svetikya Chapter 36 The Iron Triangle of Tacit Understanding
Chapter 36 The Iron Triangle of Tacit Understanding
The argument between the two attracted the attention of the surrounding students. Yu Xiaogang, who had been watching from a distance, quickly walked over and, upon seeing the scene before him, immediately understood what was going on.
He frowned at Ning Rongrong, his tone tinged with displeasure: "Ning Rongrong, Tang San genuinely wants to be your friend, but his methods are a bit too direct. Why are you being so aggressive?"
Ning Rongrong turned her head and saw Yu Xiaogang, a hint of sarcasm on her face: "Master Yu? You certainly know how to protect your student. But making friends is about mutual consent. He's impolite and even forced me to give him things I didn't like. Is there anything wrong with me refusing him?"
"Tang San is a rare genius, born with full soul power. His Blue Silver Grass martial soul may seem ordinary, but it has boundless potential," Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice. "Making friends with him would benefit both of you. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School needs the help of strong individuals, and Tang San's future achievements are limitless. You shouldn't refuse him based on momentary impulse."
"A genius?" Ning Rongrong exclaimed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Master Yu, you yourself can't even break through to level 30 with your martial soul, and you still have the nerve to judge whether others are geniuses?"
She paused, her tone becoming even sharper, "Besides, even if he were a genius, if he didn't know how to respect others, no one would want to be his friend! When I, Ning Rongrong, make friends, I look at character and chemistry, not potential or ability!"
These words were like a sharp knife, precisely piercing Yu Xiaogang's sore spot. His face instantly turned pale, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a rebuttal.
Luo Sanpao's flaws and the humiliation of being stuck at level 29 for many years were his lifelong obsessions, and Ning Rongrong's words were undoubtedly rubbing salt into his wounds.
"You've gone too far!" Tang San's eyes flashed with anger as he saw his teacher being humiliated, and his Blue Silver Grass subtly tensed, as if he were about to launch an attack.
"What? You want to fight?" Ning Rongrong showed no fear, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone even brighter. "Come on! I want to see if this 'genius' can beat me!"
Just as tensions were about to rise, two figures strode over. "Rongrong, what's wrong?" Yan Zu's voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable power. He walked to Ning Rongrong's side, silently shielding her behind him, and calmly looked at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. "Let's talk this out. There's no need to resort to violence."
Xiao Wu stood beside Yan Zu, hands on her hips, glaring at Tang San: "Tang San, why are you bullying Rongrong?"
Seeing Yan Zu and Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong felt like she had found a backer, and pouted aggrievedly: "Azu, he insisted on being friends with me and even gave me a hidden weapon. I refused him, and his teacher even spoke up for him and mocked me!"
Yan Zu looked at Tang San and said calmly, "Tang San, making friends is about fate; you can't force it. If Rongrong doesn't like it, don't force it."
He then looked at Yu Xiaogang, "Master Yu, Rongrong is young and speaks rather bluntly, please don't mind. But when making friends, one should indeed respect the other person's wishes."
Yu Xiaogang's face was grim, but he knew it was best not to argue any further. He tugged at Tang San's arm: "Xiao San, let's go."
Tang San looked at Ning Rongrong hiding behind Yan Zu with resentment, and saw Xiao Wu's hostile gaze towards him. His jealousy and resentment grew wildly like weeds.
He gave Yan Zu a deep look, his gaze cold and stubborn, filled with resentment, before turning and leaving with Yu Xiaogang.
Seeing there was no more excitement to watch, the onlookers dispersed. Ning Rongrong, still grumbling, tugged at Yan Zu's arm: "Zu, that Tang San is so strange! And Yu Xiaogang, he's incompetent himself, yet he forces students to be friends with others—so annoying!"
"Alright, don't be angry anymore." Yan Zu ruffled her hair. "Tang San just doesn't know how to interact with girls, he didn't mean any harm. Master Yu is just protecting his own, he wasn't targeting you on purpose."
Xiao Wu chimed in, "Exactly! We should just ignore those rude people! Rongrong, let's go read a book."
"Yes!" Ning Rongrong immediately forgot her earlier unpleasantness, pulled Yan Zu and Xiao Wu towards the locust tree at the edge of the training ground, chattering about the plot of the book, and her face once again blossomed with a bright smile.
In the shadow of the teaching building not far away, Tang San stopped and looked back at the three people's intimate figures under the locust tree, his fists clenched tightly.
Looking at his expression, Yu Xiaogang gently comforted him, "Don't worry about it. Ning Rongrong is spoiled and not worth getting angry over. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is important, but it's not the only option."
"I'm not angry that she rejected me," Tang San's voice was low and cold. "I'm angry at Yan Zu. It's always him, whether it's Xiao Wu or Ning Rongrong, everyone revolves around him!"
He recalled Xiao Wu's dependence on Yan Zu, and Ning Rongrong's trust in him. Jealousy spread through him like a poisonous vine. "Teacher, I must surpass him! I want everyone to know that I'm better than him!"
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "That's ambitious! Cultivate diligently. You have twin martial souls, your potential is limitless, and you will definitely surpass him in the future."
Tang San remained silent, simply turning and walking towards the training ground. His Blue Silver Grass martial soul reappeared, carrying a suppressed rage. He knew that to surpass Yan Zu and obtain what he desired, he had to become stronger, strong enough that no one could ignore him.
During the first week of school, Ning Rongrong unsurprisingly became the focus of Notting College.
Not only is she of noble birth and outstanding appearance, but she is also lively and outgoing. Although she is somewhat willful and spoiled, this makes her seem genuine and unpretentious, especially considering her status as the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
However, the place she spent most of her time was beside Yan Zu and Xiao Wu.
"Master Yan, I don't quite understand this problem about soul power circulation. Could you explain it to me?"
"Sister Xiaowu, your movement technique just now was amazing! Can I learn from you?"
"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu, come and have some of this. I brought some candied fruit from home!"
At first, Xiao Wu felt a little uncomfortable with Ning Rongrong's approach. Whenever she saw Ning Rongrong holding a book and leaning close to Yan Zu to ask questions, or looking at Yan Zu with her bright eyes in admiration, she would unconsciously purse her lips and quietly tug at Yan Zu's clothes.
But Ning Rongrong was simply too innocent. Her admiration for Yan Zu stemmed from her resonance with those stories and the profound knowledge Yan Zu displayed;
Her closeness to Xiao Wu stemmed from her admiration for Xiao Wu's strength and her natural affection for her "older sister".
She's like a flawless crystal; she likes what she likes and is curious about what she's curious about, without a trace of romantic ulterior motives.
After several encounters, Xiao Wu gradually lowered her guard. Especially when Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and sincerely said, "Sister Xiao Wu, you're so amazing. From now on, you'll be my older sister," the girl's innocent charm was simply irresistible.
Thus, a peculiar scene appeared at Notting College:
The simply dressed work-study students Yan Zu and Xiao Wu, along with the elegantly dressed Princess Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, often walked side by side, discussing their studies, sparring with each other, or sharing snacks.
Yan Zu was as steady as an elder brother, Xiao Wu was as lively as an older sister, and Ning Rongrong was as charming as a younger sister, creating a wonderful harmony.
Privately, the students began to call them the "Iron Triangle"—although the composition of this triangle was completely different from the original work.