Chapter 21 Friendship is Good Enough
Qiao could not properly eat her breakfast. She ate only tiny bits of her bun like a bird, but it was because she felt so guilty about hurting Lin Chung's feelings.
You were upset… At least you have the common courtesy to apologize… He should be mature enough to accept it, put aside his love for you, and move on…
"Right." She nodded, but still ate like a bird.
"Qiao." Lin Chung spoke from afar and he slowly walked up to her, "About my behavior last night..." he looked ashamed, but once he caught a glimpse of her new look, he fell speechless and awestruck.
She perked up at the sound of his voice and stood up to walk towards him.
He felt enticed and aroused by Qiao's sudden new form and watched her carefully as she walked towards him. He could not keep his eyes off her and all he could think of was drawing her.
"Lin Chung, I must apologize. I was inconsiderate of your feelings and I am sorry." She bowed.
He snapped back to reality once he heard her voice, "No, you were right." He replied humbly, "I forced my feelings onto you and that was exactly what High Roller did. I am so sorry."
Mighty Ray, Mystique Sonia, and Jumpy watched the two apologize to one another.
"They're both so humble." Mighty Ray commented, "I don't understand why they won't just work it out."
"They're so cute together; I really hope this all works out." Mystique Sonia prayed.
Jumpy added, "Me too, Sonia. Love brings happiness."
Qiao smiled gently towards Lin Chung, "Well, I'm sorry I can't return the same feelings you have for me, but I want to remain great friends with you, Lin Chung."
She watched his face smile with disappointment, "I could not ask for more. Thank you, Qiao." He bowed.
Qiao opened up her arms and gave him a tight embrace, "I treasure you and everyone else in Big Green."
He immediately hugged her back but even tighter, "I'll always be there for you, Qiao. I will be there when you need me." He promised.
The three watched the two embrace each other and stay still for a few minutes before releasing one another. They knew Lin Chung was still in love with her but pitied him because she refused to love him back.
Mystique Sonia sighed, "I'm so sad. Maybe I can talk Xin into loving Lin Chung back."
"Don't, Sonia." Jumpy patted her back, "This is the best for Xin. She'll fall in love with someone eventually."
"Well, no need for me to put my moves on her." Mighty Ray sighed, "She and Lin Chung have loads of things in common and if she won't love him back for that, then there's no way she'll fall for me."
Jumpy patted his back too and then whispered in his ear, "You can always go for Mystique Sonia." He giggled.
"What?" Mighty Ray yelped, "Even IF I liked her," his tone changed, "sh-she wouldn't feel the same for me."
"Oh, Mighty Ray." Jumpy laughed.
"Hey, what are you boys talking about?" Mystique Sonia asked. She was unable to hear the boys whispering to each other but believed she heard Mighty Ray saying he liked her.
"N-nothing." Mighty Ray waved his hands, "Just talking about how unfortunate it is that Lin Chung and Xin aren't hooking up."
She frowned, "Yeah. It is."
"What are you three doing, spying on Xin and Lin Chung?" hollered an annoyed voice.
Qiao and Lin Chung turned their heads towards the sudden yell and, now, noticed the three receiving a lecture from their captain, Mr. No Hands.
"M-Mr. No Hands! We were just checking to see if they were okay!" Mighty Ray made up an excuse, "We weren't spying at all!"
"Honest!" Mystique Sonia added.
"There's a Turtle Cannon Competition tonight and you five wasted all morning playing soap opera!" he lectured.
"Turtle Cannon Competition?" Qiao asked.
"It's a friendly competition between First Squad and Second Squad. We basically race and whoever wins gets the title 'First Squad'." Lin Chung explained.
Qiao grinned, "Sounds like fun. I can't wait to play."
"That's the spirit, Xin!" Mr. No Hands responded, "Let's get training, First Squad!"
"Yes, Sir!" they saluted and preformed rigorous acts of hard training with their turtle companions, the Turtle Cannons.