"Boys and girls can share dormitories here?" Tang San couldn't help whispering to Wang Sheng.
Wang Sheng nodded, lowering his voice to explain the academy's dormitory allocation policies.
After finishing his explanation, Wang Sheng added, "Boss, go establish dominance. Best to be firm—give her a taste of what we're about."
Tang San wanted to refuse. Bullying a girl? He genuinely couldn't bring himself to do it. However, Wang Sheng's persuasive abilities proved formidable. After several encouraging words, Tang San reluctantly stepped forward.
"My name is Xiao Wu—the 'Wu' that means dance." Xiao Wu introduced herself, a sweet smile gracing her features.
Seeing that sweet smile, Tang San's face flushed slightly. He hesitantly explained the dormitory's hierarchy, smoothly introducing his own name and martial spirit before requesting a spar with Xiao Wu to determine the rightful dormitory boss.
Xiao Wu set her uniform aside, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Alright, let's do this!"
The next instant, Xiao Wu launched her assault. The two exchanged blows in rapid succession. After several rounds, seeing Tang San suddenly freeze mid-movement, Cheng Xiao had already predicted this duel's outcome.
Logically, Tang San wasn't young in his previous life, right? So why does he blush and freeze when facing a little girl like Xiao Wu during a spar? Isn't this a bit too...
Despite his unwillingness to accept defeat, Tang San acknowledged the loss. A defeat was a defeat—he wouldn't make excuses. But secretly, he vowed to win their next encounter!
"According to dormitory rules, since you beat me, you're our boss now."
"Boss? Sounds fun! Okay, I'm your boss from now on. Who can show me around the academy?"
Witnessing the duel's conclusion and Tang San's defeat, Wang Sheng and the others remained stunned. After all, who could have predicted the previous boss would be replaced mere minutes after assuming the position?
Seeing no one respond, Xiao Wu pouted. Her gaze swept across the room before settling on Cheng Xiao sitting on his bed.
Even before entering, Xiao Wu had noticed this handsome boy. Though she didn't know his name yet, she called out to him directly.
"You there—the one on the bed. Come tell me about the academy."
Cheng Xiao looked up to find every dormitory resident staring at him. Their eyes held both worry and envy. Though they feared Xiao Wu's combat prowess, she was still a girl.
They were all young, and having a girl join their dormitory was rare. Not everyone received attention from girls—especially pretty ones. It was enviable.
"You're talking to me?" Cheng Xiao felt somewhat deflated. Shouldn't the Blue Silver Grass protagonist aura draw your attention to Tang San instead?
"My name is Cheng Xiao. I'm also a new work-study student, so I don't know the academy's specifics. Why not ask Wang Sheng? He's knowledgeable." Cheng Xiao gestured toward Wang Sheng.
"I don't want him. I'm the boss now—how dare you refuse my orders?" Xiao Wu's displeasure was evident. Compared to the plain-looking Wang Sheng, she much preferred hearing Cheng Xiao speak.
"Um, boss?" Wang Sheng gritted his teeth and stood. "Cheng Xiao just arrived. How about I explain instead?"
"I don't care." Xiao Wu pouted, fixing her gaze on Cheng Xiao. "If you won't talk about the academy, then you have to spar with me!"
Hearing this, Wang Sheng—who'd planned to curry favor with Cheng Xiao—immediately fell silent. Though Cheng Xiao was formidable, Xiao Wu seemed even more so.
In his assessment, Cheng Xiao had defeated his lackeys, proving his strength, but compared to Tang San who'd beaten him? Still slightly inferior. Even Tang San had lost to Xiao Wu—Cheng Xiao facing her was practically a foregone conclusion.
Seeing Xiao Wu's persistence, Cheng Xiao sighed helplessly. "I don't know how to fight. I acknowledge you as boss, but I genuinely don't know anything about the academy."
Xiao Wu's silver teeth bit down in frustration. "No! I must spar with you."
As the saying goes: fortune and misfortune go hand in hand—what must come, will come. Since Xiao Wu insisted so stubbornly, he could only accept.
"Fine, we can spar. But afterward, win or lose, don't bother me anymore." Cheng Xiao descended from his bed, spreading his hands helplessly.
He genuinely didn't know formal combat techniques—just basic boxing and kicking fundamentals.
"Hmph, fight first, talk later!"
With a slight huff, Xiao Wu bent her right leg and sprang upward, her toes instantly shooting toward Cheng Xiao's chin.
Cheng Xiao shifted left, evading Xiao Wu's kick. Simultaneously, his right hand seized her ankle, using her body's momentum to redirect her backward.
Xiao Wu reacted with lightning speed—palms hitting the ground, body twisting as her free leg whipped toward Cheng Xiao. His left hand blocked it. Then Cheng Xiao released his right hand's grip. Xiao Wu's body suddenly lost its counterbalance, and she crashed to the floor with a resounding thud. Judging by the crisp sound, the fall wasn't gentle.
"Ow..."
Landing on her rear, Xiao Wu cried out in pain, her face contorting.
"Holy crap, Cheng Xiao beat the boss!"
Wang Sheng and the others stared in disbelief. Xiao Wu, who'd defeated Tang San, had actually lost to Cheng Xiao. Not only that—he'd won easily, though without any gallantry toward the fairer sex...
Still, Wang Sheng secretly gave Cheng Xiao a mental thumbs up. Truly the boss I recognized.
"Sorry, I was a bit rough." Cheng Xiao stepped forward, extending his hand.
"That doesn't count. I was careless." Xiao Wu clutched her aching posterior, standing up.
Cheng Xiao smiled faintly. "We agreed just now—win or lose, you wouldn't bother me."
Xiao Wu's expression shifted. She stamped her foot indignantly, spinning around with hands on her hips to glare at the others. "Did I agree to his conditions just now?"
"No! We didn't hear anything." Wang Sheng and company exchanged glances before shaking their heads rapidly.
"Hmph, you heard them? I never agreed." Xiao Wu nodded with satisfaction, pleased with their response.
Cheng Xiao ignored Xiao Wu's blatant rule-breaking and turned toward his bed.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu pouted and followed with light steps, as though her rear no longer hurt.
"Cheng Xiao, didn't you say you couldn't fight?" Xiao Wu settled onto the empty bed beside his, curiosity coloring her tone.
"I really can't fight. I just know some basic boxing and kicking." Cheng Xiao glanced at her, his tone mild.
"Where are the new work-study students? Come out for a moment."
A teacher in his thirties entered from outside.
Cheng Xiao, Tang San, and Xiao Wu stood simultaneously.
"My name is Mo Hen—you can call me Teacher Mo. This is the bedding the academy has distributed to you." Mo Hen handed out two quilts from his arms.
Cheng Xiao and Tang San accepted the bedding, discovering both sets were brand new, each with a pillow included.
Mo Hen continued, "As work-study students, you'll be responsible for maintaining the garden near the playground. Ten copper spirit coins daily. Remember—clean it every day, or your wages will be docked."
The three nodded in unison.
After delivering his message, Mo Hen departed.
Holding the bedding, Cheng Xiao felt puzzled. Could this be because the academy discovered my innate full spirit power?
Tang San, standing nearby, didn't overthink it and returned to his bed with the quilt.
Xiao Wu stared blankly at the bedding in Cheng Xiao's arms, embarrassment flickering in her eyes.
Mo Hen had brought only two sets—distributed to Cheng Xiao and Tang San. She was now the only dormitory resident without proper bedding.
Wang Sheng and the other work-study students noticed Xiao Wu's predicament and immediately offered to provide her with bedding. But when Xiao Wu examined their threadbare quilts, she couldn't bring herself to accept.
"Cheng Xiao, let's discuss something." Seeing Cheng Xiao hadn't made his bed yet, Xiao Wu's eyes brightened.
"Hmm? Discuss what?" Cheng Xiao looked up, meeting her eager gaze.
"Your quilt's huge—I think it could cover two people. Why don't we push the beds together so we can both use it?"