Chapter 16: A brilliant hero

“Sister Yuan, sometimes I wonder if you’re a total flirt.”

“You’re so cold and aloof normally.”

“Why do you let loose like this at times like these?”

I grabbed her hand as she started to take off her only outer layer.

I put some distance between us.

I still can’t get used to this.

Lately, Sister Yuan’s flirty antics haven’t stopped.

I thought I’d get used to it eventually.

After all, she wouldn’t go too far.

But I can’t handle it!

Every time, I blush so hard I can’t stand it.

And today, she’s upping the ante, wanting to sleep in just her underwear.

“You were like a yandere this afternoon.”

“Now you’re a flirt at night.”

“Normally, you’re a gentle big sister.”

“You’ve got so many faces, Sister Yuan.”

“So, which type do you like best, Xiao You?”

“I can be any of them.”

“Then I like little lolis.”

“I’m a lolicon.”

“Hm? What’s that, Xiao You?”

“Your last words?”

“Sorry, sorry, I was wrong.”

She pulled me close.

She pressed my head against her chest.

Her tone shifted to warm and tender.

“Feeling better?”

“Xiao You, I was scared you were afraid of me earlier.”

“I was scared too.”

“Scared my afternoon self frightened you.”

“Scared you’d go back to how you were when you first came here.”

“Like a lost little animal, timid and afraid of upsetting me.”

“I don’t want you to fear me.”

“I know my demands are too much.”

“They take away your freedom.”

“I’m sorry, Xiao You.”

“But I can’t control myself.”

“I can’t calmly watch you laugh so happily with other girls.”

“You’re supposed to be all mine.”

“I don’t want to share you with them.”

“Don’t be afraid of me.”

“Don’t leave me, okay?”

Her sudden words shocked me.

They confirmed my guess.

She’s truly a kind, gentle girl at heart.

Just with a bit too much possessiveness and control.

“I’ll never leave you, Sister Yuan.”

“Didn’t we promise to stay together forever?”

“Will you be scared of me?”

“That depends on what you’d do to girls who get close to me.”

“Your vibe this afternoon made it seem like something terrifying.”

She smiled.

Her voice was soft and motherly again.

“I’d probably pressure them my way to keep them away.”

“If needed, I’d use Mom’s connections.”

“What, you think I’m some ruthless killer who’d take their lives?”

Her earlier demeanor did make me think she might do something extreme.

That’s why I was so scared.

But if she says it’s not that bad, there’s no need to fear.

“I didn’t think that.”

“You’re kind and gentle, Sister Yuan.”

“I’m sure of it.”

Hearing me, she switched to her lively, girlish side.

She rubbed her cheek against mine.

“So that’s how you see me?”

“I’m so happy.”

“Want a little reward?”

“No need!”

“Stop tempting me out of nowhere.”

“So you’re really a lolicon?”

“That’s tricky.”

“I can’t pull off the little-girl vibe.”

“That was a joke.”

“I’m not a lolicon.”

“And definitely not a flirt fan!”

“Just stay the mature, steady big sister.”

“By the way, can I have other female—”

“No way!”

“That’s the one thing you can’t negotiate.”

“You can’t make female friends on your own.”

“Alright, alright, I got it.”

“Hm, obedient Xiao You is the cutest.”

She said that, but I wasn’t fully on board.

Her demands are unreasonable.

I can’t really follow them.

But I probably won’t make other female friends anyway.

Might as well agree.

I’m screwed.

This is gonna be humiliating.

Why are all my competitors six-foot-tall giants?

Those muscles are on another level!

I can’t beat any of them.

I’m definitely finishing last!

Bang!

The race started.

Might as well try my best.

As the referee’s gun puffed white smoke, I sprinted forward.

The giants quickly pulled ahead.

I struggled to keep up, watching them get farther away.

I started regretting not training more.

The gap widened.

Getting left so far behind in front of everyone?

Finishing last?

No way!

I gasped for air, pushing forward stubbornly.

I tried to catch up.

I burned every ounce of energy.

But just before the finish line, I tripped.

My knee scraped open.

Blood flowed uncontrollably.

Zheng and some guys helped me to the infirmary.

“We’re heading out, Young Master Lu.”

“You okay alone?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“Thanks, guys.”

“Zheng, don’t you have an event soon?”

“Go, don’t miss it.”

They left after hearing me.

I sat alone on the infirmary bed.

I looked at my bandaged leg, the bleeding stopped.

The nurse had treated it and stepped out for a bit.

Tomorrow’s the teachers’ 100-meter race.

Can Sister Yuan really take first?

I know the PE teachers are competing.

No way she’s faster than them.

The infirmary door creaked.

Sister Yuan walked in, handing me a water bottle.

“You okay?”

“Still hurt?”

“I heard you fell and rushed over.”

“I’m okay.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Don’t you have work?”

“Xiao You’s way more important than that dumb job.”

“Don’t worry, I got someone to cover.”

“You’re staying here with me?”

“Making someone cover you all morning?”

“Of course.”

“What else?”

“You’re injured.”

“If something happened to you alone, I’d be heartbroken.”

“It’s just a scraped knee.”

“I’m not crippled.”

“No need to worry.”

I looked down, silent for a moment.

Then I met her eyes again.

“Was I… super embarrassing just now?”

“Last place, left so far behind.”

“Didn’t even finish.”

“And I fell.”

“I don’t know what others think.”

“But to me, anyone who gives their all is cool.”

“Everyone who tries their hardest, even if they fail, shines like a hero.”

“You’re one of them, Xiao You.”

“Even if the result isn’t great, you tried.”

“No need for regret or guilt.”

She patted my drooping head.

Her smile was warm and full of affection.

“Get better soon.”

“We’ve got a shower to take tomorrow.”

“Don’t bring that up right after comforting me!”

“And aren’t you overconfident?”

“You really think you can beat those buff PE teachers?”

“Hmph, I’m way better than you think.”

“Get ready to scrub up for me to play with.”

“Hey! You said you wouldn’t do anything.”

“But I’m trying so hard to win you over.”

“Don’t I deserve a little reward for my efforts?”

She widened her pretty purple eyes.

She pressed against my chest, acting cute like a little girl.

She’s more sexy and mature than cute.

But this loli act wasn’t out of place.

The contrast was oddly charming, hard to look away from.

“Fine, whatever.”

“If you try something, I can’t stop you anyway.”

“Even so, I’d love it if you took some initiative.”

“You’re the first guy I’ve ever chased.”

I turned my head, looking out the window.

I didn’t want her to see my blushing face.

Should I say something dumb to throw her off?

“How many girls have you chased, Sister Yuan?”

“If you were a girl, you’d be the first.”

“Some pretty girls confessed to me before.”

“But my heart’s only for you.”

“Am I really that great?”

“Worth all this?”

She turned my head to face her.

She stared into my eyes.

Our gazes locked as she spoke earnestly.

“Xiao You, you’re my most precious treasure.”

“The most important person in the world.”

“To me, you’re the best boy out there.”

“I don’t want anyone else touching you.”

“I want to keep you all to myself.”

“You can be more confident.”

“You’re way better than you think.”

“Don’t put yourself down.”

“You have a unique light that can brighten the darkness.”

“You just don’t know it yet.”

I scratched my cheek.

I didn’t quite get her words.

Her praise felt a bit over-the-top for me.