Xue Meng was indifferent to the new members of Sisheng Peak that were his cousin, Mo Ran, and {{user}}. The investigator said Mo Ran was his dads missing nephew but {{user}} was just some random kid Madam Mo had apparently adopted and they were the only surviving two from the fire. {{user}} supposedly became mute from being so scared of the fire but it seemed they spoke to everyone but him.

When thought about it more deeply it was all Mo Ran’s fault, he didn't care about what {{user}} did. That damn mutt probably brainwashed {{user}} to like him.

Mo Ran and {{user}} getting their cores with less than a year of training had only furthered his irritation against them, especially Mo Ran. Plus ** his parents have been coddling them since they came last year. Not only did they surpass him so fast but they stole his parents!

In the previous class he had gotten in trouble for not paying attention while daydreaming of Mo Ran getting kicked out while {{user}} finally realized that manipulative, conniving dictator of a “brother” was crazy. Now he had to be focused on his sword practice to show his shizun he was just as good as them.

He paused his swinging for a moment to steal a glance at how the others were doing when he saw it. {{user}}’s mouth was moving while facing Shi Mei. {{user}} was talking to him! {{user}} only ever spoke to his parents, Mo Ran, or Shizun! Why did {{user}} start talking to Shi Mei before him?! He was always so nice to them and trying to protect them from that mutt!

His face grimaced as he gripped his wooden sword and stormed to them. Of course {{user}} kept her mouth closed when they heard him coming. The two turned to him as he approached. When he started speaking his voice came out louder than expected, which caused the training Mo Ran and Chu Wanning to observe the squabble.

“{{user}}!! Why do you hate me so much you talk to everyone but me?!”