The serene night sky was illuminated by a full moon, with a cool evening breeze gently brushing past.
Boom! Biubiu!
Suddenly, fireworks exploded, lighting up the night with vibrant sparks cascading down like a rain of stars.
"Wow~ It's so beautiful," Zhu Zhuqing whispered, her delicate lips slightly parted as she became mesmerized by the display.
The phrase "The east wind scatters blossoms across a thousand trees, raining stars like the heavens' gift" popped into Shen An's mind, perfectly fitting the scene before him.
To his surprise, what captivated him even more than the fireworks was Tom's eyes.
The cat gazed upwards, its wide eyes reflecting the colorful explosions in intricate patterns. The hues danced and shifted in mesmerizing layers within its gaze.
Shen An found himself torn between astonishment and indifference. Astonishment because Tom's eyes seemed like a projection device, and indifference because the cat had already demonstrated so many other incredible talents.
Zhu Zhuqing cast a glance at Shen An, only to find him engrossed in staring at Tom. A twinge of annoyance flickered in her heart.
Is the sky's fireworks not enough for him? Or... am I not enough for him? How can he look at Tom so intently? she wondered irritably.
Below the tree, the crowd cheered as children sat atop their parents' shoulders, waving their hands excitedly. It was a scene of pure joy.
As the fireworks ended, Zhu Zhuqing reluctantly looked away. The once lively night sky now felt a bit emptier. A sense of unease crept in—classes were about to start the day after tomorrow.
Do I really have to go to school? Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts drifted. Her gaze landed on Shen An. Maybe I should bring him to Shrek Academy...
She wasn't sure if her hesitation came from reluctance to part ways with Shen An or the vibrant bustle of Soto City.
"Zhuqing, don't zone out. The fireworks are over; it's time we head back."
"Oh... alright."
Perhaps energized by the fireworks, Tom began playing around instead of letting Shen An carry him. The cat's body seemed to flow like liquid, slowly sliding down the tree. Zhu Zhuqing stared, dumbfounded.
"How does he even do that? At that pace..."
Shen An leaped lightly to the ground, his thoughts wandering. If only I could fly... Maybe one day I'll get a soul skill that lets me. Who hasn't dreamed of soaring through the skies with a sword?
Zhu Zhuqing followed gracefully, standing delicately on the ground. Tom hopped and jumped ahead, gleefully chasing insects in the air, catching them, and then releasing them for fun.
Casually, Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Shen An, have you considered enrolling in Shrek Academy? It's a remarkable place, and you'd definitely grow stronger there."
Shen An froze briefly. He had considered it—whether or not to join the protagonist team.
But after some thought, he dismissed the idea. While the protagonist group did grow quickly, they couldn't compare to his pace.
In just over ten days, Shen An had used his system to reach level 20. With enough fame points, he could rapidly increase his rank and even exchange them for soul rings, making it the perfect path for him.
Besides, Shen An didn't have a great impression of Shrek Academy. From his perspective, it often seemed more like it was chasing its reputation than focusing on true teaching.
"No, Zhuqing. I'd rather manage my teahouse and build my strength. When I'm ready, I'll travel the continent and create my own legend," he replied with a smile.
"Oh, I see..." Zhu Zhuqing's cold and flawless expression remained unchanged, though a hint of disappointment crept into her voice.
The next day, the teahouse opened as usual. Today was one of Tom's piano performance days, so the crowd was even larger than usual.
The fame of the "Piano Cat" had long spread across the city.
New visitors came out of curiosity, while returning patrons sought another taste of Tom's enchanting music. Even if they had to queue under the scorching sun for hours, they did so eagerly.
By midday, a boy and girl stood outside the teahouse, observing the long line.
The boy wore a plain blue outfit and had an unremarkable face that could easily blend into a crowd.
However, the girl by his side was anything but ordinary.
She had a sleek black scorpion braid that reached past her hips, a delicate face with a healthy glow, and a pink top that hugged her developing figure. Her slender waist added to her charm, making her undeniably cute.
Xiao Wu glanced at the dispersing crowd, noticing the disappointed looks on many faces.
"Brother, why are there so many people here, and why are they leaving all of a sudden?" she asked curiously.
Tang San smiled indulgently. "I came here with you, so how would I know? Let's go eat first; we still need to find a place to stay."
Xiao Wu giggled. "No rush! I'm really curious. Let's ask someone!"
Grabbing a passing middle-aged man, Xiao Wu inquired, "Excuse me, sir. Why was there such a big crowd here just now?"
The man glanced at her, thinking, This little girl is pretty cute, though not quite as stunning as the teahouse girl.
"You must be from out of town."
"Yes, sir," Xiao Wu replied.
The man's interest piqued, and he began boasting:
"No wonder you don't know! This teahouse is extraordinary. Not only is their tea unique, but they have a cat that can play the piano!"
"I've been there before. Let me tell you, the music that cat plays is divine!" The man's face lit up as he spoke.
Xiao Wu's curiosity grew. "Brother, let's go! I want to see the piano-playing cat!"
Tang San hesitated. "The crowd's already gone. They've probably closed for the day. Let's come back next time."
"But I really want to see it! Can't we just offer them extra money? Surely they won't turn us away," Xiao Wu pouted.
Tang San thought for a moment. She was probably right; no business would refuse customers outright. And with the money he'd saved from working in the blacksmith shop and the Spirit Hall stipends, he could afford to indulge her curiosity.
Inside the teahouse, Shen An was tidying up. Tom lounged comfortably on his small rattan chair, enjoying the rare peace and quiet. Upstairs, Zhu Zhuqing continued her cultivation.
Knock, knock, knock.
Two figures entered. Without looking up, Shen An said, "We're closed. Please come back later."
"But no shop should turn away paying customers! We'll pay extra!" Xiao Wu's cheerful voice chimed in.
"Store policy. No exceptions," Shen An replied calmly.