just then, she saw her Teacher, Yan Shaozhe, walk out and immediately ran over to ask.
"In the future, you should be respectful when you see Shi Yu. He is your junior uncle," Yan Shaozhe instructed.
"What?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened, looking as if she hadn't misheard.
Zhang Lexuan was also startled. Didn't this mean that Shi Yu was Dean Yan's junior brother, Mu Lao's new disciple?
"Mu Lao has already taken Shi Yu as his disciple," Yan Shaozhe revealed. One was his disciple, and the other was the Inner Courtyard Senior Apprentice Sister whom Mu Lao valued more, so there was nothing wrong with saying it.
"He killed Xu Sanshi, and Mu Lao not only didn't punish him but also took him as his disciple? You're not mistaken, are you?" Ma Xiaotao said somewhat angrily.
"Blame Xu Sanshi for why he said those words to provoke Shi Yu, and also blame Shi Yu's unusually high talent."
"Sometimes, when a person's value is too high, some mistakes can be forgiven."
"Also, remember, Xu Sanshi didn't die; he has been saved," Yan Shaozhe said meaningfully.
"He's still alive?" Ma Xiaotao said with surprise.
Yan Shaozhe gave Ma Xiaotao a deep look, leaving her with a look that she should understand herself, and then left.
He still had to be busy dealing with the aftermath of this matter in the Outer Courtyard.
Ma Xiaotao thought Xu Sanshi was still alive.
Zhang Lexuan, on the other hand, showed a thoughtful expression, roughly understanding Dean Yan's meaning.
"What on earth is going on?" On the way, Jiang Nannan asked Shi Yu about the situation like a curious child.
Shi Yu briefly revealed some information to reassure her.
After learning the situation, Jiang Nannan was completely relieved, her face beaming with joy. It was good that Shi Yu was okay.
Soon, her mood became low.
Seeing Jiang Nannan's expression like this, Shi Yu knew she might be thinking of those unhappy things.
He looked around, located an empty pavilion, and pulled Jiang Nannan to sit down in the pavilion.
"That's all in the past. Are you still bothered by it in your heart?"
"Or are you worried that people in the Academy will know about those things and look at you with strange eyes, making you feel ashamed?" Shi Yu asked softly, with a hint of heartache.
That all happened because she saved her mother; it was an act of filial piety.
Now, however, it would become the sharpest weapon to attack her. Thinking of this, he felt heartache for her.
She was a kind and filial good girl and shouldn't have to suffer this pain.
Jiang Nannan lowered her head, trying hard to control her body from sobbing and not wanting tears to fall.
She didn't speak, and after a long time, she said, "I want to drop out of school."
Shi Yu's heart trembled slightly, and he subconsciously held Jiang Nannan's smooth, small hands. Her hands were a little cold.
He tried gently rubbing them to warm Jiang Nannan's hands and even her heart, so that she wouldn't be so sad and distressed.
"I don't want you to drop out," Shi Yu said after a while.
Jiang Nannan looked up at Shi Yu, tears already streaming down her face, and said sadly, "But if I don't drop out, there will definitely be countless gossips, and I can't bear it."
"You are a brave girl. You dare to bravely take action even when facing Soul Beasts. Why do you only think of escaping when facing gossip?"
"Gossip is just gossip. As long as you don't care about it and let those words go in one ear and out the other, it won't hurt at all."
"I think you can bear it and ignore those gossips. I will also always be with you to face them."
"Whoever dares to talk about you, I will help you scold them. I may not be able to beat them, but I can most likely scold them."
"At that time, just watch me scold them until they are covered in dog's blood, scold them until they are speechless, and scold them until they jump over the wall in desperation," Shi Yu said confidently.
"Pfft," Jiang Nannan couldn't help but laugh, "How is being good at scolding people something worth showing off here?"
"Because this strength can help you reduce those gossips, it is naturally worth showing off," Shi Yu blurted out.
Jiang Nannan's face turned a little red again, and she lowered her head shyly, "Smooth talker."
Shi Yu smiled lightly, still holding Jiang Nannan's hand, and said seriously, "Don't drop out. Be brave and face it, okay?"
Jiang Nannan hesitated, "But I'm afraid I really can't bear those gossips."