"It's all over. Let's head back; it's getting dark," Lu Leng said, leading the way back to the Spirit Hall.
"Nana, what happened after we passed out?"
"Let's talk about it later. The environment isn't entirely safe yet," Hu Liena replied, supporting Xie Yue.
"Alright," Xie Yue nodded.
Lu Leng took the lead, with the three of them following behind. Hu Liena helped Xie Yue, while Yan had to rely on his own willpower.
Before nightfall, the four of them safely returned to Spirit City and found a hotel to rest for the night.
Once inside the hotel, Hu Liena finally explained everything that had happened, including how she had obtained a spirit bone. Of course, she left out the part about Lu Leng peeking at her.
After hearing the story, Xie Yue and Yan expressed their gratitude to Lu Leng, but they were also deeply shocked. Even after dinner, they were still reeling from the events, especially Yan, who gained a new understanding of Lu Leng's strength.
Late at night, Lu Leng was already fast asleep, but Hu Liena in the next room couldn't fall asleep.
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to find a comfortable position. When she finally settled down, strange expressions flickered across her face—sometimes a silly smile, sometimes calmness...
Images of Lu Leng kept flashing through her mind: his confidence, his aloofness, his strength, and the commanding presence he had. These thoughts lingered in her mind, and whenever she closed her eyes, they would involuntarily appear.
Especially the moment he saved her—they had been so close, less than a centimeter apart, almost kissing. At the time, the situation was too urgent to think about it, but now, recalling it made her face flush and her heart race.
Before she could dwell on it further, the scene shifted to the moment Lu Leng had peeked at her buttocks. She felt a surge of anger, but then, mixed with that anger was a hint of shyness.
"Could it be... that I like him?"
"No way, how could I like such an arrogant guy? Ever since he arrived at the Spirit Hall, he's been targeting me for no reason, even calling me a wild boar..."
"That's right, absolutely not!"
"...He's not even seven years old yet, right? Wouldn't that be illegal?"
...
The next morning, after breakfast, the four of them returned to the Spirit Hall.
"Huh, didn't sleep well last night?" Lu Leng asked, noticing Hu Liena's drowsy appearance.
"None of your business," Hu Liena snapped, blushing and glaring at him.
Lu Leng twitched his lips, wishing he could slap himself. "I'm such an idiot. I know I don't get along with this girl, yet I still opened my mouth."
After returning to the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong immediately summoned them.
Hu Liena omitted the more dangerous details and recounted everything that had happened. After listening, Bibi Dong's face showed clear admiration for Lu Leng.
Seeing this, Hu Liena felt a pang of jealousy. But then, remembering how Lu Leng had saved her, she smiled, and that jealousy vanished without a trace.
"Alright, you may leave. In three days, it will be autumn, and that's also when the Spirit Academy starts. Nana, take Lu Leng to enroll," Bibi Dong instructed.
"Understood, Teacher," both of them replied respectfully before taking their leave.
"Nana, stay for a moment. Let me take a look at your soul bone and soul skills to help you analyze them," Bibi Dong called out to Hu Liena.
"Yes, Teacher," Hu Liena replied, her face lighting up with joy. It seemed her teacher hadn't forgotten her.
Three days later, Hu Liena found Lu Leng.
"Let's go. Today, I'll take you to enroll."
"Wait, I'll be ready in a moment," Lu Leng replied, busy with something in his hands without looking up.
"What are you tinkering with?" Hu Liena asked curiously, peeking over.
She saw Lu Leng holding a bowl filled with something milky but with a slight pink hue. Inside were transparent fruit pieces and black round beads, though she couldn't tell what they were.
"A faint sweetness... What are you making?" Hu Liena sniffed the air, catching a fruity aroma. She had already heard from Bibi Dong that Lu Leng was quite skilled in cooking, often whipping up delicious treats, though she had never had the chance to try them.
"It's a fruit pudding. Want to give it a try?"
"Really?" Hu Liena was surprised. This was the first time Lu Leng had actively offered her something to eat.
"You're not trying to use me as a guinea pig, are you?" she thought to herself.
"Take it or leave it," Lu Leng snorted.
"Of course, I'll try it," Hu Liena said, picking up a spoon. Being a guinea pig wasn't so bad. She scooped a spoonful into her mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed it along with the fruit pieces.
"It was indeed delicious!"
It seemed her teacher hadn't lied—this guy really had some skills.
"Not bad. Give me some more," Hu Liena said, grabbing a large bowl and, without waiting for Lu Leng's permission, started scooping a big portion.
"Hey, leave some for the teacher!" Lu Leng quickly stopped her. There wasn't much to begin with, and she had already taken two-thirds of it.
"You're so good at this. Just make more in the future."
"By the way, what's this called?"
"It doesn't have a name," Lu Leng said, slightly annoyed.
"Such a good thing, and it doesn't have a name? That's a shame."
"Then let's call it 'Pink Love'," Lu Leng suggested, thinking it was fitting. It reminded him of the beautiful memories from his past life.
"How cliché..." Hu Liena said disdainfully, though a strange feeling stirred in her heart.
Pink Love?
Was he confessing to me?
But he's so young...
Should I reject him?
....
"What are you standing there for? Move aside. I'm taking a cup to the teacher," Lu Leng's impatient voice broke Hu Liena's reverie.
"Hmph, I knew it," Hu Liena pouted in frustration.
"Why do I get a bowl, but the teacher gets something so fancy? Even with a straw?" Hu Liena suddenly noticed that Lu Leng's cup was different—it was a special container with a nice-looking straw.
Instantly, she felt her bowl wasn't as appealing anymore.
"Because you're a wild boar. Wild boars don't need fanciness."
"You're the wild boar! Your whole family are wild boars..."
Soon, Lu Leng arrived at the Pope's Hall.
"Lu Leng? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be enrolling today?" Bibi Dong was busy, her expression somewhat troubled, but she softened when she saw Lu Leng.
"Teacher, I invented a new food. Before I leave, I wanted to bring you some," Lu Leng said with a smile, presenting the Pink Love to her.
"You're so thoughtful," Bibi Dong knew that Lu Leng was skilled in cooking and often whipped up delicious treats. Seeing a new creation, she couldn't help but feel curious.
Lu Leng smiled and handed the milk tea to Bibi Dong.
She took it, examining it curiously. It was a soft, pink hue. "What is this?" she asked.
"The Pink Love."