Chapter 44: Organizing the School Sports Meet

By the time he finished escorting Wang Xing home and returned, it was already past one o’clock. Chen Erpao saw Wang Xuemei and assumed she was asleep, so he moved with utmost care.

But after only a few steps, the light suddenly flicked on, and Wang Xuemei sat up in bed.

“Why are you back so late? Ah! Why are you covered in so much blood?” She blinked sleepily, then gasped in horror and leapt out of bed to throw herself at Chen Erpao.

Only then did Chen Erpao notice the bloodstains all over his clothes. He realized it must have gotten on him when he was helping Liu Huagang earlier.

“Where are you hurt? Does it hurt? Is it serious?” Wang Xuemei was clearly alarmed, her face filled with worry.

Chen Erpao smiled. “It’s not my blood. A friend of mine got hurt, and on the way to the hospital, I got some on me. I’ll take a shower first. Go to sleep early.” He leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss across her lips.

Wang Xuemei, still uneasy, carefully checked him over. Only after confirming he really wasn’t injured did she finally relax, rolling her eyes at him in mock annoyance. “Always making me worry. Hmph.”

“It’s all my fault! Come, let me see if the swelling’s gone down.” Chen Erpao grinned wickedly.

Wang Xuemei’s cheeks instantly flushed as she darted away. “No! Go take your shower!”

Chuckling, Chen Erpao grabbed a pair of red briefs and headed for the bathroom. He’d heard red underwear could ward off evil, so he’d had plenty of red pairs since childhood.

He turned on the shower and let the water cascade over him, feeling exhaustion and frustration slowly wash away. Tomorrow was Monday, the start of a new week. This week, the school’s annual sports day would be held.

He couldn’t help but think back to years ago, when he was still a student himself. Back then, he’d always looked forward to holidays or class activities, but nothing more than sports day. It meant several days without classes, and sometimes he could sneak out to play Three Kingdoms or watch a romance film or two. So many years had passed in the blink of an eye, and though those days felt as vivid as yesterday, they were already long gone.

After his shower, he found Wang Xuemei sleeping peacefully. Looking at the gentle smile on her face, Chen Erpao lay down carefully, afraid to disturb her.

The next morning, Chen Erpao woke up early. Nimbly, he pulled the covers off Wang Xuemei, her exquisite figure bathed in the morning sunlight, radiant and flawless.

“Picking on me first thing in the morning,” Wang Xuemei murmured shyly, covering her chest with her arms as Chen Erpao’s gaze roamed over her.

“Don’t you know a bit of morning exercise is good for your health? I’m just thinking of our future well-being.” Chen Erpao grinned, making his intentions clear while giving himself a grand-sounding excuse.

“Just be gentle, okay? I’m still a little sore.” Wang Xuemei glanced at him bashfully, a hint of apprehension in her eyes.

He nodded, then leaned down gently, letting himself be enveloped by her softness and warmth.

This morning, Chen Erpao was especially tender, allowing Wang Xuemei to fully lose herself in passion. Deep in the throes of love, she became far more active than usual, arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her body moving instinctively with his.

Afterward, Wang Xuemei’s cheeks were still rosy, the flush lingering long after. She looked more radiant than ever, and Chen Erpao couldn’t help thinking, “A woman’s beauty does depend on being cherished.” The saying was true indeed.

They arrived at campus in their Mercedes, finding the grounds decked out with banners for the “Nth Annual Lingnan University Sports Meet.” The field was filled with equipment for the competitions.

“Are you competing in anything?” Chen Erpao asked with a smile.

“Yes! I signed up for the women’s 3000-meter run. You have to come cheer me on!” Wang Xuemei replied.

Chen Erpao chuckled to himself, surprised that, despite her delicate appearance, Wang Xuemei had signed up for such a grueling event. Three thousand meters was no easy feat for a woman.

“If you win first place, I’ll take you to Disneyland next Saturday.”

“Really? Just you wait!” she answered with confidence.

After dropping her off, Chen Erpao hurried to his post. As deputy captain of the security team, he had important duties today: patrolling, preventing student altercations, and keeping outsiders from causing trouble.

By eight o’clock, the field was already packed, students from every grade gathered in a lively crowd.

“Master.” A voice called out behind him. Chen Erpao paused, then remembered the apprentice he’d taken in during the flag-raising ceremony, Li Hai. He felt a twinge of guilt—though he’d accepted Li Hai as his disciple in name, he hadn’t actually taught him anything yet.

“Ah Hai, your job today is to stay by my side and help patrol the campus.”

“Yes, Master. Will you have time later to…” Li Hai trailed off, rubbing his head sheepishly.

Chen Erpao understood at once and smiled. “Meet me at the football field at ten tonight. It’s been so many days, I still haven’t taught you a thing.”

Li Hai was overjoyed at the prospect of finally learning martial arts. “Thank you, Master! Tonight, drinks are on me!”

Just then, the school broadcast came on.

“The opening ceremony is about to begin.”

One by one, athletes from each class, led by students holding placards, began marching onto the field. Watching the procession, Chen Erpao was reminded of his own student days, when he had always been the one leading with the placard, proud to be at the front of the line under his classmates’ gazes.

“There are hardly any beauties in this class.”

“Wow, this class is full of dinosaurs.”

“Hey, now this class has a ton of gorgeous girls. I heard several of them are among the top ten campus beauties.”

Li Hai’s eyes were wide, not blinking once as he scanned each class, as if searching for someone.