The two walked out of the cinema, chatting as they strolled.

They talked about many high school classmates and events, and what originally was a somewhat awkward atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.

Zhang Xiaoyue said, "When I first saw you in the newspaper, I thought it was just someone with the same name. It wasn't until I saw footage of your speech that I recognized you."

Chen Shouyi laughed and asked Zhang Xiaoyue, "Oh, how did that feel?"

Zhang Xiaoyue was silent for a moment and then shook her head, "It didn't feel like anything; just like a distant stranger."

Chen Shouyi paused, pretending not to see the trace of sadness on her face. "Ha, so heartless."

Zhang Xiaoyue pursed her lips, hummed twice without speaking, carrying a tinge of little temper, like a stubborn little lamb displeased with everyone, which made Chen Shouyi find it amusing.

The two talked, sentence by sentence.

The sun gradually set to the west. Chen Shouyi checked the time and realized it was almost four o'clock.

"I'll walk you back," Chen Shouyi said, preparing to find a corner to fetch his bicycle.

"No need for the trouble, you've spent so much time with me already. You should head back early; the stop ahead is the bus to the school," Zhang Xiaoyue said.

"It won't be a delay," Chen Shouyi replied.

The bus soon arrived, already packed with people inside.

The two squeezed onto the bus, surrounded by a crush of people. Zhang Xiaoyue had no choice but to huddle close to Chen Shouyi, her face flushed red.

"You're so hard!" Zhang Xiaoyue said softly, her hand on Chen Shouyi's chest, feeling like it was a warm iron block.

"Is it uncomfortable?" Chen Shouyi asked.

People around them glanced over with curiosity, looking them up and down with expressions of surprise, oddness, and scrutiny.

Zhang Xiaoyue's face flushed as if on fire, almost steaming, wishing she could disappear underground. "What are you babbling about?"

Chen Shouyi felt wrongly accused, "I didn't say anything."

Zhang Xiaoyue, having thin skin, didn't speak again.

Half an hour later, they stopped at the University of Technology entrance.

"I'll head back now," Zhang Xiaoyue said, biting her lip.

"Then I won't walk you in. I'll see you tomorrow; don't overthink," Chen Shouyi gently held her hand, "By the way, which building and room is your dorm?"

Zhang Xiaoyue hesitated but ended up giving the address.

After chatting a while longer, Chen Shouyi left. She watched him fade away into the crowd, feeling a mix of sweetness, gratitude, and melancholy. The whole day felt like a dream, strongly unreal.

Does he really still like me?

Maybe with a mere beckon, scores of prettier, better-off women would flock to him.

She felt a bit inferior, indulging in a moment of self-pity, and sighed lightly.

On her way back, she realized many were secretly noticing her, whispering among themselves. She quickly lowered her head and walked briskly.

Back at the dorm, she found it crowded, not only with her roommates but a large group from other rooms too. Everyone looked at her with odd, amazed glances, as if she were an alien. Zhang Xiaoyue blushed, already guessing that Zhou Min had leaked the news:

"What are you all looking at me for?"

"Xiaoyue, don't you have anything to say?" Zhou Min asked excitedly.

"What's there to say? We're just regular classmates, met in high school," Zhang Xiaoyue rolled her eyes, awkwardly saying, "Don't overthink it."

"Yes, yes, regular classmates."

"We didn't overthink, but we heard you two even held hands."

"Must you exaggerate?"

"Wow, my General Manager Chen, just got snatched away like that. Lucky we're all good sisters. You better cover us in the future."

A group of women chattered, their expressions excited. Who would have thought after three years of university that she'd hide it so deeply without leaking a word? This news was earth-shattering and probably would alert the school before long.

...

Returning home, Chen Shouyi received good news.

The Great Xia Country had successful negotiations with various countries, and Powerful Divine Power's flesh had finally arrived. Though Chen Shouyi didn't know what price Great Xia Country paid, seeing as it took this long, it clearly wasn't small.

In a military warehouse.

"General Manager Chen, hello, I'm the captain responsible for escorting this batch. Here's the receiving document, please verify and sign," said an officer who had come last time, handing over the document bag with reverence.

"Thank you, appreciate your trouble," Chen Shouyi replied.

"Not at all, not at all," the officer hurriedly said.

Chen Shouyi took the document bag, tore open the seal, pulled out the receiving document and pen, glanced quickly, and noted the total was six tons, almost double the last delivery of three and a half tons.

It probably will last about a year.

Joy swelling in his heart, he swiftly signed his name and handed the document to the officer.

This delivery again was preserved meat mush of over twenty years, but unlike other zombie-type flesh, these meats didn't spoil at all. From the smell, he could determine these mashed meats came from two powerful Divine Power existences.

Apparently... if he got tired of one, he could switch to the other.

He wondered how these two would taste.

Being aware that different Divine Positions of Barbarian Gods had completely different flavors, for example, the Sea God had a moistness and briny freshness that hinted at the ocean's scent.

Similarly, the God of Flames was fierce, hot, with the corpse temperature exceeding a hundred degrees even after death. Eating it felt like swallowing a burning coal, and afterward, it gave a warm sensation throughout the body.

Hopefully, they aren't too terrible.

...

The following days flew by. Every few days, Chen Shouyi would visit the University of Technology to find Zhang Xiaoyue. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Sometimes they would eat, other times just take strolls.

Often, a first love might not be the prettiest, but it is the one you adore most and who makes your heart skip a beat. That feeling wasn't present with Song Tingting. With Zhang Xiaoyue, Chen Shouyi felt as if he was reliving the days of romance.

"Our principal wants to invite you to give a talk at our school," Zhang Xiaoyue said.

"I'd rather not. I've already shared everything I have," Chen Shouyi thought for a moment, saying—going for a talk means you need to share insights, and so far, perhaps not many have mastered the Chen Clan's cultivation method 2.0. Revealing what he currently practices, no one would likely be able to train in it.

"Suit yourself," Zhang Xiaoyue said softly, sweetly leaning against Chen Shouyi's chest.

They exchanged sweet nothings.

"Oh, here is something for you," he said, taking out a small sealed container with a few small doses of Divine Marrow and Divine Blood.

"What is this?"

"Good stuff, take one every few days, your body is too weak now!" Chen Shouyi said.

"What are you planning?" Zhang Xiaoyue blushed at his words, playfully chiding.

"No, am I that kind of person?" Chen Shouyi said quickly.