Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Punishment

The moment Lu Xiao returned to her office, she was surrounded by four teachers.

Teacher Ai Li took her hand while Teacher Sherry poured her a glass of water. The other two teachers began massaging her shoulders and legs. Lu Xiao was a bit dazed and overwhelmed by all the attention. “Teachers, please, I’m fine! I’m really okay, you don’t have to do all this!”

“Xiao Xiao, you might not feel it now since you’re young, but once you get to our age, you’ll realize how much you regret not taking better care of yourself.”

“Dear, we’ll let you take a half-day off later. Go home and get some rest.”

Lu Xiao couldn’t help but laugh at their over-the-top concern. “Teachers, I’m fine now, really. I definitely pay attention to my own health and would never push myself too hard. Besides, Teacher Ai Li, did you forget? We made plans to see Director Audrey’s new play today.”

“Oh, right, right! I’d completely forgotten. But are you sure you’re okay? Does your head hurt? Do you feel sick? How are you feeling emotionally?”

“The only thing making me feel a little bad right now is my stomach. I’m hungry. I think it’s time for lunch.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her stomach let out a perfectly timed growl.

Teacher Ai Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Alright, alright, I believe you! Let’s eat, let’s eat. You have to see the oil-braised prawns I made yesterday. I feel frighteningly capable now!”

“Now I can’t just let that stand. The ones I made aren’t half bad either!” Teacher Sherry’s competitive spirit flared.

“It’s not for us to say. We have to let Xiao Xiao be the judge. Xiao Xiao, you have to try mine in a bit.”

“And mine!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll try a bit from each of you!” Lu Xiao said with a diplomatic smile. Once their lunch boxes were heated, each of the teachers gave her a large prawn.

To be honest, judging by appearance alone, all four of them seemed quite talented.

However, when it came to taste and texture…

“Teacher Ai Li’s prawns were cooked a bit too long, so the meat isn’t as tender as it could be, but the flavor is excellent.”

“Teacher Sherry’s prawns were a little undercooked… they’re not quite done.”

“…”

After she critiqued all four, pointing out the various strengths and weaknesses, everyone settled down.

“But in all seriousness, I’m really impressed with you all. To do this well on your first try is amazing, truly. With a little more practice, this will definitely become one of your signature dishes. I bet there aren’t many females in the whole Empire who can make oil-braised prawns, are there?”

“You can say that again! You have no idea—when I went into the kitchen to cook yesterday, my main husband was terrified. But when I brought out the plate of oil-braised prawns, the way he looked at me… it was completely different!” Teacher Ai Li tilted her chin up proudly. If she had a tail, it would have been sticking straight up in the air.

“Tell me about it. I always thought cooking would be so difficult, but it’s actually manageable!”

Not to be outdone, Teacher Sherry also lifted her chin.

Teacher Ai Li glanced at her and burst out laughing. “And I wonder who was yelping last night every time the oil splattered!”

Teacher Sherry retorted, annoyed, “And you didn’t?!”

Watching the teachers tease each other, Lu Xiao felt quite happy.

After they finished their playful argument, they all came over to inspect Lu Xiao’s lunch box.

Lu Xiao didn’t hold back. “Today I have a fried chicken cutlet, stir-fried greens, sweet and sour pork with pineapple, and a chilled shredded potato salad, with a glass of orange juice to go with it.”

After her introduction, she made sure to give everyone a portion so they could all have a taste.

Teacher Ai Li said as she ate the sweet and sour pork, “I love this flavor! You have to teach me how to make it!”

“I like the chilled shredded potato salad. It’s so refreshing!”

“Sure, sure. I’ll write out the recipes for you later. Just follow the steps, film yourselves while you cook, and send it to me. I’ll point out any mistakes.”

“That’s a great idea!”

Lu Xiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’I feel like I could open my own cooking class on the side,’ she thought. ’I could probably make a lot of money!’

As the end of the workday approached, the group was already planning where to go for dinner. Lu Xiao wasn’t familiar with the local spots, and since the four teachers were treating, her only job was to tag along and eat.

Just then, however, two females in uniform suddenly appeared at the office doorway.

Lu Xiao found their uniforms vaguely familiar, but for a moment she couldn’t place where she’d seen them.

It was Teacher Ai Li who spoke up. “What are people from the Female Protection Association doing here?”

That’s when it hit Lu Xiao why they looked so familiar. People from the Female Protection Association had come to her house on the second day after her arrival in this world.

“Is there something we can help you with?” Teacher Sherry asked.

“We’re here to see Ms. Lu Xiao.”

“For me? What about?” Lu Xiao hadn’t expected them to be looking for her. ’After all that, they’re here for me again.’

’But I’ve been getting along so well with Ares lately,’ she thought. ’What could they possibly want with me?’

“Here’s the situation. We received a report that this morning, a male by the name of Ansen harassed you. Is that correct? We have video surveillance footage, so please, do not be afraid. Tell us about the trouble he caused. The Female Protection Association is sworn to protect every female from male harassment. All males who have harassed you will ultimately face punishment!”

Listening to their grand declaration, Lu Xiao felt a headache coming on. ’I had almost forgotten all about this morning’s incident!’

“Now I remember!” Teacher Ai Li exclaimed, her expression one of dawning horror. “Xiao Xiao, you ran in here this morning looking so pale. Was it because Ansen was harassing you? Why didn’t you say anything?!”

This only made the two from the Female Protection Association more convinced that Lu Xiao had been harassed by a despicable male.

Lu Xiao felt a bit helpless. “I wouldn’t really call it harassment, but him suddenly asking to be my husband was definitely a surprise. I already rejected him clearly, though. I don’t think it’s as serious as you’re making it out to be. If he bothers me again in the future, I’ll file a request with the Female Protection Association for his punishment myself. Would that be okay?”

“Ansen wants to be your husband? In his dreams!”

“Xiao Xiao, you’re just too naive and gullible. Ansen definitely did this because he saw how young you are. These males know all the tricks!”

“Whether he achieved his goal or not is irrelevant. He caused you distress, and that constitutes a crime. Ansen is no longer fit to remain at this post. Effective immediately, we will have him transferred. You will not see him again. Is this punishment satisfactory, Ms. Lu Xiao?”

Lu Xiao was stunned by the Female Protection Association’s decision. She hadn’t wanted Ansen to lose his job.

“May I ask where he’s being transferred?”

“To the mining district to work in the mines. Ms. Lu Xiao, I advise you not to be soft-hearted toward these males. Otherwise, they’ll stick to you like leeches. Only severe punishment will teach them a lesson.”

Lu Xiao sighed. “I don’t think it’s come to that. Can’t we just give him one chance? Let him keep his job, as long as he stays away from me.”

’Being sent to the mines just for asking me out once… this punishment is way too harsh.’

’If Ansen had kept pestering me after I clearly rejected him, then I’d agree that sending him to the mines would be necessary.’

“Procedurally, we can let him go if you do not wish to press the matter. But I believe you will come to regret this decision.”

“She’s right, Xiao Xiao. I also think it’s too dangerous to let Ansen stay. You have no idea how crazy these males can be!”

“Let’s leave it at that for now. If he does harass me in the future, I promise I’ll contact you myself.”

“Then we hope you don’t regret it.”

After the members of the Female Protection Association left, Teacher Ai Li patted her shoulder. “I’m afraid you’ll be dealing with this a lot more in the future.”

Lu Xiao froze for a second, not quite understanding what she meant.

’It’s not like she was money; how could everyone possibly like her?’

Teacher Sherry chimed in at the right moment. “All right, let’s not let something unpleasant spoil our mood. Shall we head out?”

Just as Lu Xiao slung her bag over her shoulder, ready to head out with them, her terminal vibrated. She opened it to see a message from Ares: “Ansen harassed you?”

Lu Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. ’What’s going on?’

’How does Ares know about this already??’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep