He Qing was woken up by the notification of Merit +1 +1. He had been fed again.

He Qing opened his eyes and checked in on his true form. It turned out that his lotus seed had sprouted. Duan Chenhui, in his excitement, had added some merit to him and even stroked his tiny leaves…

So, the General liked that sort of thing.

He Qing touched his head to make sure there were no leaves growing on him, then felt relieved. He got up and walked out to the balcony, only to meet Duan Chenhui face-to-face from across the way.

Duan Chenhui greeted him, “Morning. The lotus sprouted today. I brought it out to soak up some sunlight.”

“Morning,” He Qing raised his hand in greeting and then stared at his lotus. The once snow-white lotus seed had split in two, and a small, yellow-green lotus leaf was poking out. It seemed Duan Chenhui had taken excellent care of it.

After a moment of silence, He Qing said, “I didn’t expect it to sprout so soon.”

“Looks like it’ll fully grow in about six months,” Duan Chenhui observed after watering it for a bit.

“Probably,” He Qing calculated. Six months seemed about right; it wouldn’t feel too abrupt. “I should get to school,” he said, turning to leave.

Returning to school that day, He Qing was met with countless stares, and there was a lot of whispering.

“It’s He Qing. I didn’t think he’d come back to school.”

“I thought he’d be too devastated…”

“But, I noticed… he doesn’t seem to have been marked?”

“Really?”

“For real. His scent still carries lotus pheromones…”

“No way!”

He Qing overheard bits of the conversation but kept his head held high and walked straight into his classroom. Today, they had a lesson with Instructor Qiao, who was smiling as usual, “Today, we’re going to the botanical garden to plant the plants of your choice. You’ll need to observe their growth and medicinal properties, then write a graduation thesis on them.”

“Understood!”

“Let’s go,” Qiao Yi waved, leading the students to the botanical garden. There, they ran into another instructor from a neighboring class.

Qiao Yi pointed at the patch of land, “We’ve already claimed this area. What are you doing here?”

The other instructor, a burly figure, pointed at the measly boundary line, “We’ve claimed this part too. Didn’t you see? That side is ours, and this side is yours.”

Qiao Yi stared at the small dividing line for a long time, then glanced at the instructor’s towering figure and nodded, “Alright.” Turning to the students, he smiled, “It looks like there are bears next door. Please plant your beast-repellent plants along the border.”

The students looked at their neighbors and began to snicker, “Got it, Instructor!!” They shouted loudly on purpose.

The other instructor nearly stepped into a mud pit in anger, “Instructor Qiao, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you trying to encroach on our space?”

Qiao Yi turned and innocently pointed at the boundary, “We haven’t crossed the line.”

The neighboring instructor was so furious that steam practically rose from his head. His students, seeing their teacher being provoked, shouted, “Don’t worry, Instructor! We’ll plant the most vicious plants on our side of the boundary!”

The instructor quickly calmed down, “Good, good! Let’s get to planting!”

Qiao Yi waved his hand, “Alright, let’s plant ours too.”

“Yes, sir!” The students rolled up their sleeves with fierce determination, as if they were gearing up for a brawl rather than gardening.

He Qing shouted along with them, then pulled out his pitcher plant. He found a spot along the border to plant it. A classmate glanced over, “What are you planting? I’m putting in a Venus flytrap.”

“I’m planting a pitcher plant,” He Qing said, scooping dirt over it with his small shovel. In fact, this was the same plant that had originally belonged to the dean.

The classmate’s eyes widened, “Speaking of which, the dean’s pitcher plant mysteriously disappeared recently. He searched for days and found no trace of it.”

“It probably grew legs and walked off.”

“?! Are you serious?”

“Just kidding,” He Qing chuckled, watering the plant and sticking a sign next to it that read: Pitcher plant, harmless and gentle, don’t be afraid.

The classmate glanced at the sign and turned away in silence. He Qing clearly misunderstood the nature of pitcher plants.

After planting, He Qing washed his hands and stood up, scanning the plants his classmates had planted. The entire row was filled with aggressive species like pitcher plants, centipede vines, and death’s grip grass. The neighboring side was equally intense.

Qiao Yi strolled around the field, observing the students, “After planting, make sure to water them. Don’t let them die the next day, or you’ll fail.”

“Instructor, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“If someone steps on them and kills them, will we still fail?”

“Of course.”

That classmate immediately pulled out a surveillance camera and mounted it on a tree, “Whoever steps on my crops, I’ll report them until their pants fall off!”

He Qing raised an eyebrow, “What are you planting?”

“Seven-colored carrots, seven in total,” the classmate said, rubbing his hands together. “I’ve heard that each color has a different flavor. Not sure if it’s true.”

Everyone else started drooling, “Can you really grow something like that? I’ve heard there used to be a dish called ‘Seven-Colored Stars.’”

He Qing thought the classmate’s carrots might be in danger. After planting, Qiao Yi led them back to the classroom. He Qing sat in class, mentally multitasking. He wanted to check in on what Duan Chenhui was doing and also figure out how to deal with his inner demon issue.

Closing his eyes, He Qing used the lotus seed to observe Duan Chenhui. The general was sitting in the hall, reading a book. He glanced at the cover—something about weapons.

Suddenly, Duan Chenhui turned his head as if sensing something. He Qing was startled and quickly stopped his lotus seed from moving.

Duan Chenhui put down his book, seeming confused, and walked over to the fish tank, picking it up to inspect. “I have this strange feeling like you’re watching me.”

He Qing blinked. No, no, General, you’re overthinking things.

Duan Chenhui stared at the lotus for a while longer, then put the fish tank down and picked up the lotus.

“???” He Qing’s view shifted as Duan Chenhui lifted the lotus, almost making direct eye contact with him.

He Qing’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly withdrew his spiritual consciousness.

He opened his eyes just as the bell rang for the end of class. He touched his chest. Duan Chenhui probably hadn’t realized anything… he had just used his spiritual sense, after all.

After the morning classes, He Qing packed his things and headed home. Before he could step out the door, someone called after him, “Hey, classmate! Where are you staying now? Want to walk together?”

He Qing turned around to see an unfamiliar Alpha approaching him with an enthusiastic smile.

He Qing smiled back and quietly said, “Actually, I’m an Enigma.”

“?!?!” The Alpha froze in place, face going pale, sweat forming on his brow.

He Qing added, “Please keep it a secret.”

“Y-yes…” The Alpha stammered. No wonder He Qing hadn’t been marked! And he hadn’t been summoned back to White Tower! Oh no, he’s an Alpha-eating Enigma!

Just then, Duan Chenhui’s voice called out, “He Qing.”

He Qing turned and froze, noticing how the dark energy surrounding Duan Chenhui had deepened. He ran over and asked, “General, why are you here? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing.” Duan Chenhui glanced at the Alpha, then smiled at He Qing, “What was he saying to you?”

“Nothing. I told him I’m an Enigma,” He Qing smiled. But when he looked back, Duan Chenhui’s dark aura thickened even more. He Qing went silent. “Ahem… let’s head home.”

Duan Chenhui nodded, “I was just passing by, thought I’d pick you up.”

“Thank you, General.”

“It’s no trouble.” Duan Chenhui’s tone left no room for argument, as he opened the car door for He Qing.

He Qing obediently got into the car, then noticed his lotus was sitting in the front seat. He glanced at it, “I didn’t expect you’d bring it out with you.”

“I thought it wanted to go outside,” Duan Chenhui smiled.

“…It’s a plant,” He Qing glanced at Duan Chenhui. General, you’re starting to sound a bit… off. Who carries around a fish tank everywhere they go?

Duan Chenhui explained, “Just like exotic plants, some of them are quite lively.”

He Qing thought of his classmates, some of whom treated their plants like children. “I guess you’re right, General.”

And so, Duan Chenhui dropped He Qing back at his place. For the following days, Duan Chenhui picked him up every single day, leading to rumors around campus that they were still entangled.

He Qing thought to himself, Maybe things are a bit too… unresolved.

Half a month passed. The lotus sprouted another small leaf, and the much-anticipated friendly competition finally began. The venue was packed, and everyone was there for the evening opening ceremony.

He Qing sat beside Duan Chenhui, holding a glow stick while Zhang Yi and Shi Lei cheered next to him.

He Qing waved his glow stick along with the crowd, and Duan Chenhui leaned over and said, “For the competition, it’s a three-person team. You can take turns.”

“I know,” He Qing smiled. He opened his screen and saw that the online discussion was all about the event.

#Shocking! Who’s the mysterious contestant and which team are they on?!#

“Place your bets! Guess the mystery player!”

“I think it’s a long shot! No clues at all!”

“I’ll just take a wild guess—on the school bully’s team!”

“No way! I bet they’re with the student council president!”

He Qing chuckled at the comments. In reality, he was on the Peach Garden team. Yes, that was the final name of their squad.