Won't Let You Eat and Drink for Free

The soft rabbit tongue had just touched that pink lollipop.

A hint of honey's sweetness and carrot's fragrance bloomed across the tip of her tongue.

The taste of the lollipop

made Xiao Wu's eyes unconsciously narrow slightly.

Slowly she pressed that red candy against her pink lips, easing it between them.

Only then did she gently sit back down on the edge of the bed.

Bathed in the lollipop's sweetness, even the pain in her bottom seemed to ease somewhat.

Her waist and back straightened a little more.

Holding the lollipop, imitating Ye Qiu's manner, her small hand began to move slowly.

Her tongue turned, letting the glossy candy wander gradually through her mouth, sucking it carefully, letting sweetness fill her oral cavity, her large round crimson eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

"There, now. Since you've eaten my stuff, you have to help me!"

Ye Qiu watched Xiao Wu, whose face showed enjoyment, not forgetting to remind her of what she'd promised.

Lowering her head, enjoying the lollipop, Xiao Wu's eyes darted sideways at Ye Qiu.

Seeing Ye Qiu staring intently at her.

A delicate blush bloomed across Xiao Wu's face.

She pulled out the translucent candy, its surface wrapped in a layer of glistening sheen.

"Little Wu knows!"

Xiao Wu gave a slight nod, agreeing.

Then she stuffed the lollipop back into her mouth, mumbling, "But. From now on, you, you have to give me more. Ah. So good!"

"No way, don't think you can freeload!"

Ye Qiu gently wagged his finger—this was the fruit of his own labor, no loafers allowed.

Xiao Wu frowned, shot him a glare, and her tasting motion softened a little. She took it out, poked out her little tongue, and licked it lightly, hoping to make it last longer.

Ye Qiu stared at Xiao Wu's utterly adorable expression, enjoying it immensely—this little rabbit was just too delicate, too charming, stirring an involuntary tenderness.

Xiao Wu caught Ye Qiu's gaze, her tender face flushing crimson, shyly withdrawing her little tongue, pursing her red lips, and letting out an indignant huff.

She turned the other way. Continued eating.

As she turned, she suddenly noticed Tang San and Wang Sheng staring at her too, and immediately grew flustered and annoyed.

She snapped crisply, "What are you looking at? What's there to see? Believe me, Little Wu will teach you a lesson?!"

With something in her mouth, both hands clenched into little fists, sporting ridiculous dark circles under her eyes, she still looked ready to throw down.

Seeing this, Tang San

secretly felt relieved he hadn't meddled earlier, or he'd have gotten the cold shoulder again.

Wang Sheng, however, couldn't help but admire Ye Qiu.

The boss could look; they, the underlings, were just there to guard the door and clear the scene.

Tang San glanced at Ye Qiu, then looked away.

Carrying his things, he picked a bed at random. Only then did Tang San realize he seemed to have brought no bedding.

He couldn't help asking:

"Wang Sheng, don't we have bedding here?"

A student a few years older than Tang San, his gaze slightly dim.

Helplessly, he said, "We're all work-study students, tuition-free as it is. Why would they give us bedding? We all brought ours from home."

Wang Sheng stepped forward and suggested to Tang San:

"Third Brother, how about this—you use ours first."

Hearing this, Tang San glanced at the bedding on their beds. Not exactly dirty, but ragged and worn.

He shook his head, waved his hand simply, and said, "Thanks for the kindness, but I'll figure something out myself."

Tang San's words had barely fallen.

A teacher in his thirties walked in through the door, swept his gaze around, and asked:

"Which one's the new work-study student? Step forward."

Tang San, puzzled, took two steps forward.

On the other side, Xiao Wu, having finished licking the candy and still holding the stick in her mouth, stood up lightly, discreetly pressing her buttocks, and shot a resentful glance at Ye Qiu still sitting on the bed.

The arriving teacher had an ordinary face and light green hair, which made Ye Qiu inwardly groan.

In his hands, he carried a set of bedding.

Ye Qiu knew this was Yu Xiaogang's way of sending warmth to Tang San.

So he sat on the bed without moving.

"Which one of you is Tang San?"

The green-haired teacher continued asking.

"Teacher, I am!"

Tang San quickly raised his hand and stepped forward two paces.

The teacher glanced at him and handed the bedding in his arms toward Tang San.

"My name is Mo Hen. You can call me Teacher Mo. Tang San, this is the bedding Master prepared for you."

"Mm!"

Tang San nodded calmly.

He took the bedding. Though not fancy, it was dry and fresh—a brand-new set.

Tang San hadn't expected his newly acknowledged teacher to be so thoughtful. At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's stiff face softened in Tang San's heart.

Mo Hen looked at Xiao Wu and Tang San and instructed:

"You're both first-year work-study students. From now on, you'll be responsible for cleaning the garden south of the playground—ten copper soul coins a day... If you slack off, the academy has the right to expel you. Understood? Oh, and the one who's absent—you two pass it on to him."

Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded in unison to show they understood, then cast a glance at Ye Qiu.

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Make sure to attend. Wang Sheng, you're the oldest here. Tell them the rules."

With that, the green-haired teacher turned and left.

Xiao Wu looked at the bedding in Tang San's arms, pouted helplessly, then shifted her gaze to Ye Qiu, who also had no bedding.

Their eyes met. Xiao Wu immediately glared at Ye Qiu, her face flushing slightly.

A few quick-witted work-study students stepped forward.

"Boss, use my mattress first. I'll fold the blanket and use half as a cover, half as a pad."

Another said to Xiao Wu:

"Sister Xiao Wu, use my blanket. I can manage with half the mattress as a cover and half as a pad!"

Xiao Wu looked at the worn bedding they offered, a hint of disgust in her heart and embarrassment on her face. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Tang San.

Tang San hugged his own bedding, caught under Xiao Wu's stare, unsure what to do.

He only had one set.

If he had an extra, he wouldn't mind helping Xiao Wu, but as things stood, they'd have to fend for themselves.

Ye Qiu smiled and waved his hand.

"Thanks for the kindness, but I'll figure something out on my own."

Looking at the little rabbit standing there, eyes wide and at a loss.

Ye Qiu smiled and walked over. Acting as if they were old friends, he reached out and slung an arm around Xiao Wu's shoulder.

"Ah—what are you doing?!"

Xiao Wu squirmed and struggled twice, frowning, her face red as she looked at Ye Qiu in confusion.

Ye Qiu stared into her big, round crimson eyes.

He smiled. "Little rabbit, how about I take you to buy a blanket?"

Wishing everyone a pleasant life!