Chapter 528 No Need
After leaving the jungle, Benjamin spotted Daphne sitting on the ground in the clearing, frowning and rubbing her arm and shoulder.
It was obvious Benjamin had really pushed her hard earlier.
When she saw him coming, Daphne glanced at him and then looked away.
In her mind, she made a silent vow, 'One day, I'll beat him!'
"Does it hurt?" Benjamin tossed her a bottle of water.
Daphne caught it and nodded.
Benjamin grabbed a bottle for himself, casually unscrewing it, and said in his usual laid-back way, "Enjoy the break today; there's more pain coming your way later."
Daphne wondered why she ever thought Benjamin was being considerate.
"Benjamin, she's just a young girl, don't scare her off."
"Exactly!"
"She's the top scorer."
"Be gentle."
The team members chimed in one by one.
Benjamin's lazy gaze swept over them, and he asked lightly, "Are you sure you want me to be gentle with her?"
Everyone shivered.
They all quickly backtracked, "Just kidding! Don't take it seriously!"
If Benjamin really treated Daphne gently, she'd probably be in for an even tougher time!
Daphne instinctively looked at Benjamin, her clear eyes filled with curiosity.
Who exactly was this guy? How could he be so strong?
Before she could think further, a slight cramp hit her lower abdomen, and she felt a warm flow.
Daphne stiffened, her expression hardening.
Her period had started.
In that moment, she felt a bit anxious. With exams and holidays, her menstrual cycle had been all over the place. At seventeen, Daphne didn't have the regular lifestyle she would have in her twenties.
Naturally, her personality wasn't as calm and composed as it would be in her twenties either.
Surrounded by guys, she felt a bit embarrassed. Even though she knew her period had started, she stayed put, feeling anxious.
She decided to wait until Emma and Evan arrived since she was unfamiliar with the place.
Daphne's discomfort didn't escape Benjamin's notice. He assumed she was just feeling uneasy in the new environment.
About ten minutes later, Evan and Emma showed up. Seeing them, Daphne felt a sense of relief and quickly stood up.
Benjamin instinctively looked at her.
Just as he was about to look away, he noticed a small stain on her pants.
He paused for a moment.
"Emma!" Daphne waved at Emma and the others.
Just as she was about to run towards them, Benjamin grabbed his jacket and tossed it over Daphne's head, speaking naturally, "Come with me to the convenience store."
Daphne pulled the jacket off her head.
Frowning, she asked, "Why?"
"You broke my watch," Benjamin draped the jacket over her shoulders again and extended his left wrist, "You owe me one."
"I have to pay for that?" Daphne didn't understand.
"Benjamin, it's just a watch. No need to be so petty."
"I'll cover it for her."
The team members chimed in.
Benjamin's gaze remained unchanged, his deep voice carrying a hint of indifference, "What about taking over her training too?"
Everyone fell silent.
Benjamin led Daphne away.
Daphne hadn't expected to have to pay for anything, so after a few steps, she was ready to take off the jacket and return it to him, planning to transfer the money for the watch instead.
But just as she moved, Benjamin whispered, "You have a stain on your pants."
One sentence made Daphne freeze.
Thinking back to how he had thrown the jacket over her head as soon as she stood up, she felt a bit uneasy.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the organization's convenience store.
Benjamin left Daphne there and instructed the store owner before leaving.
Unfamiliar with the place, Daphne didn't wander around. The owner, following Benjamin's instructions, gave her sanitary pads and directed her to the restroom.
When Benjamin returned, Daphne had already taken care of everything.
He handed her a small bottle of liquid and some cotton swabs, "This can remove the bloodstain from your pants. After using it, blow-dry it for a minute."
"Thank you," Daphne accepted.
The owner gave Benjamin a meaningful look before leading Daphne to a room and handing her a hairdryer.
After finishing, the owner came out first and joked, "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's a newcomer participating in the selection," Benjamin replied calmly.
The owner didn't say more.
Five minutes later, Daphne came out, the bloodstain on her pants gone. Benjamin thanked the owner and left with her.
Daphne stopped him. "Aren't we supposed to get a watch?"
"Just kidding," Benjamin replied naturally.
If he hadn't said that, how could he have taken Daphne away so openly? Though he didn't understand girls well, from his observations, she seemed easily embarrassed.
Moreover, a seventeen-year-old girl is sensitive; he couldn't just ignore it.
Daphne pursed her lips and returned the jacket to him. "Thank you."
"No need," Benjamin replied indifferently.
On the way back, neither of them spoke much.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Benjamin asked a question he was curious about, "What's your name?"
"Daphne," she replied.
During the selection, they only had number codes. Only after passing the first test would their names be officially recorded.
Benjamin nodded, and they fell silent again.
Midway, Benjamin decided to put his watch in the jacket pocket. As he reached in, he felt a box.
He frowned, quickly recalling the day's events, wondering about the box.
Before he could figure it out, he had already taken it out.
Seeing the familiar packaging, he raised an eyebrow.
Almost instantly, he understood.
"Did you buy this?" he asked Daphne.
"Yes," Daphne nodded, explaining, "To compensate you."
"It was just a joke," Benjamin handed the watch back to her, his lazy voice continuing, "It's impressive you could break it."
Not to mention Daphne was just a newcomer; even team members might not be able to break it.
Daphne was quite impressive.
Daphne didn't take it, still giving it to him as compensation and a thank you for helping her out today.
Seeing her insistence, Benjamin knew that if he didn't accept it today, Daphne would probably insist it all day.
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