"You seem a little nervous?"

Han Feng looked at Ning Rongrong in confusion and asked curiously.

Ever since they left Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong had been acting unusually reserved. Her gaze kept darting around, and an unnatural blush lingered on her pretty face, making her look all the more adorable.

"Ah!?" Ning Rongrong only realized her odd behavior after Han Feng pointed it out. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she quickly waved her hands, denying in a way that only made her look more guilty: "No! It's not like that! I'm not nervous—how could I be nervous? What would I have to be nervous about?"

Ning Rongrong's acting skills weren't exactly stellar—at least not in front of Han Feng. He could tell at a glance that she was trying to cover something up. But seeing her so resistant to the topic, he didn't press her and instead changed the subject casually: "Your family's shadow guards should be nearby, right?"

At this, Ning Rongrong frowned slightly and hesitated. "I'm not sure… but I suppose they should be."

Recalling Han Feng's reaction the last time he encountered her shadow guards, Ning Rongrong quickly offered, "If you don't like it, I can have them leave. As long as you're here, we won't be in any danger!"

"That's not necessary." Han Feng shook his head. "They were sent by your family to protect you, after all."

This only made Ning Rongrong more puzzled. "You're not worried?"

"What should I be worried about?" Han Feng countered.

"You know… like that time before—those things you were concerned about." Ning Rongrong was referring to what had happened in the inn two months ago, the day they first met.

Realization dawned on Han Feng. Waving it off, he said casually, "It's been two months, and your family hasn't come after me. I guess your words carry some weight. Besides, we've already fought in several spirit battles together. We're partners now, aren't we? No need to be so suspicious anymore, right?"

Hearing the word "partners," a flicker of disappointment passed through Ning Rongrong's eyes. But she couldn't deny Han Feng's attitude toward her had improved—at the very least, he no longer looked at her with cold indifference.

That realization cheered her up instantly.

Still, she quickly remembered the words Han Feng had said during the victory banquet after they defeated the Mad Battle Team, and her mood dipped again. She glanced at him from the side and asked tentatively, "Han Feng, you said we're partners… right?"

"Isn't that what we are?" Han Feng frowned, his eyes turning cold again.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong quickly waved her hands. "That's not what I meant!"

"What I mean is… since we're partners, could you call me Rongrong?" She looked at him expectantly, her eyes filled with both hope and nervousness.

"Uh?" Han Feng blinked in surprise. "I've never called you Rongrong before?"

Mimicking his expression, Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes, speaking half playfully, half dejectedly: "Nope! You've called Zhuqing, and you've called Xiao Wu, but never me!"

Han Feng scratched his head awkwardly—he really hadn't noticed. "Then… what do I usually call you?"

"'Missy,' 'Little Witch,' 'Ning Rongrong,' or just 'you'…" She gave a small, bitter smile.

Han Feng felt embarrassed—it was like sitting next to a classmate for two months without ever saying their name.

"Alright, alright—Rongrong. Got it!"

The moment he said "Rongrong," Ning Rongrong's face lit up, as sweet as if she'd just tasted honey.

She did want to call him "Little Feng" like the 'Sister Qianqian' he sometimes mentioned, but she knew Han Feng would never agree to that. Even though he was actually a few days younger than her, he'd never allow her to call him that. So she didn't even bring it up, not wanting to risk annoying him.

Han Feng calling her "Rongrong" was enough to make her happy.

Watching Ning Rongrong's alternating moods—downcast one moment, elated the next—Han Feng couldn't quite figure her out. But seeing her bright, cheerful smile did put him in a better mood.

They weren't in a hurry. Han Feng wasn't rushing, and Ning Rongrong wanted to spend more time walking with him, so their pace was leisurely. By the time they reached Soto City, it was already midday.

"Let's go eat first. This afternoon, I'll wander around the Spirit Arena," Han Feng suggested.

Ning Rongrong was more than happy to eat with him and nodded quickly. "Sure, sure!"

"Feng'er!?"

Just as they reached the entrance of a restaurant, a delighted voice sounded behind them.

Both turned instinctively, and a figure rushed toward Han Feng. His first reaction was to dodge, but recognizing the face, he gave a resigned smile, opened his arms, and caught her in an embrace.

"Feng'er! I missed you so much!" The woman hugged him tightly and kissed him lightly on the forehead, her tone a mix of affection and pity.

Han Feng just smiled helplessly, letting her fuss over him.

Ning Rongrong's eyes nearly shot flames at the sight, her heart filling with hostility.

The woman holding Han Feng wasn't quite a peerless beauty, but she had striking looks and a mature charm Ning Rongrong lacked. Almost instinctively, Ning Rongrong assumed she was the 'Sister Qianqian' Han Feng had mentioned. She forced her tone to stay calm as she asked, "And who are you? Can't you see Han Feng's uncomfortable?"

Han Feng, still in the woman's arms, couldn't see Ning Rongrong's expression—but the woman could. Though Ning Rongrong was smiling, her eyes had narrowed, and it was almost as if dark energy was radiating from her. The look she gave was the same one you'd give a stray cat trying to steal your fish.

The woman was surprised but, being more experienced, quickly understood what was going on. A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and she hugged Han Feng even tighter, practically trying to mold him into her chest. Half teasing, half provocative, she said, "Who says so? Feng'er's perfectly comfortable—and he loves it when I hold him."

Han Feng didn't dare argue. Forcing a smile, he said, "Right, right, whatever you say."

"You—!" Ning Rongrong hadn't expected her to respond that way and felt both embarrassed and angry. "It's broad daylight—what do you think you're doing, hugging each other like that!?"

Seeing Ning Rongrong reach her limit, the woman decided to stop teasing. With a playful smile, she feigned confusion and asked, "But I'm Feng'er's mother… Is it wrong for a mother to hug her son?"

At that, Han Feng took the opportunity to breathe and muttered, "Mom, I can't breathe."

"Oh!" Zhang Lingling chuckled, finally releasing him. She then reached out a hand toward Ning Rongrong and smiled. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Zhang Lingling, Han Feng's mother. You must be one of his Shrek classmates. Nice to meet you."

"Mom?" Ning Rongrong glanced between the two and finally noticed their resemblance. Her face instantly flushed red, steam almost rising from her head. All hostility vanished, and she hurried to shake hands. "Aunt Zhang—ah, I mean, sister! I'm Ning Rongrong, Han Feng's classmate!"

Hearing herself called "sister," Zhang Lingling's smile grew even brighter. "My, Rongrong, you certainly have a sweet tongue."

Han Feng rolled his eyes from the side. He wouldn't dare reveal her real age. Instead, he asked, "Mom, what are you doing in Soto City?"

"Because I missed you!" Zhang Lingling put on a pitiful look. "My precious son runs off so far to study, and it's been two whole months without a single letter. Your father was right—you must think we're old and bothersome…"

"I wouldn't dare!" Han Feng quickly said. "I've just been busy with the start of term!"

Then he shot Ning Rongrong a pleading look. She caught on immediately and backed him up. "That's right! We've been training and battling in the arena. In just two months, we've already earned the Silver Spirit Fighter Badge!"

"Oh?" Zhang Lingling wasn't naïve—being Han Dang's wife, she knew well the significance of a silver badge. She looked at Han Feng in surprise, then smiled. "My son is amazing."

Ning Rongrong, seeing Han Feng's relieved expression, couldn't help but chuckle—clearly, this was a case of one thing subduing another.

"Mom, you haven't eaten yet, right? Let's have lunch and talk over the meal," Han Feng suggested.

They'd been standing at the entrance for two or three minutes now, and the greeter's smile was starting to freeze.

"Just 'mom' is fine! What's with the 'old' in 'old mom'? Do I look old to you?" Zhang Lingling tapped him on the head, glaring.

Han Feng could only force a laugh and correct himself. "Alright, mom, let's eat."

"That's better." Zhang Lingling huffed, then took Ning Rongrong by the hand. "Come on, Rongrong, let's eat."

Of course, Ning Rongrong didn't refuse—she was more than happy to get closer to Zhang Lingling.

Han Feng watched their backs, puzzled about when they'd gotten so close, scratched his head, and followed after them.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki