Chapter 95 – Everyone is Misunderstanding Me
Wu Shi entered the room and looked around, but Louise was nowhere to be seen.
He turned to Caroline. "Sister Caroline, where is Louise?"
"Is she shy? Or scared?" Caroline laughed. She found the little girl's timid appearance quite amusing.
"I'm sorry, Louise, for causing you trouble," Wu Shi said softly.
"It's alright. She came out with Ophelia anyway," Caroline said, smiling. "You wouldn't believe how much she's been talking about you the whole way here, especially yesterday."
"Oh dear! Sister Caroline! Stop talking!" Louise suddenly ran out of the bathroom, her pale cheeks now flushed like apples.
Wu Shi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sister Caroline. And thank you too, Ophelia."
He knew that Ophelia had absolutely no interest in racing or anything like this. It was entirely Louise's idea to have her come along.
This little plan is really causing quite a stir!
"Wu, being too polite can sometimes create distance," Caroline said, smiling knowingly.
Wu Shi scratched the back of his head and nodded. "I was worried when I guessed that Louise might come here alone. Seeing her arrive safely with you… I just had to thank you."
"Hmph! I'm not a child anymore!" Louise interjected.
"Yes, yes, you've grown up," Wu Shi said, glancing down at her unconsciously.
Louise, sensitive to every subtle gesture from Wu Shi, immediately realized his attention, pressed a hand to her chest, and blushed even deeper.
"You… you!"
"Hahaha!" Caroline laughed heartily.
Even the female mechanic, whose main task was ensuring Wu Shi's safety, turned her head to hide a smile.
She never imagined that Wu Shi—normally all about racing and books—could have such a cute side.
"Okay, okay," Caroline said, winking at him. "You didn't come all this way just to joke around, did you?"
Wu Shi was certain she had misunderstood him too.
"I'm relieved Louise is safe. I have my own accommodation with the convoy, but it depends on her. If she wants to stay here, we'll trouble Sister Caroline. If she wants to go with the team, that's fine too. The team leader has agreed," Wu Shi explained.
Caroline glanced at Louise and winked.
"I… I'll go over there," Louise said, finally shedding her shyness. Her voice was low, but firm.
She had started avoiding Wu Shi, expecting scolding like her mother would give. But she quickly realized that Wu Shi only cared for her safety.
Louise returned to the dormitory with Caroline. Her luggage was simple—just a 20-inch suitcase.
"Don't run around without an adult next time," Wu Shi said.
"Hmm, you're so long-winded, just like your mother," Louise muttered.
"Because only those who care about you will tirelessly remind you to be careful," Wu Shi replied, turning slightly. He now towered over her and could see her profile clearly.
Louise lowered her head, silent.
"You sleep in the bed, I'll just take the sofa," Wu Shi said, putting her luggage away.
"Huh?" Louise was surprised.
No… sis, you don't think I brought you here for anything else, do you?
Why does everyone misunderstand me?
"Cough… cough." Louise realized the situation and said, "No, you have a race tomorrow. You should sleep in the bed."
"Oh," Wu Shi replied simply. Then he glanced at the sofa. "But you can't sleep on the sofa either. So… you'll have to sleep on the bed."
Louise blushed. This didn't match what Ophelia had told her.
Ophelia had said that as long as you expressed your feelings, the other person wouldn't refuse—and that many classmates did this kind of thing.
Wu Shi rubbed his forehead, silently acknowledging the cultural differences and generational gap.
He didn't promote values; he acted on his own principles.
"Then… let's all sleep in the bed, like when we were kids," he said, without overexplaining.
"Okay!" Louise agreed instantly.
Wu Shi felt like he had lost out somehow. "But don't move around too much, or I won't be able to sleep. Tomorrow's race will suffer."
"Mmm," Louise smiled, pursing her lips and nodding obediently.
"I'm going to shower first," Wu Shi said, grabbing his clothes and heading to the bathroom.
Louise quickly took out her phone and texted Ophelia:
We slept together, but he told me not to move around, saying I wouldn't be able to sleep. Does this mean he doesn't like me?
Ophelia was stunned. How could this guy, so capable in racing and studies, be so clueless?
He said not to move… so don't move.
Some men were all talk, no action. But Ophelia knew enough to deduce that Wu Shi wasn't that kind.
After checking Quora, Reddit, and other forums, she confirmed that Chinese culture was initially conservative in this regard. Most Chinese teens abroad, however, became more open over the years.
How long had Wu Shi been in Italy?
She remembered seeing him for the first time—small, reserved, different from the other boys.
After careful thought, she texted back:
He definitely likes you. Otherwise, he'd have made you sleep on the sofa! But he cares about you too much to start anything when you're so young.
Louise hugged her knees, burying her face in them.
If what Ophelia said was true… she was unbelievably lucky.
Click!
Wu Shi opened the door, wearing pajamas, hair still half-wet.
Louise immediately stood, tiptoed over, flipped her hair, and asked, "Why isn't your hair dry?!"
"My hair's short—it'll dry soon," Wu Shi replied.
He had never had long hair; helmets and wigs made it impractical.
"No! This will give you a headache later. Sit here, I'll blow-dry it!"
Louise guided him onto the sofa, took the hairdryer from her suitcase, and began drying him from behind.
They were separated by the sofa's back, which made the task a bit awkward.
She moved to the front and continued. Wu Shi felt as though he were staring into… nothing. His mind went blank.
Damn it! Teenage bodies were impossible! All they did was mess with his mind!
He wasn't trying to be a saint, but now was definitely not the time for distractions. He closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths.
Damn! Louise has been wearing the same perfume for seven years!
Wu Shi's hair dried quickly. Louise didn't take long before noticing it was dry. When she looked down, Wu Shi's eyes were still closed.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you sleepy?"
"It seems so," he said, looking up at her lovely face.
"Then get some rest early~" Louise smiled, then ran to the bed to make it ready.
"I'm going to shower first~" she said again, grabbing her clothes and dashing off.
Wu Shi lay in bed, struggling to fall asleep.
He regretted his decision; perhaps he should have left Louise in the dorm.
Even after the water stopped and Louise didn't move, he couldn't stop thinking. Eventually, he drifted into sleep…
Until he felt something warm and soft pressing against him.