Love Brother!

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, then covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling nonstop.

After great effort, she finally held back her laughter and patted Ning Rongrong's back as she exclaimed:

"Oh my, what kind of 'accident' was that?"

Ning Rongrong lowered her head even further, practically burrowing into her own arms. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz:

"It was an accident! I didn't do it on purpose!"

Xiao Wu reached her little hand toward Ning Rongrong's waist and lightly tickled her.

"Sister Xiao Wu! That tickles!"

"It should tickle! Tell me the truth, or Sister Xiao Wu will punish you properly tonight!"

Ning Rongrong curled into a ball from the tickling, dodging left and right beneath the covers as laughter and pleas for mercy spilled out:

"Stop tickling, stop tickling... I'll tell you, I'll tell you!"

Only then did Xiao Wu stop, smiling as she waited for Ning Rongrong to speak.

Zhu Qing also quietly turned her head, bringing her ear close to Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong lowered her head even more, her chin nearly touching her chest. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum:

"It was just that I was bathing at older brother's place earlier, and after I finished, older brother helped dry my hair!"

"And then! And then something suddenly poked me in the waist, so I... I grabbed it!"

Having said that, Ning Rongrong buried her face directly in the blanket.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, excitedly poked Ning Rongrong's waist.

"Rongrong, how was Su Yu's touch..."

Before Xiao Wu could finish, Ning Rongrong rolled over and covered her with the blanket!

"Sister Xiao Wu! I don't know! I don't know anything!"

Shrek Academy--

Early the next morning--

Ning Rongrong woke up in bed. Recalling everything that had happened the night before, a flush rose across her little face.

Ugh! That was so embarrassing!

She had actually touched older brother there by accident! It was far too embarrassing.

Just as she was about to get out of bed, a sharp pain shot through her ankle!

"Ah!"

She had not noticed last night that her shoes had rubbed the skin off her ankle. It had already scabbed over!

"Rongrong, aren't you going to wash up? We'll be heading to the training ground soon!"

Xiao Wu emerged from the bathroom and looked at Ning Rongrong, who was sitting on the bed.

Ning Rongrong abruptly covered her ankle. The pain made her eyes redden, and only when she heard Xiao Wu did she look up, her face filled with grievance:

"Sister Xiao Wu, my ankle got rubbed raw..."

Xiao Wu came over and took a look. There were several scabs on both of Ning Rongrong's ankles, their edges still slightly red.

"You must have rubbed them raw from running for so long yesterday. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

As she spoke, she turned and rummaged through her bundle, taking out a small bottle of ointment.

"Come on, I'll put some on for you. This ointment is especially good for reducing swelling and relieving pain."

The ointment smelled cool and minty. Xiao Wu's movements were very gentle, yet when her fingertips touched the scabs, Ning Rongrong could not help drawing back her foot.

"Hiss..."

"Just bear with it."

As Xiao Wu applied the medicine, she laughed at her. "Weren't you quite brave in front of Su Yu yesterday? You can't handle this little bit of pain?"

At the mention of Su Yu, Ning Rongrong's face immediately turned red again. She muttered softly:

"Don't talk nonsense..."

Yet images from yesterday flashed uncontrollably through her mind, making her cheeks so hot they seemed ready to smoke.

Zhu Qing had also finished washing up by then. Standing at the door with her bag on her back, she glanced at Ning Rongrong's ankles.

"Can you still walk? Su Yu is waiting outside. If you can't, I'll go tell him."

"I can walk, I can walk!"

Ning Rongrong hurriedly waved her hands and struggled to her feet. She tried taking two steps. Though it hurt a little, she could still endure it.

"I can't trouble older brother anymore..."

Xiao Wu smiled and poked her forehead. "I know. You're afraid someone will see and feel bad for you again, right?"

Ning Rongrong had been struck right in her thoughts. She shot Xiao Wu an annoyed glare, but could not stop the corners of her lips from curving upward.

Outside the dormitory, Su Yu leaned against a signpost.

Ning Rongrong had just followed Xiao Wu and Zhu Qing out of the dormitory building when Xiao Wu lightly nudged her with an elbow.

"Oho, Rongrong, your love brother is right here!"

Xiao Wu's teasing wink made even Zhu Qing smile.

"Sister Xiao Wu!"

Ning Rongrong's cheeks heated up. She stamped her foot, though her gaze could not help slipping toward Su Yu, filled with bashfulness and a hint of anticipation.

Seeing this, Su Yu walked straight over to her, naturally crouched down in front of her, and looked up at her with a gentle yet unquestionable tone.

"Rongrong, get on."

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment, blinking her large eyes at him in confusion.

"You ran for so long yesterday. Your ankles must have been rubbed raw."

Su Yu raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the swollen red marks visible beneath the hem of her pants. His voice softened further.

"Don't just stand there. We'll be late soon."

Ning Rongrong's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively drew back her foot, her cheeks beginning to burn again.

"I... I'm fine. I can walk on my own."

She spoke softly, glancing at her ankle. It was still wrapped in the bandage Xiao Wu had put on for her, yet she had not expected him to notice anyway.

Xiao Wu smiled mischievously beside them. "Rongrong, stop forcing yourself. Someone is willing to be your 'means of transportation.' Isn't that nice?"

Zhu Qing also gently nudged her arm. "Go on. He means well too."

Su Yu said nothing more. He merely remained half-crouched, patiently waiting.

Ning Rongrong looked at his slightly bent back and remembered how he had carried her through ten laps yesterday. Her heart felt warm yet bitter.

Su Yu steadily supported the backs of her knees. When he stood, his movements were slow and careful, afraid of jostling her.

"Hold on tight," he said softly, amusement in his voice.

Ning Rongrong hurriedly wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheek nearly pressing against the back of his neck.

She could clearly smell the faint scent of soap on him, mingled with the morning fragrance of grass and trees. It gave her an inexplicable sense of peace.

She buried her face even deeper and muttered softly, "Thank you, older brother..."

"Silly girl."

Su Yu smiled and headed toward the training ground.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Qing watched the two figures ahead of them, exchanged a smile, and followed with light footsteps.

Shrek Academy plaza--

By the time Flender arrived, Ning Rongrong and the other students were already waiting there.

Flender glanced at Ning Rongrong and Su Yu but said nothing.

"Good. Everyone arrived early today. Today, we'll be changing locations for training!"

Flender waved his hand. "Set off. Follow me."

After saying that, he tapped the ground with his toes and darted away as lightly as a breeze, heading beyond the academy.

The others hurriedly followed.

Since there was still plenty of time today, Flender kept his pace steady, making sure no student fell behind.

Along the way, Flender did not say another word, and Dai Mubai and the others remained silent as well.

Before long, they arrived in Suotuo City.

Ma Hongjun seemed as though he had never seen so many women before. Along the way, whenever he saw a woman, his gaze never left her important areas.

From sixty-year-olds to six-year-olds, Ma Hongjun spared none of them.

Whenever he spotted a few with particularly outstanding figures, his eyes were practically glued to them.

Flender suddenly stopped, looked at the sky, and muttered to himself:

"There's still some time. Follow me."