"Hahaha, give us the biggest VIP private room you have!" Flender announced with a grand wave of his hand. With so many people and a fresh victory to celebrate, a private room was the least they deserved.
The waiter, however, offered an apologetic smile. "I'm very sorry, boss, but all our VIP rooms are full for the night. We do have first-class private rooms available on the second floor. It might be a little tight, but it should be enough space for everyone to eat. What do you think?"
A standard first-class room was meant for nine. Squeezing in a few more would be possible, but not comfortable.
Flender's brow furrowed. He had finally worked up the nerve to treat everyone to a proper meal, only to run into a problem like this. It was rather embarrassing.
"As long as we can all sit, that's fine. Just take us there," Zhao Wuji said, stepping forward to smooth things over. The last thing they needed was to spoil the celebratory mood. They were familiar with this restaurant, and it was already getting late. Searching for another place would kill the evening's enthusiasm.
"Of course, of course! I'll arrange it right away," the waiter said, relieved. "Please, follow me!"
Led by the waiter, the group made their way to the second floor. As they had on the way over, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San trailed at the very back, their silence a stark contrast to the cheerful chatter of the team.
Once inside the room, the Shrek students didn't hesitate, quickly finding seats around the large, nine-chaired table. They knew the space was limited and that the master and disciple were behind them. It was only natural to claim a spot first. Besides, no one was particularly concerned about saving them a seat.
By the time Yu Xiaogang and Tang San finally walked in, all nine chairs were occupied.
The two of them stopped in their tracks, dumbfounded. Yu Xiaogang's mouth began to twitch, his face turning an ugly shade. What was the meaning of this? He was helping to pay for this meal, and he didn't even get a place to sit? Was this some kind of joke?
Just then, the waiter returned with two extra chairs. "Everyone, please see if you can squeeze together to make two empty spots," he asked.
Flender stood and addressed the table seriously, but the atmosphere quickly became awkward again. After a long moment of shuffling and assessing, it became clear they could, at best, make room for one more person. A second spot was impossible.
The students who were already seated didn't move. No one was about to give up their seat, especially not for Yu Xiaogang or Tang San. Letting them come was generous enough. Huo Feng and the other six sat perfectly still, unconcerned. As the deans, Flender and Zhao Wuji certainly weren't going to move either. This meant that only one of them—the master or the disciple—would be able to sit at the table.
"Teacher, please, you sit first," Tang San said respectfully, helping Yu Xiaogang into the single available space. His expression was placid, as if he didn't mind at all.
Inside, however, he was cursing. He had seen people being singled out before, but never this blatantly. He suspected it was intentional, though it made no sense for a high-ranking Spirit Saint like Flender to target him specifically. Still, this was the perfect excuse. He hadn't wanted to come in the first place, and now he had a legitimate reason to leave.
Seeing his disciple's filial piety, a proud smile spread across Yu Xiaogang's face, as if telling the room, "See how wonderful my disciple is?"
"Teacher," Tang San said, "since there's no place for me here, I'll just head back first."
The words instantly froze the smile on Yu Xiaogang's face. Leave? Leave me here alone? Absolutely not. He had been planning to get his money's worth by letting Tang San eat his fill. He shook his head gently but said nothing, unable to think of a solution.
"We really didn't plan this well enough," Flender said slowly, breaking the tense silence. "How about this," he suggested, turning to Yu Xiaogang. "I'll have the waiter put a small table in the corner for Tang San. How does that sound?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression soured. No matter what, Tang San was his personal disciple. Forcing him to eat at a separate table, away from everyone else? It was a profound insult. In his mind, it was completely unreasonable.
But as he looked around the room, he saw that everyone else—aside from Tang San—was nodding in agreement.
"That's a good idea!" Ma Hongjun even muttered under his breath.
Despite his reluctance, Yu Xiaogang had no other choice. He could only accept Flender's suggestion. "Tang San," he said, his voice strained, "you'll have to make do for today."
After Yu Xiaogang gave his reluctant nod, Flender called the waiter over to set up a small table in the corner. It was to be Tang San's personal dining table. The bizarre arrangement left even the experienced waiter completely stunned. Throughout the entire exchange, not a single person had bothered to ask Tang San for his opinion.
Soon, the dishes and drinks arrived, and the table erupted in merry feasting and conversation. All except for Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. One was frantically piling food onto his plate, and the other, at his corner table, was frantically stuffing his face. They ate like men who hadn't seen food in days.
Tang San, who had been so reluctant to stay, found his mood doing a complete 180-degree turn after the first bite. The food was incredible. So what if he couldn't sit at the main table? As long as he could eat this, that was all that mattered. He was only now realizing what garbage Yu Xiaogang usually fed him. Compared to this feast, his daily meals were pig slop.
The master and disciple's ravenous eating drew disgusted looks from everyone at the main table. The three girls, in particular, made no effort to hide their distaste. But considering Yu Xiaogang had paid and Tang San wasn't even at their table, no one said anything to spoil the mood.
Time passed quickly. Over the next month, the Shrek Team flourished in the Soto Spirit Arena. They participated in twenty-seven team battles and, terrifyingly, won all twenty-seven. Within the rank-30 tier, they were undefeated, with no rivals left to challenge them. The key to their success was their captain, Huo Feng, whose popularity soared to its absolute peak.
Yet, in the Soto Spirit Arena, another person's name also remained on everyone's lips, his fame refusing to die down.
That person was Tang San.
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