"It's okay, don't be nervous—we're not all saints here," Jiang Shengyu reassured Nana, observing her trembling. Ironically, his words only made her more anxious.
Nana stuttered through her introduction, and Meng Hongchen noticed her discomfort. Concerned, she asked softly, "Everything alright at home, Nana?"
Nana jolted but quickly forced a bright smile. "Oh no! My home is… very nice!"
Everyone present had sharp instincts—they could sense in a heartbeat that something was off. Yet no one called her out.
Xiao Hongchen chimed in to ease the tension. "Let's take this chance to get to know her. I know a new restaurant in Mingdu with great dishes. Let Shengyu treat us, and we'll all have a nice gathering."
He patted Jiang Shengyu's shoulder, and the group nodded in agreement. With his resources, who wouldn't let him pay?
"Dream, you take them. Shengyu and I need to talk," Xiao Hongchen said, glancing at Meng Hongchen with a wink.
Meng Hongchen nodded and led the others away, giving them space.
Once they'd gone, Xiao Hongchen said in a low voice, "I looked into Nana's background. Academy files say she's an orphan, though the circumstances of her parents' death are suspicious. Her reaction just now wasn't right for someone with a happy home."
"You saw that too? Everyone here's sharp enough," Jiang Shengyu replied, shrugging.
Xiao Hongchen's tone turned serious. "I hate interfering, but she's on our team—if she has issues, it could mess us up in the tournament."
"Right. Get the Soul Hall to investigate?" Jiang Shengyu nodded.
Xiao Hongchen smiled, giving him a thumbs-up. "You get it."
Jiang Shengyu rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm shameless enough for this."
He vaguely recalled that Nana's family was somehow tied to the Holy Spirit Sect's Mingdu branch. Clearly their cooperation was deepening.
As the Academy Elite Tournament neared, all schools were preparing hard. Even if third place was the most realistic goal, unexpected breakthroughs were always possible—teams need dreams.
Meanwhile, Shrek Academy was also gearing up—but Jiang Qingtong had other matters on her mind. She noticed that Beibei had been acting strangely, recently bringing her tonic supplements—understandable if Master Mu was worried about her health. Still, mental strangers trying to comfort her was unnecessary.
She frowned at the pile of supplements on the table, pondering what to do.
Just then Jiang Nannan passed by and teased, "What's up? Falling for Beibei? Just FYI, he already likes someone else—Tangmen leader Tang Ya. But nothing's happened recently—maybe you should try?"
In that moment, Qingtong realized Master Mu's plan. So it's the same trick used on Zhang Lexuan—now the Academy is trying it on her?
But she wasn't Lexuan. Her nature was unique—she was incapable of falling for someone. If she had to choose a partner, it would be Jiang Shengyu.
Self-respect and self-love.
"Nannan, you got it all wrong. I'm just wondering who to distribute these supplements to—they're expensive. Maybe we could share with the poor?" she said casually.
Price-tagged as priceless, those tonics made Nannan's pupils flicker. "You don't like Beibei? He's a major figure in the Outer Academy… almost guaranteed to enter the Inner Academy."
Qingtong shook her head. "So what if he's talented? Boring is boring. Besides, can he match me on talent?"
Nannan paused thoughtfully. "You're right. Few can match your talent—even with twin soul spirits, no one in Shrek can rival your terrifying ring ratio."
But no one else had her horrifying soul ring mix.
News of Qingtong's third soul spirit had been tightly sealed in the Sea Spirit Pavilion—only the elders and Xiao Hongchen knew. Nobody else.
"So," Jiang Nannan continued, "if you're done with them, I'll take these."
Qingtong promptly handed over the supplements with a smile. "Nannan, you're in charge!"
Nannan took them, surprised. "All of this? These alone could support a hundred-household village for a year!"
"I'll add some money," Qingtong said, pulling out gold soul coins. "Let's help that village even more."
Nannan shook her head in disbelief. "No… too much!"
"It's fine. I can't help everyone, but helping some is better than none." Qingtong smiled earnestly. "When poor, take care of oneself. When successful, help the world"—her life motto.
A true youth nurtured by a flourishing era.
"Help the world…" Nannan's eyes brimmed with emotion. "You're truly a kind soul—nothing like the nobles I've seen."
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