Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Feng Yao arrived at the Tian Dou Royal Academy's dining hall, his feet glistening with morning dew.

The vast dining hall was empty and quiet, with only a few diligent students eating in a corner. This was one of the new changes at the academy after Feng Yao won the competition. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the polished marble floor. Feng Yao's footsteps were particularly clear in the empty hall, startling a few sparrows foraging outside the window.

Feng Yao smiled and accepted the bowl, his gaze sweeping over the empty seats. At this hour, those pampered young masters and ladies were probably still sound asleep. He chose a seat by the window, where the steam from the hot porridge rose gently in the morning light, blending with the gradually brightening dawn outside.

Just as Feng Yao was enjoying his breakfast, a series of crisp footsteps approached from afar. He slowly raised his eyes and saw Dugu Yan walking gracefully towards him. Her dark green dress accentuated her slender waist, swaying gently with each step, like an elegant green snake.

Although she was somewhat prepared, Dugu Yan still paused noticeably when she saw Feng Yao's current appearance. Her red lips parted slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her amethyst eyes: "Little Feng?" Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass window behind her, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Feng Yao noticed that she had specially applied delicate eyeliner today, and a snake-shaped jade hairpin was tucked into her hair—clearly, she had dressed up carefully for this reunion.

"Sister Yan." Feng Yao stood up with a smile, deliberately turning around. "What, don't you recognize me?"

Dugu Yan suddenly reached out and pinched his cheek. After confirming that it wasn't an illusion, she suddenly smiled and said, "Good lad!" She leaned closer to look at him. "You look much more handsome than before~" Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the inside of his collar.

“Xiao Feng?” Dugu Yan gently set down her plate, her amethyst-like eyes scanning Feng Yao up and down. “I was a little skeptical when Grandpa mentioned your changes a couple of days ago,” she said, her red lips curving slightly, “but now that I see it with my own eyes, you’re truly a completely different person.”

Feng Yao watched her gracefully sit down, the morning light casting a soft golden glow on her profile.

Dugu Yan suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes: "I heard as soon as I got back," she deliberately drawled, "that yesterday, Lingling confessed her feelings to you with a blushing face, only to be caught red-handed by the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"

Feng Yao sighed and rubbed his forehead, the morning light dancing on his handsome profile. "I'm also wondering how she's so well-informed." His fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the porridge bowl. "I was caught red-handed as soon as I got back to the academy."

"Pfft—" Dugu Yan laughed so hard her body trembled, her dark green skirt rippling with her movements. "I bet Lingling's been too ashamed to show her face these past few days~" She suddenly leaned closer, the tassel of the snake-shaped jade hairpin in her hair brushing against Feng Yao's hand. "I heard that girl specifically asked for several days off?"

Feng Yao smiled wryly and cupped his hands in greeting: "I'll have to trouble Sister Yan to clean up my mess." Before he could finish speaking, Dugu Yan suddenly tapped his forehead lightly with her chopsticks:
"You brat!" She feigned anger, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips. "I used to clean up your messes, and now you even need your older sister to sort out your emotional debts?"

Then, Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at Feng Yao, her emerald eyes flickering slightly, and asked casually, "Do you actually have feelings for Lingling?" She tapped the table lightly with her fingertips. "If you don't like her, I'll go and reject that silly girl for you, so she won't be so distracted all the time."

Feng Yao chuckled softly, sunlight dancing on his newly formed features. "To be honest," he said, taking a sip of his tea, "a gentle and intelligent woman like Sister Lingling... there are probably so many talented young men in Tiandou City who want to marry her that they could line up outside the city gates. How could I not like her?"

Just as Dugu Yan was about to speak, Feng Yao abruptly changed the subject: "But Sister Yan..." He put down his teacup, his eyes suddenly turning serious, "Now is not the time. There are some reasons I cannot reveal for the time being." He lightly drew a circle on the table with his fingertip, "When the time is right, I hope you can make a new choice. That way, it will be fair to everyone."

"Who, who's making a choice!" Dugu Yan suddenly blushed and slammed her chopsticks on the table. "You're talking about Lingling, why are you dragging me into this!" She turned her face away, her long purple hair falling down, but it couldn't hide her bright red ear tips.

Feng Yao smiled and deliberately moved closer: "Really~ no~ problem~?" He drew out each word, and his warm breath brushed against her flushed cheeks.

Dugu Yan pouted, a blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears. "I... I just wanted to ask for that silly girl Lingling." Her fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of hair. "So she won't waste her time on you all day. Since you said so, I'll pass it on to her." Suddenly, Dugu Yan reached out and poked Feng Yao's forehead. "You little rascal, you've got some good ideas!"

Feng Yao laughed and leaned back, sunlight dancing on his smiling eyes: "My plans always strive for perfection~"

Dugu Yan narrowed her amethyst-like eyes suspiciously, the snake-shaped jade hairpin swaying gently as she tilted her head. "Wait." She suddenly leaned closer. "You're not using this as a delaying tactic, are you?" She pinched his chin with her fingers. "You've been at the academy for so long, what 'opportunity' is taking so long to arrive?"

Feng Yao blinked, deliberately making a closure gesture: "Well, this is a secret of heaven that cannot be revealed~"

"You brat!" Dugu Yan angrily let go of his hand, flung her skirt and stood up. "Your sister has spoiled you for nothing!" As she turned around, her long purple hair drew a graceful arc in the air, and the jade hairpin in her hair shimmered in the sunlight.

As Feng Yao watched her departing figure, he suddenly raised his voice: "Sister Yan, please give my regards to Sister Lingling!"

A soft, embarrassed snort drifted from afar, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Feng Yao shook his head and chuckled, then lowered his head to continue enjoying his now slightly chilled breakfast. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass window, casting iridescent patterns on his smiling lips.

Dugu Yan gave a soft hum and ultimately didn't press the matter further. But as she turned away, the unconscious curve of her red lips betrayed her inner joy. The hem of her dark green skirt swayed slightly with her light steps, and the snake-shaped jade hairpin in her hair shimmered with a warm luster in the morning light.

As she walked, she pondered, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of long hair across her chest—what exactly was the "opportunity" Feng Yao had mentioned? This question, like a mischievous little snake, slithered through her mind, making her restless and itchy.

Dugu Yan suddenly recalled the look in Feng Yao's eyes when he said those words—a look of unwavering determination and tenderness she had never seen before. This realization sent a shiver down her spine, and her steps unconsciously quickened.

Dugu Yan's smile deepened. Since he promised an answer, she would wait and see what kind of "opportunity" this boy, who always brought surprises, was planning.

Dugu Yan paused and turned back, a hint of anticipation flashing in her emerald eyes. Her red lips parted slightly: "You brat, always so secretive..." She twirled a stray strand of hair between her fingers, her voice softening unconsciously, "You were cuter when you first came to the academy."

Feng Yao devoured the rest of his breakfast in a few bites, wiping his mouth with satisfaction. He picked up the Fuxi Qin, its strings gleaming faintly in the morning light. By the time he left the cafeteria, the sun had fully risen, gilding the buildings of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy with a golden edge. Feng Yao strolled along the tree-lined path, startling several sparrows that were foraging for food.

In Ning Rongrong's boudoir at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Ah—! You stinking men, not a single one of you is any good!" Ning Rongrong grabbed an embroidered pillow and slammed it against the bedpost, soft feathers scattering in all directions with her movement. The girl's eyes were red-rimmed; she had clearly cried herself to sleep the night before.

The morning light filtered through the gauze curtains, gilding her disheveled hair with a golden edge. Ning Rongrong buried her burning cheeks in the brocade quilt, but the images of yesterday kept flashing through her mind—Feng Yao's hands clasped with Ye Lingling's, and the tender look in his eyes when he looked at Ye Lingling.

"Mingming, I..." Her voice was muffled under the covers, thick with a nasal tone.

Just then, a ripple spread through the room, and Gu Rong slowly emerged from the void, carrying a delicate breakfast. Seeing the small mound wrapped in blankets on the bed, a look of heartache appeared on his wrinkled face.

"Rongrong," Gu Rong placed the tray on the bedside table, his voice eight octaves softer than usual, "would you like to eat something first?" He gently patted the blanket. "After you eat, Grandpa will go and teach that brat a lesson."

The blanket was suddenly pulled back, and Ning Rongrong emerged with messy long hair and red-rimmed eyes: "You're not allowed to go!" She grabbed Gu Rong's sleeve, her voice hoarse from crying, "Grandpa Bone, if you dare go, I...I won't speak to you for a month!"

Gu Rong was immediately at a loss for words, and quickly smiled apologetically, "Okay, okay, Grandpa won't go, Grandpa promises." He carefully picked up the bowl of porridge, "Shall we eat first?"

Ning Rongrong sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, her colorful glass hair ornament hanging askew in her messy hair. She stared at the dappled light and shadow on the floor, her voice so soft it was almost a soliloquy: "Grandpa Bone...am I destined to follow the sect's rules for the rest of my life, choosing a husband only for the sect's benefit?"

Gu Rong's hand holding the bowl of porridge trembled slightly, and a complex emotion appeared on his wrinkled face. He opened his mouth, but the words "Of course not" stuck in his throat—because he knew better than anyone that when the sect faced pressure from the Spirit Hall, even he, a Title Douluo, could not defy the sect leader Ning Fengzhi's decision.

Gu Rong silently watched his granddaughter. They had been so critical of Oscar, a food-type soul master with innate full soul power, yet now, faced with a genius like Feng Yao, they seemed so humble. The irony made Gu Rong's heart ache.

Seeing Gu Rong remain silent, Ning Rongrong's eyes dimmed further. Her slender fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the bowl, a deep sense of powerlessness welling up inside her—it seemed that no matter what choice she made, it was destined to be a mistake.

After calming down, she realized that her relationship with Oscar was long over. As for Feng Yao, he had never given her any promises; their relationship was nothing more than friendship. But whenever she thought of the tender gazes Ye Lingling and Feng Yao shared, the stinging pain still made it hard for her to breathe.

"How ridiculous I am," Ning Rongrong said with a self-deprecating smile. As the princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she could accept not having something, but she couldn't bear losing to someone else. This innate pride was now fiercely gnawing at her reason.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Ning Rongrong's stubborn little face. She glanced at the glass cake on her plate—her favorite treat, specially ordered by Gu Rong to be made by the kitchen. Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and, under the old woman's expectant gaze, finally accepted the porridge spoon. But after every two bites, she would viciously poke the lotus seeds in the bowl, as if they were someone's head.

Seeing this, Gu Rong secretly breathed a sigh of relief—the renewed light in his granddaughter's eyes clearly indicated that she had figured something out.

“Grandpa Bone,” Ning Rongrong suddenly looked up, her colorful glass hair ornament shimmering in the morning light, “take me to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy later.”

A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Rong's wrinkled face: "Rongrong, this..." He hesitated, rubbing his fingers, "Actually, we don't necessarily have to..."

Ning Rongrong gently shook her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I understand, Grandpa Bone." She nimbly jumped off the bed and began tidying her disheveled hair. "But free cultivation resources are better used than wasted!" She winked at herself in the bronze mirror. "His music really does help me enter a cultivation state faster."

Gu Rong stared blankly at his granddaughter's sudden return to energy, and suddenly felt that this little devil, whom he had spoiled since childhood, seemed to have grown up a lot overnight. Sunlight streamed through the window, gilding her straight back with a layer of gold, and her posture was somewhat like Ning Fengzhi's when she was handling sect affairs.

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's wrinkles smoothed out, revealing a relieved smile: "Alright, alright, Rongrong, eat slowly. Grandpa will go tell your father right away." He gently patted his granddaughter's shoulder, his eyes full of affection, "It's good that you've figured it out."

Before the words were even finished, the old man's figure gradually blurred, merging into the air like ink in a painting. Only a few ripples of spatial fluctuation remained, along with a smiling, admonishment: "Remember to eat the crystal cake too, it's your favorite."

Ning Rongrong gazed at the spot where the ancient banyan tree had disappeared, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. She picked up the plate of exquisite crystal cakes; the iridescent icing shimmered in the sunlight, mirroring her renewed spirits. Outside the window, a gentle breeze swept in, dispelling the gloom that had settled over the previous night.

Not long after, as Feng Yao sat by the lake playing the zither, a familiar figure appeared in his senses. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Ning Rongrong in a light purple dress, her seven-colored glass hair ornaments shimmering in the sunlight, walking gracefully towards him.

Feng Yao looked surprised, but didn't say much. He hadn't expected that she would take the initiative to come after such an embarrassing parting yesterday.

Ning Rongrong stopped three steps away from him, the morning breeze ruffling her skirt and carrying a faint fragrance. She slightly raised her chin, revealing her usual proud expression, then summoned her martial spirit and began cultivating on her own without speaking to Feng Yao.

Feng Yao noticed that although she deliberately kept her distance, the resentment in her eyes from yesterday was gone, replaced by a complex emotion he couldn't decipher. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her delicate face. Yet her expression was calm, as if nothing had happened yesterday, only the slightly reddened tips of her ears betraying the turmoil within her.

Ripples spread across the lake. Feng Yao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This was for the best; it seemed that this proud little princess had found a way to reconcile with him.

(End of this chapter)