Chapter Eight: Is This Love?

After a full day of classes, everyone returned to the dormitory, slipping into their nightly conversations. The most spirited among them was still Feng Shang.

"You have no idea," Feng Shang began, lost in his own exhilaration. "That little Nuo—she’s not only blessed with a sweet voice and generous curves, but her figure is absolutely stunning. Today was the first time I saw her, and she was just breathtaking!"

"Feng Shang," Fang Zhe cut in coolly, "we haven’t settled the score from earlier today. You and your flirtations—are you hoping we’ll let it slide?" Feng Shang had no choice but to fall silent.

The conversation shifted as Fang Zhe remarked, "I never expected the Legendary Group would invite Prince Mao!"

Han Tianyue sighed, "She really should have accepted their invitation."

"You truly think so?" Fang Zhe questioned.

"It's just that she can't let go of something here," Feng Shang interjected with a laugh.

Han Tianyue's face paled at Feng Shang’s words.

Seeing the change in Han Tianyue, Wen Pin quickly steered the conversation in a different direction. "Do any of you know why Teacher Song wanted us to climb the mountain?"

"That old fox would’ve loved for us to die up there! We barely made it out alive today, and that’s exactly what he wanted," Feng Shang replied angrily.

"I don’t quite agree," Wen Pin explained. "From what I know, the annual graduation challenge is only a month away, and soon we’ll be entering the workforce."

"Forget it. If we’re dragged into the competition, we’ll be lucky not to get our heads bashed in," Feng Shang said, then turned to ask, "Brothers, what are your plans after graduation?"

"I don’t want to keep going down this path," Da Peng chimed in. "I’ll probably go home and help my father with the business."

And so the conversation flowed back and forth, stretching deep into the night.

Han Tianyue, meanwhile, remained silent, his mind preoccupied with Prince Mao’s performance earlier. For reasons he couldn’t explain, an emptiness settled in his heart. "Prince, you didn’t accept the Legendary Group’s invitation—does that mean you’re considering joining us on our promised journey?"

"I must become stronger—much stronger!" When Feng Shang and the others finally drifted off to sleep, Han Tianyue quietly dressed and slipped out of bed.

"I am the embodiment of frost, with only average talent," he mused, unconsciously making his way toward the forbidden area near the school. "Should I go, or should I turn back?"

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