Xia Mu accepted all of Ino's compliments.
Anyway, Tenten was indeed very cute.
However...
"Ino, why did you come here? Shouldn't you be helping out at the flower shop on your day off?" Xia Mu asked, puzzled.
"Hehe, I specifically came to see your girlfriend."
Ino looked triumphant. "I knew you guys were coming here this morning, but I was busy then and couldn't come. When I saw you carrying the food box earlier, I followed you. I'm very interested in your love story. Tell me how you managed to win Tenten over. I can use it as a reference for when I pursue Sasuke later."
No wonder you were so enthusiastic; besides gossiping, you were also seeking advice!
Xia Mu really had nothing to say about Ino, who was so focused on looks.
Perhaps she herself didn't understand that she didn't like Sasuke but handsome guys. Otherwise, when Sasuke left, why was Sakura in such agonizing pain while she didn't react much?
Because she liked Sasuke's face, not his heart!
Many transmigrators like to pursue Ino. In reality, Ino is indeed very beautiful, and her figure is excellent when she grows up. But the key is that the transmigrator must be very handsome; otherwise, Ino won't be interested.
Anyway, Xia Mu wasn't handsome enough.
Xia Mu didn't really want to talk about it, and he and Tenten really hadn't confirmed their relationship yet.
Fortunately, Shino intervened in time. "Ino, although I shouldn't meddle in other people's affairs, as a classmate, I still advise you..."
Ino was taken aback. "Oh, Shino, you're here too."
That remark was quite hurtful!
Didn't she know that Shino couldn't stand being ignored the most? This girl really dared to deliver a critical hit!
Shino couldn't help but mutter to himself, but fortunately, Ino quickly apologized. "Sorry, sorry, I was just focused on looking at Xia Mu's girlfriend just now, so I didn't notice you. Go ahead, tell me, what do you want to advise me on?"
Fortunately, Shino wasn't too bothered and continued, "Ino, you are the daughter of the Yamanaka clan head. In the future, you should inherit the position of clan head, and your family will likely arrange for a male to marry into your family. Sasuke is the son of the Uchiha clan head. Even if he is the second son, he won't be allowed to marry into another family. Therefore, you and Sasuke have almost no chance."
Ino was somewhat stunned, completely dumbfounded.
She was probably young and hadn't thought much about it, but now that she thought about it, it really seemed to be the case.
So, what did her previous obsession with Sasuke count for? And why did she fall out with her best friend Sakura? Didn't that mean she failed in both love and friendship?
For a moment, Ino seemed greatly struck, and she became completely listless.
Seeing this, Xia Mu still couldn't help but advise, "Ino, as a classmate, I also advise you. Actually, I think perhaps you don't like Sasuke. What you like are handsome guys. Your feelings for Sasuke aren't as deep as you imagine. Think about it carefully, isn't that the case?"
Ino felt her mind was in a mess at this moment.
She had clearly come to gossip about Xia Mu's love story and seek advice, so how did it turn out like this?
Shino said she and Sasuke had no chance, but Xia Mu said she actually didn't like Sasuke. What was going on?
Xia Mu pressed on, "Think carefully, if one day you met a super handsome guy, someone much more handsome than Sasuke and much more excellent than Sasuke, would you let go of Sasuke and turn to like this super handsome guy?"
Super, handsome guy?
Ino subconsciously started fantasizing, not even noticing the drool at the corner of her mouth.
It seemed, well, it seemed like that was the case. So she actually just liked handsome guys, and it wasn't necessarily Sasuke. Then what was the point of her fighting with Sakura?!
However, she, Ino Yamanaka, also cared about her reputation. If she admitted it just like that, wouldn't people think she was very shallow?
So she braced herself and said, "Ahem! It's, it's not quite like you said. I'm still quite, quite devoted, you know. Even if I met a super handsome guy who was more handsome than Sasuke, I would, I would just look a bit more..."
Her voice got lower and lower; she couldn't even convince herself.
Xia Mu and Shino exchanged glances, clearly seeing that the young girl was saying one thing but meaning another.
Unless she really met a super handsome guy, just like in the original story after Sasuke ran away, Ino met Sai, who called Sakura ugly but praised Ino as beautiful. Sai was genuinely handsome, and Ino naturally shifted her affection.
What's more, there was no romance between her and Sasuke anyway.
This girl, advising her is useless!
Xia Mu said with a chuckle, "If you've figured it out, go reconcile with Sakura. You don't want to lose a precious friendship, do you?"
Ino was somewhat moved, but still stubborn. "Hmph! Mind your own business! Who wants to reconcile with that Forehead Girl!"
Fine! Do as you please!
Just then, Tenten let out a soft sound and groggily woke up.
Ino quickly apologized, "Sorry, my voice was too loud and woke you up. Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Tenten shook her head. "It's okay, I've slept enough. You are..."
Ino showed a friendly smile. "I'm Ino Yamanaka, Xia Mu and Shino's classmate. I saw Xia Mu bringing food here just now, so I followed him to take a look and to see Xia Mu's girlfriend. Your name is Tenten, right?"
Tenten was stunned, immediately realizing she was mistaken for Xia Mu's girlfriend. Moreover, she seemed to have been sleeping on Xia Mu's shoulder just now and had been watched by this girl the whole time. She was instantly overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Fortunately, Tenten had a cheerful and generous personality and wouldn't faint from embarrassment like Hinata.
However, she didn't explain, seemingly defaulting to the girlfriend status.
"Hello, Yamanaka. My name is Tenten."
"Just call me Ino!"
Ino was quite happy to make friends. "I saw you and Xia Mu holding hands while buying groceries last time. I was wondering where Xia Mu found such a cute girlfriend."
Tenten's face was red, but she did remember Ino. "You're the daughter of the Yamanaka flower shop owner, right? I think I saw you when I was buying flowers."
"Yes, yes, yes, the Yamanaka flower shop is run by my family. So we've met before..."
"My family runs a Ninja Tool shop..."
The two girls actually started chatting. Both of them had relatively outgoing personalities; one liked to gossip, and the other was good at complaining. They really had a lively chat for a while.
And just like that, they became friends.
Xia Mu and Shino were just surprised, thinking to themselves that girls were truly magical creatures.
"Oh! So Tenten, are you training? And you've already started learning Water Walking?" Ino was very surprised.
"Yes. I couldn't do it before. Xia Mu taught me everything, and Shino also helped a lot, so I need to work hard now," Tenten said with a determined look.
"But you're still so young. Girls our age should be learning how to dress up more. Look how rough your hands are."
"It's okay, Ino. My dream is to become a strong female like Tsunade-sama, famous throughout the Ninja World in the future. Since I have a dream, I should work hard for it. Besides, Xia Mu and Shino have helped me so much, I can't let them down. Xia Mu is very strong, and I want to stand by his side in the future. My strength won't be enough if I don't!"
"..."
Ino looked at Tenten's serious face and was speechless for a moment.