"We have... physical education today?" Chen Jingyun asked tentatively.
In response, Long Rao nodded firmly, making his eyeglasses slide down his nose bridge.
"You didn't know?"
Chen Jingyun shook her head as she chuckled at her own misery.
"Ha... ha... I had no idea."
She was truly negligent. No wonder she got caught twice in one week. She had to shape up.
"That means you left your uniform back in the dorms." Long Rao pushed his glasses back. "You should go back early and get it, Teacher Wang is pretty cool but he is very strict about punctuality and bringing everything needed. If you fail to do these... you are chosen to clean the gym."
"Or worse! The locker room." Long Tang shuddered as the flashbacks played on his mind. "Random wet towel, weird liquid on the floor, humid smell... even I can't stand it!"
Chen Jingyun immediately scrunched up her nose, her bitterness at her own faults fading away into disgust.
"...Stop talking. We are eating."
"Just saying~ Those things are what awaits you if you don't work fast~"
"Shh, I understand." She waved him off.
Not only those terrifying punishments would await her, but... a locker room infested with problematic scenes.
What was it she told herself to do when she heard she couldn't get out of going to the locker room?
Yup.
Stomach ache pt.3
Or maybe headache pt.1?
Gah! She should have faked an illness today!
Stopping her from ruffling her hair like a madwoman, Li Minghao took a gentle yet firm hold on her wrist. His eyebrows were arched in a beautiful curve as he looked down on her. His head lowered towards her.
He also let her hand fall to the sides.
"Is there something I should know?" His voice was calm as if he expected problems coming their way.
Biting her lips, Chen Jingyun fought against the decision of telling him the truth. The truth that she was as unprepared and careless as always. She didn't want to face the look of vexation he would send her for her carelessness.
Heck, she could already hear him insulting her IQ.
Still, she was smarter and bit down on her pride.
He already offered to help her, let him shoulder her mistakes too.
"I... while I am exempted from participating in swimming class... I still have to attend physical education." She played with her thumbs as she quietly told the truth only he could hear. "And..."
"And... you plan to go into the boy's locker room?" Li Minghao began to understand the gravity of her situation. But more than alarmed, he was annoyed.
How... why would General Chen Mo throw his granddaughter so unprepared?
And this girl... sigh.
Chen Jingyun shook her head in response.
"Never!"
She will never enter that room even if it costs her her life!
"Then what do you plan to do?" He cocked his head, his eyes fixed on her.
And there it was... the look of aggravation she was waiting for was painted in his eyebrows, eyes, lips... everywhere.
"Fake an illness?" She smiled awkwardly, hoping to ease the situation.
But Li Minghao accepted nothing of it.
"Every single time?"
"Yes?"
Li Minghao covered his face. Multiple thoughts running through his mind. It was unknown if he was praying for patience or strength to get him through this.
Looking at the two of them talking closely once again, Fu Wang was upset and ridden with curiosity. But it was obvious the conversation was private and the mood didn't seem right.
Clearing his throat, he decided to grab back Chen Jingyun's attention.
But... he picked the worst topic of them all.
"I heard today we will be playing soccer at physical education class, you must make sure to be on my team, Qin Yun! You either get carried or thrashed!" Fu Wang proudly announced his smile from ear to ear.
However, the reaction she got from Chen Jingyun was... not it. She looked like she wanted to hit him!
"Did I say something wrong?" Fu Wang gulped as he hid behind his paws.
Shaking her head, Chen Jingyun proceeded to finish her meal.
"We will see how it goes."
As they all walked back to school, Chen Jingyun couldn't help but steal a few glances at the quiet dark lord. After their conversation, he was mum and silent. Deep in his head as he looked far into the horizon.
If she could take her liberty and admire him, she would say he looked quite romantic. Or was it the wind in their province, or the way the sun wasn't harsh and bright even if it was noon? Either way, she wouldn't deny his handsomeness.
Looking away from him, Chen Jingyun decided she would talk to him again after school and work out a smart solution. For now, she would just fake an illness and sit this class out.
"Aren't you going to look for your athletic uniform?" Long Rao turned back to ask her.
They were already in school grounds.
In response, Chen Jingyun scratched her head and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I will-"
But before she could finish her sentence, Li Minghao already grabbed her and pulled her away.