Chapter 14 Rizzing Up

The soft, delicate tongue of the little rabbit barely touched the pink lollipop when a hint of honeyed sweetness and the fresh aroma of carrots bloomed on her tongue.

The taste of the lollipop…

Made Xiao Wu's eyes squint slightly with delight.

Slowly, she pressed the red candy against her soft lips, gradually sliding it past her teeth before finally sitting lightly back down on the bed.

The sweetness soaking her taste buds seemed to dull the pain in her rear, making her back and waist straighten up slightly.

Holding the lollipop in her hand, she imitated Ye Qiu's movements, her small hands moving slowly.

Her tongue swirled around, guiding the crystal-clear candy to roam within her mouth, sucking gently, letting the sweetness flood her senses. Her large, round, rosy eyes curved into crescents of satisfaction.

"Now then... since you've eaten my candy, you have to help me!"

Ye Qiu, watching Xiao Wu's blissful expression, didn't forget to remind her of their agreement.

Lowering her head, immersed in the treat, Xiao Wu glanced sideways at Ye Qiu...

And found him staring intently at her.

Her face immediately bloomed into a radiant red.

She pulled the glossy, translucent candy out of her mouth, a thin sheen of glistening moisture coating its surface.

"Got it, Xiao Wu-jie understands!"

She nodded slightly in agreement before stuffing the lollipop back into her mouth. Mumbling, she added, "But… in the future… you—you still have to give me more... Ahh… it's so good!"

"No way, you can't just eat for free!"

Ye Qiu waggled his finger lightly. This was his hard-earned candy—he wasn't about to be a free meal ticket.

Xiao Wu frowned and shot him a glare. Her licking slowed as she took the candy out and stuck out her little tongue, carefully lapping at it instead, trying to make it last longer.

Ye Qiu watched her, utterly captivated by the adorable sight. This little rabbit was just too delicate, too charming—he couldn't help but feel a deep fondness for her.

Noticing his gaze, Xiao Wu's face flushed an even deeper shade of red. Embarrassed, she retracted her tongue, pursed her lips, and let out a soft huff.

She turned away... and continued eating.

As she turned, she suddenly realized—Tang San and Wang Sheng were also staring at her!

Her face burned with shame, and she snapped, "What are you looking at?! What's so interesting?! Believe it or not, I'll teach you a lesson!"

Even with a lollipop in her mouth, she clenched her tiny fists, glaring at them with her comical dark eye circles, still looking like she was ready to throw a punch.

Tang San, seeing this, felt relieved that he had chosen to stay out of it—otherwise, he might have ended up the unlucky one.

Wang Sheng, however, couldn't help but admire Ye Qiu.

The boss could look all he wanted, but they, the underlings, were just there to watch the door and clear the way.

Tang San shot Ye Qiu a glance before shifting his focus.

He grabbed his belongings and randomly picked a bed. It was only then that he realized—he hadn't brought any bedding.

Frowning, he turned to Wang Sheng and asked, "Wang Sheng, don't we get bedding here?"

A senior student, a few years older than Tang San, let out a sigh.

"We're work-study students—our tuition is already free. Do you think they'd give us bedding too? We all had to bring our own from home."

Wang Sheng stepped forward, offering a suggestion.

"Third Brother, how about this? You can use mine for now."

Tang San glanced at their beds. While not exactly filthy, the blankets were old and tattered.

Shaking his head, he firmly declined, "Thanks for the offer, but I'll figure something out myself."

Just as he finished speaking—

A teacher in his thirties walked through the door, sweeping his gaze across the room before asking, "Who's the new work-study student? Step forward."

Tang San, puzzled, took a couple of steps forward.

On the other side, Xiao Wu, still licking her lollipop, also stood up lightly, discreetly covering her sore backside. She shot a resentful glare at Ye Qiu, who remained sitting on the bed.

The teacher had an unremarkable appearance, except for his pale green hair, which made Ye Qiu mentally complain.

In his arms, he carried a folded quilt.

Ye Qiu knew—this was sent by Yu Xiaogang as a gesture of kindness toward Tang San.

So, he remained seated and didn't move.

"Who is Tang San?"

The green-haired teacher asked again.

"Teacher, I am!"

Tang San quickly raised his hand and stepped forward.

The teacher glanced at him before handing him the bedding.

"I'm Mo Hen, you can call me Teacher Mo. Tang San, this is from the Grandmaster for you."

"Mm!"

Tang San nodded calmly, taking the quilt. It wasn't luxurious, but it was clean and brand new.

He hadn't expected his new teacher to be so thoughtful. At this moment, the rigid image of Yu Xiaogang softened slightly in his heart.

Mo Hen looked at Tang San and Xiao Wu, then instructed,

"As first-year work-study students, your job is to clean the garden south of the training grounds. You'll be paid ten copper soul coins per day. If you slack off, the academy has the right to expel you… understood? Also… let the other one who's missing know."

Tang San and Xiao Wu both nodded in unison, then turned to glance at Ye Qiu.

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Be sure to attend. Wang Sheng, since you're the oldest, explain the rules to them."

After saying that, the green-haired teacher turned and left.

Xiao Wu pouted at Tang San's new bedding, then shifted her gaze to Ye Qiu, who, like her, had no blankets.

Their eyes met. Xiao Wu instantly shot him a glare, her face turning a little red.

A few clever work-study students immediately stepped forward.

"Boss, use my bedding for now. I'll just fold my blanket and use it as a mattress."

Another turned to Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu-jie, you can use my quilt! I'll manage with just my mattress."

Xiao Wu looked at the ragged blankets they offered. Feeling both disgusted and embarrassed, her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Tang San.

Tang San held his blanket, meeting Xiao Wu's gaze—he had no idea how to respond.

He only had one set.

If he had an extra, he wouldn't have minded helping her, but right now, they could only fend for themselves.

Ye Qiu chuckled, waving off the offer.

"Thanks, but I'll figure something out myself."

He then turned to look at Xiao Wu, who stood there, staring blankly, not knowing what to do.

Smiling, he walked over and, as if it were the most natural thing, draped an arm around her shoulders.

"Ah—w-what are you doing?!"

Xiao Wu stiffened, struggling slightly, her brows furrowing, her flushed face filled with confusion as she looked at Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu gazed into her large, rosy eyes and smiled.

"Little bunny… how about I take you to buy some bedding?"