38: All previous efforts were in vain

Su Ze hastily withdrew his hand and said, "Teacher, let me explain, she's actually..."

Before he could finish, Lin Xi raised a hand to stop him. "No need to explain. I'm an adult, I get it. When I was young, I also snuck into the woods with several female classmates."

Then, stroking the beard on his chin, he leaned close to Su Ze's ear and said, "But one this hot is rare. You'd better cherish her, kid."

"Perfect timing. Since she's already here, let her join us for some chicken... I mean, crane."

Looking up, he found only Su Ze standing before him. "Huh? Where'd she go?"

"Uh... she left, I guess."

Lin Xi frowned, looking around. "How mysterious... Is there a hole in my greenhouse somewhere? Coming and going as she pleases."

After walking a full circle and finding no gaps, he scratched his head and returned.

But in reality, Feng Qingyi had slipped back into her beast taming space the moment Su Ze turned around, which is why she vanished instantly.

"Forget it. Then she just missed out. Can't say I'm stingy."

He then turned to Su Ze. "School rules say we can only keep a small portion of this Green Crane; the rest goes to the cafeteria. One less person means more for us. This Green Crane is incredibly delicious. Come help me prep it, kid."

With Su Ze's help, they kept only one crane leg and the long neck Lin Xi had been craving. The rest was set aside to be sent to the school cafeteria as a treat for the students.

"Wow, this neck is almost as long as I am tall! Perfect for braising and pairing with drinks!"

Speaking, he skillfully pulled out various seasoning packets and set up a large pot right in the rest hut to start braising.

Judging by his movements, he'd clearly done this many times before—a seasoned veteran.

But smelling the rich aroma of the braising spices overpowering the greenhouse's pungent odor, Su Ze swallowed his saliva and chose to go along with it.

Typically, duck necks are braised for forty minutes to an hour. However, this crane neck was far longer and thicker than a duck's, so the two braised it for a full two hours before taking it out.

While it was still hot, they cut it into small segments. Lin Xi immediately couldn't resist grabbing a piece and stuffing it into his mouth, unwilling to spit it out even as he yelped from the heat.

Su Ze also tried a piece. Compared to ordinary braised duck necks sold commercially, it had much more meat. The texture was firmer, springier, and incredibly juicy and flavorful.

This meal alone made Su Ze feel that choosing this teacher was absolutely the right decision, especially since he had genuinely learned a lot.

He had even used the knowledge gained to improve his relationship with the Golden Feather Phoenix Bird—a major achievement.

Moreover... from Lin Xi, a veteran of Azure Dragon Beast Taming University, Su Ze could learn even more about other things he wanted to know.

Tearing off a piece of meat with his teeth, he asked, "Teacher, you knew my parents, right? Do you know what really happened to them back then?"

Lin Xi stopped reaching for another piece of braised neck, instead picking up a nearby bottle of liquor and taking a few gulps. "How would I know? Your parents were the university's most outstanding, youngest researchers back then, while I was just a livestock keeper."

Su Ze persisted, "But that day, you and Principal Xiao Xu said..."

Before he could finish, Lin Xi cut him off. "Enough, stop dawdling. Are you full? If you are, it's time for class!"

"Class?" Su Ze was taken aback. "Aren't I already having class with you?"

"It's the university's required cultural courses. Xiao Xu wants you to complete them within a year, so your schedule is packed."

"Originally, I was supposed to help you choose courses yesterday, but I forgot. Don't worry, though; the ones I picked for you are all practical and won't be boring."

Su Ze looked at him, feeling a bit skeptical inside.

Then, Lin Xi pulled out a piece of paper from behind him with greasy hands. "Here's your class schedule. Let me see... not many classes today, just two. But the first one starts in ten minutes, so you'd better hurry."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!" Su Ze snatched the paper from his hands and hurriedly stood up.

That's when he realized his worries were justified. The first course Lin Xi had chosen for him was called "Beast Taming Breeding, Reproduction, and Postpartum Care."

But Su Ze had no time to argue, because the classroom for this course was all the way on the other side of the campus. Making it there in ten minutes would be a challenge.

Watching Su Ze dash away, Lin Xi wore a gentle smile and murmured, "In such a hurry? Your father loved this course the most back in the day..."

Then, his expression instantly turned serious. "Xiao Xu, I know why you sent this kid to me, but... is it really necessary to drag him into this?"

Perhaps because of what had happened earlier, when Su Ze had run until he was completely out of breath, Feng Qingyi voluntarily emerged from her beast taming space.

"As my master, your slowness is embarrassing. Let me help you."

Su Ze then felt a surge of power welling up inside him, instantly multiplying his speed several times over.

This was the first time he hadn't forcibly drawn power from Feng Qingyi through their contract; instead, she had actively transmitted it to him.

Clearly, the increased closeness had made her less resistant to him.

With her help, Su Ze finally reached the classroom just before the class started. He didn't want to be late for his first lesson and make a bad impression on the teacher.

The moment the man and bird took their seats, they attracted the attention of the entire classroom—or more accurately, Feng Qingyi attracted everyone's attention.

Although Su Ze's looks were quite outstanding among humans, they paled in comparison to a shapeshifted demon beast.

If the class bell hadn't rung just in time, many would likely have tried to strike up a conversation with her, unaware that he and Feng Qingyi were "different species."

On the podium, a voluptuous young mature woman wearing black-rimmed glasses introduced herself. "Alright, students, I am your teacher for this course. My name is Chen Xin. You may call me Teacher Chen."

Below, Feng Qingyi also looked very interested. "So this is a human classroom? Interesting. We demon beasts pass down knowledge through bloodlines and practical combat. I wonder what human education is like."

After her introduction, Teacher Chen said, "To study beast taming breeding, the first step is to understand the gender of your own tamed beast."

"Everyone, summon your tamed beasts. I'll teach you how to identify the gender of various types of demon beasts."

As the glow of contract magic circles lit up one after another, each demon beast had its true identity verified.

Su Ze glanced sideways at Feng Qingyi beside him and saw her blushing deeply at the scene.

Of course, for her, another demon beast, this sight must have been quite stimulating.

"But... I probably don't need to verify Feng Qingyi's gender, right?" Su Ze thought to himself, considering she had already shapeshifted into a young girl.

Feng Qingyi noticed his gaze and glared at him, her face flushed. "If... if you dare do this to me, even if the contract kills me, I won't let you off!"

Then, she turned and fled back into her beast taming space as if escaping.

"It's a misunderstanding... I wasn't doubting your gender, and I definitely didn't mean to undress you..."

Before Su Ze could finish, just like before, he could no longer receive any messages from the other end of the contract magic circle.

"Damn it. All the closeness I worked so hard to build up—all previous efforts wasted..."