Chapter 78: A Little Girl’s Temperament
1217 Words
After ending the call with his aunt, Luo Ye patted Wang Da Chui’s cheek.
The groggy guy snapped awake and asked, “Kid, is it already morning?”
“Yeah, class is about to start.”
If he stayed in bed any longer, he’d never fall asleep at night.
Luo Ye decided to head out for a couple of laps; if he slept the whole day, tomorrow his body would become lazy again.
By this time the sports meet’s events for the day were over, but the field was still crowded.
A light drizzle had started.
People who stayed on the field hustled under tents to avoid the rain. Luo Ye walked over to the student‑union side and found them eating boxed meals.
Today’s events were mostly elimination rounds; the semifinals and finals would be tomorrow and the day after, so they were listing the qualifiers, making a chart to post tomorrow.
Besides that, there were plenty of other tasks to handle.
Liu Jiang Lai was seated, scrolling on his phone, while most of the workers were fresh first‑year students.
Seeing Luo Ye, Liu Jiang Lai put his phone down, greeted him, and said, “Luo Ye, back on the field again?”
“Yeah, I have the 3,000‑meter tomorrow. President, what are you up to?”
Luo Ye noticed the first‑year teammates swarming around, while the student‑union president was oddly relaxed, scrolling on his phone. Curiosity got the better of him.
“Just letting the newbies sharpen their skills. They’re the future backbone of the union.”
Luo Ye’s thoughts went blank.
He’d only just become president himself, with at least a year of work ahead, yet he was calling the newcomers the veterans.
He also knew that if even paperwork required the president’s hands‑on effort, anyone could claim the title.
Not far away, Li Hao Yang was also helping out. Tang En Qi was a whirlwind of panic; without senior guidance, the rookies would be lost.
Tang’s project was still on the schedule, even though she’d already been eliminated.
Next to Li Hao Yang, Xu Xiao Jia chattered nonstop, often turning a simple task into extra work for everyone.
Luo Ye moved beside Li Hao Yang, who practically saw a savior and immediately grabbed Xu Xiao Jia’s arm, dragging the little girl over to Luo Ye and saying, “Watch this kid while I finish up.”
Xu Xiao Jia, a mischievous little sprite, always had good intentions but usually messed things up.
She shyly stood behind Luo Ye, sticking out her tongue at Li Hao Yang.
Li Hao Yang went back to his duties, and Xu Xiao Jia sighed, “I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this.”
“I know.”
Luo Ye led Xu Xiao Jia to a quieter corner to sit. Seeing her frowning, Luo Ye felt like he was babysitting a naughty kid.
“You really like the coach, huh?” Luo Ye asked out of the blue.
Xu Xiao Jia’s face flushed; she sprang up, whispered, “Shhh, it’s true. You’re the only one who knows—don’t tell him.”
Luo Ye nodded.
Because she’s still a child at heart, she’s blunt and sincere, with a hint of timidity.
Xu Xiao Jia is like a greenhouse‑grown flower—a spoiled little lady who still clings to childlike innocence. He wondered how her parents felt comfortable sending her from Beijing to study here alone.
“Are your parents really okay with you studying so far away?” Luo Ye asked, curious.
“Not really.”
She replied earnestly, “So my dad bought a house for me in Jiang City, and he has a friend who works there and can look after me.”
Luo Ye’s mouth twitched. He had asked a needless question.
Seeing his reaction, Xu Xiao Jia made a melodramatic face, “It’s just a tiny 20‑square‑meter studio. Not much money.”
Luo Ye: …
Jiang City may not match the glowing metropolis next door, but it’s still a first‑tier city—average prices are over ten thousand per square meter. Buying a place for a daughter’s education there for a few hundred thousand is outrageous.
The coach? What’s his deal...
Sigh.
Luo Ye sighed again.
Forget the coach—he wasn’t any better.
He’d met the fairy senior too, yet he’s just as ordinary.
But if he’s already pulling in tens of thousands, he must’ve earned it by now.
He started tallying his total earnings from writing pieces.
At that moment, Xu Xiao Jia’s gossip‑filled eyes widened. “Luo Ye, I actually met that senior before—she’s stunning! You’re really lucky.”
Luo Ye’s expression turned surprised.
“You met her?”
“Yep, we even ate together. Then I found out she’s the aloof campus flower everyone talks about.”
She wore an admiring grin.
Even though her family’s well‑off, seeing someone like Su Bai Zhu sparked an undeniable longing.
“She’s so cool, I wish I could be like her.”
Luo Ye solemnly replied, “I’m a fan of Senior Su. Keep it between us.”
“Sure, sure—our secret.”
Xu Xiao Jia stretched out her little hand, trying to make a pinky promise.
Luo Ye stepped back, refusing.
Too childish, way too childish for grown‑ups.
Seeing his resistance, Xu Xiao Jia snapped, “Luo Ye, you’re not even a brother anymore.”
Luo Ye changed the subject, glancing at Li Hao Yang, unsure, “Looks like the coach’s done for now?”
“Copy that?”
Xu Xiao Jia scampered off, eager as ever.
Luo Ye gave a helpless smile.
Actually, Xu Xiao Jia is kind of cute; with her around, the coach would never be bored.
Luo Ye left the field not long after, and Su Bai Zhu showed up.
Liu Jiang Lai stood up, smiling, “Senior Su, what brings you here?”
“I’m just checking in.”
As the newly elected student‑union president, she was right to inspect the work.
But her gaze didn’t linger on Liu Jiang Lai; she scanned the area.
Noticing this, Liu Jiang Lai hesitated a beat, then asked cautiously, “Senior, you’re not looking for Luo Ye, are you?”
The aloof campus flower’s face flickered with a hint of unease.
She turned a shade paler, then replied earnestly, “No, I’m just—”
“He just left.”
Without giving her a chance to explain, Liu Jiang Lai cut her off.
Su Bai Zhu: …
She lingered a moment, then Liu Jiang Lai asked, “Senior, you and Luo Ye both signed up for the 3,000 m. Any special reason?”
Su Bai Zhu glanced at him, murmured, “Nothing, just aiming for the top three.”
“The top three, huh…”
Given Su Bai Zhu’s reputation, a top‑three finish for a woman isn’t out of the question.
“Then I wish you success.”
Liu Jiang Lai waved, watching her retreat.
It felt as if Su Bai Zhu’s icy demeanor had softened a bit—maybe it was just his imagination.
- Writer
