"Aaaah..."Tang San's screams were like a pig being slaughtered.
Oscar, seeing Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai fighting so happily, felt the itch too, but ultimately refrained from joining in.
After all, Tang San had done him a favor before.
And Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai didn't go all out to harm Tang San either.
After all, Tang San had treated them well too.
They just wanted to snap Tang San out of his manic state.
It was out of kindness.
"Aaaah… what the hell are you doing?!"Tang San was jolted awake and roared angrily.
"Of course we're beating some sense into you! You had a breakdown and proposed to Xiao Gang in public! Of course we had to knock you out of it!"Dai Mubai smirked wickedly, clearly satisfied with the beating — he'd vented all his negative emotions from before on Tang San.
It was explosively satisfying.
"Exactly! That crazy act of yours just now completely embarrassed Shrek! We're doing this for your good and for Shrek's reputation!"Ma Hongjun mimicked Dai Mubai's shameless expression.
Tang San was speechless. These two were obviously using this as an excuse for personal revenge.
"Ugh..."Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, his whole body ached like it was falling apart — it was pure agony.
These two bastards were damn cruel.
"Enough, get off the stage! Don't make a scene here!"Flender said sternly.
"Mm!"They all obediently stepped down.
The spectators, however, were left unsatisfied. This was the most entertaining scene they'd witnessed — and now it was suddenly over. How could that be satisfying?
They left the battle arena and returned to Shrek Academy.
"Tang San, you've really humiliated Shrek this time!"Flender said, completely disappointed."We let you on stage once, and this happens — two manic episodes in a row. Who's going to dare let you compete again?"
"Exactly! Your condition is hopeless!"Liu Erlong also voiced her deep disappointment.
"So we're not letting Third Bro fight anymore?"Ma Hongjun asked Zhang Fan curiously.
"It's not that bad. What Tang San did might actually make him more popular. Some spectators will like his madness and want to see more of it!"Zhang Fan chuckled mischievously."So yes, he'll still go up — but like I said before, you'll take turns. The next match is against Canghui Academy, so Fatty will go. Tang San gets to rest this round."
"Alright!"Tang San nodded. As long as he got to go up again, he was happy — even after two meltdowns.
That Zhang Fan was amazing.
Tang San felt extremely grateful to Zhang Fan.
He felt like Zhang Fan was the best person in the world.
The next day.
They arrived at the competition's waiting room.
"Boss Fan, we're up against garbage like Canghui Academy today — should we send in the subs?"Oscar asked Zhang Fan curiously.
"Canghui Academy isn't what it used to be — don't underestimate them."**Zhang Fan replied seriously:"They've only lost three matches so far — against Xiangjia Academy, Thunderclap Academy, and Divine Wind Academy. They won all the others. They're ranked above Xiangjia now, and they might go all out against us — especially since there's past grudges involved!"
"Even if they go all out, it's still like throwing an egg at a rock!"Ma Hongjun said with a sly grin.
"Here, Zhang Fan, have some tea!"Liu Erlong, sitting to the side, poured tea with care. She really valued Zhang Fan — the guy was freakishly talented, a genius. With him around, nothing was a problem.
"Thank you, Dean Liu!"Zhang Fan took the tea and sipped it.
"Erlong, girl… you're really biased! You give Zhang Fan tea but not me?"Flender pouted, looking heartbroken.
"You old fool… seriously shameless. You're jealous of Zhang Fan now?"Liu Erlong rolled her eyes at him. The nicer Flender was to her, the more she disliked him.
Women don't like simps — they like aloof guys, like Yu Xiaogang used to be.
But Yu Xiaogang had let her down, so she didn't like him anymore.
As for Flender, she only saw him as a close sibling."Here, drink this…"
Liu Erlong handed Flender a cup of tea.
"Now that's more like it!"Flender smiled and accepted the tea.
After finishing his tea...
He pulled Zhang Fan aside."Little Fan, if Erlong likes you… you wouldn't actually…?"He asked cautiously.
"If she likes me, that's her business. You can't control that, Dean."Zhang Fan replied, speechless. He didn't expect Flender to be jealous of him too.
"Fine then..."Flender was clearly unhappy, though he didn't show it.
After all, Zhang Fan was far too important — without him, Shrek would fall apart.
He didn't dare say more — just tried to hint things to Zhang Fan.
But deep down, he was not pleased.
He wasn't happy with Zhang Fan's attitude at all.
If he hadn't chosen Zhang Fan...
There would be no glory today.
He turned and whispered to Liu Erlong:"Isn't Zhang Fan getting a bit arrogant? We've left everything to him — he's starting to disregard his elders, too confident for his own good."
"What nonsense are you talking? Without Zhang Fan, would Shrek be where it is now? Without him… would you be raking in all those Gold Soul Coins?"Liu Erlong disagreed strongly but used sound transmission to spare Flender's face.
She didn't want the students to overhear.
"And I've treated you so well — why won't you show any affection for me? You don't like Xiao Gang anymore — why not give me a chance?"Flender asked seriously, emotionally.
"You… I don't feel that way about you. I only see you as a brother — nothing romantic!"Liu Erlong replied sincerely."There's no feeling there at all!"
"Fine..."Flender was heartbroken. He thought now that Yu Xiaogang was out of the picture, he'd have a shot.
But Liu Erlong still didn't like him.
Being a simp just made her like him even less.
He was crushed.
"Want more tea, Zhang Fan?"Liu Erlong smiled warmly at Zhang Fan.
"No thanks!"Zhang Fan shook his head.
"Alright then!"Liu Erlong nodded.
Flender, seeing how brightly Liu Erlong smiled at Zhang Fan, grew even angrier.
Fuming, he declared:"I've decided — I'll be commanding this match!"
"Flender, are you insane? Commanding? You haven't led even one match — don't mess this up! I don't agree!"Liu Erlong glared at him, furious.
"I'm the official headmaster now — I have the right to make all decisions!"Flender was consumed by jealousy.
"I really misjudged you!"Liu Erlong couldn't believe Flender had become like this."Let's put it to a vote! Shrek doesn't belong to you alone!"
"We support Zhang Fan's command!"Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong all spoke in unison.
(End of Chapter)