Chapter 44: What? You didn't go to the bathroom? Can't hold it any longer?

Page (1/3)

The girl, steeped in sorrow, did not respond to Lu Yuanqiu’s words.

Her sobs were muffled and aggrieved, and Lu Yuanqiu found himself wondering how many times she had suppressed her cries like this before. He only knew that the fragile, delicate limbs in his arms felt as if a mere touch might shatter them, so he dared not exert any pressure. Yet Bai Qingxia, slender as she was, clung tightly to him.

Lu Yuanqiu could guess that perhaps this was the first time in Bai Qingxia’s life that, in a moment of heartbreak and despair, she had a safe haven to burrow into without reserve.

As for what he had just said to her—

Perhaps Bai Qingxia hadn’t heard, or simply hadn’t grasped the deeper meaning, taking it as nothing more than a simple comfort.

Lu Yuanqiu didn’t need her to fully understand.

He wanted only to convey one thing: so long as he was here in this life, Bai Qingxia would never again be bullied, no matter whether by people or fate.

Lu Yuanqiu silently reminded himself:

Perhaps the existence of this girl was the very reason he was reborn.

Gently patting her shoulder, Lu Yuanqiu began to look around at their surroundings.

There was no toilet in the broom closet, only smooth white tiles beneath their feet, barely two square meters of space, with a few mops leaning in the corner.

Like the other stalls, the upper space was open; if the door wouldn’t budge, the top might be their only way out.

But there were no supports around, and the partition was tall and thin—climbing over it would be difficult.

Had there been a toilet, it could be used for footing, but unfortunately, there was none.

Lu Yuanqiu was pondering a solution when he felt a soft, furry sensation on his chin. Bai Qingxia had raised her head, her sobs now much subdued.

Her nose reddened, she released her hold and retreated into a corner, sniffling softly.

She glanced furtively at the fragments of the hairpin in her palm, then clutched them tightly, cradling her forearm to her chest. Her messy black hair half-veiled her pale face.

She seemed to have recovered somewhat, but her first instinct was to shrink into the corner, like a wounded animal seeking shelter…

“Sorry,” Bai Qingxia whispered from the corner.

Huh? What was she apologizing for?

Lu Yuanqiu looked at her in surprise.

Was it for holding me so tightly just now?

Realizing the reason, Lu Yuanqiu chuckled helplessly. “There’s nothing to apologize for. When I’m sad, I hug whoever’s nearby too. Besides, I was the one who held you first.”

The girl said nothing.

“Are you hungry?”

Page (2/3)

Lu Yuanqiu asked, and immediately wished he could slap himself. To ask such a question in a restroom—he must be out of his mind.

Bai Qingxia shook her head gently.

Then she lifted her face, her red-rimmed eyes fixed on the door. “We can’t get out?”

Lu Yuanqiu shrugged helplessly. “Yeah, it’s locked from outside. But don’t worry, we won’t have to call for help—we can get out ourselves.”

Calling for help was likely impossible anyway; the corridor was probably deserted.

It was lunchtime, and few would be left on the playground. Who would come to the first-floor restroom of the classroom building?

More importantly, their predicament couldn’t be made public—Lu Yuanqiu didn’t mind, but he cared about Bai Qingxia’s reputation.

“When will we get out…” Bai Qingxia’s lips quivered, her voice choking as she said, “I need to use the bathroom. I can’t hold it anymore.”

Lu Yuanqiu was baffled.

“Bathroom? You mean you haven’t gone yet?”

He asked in surprise.

Bai Qingxia shook her head immediately, tears flying from her eyes.

She must have been cornered by those girls right after entering, then locked in this broom closet without a toilet.

Lu Yuanqiu looked at the flustered girl before him. She really seemed unable to hold it, her legs—wrapped in black stockings—slightly bent, her pale thighs pressed tightly together.

“How about… how about you just take care of it here? It’s a restroom after all—it doesn’t have to be in a toilet, does it?”

Lu Yuanqiu offered a solution.

As soon as he spoke, he noticed Bai Qingxia lift her head, her red, pitiful eyes gazing at him in distress.

At that moment, Lu Yuanqiu realized the absence of a toilet wasn’t the main issue—the real problem was his presence.

Lu Yuanqiu said briskly, “I’ll turn around.”

Bai Qingxia replied, “But without a toilet, it’ll get on my shoes…”

“It’s just a pair of shoes. If they get dirty, so be it,” Lu Yuanqiu responded quickly.

Then he paused.

If Bai Qingxia cared so much for her hairpin, how could she not care for her shoes?

Lu Yuanqiu looked at her, his expression serious.

“I have a way to keep your feet off the ground—it’ll only mean sacrificing my shoes… Do you know how parents help their children use the bathroom?”

Seeing Bai Qingxia’s face stiffen, Lu Yuanqiu quickly dropped the joke and changed tack. “Alright, alright, I have another way.”

Page (3/3)

He placed two mops side by side, positioning them so Bai Qingxia could stand on their cloth ends, creating a natural “trough” between them.

Once done, Lu Yuanqiu turned away. Bai Qingxia, unable to wait any longer, crouched down and released the flood.

The sound was unmistakable.

Lu Yuanqiu stood awkwardly, facing the partition, arms folded, rubbing his eyes in embarrassment.

Those brief twenty seconds were a peculiar ordeal for both the boy and the girl.

“Are you done?”

“No!”

Behind him came the rustling sound of quick mopping.

Clearly, she was a tidy girl.

When the noises ceased, Lu Yuanqiu turned around, unable to suppress a smile, though given the circumstances, he forced himself to remain composed and surveyed the surroundings.

Lu Yuanqiu said, “There are three options.”

“First, I climb up. It’s tricky without anything to step on, the partition might collapse, but I’m strong—you don’t need to worry about me getting hurt.”

“Second, you step on me and climb up, same as before.”

“Third, I break the door down.”

Bai Qingxia immediately said, “I’ll step on you.”

Lu Yuanqiu laughed, quickly pulling her back. “What are you thinking? You’re wearing a skirt—it’s not practical.”

Though he would have liked Bai Qingxia to step on him, even if only for a failed attempt…

But now wasn’t the time to waste effort; Bai Qingxia, as a girl, lacked the core strength—it would be futile.

Lu Yuanqiu acted as he spoke. He braced against the wall, leapt up, spun midair, and gripped the top of the partition with both hands, his movement nimble and fluid.

The partition was thin and unstable, so Lu Yuanqiu carefully shifted his position, using the adjacent partition to support his body horizontally.

Bai Qingxia stood below, hands raised anxiously, worried Lu Yuanqiu would fall—ready to catch him if needed.

Lu Yuanqiu made it over smoothly, landing with a thud on the other side, followed by the sound of the lock being opened.

The door creaked open, and the girl and boy faced each other.

Lu Yuanqiu spread his hands, smiling triumphantly. “Am I impressive or what?”