C25 I Am Still Growing

Throughout the morning, Principal Lee Wenqing, Zhu Chengrong, and others were desperately trying to find out more about Ye Luo, eager to discover his true identity. However, it was obvious that their search was fruitless.

No matter how hard they looked, Ye Luo was still just an orphan without parents or influence.

Ye Luo, on the other hand, remained in the classroom, eyes closed, intently cultivating the Nine Heavens Reincarnation Art.

He understood the cruelty of the world and the urgency of breaking through to the Innate Stage to secure even the most basic ability to protect himself.

His desk mate, Hsu Danian, was absorbed in the letter Ye Luo had written to him. At first, he was somewhat confused and perplexed, but as he delved deeper, he became completely engrossed.

Before they knew it, the morning had passed. Ye Luo had hoped to make a breakthrough to the Innate Stage, but it was clear he had set his expectations too high, as he was still in the late Postnatal stage.

However, his strength had increased significantly; he could now deliver a punch with a force of approximately 5000 kilograms.

This pure strength allowed him to compete with most fighters in the Mid Innate Stage and even gave him a fighting chance against those in the Late Innate Stage.

As soon as the lunch bell sounded, Ann Xin rushed to Ye Luo's side.

"Cough cough, Ann Xin, there's no need to hurry like that," Hsu Danian said with a smirk. "The bell just rang, and you're already here, making it seem like Ye Luo might disappear."

Embarrassed by his remark, Ann Xin blushed and mumbled, "I... I just wanted to go out to lunch with Ye Luo."

"Hehe, I understand. Enjoy your meal slowly, and afterward, there's plenty of time for your favorite activities. There are plenty of little hotels on the backstreet of the school—just remember to be safe and avoid any real trouble," Hsu Danian said with a sleazy smile.

"We're going out to eat, not to cause harm. How could that possibly lead to trouble?" Ann Xin replied, clearly irritated.

"Hehe, beautiful Ann Xin, I'm not talking about causing that kind of trouble. It's all about 'creating' something—think about it from a scientific or physiological standpoint," Hsu Danian suggested with a suggestive wink.

After hearing Hsu Danian's explanation, Ann Xin finally understood what he meant, her cheeks turning an even brighter shade of red.

"Smack!" Ye Luo's hand landed firmly on Hsu Danian's head. "What on earth are you thinking about? Believe me, I'll break your legs, and I'll start with the shortest one."

"The shortest one?" Hsu Danian was momentarily stunned, about to claim that his legs were of equal length, but a quick look down at his crotch made him feel a chill. He hastily backed away. "Hehehe, Ann Xin, please take Ye Luo away quickly."

"Ye Luo!"

At that moment, a voice rang out from the doorway, causing many in the classroom to turn and look.

"Wow, isn't that Ziyuan, the campus belle? What's she doing here?"

"Wait, who did she just call out? Ye Luo?"

"No way, is the campus belle here for Ye Luo?"

"Ye Luo, I'm right here. Come on out." Ziyuan called out, waving to Ye Luo, undisturbed by the gazes of the others.

"Seriously, she's here for Ye Luo? What's so great about him? Just because he can throw a punch? What era is this where fighting wins you affection?" Many guys, sure they were more handsome and wealthier than Ye Luo, muttered their discontent.

Of course, they hadn't seen Ye Luo's earlier show of prowess; otherwise, they might have thought differently.

"Let's go!" Ye Luo grabbed Ann Xin's hand and headed towards Ziyuan.

"You two are quite the pair, always hand in hand. Don't you ever get sick of it?" Ziyuan commented with a teasing tone.

"Hehe, are you envious?" Ye Luo chuckled.

"Get lost. I've seen my fair share of men, many of whom are far more attractive than you. If I wanted, I could have a line of guys eager to hold my hand stretching around the school several times," Ziyuan replied with a roll of her eyes.

Ye Luo didn't doubt her words. With Ziyuan's beauty, there were plenty of men at Linhai University vying for her attention, yet she hadn't taken an interest in any of them, remaining single to this day.

"Come on, I've booked a private room at the Little Champion Restaurant on the back street." Ziyuan took Ann Xin's arm, leading the way confidently.

Ye Luo followed the two women down the stairs without saying another word.

Watching Ye Luo stride away with the two campus beauties in tow, Hsu Danian heaved a sigh.

"In Huaxia, the current male-to-female ratio is 1.16 to 1, which means tens of millions of men are destined to remain bachelors. And yet, there are those who monopolize several women for themselves—the most stunning ones, no less. It's maddening, a blatant affront to fairness."

Inside the private dining room at the Little Champion Restaurant, although it was just Ye Luo, Ann Xin, and Ziyuan, Ye Luo could distinctly feel the watchful eyes of a middle-aged man lurking in the shadows.

"Forty-something, early in the Innate Stage—not too shabby," Ye Luo muttered to himself.

Having an Innate Stage Expert in her company was a clear sign that Ziyuan was no ordinary individual.

During the meal, Ziyuan ordered an array of dishes. Fortunately, Ye Luo had a hearty appetite, consuming 90% of the food himself, much to the astonishment of Ziyuan and Ann Xin.

"Ye Luo, how long has it been since you last ate?" Ann Xin asked, half in jest.

"Hehe, I'm still growing, so I tend to eat a lot. Sorry about that," Ye Luo responded with a mischievous smile.

Their laughter filled the room at Ye Luo's playful answer.

"Ann Xin, we're friends, right? I need to ask you for a favor," Ziyuan said, gently grasping Ann Xin's hand with a touch of reluctance after they had finished eating.

"Hmm?" Ann Xin was taken aback. She knew of Ziyuan's beauty, intelligence, and affluent background. What could she possibly need from someone like her, from a humble background?

Nonetheless, considering Ziyuan's earlier support for Ye Luo, Ann Xin didn't overthink it. She nodded and said, "Go ahead, tell me what it is. If it's within my power, I won't refuse."

"Thank you so much," Ziyuan said, visibly relieved by Ann Xin's response.

"But what is it that you need?"

Ziyuan looked at Ann Xin, then glanced at Ye Luo before speaking up shyly, "Ann Xin, I was wondering if I could borrow Ye Luo for a little while."

"What?" The question took Ann Xin by surprise, her expression changing instantly.

Ye Luo, who was nearby, was equally shocked, nearly spitting out his food in disbelief.

"Don't misunderstand, it's like this: my family is forcing me to go on a blind date with someone I'm not fond of, and I can't refuse, so..."

"So, you want to use someone as a shield, but why must it be Ye Luo?" Ann Xin was clearly upset. Between women, especially those who are exceptionally attractive, almost anything might be shared, but a man isn't something you can just 'borrow.'

For Ann Xin, her family background paled in comparison to Ziyuan's, and she didn't believe she had any advantage in terms of looks. Previously, this made her feel inferior to Ziyuan, but her circumstances had changed. She was now Ye Luo's girlfriend, and he had become her most significant pillar of strength.

Yet here was Ziyuan, setting her sights on Ye Luo, and it was only natural for Ann Xin to feel on edge.