The following day, Robin woke up promptly at six.
He sat on the edge of his bed to meditate and practice his Tendon Transformation Classic before leaving the bedroom.
This had been his routine for many years, a habit cultivated over his decade-plus training with Old Fred.
After finishing up and getting ready, he headed out to see if any stands were nearby selling doughnut and milk for breakfast.
As he opened his door, he was greeted by the sight of Piper and Rosalie casually dressed, walking out. They were heading out for breakfast as well.
"Wow, Robin, what a coincidence! Good morning!" Rosalie exclaimed cheerfully.
"Morning!" Robin nodded back in response.
Piper glared at Rosalie, pulling her along as they hurried to the elevator. Seeing this, Robin frowned slightly but didn't follow; instead, he turned toward the fire escape stairs.
Piper pulled Rosalie into the elevator, but Robin had already disappeared when she turned to look back.
"Hmm? Where's Robin? His door isn't even open. Where did he go?" Rosalie muttered to herself.
Piper snorted, "What a show-off! He's definitely trying to get my attention with this act. So annoying! Hurry up and close the elevator door!"
Rosalie peered out again. "Piper, shouldn't we wait for Robin?"
Piper firmly pushed Rosalie's hand aside and shut the elevator door. "I don't have time to waste on this loser! Today is my first day at work, and I must get there early to prepare."
Sighing, Rosalie replied, "Okay. But Piper, I want to know why you're always hostile toward Robin? It seems like he hasn't done anything to upset you."
"Hmph! I can't stand how he pretends to ignore me when deep down he's just dying for my attention," Piper retorted scornfully. "He thinks he's somewhat charming just because he's a little good-looking. He's got it all wrong! Only shallow girls would fall for his tricks!"
Rosalie was left speechless, opting not to argue further. She took out her phone and sent a message to her younger brother, letting him know she found a job with a good salary and asked him to take care of their mother.
When they reached the ground floor and stepped out of the elevator, Piper suddenly stopped Rosalie, her expression shocked. "Wait, How did he get ahead of us?"
Rosalie looked ahead and saw Robin striding confidently toward the community's exit, which was about 65 feet away. "Robin, where did he come from? Did he take the stairs?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Piper sneered, "See, Rosalie? Now you can see how pathetic he is! He wanted to act all high and mighty by avoiding the elevator and running down the fire escape. It's ridiculous!"
At that moment, a ray of morning light fell perfectly on Robin. Rosalie's gaze lingered on his tall, muscular figure and thick, tousled hair, and she was momentarily entranced.
Today, she realized just how fit Robin was. He exuded an undeniable charm as he walked.
Piper, noticing Rosalie was daydreaming, tapped her on the head. "I think you've lost your mind! I'll tell you again: everything he shows is just an act."
Rosalie chose not to respond.
She understood that no matter what she said, it wouldn't change Piper's opinion of Robin, who she had already labeled as a loser trying to impress her.
They had planned to step out and grab some milk and doughnut for breakfast. They spotted Robin eating breakfast at a nearby doughnut stall when they reached the community entrance.
Piper immediately pulled Rosalie toward a salad bar across the street. "Piper, didn't we come out to buy doughnut and milk? It looks like this is the only stand-around." Rosalie said, confused.
Piper quickly cut her off. "Doughnut and milk? Only bottom feeders and poor losers eat that junk! Let's go across the street for salad; that's nutritious and healthy."
She raised her voice intentionally, hoping Robin would hear. However, the nearby customers enjoying their doughnut and milk were starting to look displeased.
"What kind of girl talks like that?" A woman in her 30s stood up, visibly angry.
"You said only bottom-feeders and poor losers eat doughnut and milk. I want to know what you consider yourself. A broke loser laughing at others?"
Piper was taken aback, feeling humiliated to be called a loser in front of everyone. "How can you say that?"
The woman pointed at Piper defiantly. "I just did! You said anyone eating doughnut and milk is a bottom-feeder. So, where do you fit into that hierarchy?"
"I bought five apartments in this complex when it was newly built. How many do you have? You look like someone who just moved in!"
The other residents, enjoying their breakfast, said, "You're asking for it, lady! Calling us losers? That's just asking for trouble!"
A man around forty, chewing on a doughnut, stepped up and pointed at Piper. "I've seen your type before! Just because you make eight thousand a month doesn't mean you can strut around like you earn eighty thousand."
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