In front of Hanwu Academy, the streets were empty. Everyone was either working or studying. Xiang Ning and Fang Rou just stood there as a gentle breeze blew past. Xiang Ning didn’t dare to move as he was enjoying the fragrant smell of the girl in his arms.

At the moment, she was blushing as red as an apple. She was extremely embarrassed, but didn’t dare raise her head. Why’d I hug him?! It’s so embarrassing!

A janitor just stood there watching them. “Hey, you should be hugging her waist by now. I’ve been watching for two minutes. Is this your first time hugging a girl?” He shook his head and left. “I was once a playboy and had so many girlfriends. Youngsters nowadays are so shy.” He hummed as he continued working somewhere else.

Xiang Ning and Fang Rou awkwardly stood there.

She withdrew from the embrace and coughed lightly. “I’m glad you’re alright.” She didn’t dare meet his gaze. Her voice was so soft, but Xiang Ning was slightly grumpy. He looked in the direction the janitor had gone and would have flipped him off if he wasn’t someone with manners. He was just about to embrace her before the janitor said something unnecessary. 

“No, I’m not fine.” His voice was tinged with sadness. Fang Rou thought that his wounds hadn't recovered and she asked, voice filled with concern, “Where were you hurt?”

Xiang Ning thought about it and told himself he needed a small reward for singlehandedly defeating the entire Hanwu Academy. He stretched his arms outward and took Fang Rou into his embrace, indulging himself in her soft and fragrant body. This feels just nice.

After a few seconds, he let her go. He stretched his waist and felt that he had recovered.

Only Fang Rou stood motionlessly, her gaze vacant as she couldn’t process what had happened. Who am I, where am I, what just happened?

But Xiang Ning didn’t realize it, so he turned and walked toward the sidewalk. He thought that Fang Rou was following him, but then realized that she was still motionlessly standing there. “Fang Rou, let’s go!”

“Ah! Oh oh, coming,” Fang Rou stuttered and ran toward Xiang Ning. She didn’t know what to say.

“Oh right, I remember there’s a cake shop my sister loves. Let’s buy some cakes for her, or she’ll chew me out.” He suddenly stopped and felt Fang Rou crash into him. He was confused and held her hand. “Erm… are you ok? You’ve been weird since you got here.”

Fang Rou was flustered and tried retracting her hand, but he held on even stronger. “Is everything alright?” He pulled and embraced her. His other hand snaked around to hug her delicate waist. She let him do as he pleased.

The pair locked gazes and Fang Rou felt her heart beating hard.

“So, do you want to buy cakes with me?” he asked.

“Ah... oh, yeah.” Fang Rou regained her balance and stood up. Xiang Ning was still holding her hands.

Her hands are so soft and warm.

Fang Rou followed him to the cake shop. She was extremely flustered, but enjoyed the feeling of holding his hand. It was very warm and soft. She didn’t retract her hand.

Very soon, they arrived at the cake shop. They sat down and Xiang Ning chuckled, “I just finished fighting, so I feel a bit hungry. Just order anything, my treat. What would you like to eat?”

Fang Rou was still in a daze and couldn’t think properly, but she still answered, “I want something with matcha in it.”

Three minutes later, she finally snapped back to reality as she bit into the cake.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Xiang Ning was a bit concerned. He looked at the cake that he had bought his sister and praised his intelligence. If she tries scolding me I’ll just bring this out. I’m such a genius.

“No, no… it’s just… the rest of us are still waiting for you. I feel weird that we’re here eating while everyone else is waiting for us.” Fang Rou was squirming a bit in her chair. She recalled how Li Zimo and the rest had helped her climb the school wall and were almost caught by a teacher. She felt slightly guilty about that.

“Huh?” Xiang Ning was confused. Who was waiting for him? Li Zimo? Lu Shiyu?

“It’s…” Fang Rou explained and Xiang Ning finally understood.

He was only trying to earn Fury Points to increase his strength, but to think he had managed to change his public image. He thought he would be cursed by everyone else back at school. It was an unexpected, but welcome change. He wasn’t too bothered by it, but his sister would be affected if that was the case. He wouldn’t allow anyone to bully her.

“Alright, let’s go back when we finish eating.” 

......

Fifteen minutes later, both of them appeared in front of Qiling Academy’s gate. But when Xiang Ning saw the scene in front of him, he stopped in his tracks. “This is what you meant by ‘the rest of us’?” He couldn’t believe his eyes—there were at least five hundred students in front of the school gate.

Fang Rou was shocked, too. When she had run out, there weren’t that many people!

“Look! Xiang Ning returned!” No one knew who said that, but someone had seen Xiang Ning before he could even hide.

Now he had no choice but to walk to them. He saw that Fatty Wang was shouting the loudest, while Xiang Xiaoyu, Li Zimo, and the rest were all standing beside him. Xiang Ning walked toward them. Truth to be told, he had been living modestly and wasn’t used to such a reception. He was squirming in his heart when he saw everyone revering him.