Chapter 98: Outrageous Logic, "Those Who Don't Dare Cause Trouble Are Mediocrities?"
The atmosphere at Lin Qingmo's table was practically a different world from the one next to it.
Ning Rongrong picked up the pink fruit wine on the table and curiously poured herself a small glass.
The liquid swirled gently in the cup, crystal clear, carrying a faint fruity fragrance.
She cautiously took a sip.
"Wow!"
Her eyes instantly lit up, as if she had just discovered a whole new continent.
"This is so good! It's sweet and not spicy at all!"
Xiao Wu rested her chin on her hand with a grin and poured herself a cup as well.
"Right? Right? Ah Qing made it himself. He said it's suitable for us girls because the alcohol content is low, so we can even drink it like juice."
"Zhuqing, you should try some too."
Zhu Zhuqing was usually indifferent when it came to food and drink.
But seeing both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu enjoying it, she lifted her cup and took a small sip.
The crisp fruit aroma blended with a gentle sweetness that melted over her tongue.
The faint crease between her brows subtly relaxed, and the corner of her lips curved ever so slightly.
She didn't say a word, but her expression clearly conveyed approval.
Three girls with completely different temperaments yet equally stunning beauty sat together, holding delicate glasses as they sipped and laughed softly.
The scene was so pleasing to the eye that it looked like something out of a youthful idol drama.
Lin Qingmo sat among them, relaxed, occasionally joining the conversation. The atmosphere was harmonious to the extreme.
Not far away, Ma Hongjun took in the entire scene.
His eyes were wide and round, and he even forgot to lower the wine glass in his hand.
"No way…?!"
He could hardly believe it.
"Didn't Ning Rongrong just say firmly that she 'doesn't touch alcohol'? What happened to that noble young lady act?"
"How did it turn into 'Wow, this is so good!' the moment she got to Lin Qingmo's table?!"
The sour bitterness of jealousy bubbled wildly in his chest.
Just look at that side surrounded by beauties, laughing and chatting, sipping sweet fruit wine.
Then look at his side.
Three grown men facing a table full of greasy barbecue and throat-burning strong liquor, the atmosphere so suffocating it could kill.
The contrast was simply tragic.
Dai Mubai and Oscar had clearly noticed the commotion as well.
Dai Mubai's face darkened further, his grip on the wine glass tightening.
Oscar's eyes dimmed. He lowered his head in silence, poking at the meat on his plate, completely without appetite.
All he could think about was the radiant smile Ning Rongrong had just shown Lin Qingmo.
She had never smiled like that at him.
Just then—
A chaotic mix of footsteps and youthful chatter sounded from the entrance of the hotel.
The curtain was lifted, and another group walked in.
About seven or eight of them, teenagers and young adults, both male and female.
They wore uniform gray fitted academy uniforms, simple in design.
On the left chest area, embroidered in silver thread, were two striking characters:
"Blue Sunshine."
This group also looked travel-worn, as if they had just completed a long journey. Fatigue lingered on their faces.
Yet their eyes still carried the vitality and pride unique to youth.
The moment they entered, the previously noisy hall quieted for a brief second.
Many diners cast measuring glances their way. When they saw the words "Blue Sunshine," their expressions turned more understanding and cautious.
Blue Sunshine Academy had some reputation among soul master academies.
Ma Hongjun had been drowning his frustration in alcohol, already irritated to the extreme because of Ning Rongrong and the others.
When he lifted his head, through hazy drunken vision, he happened to spot a girl among the Blue Sunshine team.
She walked in the middle of the group, with delicate features and a slender figure.
Under the gray uniform, she carried a quiet, scholarly air.
In Ma Hongjun's alcohol-fueled, wicked-fire-addled mind, that bit of vulgar intent instantly stirred to life.
He had been itching for somewhere to vent the humiliation he felt from Lin Qingmo!
"Heh heh…"
He grinned, wobbling to his feet.
Still holding half a glass of liquor, he staggered straight toward the Blue Sunshine Academy group.
His target was clear: the delicate girl.
He swayed right in front of her, blocking her path.
His plump face leaned in close, reeking of alcohol.
"Well, well, little beauty, all by yourself?"
His tone was as flippant as a street hooligan.
"How about having a drink with your big brother here? I'll treat you to the best wine this place has. Order whatever you like!"
As he spoke, he shook the glass in his hand, nearly spilling it.
The girl had clearly never encountered such a scene before. She startled violently, her face turning pale in an instant.
She hurriedly stepped back, hiding behind a tall young man and clutching her companion's sleeve tightly.
The tall youth, who had become her shield, seemed to be the leader of the Blue Sunshine students.
His expression darkened immediately. His brows furrowed, and he fixed Ma Hongjun with a sharp glare.
"Who the hell are you?"
His voice carried unmistakable anger as he stepped forward, fully shielding the girl behind him.
"Where did this lunatic come from, daring to harass someone from Blue Sunshine Academy? Are you tired of living?"
The other students quickly gathered around, glaring furiously at Ma Hongjun.
Faced with so many hostile stares, Ma Hongjun didn't retreat in the slightest.
Instead, the alcohol and wicked fire inside him flared even higher.
This felt right!
This was the kind of scene he, Ma Hongjun, was meant to be in!
"Lunatic?"
He sneered, puffing out his nonexistent chest and trying to look arrogant.
"Listen up! I'm Ma Hongjun from Shrek Academy!"
"Shrek heard of it? The academy that produces monsters!"
He deliberately raised his voice, wanting the entire hall to hear.
"What the hell is your Blue Sunshine Academy? Hurry up and have this little beauty come drink with me, and we'll call it even."
"Otherwise…"
He dragged out the word deliberately, his gaze sweeping maliciously over the Blue Sunshine group.
"Don't blame me for not being polite!"
"Shrek Academy?"
The tall youth repeated the name, his brows knitting tighter.
He quickly searched his memory; he truly hadn't heard of this academy's name.
But Ma Hongjun's arrogant attitude made his blood boil.
Behind him, the Blue Sunshine Academy students looked equally furious, whispering angrily.
"Shrek? Some no-name wild academy. Never even heard of it!"
"Dare to provoke Blue Sunshine Academy? They're asking for death!"
"Brother Ye, we can't just let this go!"
The tall youth addressed as Brother Ye raised a hand, signaling for silence.
He stared at Ma Hongjun and said coldly,
"I don't care which academy you're from. Apologize right now for your rude behavior."
"Otherwise, we won't mind teaching you a lesson in place of your teachers so you can learn what manners are."
"Apologize?"
Ma Hongjun acted as though he had just heard the funniest joke in the world, even digging exaggeratedly at his ear.
But he knew he was outnumbered.
He immediately turned and shouted toward his own table.
"Boss Dai! Xiao Ao! Did you hear that? They want to teach me a lesson!"
"What are you waiting for? Come over and give these blind fools a lesson."
"Let them know that people from Shrek Academy aren't afraid of causing trouble!"
He deliberately roared out Flender's famous line:
"Those who don't dare cause trouble are mediocrities!"
Dai Mubai and Oscar exchanged a glance.
Dai Mubai was already in a terrible mood, looking for an outlet to vent his anger.
Oscar, having felt humiliated in front of Ning Rongrong, also wanted to reclaim some sense of presence.
The two stood up almost simultaneously, sneering as they walked over to stand beside Ma Hongjun.
The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder.
Though they were still fewer in number than the Blue Sunshine side—
When Dai Mubai released the aura of a Soul Elder, their presence was anything but weak.
Seeing his brothers backing him up, Ma Hongjun's confidence surged even higher.
End of Chapter