Became the Terminally Ill Supporting Male Lead's Rabbit Spirit

Chapter 69

The sun baked the ground, making it scorching hot, and the surrounding trees drooped their leaves listlessly.

Su Ci's class had more boys than girls, and the eleven girls in the class were lined up at the very back. Su Ci stood in the middle. After just a short while of marching, she already felt her feet hurting from the hard-soled shoes.

Su Ci had looked it up online. A rabbit's feet are different from those of a cat or a dog—they don't have thick pads. A rabbit's feet are covered in dense fur, small, sensitive, and very delicate. Even after becoming human, her feet remained overly sensitive. Uncomfortable shoes could easily rub them raw, let alone the hard, thin-soled military training shoes she was wearing now.

Ordinary people would find them uncomfortable, but for Su Ci, it was even more unbearable. Sweat trickled down the side of her face, and she pursed her lips, enduring the pain in her feet.

When the instructor finally called for a break, her originally bright and moist lips almost lost their color.

The group dispersed and headed to the shade of the trees to cool off and drink water.

"I'm so tired. The morning isn't even over yet, and I feel like I can't take it anymore," Shen Xue said weakly as she sat on the stone steps.

Su Ci took a few small sips of water, then lifted the hem of her pants to check her heel. She found that it had already turned red from the friction of the shoes.

"Ah, Su Ci, are your shoes not fitting properly?" Shen Xue looked over and saw that Su Ci's exposed heel was snow-white, but the part in the middle was rubbed raw and red.

Wen Duoyu, who was nearby, quickly said, "I have band-aids here. You can put them on your heels to prevent them from rubbing." She took out a few band-aids from her pocket, tore off two, and handed them to Su Ci.

Su Ci took the band-aids and said, "Thank you."

"But, Su Ci, why aren't you sweating at all?" Shen Xue asked, wiping her sweat with a tissue that was already soaked. Su Ci still looked fresh and clean, while everyone else was drenched in sweat. Even Wen Duoyu's bangs were stuck together in strands. Only Su Ci remained spotless, which was simply delightful to look at.

Su Ci, who was most afraid of heat, retorted, "My inner clothes are already soaked with sweat."

Shen Xue looked at Su Ci and noticed a few stray strands of hair clinging to her neck. She realized that even when a goddess sweats, she still looks better than a mortal.

After a ten-minute break, the training resumed.

When the instructor called for everyone to gather, the group dragged their feet and hurried over, not daring to waste any time.

By the end of the morning, just simple marching, counting, and standing in formation were enough to leave Su Ci feeling weak in the legs.

The hardest part, however, was the afternoon. The sun was at its most intense, making it difficult to keep one's eyes open and causing dizziness.

There was not a breath of wind on the playground, and the ground was scorching hot. Everyone in the class stood perfectly still and straight.

Su Ci pursed her lips, her dark, glistening eyes moist, while her lips were dry.

She felt as if her legs were no longer her own. The band-aid on her heel had long since been rubbed off, and blisters had formed.

On the other side of the playground.

"Report, Instructor, I'm not feeling well," a girl said timidly.

Under his cap, the instructor's expression was stern. "What's wrong?"

"I feel a bit dizzy," the girl said softly.

The instructor walked over to her, scrutinized her for a moment, and said, "Stand properly. Your middle finger should be touching your trouser seam, and pull your stomach in."

The girl nervously kept silent.

"Report, Instructor," Zhao Youyou said in a soft voice.

The instructor replied, "Speak up. Didn't you eat lunch?"

Hearing this, many in the group couldn't help but silently grumble about the instructor. He was truly a terrifying "black-faced god," even to girls.

Zhao Youyou blushed and repeated, "Report, Instructor."

"Go ahead," the instructor said.

"Why won't you let her rest when she's not feeling well?" Zhao Youyou couldn't help but speak up for the girl.

She spoke with righteous indignation, "If a student is unwell, the instructor should be considerate and not force them to continue training. We're here to build our physical strength and improve our fitness, not to push ourselves to the limit."

The girl was astonished. She hadn't expected anyone to speak up for her.

"Stand properly," the instructor said sternly. "If you're truly unwell, should I have someone take you to the school clinic?"

The girl quickly shook her head, frightened.

She just felt extremely sore and thought she might not be able to hold on any longer.

The instructor looked at Zhao Youyou. "If she's genuinely unwell, I'll allow her to rest. You just need to focus on yourself and not jump to conclusions."

Zhao Youyou's face turned red, and she felt wronged, biting her lip and her eyes turning red.

During the break, Feng Xiaoyu, a girl next to Zhao Youyou, handed her a tissue. "Thank you for speaking up for me. You're really kind."

Zhao Youyou took the tissue. "We're classmates, so we should support each other."

"You're so beautiful and kind," another girl chimed in. "The instructor doesn't know how to be gentle with girls. You were so cool standing up to him earlier. I really admire you for sticking up for others like that."

Zhao Youyou smiled. "I was just saying what needed to be said."

Feng Xiaoyu linked arms with Zhao Youyou. "You're amazing."

By the end of the afternoon military training, Su Ci felt her legs were so sore that she could barely walk.

The rest of the class began to leave.

"Su Ci, are you okay?" Shen Xue noticed Su Ci frowning and sitting uncomfortably on the stone steps. She was a bit worried.

Wen Duoyu also stayed behind, equally concerned about Su Ci.

"My feet hurt a bit. You two go ahead. Someone's coming to pick me up," Su Ci said, having already called Lu Zhe.

She hadn't seen him in a few days.

Shen Xue nodded. "Alright, see you tomorrow. If you're really not feeling well, take a sick day tomorrow." After today's training, she was exhausted, let alone Su Ci, who was even more delicate than she was.

Just as she was about to leave with Wen Duoyu, Shen Xue saw a tall figure walking toward them, cutting through the crowd. The boy exuded a cold, aloof aura that made people turn their heads.

Shen Xue had thought the person coming to pick up Su Ci would be her family, but to her surprise, it was Lu Zhe.

However, this was to be expected.

Shen Xue turned back and saw that the girl on the stone steps' eyes instantly lit up.

Shen Xue placed a hand on her forehead, fully understanding what was going through Su Ci's mind.

"Who is that...?" Wen Duoyu asked, surprised to see the unfamiliar boy approaching Su Ci.

"I can answer that," Shen Xue said proudly, having played a part in Su Ci and Lu Zhe's relationship. "He's the person Su Ci likes."

Wen Duoyu was even more surprised. Su Ci had someone she liked?

She recalled back in high school when He Ermeng often pursued Su Ci, but she never liked him. At the time, her deskmate often made snide comments, saying Su Ci had high standards and didn't like He Ermeng.

Wen Duoyu wasn't sure how to judge whether a boy was good or not, but she believed Su Ci's taste must be excellent.

As the playground gradually emptied, everyone hurried to the cafeteria.

Lu Zhe crouched down in front of Su Ci. "Are your feet hurting?"

He had been worried about Su Ci's condition all day.

He knew how delicate she was. Previously, even wearing mediocre shoes would rub her feet raw. Now, with the hard-soled military training shoes and prolonged exercises, she must be struggling.

"My feet hurt," Su Ci admitted. During the military training, she had endured the pain, but now facing Lu Zhe, she didn't want to hold back.

She pouted and sniffled, "I don't want to do military training tomorrow."

Lu Zhe sat down beside her. "Let me take a look."

He bent down, his large hand gripping her ankle and placing her foot on his thigh.

Su Ci wiggled her foot, feeling a bit embarrassed since her feet had probably sweated after a day of training. "It's okay, you can just help me to the gate."

"Don't move. Let me see if you've blistered or broken the skin," Lu Zhe said, holding her ankle firmly with one hand while using the other to remove her shoe.

Su Ci wore pure white short socks, which looked tiny in Lu Zhe's large hand.

Lu Zhe said, "I'll take off your socks."

Since Lu Zhe didn't seem to mind, Su Ci decided to just let him do as he pleased. She leaned back, trying to hide behind the tree.

Lu Zhe gently removed the girl's socks. Her plump toes were red and rubbed raw, and blisters had formed around the edges.

Lu Zhe frowned.

He then looked at the back of her heel, where the blister had burst, and there was even some blood, which had stained her sock.

No wonder she felt pain.

Lu Zhe inspected very carefully.

He removed Su Ci's other shoe and found the same issue—blisters had been rubbed raw.

Lu Zhe carefully folded her socks and helped her put her shoes back on. Then, he bent down and picked her up in a princess hold, "I'll take you to the school clinic to get some medicine."

Su Ci obediently nodded.

Lu Zhe chose a small path to take, as most students were at the cafeteria at this time, and they didn't encounter anyone along the way.

Su Ci comfortably nestled in Lu Zhe's arms. She looked up at him and couldn't help but notice his sharp jawline.

Yesterday, she had been fantasizing about what Lu Zhe would look like in his camouflage uniform.

Now, looking at the young man holding her, with his clear and handsome face under the cap, deep-set features, and slightly pursed thin lips, he exuded a sense of coolness.

His physique was even more impressive. Lu Zhe was tall with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. Plus, he regularly worked out, so just through his clothes, she could feel the solidity of his chest.

Su Ci was head over heels for him.

She raised her chin and leaned in closer to Lu Zhe, gently kissing his cold, thin lips.

Then, her mischievous little mouth moved down and landed on Lu Zhe's Adam's apple.

"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe felt the strange tickle at his neck, and his Adam's apple involuntarily slid up and down.

He tightened his grip, holding the girl firmly, and suddenly stopped in the middle of the path.

Su Ci lightly kissed and then pulled away.

She looked up, licked her lips, and complained, "It's salty."

Lu Zhe's face flushed with embarrassment, and his dark eyes showed a mix of awkwardness and helplessness. "I've been sweating a lot."

Su Ci leaned in closer to Lu Zhe's neck and sniffed.

Lu Zhe couldn't stop her, "Tuan Tuan."

The next moment, he heard the girl's clear, melodious laughter. "There's indeed a strong smell of sweat."

Lu Zhe deeply looked at her. Boys were different from girls; when they sweated, the smell became stronger, and their body odor intensified.

But the girl in his arms was still fresh and clean, and he could smell her faint, natural fragrance.

He lowered his head and, mimicking her mischievous behavior, gently bit her lips, deliberately rubbing his teeth against them a few times before letting go. "Be good, or I'll drop you."

Su Ci got her little reward and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

She finally settled down.

When they arrived at the school clinic, the school nurse was about to leave after finishing her shift.

"What's wrong?" The female nurse, seeing the tall boy carrying a beautiful girl inside, sat back down.

"Her feet are blistered, and we need some medicine," Lu Zhe placed Su Ci on a chair.

"Show me your feet," the nurse instructed Su Ci to lift her foot.

Su Ci let the nurse examine the back of her heel.

The nurse had never seen such beautiful feet before—so white and tender. She adjusted her glasses and said, "The blisters here have been rubbed raw. It's not a big issue. I'll give you some ointment. Try to avoid getting them wet."

Such situations were common during military training, so the nurse was used to it.

Lu Zhe took the ointment and carried Su Ci out.

"Do you want me to help you apply it?" There were benches on both sides of the path outside the clinic.

Su Ci took the ointment from Lu Zhe's hand, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "No, I'll apply it at home."

...

When Su's Father and Su's Mother returned, they saw their daughter sitting on the sofa, pitifully applying medicine to her feet.

Upon learning that their daughter's feet had blistered and even bled, they were both heartbroken.

Especially Su's Mother, who insisted that Su Ci stay home and rest, not participating in the military training.

Su Ci was eager to nod, looking pitifully at Su's Father, "What do you think, Dad?"

Su's Mother couldn't help but glare at her husband.

Su's Father wanted his daughter to build her physique, but she had been pampered since childhood and couldn't endure such hardships. He didn't have the heart to force her.

After just one day of military training, her feet were already in such a state. If he insisted she continue, it might do more harm than good.

Receiving his wife's angry look, Su's Father coughed lightly, "Xiao Ci, stay home and rest. Dad will arrange for you to take leave from school." Such a long leave would require parental intervention.

Su Ci was overjoyed, not in vain for her foot pain today.

"How was your first day of military training, Xiao Chi? Was it tough?" Su's Mother asked Ji Chi, who was quietly sitting on the side.

Ji Chi's cold gaze swept over the girl's snow-white feet but didn't linger. "It was fine. The initial training wasn't too heavy."

"I've asked the kitchen to prepare soup. Both Xiao Ci and Xiao Chi, you should drink it later," Su's Mother turned to instruct the servants to prepare dinner.

Su Ci obediently nodded.

After dinner, Su Ci went upstairs to take a bath and apply a face mask.

She took great care of her skin. After being exposed to the sun all day, she needed to pamper herself.

After removing the mask, Su Ci looked at her well-hydrated face and couldn't resist touching it. It was so smooth; she loved it herself.

At that moment, there was a knock on her room door.

Outside, the boy was tall and slender.

Ji Chi handed Su Ci the ointment in his hand, "This ointment is very effective for your foot injury. You can try it."

Su Ci was a bit surprised, "Thank you." She took the ointment.

She noticed the white bandage on his forehead and politely asked, "Is your injury better?"

Ji Chi's lips curved slightly, a rare smile for him. "It's almost healed."

He maintained a polite distance, "I'll go back to my room now. Goodnight."

Su Ci nodded, "Goodnight."

...

For the next two days, Su Ci lounged around the house like a lazy fish. After applying the ointment to her feet and wearing her comfortable shoes, walking was no longer an issue.

On this day, Su Ci woke up early.

It was the first day of kindergarten, and she planned to accompany Su's Mother to send Little Su Ning and Little Tiancai to school.

When she changed and came downstairs, she saw the two little ones already dressed in their new, handsome outfits, sitting obediently on the dining chairs.

"Good morning, Sister," Little Tiancai's tender little face couldn't hide his excitement.

When he was in the orphanage, Little Tiancai knew that children would go to school when they grew up. But he had heard that his health was poor and he might never go to school.

Little Tiancai was very disappointed.

Since learning that he could go to kindergarten, he had been very happy.

When no one was around, Little Tiancai would hold his little heart and quietly ask it to behave and not get sick, as he really wanted to go to school.

Today was the first day of school, and as soon as it was dawn, Little Tiancai got up, dressed himself, and brushed his teeth, waiting eagerly to go to school.

Little Su Ning didn't know what kindergarten was, but he knew he would have many friends in the future and was also very happy.

He grinned, showing his little white teeth, "Good morning, Sister."

Su Ci sat beside them and patted their little heads, "Good morning, Little Tiancai and Ning Ning. You both look so handsome today."

The two little ones, praised by their sister, smiled so hard their eyes squinted.

"Xiao Ci, are your feet still hurting? Maybe I can take them to kindergarten," Su's Mother placed a glass of milk beside her daughter.

"It's okay, my feet don't hurt anymore. And today is the first day of school for my brothers. I want to accompany them," she remembered that Little Happy was also attending the same kindergarten, and maybe they would meet.

Little Su Ning took a big gulp of milk, leaving some on his lips, looking incredibly cute.

He spoke in a childish voice, "Sister loves Ning Ning."

"Yes," Su Ci couldn't help but wipe the milk from the little guy's lips, "Ning Ning, be good at school and listen to the teacher."

Little Su Ning nodded vigorously.

On the first day of kindergarten, the school gate was filled with various vehicles. Car horns, conversations, and children's cries made the surroundings noisy.

Su Ci held Little Tiancai's hand, while Su's Mother held Little Su Ning's, and they walked into the school.

Unlike other children, the two little ones weren't crying; instead, they curiously looked around.

The kindergarten teacher waiting at the classroom door was already prepared. Seeing Su Ci and the others arrive, she was amazed. This family's looks were outstanding, especially the young girl, who was simply a goddess.

The two children also had delicate features, and most importantly, they weren't crying.

Several other children had been crying nonstop, giving the teacher a headache. Meeting such well-behaved, obedient kids was a relief.

No teacher disliked well-behaved students.

Little Su Ning and Little Tiancai greeted their teacher politely with their tender voices, which melted hearts.

The kindergarten teacher held the hands of the two little ones and said, "You are so well-behaved. Let me take you inside to sit down. Say goodbye to your mom and sister."

Su Ci and Su's Mother did not leave immediately. Like other parents, they stood outside the glass window, watching the children inside.

Su Ci watched as her brother and Little Tiancai obediently sat down in their seats. Unlike the other children who were crying and shouting, the two little ones huddled together, whispering something to each other.

At that moment, a loud wailing sound came from the classroom door, causing a headache.

Su Ci looked toward the door.

There stood a chubby little boy wearing blue clothes. In one hand, he held a chicken drumstick, and in the other, a cup of cola. His mouth was stuffed with meat, and he was wailing loudly. The meat in his mouth was about to fall out.

Next to him was an elderly woman, presumably his grandmother. "My grandson hasn't finished his chicken drumstick yet. Why can't he bring it into the classroom? Are you telling him to throw it away? I've never seen a teacher like you."

The old lady's voice was very strong.

The kindergarten teacher spoke gently, trying to explain to the old lady, "We don't recommend children bringing snacks into the classroom. It not only affects other children but also disrupts their normal eating habits at the kindergarten."

"Grandma, I want to eat my chicken drumstick, I want to eat my chicken drumstick..." The chubby boy cried even louder when he heard the teacher wouldn't let him eat, stomping his feet.

"Did you hear that? My grandson wants to eat. What right does a teacher have to stop my precious grandson from eating his chicken drumstick?" The old lady pulled the chubby boy into the classroom, saying, "If other kids want to eat, let their parents buy it for them."

"Hey, old lady..." The kindergarten teacher quickly followed them inside.

Su Ci had never seen such a stubborn and unreasonable old lady before, but her attention was focused on the chubby boy's wrist. She noticed that the boy's life force was a thin red line.

She narrowed her eyes and immediately summoned Fugui. "How did this chubby boy die?"

Fugui's little voice was excited, as it could enjoy golden cotton candy again. It quickly replied: [Master, he fell from a building and died.]