Chapter 76: Do You Know What Feelings I Hold for You?

Luo Shencheng asked, “Boss, what’s going on?”

“It’s the school anniversary. Our class needs to put on one or two performances. I’m leaving this task to you. Luo Shencheng, I hereby declare, from now on, you are the class president of Class Z. Next time, if you dare to lead the entire class into trouble again, I’ll make an example out of you.”

Luo Shencheng was completely thrown off by these two sudden announcements. In their school, no one from their class ever bothered to participate in performances, himself included.

Moreover, he had never been a class officer in his life. Now, suddenly saddled with the title of class president, it was no surprise he felt bewildered.

He frowned slightly. “Boss, but I…”

Shen Chutang shook her arm; though the dislocated joint had been set, the bruises from the blow were still vivid.

Gritting his teeth, Luo Shencheng agreed. After all, it was just a nominal position, organizing a performance—nothing compared to the blow Shen Chutang had just taken for him.

If she hadn’t intervened earlier, his head would have been split open.

Seeing his reaction, Shen Chutang was quite satisfied. She then started a vote within the class to elect class officers. With twenty students, everyone got a position.

After all, they were still students. Though they voiced reluctance, their faces beamed with joy. None of them had ever held a class office before, and now they suddenly had the chance.

In the past, when other classes announced their officers, they thought fighting over such empty titles was childish. But now, they found themselves quite enjoying it.

By noon, the bruises on Shen Chutang’s arm had grown even more pronounced. Even the principal had come by several times, urging her to go home and rest.

Shen Chutang told Luo Shencheng, “While I’m away, you’re the class president. Be sure to manage Class Z well for me—I don’t want to come back to a mess.”

For the first time, Luo Shencheng felt the weight on his shoulders. He nodded. “Alright!”

***

“President Lu, news just came in—there was a huge commotion at the affiliated school today. A lot of parents demanded Miss Shen’s expulsion, and the police were called… Also, Miss Shen just left by car. She looked desolate from behind, probably very upset after being bullied.”

Lu Beiqin looked up from a pile of documents, his gaze icy as he regarded Zhang Chuan. “Who told you to meddle?”

Zhang Chuan apologized immediately. “Sorry, President Lu, I thought you cared about Miss Shen, so I had someone keep an eye on her at school.”

Lu Beiqin stood up and strode out. “That’s not necessary. If she finds out, it’ll only cause trouble.”

“Yes, sir.”

If only you weren’t rushing home right now, your words might be more convincing!

Shen Chutang returned home. Today, she was rarely able to take a paid day off. She lay on the sofa, ready to indulge in a short nap, when she heard the door open. She looked over in confusion, only to see Lu Beiqin return.

“Why are you home so early today?”

Lu Beiqin lied without missing a beat. “My boss is away on a business trip. Things are a bit relaxed these days.”

Shen Chutang didn’t suspect a thing. She reached for a blanket. “I’m sleepy. Make yourself at home.”

Her hand had just pulled the blanket over when Lu Beiqin seized her wrist, his gaze fixed on the alarming bruise on her arm. His expression darkened in an instant.

“What happened?”

Could it be what Zhang Chuan mentioned, that she’d been bullied and beaten at school?

Drowsiness overtook Shen Chutang; she retracted her hand indifferently and closed her eyes. “It’s nothing—just got my arm dislocated by a bench. It’s fine now, not serious.”

Lu Beiqin’s tone turned icy. “Who did this?”

Shen Chutang opened her eyes again, looking at his somber face. There was a hint of a smile on her lips; even this taciturn man knew how to show concern.

“It’s nothing—just kids fighting, I got caught in the crossfire. It just looks bad, that’s all.”

Seeing her like this, Lu Beiqin said nothing more. Instead, he fetched the medical kit, poured medicated wine onto his hands, and began rubbing it in. “Go ahead, sleep.”

Shen Chutang watched as he warmed the medicine between his palms before gently pressing it against her bruises.

She instinctively flinched. Lu Beiqin paused. “Does it hurt?”

Before she could answer, he continued, “I need to disperse the clotted blood, or it’ll hurt more tomorrow. Bear with it.”

In fact, Shen Chutang wanted to say it didn’t hurt, but Lu Beiqin looked so focused that she said nothing. Instead, the massage felt rather soothing, and she soon drifted into a deep sleep.

After he finished, Lu Beiqin put away the medicine kit and looked at Shen Chutang’s peaceful, sleeping face, his expression conflicted.

She’d left early that morning. Lu Beiqin thought she must have felt distant after last night’s events, and maybe that was for the best. Yet, without thinking, he had tended to her injuries, and Shen Chutang hadn’t resisted.

Shen Chutang, do you have any idea what I truly feel for you?

Suddenly, Lu Beiqin heard a noise outside, followed by the sound of someone picking the lock.

In broad daylight—someone actually dared break in here?