Chapter 9
The soccer player ran over, pale-faced and stammering when he saw Jian Yue.
"Ms. Jian, sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Jian Yue thought, This soccer ball did me a favor. Scram, and you're a good student.
"Be careful," she said sternly. "Never hit another student, or I'll call your homeroom teacher."
The "homeroom teacher" threat worked like poison.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The boy nodded frantically, grabbed the ball, and scurried off.
Lin Zhengmo's heart still pounded. "Let me check where it hit you, Director Jian."
Jian Yue pointed to her shoulder, feigning pain. Lin Zhengmo stood behind her, brushing her hair aside. A faint red mark stained her skin.
She poked it gently. "Here?"
Jian Yue's shoulders twitched. "Mhm, probably."
"Let me check elsewhere." Lin Zhengmo leaned closer, her fingertips grazing Jian Yue's shoulder.
Her cold touch sent a warm itch through Jian Yue. So touching someone's body counts as a checkup? Lin Zhengmo, you…
"It looks okay, but maybe you hurt a muscle," Lin Zhengmo frowned. "Go to the infirmary?"
"Eh… It's not bad." Jian Yue twisted her neck. "Really."
"Sure?" Lin Zhengmo was cautious. She didn't want guilt over a colleague's injury.
"Positive." Jian Yue ended the charade. "Let's practice at the back field."
The back field was quiet, perfect. Dusk fell, humid air sticking to Lin Zhengmo's face. She watched Jian Yue from afar.
"Ready, Ms. Lin?" Jian Yue called.
"Coming." Darkness made her bolder. They ran laps; Lin Zhengmo panted, while Jian Yue stayed light on her feet.
"I envy your speed," Lin Zhengmo huffed. She'd always been frail, her 极限 (limit) five hours of piano. Actual exercise was torture.
Jian Yue smiled. "You'll get used to it."
"Do you work out often?" Lin Zhengmo asked.
"Since my surgery."
"Surgery?"
"Congenital heart disease."
Lin Zhengmo gaped, typical of most reactions. Heart disease? Can she exercise? She bit her tongue.
"Fixed with surgery long ago," Jian Yue explained. "I'm normal now."
Lin Zhengmo relaxed.
Jian Yue turned the question. "What about you?"
"Never. It's tiring." She looked fragile, like a gust could topple her.
"But it's bad for you."
Jian Yue saw an opening. "Join me sometime?"
"Huh?"
"Work out together. There's a gym nearby, discounts for pairs. If you're free…"
"I'd hold you back," Lin Zhengmo said, though tempted. AhAhAh works out. Exercising could bond us.
Jian Yue pressed: "Fitness isn't about holding back. Just get healthy."
Logical. But Jian Yue felt… different. An invisible fence kept Lin Zhengmo at bay.
"Let me think," she hedged, planning to refuse later.
"Take your time." Jian Yue picked up the baton. "One more lap, then go home."
They ran flawlessly, in sync. Lin Zhengmo thought, Good, no more practice. Jian Yue thought, Pity, won't see her tomorrow.
Streetlights glowed like dandelions, casting soft light. Jian Yue stole a look at Lin Zhengmo—her profile slim, a tiny mole by her ear. I want to touch it.
"Call it a day, Ms. Lin?"
"Sure. Practice tomorrow?"
"You want to?"
"No." Lin Zhengmo blurted. "Busy tomorrow, but day after."
Jian Yue's mood flipped. Teasing me!
"Deal. Meet here day after."
"K." Lin Zhengmo made to leave—her MO: arrive, solve, depart.
"Where do you live?" Jian Yue lingered.
"Near school."
"Stay safe."
"Bye~"
Lin Zhengmo left briskly. Jian Yue sighed: So hard to win over!
Lin Zhengmo strolled home, texting AhAhAh:
[Finished running.]
AhAhAh replied instantly:
[How was it?]
[Slow, but she didn't mind.]
[Has your impression of her changed?]
Lin Zhengmo called instead.
"Hello?"
That "hello" sounded different—Jian Yue forgot to mask her voice. Lin Zhengmo blinked. Sounds like Director Jian. Did AhAhAh's phone get stolen?
"Hello? You there?" Jian Yue adjusted her tone.
"Yeah." Lin Zhengmo shook off the thought. "What're you up to?"
"Just off work."
"Busy lately?"
"A bit." Jian Yue relaxed. "Did you listen to the MP3?"
"Yep, one a day."
"Thoughts?"
"Just…" Lin Zhengmo trailed off.
"Just?"
"Your voice makes me want to meet you faster."
Jian Yue played dumb: "Oh? Why?"
Lin Zhengmo hesitated. How to say I want more than headphones? To hug, kiss, be close?
"Plan for our first day?" she changed the topic.
"Eat, shop, movie?" Jian Yue tested the waters.
"Can't. Students have exams till 9 PM. But… you can stay at my place."
??? Jian Yue's mind wandered briefly. Wait—
"Cook dinner together."
"O-oh!" Jian Yue blushed, ashamed of her thoughts.
"What were you thinking?" Lin Zhengmo's laugh hinted at insight.
"Nothing!"
"Like what?" Her voice purred, teasing.
Jian Yue's face burned. "Change the subject!!"
Lin Zhengmo obliged: "My boss invited me to work out."
"Why suddenly?"
"I mentioned wanting to exercise."
"Going?"
"Not sure. Makes me nervous with her."
"Is she a monster?" Jian Yue wondered. Am I that intimidating?
"Just a feeling. She's been smiling at me too much—sketchy."
Ha! Smiling is a crime now?
"Working out together is better," Jian Yue pressed. "Motivation. Alone, you'll quit."
"Should I go?"
Jian Yue thought: Little ostrich, can you escape? Aloud: "Let me weigh the pros."
"K."
"First, she's your boss—good to get along. Second, discounts. Most importantly, you lose nothing."
True, coming from AhAhAh.
"Plus, make an excuse to ditch her later."
"Hmm…" Lin Zhengmo wavered.
"Cons?"
"None, honestly." Except walking into my trap.
"Thought I wouldn't go, but you convinced me. Smart."
"Hehe, anytime!" Jian Yue grinned.