Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Secret Invitation

"Congratulations, Teacher Yun!" Teacher Song approached Teacher Yun with a courteous smile, offering his congratulations.

"The same to you," Teacher Yun replied with equal warmth.

"You old fox, what tricks did you pull behind the scenes? A few of your female students actually made it into the top five!" Teacher Song truly hadn't expected such a result.

"If you can bear to use your secret weapons, why shouldn't I employ my own hidden treasures?" Teacher Yun laughed.

"But things won't be so easy from here on out!"

Teacher Yun responded, "Just making it this far has already satisfied me. As for your students, facing the Money team, the Shadows, and finally the legendary group at the end, I doubt they'll have an easy time."

Teacher Song was genuinely worried, for the upcoming rounds would be far more difficult.

"Wow, little miss, you're pretty impressive!" As Teacher Song and Teacher Yun spoke, Feng Shang couldn't resist coming over to strike up a conversation with the pretty girls.

But Little Yellow Sprout stepped forward and gave Feng Shang a fierce kick in the groin.

"Ah!" Feng Shang doubled over, clutching himself and retreating with a grimace. "She looks so delicate, but she's downright vicious!"

Fang Zhe let out a cold laugh. "Serves you right!"

The semifinals had concluded, and the students began to leave the venue. Teacher Song led Han Tianyue and the others toward the stone gate.

They ran into the Shadow team, four people in all, coming from the opposite direction.

Mao Xuanzi stopped, exchanging a long look with Shadow.

Shadow stepped up and whispered something in Mao Xuanzi's ear before leaving with the other three.

Money, too, came over and with his customary broad, honest grin, said, "Mao Xuanzi, don't believe a word that Shadow brat says!" With that, he exited through the stone gate.

The Literary Adviser, following behind Money's group, greeted Teacher Song quickly before hurrying after his students.

"What did Shadow say to you?" Teacher Song asked.

Mao Xuanzi replied, "He told me to meet him by the back mountain tonight."

"Tonight?" Teacher Song quickly intervened. "The school rules are clear—no students are allowed out at night. You mustn't go!"

Mao Xuanzi nodded, but his brow remained furrowed.

"Enough, don't dwell on it. Let's go," Han Tianyue urged, stepping forward.

Mao Xuanzi let out a breath and left the venue with the teachers.

Afterward, everyone went their separate ways. Mao Xuanzi lowered his head and headed for his dormitory. Han Tianyue followed and asked, "What kind of person is Shadow, really?"

Lost in thought, Mao Xuanzi hadn't realized Han Tianyue was behind him. Startled by the question, he stopped and replied, "Shadow once saved my life."

Han Tianyue looked at him in shock.

"But don't worry, I won't go to his meeting," Mao Xuanzi said, having already made up his mind.

Han Tianyue seemed at a loss for words. Instead, he said, "You're the crown prince's brother, so you're my brother too. Without the crown prince, I'll look after you."

Mao Xuanzi held out his fist.

Han Tianyue bumped his own fist against Mao Xuanzi's, and the two burst out laughing.

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