253 The Genius” Label (2/2)

She scoffed. ”It wasn't a punch. It was only a slap.”

”A SLAP?!! I rolled on the floor a few times, you know! How can that be a mere slap?!”

”Fine. It was a smack, not a slap. Happy?”

”How can I be happy?! You just smacked my face and made me roll on the floor! I'm not a masochist!”

Jin Liwei narrowed his eyes and stepped in front of his baby girl when the two began arguing again.

”Enough!” Professor Dupont barked at them. It was still early in the morning, but he was already having a headache. He felt like a daycare teacher trying to discipline two naughty kids during a petty and childish fight.

Fortunately, the two respected the headmaster and stopped. The atmosphere also wasn't tense anymore. The argument was more like a friendly banter, rather than a heated one.

”Let's put this matter in the past now that it's settled,” he said.

”Yes, Professor.”

”Yes, Headmaster.”

”However, both of you still violated academy rules. And for that, I have to give each of you appropriate punishments.”

Amanpio groaned, while Iris already expected it. Jin Liwei stiffened and was about to speak up, but Iris stopped him with a tug in the arm.

”Mr. Kileksky, you will only receive one-fourth of your regular funds for an entire month starting today.”

”No! What about my research and inventions? I won't be able to finish what I have planned without funds!” Amanpio looked like the world just ended for him.

Professor Dupont ignored him and turned to Iris. ”As for you, Miss Long, you will perform exactly ten requests of the academy free of charge. That is your punishment.”

”I understand, Professor.” Iris accepted without any complaints.

”What does that mean?” Amanpio didn't understand.

Jin Liwei was also confused but didn't ask for clarification. His baby girl didn't look troubled, so it shouldn't be too harsh.

Iris immediately understood what the headmaster meant. It simply meant that she needed to do whatever ten hacking jobs the academy requested without paying her.

Amanpio thought that he got a worse punishment compared to her, but he was wrong. Professor Dupont decided to punish them in a financial sense. Although Amanpio was receiving substantial monthly funds from the academy to finance his inventions, Iris was a world-class hacker. She could command the highest fees with just one job. And now, she had to perform ten requests for the academy free of charge. This was an enormous bargain for the academy. Professor Dupont showed his hidden shrewdness in meting out their punishments.

When everything was settled, the group went their separate ways. Amanpio was almost crying because of his punishment. On the other hand, Iris looked unfazed. With the education she received and continued to receive from the academy, she would gladly hack ten times for them.

Iris led Jin Liwei out of the main castle. They headed downtown. Her heart began thumping wildly in excitement and nervousness.

She was going to confess her love for him.

Very soon.