Ian Song was genuinely glad to see Yoon Zhengyang and the others arrive.
After a brief round of greetings, everyone brought up his upcoming contest with Lance Xuanyuan.
Ian simply explained the situation and told them not to worry—he might not be without a chance to win.
With his reassurance, everyone finally relaxed quite a bit.
"Senior Brother Huang, do you really like Senior Sister Ji?" Winnie Shentu suddenly asked.
Ian smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Not at all. I only had one meal with Senior Sister Ji, but Lance Xuanyuan is a total vinegar jar—he thought there was something between us, and that’s how everything got blown up!"
"So you mean you don’t actually like Lynette Ji?" Rose Changsun’s eyes lit up and she asked eagerly.
Ian met her gaze and nodded.
For a moment, Rose Changsun felt a surge of inexplicable happiness.
"Senior Brother Huang, I want to go to the frontier with you!" Yoon Zhengyang suddenly declared.
Ian Song furrowed his brow slightly and said in a low voice, "The frontier is very dangerous, Yoon. You need to think this through carefully."
Yoon Zhengyang looked determined. "Now that Harriet has already broken through to Grandmaster, you two are both ahead of me. I still haven’t found my breakthrough, so maybe the battlefield will give me the chance I need."
Ian nodded. "Dangerous places can temper a martial artist’s will and spirit. That’s definitely a way forward. By the way, when did Harriet break through?"
"Probably just today," Yoon replied.
"Then I should go congratulate her," Ian said with a nod.
Rose Changsun suddenly spoke up, her tone tinged with annoyance. "Senior Brother Huang, I don’t think that’s necessary!"
Howard Changsun frowned at her. "Don’t say nonsense, little sis."
Seeing this, Ian glanced around at everyone and noticed their expressions were a little strange.
"What’s up? Did Rose and Harriet have some kind of argument?" he asked.
Rose huffed, "Nothing like that. I just think you’re wasting your kindness on her, that’s all. On our way here, we ran into her and…"
"Sis, that's enough!" Howard Changsun cut off Rose's words with a stern voice.
Ian Song waved his hand. "Howard, let her speak."
Rose shot a provocative look at her cousin, then continued, "On our way here, we ran into Harriet Gu and invited her to come see you with us. But she flat-out refused and walked away without even looking back. She only managed to break through to Grandmaster thanks to the pills you gave her, but now that she's made it, she hasn't even said thank you, and won't even come see you. Isn't that the definition of ingratitude?"
"Sigh."
Yoon Zhengyang, off to the side, let out a helpless sigh. Harriet really was in the wrong this time. Not to mention, on the way to Sanctum Martial Academy, it was Ian who got them out of trouble again and again. Even during that last sea beast crisis, Ian was the one who charged in to intercept the monsters and saved everyone.
And after he broke through to Grandmaster, he generously shared his breakthrough insights with everyone.
So everyone present owed Ian quite a few favors.
Besides, Harriet’s breakthrough wasn’t entirely because of Ian’s pills, but they definitely played a part.
Isn’t it basic courtesy to visit the person who helped you after a breakthrough?
Even if you’re clueless about social niceties, you should at least get this much, right? Besides, everyone personally invited her.
For a moment, Yoon Zhengyang couldn’t figure Harriet out at all.
Seeing the atmosphere turn gloomy, Ian clapped his hands and said, "Alright, let’s drop it. I’ll be heading to the frontier in a few days, so tonight let’s all gather at Tianwu House!"
"You always treat us—this time, let us treat you!" Eric Zhou chimed in.
"Exactly, it’s our turn to pay!"
The others all agreed enthusiastically.
So the group left the academy together and headed straight for Tianwu House.
That night, after returning from Tianwu House, Ian made his way over to Harriet’s dormitory. In his mind, Harriet might be cold, but she wasn’t ungrateful. He figured there must be some kind of misunderstanding and wanted to clear things up.
Knock, knock!
Soon after knocking at the courtyard gate, footsteps approached from inside.
The door was opened by a tall, curvy girl in a goose-yellow dress, though her looks were pretty average.