Andrew grabbed the military training uniform and dashed out of the teaching building, sprinting toward where Scarlett had parked her car.
In less than a minute, he rushed to the passenger side, opened the door, got in, and gasped for breath continuously.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Is someone trying to beat you up?"
Seeing Andrew panting heavily, Scarlett suspected someone was after him and was already preparing to get out and teach that person a lesson.
"No... no."
Andrew replied while catching his breath, "No, Teacher, didn't you say... not to delay after class?"
He ran so urgently because he was afraid Scarlett would think he was dawdling and wasting time.
Hearing this, Scarlett pouted speechlessly, "I told you not to waste too much time, but I didn't tell you to run this frantically."
"Oh... Oh! I... I'm sorry, I understand. I'll definitely pay attention next time."
While still catching his breath, Andrew apologized to Scarlett.
This action, however, made Scarlett frown, "Why are you always so nervous around me? I don't think I've ever scolded you, hit you, or been harsh with you, have I?"
After taking a deep breath, Andrew explained, "Well... that's because you are a teacher, and you hold authority over me, your student."
Scarlett clearly didn't believe this answer. What student fears their teacher this much, especially when they are all university students?
Seeing that Andrew was still so frightened, Scarlett knew asking was pointless. She started the car and drove toward the apartment.
At first, she thought it was fine if Andrew feared her and was obedient.
But now, this fear was clearly excessive; there was a hint of terror in it, which wouldn't do.
Her mentor, Alexa, had entrusted Andrew to her care for the semester. If she ended up scaring him into becoming nervous and on edge all the time, how was she supposed to explain that later?
Thinking of this, Scarlett got a headache. She wasn't very good at interacting with others, especially since Andrew was a boy.
Silence remained in the car. After resting for a while, Andrew's breathing evened out.
He unwrapped the military training uniform in his hands and felt the fabric between his fingers, frowning slightly.
"For something that costs like fifteen bucks, this material is terrible… doesn't even feel as good as what I have at home."
Scarlett glanced at the uniform but didn't respond.
When they got back to the apartment, Andrew washed up and went straight to his room to rest.
Scarlett changed into her nightgown, came out of her room to drink some water, and paused when she saw the military training uniform Andrew had left on the chair on her way back.
After hesitating for a moment, she walked over, picked up the uniform, and touched it.
Just as Andrew had said, the quality was indeed very poor, and it felt extremely rough to the touch. Wearing it would definitely be uncomfortable.
Scarlett felt that even if this kind of clothing were given to her as a rag, she would disdain it.
Scarlett looked at the uniform for a while before heading to the bathroom.
---
The next morning, Andrew was still fast asleep on the bed. The alarm he had set had long been turned off by his hand.
At the same time, Scarlett was also sleeping soundly in her bedroom, clutching the blanket between her legs.
After a while, as if jolted by something, she sat up in a panic, "Oh no! What time is it?"
She quickly grabbed her phone from the bedside table. Seeing that it was already 7:10 AM, she immediately pulled off her nightgown, tossed it onto the bed, quickly put on her dress, and rushed out the door.
Seeing that Andrew's bedroom door was still tightly shut, she quickly knocked, "Andrew, wake up quickly! We're going to be late."
But there was no response from the room.
Scarlett couldn't wait any longer. She directly opened the door and yanked Andrew up, "Wake up, stop sleeping!"
Because she was anxious, Scarlett's tone was somewhat stern, carrying a hint of command.
The groggy Andrew instantly woke up the moment he opened his eyes and saw Scarlett. He was so startled that he jumped up on the bed.
"Why did you come in here!"
Scarlett ignored Andrew's panic at that moment. Seeing that he was awake, she left the bedroom to wash up, saying, "Hurry up and change. It's already past seven. We're about to be late."
Andrew was still shaken. After Scarlett left, he frantically patted his whole body. Finding his limbs intact, no missing arms or legs, and no injuries, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"That scared me to death. I thought she burst in here to get revenge on me."
But then, Andrew immediately snapped back to reality, realizing that if he was late for military training, he would truly be finished.
He quickly got out of bed, intending to go to the living room to get the military training uniform he had carelessly tossed on the chair.
When he walked over, he found that the uniform had been taken out of its packaging again and was neatly hung on the back of the chair.
When he reached out to touch it, the rough feeling was gone. It had become very soft, and there was a faint fragrance on it.
"What's going on? Did I sleepwalk and wash it last night?"
Andrew found his own thoughts ridiculous. Besides, how could it dry in just one night if he washed it?
And the only other person in the apartment besides him was Scarlett.
Just as Andrew was pondering, Scarlett, having finished washing up, came out of the bathroom and saw that Andrew still hadn't changed into his uniform. She urged him again, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and change!"
"Oh!"
Andrew quickly responded but still asked his question, "Teacher Scarlett, did you wash my military training uniform last night?"
"Yes, I washed it once with fabric softener and then dried it in the dryer. Hurry up and change; we only have about ten minutes left."
Scarlett urged him again, speaking quickly, which made Andrew dare not delay. He immediately returned to the room, changed into the uniform, then came out, washed his face, and followed Scarlett downstairs.
It was already 7:20 AM when they set off. Andrew was supposed to assemble on the field at 7:30 AM, leaving only ten minutes.
Andrew himself thought he was definitely going to be late and doomed.
But next, he was about to witness what was called a Female God of Racing.
Scarlett drove the car, constantly overtaking on the road, not slowing down at intersections, and speeding straight through on a full throttle.
At one intersection, a car suddenly pulled out. Scarlett reacted swiftly, slamming on the brakes. The inertia pulled both their bodies forward.
This was Andrew's first time truly experiencing the importance of a seatbelt.
Then, Scarlett sharply turned the steering wheel and immediately accelerated forward again.
Finally, at 7:28 AM, Scarlett dropped Andrew off at the entrance to the field.
"We're here. You can go in now; you still have time."
"Oh... Oh!"
Andrew got out of the car with trembling legs. This frantic trip would probably be unforgettable for the rest of his life. Compared to Scarlett's driving, a roller coaster was practically a rocking horse.
After closing the door, Andrew was about to turn and enter the field.
Scarlett rolled down the passenger window at that moment and said to him, "It won't do if you go to military training without breakfast. I'll bring you something to eat during your break at 9:30 AM. Don't wander off."
Andrew nodded. Before Scarlett could roll up the window, he spoke, "Thank you, Teacher Scarlett."
This thank you was spoken in a very normal tone, without the tension and fear from yesterday, which made Scarlett hesitate for a moment.
She then nodded and replied gently, "Mm."