Malcolm lightened his pace and silently followed behind Chad and Ted, who bent their arms round each others' shoulders.
In the face of Ted's question, Chad answered seriously, "Four hours is really too difficult. I don't have the confidence to continue. It's completely hard to resist. When Mr. Malcolm punishes people, he's as sharp as ever."
Ted tut-tutted with his answer and gently pinched Chad's arm.
Chad wailed in soreness, bared his teeth and endured the pain.
Malcolm followed them behind with his hands behind his back, looking down abruptly.
Chad continued, "But Mr. Malcolm, although he's ruthless, he's really kind. For four hours of handstand, he saw me holding up too painfully. He finally only punished me more than two hours, and personally poured me a glass of water."
The more Chad thought about it, the more excited he became, and his tone was high, "He actually cared about me. I was so damn touched. I almost cried on the spot. I guess I'll never forget the glass of water he personally poured for me. It was so sweet!"
Ted looked at him oddly, "Is that so exaggerating?"
"You don't understand. Mr. Malcolm is the most considerate leader and boss in the world as long as he doesn't deduct money! No rebuttals will be accepted."
"Yes, yes, Mr. Malcolm is the best." Ted echoed heartily.
Chad was so excited thinking about the glass of water Malcolm poured for him last day that he almost had "I'm Mr. Malcolm's little fanboy" engraved on his head.
Malcolm, however, was speechless.
He just poured a glass of water for him and Chad was so moved? Was he too strict before?
As he was thinking, there was an officer from the bureau in front of the corridor. He saw Malcolm, Chad and Ted from a long distance, bowed hastily and saluted respectfully.
"Hello Mr. Malcolm, Chad and Ted." He stood at a distance, bowing one by one in greeting.
Chad and Ted stopped dead in their tracks and looked confused.
Mr. Malcolm?
Ted withdrew his arm from Chad's shoulder, and they turned around together suspiciously to see Malcolm who was standing behind them with his hands behind his back.
Ted's mouth twitched: "Mr. Malcolm, how do you ... walk without a sound?"
Chad blushed, "Bro, how long have you been here? Did you hear all the small talk we just had?"
Malcolm nodded seriously and looked calm. No one could know whether he was angry or not.
He noted sharply that both Chad and Ted gulped nervously, and asked, "I just heard Mr. Chad say he thought my punishment yesterday was too heavy. Mr. Chad, you can come to my office and complain to me alone if you're unhappy."
Chad's face froze. His skin was a little tanned after returning from the border so no one could see if he paled.
"Bro, no, Mr. Malcolm! I was wrong! I'm sorry!"
He conceded quickly and tried desperately to explain himself, "I didn't mean to complain. I meant to say you got a good penalty for me! Good penalty!" The penalty made his back ache and he wailed.
Malcolm was amused by his goofy look. Holding back his laughter, he snorted, "All right, come with me to the office."
The last sentence was obviously ordinary but it was like a bolt from the blue for Chad.
Ah! He shouldn't have talked too much. He must need to be physically punished again when he went to the office.
His arms were weak and sore, and if he had to do another handstand against the wall, how long could he last?
He was inwardly grief-stricken and desperate, and could only silently follow Malcolm, pondering how to plead with Malcolm later. What about directly hugging Malcolm's lap and crying miserably after he got into the office?
Ted silently glanced at him and slipped away, being afraid of being implicated.
In the office of the director of the National Investigation Bureau.
Chad lowered his head and followed Malcolm inside. His downcast eyes kept staring at Malcolm's legs, wondering which one to hug later so it was less likely to be kicked straight out.
He was so lost in thought that it wasn't until Malcolm reached out and waved his hand in front of his eyes that he came back to his senses, "Bro?"
Malcolm frowned, "What were you thinking? Didn't even hear my words."
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