"I need to go back to my room and settle down to study ' Dream of the Red Chamber.' I don't have time for fun," Hermione replied calmly and truthfully.
Draco: "..." He was speechless for a moment.
I don't know if giving her Dream of the Red Chamber is a good thing or a bad thing...
However, he wasn't without a way to deal with Miss Granger. He said, "I see. So you're really comfortable letting me go to that tennis court alone? I've heard that it's full of scantily clad, fit, and beautiful women, all with excellent tennis skills and boundless enthusiasm. Aren't you afraid they'll steal away my 'idle' heart in the blink of an eye?"
"Go away!" Hermione waved her hand dismissively, like shooing away a fly. "Stop spreading alarmist rumors! Who cares about you!"
"Then I'll really go!" Draco said with an eager expression, continuing to imagine, "Maybe I can make some new friends and discuss the intricacies of grip together tonight!"
"You dare!" Hermione's eyes widened immediately, even though she knew he was 99.9% likely teasing her.
But the thought of those "lightly dressed, agile, and passionate" images still stirred up a little resentment and possessiveness within me. For example, Diana —I was almost taken advantage of just for spending one night in the library...
Draco flashed a triumphant smile, but his face maintained an expression that said, "I'm wronged, but I'm going to have some fun."
Seeing his expression, Hermione was furious, but there was nothing she could do. After hesitating for three seconds, she finally said irritably, "You're such a nuisance!"
"I might practice with you for a little while at most! And you're not allowed to look around or talk to strangers!"
"Yes, my dear wife! I promise to keep my eyes glued to the screen and my mind completely focused, serving solely as Miss Granger's personal caddie and practice partner!"
"Who wants you to be a caddie!" Hermione blushed and pushed him away. "Go change your clothes! What are you doing playing ball dressed like that!"
"Let's go!" Draco was in high spirits. He took her hand and walked briskly toward the presidential suite.
Back in the suite, Draco laid out many tennis outfits for himself and Hermione. His own were all the same, while Hermione had various styles, and the two immediately began choosing.
Hermione, however, paid no attention. She immediately spotted the outfit on the far left: a pure white short-sleeved polo shirt paired with a pure white side-slit skirt, and next to it were matching white mid-calf socks and a brand-new pair of white tennis shoes.
A classic all-white Wimbledon Championships outfit—simple and foolproof, perfect for a player like her who's just going for a quick workout.
At the same time, she reached out to take it, but another hand beat her to it and pressed down on another set of clothes next to the white one.
"How about this one?" Draco asked with a hint of malice.
Upon hearing this, Hermione turned her head and saw that Draco was carrying a brightly colored printed dress. It was a one-piece halter-neck style with a creamy white base and colorful geometric wave patterns printed on it. It looked lively and... quite eye-catching. There was also a pair of short socks in the same color next to it.
"No," Hermione refused immediately, then gave a reason. "It looks too flashy, and the straps..."
As she spoke, she glanced at the thin bra strap.
"Flowers? I think they're quite vibrant, suitable for the basketball court," Draco commented seriously, even holding up the skirt in front of her to show her. "The color also brightens her complexion. Want to try them on?"
"No," Hermione said firmly.
"And this one?" Draco wasn't discouraged. He pointed to the retro color-blocked striped suit next to him. "It has a bit of a preppy style, it suits you quite well, Miss Granger."
After giving it a disdainful look, Hermione corrected, "That's a polo shirt with a pleated skirt. Wearing a pleated skirt to play tennis? It's inconvenient for big movements, and that belt looks cumbersome!"
"Oh--" Draco drawled, his hand moving to the most daring "sports vest + skirt set"—a fluorescent pink sleeveless ribbed vest paired with a tight-fitting matching skirt.
"How about this one? It's simple enough, without any unnecessary decorations, and it's definitely easy to move around in. The color is also... eye-catching."
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly as she thought to herself—that fluorescent pink, that tight-fitting style, dressed like that for the court, was she going to play tennis or be a mobile signal light?
"This is simply... unsuitable for exercise!"
"Why is it unsuitable?" Draco asked. "Look at those professional female athletes, don't they often wear tank tops and short skirts?"
"Those are them! And those are professional sports shoes!" Hermione thought he was just being unreasonable.
"Well... how about this one? The fabric is comfortable, and you'll definitely look good in it." Draco used "look good" to tempt her.
" Draco Malfoy, I've noticed something about you." Hermione put her hands on her hips, directly exposing his sinister intentions, "Why do you always choose suits with short skirts?"
Draco, unfazed by having his thoughts exposed, chuckled, "Is that even a question? Of course, I want to see you wear it."
"Your legs are so beautiful, you'd look especially... well, especially energetic running around in a short skirt while playing ball."
"Oh? You want to see me in a short skirt?" Hermione's face showed a hint of smugness, but she quickly changed the subject, asking, "What if I wear it to the court and other men see me?"
Sure enough, Draco's sly smile vanished. The thought of others looking at his wife... just the thought alone brought a surge of inexplicable irritation and annoyance. His possessiveness overpowered his little desire to see her.
After a full two seconds of silence, Draco muttered under his breath:
"... That makes perfect sense."
After hearing this, Hermione's eyes flashed with a triumphant light; she knew this guy was incredibly stingy. However, Draco's next words froze her smile.
Draco's face lit up with a sly, expectant smile again as he offered a compromise, "How about this? You wear it first, just for me to admire, and then you can change back into the outfit you chose. How about that? A win-win situation."
He nodded in agreement as he spoke.
It was as if they had come up with a perfect plan.
Hermione: "..."
Looking at the face in front of me that seemed to say, "I'm so clever," I felt a surge of heat rush from my feet to the top of my head.
A win-win situation? Absolutely!
"Impossible!" Hermione spat out the three words through gritted teeth. She laughed in exasperation, forcefully pushing away his face, which had gotten too close. "You wish! You think you can wear this only for me?"
"Did you borrow your skin from Troll? Get out of the way, I need to change. If you keep arguing, you're not going to the court!"
After saying that, she gave him no more chances to argue, grabbed her tennis uniform, turned around and slammed the locker room door shut, then decisively locked it from the inside.