The table was laden with more than a dozen dishes as Chu Zihang invited everyone to take their seats.
"Oh my, what a sumptuous feast! I never imagined our Lionheart Society president could actually cook! Whoever marries you in the future will be incredibly fortunate."
As she spoke, Chen Motong deliberately glanced toward Xia Mi.
"That's absolutely true. With senior brother's skills, whoever marries him will definitely be very happy," Xia Mi replied with a sweet smile, pulling out a chair and sitting down gracefully.
Chu Zihang observed the two women with quiet confusion. Why were they already at odds when this was clearly their first meeting? Could it be that Chen Motong harbored feelings for him and was jealous after seeing Xia Mi?
What Chu Zihang didn't know was that Susie had developed a crush on him since entering the academy. After interacting with him for some time, that crush had slowly transformed into genuine admiration. As Susie's best friend and roommate, Chen Motong was naturally aware of these feelings.
Therefore, after witnessing Xia Mi cooking alongside Chu Zihang and observing their easy closeness, Chen Motong decided to intervene as a loyal friend. If she allowed Xia Mi to steal Chu Zihang away, what would happen to Susie?
This was precisely why Chen Motong had started provoking Xia Mi from the very beginning. As best friends went, Chen Motong was remarkably dedicated.
Caesar, Stroev, and Finger were equally surprised by the inexplicable tension between the two women, but they remained tactfully silent. As for Principal Anjou, the old fox had seen far too much in his long life. He simply observed the clash between Xia Mi and Chen Motong with the amused mindset of someone watching entertaining theater, all while sighing inwardly:
"Ah, youth!"
Fortunately, Chen Motong and Xia Mi refrained from causing any disturbances during the actual meal, allowing everyone to eat in relative peace. However, after dinner concluded, the situation shifted.
As a devoted friend, Chen Motong felt obligated to gather intelligence about Susie's potential rival. With a perfectly polite smile plastered across her face, she asked:
"Since junior sister is studying in Cassel Academy's preparatory program, you must have been tested for your bloodline level. I'm curious—what level did you receive?"
"Junior sister's talent really isn't that impressive," Xia Mi replied modestly.
Hearing this, Chen Motong's smile widened. If Xia Mi's talent wasn't particularly good, then Susie had an excellent chance. After all, Chu Zihang was an S-level hybrid. If he wanted his offspring to inherit a stronger bloodline, he should naturally seek out a high-level hybrid partner. In this regard, Susie—who was A-level—held a significant advantage.
But the second half of Xia Mi's statement made Chen Motong's face fall instantly.
"My bloodline is only A-level, which is far inferior to senior brother's."
Xia Mi smiled sweetly, her cute little canine teeth peeking out again.
"This woman is definitely messing with me! Only A-level and she's calling it low bloodline?!" Chen Motong thought through gritted teeth.
"Junior sister, you should be officially entering Cassel Academy next year, correct?" Caesar, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
"Yes, after completing a year of preparatory courses, I'll officially enroll at Cassel Academy next year. I hope all the senior students will take good care of me then!" Xia Mi nodded graciously.
"Then I wonder if you'd be interested in joining our Cassel Academy Student Union? I'm currently the Student Union president. I can guarantee that as long as you join the Student Union next year, you'll be appointed to a position at least at the department head level or above."
Chen Motong shot Caesar a surprised look. 'Brother, can't you see I don't get along with this woman? And you're actually trying to recruit her into the Student Union right now?'
Caesar had his reasons. The Lionheart Society had consistently suppressed the Student Union, and his entire goal in joining the Student Union was to defeat the Lionheart Society and prove he was the true king of Cassel Academy.
During the previous Freedom Day event, Caesar had been just one move away from defeating Stroev and securing the rights to Norton Hall. If successful, the Student Union could have launched a genuine counteroffensive against the Lionheart Society. Unfortunately, Stroev's skills had proven superior.
Later, when Caesar learned that the new student Chu Zihang was S-level, he had personally extended an invitation, hoping Chu Zihang would join the Student Union to support him. But who could have anticipated that Stroev would be even more ruthless, directly relinquishing his position as president to secure Chu Zihang's loyalty?
Although Caesar remained confident in his own abilities, the fact that an S-level hybrid was now leading the Lionheart Society created tremendous pressure.
For the Student Union's development and to ultimately defeat the Lionheart Society, Caesar needed to recruit high-level hybrids to strengthen their ranks. Therefore, when he heard Xia Mi mention she was A-level, his interest was immediately piqued.
"Thank you for the invitation, Senior Brother Caesar. However, my most important task right now is completing this year's preparatory coursework. After I officially enter Cassel Academy, I'll carefully consider your suggestion," Xia Mi replied diplomatically.
Caesar wasn't entirely satisfied with her answer, but as long as she didn't join the Lionheart Society, all possibilities remained open.
"The Student Union welcomes you to join at any time," Caesar said with a nod.
Although Chen Motong was displeased by Caesar's recruitment attempt, she didn't forget her primary mission of gathering information about Xia Mi:
"Junior sister, I'm curious—where did you attend school before? Perhaps we were classmates at some point."
"I attended the same middle school as Senior Brother Chu Zihang. After graduating from junior high, I went to the High School Affiliated with Imperial Capital University for several years before entering Cassel Academy's preparatory program."
Hearing this answer, Chen Motong's heart sank.
'Oh no! This girl is actually Chu Zihang's childhood sweetheart. Susie, Susie, you're facing tremendous pressure this time.'
"I see, I see. So you and Chu Zihang have known each other for quite a long time," Chen Motong said with a forced smile.
"So, junior sister, are you currently living in the dormitories?"
"I'm living here at senior brother's house right now," Xia Mi answered with an innocent, sweet smile.
"What?!"
Chen Motong was stunned. Xia Mi was actually living with Chu Zihang?!
"My parents passed away when I was young, so I'm actually an orphan. During the Olympics, I was working part-time jobs when I happened to meet senior brother and Aunt Su—that's senior brother's mother."
"Aunt Su felt sorry for me, so she introduced me to a well-paying tutoring position and invited me to live here. Honestly speaking, I'm truly grateful to both senior brother and Aunt Su."
Xia Mi briefly explained the circumstances of why she was living in Chu Zihang's residence.
"I... see..."
Chen Motong's face twitched twice. When she heard Xia Mi mention being an orphan, Chen Motong felt deeply uncomfortable continuing to target her—doing so would only make her appear petty and graceless.
'Susie, Susie, I really can't help you this time,' Chen Motong sighed internally. In this situation, she had no idea how to assist her best friend.
Xia Mi was an orphan and Chu Zihang's childhood sweetheart. More critically, Xia Mi had already met his parents! And she'd clearly been approved by Chu Zihang's mother—otherwise, she would never have been allowed to live in their home.
Compared to Xia Mi's advantages, Susie had no edge whatsoever. Chen Motong could only mourn silently for her best friend in her heart.
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