On weekdays, no one would dare to question Yuan Zong, it was definitely considered as finding their own death.

However it was not the same as the weekend rolled around, when Xia Yao is here, Yuan Zong would not change his face but say, "Let me consider it first."

Thus, once there is any thoughts or opinions, all the trainee spared it for the weekends and would drag Xia Yao along to mention it to Yuan Zong. They were even so exalted on the weekends that they would bait Yuan Zong about Xia Yao every time they were on time-off. "Sir, a few time ago when training, Xia Yao worked idly for 20 minutes."

"Sir! Xia Yao just went out alone to take a phone call, not finishing the mission on time."

"Sir! According to standard rules of punishment, you should give him three kicks, two hits with a stick and seized his phone."

"..."

Afterwards, some of the coaches squinted menacingly at Xia Yao being called into the office by Yuan Zong, then they would huddle together and eavesdrop.

A few minutes later, when Xia Yao comes out of Yuan Zong's office room, those instructors pretended to be innocent, walking around supervising the trainees' practice. But in fact, anytime they passed each other they would gossip, "Heh, look at his pocket, it's inflated again."

Every time Xia Yao was called into Yuan Zong's office to be "punished", but when he exits his pocket would always be filled up, not his shirt one but his pants' pocket. Inside would always be junk food, right now it is a peanuts chocolate bar, two packets of dried raspberry, all are delicacies sent by relatives from Dongbei (Northeast China). On the days that Xia Yao is told off more harshly, Yuan Zong would even stuff a packet of cigarette in case somebody sulked.

Yuan Zong's and Xia Yao's relationship was not as strained as it had been before. During the breaks they would say a few words to each other, usually about the training. Xia Yao discovered that at these time when Yuan Zong is righteous, he doesn't seem so bad at all; a decisive character, straightforward personality, dedicated to his job. At times when Yuan Zong suddenly decides to turn weird, Xia Yao can hide if he can; if not then he would be touched a bit, and as a result scold at Yuan Zong, but wouldn't think anything about it afterwards.

The number of time the mynas met was equivalent to that of its owners, as weekends rolled around, Xia Yao would bring his Little Myna to the training grounds, then switched its cage with a larger one to accommodate both birds, hanging it up on a great oak tree.

Next to the training grounds was a lotus pond, which has reached harvesting season for lotus roots.

Today was the fourteenth of August according to the lunar calendar, many companies let their workers off since lunch, but Yuan Zong's company was different. Many students were anxious, utilizing the chance of Xia Yao being there, they proposed ceasing training and go dig for lotus roots.

Yuan Zong replied, "You can, but after finishing the session, then you can dig for as many as you wish."

"Where's the fun in that? Working together is much for fulfilling!"

"That's right! By the time we're finished the sky would already be dark, everyone would want to go home."

"If we dig them up now we can take them home when night falls."

Yuan Zong remained particularly strict, his tone unmoving.

"No means no, you can play during the Mid-Autumn festival or China National Day, but this is the time for training."

The group of student resentfully returned to their posts with their fallen faces, a frustration which they could not say out loud.

As the second period ended, Xia Yao stood at the second story's window, quietly watching a lotus pond not too far away. To be honest, he really wanted to go digging, he had been born with a silver spoon since birth and so never got a taste of the farmers' life.

Yuan Zong lazily strutted towards Xia Yao, giving him an askance look.

"You also want to go dig up lotus roots?"

Hands in pocket, Xia Yao pretended not to notice.

"Nope, I'm just looking at the birds."

Having said so, Xia Yao gave Yuan Zong a look then left.

Five minutes later, good new reached the entire team's ears.

"Director Yuan says no more training this afternoon, let's go digging for lotus roots!"

********************

Another one for my dearies

More news on "19 Days" in the upcoming chapter ^^!

Love,

Ann