When Lin Hao arrived at the cafeteria, as expected, there was no delicious food left.
He casually grabbed a nutrient paste and drank it.
It was a little bitter. Didn't they say it was strawberry flavored? Although he had never eaten a strawberry before, was it really okay to just find another flavor and trick him like this?
Alas, he could only wish them prosperity in business.
He sauntered to the classroom, unsure of the afternoon's curriculum. This army seemed to have a problem; they taught whatever they wanted, and changing classes on the fly was commonplace. Was it really okay for an army to be so capricious?
For some reason, no one had come to this class to find him about Ye Xue in the past few days.
Perhaps Ye Xue had said something to them, but that was no longer his concern.
Even though they had formed a team, they had had no contact in the past six months. Even when they met, it was just a nod of acquaintance.
Even if they were fortunate enough to win the championship and earn the opportunity to join the royal army, he definitely wouldn't let himself go to that unit because of that old man.
He would deal with it when the time came.
"Soldiers, this afternoon we will have a social gathering with the guidance class. This is one of our few opportunities to speak with students from the guidance class. Please take it seriously."
As Lin Hao was daydreaming in his seat, a slightly overweight middle-aged man rushed to the podium, his face flushed red, and said to the disheveled children who were still unsure of what they were doing, "This is in preparation for the event organized two years from now?"
At this moment, a slender boy with glasses slowly stood up and asked his advisor, voicing everyone's thoughts, "Who knows."
Upon hearing the question, the advisor instinctively adjusted his glasses and said to the boy with an inscrutable expression, "Who knows."
After saying this, he waved a fan he had produced from somewhere and slowly walked towards the door, his fat jiggling rhythmically with his movements.
Once the advisor left, everyone in the classroom rushed out. Even though the army had explicitly forbidden students from using their mental power, a few people still secretly used it.
This was because the earlier they arrived, the more opportunities they would have to team up with students from the guidance class.
Being able to join the country's internal army was a shortcut to a meteoric rise.
Seeing everyone else leave, Lin Hao remained seated, pondering whether he should go.
Forget it. If they all went and someone came to check later, they would find him alone and it would just be more trouble for him.
He would just find a corner and watch the guidance class students select their consorts from across the school.
With his mind made up, Lin Hao slowly made his way to the selection site.
As expected, the place was packed, with layers upon layers of people.
At this moment, Lin Hao spotted the tree where he had placed his quilt and immediately leaped onto it, throwing the quilt over himself.
He looked down at the ceremony unfolding below.
"The guidance class students have arrived."
At this moment, someone suddenly pointed to a spot and shouted at them.
The previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent, and those blocking the entrance silently made way for the five individuals.
It was at this moment that Lin Hao got a clear look at the five students from the guidance class.
There were only two girls among them. The girl standing at the forefront was Ye Xue. The girl standing beside Ye Xue had a different style from her. She was chatting and laughing with Ye Xue, and by her appearance alone, she seemed like a gentle girl.
Ye Xue, standing at the front, frowned visibly at the sight of so many people gathered there.
She hadn't wanted to come in the first place because she had already found her partner, and coming would only cause her trouble. There was another important reason: she absolutely did not want to form any karma with anyone.
Sensing a cold gaze that contrasted sharply with the fervent gazes around her, she was somewhat surprised. She looked up and saw the "toy" hiding in the tree. She mouthed a silent 'hello' to him before turning back towards the area prepared for the five of them.
As expected, the toy had high awareness.
As soon as they sat down, many people approached them, trying to recommend themselves.
Ye Xue put on an eye mask, avoiding eye contact with them, thereby indicating her stance: she would only have Lin Hao as her teammate in the future.
Many people, seeing this, refused to believe it and prepared to approach Ye Xue to recommend themselves. However, before they could get close, Ye Xue's voice reached them.
"Don't do anything that will yield no results."
Her tone was laced with Ye Xue's unique mental power, which immediately entered their minds, carrying a hint of arrogance and warning.
'Don't come near me.'
Upon hearing this, many people, despite their strong desire to team up with her, lost all intention.
This was because they had all been warned by their families: it was better to offend ancient nobles than to offend anyone from the Ye family, especially Ye Xue, the legitimate daughter of the Ye family.
This was no longer a simple property dispute, but a matter of survival for their families.
It was best to forge a connection if possible; if not, then stay away.
Therefore, the best course of action was to stay away from anyone from the Ye family and avoid any interaction.
Beside Ye Xue, a crowd of people was enthusiastically promoting themselves to the girl.
"Senior Chen Chen, I have always admired you. I hope we can team up." A boy approached Chen Chen, holding a small notebook to recommend himself.
Chen Chen looked up at the boy before her and then lowered her head, a flicker of disappointment and a hint of mockery in her eyes.
Her mental power was so low. How dare he approach her seeking a partnership with such a weak mental power?
If they couldn't defeat Ye Xue in the final grand competition, those who lost would have no purpose.
This was because in a team, there couldn't be two leaders.
Furthermore, they had heard that half a year ago, Ye Xue had found a person with white mental power to be her partner.
Upon hearing this news, they felt no joy; instead, they felt insulted.
Especially since she appeared before them every day, beaming with a look that clearly conveyed, 'Even with a partner of white mental power, you will never catch up to me.'
Thinking this, Chen Chen clenched her pen tightly. Just then, a hand appeared before her and gently tapped her hand.
She looked up and saw the comforting expression of the boy sitting next to her, and her emotions gradually calmed.
Now was not the time. When the results came out, it wouldn't be too late.
With clarity, Chen Chen looked up at the boy and said, "Okay, I will consider it carefully."
The boy, upon receiving this answer, walked away with satisfaction.
It was as if he was walking on air.
Lin Hao, hiding in the tree, quietly watched the scene unfold.
Women were truly terrifying. They had just been like close sisters moments ago, and now they were practically wishing the other had never existed.
It was true that not just anyone could enter the guidance class.
He looked up and saw some people were already leaving. This gave him a reason to leave as well.
He glanced at the gentle girl, shivered, and then looked away.
Indeed, one couldn't judge a book by its cover.