"Alright, Little San, don't just stand there looking silly."
"Let's take Xiao Wu to see Grandmaster and the others. They must be very worried about her as well."
Bai Mu looked at Tang San's flustered attempt to maintain his composure, and a trace of amusement flashed through his eyes.
"Oh, right! I've missed Rongrong, Zhuqing, and the others so much too!"
Xiao Wu immediately raised her head, her face still slightly flushed. Seeing Tang San staring at her, she smiled brightly.
"Brother, let's go quickly!"
"Okay!"
Tang San nodded repeatedly and stepped forward as though grasping at a lifeline.
He tried his best to suppress the complicated emotions in his heart and avoided looking too much at the two of them.
Bai Mu watched Tang San's hurried figure and smiled faintly.
"Alright, Xiao Wu, don't let Little San see you making a fool of yourself. Go on."
As he spoke, he gently patted Xiao Wu on the shoulder.
"Mm-hmm!"
Xiao Wu nodded and quickly caught up, walking side by side with Tang San.
"Whew..."
Seeing Xiao Wu beside him again, Tang San quietly let out a sigh of relief.
He began asking about her condition and sharing everything that had happened during their separation.
Xiao Wu responded with a smile, chatting with him naturally.
For a moment, it felt as though everything had returned to normal.
Yet Tang San couldn't shake a strange feeling.
In the past, Xiao Wu would always cling to him, hug his arm, and stay by his side wherever he went.
Now, she simply walked beside him.
There was no familiar intimacy, no playful dependence.
Every now and then, she would even glance back toward Bai Mu behind them.
Tang San felt an uncomfortable bitterness in his chest.
It was as though something precious to him had gradually slipped away.
"It's fine..."
"It must be because we haven't seen each other for so long."
"There must be some distance after all this time."
He repeatedly comforted himself.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the Shrek Elite Class training grounds.
Grandmaster, Flender, and all the students were gathered there.
"Everyone!"
Bai Mu waved cheerfully.
"Look who I've brought back."
Stepping aside, he revealed Xiao Wu behind him.
"Mission accomplished. Sister Xiao Wu is back safely."
"Xiao Wu?!"
Everyone stared in shock.
"This... this is Xiao Wu?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened.
"Zhuqing, is that really her? She's changed so much!"
"The change really is huge."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded softly.
"Her appearance and temperament are completely different."
"My goodness, Xiao Wu, what happened to you?"
Oscar scratched his head in disbelief.
"Whoa! Xiao Wu!"
Ma Hongjun's eyes nearly popped out.
"How did you suddenly become so mature?"
"Xiao Wu, are you alright?"
Grandmaster asked with concern.
Everyone immediately surrounded her, asking questions and expressing their worries.
Tai Long and the others also warmly introduced themselves.
Only Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran exchanged meaningful glances from the side.
As people who knew Bai Mu well, they naturally understood far more than the others.
Still, they hadn't expected Xiao Wu to return like this.
"Thank you, Grandmaster. Thank you, everyone."
A bright smile appeared on Xiao Wu's face.
"I'm back."
"And it's all thanks to Little Mu. If he hadn't saved me, I might never have returned."
Bai Mu stepped forward and gently ruffled her hair.
"It's all over now."
"As long as everyone is safe, that's what matters."
Seeing the interaction between them, several people exchanged subtle looks.
Tang San stood quietly nearby.
Although he maintained a calm expression, the jealousy in his heart continued to grow.
"Tang San, don't think too much about it."
Ning Rongrong quietly approached him and lowered her voice.
"Xiao Wu is probably just grateful to Bai Mu for saving her."
"I know."
Tang San forced a smile.
"Xiao Wu is my sister. I understand her."
The group spent the rest of the day chatting, training, and catching up.
Gradually, the atmosphere became lively once more.
Time passed quietly.
Several days went by in the blink of an eye.
As the excitement of the reunion faded, Tang San's mood became increasingly heavy.
Because he discovered something he didn't want to admit.
The relationship between him and Xiao Wu hadn't returned to how it once was.
Instead, it seemed to be drifting farther apart.
Before, Xiao Wu would tell him everything.
She would stay by his side, depend on him, and trust him completely.
Now, she rarely sought him out on her own.
Even when they spent time together, there was always an invisible distance between them.
The closeness they once shared seemed impossible to find.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu and Bai Mu appeared to be growing closer and closer.
Whether during training or during breaks, the two were often together.
Xiao Wu frequently smiled when talking to him and seemed far more relaxed around him.
Every time Tang San saw it, an indescribable bitterness welled up inside him.
It felt as though the most precious thing in his life was slowly being taken away.
"This is only temporary."
"Xiao Wu is my sister."
"Xiao Wu and I are the closest ones!"
Tang San sat alone in a corner of the training grounds, cultivating while repeatedly reassuring himself.
He refused to believe that the bond between him and Xiao Wu could be replaced so easily.
Night fell.
Deep within Order Academy, the lights of Bai Mu's cabin still glowed warmly.
The atmosphere inside was relaxed as several friends gathered together after training.
As soon as Ning Rongrong entered, she was surprised to find everyone already there.
"Ah? Xiao Wu is here too?"
She blinked in surprise.
"I couldn't help it."
Xiao Wu smiled helplessly.
"Little Mu invited me over."
"Big Sister Rongrong, you're only realizing that now?"
Dugu Yan laughed.
"Since you're here, sit down."
"The more people, the livelier it is."
Meng Yiran smiled as she spoke.
"Zhuqing, you're here too?"
Ning Rongrong stared at Zhu Zhuqing in disbelief.
"You all knew about this already?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked up and gave a quiet nod.
A moment later, Liu Erlong pushed open the door and entered.
The moment she saw the crowded room, her expression darkened.
"Hmph. This old lady isn't staying here."
She turned as if to leave.
Yet somehow, she still ended up walking inside.
"Bai Mu, what are you plotting now?"
Liu Erlong folded her arms and glared at him.
Her tone was full of suspicion.
"Dean Liu, since you're already here, why not sit down for a while?"
Bai Mu smiled lazily.
"Leaving so quickly would be rather impolite."
"Get lost!"
Liu Erlong instantly exploded.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"When the younger generation is speaking, the elders..."
"Don't interrupt!"
The room immediately burst into laughter.
For a brief moment, all worries and troubles seemed to disappear.
--------------Author---------------
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