Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"She's Qiu Ruoshui."

Seeing Qin Jian's curious gaze, Yan Zhining casually introduced the girl.

Then, with a tilt of her head, she added, "Bing'er, from now on, Qin Jian is officially joining our academy and will be the captain of the Skywater Team. You'll share a room with him."

The sheer weight of this single sentence left Shui Bing'er and Qiu Ruoshui utterly dumbfounded, their eyes turning into spirals.

"Instructor Zhining, a male student is joining Skywater Academy? And he's going to be our team captain? On top of that, he'll share a room with Bing'er?"

Qiu Ruoshui incredulously repeated the statement.

Yan Zhining nodded affirmatively, saying, "Xue Wu, go pack your things. Bing'er, help Qin Jian with the enrollment procedures and familiarize him with the academy. I need to attend a high-level meeting."

Without waiting for Xue Wu's visibly upset reaction, Yan Zhining briskly turned and left, leaving the group to exchange bewildered looks.

"Xue Wu, does this mean you won't be rooming with Bing'er anymore?"

Qiu Ruoshui descended the stairs, exclaiming, "Wow, our future captain is a guy? I never would've guessed…"

"There's plenty you wouldn't guess."

Xue Wu sulked, her voice full of frustration. "Instructor Zhining actually wants Bing'er to share a room with a guy. What if he has bad intentions?"

"Hey, hey, Xue Wu, right? I'm standing right here. Is it really okay to say that so bluntly?" Qin Jian interjected, feeling helpless.

"Hmph!"

Xue Wu gave him a fierce snort, lifted her chin, and stormed upstairs into Shui Bing'er's room. Soon, the sounds of her angrily packing could be heard.

"What a temper. It's just about switching rooms…" Qin Jian muttered, shaking his head.

"It's more than that."

Qiu Ruoshui grinned mischievously. "You're going to be sharing a room with her favorite Bing'er. How could she be happy about that?"

"Ruoshui, stop making things up!"

Shui Bing'er's cheeks flushed faintly. "It's just sharing a room, not sharing a bed."

"Same difference…"

Qiu Ruoshui waved dismissively, giggling as she retreated to her own room. "You two get along well! I won't interrupt."

The hall quickly quieted, leaving only Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er, an awkward silence hanging between them.

"About… about what happened in the Soul Hunting Grounds last time—thank you. I never properly thanked you," Shui Bing'er said, her head slightly lowered.

Qin Jian smiled gently. "It was fate. Who would've thought we'd end up as roommates?"

"Roommates…"

Shui Bing'er felt the heat returning to her face.

She didn't resist Instructor Zhining's arrangement, nor did she mind Qin Jian suddenly taking her position as team captain. Partly because she wasn't used to saying no, but also because she held a favorable impression of him.

His rescue in the Soul Hunting Grounds and his care for Ning Rongrong had left a lasting impression on her.

"Did you join the academy alone? Ning Rongrong didn't come with you?" she asked curiously.

After all, back at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, everyone could see how close Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong were.

Now that he was here at Skywater Academy alone, it seemed odd… Surely, he hadn't come just for the pretty girls, had he? Shui Bing'er didn't believe he was that kind of person.

"Rongrong…"

A faint ache flickered in Qin Jian's heart, though his face remained calm. "She stayed at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to cultivate. It's a better place for her."

"Oh…"

Shui Bing'er instinctively felt there was more to it than Qin Jian let on but didn't press further.

After checking on the room and seeing Xue Wu still angrily packing, she returned downstairs and said, "Xue Wu won't be done anytime soon. Let me show you around the academy first."

Qin Jian nodded and followed Shui Bing'er as they walked out together.

"Bing'er seems pretty happy…"

Xue Wu's figure appeared at the doorway, her tone full of displeasure. "Is it really that exciting to leave me and room with a guy?"

"Of course, it is!"

Qiu Ruoshui's voice chimed in as she appeared beside Xuewu. "Haven't you noticed? Since she returned from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, half of her conversations have involved this Qin Jian. I think she's smitten!"

Xue Wu's expression grew darker. "Hmph, men are all pigs!"

"What pigs?"

At that moment, a girl in an icy blue skirt walked into the room.

Xue Wu's eyes lit up. "Yue'er, you're back? Class over already?"

"No, there's still one more class with my sister. Where is she?" Shui Yue'er asked.

"Your sister…"

Xue Wu's eyes darted mischievously before she said, "Ran off with a guy."

"What?"

Shui Yue'er looked confused. "Where would a guy come from in our academy?"

"That Qin Jian—didn't your sister keep mentioning him these past few days?"

Xue Wu draped an arm around Shui Yue'er's shoulder and continued, "Not only is he here, but he also replaced your sister as team captain. More importantly, Instructor Zhining assigned him to live with her!"

"What!"

Shui Yue'er grabbed Xue Wu's arm tightly. "You're joking, right? Instructor Zhining wouldn't make such an arrangement."

Xue Wu shook her head solemnly. "Sadly, it's true. Instructor Zhining even went to a high-level meeting to get the proposal approved."

"Then it's fine. Instructor Zhining's proposals never get fully approved, especially by Instructor Xiao Jing."

Shui Yue'er relaxed. "He might not even stay the night and could be sent packing soon."

"That's true," Xue Wu agreed, then added with a sly grin, "But just in case, shouldn't we do something? Can you really watch your sister share a room with a guy?"

"Absolutely not!" Shui Yue'er shook her head vigorously. "I haven't even roomed with her yet. How can a guy take my spot?"

"Hey, watch your wording. It's sharing a room, not a bed…" Qiu Ruoshui chuckled.

"Shut up!"

Xue Wu snapped. "You're too happy-go-lucky to have a say here."

Shui Yue'er blinked and murmured, "Sharing a room… That sounds worse than sharing a bed."

Qiu Ruoshui: "…"

Waving her hand, Xue Wu said, "Forget it. Yue'er, aren't you going to class soon? Your sister might go with him. Why not make him look bad in front of everyone?"

"Embarrass him?"

Shui Yue'er tilted her head thoughtfully. "Easy. Our class is about understanding and applying water-attribute martial souls. He won't know anything, so I'll stir up the class to make him answer questions."

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