After deciding to give up, I became popular

After helping Kaguya onto a protruding pile of rocks, he took off her shoe to check the injury.

Kaguya cooperated fully, showing no resistance. Instead, she proactively raised her jade foot, though it seemed a bit too high, almost touching his forehead.

"President, wouldn't you like to examine it more carefully? I don't think a few seconds of observation can yield a specific report. It's better to observe for a while longer," Kaguya Shinomiya suggested.

"Uh… you're right." So, Xia Chuanzou repeated the action just now.

"It hurts here…" He gently touched the injured area, only intending to go through the motions, but unexpectedly, she reacted this time.

"It hurts."

"Huh? But just now it was…"

"It might be delayed pain from the injury. I didn't feel anything just now, but it suddenly became very painful after the president touched it," Kaguya Shinomiya analyzed calmly.

"I, I see…" Xia Chuanzou nodded, acknowledging her explanation.

After all, the adrenaline secreted due to the tense atmosphere might have contributed to some pain relief earlier, but the pain returned as her mind relaxed.

But after confirming this, there was nothing he could do. Not only did he not have any medical tools, but the people who could help were also quite a distance away. The key was that he couldn't just leave Kaguya alone here—unless she was willing to sacrifice a bit and let him carry her on his back.

"…"

"Sorry, it was because I was too impatient that your foot got injured…" Xia Chuanzou said guiltily.

Although Kaguya seemed to like the reward he got, her physical condition was definitely more important to him than such trivial things, especially since he thought he had caused the situation.

"The next checkpoint seems quite far from us, and we don't know if we can go directly out from the side later. Why don't we go back now and ask the person in charge of the previous checkpoint where the exit of the venue is?" Xia Chuanzou suggested.

"Exit?" Kaguya Shinomiya frowned. "Does the president want to give up?"

"Yeah." Xia Chuanzou nodded. "After all, with your current condition, it's not suitable to continue participating."

Although they hadn't seen the checkpoints behind, they probably weren't something that could be passed by just taking a walk.

This would be interesting at other times, but now there was a special situation with an injured person.

"…" Kaguya was silent. This was completely different from what she had imagined.

Originally, she lied about not feeling pain during the first check because she didn't want Xia Chuanzou to worry, thinking of enduring and completing the entire process. Later, she came up with an idea: if she cried out in pain, would the president simply carry her like just now? But unexpectedly, he wanted to give up…

Where was the courage from before? Stand up, President!

"I don't seem to be in pain anymore," Kaguya Shinomiya said in a deep voice.

"Ah?" Xia Chuanzou didn't react for a moment.

"I mean my foot, it doesn't seem to hurt anymore, so there's no problem participating in the whole process." To show the credibility of her words, Kaguya Shinomiya endured the pain from her foot and walked a few steps without changing her expression.

"But you clearly said just now…"

"It's all an illusion. I was just too concerned just now, so I regarded the president's touch as the pain coming from the injury."

"…" Xia Chuanzou was silent.

He wasn't a fool. How could he believe her sudden explanation?

It would have been fine if she had brought it up earlier, but she refuted her previous statement when he suggested giving up. Wasn't the reason obvious? Kaguya would rather endure the constant pain than give up continuing to participate in the game.

But was this necessary? Although this year's test of courage was indeed more interesting than usual, it really wasn't worth enduring physical pain to experience the whole process.

Yes, indeed, this should be a very precious experience for Kaguya. He certainly understood her thoughts.

Because for someone from her family background, let alone such complex entertainment projects, even very simple pretend play was probably something she hadn't experienced as a child. That was why she cherished such opportunities so much.

So, he couldn't persuade her. Even if he insisted on giving up, Kaguya would desperately try to experience it alone because she was such a competitive girl.

"Let me confirm one more time… Even if you're injured, you don't want to give up the test of courage, right?"

"President is so verbose. It's just a minor injury, it doesn't hurt…"

"Are you trying to deceive me?" Xia Chuanzou stared at her.

"…" Kaguya Shinomiya turned her face away and whispered after a long while, "At, at most, it's just a little bit of pain, a little bit…"

"Then there's no choice." Xia Chuanzou sighed, then squatted down with his back to her.

"You wouldn't mind if I carry you on my back, right?"

"Eh, eh, eh???" Kaguya Shinomiya was almost stunned.

How did her wish suddenly come true? But why wasn't he carrying her in his arms? Although being carried on his back was also good, she could feel the president's broad back…

The silly young lady began to agonize over some strange things again.

Seeing that there was no movement behind him, Xia Chuanzou thought she was a little embarrassed.

"There's no other way, is there? I can't just watch you force yourself, can I?"

"President…" Kaguya Shinomiya murmured, her eyes flickering.

So the president knew everything…

Even though her little thoughts were seen through, Kaguya Shinomiya was still unwilling to admit defeat, otherwise, it would seem as if she had taken the initiative to hint at him doing this.

"No, there's no way, since the president has said so…"

After showing a helpless look, Kaguya Shinomiya slowly leaned onto Xia Chuanzou's back, still not forgetting to remind him:

"President, don't misunderstand anything. It's just because you took the initiative to bring it up, plus the situation is special, that I didn't refuse you. I definitely won't agree so easily next time…"

"Yes, yes, yes, of course, I know." Xia Chuanzou shrugged, not caring.

After all, what she said was true. He wouldn't be so naive as to think that just because they had a few intimate encounters, Kaguya Shinomiya would start to like him.

That was no longer something he should fantasize about.

157. Let's Have a Baseball Team!

Kaguya's weight was very light, feeling like she was only about 100 pounds. But even so, with Xia Chuanzou's physical strength, it was impossible to carry her through all the checkpoint challenges in one go. He would definitely need to rest for a while in the middle.

"President, are you okay? If you can't do it, I think we should give up?" Kaguya Shinomiya asked worriedly.

After carrying her and completing another test of courage challenge, Xia Chuanzou fell into a long period of fatigue, sitting on a pile of rocks to rest for a long time before recovering.

"…" Hearing Kaguya Shinomiya's worried words, Xia Chuanzou was silent for a while before shaking his head. "I think I can still do it…"

Now it was his turn to force himself.

Especially when he heard the innocent Kaguya say "If you can't do it," he felt like there was no turning back. Not only that, but a constant stream of power surged from the bottom of his heart.

Do you understand the gold content of a boy's self-esteem? In short, he must be resurrected with full health!

"Besides, the person in charge of the checkpoint just now revealed that the next one should be the last item. It doesn't contain any content that requires physical activity. It's just walking along the path—of course, even if there's another chase that fills the whole venue, I can handle it!"

"…" Kaguya Shinomiya didn't speak, just nodded at him with a smile.

Although the president is the most handsome when he's serious, the president who's trying to be cool like this isn't bad either! Even more cute than she imagined!

Kaguya Shinomiya felt a little regretful. If she had brought a camera, she would have taken a good picture of the president in this state!

Seeing that there was still a trace of sweat on Xia Chuanzou's forehead, Kaguya Shinomiya handed over a handkerchief.

"President, please use this."

Xia Chuanzou just glanced at it and shook his head, refusing. "No need, I can just wipe it with my hand."

Although he had lived here for so many years, there were some things he still couldn't get used to, such as carrying a handkerchief with him. In his opinion, that was a bit too "unmanly."

So, he usually cleaned his hands and face directly at the sink when they got dirty. If there wasn't such a condition, he would usually just wipe them with his hand.

"Is the president disliking me?" Kaguya Shinomiya said in a low voice, her tone soft and weak, as if she was hurt.

"No, no, I definitely don't mean that." Xia Chuanzou quickly waved his hand, denying it. "Rather, I'm worried that I'll get your handkerchief dirty…"

"But isn't a handkerchief always going to get dirty?" Kaguya Shinomiya tilted her head, looking at him in confusion. "If you never use it, won't it lose its meaning? That's too pitiful for it."

"…"

So, is that the point? Xia Chuanzou was confused.

It seems like boys and girls really focus on different things? But is it reversed between the two of them?!

Logically speaking, Kaguya should be the one who needs to care about sharing a handkerchief, right? How come he seems to be the "female" who cares about this kind of thing?

"Okay, I'll accept it." Xia Chuanzou had no choice but to take it.

It would be too pretentious to refuse any further. Since she didn't care, he should be generous.

He wiped the sweat that was about to drip onto his face with the handkerchief, and also cleaned the parts of his forehead and neck. The sticky feeling gradually disappeared.

But that wasn't all the effect—probably because it was well-kept on Kaguya, not only did a fragrance similar to Kaguya's emanate from its surface when he used it, but even after using it, this fragrance lingered around him. He could feel endless fragrance with just a light sniff of his nose.

It was as if Kaguya was still on his back, lightly breathing into his ear…

"…"

"President?"

"I'm here! I'm thinking about the next checkpoint!" Xia Chuanzou reacted and quickly began to explain that he was actually doing serious business and not thinking wildly.

"In short! I've rested enough, let's challenge it in one breath!"

After saying that, he didn't wait for Kaguya Shinomiya to refuse, and squatted down again, inviting. "Come on, Kaguya, let's make a quick decision."

"Uh… um…" The silly young lady nodded blankly.

Originally, she was thinking of taking the handkerchief back and enshrining it, but she didn't expect the president to directly stuff it into his pocket.

Does he like the things she gives him that much?! Kaguya Shinomiya was secretly delighted.

Hmph, it seems that the day the president is captured by her is near!

But the closer she gets to success, the more she needs to calm down and not be too hasty, lest she reveal flaws and let the president see through her.

Well, anyway, good luck, Kaguya Shinomiya, you're the best!

With a cheerful mood, the silly young lady leaned on Xia Chuanzou's back again, but this time she had experience. She wouldn't have deer crashing wildly in her heart like before, relying on a "safe posture" to maintain her rationality.

But the most important thing was that even though she kept feeling the good smell from the president, she didn't indulge in it anymore, but was able to fully utilize her useful brain and think. This was probably because her sensitivity had decreased due to the continuous stimulation?

In other words, she was already able to treat intimate contact with the president with a normal heart!

Now she was no longer afraid of losing her mind!

Oh, what is it? What hugs, backs, holding hands, it feels like it's just this level. Except for the initial panic, it feels just like that—almost tired of it.

Even now, even if the president asked her gently if she could go out with him for the rest of their lives, she wouldn't be a little panic-stricken, but would very domineeringly tease him back, "Oh, so the president likes me so much? It's really unexpected.", "In that case, the president should tell me how much he likes me? I'll only believe it if you're sincere."

...But then again, should she hesitate before agreeing? After all, everyone says that girls who go out too easily are often not loved? And what if the president dislikes her for being too uninteresting after they go out? It's useless to ask Xiao Ai about this kind of thing? After all, no one likes her...

...

"President, let me ask you a question."

"Hmm? Say it."

"How many children do you want to have?"

"...???"

158. Starting to Cosplay Zhao Zilong!

"President, let me ask you a question."