"Sure." Huo Yuhao shrugged his shoulders. He then turned to his stunned friend Wang Dong and said, "You go on ahead, I'll catch up with you later on after talking to Xiao Xiao. Oh and could you order me the usual cheese hamburgers at the cafeteria with double the tomato? Thanks~"
Wang Dong didn't manage to say anything as the two headed someplace else, Xiao Xiao being the one to lead Huo Yuhao.
".... I'm not your errand boy!" Irritated, Wang Dong began stomping his way towards the cafeteria. Not noticing the deadpanned look a passing Zhou Yi had as she stared at him.
'Even if you disguise yourself well, tricking these ignorant students, people would still realize the crush you have on Huo Yuhao.' She shook her head and let out a sigh. She really needs to keep her temper in line.
Just because her husband forgot their date yesterday, which she still hadn't forgiven him for yet, she didn't have to place her frustration on her students.
'...I need a drink.'
In a secluded area behind their school building, Hup Yuhao and Xiao Xiao faced each other.
Huo Yuhao had a relaxed expression on his face, while Xiao Xiao's face grew more and more flustered as the silence between them continued.
As a few minutes passed by, Huo Yuhao couldn't take it any longer and started to say,
"Uhm–"
"I–"
Both looked up at each other's eyes. Xiao Xiao's face was completely red like a tomato and she quickly looked down at the ground.
Huo Yuhao sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Xiao Xiao, I'm sorry if I'm being impatient but I kinda need to do something right about now and–"
"I-I, Huo Yuhao!" Xiao Xiao raised her head, gathering all her courage, she then spoke with a loud voice. "I like you! Can we go out!"
Huo Yuhao blinked his eyes in surprise, not expecting Xiao Xiao's confession. He hadn't realized that she had feelings for him. He paused for a moment, contemplating his response.
After all, Xiao Xiao was part of his team. And though he was mostly confident in winning the fights against his peers, plus Wang Dong's assistance, he also wanted to conserve most of his strength until the finals of the competition for an assured victory.
So he needed all cards that he can use.
So...how should he reject her while also sparing her feelings so that she wouldn't become a liability?
"Xiao Xiao, I appreciate your feelings and I think you're a great person. But I'm going to be honest here and say — I'm sorry, but I can't date you, not right now at least."
Xiao Xiao's eyes turned watery, wiping her tears, she dryly chuckled. "C-Can I at least know why?"
Huo Yuhao scratched his cheek, "Well, I barely know you out of the classroom, we've only had a handful of conversations, and, honestly, the real reason is because I can't have the time to date someone right now."
Letting out a sigh, he slowly approached her and put his hand on her shoulder. Staring at her vulnerable and saddened eyes, Huo Yuhao's expression turned soft.
"Xiao Xiao, we're still 12 years old. We're too young to think about that sort of stuff. We have our whole lives ahead of us, and right now, we should focus on our studies and our cultivation. There will be plenty of time for relationships in the future, but for now, let's just be friends and support each other, okay?"
Xiao Xiao sniffled and nodded, her tears wiped and a small smile appeared on her face. "Okay... I understand."
Huo Yuhao gave her a gentle smile and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you for understanding, Xiao Xiao. You're a great friend, and I hope we can continue to be friends, no matter what."
'I also need you play your part in the upcoming competition as well,' He thought, keeping that little comment to himself.
Xiao Xiao hugged him back tightly, trying to hold back her tears. "Yes, of course. Friends... forever."
They stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's presence. Eventually, they pulled apart and Huo Yuhao wiped away Xiao Xiao's tears with a soft smile.
"Come on, let's go back to the cafeteria. Wang Dong must be wondering where I am. That glutton might even eat my meal."
Xiao Xiao nodded, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness.
Shaking her head, she raised her hand and clenched it. Her eyes shining with determination,
'He said not right now, there is still a chance in the future!'
Huo Yuhao was already walking ahead of her so he didn't notice her actions.
"Haaaa. Huo Yuhao, why did you have to reject the girl?" Skydream questioned, his lazy voice entering Huo Yuhao's ears. "I know I don't understand much of human' culture but isn't it common sense for every living being to find a mate? Take after me, for example. Haaaa....Bing Bing!"
Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes, 'Not everyone is that obsessed for a girl like you. Also, as I had said to Xiao Xiao, we're still too young to think about any of that at the moment. I mean, at 12 years old, dating? What kind of world do you think that is? An irresponsible one if you think about it.'
"Pfft. Age is just a number, isn't it? I mean, if you were to be approached by an older woman and she asks you to be her...eh, whatcha-ma call it? Lover? Ah, boyfriend! She'd ask you to be her boyfriend, what would you do?"
'....Now that's just a different matter all together.' Huo Yuhao replied with a flat tone of voice.
"How is that different?!"
"Even after a million years of living, you're still such an innocent little worm." Ancestor said.
"Well, then tell me!"
Ancestor snorted, "Nope."
"Oh, c'mon. Tell me!"
Both Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao entered the cafeteria, where they encountered Wang Dong. And he wasn't alone.
"Huo Yuhao," Ning Tian nodded towards Huo Yuhao, her pretty face was emotionless as she greeted him. A stark contrast to their earlier encounter before heading to their respective classes.
Though that was to be expected, since they were surrounded by their schoolmates and classmates as it was lunch time. As the heir of the Seven Treasure School, she couldn't be seen casually talking to some nobody.
Ning Tian wouldn't have cared about it until she found herself being scrutinized by the elders. In her sect, her father, the sect master, wasn't the only one in command but a council of high elders shared the same authority as well. They found her talents, which is much higher compared to her Ancestor, quite impressive and were hoping to use her marriage as a way to form alliances and strengthen their sect.
But that would soon be changed when the competition starts.
'Hehe. I can't wait to see you show your abilities on stage, Yuhao. When my "secret" guards report back to the sect of how you dominated the competition, I'm sure they'll get their asses off of me.' Ning Tian inwardly pumped out her fist.
Huo Yuhao gave a polite nod in return. "Ning Tian, nice to see you again." He turned towards Wu Feng and said, "Wu Feng, nice to you as well."
Wu Feng grunted, crossing her arms. "It wasn't that long ago since we separated. Also, dick move on lifting the illusion without saying anything."
Huo Yuhao shrugged, "Well, then don't start a pissing contest with Wang Dong." He then turned to take the tray full of burgers and fries from Wang Dong's hand. "Which reminds me, gimme that. Thank you!"
"Hey!" Wang Dong exclaimed, quickly balancing another tray filled with ham sandwiches and chips. He let out a relieved sigh before turning to glare at Huo Yuhao, "Dude! Be careful. Also, that'll be five silver soul coins."
"Kay. Though after I eat."
Wu Feng snorted. She then turned towards Xiao Xiao, eyebrow raised. "Who's this?"
Xiao Xiao shyly smiled and waved her hand, "Hi, I'm Xiao Xiao. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's classmate."
Wang Dong grumbled, pouting. "And Huo Yuhao's girlfriend as well..."
Hearing that, it was like a pin had dropped in the silence. Ning Tian and Wu Feng flinched before turning towards Huo Yuhao.
Xiao Xiao's face immediately flustered, looking down to hide her embodiment and sadness, while Huo Yuhao facepalmed.
Ning Tian, her eyes closed and her expression darkened, she asked, "Huo Yuhao, is this true?" with a sweet smile on her face.
Wu Feng on the other hand, took to silently glaring at him. But there was no mistaking the embers sparking around her to show her displeasure.
In the face of two angry girls, which bewildered him, Huo Yuhao could only do this...
"Ah! He disappeared!"
"H-How did he do that?"
"Tch. I didn't even see his movements, he became even stronger. As expected of him..." Wu Feng clicked her tongue.
"Hmph. No matter. We still have someone else here to ask for information." Ning Tian said, all three of them turned towards a petrified Xiao Xiao, who realized their intentions.
"I–I...."
'I'm sorry, Xiao Xiao.' Of course, Huo Yuhao didn't run away. He was just standing nearby, hidden in a veil of genjutsu. 'But cheese burgers with extra tomatoes takes priority.'
...
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•Vora
•Judd
❄️A bigger shout out to the who ascended to become a One Above All!!
•Orion Chung
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