Zhang Xinlan's move instantly drew countless hateful glares toward Ye Tian, thrusting him right into the spotlight.
Ye Tian glanced at Zhang Xinlan and offered a faint smile. "Sorry, I don't have any space here. You'll have to find another seat."
No one had expected Ye Tian to say that. Logically, he should have readily agreed. His refusal came as a complete surprise.
Zhang Xinlan didn't get angry. Instead, a smile graced her stunningly beautiful face. "Ye Tian, you're quite special! This is the first time a male student has ever rejected me. Are you doing this on purpose, or are you scared of me?"
"Neither," Ye Tian said flatly, his face expressionless. "There really isn't any room. I can't ask the people with me to get up, can I? So, my apologies. Of course, maybe we can sit together next time."
Everyone found it unbelievable that their goddess had been rejected. Yet, it had happened right before their very eyes. They couldn't understand what Ye Tian was thinking. He was wasting such a golden opportunity!
Many of them wished they were in Ye Tian's shoes. Then they could win the favor of their dream goddess. How could he not cherish such an opportunity?
Many thought Ye Tian was a complete idiot for not seizing such a rare chance. If it weren't for his formidable strength, quite a few of them would have been tempted to beat him up.
Zhang Xinlan glanced at Ye Tian, then at Ye Feifei and Qin Xiaowan beside him. 'So it's because he has two beauties with him. No wonder he's ignoring me. I have to admit, they're both gorgeous.'
Ye Feifei stood up and said, "Zhang Xinlan, I know you're beautiful and the goddess of all the male students. But too bad for you, Brother Tian isn't interested. He can't be, and he wouldn't dare. Don't assume every man on earth revolves around you!"
Ye Feifei's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard her loud and clear. All eyes turned to her. After all, she had also been absent for a long time before her recent return. An air of mystery surrounded her as well, and she was known as one of the academy's great beauties, second only to Zhang Xinlan.
"Heh," Zhang Xinlan said slowly. "Ye Feifei, don't speak in such absolutes. Besides, I had no other intentions. Everyone knows Ye Tian is our most outstanding student. Is it a crime to want to get to know him? Have I said I have designs on him? Don't look at me like that."
For a moment, the two women stared at each other. Zhang Xinlan's words seemed flawless, and for an instant, Ye Feifei felt she had lost the exchange. She didn't dare lose her temper in front of Ye Tian, though; it would ruin her ladylike image.
"You know perfectly well what your intentions are," Ye Feifei said. "All I can tell you is that Ye Tian is my man. You'd best not get any ideas about him, because nothing is ever going to happen between you two!"
"Is that so?" Zhang Xinlan said. "Why don't we make a bet on it? What will you do if he accepts me? You shouldn't speak in absolutes, Ye Feifei. I'm quite enjoying the look on your face right now."
At this point, Qin Xiaowan stood up. "Feifei, Zhang Xinlan, this is an academic building. If you really want to make a bet, go ahead. I'm just not sure what the stakes would be. To be honest, I'm also curious to see if Ye Tian would accept you!"
"Xiaowan, don't make things more complicated," Ye Tian said, clarifying his position. "All I want to do right now is focus on improving my strength; I don't want any other drama. Besides, I'm not fortunate enough to be with someone as beautiful as Zhang Xinlan."
Hearing Ye Tian say this, many people breathed a sigh of relief. This guy was incredible—he had two beauties ready to make a bet over him. Such luck with women was unheard of.
Ye Tian then stood up and said to Zhou Xiang and the two others with him, "We've made a scene. Let's head back."
"Brother Tian, you're leaving already?" Ye Feifei said. "Xiaowan and I still have so much to tell you!"
"Let's talk about it another day," Ye Tian said to Ye Feifei. "Don't tell me you actually want to have a showdown with Zhang Xinlan? Are you trying to test me?"
"If you put it that way, then forget it! I trust you," Ye Feifei said, though her gaze fell on Zhang Xinlan, filled with a hint of resentment. 'If she hadn't shown up, Brother Tian and I would be laughing and talking together right now.'
Ye Tian and Zhou Xiang's group stood up to leave. Just then, Zhang Xinlan spoke a few words to Yete using Secret Transmission, so no one else heard them.
Ye Tian froze mid-step, his face a mask of shock as he stared at Zhang Xinlan. "Is what you said true? You're not lying to me?"
"You should know whether I'm telling the truth or not," Zhang Xinlan said with a smile. "Go home and think it over. I won't force you. I'll give you three days. Well, that's it for now. I should be the one to leave first!"
Then, with a charming smile, she slowly vanished from the sight of all the students in the building. The sudden turn of events took everyone by surprise.
"Boss, what did Zhang Xinlan say to you?" Zhou Xiang asked, looking at Ye Tian. "Why the shocked expression? That's not like you at all."
"It's nothing. Let's go," Ye Tian said, his expression serious. "There's more to that Zhang Xinlan than meets the eye. You guys should avoid provoking her in the future, lest you bring trouble upon yourselves."
As he walked out the door, Lin Ling's voice sounded in his mind. "Ye Tian, that woman is definitely not simple. I can't even see her true level. And she seems to have a very faint protective Barrier around her.
"If I'm not mistaken, that protective Barrier's Defense Power must be immense. It might even be on par with the Barrier in the Demon Beast Region!"
'Lin Ling is at the Four Veins level, and she's always extremely meticulous. For her to say something like that, it must be serious. Plus, what Zhang Xinlan told me... it's terrifying. How could she possibly know about that?'
"I understand," Ye Tian said. "Lin Ling, should we meet alone tonight? It's been a while since we were together. I miss you."
Lin Ling didn't say anything, merely nodding slightly. A faint blush colored her cheeks before quickly vanishing.
After Ye Tian left, the other students seemed to lose interest in staying and began to file out of the academic building. Soon, only Lin Ling, Ye Feifei, and Qin Xiaowan were left.
"Feifei, Xiaowan, what are you two thinking about?" Lin Ling asked. "Are you baffled by Zhang Xinlan's behavior toward Ye Tian, or is there something else on your minds I can help with?"
"Instructor Lin Ling, why do you think Zhang Xinlan is trying to get close to Brother Tian? What are her true intentions? Do you think she'll try to harm him?" Ye Feifei asked…