Chapter 86 - Betting on a Hug

Just after leaving the office, Tang Huaijin remembered his jacket and quickly turned back.

Seeing the office door half-open, Tang Huaijin didn’t think much and pushed the door open, saying, “Teacher, my jacket…?” His words stopped abruptly, his eyes wide open at the scene before him.

Shen Yiqiu’s face was tinged with an unusual blush, casually patting his jacket, her tone calm as she said, “Saw your jacket was dirty, just helping you clean it.”

If you’re not embarrassed, then the embarrassment falls on me, right?

That posture with both hands cupped…

You’re definitely smelling it, aren’t you?

“…” Tang Huaijin was internally ranting, but couldn’t show it on his face. With a twitching mouth, he said, “Well, thank you, Teacher.”

Shen Yiqiu guessed he might have seen it, pursed her lips, and with a hint of embarrassed anger, scolded, “Don’t you know to knock before entering a teacher’s office?”

“Hehe…” Tang Huaijin forced an awkward smile and said, “Really sorry.”

Seeing his insincere smile and unapologetic tone, even with Shen Yiqiu’s composure, she couldn’t maintain her demeanor, quickly handed the jacket back to Tang Huaijin, and said with forced calmness, “Alright, I won’t scold you this time, hurry up and leave.”

“Thank you, Teacher.” Tang Huaijin took the jacket, glanced at Shen Yiqiu’s flushed ears, and left the office expressionlessly.

After leaving the classroom and calming down for a while, he took out his phone and sent Bai Yuerou a message, knowing they were already waiting for him in the cafeteria, he headed straight there and found the girls.

He sat opposite the three girls, and Lin Ruoxi, who was originally sitting beside Bai Yuerou, immediately scooted over to sit next to him, looking at him with concern, asking, “Jin, Teacher Shen didn’t give you a hard time, did she?”

Tang Huaijin’s expression stiffened, and he said, “Uh… no.”

Bai Yuerou smiled lightly at the two and said, “I told you, Xi, no need to worry, Rose Academy isn’t very strict about students dating, and besides, we didn’t do anything.”

Lin Ruoxi finally relaxed, giggling as she said, “That’s good, back in school, Jin and I always hid from the teachers, got used to it.”

Bai Yuerou’s eyes dimmed slightly, she pursed her lips and forced a smile, saying, “Jin, let’s eat, we got you lunch.”

Tang Huaijin then noticed the lunch already set on the table, smiled and nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and grabbed a piece of braised pork, saying, “Thanks, I just love braised pork.”

Xia Xinya, who was originally pouting unhappily seeing Lin Ruoxi sitting closely with Tang Huaijin, immediately beamed with joy upon hearing this, and said delightedly, “That’s what I ordered for you.”

Tang Huaijin looked surprised and said, “Really? Then thank you, Xinya.”

He immediately guessed that the braised pork was definitely ordered by Xia Xinya; she loved it, and with her personality, she surely thought what she liked was the best.

The plate had only three dishes, one was Tang Huaijin’s favorite cumin lamb, definitely ordered by Lin Ruoxi, not only because Lin Ruoxi knew him best, but also because the plate had a vegetable dish.

Unlike Lin Ruoxi and Xia Xinya who both thought of giving Tang Huaijin the tastiest dishes, the thoughtful soft-hearted girl was worried he’d eat too richly, so she ordered a vegetable dish.

Bai Yuerou’s personality was like that, gentle and considerate like water, never competing or fighting.

Tang Huaijin said that to avoid Xia Xinya’s displeasure, fearing she’d throw a tantrum, thinking to appease the young girl.

Lin Ruoxi naturally knew what Tang Huaijin liked to eat, and hearing this, she glanced at Xia Xinya with a bit of jealousy, wondering if Tang Huaijin had changed his taste, liking such a fool?

Bai Yuerou also had a slightly amused look; she wasn’t very clear on Tang Huaijin’s food preferences, but after eating together for so long, Tang Huaijin had never ordered braised pork, so it was obvious he was trying to appease her best friend, and only the silly Xinya would be so happily fooled.

Seeing her best friend so cheerful, Bai Yuerou sighed inwardly, sometimes this innocence was quite enviable.

In a very good mood, Xia Xinya ate a lot at lunch, even snatching a few pieces of braised pork from Tang Huaijin, who playfully flicked her forehead a few times.

After lunch, it was almost time to gather, and the group left the cafeteria heading to the playground.

Lin Ruoxi couldn’t sit with Tang Huaijin in Class Three of Science, so she could only puff her cheeks and glance at Tang Huaijin before returning to her class’s stands to sit.

With Lin Ruoxi finally out of sight, Xia Xinya’s mood improved even more, she took out a bag of snacks from her little bag, and leaned back in her chair, eating contentedly.

Tang Huaijin frowned and said, “Don’t you have a competition later? You ate so much at lunch, and you’re still eating, be careful not to get a stomach ache.”

Xia Xinya kicked her slender legs, giggling as she said, “No way, hmph, you’re just upset I ate your braised pork, stingy.”

Tang Huaijin rolled his eyes, shook his head helplessly, and didn’t take it to heart. After all, this girl would just be splashing around later. He said sarcastically, “Eating so much, I wonder where all the meat goes. A flat-chested, flat-bottomed brat.”

“Dirty rascal!” Xia Xinya’s face turned red, and she glared fiercely at Tang Huaijin, kicking him lightly. She leaned closer to Bai Yuerou, huffed in dissatisfaction, and said, “Rou, let’s watch a movie and ignore him.”

Hmph, hypocrite. Complaining that I have no chest or bottom, yet you still put in so much effort…

Soon, the afternoon’s competition began. When Tang Huaijin saw the graceful figure walking in high heels, he felt a bit intimidated. Fortunately, Shen Yiqiu didn’t call him over to sit.

Since autumn had arrived, most of the girls were still wearing long sports pants while running, though some female athletes wore shorts and vests, showing off their pale thighs. Perhaps because of this, there were noticeably more boys cheering by the track than in the morning.

It was soon time for the women’s long-distance race. Xia Xinya’s expression was somewhat unpleasant because she had eaten a pile of snacks and drank a bottle of cola, making her stomach feel uncomfortable.

But the dirty rascal had already won the championship, so she could just go up and take it easy. She didn’t mind and walked down from the stands.

Tang Huaijin naturally went to cheer for her, standing by the track with Bai Yuerou.

Xia Xinya took off her outer jacket, revealing the white T-shirt underneath. The neckline and sleeves were snug, with no risk of exposure.

Lin Ruoxi also came down from the second class’s stands, smiling sweetly at Tang Huaijin, and said coquettishly, “Jin, I’m going to win first place too. Then we’ll have a boy’s long-distance first and a girl’s long-distance first, a perfect match. You have to cheer for me.”

Tang Huaijin just nodded perfunctorily. Lin Ruoxi had excellent athletic talent; in middle school, her long-distance running test was stronger than most boys.

Xia Xinya frowned at Lin Ruoxi, looking displeased, and asked, “Aren’t you afraid of biting your tongue with such big talk? Didn’t you see I am here?”

Lin Ruoxi originally didn’t want to pay attention to her, but upon hearing this, her eyes suddenly brightened. She smiled lightly and said, “How about we make a bet? Let’s see who can take first place.”

“What are we betting?” Xia Xinya snorted, feeling quite indignant.

“Let’s bet…” Lin Ruoxi elongated her words, looked at Tang Huaijin, and said with a playful smile, “Let’s bet that Jin waits for us at the finish line, and whoever wins gets a hug.”

Tang Huaijin’s mouth twitched, speechless, “Stop messing around and go prepare for the race.”

“Alright then.” Lin Ruoxi looked regretful, sighed, and said, “You’re just afraid Xia Xinya will lose.”

Xia Xinya was instantly furious, glaring at Lin Ruoxi, and said, “Bet it is! Do you really think I am afraid of you?” After speaking, she turned to Tang Huaijin and said, “Dirty rascal, bet with her. I won’t lose.”

Sometimes Tang Huaijin really wanted to give this brat a shot of IQ booster, and said irritably, “What kind of bet is that? Can’t you see it’s a provocation?”

“How could I not see it? It’s called confidence, you know nothing.” Seeing Tang Huaijin looking troubled, Xia Xinya was immediately unhappy, pouting and pestering Tang Huaijin, “I won’t lose, agree to her quickly, or I won’t compete.”

After a round of unreasonable pestering, Tang Huaijin was annoyed and had no choice but to nod, “Alright, alright, go ahead.”

Xia Xinya finally hummed in satisfaction and glared fiercely at Lin Ruoxi.

Lin Ruoxi smiled slightly, showing no reaction, and went to the staging area first.

Seeing Xia Xinya also leave, Tang Huaijin hesitated and called out to her, “Xinya, don’t push yourself too hard. It’s not good if you get hurt.”

Xia Xinya didn’t turn back, pulling a hair tie from her pocket as she walked, tying her hair into a small bun, and replied angrily, “Stop nagging, you’re annoying. Do you think I’m doing this for you? I don’t care about your hug. I promised Rou I’d bring back first place for her.”

Tang Huaijin was stunned, not expecting it to be because of that.

Bai Yuerou also smiled wryly, glanced at Tang Huaijin, and comforted him, “I guess there’s also a bit of rivalry with you in it. After all, you took first place. But don’t worry too much, Xinya’s physical condition is very good, she has always had the habit of morning runs.”

Tang Huaijin said worriedly, “Xinya really has a hard time beating her. Lin Ruoxi broke our original high school’s long-distance record when she was a freshman; long-distance is her strong suit.”

“But it’s not really about who wins or loses; I’m mainly worried Xinya is too competitive. She just ate a bellyful of snacks, running too fast might give her a stomachache.”

After speaking, he looked at the two departing figures with some concern and sighed quietly.