Jing Wuming's face looked young and innocent, but his body had already taken on the shape of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy. At that moment, Jiang Chen stood up and was barely taller than him.
Hearing Jiang Chen's earnest words, which seemed to carry a deeper meaning, Jing Wuming suddenly lowered his head.
"Could it be that my little secret has been discovered by Young Master?" he thought to himself.
Watching Jing Wuming's expression, Jiang Chen couldn't help but smile. "Some things aren't forbidden, but they need to be done in moderation. Youth is ignorant… ahem… you understand, right?"
"I understand," Jing Wuming replied, standing up straight.
"Young Master, have you decided how to deal with Max Munro yet? Should I..." Jing Wuming made a throat-cutting gesture.
He was an assassin, after all, and the only skill he knew was killing. The only thing he could offer Jiang Chen was his lethal expertise.
Jiang Chen gave him a sidelong glance. "Why do you only think about killing? I already have some ideas on how to handle him, but I'll need you to keep a close eye on his every move. Maybe once he becomes the sect leader, that will be the beginning of his nightmare."
"Don't worry, Young Master. Max Munro is with Miss Sisi almost every morning, and any secrets he has will come out then. I'll watch closely," Jing Wuming promised.
Jiang Chen nodded approvingly.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let me take you to a restaurant," Jing Wuming offered.
Jiang Chen rubbed his stomach. "Not yet. That would be great, thanks."
"Young Master, please don't be so polite. I can't bear it. Follow me!" Jing Wuming said, clearly honored.
Jiang Chen followed him out of the academy. He had thought about inviting Tang San along, but since Jing Wuming was his secret subordinate, it wasn't appropriate for Tang San to have too much contact with him. So he dropped the idea.
...
After the meal, it was already afternoon.
Jing Wuming was quite good—he took Jiang Chen to try a famous dish of Notting City. The chef's skills far surpassed Jiang Chen's own cooking, and the taste still lingered in his mind.
Jiang Chen returned alone to Notting Academy, while Jing Wuming went back to the assassin organization.
Nowadays, Jing Wuming spent most of his time at Notting Academy, occasionally returning to the organization to check in or take on missions.
Carrying a large bag, Jiang Chen headed toward the student dormitories.
Notting Primary Soul Master Academy only had one dormitory building, which housed both boys and girls. All the work-study students lived in Dormitory Seven.
Dormitory Seven was the only one not divided by grade level; nearly every grade had students living there.
Jiang Chen carried his things, pressing the number on the door, finally arriving at the entrance to Dormitory Seven.
He peeked inside but didn't see Tang San.
"Is this really Dormitory Seven?" he asked, glancing again at the door number.
Indeed, the sign read "Dormitory Seven," but why wasn't Tang San here? Jiang Chen felt puzzled.
The dorm, previously quiet, suddenly grew noisy after Jiang Chen spoke.
A dozen or so boys all stood up, blocking the doorway.
One older-looking boy stepped forward and stared at Jiang Chen. "You're the new work-study student?"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Is this Dormitory Seven?"
The boy was tall—at least two heads taller than Jiang Chen—and upon hearing his question, his excitement grew.
"That's right, this is Dormitory Seven. Boss Xiao Wu, a newcomer's here! Come out and 'welcome' him!"
Jiang Chen's smile faded as he heard them call for Xiao Wu.
To his surprise, a little girl pushed through the crowd and stood in front of all the boys.
She was about Jiang Chen's height, with a round, delicate face like a ripe pink peach. A long braided pigtail hung down past her waist. She looked at Jiang Chen with curious eyes.
"You're a newcomer in our dorm too?" Xiao Wu said excitedly.
Jiang Chen nodded, confused. Could it be that Tang San hadn't told their roommates he was coming?
"That's great! Everyone, step back a bit. Come on, newcomer—if you can beat me, you'll be the boss of this dorm," Xiao Wu said, already brimming with anticipation.
Jiang Chen was speechless. He hadn't expected to get stuck with this challenge—and his opponent was Xiao Wu.
He looked at the little girl. Cute, yes, but just a little too small.
Shaking his head, Jiang Chen said flatly, "No need to fight. I give up. I'm no good at being a boss."
"Tch! Another coward," came a chorus of jeers. The boys, eager for a show, now lost interest and dispersed.
Jiang Chen carried his things, ready to walk past Xiao Wu and find a bed.
"No way! You're the first newcomer I've met since becoming boss. We have to fight!" Xiao Wu flashed and blocked Jiang Chen's path, hands on her hips, looking indignant.
"I said I give up. I'm terrible at this," Jiang Chen said helplessly.
He might have been interested in fighting Tang San, but sparring with a little girl? He just couldn't bring himself to care.
"No! Are you even a man? You can't even accept a challenge from a girl!" Xiao Wu stubbornly refused to move aside.
Jiang Chen didn't bother being polite; he reached out and gently pushed Xiao Wu to the side.
"You coward!" Xiao Wu stamped her foot angrily. She had just been crowned the dorm leader and was eager to show off her authority—only to run into a weakling.
With that, she flicked her head, and her long braided pigtail shot straight toward Jiang Chen, instantly wrapping around his neck from behind.
"Come back here!" Xiao Wu tugged hard, but Jiang Chen didn't budge an inch. Instead, he stepped forward, pulling her closer.
Xiao Wu had intended to yank him back with all her strength, but to her surprise, Jiang Chen was incredibly strong. In one pull, he dragged her forward, almost causing her to crash into his back.
Quick as a flash, she kicked off the ground with both feet, springing upward. Her two fair little feet wrapped tightly around Jiang Chen's neck.
Now, Jiang Chen's neck was trapped between Xiao Wu's braid and her legs. He gave a wry smile, realizing there was no escaping this.
"Fine, then let me see how much strength this little rabbit really has," he said, standing firm while summoning all his power to resist Xiao Wu's attack.
With her legs locked around his neck, Xiao Wu wasted no time. She leaned back against Jiang Chen's back, letting her entire weight hang backward, her hands planted firmly on the ground.
Like a spring coiled tight, she powered through with her legs and waist, trying to slam Jiang Chen backward.
A victorious smile spread across her face. Earlier that morning, Tang San had fallen to this very move—powerless to resist it—and she was confident no one her age could escape the same fate.
But soon, her expression changed...
No more saying I'm a Tang San fangirl—I'll make them all love and hate me in the end, hehe...