"Qingqing..."
"Mm."
"Qingqing..."
"?"
"Qingqing..."
"Speak."
"Will this afternoon's match be easy?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"I..."
"I don't know either."
"Come on, let me guess."
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"Then do a little less."
"It won't be tiring."
"That's good."
"Give it everything you've got."
"That sounds tiring... Are you lying to me?"
"I don't lie."
"Then why do you want me to go all out?"
"Maybe if you perform well in this match, you won't have to compete in the next one." Ning Qing couldn't bear to see him work too hard after all, and couldn't resist helping him slack off.
"Really?"
"Mm."
"Qingqing, I love you!"
"..." Ning Qing pressed her lips together as if she hadn't heard. Her strides grew a little longer and her pace a little slower, but walking behind Chen Shu, she knew he couldn't see her. "When will your curse wear off?"
"Soon, soon. Teacher Lan said just a few more days."
"You have to make a lot of dishes the day after tomorrow."
"Hey..." Chen Shu tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Lazy as I am, I won't shirk what needs doing."
"Mm."
Ning Qing said no more.
That was another reason she had helped him slack off.
The day after tomorrow was her birthday. Cooking a whole tableful of dishes was exhausting, and Chen Shu insisted on doing it himself. If he competed again tomorrow, he would have to start bustling around early the next morning. Even without the curse, wouldn't he be exhausted?
How could she bear to let him wear himself out?
The two entered the cafeteria.
Ning Qing stepped ahead of Chen Shu, holding his Campus Card and glancing at his photo on it. When her turn came, she swiped twice and