Bai Tao gave a slight nod, not daring to meet Si Hansu’s gaze directly.
Si Hansu’s gaze swept over her round, almond-shaped eyes.
His expression was impassive, his thin lips pressed into a firm line.
Only after a long moment did he coldly utter a single word:
“Height.”
Bai Tao deliberately deepened her voice.
“170.”
Si Hansu reached out, his index finger and thumb easily encircling her wrist with room to spare.
The mere brush of the light calluses on his fingertips was enough to make her delicate skin turn red.
Bai Tao felt her heart pound faster than it ever had before.
Si Hansu said nothing and looked away.
Bai Tao let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
‘He didn’t recognize me.’
‘Then again, at the Sky Garden yesterday, he acted completely detached from everything.’
‘He probably wasn’t even looking when Zuo Senye and Zuo Mubai took off my glasses and pushed my bangs aside.’
Si Hansu turned away.
“Wang Chang, do I have to spell out the physical requirements for a sparring partner for you to understand how to choose someone?”
“Send him back.”
“And you can get out.”
Wang Chang was trembling.
“Young Master Si, I…
I didn’t choose him at random!
This Mr.
Tao just threw another applicant—a man as big as the other three—right onto the floor.”
“The other three gentlemen can vouch for it!” He shot Bai Tao an imploring look.
Bai Tao immediately stepped up behind Si Hansu.
“It’s true.
I can be a good sparring partner.”
“If you don’t believe me, I can throw one of them for you right now!”
Remembering what had just happened to the man who was thrown, the other three shuddered and shook their heads like rattle-drums.
Wiping water droplets from his hair, Si Hansu glanced at the three burly men, who were clearly looking for an out.
“Mr….” His eyes narrowed to slits, his dark gaze locking onto the person before him.
“…Tao.”
“It seems you’re quite confident.”
He headed toward the showers.
“Wang Chang, take this Mr.
Tao to change into a uniform.
Wait for me in the dojo.”
As soon as the shower door closed, Wang Chang was so scared his back hunched over.
The other three men all shot their hands up.
“Um, Manager Wang, that offer from before…
the one about paying for a taxi home…
is that still on the table?”
Bai Tao sat on the dojo’s wooden floor.
Even in an extra-small, the men’s uniform was a bit big on her.
Thankfully, she’d bought a nude-colored, quick-drying athletic shirt to wear underneath.
It would prevent any wardrobe malfunctions and wouldn’t look too out of place.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
‘I can hold my own against men even more built than Si Hansu.’
‘So I just need to not rush things.’
‘On second thought, this might also be a good opportunity to learn more about Si Hansu.’
The dojo door opened again.
Si Hansu’s uniform hung casually open, and his hair, which was always meticulously styled, was now tousled and damp.
Wang Chang stepped off the mat.
“Alright, I’ll briefly explain the interview. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The two of you will compete in a single judo match.”
“Fighting to a draw is enough to pass, but of course, the final decision rests with Young Master Si.”
“Both competitors, please take your places.”
Bai Tao rose, stepped onto the mat, bent her knees, and bowed into a ready stance.
Si Hansu, however, simply stood in place, perfectly straight.
“In the blue corner, Young Master Si.
In the white corner, Mr.
Tao Bai.”
“Bow—”
Wang Chang blew his whistle.
“Begin!”
Si Hansu looked down on her, not even bothering to assume a ready stance.
But in the next second, that deceptively delicate face suddenly filled his vision, closing the distance in an instant.
Bai Tao grabbed Si Hansu’s sleeve, swept his right leg to unbalance him, braced her body against his hip, and focused all her strength into a single point.
A beautiful body drop sent Si Hansu crashing to the mat, and she pinned him there for more than ten seconds.
Wang Chang was stunned.
It took him a long moment to react.
“Halt!
…Yuko—for White!”
Si Hansu stared up at the plain white ceiling in disbelief.
For a fleeting moment, the corners of his lips seemed to curve upward, but by the time he got to his feet, the faint smile had vanished without a trace.
‘Interesting.’
Si Hansu lowered his stance, his eyes fixed on his opponent like a predator.
“Halt!
Waza-ari—Blue corner scores!”
“Halt!
Waza-ari—White corner scores!”
The two sides traded points, leaving Wang Chang utterly dumbfounded.
It was the first time he had ever seen anyone go toe-to-toe with Young Master Si for a full four minutes.
In fact, although Mr.
Tao Bai was no match for Young Master Si in terms of strength and physique, he surprisingly held an advantage in technical skill.
Especially his shoulder throws and corner drops—they were so clean and decisive, he used pure technique to compensate for the disparity in weight and strength.
After four minutes, Bai Tao was gasping for breath, kneeling on one knee as sweat dripped onto the soft mat of the dojo.
Si Hansu remained standing before her, but he was in no better state, panting heavily with sweat pouring off him.
Wang Chang stopped the timer.
“The Waza-ari and Yuko scores are identical!
Neither side has an advantage.
It’s a draw!”
Bai Tao grinned.
“Manager Wang, does this mean I…”
Wang Chang wanted to nod enthusiastically, but he looked apprehensively toward Si Hansu.
“The final decision…
still rests with Young Master Si.”
Bai Tao turned her head to look at Si Hansu, awaiting his verdict.
The man simply tossed a towel at her.
“The showers are to the left as you exit the dojo.”
Before Bai Tao could even get excited, Wang Chang looked like he was about to burst into tears of joy.
‘My job is safe!
I actually picked the right sparring partner on the first try!’
He grabbed Bai Tao’s shoulders, overjoyed, and said in a hushed, ecstatic voice, “Mr.
Tao, you’re my lucky star!”
Wang Chang’s grip was tight enough to make her shoulders ache, and her smile slowly turned into a pained one.
“Wang Chang.” Si Hansu’s cold gaze swept over, landing on the manager’s hands.
“My apologies, Mr.
Tao.
I got a little carried away.”
Bai Tao shook her head.
As she tried to stand, one of her legs suddenly gave out from under her.
‘Sss—this is payback for not sleeping well last night.’
“Mr.
Tao, are you all right?” Wang Chang instinctively reached out, but another figure moved faster, steadying her.
His scent was more calming than anyone else’s—faintly bitter at first, but slowly mellowing into a gentle sweetness, mingled with the subtle fragrance of temple incense.
Si Hansu leaned down.
His hands didn’t touch her; he simply used his shoulder to give her a point of leverage to push herself up.
He tilted his head, the mole on the tip of his nose catching her eye.
“If you’re this frail, I might have to reconsider my decision.”
Bai Tao quickly used his shoulder to push herself up and shook her head.
“No, I just didn’t sleep well last night.
It won’t happen again.”
She picked up the towel.
“I’ll go use the showers now, then.”
Once some strength returned to her legs, she trotted out of the dojo.
Si Hansu’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure for a moment before he finally looked away.
“Prepare afternoon tea,” he said, casually draping the towel over his shoulder.
“For two.”
Bai Tao stared at the fluffy pancake.
A pat of butter sat in the middle, slowly melting as it was enveloped by thick maple syrup.
The sight made her swallow hard.
Si Hansu, who had been waiting for some time, had already changed back into his school attire.
He wore gold-wired, rimless glasses, giving him a thoroughly distinguished air.
He had a servant at his side pull out a chair for her.
“Sit.”
Bai Tao couldn’t take her eyes off the pancake.
“Can I eat this?”
“Help yourself,” Si Hansu said, taking a sip of bitter tea.
“Wang Chang.”
“Yes, sir.” Wang Chang handed her an employment contract and a pen.
“The salary is 60,000 a week.
Car service to and from, one meal, and medical expenses are all covered.”
‘How much?!’
Bai Tao’s eyes lit up.
‘Are you telling me I can make 60,000 just for wrestling and rolling around with Si Hansu for a couple of hours?!’
“Of course, if you’re unsatisfied with any part of the compensation, Mr.
Tao, feel free to bring it up.”
Bai Tao snapped her slightly parted lips shut.
‘Ahem, I can’t forget what’s really important.’
‘There’s still the freshman dance!’
Her expression turned serious.
“Anything?”
Si Hansu gently set down his teacup.
“Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind, Mr.
Tao.”
‘This is my chance!’
Bai Tao cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
“Actually, Young Master Si.”
“I have a sister, and we only have each other in this world.”