Chapter 14: Knee pillow

Under a cloudless sky, flags with the school emblem fluttered on both sides of the field.

The sandpit, track, lawn, and stands buzzed with energetic students.

Sweat hit the ground as passionate cheers and shouts echoed through the air.

Teenagers in the stands roared support for their classmates.

“Wipe your drool, man.”

“You look like a creep.”

“No way, I’m not drooling.”

Zheng wiped his mouth, confirmed it was dry, and punched me.

“Then tone it down.”

“You look like a guy who’s never seen a girl.”

“It’s embarrassing to watch.”

But this jerk ignored me.

His gaze shifted to the high jump area.

He pointed over there.

“Look, Young Master Lu!”

“Teacher Mo in athletic wear!”

“She’s gorgeous.”

Sister Yuan was one of the festival staff.

She stood by the high jump area, pen in hand, recording scores.

She wore a red-and-white athletic top.

Her lower half was in white track pants with red vertical stripes.

Her glossy black hair was tied in a high ponytail.

She looked no different from a senior-year girl.

“Zheng, know any spots I can nap?”

“I’m bored to death.”

“I need a real sleep.”

“No ambition.”

“With this view in front of you, you’re thinking of sleep?”

“Classrooms are locked.”

“Try a teacher’s office—if you dare.”

Zheng didn’t look back.

His eyes stayed glued to the crowd on the field.

Ugh.

I sighed.

This single-for-years otaku is hopeless.

Come to think of it, Sister Yuan’s office is pretty spacious.

It’s just hers, so it’s probably empty now.

Sneaking a nap there shouldn’t be a problem.

I glanced at the lively field.

Teachers and students were focused on their tasks.

Sister Yuan was busy working.

Good, no one’s paying attention to me.

My 400-meter run isn’t until tomorrow.

I’ve got nothing going on today.

Time to slip away.

I stood slowly and crept into the school building.

I turned on the AC.

I sprawled lazily in Sister Yuan’s chair.

I soaked in the quiet, isolated peace.

A stack of English homework I collected yesterday sat on the desk.

When I gathered them, some kids forgot to do theirs.

A few borrowed completed ones to copy.

Others just gave up and didn’t turn anything in.

I promised to cover for them, so Sister Yuan wouldn’t find out.

They looked at me with surprisingly genuine gratitude.

Like I was risking my life for them.

Probably because Sister Yuan’s cold, stern attitude scares them.

That’s why they were so thankful.

When I handed her the obviously short stack and claimed “it’s all there”…

“If you’re covering for them, Xiao You, you’ll pay the price.”

Luckily, the bite marks on my neck weren’t too deep.

Otherwise, I’d never help them again.

I glanced boredly at the slightly open drawer.

Maybe it holds some of Sister Yuan’s secrets.

She’s never hidden much from me.

She shared her phone password and all her social media logins.

Back when I was younger and clueless about privacy, I was curious.

But after one look, I lost interest.

Nothing special.

Except her chats with Auntie Yun.

Those were encrypted.

She didn’t mind telling me the password.

“Thought it through?”

“See those messages, and I’ll demand a price you might not afford.”

That scared me off.

Anything she says comes with a huge cost makes me nervous.

I don’t dare cross that line.

Her room’s drawers are the same.

They’re locked tight, and she carries the key.

She’s willing to let me look.

But she’d demand a steep price afterward.

She never said I couldn’t open her office drawer, though.

It’s not locked.

A peek shouldn’t hurt.

I pulled it open.

Nothing special inside.

Just papers, reports, scissors, tape, and office stuff.

Huh? Another pair of binoculars?

I picked them up.

They looked new, high-precision, and multi-functional.

Definitely not cheap.

She probably used these to spot me on the field last time.

I held them to my eyes.

I looked at Sister Yuan on the field.

Still that cold, expressionless face.

She occasionally jotted down scores.

Her white athletic shoes looked like some pricey brand.

The kind guys in class always talk about.

No, no, don’t look at her feet.

Seeing her feet makes me think of that time she tricked me.

When I had to lick her feet…

It wasn’t bad, but so embarrassing.

I still cringe thinking about it.

Time to sleep.

I opened my eyes two hours later.

The wall clock pointed to noon.

The morning festival events were over.

It was lunchtime.

I realized I was lying down.

My head rested on soft thighs.

My face felt damp, especially my lips.

“Comfy on my lap, Xiao You?”

“It’s alright.”

“Pretty comfy.”

“Just alright?”

“If I wore black stockings, would you like it more?”

“Uh, no, no need.”

“This is fine.”

“Seems you do prefer stockings.”

“I’ll wear them next time you nap.”

“Do you want to sleep more?”

“Or eat lunch first?”

She looked down at me.

Her eyes sparkled with her usual doting affection.

“Let’s eat first.”

“There won’t be time later.”

“When’d you get back, Sister Yuan?”

“An hour ago.”

“Seeing you here, all to myself, made me so happy.”

“Can I do something with you?”

“No way.”

“Pretend I was never here.”

“I’m leaving.”

“I feel like you’re up to no good.”

“Hey, how can you think that of me?”

“I even brought you lunch.”

“At least eat here.”

“…Fine.”

I propped myself up on the chair.

I opened the lunchbox on the desk.

I shoveled rice into my mouth.

I chatted with Sister Yuan.

“By the way, any standout high jumpers today?”

“Those kids?”

“They’re decent by your standards.”

“But I could outjump them any day.”

“No way.”

“I’ve never seen you work out.”

“You’re probably as bad at sports as me.”

“Don’t believe me?”

“Let’s make a bet.”

“If I win first in the teacher’s 100-meter race the day after tomorrow…”

“You’ll shower with me from now on.”

What?!

Shower together?

Are you hearing yourself?

“Forget it, I’m not betting.”

“Showering with you?”

“You’d definitely try something.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

“If you take the bet…”

“I’ll go easy on An Xue Ruo.”