Chapter 3: Tang Ya and Bei Bei
"Make the bed."
An Zhen tapped the dazed girl's forehead gently.
The intimate gesture drew no resistance. Her pale face flushed as she lowered her gaze. "I... I can use the wooden plank bed."
An Zhen paused.
Right.
Huoyu Tong's tuition was paid by others. Without her grilled fish business, the future "Huo" was destitute.
"Did you eat lunch?"
An Zhen changed the subject.
The original "Huo Yuhao's" later actions might have displeased him—like destroying Sun Moon City—but none had happened. Huo Yuhao was now Huoyu Tong.
An eleven-year-old girl who'd watched her mother die under the White Tiger Duchess' abuse, malnourished from years of hardship.
It tugged at the heartstrings.
"Not yet."
Huoyu Tong's stomach growled softly.
"Come. Cafeteria."
The cafeteria stood behind the dorms. After a moment's thought, An Zhen led her into the purple-tier section.
"White building's for freshmen—no furniture, absurd rules. Purple's for fourth and fifth years."
The space was lavish: clean, bright, with sleek metallic furnishings. Lunch aromas teased appetites.
"Little Yu Tong?"
"Junior apprentice brother?"
Two voices called out. An Zhen turned to see a boy and girl approaching.
The leading girl looked fifteen or sixteen. A waist-length black ponytail swung behind her. The violet academy skirt hugged youthful curves, lively phoenix eyes bright above sharp cheekbones.
Behind her stood a boy of similar age—tall, trim, navy hair neatly styled. His refined handsomeness radiated steady maturity. If he was the reliable "big brother," An Zhen was the dashing youth from legends.
"Little Yu Tong!" The girl dashed forward, sweeping Huoyu Tong into a hug. "What brings you here?"
"I brought Miss Huo to eat," An Zhen explained.
"And you are?"
Tang Ya pulled Huoyu Tong behind her, guarding her like a mother hen as she glared at An Zhen.
"An Zhen. Freshman. An elder asked me to look after her." The boy's smile held utter sincerity.
Truth.
He'd merely offered extra care.
"Brother An Zhen's been kind," Huoyu Tong vouched.
An Zhen nodded mildly.
Everyone knew he was just warmhearted.
"Is that so?"
Tang Ya's suspicion lingered, delicate brows knitting.
"Easy, Xiao Ya. This brother seems genuine," the gentle boy offered An Zhen an apologetic look. "Forgive her—she's protective of our junior alone here."
"No issue. Caution's wise."
An Zhen waved it off, heading for the food counters.
Once he left, Bei Bei and Tang Ya pulled Huoyu Tong aside.
"Little Yu Tong—did he discover your disguise?" Tang Ya pressed.
"Probably not?"
Huoyu Tong sounded unsure. Malnourished, her feminine traits were faint beyond her soft voice.
"I said we should've altered her appearance," Bei Bei sighed.
"The world has cute girls—why not cute boys?" Tang Ya shot back, pulling a worn book from his arms. "Found this in my dorm. Practice these voice exercises—say you had a cold-sore throat."
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Wait—shouldn't you be at the freshman cafeteria?" Tang Ya wondered.
"Brother An Zhen said it lacks furniture... so he brought me here." Huoyu Tong bit her lip. "Is that forbidden?"
"Not forbidden," Tang Ya admitted, tapping her cheek. "But lower years rarely come."
The freshman facilities were dismal—she'd thought she'd entered the wrong place her first year.
"Finished chatting?"
A voice cut in.
The smiling boy held two trays laden with three premium dishes, two soups—their rich scents irresistible.
Setting a tray down, An Zhen gestured opposite. "Huoyu Tong, eat. The energy's gentle—any Martial Soul awakener can absorb it."
"Huh?"
Huoyu Tong hadn't expected a share.
Tang Ya pushed her into the seat. Free meals weren't to be refused.
The girl slid beside An Zhen, eyes narrowed. "So, An Zhen—your hobby isn't... adorable little boys, is it?"
She stressed the last words.
"No. My ideal type's mature, wise beauties."
One standard.
Not that standards couldn't overlap.
What fault lay in appreciating beauty?
Huoyu Tong's bright eyes dimmed. Blushing, she ducked her head. He's just being kind!
Hardship had taught her to cherish every scrap.
"Oho! So I fit, then?"
"Heh."
An Zhen's dry chuckle answered the girl now with her foot propped on the chair.
"What's 'heh' mean?" She whirled to her boyfriend. "Bei Bei! Am I not mature and wise?"
"Of course!" Smoothing her hair, the smitten boy grinned.
"Who's yours?! Call me Teacher!"
"..."
An Zhen had no appetite for dog food.
He finished swiftly. Half the dishes remained when he rose. Huoyu Tong still clutched her soup bowl.
"Huoyu Tong," An Zhen said, "return these later. Don't waste food."
"Huh? O-Okay."
If he stayed, she'd chew through the porcelain.
"He seems decent."
Once An Zhen left, Tang Ya dropped her act, thoughtful.
Bei Bei stroked his chin. "Heard a freshman fought his roommate today. Arena duel. One has a... peculiar Martial Soul. Opponent collapsed when the soul ring lit—covered in bruises. Terrified him into switching dorms."
"What? Didn't the academy intervene?" Huoyu Tong gasped.
"Little Yu Tong." Tang Ya pinched her cheek. "Arena duels are voluntary. Battles forge warriors—the academy encourages honorable conflict."
"Bei Bei—the Martial Soul? The name?"
"Name's unknown. But the Martial Soul... they say it's World."
(End of Chapter)