Douluo: My power increases in Two levels

"Feng… are you really okay with this? "

Walking along the streets of Soto City, Dai Mubai was unusually well-behaved. Ever since Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Shrek Academy, he had stopped messing around and now quietly stuck with Han Feng.

Along the way, he'd gotten familiar with Han Feng, and their relationship had grown closer—enough to casually call him "Feng."

At this moment, Dai Mubai looked a little conflicted as he asked Han Feng in a low voice.

Han Feng, however, was confused. "Okay with what? "

"I mean… with Ning Rongrong."

Understanding dawned on Han Feng. Thinking back on what he had said earlier, he admitted it was a bit harsh. But tough problems needed tough solutions. Ning Rongrong's spoiled princess behavior gave him a headache. He could tolerate being mischievous, but being willfully unreasonable? That was too much.

"She's way too willful. Full of bad habits. Would you want to study alongside someone like her? "Han Feng asked.

Dai Mubai quickly shook his head.

Han Feng smiled. "Exactly. Someone had to say those things. Otherwise, think about it—if the headmaster finds out she skipped running and snuck out to Soto City with us, what do you think will happen? We'll all get dragged into it. What I did wasn't just for her—it was for all of us."

Dai Mubai nodded instinctively but then hesitated. That wasn't the point.

"But don't you think that was a bit too hurtful? I mean, even if she's spoiled, she looked pretty pitiful after what you said…"

He tried to soften the topic, worried that being too blunt might make Han Feng avoid acknowledging Ning Rongrong's feelings.

Little did he know—Han Feng had no clue Ning Rongrong liked him.

Han Feng replied naturally, "What's wrong with what I said? Why can't I say it? If the headmaster or you can point it out, why can't I? If no one wakes her up, she'll always act like the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Besides, it's not like Shrek Academy has their clan's secret guards watching. What do I have to be afraid of? "

Dai Mubai stared at him for a moment… and suddenly realized something.

He'd assumed Han Feng knew Ning Rongrong liked him and just didn't like her personality. But now, he saw the truth—Han Feng was completely clueless.

No wonder Ning Rongrong's actions didn't land right. Han Feng just thought she was a spoiled brat messing with him.

Feeling a bit sorry for her, Dai Mubai sighed.

Of all people, she had to fall for someone emotionally dense…

"Feng, have you ever thought… maybe Ning Rongrong likes you? Maybe she just wants to be closer to you, not annoy you."

Dai Mubai, Shrek's self-proclaimed romance expert, hit the nail on the head with one line.

Han Feng was stunned. His brow furrowed.

He had never thought about that. First, because in the original story, Ning Rongrong ended up with Oscar. Second, because to him, she acted like a mischievous brat, constantly teasing him. How could that be love?

Why would someone who liked you keep dragging you across town in the middle of the night for a candy skewer? And to top it off—he was her savior, and yet somehow, he owed her a favor?

But then… thinking again…

Oscar didn't seem to care about Ning Rongrong at all. He didn't even shave. And Ning Rongrong hadn't looked at Oscar once since joining Shrek.

She did keep showing up around him, no matter how much he scolded her. She noticed his habit of rolling his eyes. She cried but kept coming back…

Han Feng also recalled how she helped build his reputation before the fight with Zhao Wuji.

Even with his low emotional awareness, Han Feng started to feel unsettled.

He couldn't say he disliked her. Who didn't like a beautiful girl? But her spoiled nature drove him crazy…

He had never understood this kind of thing—neither in his past life nor now. In his previous life, he never got why people who liked each other had to hide it for years. Why not just say it?

Why couldn't anyone think about those of them who had no emotional instincts?

Seeing Han Feng standing there, lost in thought with a mix of confusion and doubt, Dai Mubai sighed quietly. He knew this topic was too early for Han Feng, so he interrupted quickly:

"Of course, I'm just guessing. Don't overthink it. It'd be awkward if I was wrong."

Sure enough, as soon as Dai Mubai said that, Han Feng's brain—just starting to power on—went back into standby mode.

"Right. Let's eat first. I haven't had a bite since morning."

Looking at Han Feng scarfing down food, Dai Mubai thought of Zhu Zhuqing and sighed.

Every family has its problems. Not everyone can be childhood sweethearts like Tang San and Xiao Wu.

After a while, Dai Mubai casually suggested, "Still, Feng, I think you should apologize to Ning Rongrong."

"Why?"

Dai Mubai grabbed a bun and explained, "If it was the headmaster scolding her, that's fine. He's a senior and her mentor. But you and I—we're her peers. For you to go that hard on her, don't you think an apology is fair? "

Han Feng thought about it. It made sense. He wasn't some chauvinist. "So how do I apologize? "

With a sly grin, Dai Mubai gestured with his chin. Han Feng turned and saw a vendor selling candied hawthorn and another selling glazed sweet potatoes.

Han Feng nodded and was about to get up, but Dai Mubai stopped him.

"I think you should also give her a bit of encouragement," Dai Mubai said. "She listened to you and went running, right? One stick and one carrot—that's the true art of teaching."

"…That's so much work," Han Feng muttered. It felt like raising a daughter.

Dai Mubai chuckled, thinking how much more trouble he went through to chase girls in the past.

"Why didn't you feel it was too much work when you were yelling at her? " he teased.

Han Feng grumbled, "Talking takes less effort…"

"Then how should I do it? "Han Feng asked seriously.

But Dai Mubai just gave him a mysterious smile. "That's up to you."

"…Come on, don't half-ass your advice. You'll get hemorrhoids," Han Feng muttered.

Pfft!

Dai Mubai choked on his soy milk, coughing violently. "You're too much! "

"Petty," Han Feng muttered under his breath.

Dai Mubai twitched, nearly activating his Martial Soul out of spite—but then remembered Han Feng's absurd defense. He backed down for now.

But in his heart, he swore, when Han Feng finally figured things out, he'd make sure to tell him everything that happened today—just to laugh at him.