Chapter 100
Chapter 100 A Clash of Perspectives and Rising Tensions
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." Piper's face turned red with anger, but she dared not retort.
Meanwhile, Robin finished his breakfast, stood up, and walked past her without a word, heading into the complex.
Piper was fuming.
She had hoped Robin would say something in their defense, but instead, he acted like he didn't even know them and just walked away! Seeing that Robin had no intention of getting involved, Rosalie, feeling awkward, tugged at Piper and whispered, "Piper, let's just go."
Robin couldn't be bothered with Piper's drama. Women like her needed a reality check!
Before heading home, he entered the complex and picked up some essentials from the supermarket.
Just as he reached the elevator, Piper and Rosalie caught up with him, carrying a box of fancy salad box.
"Are you even a man? When I was getting attacked by those people earlier, why didn't you help us?" Piper glared at Robin, her teeth clenched. Robin glanced at the time, ignoring her, and stepped straight into the elevator.
"Robin, I'm sorry." Rosalie awkwardly smiled at him and then quietly turned to Piper, saying, "Piper, could you not act like this?"
"Hmph! That jerk is such a coward!" Piper shot Rosalie an annoyed look. "You're the only one who believes in him! You saw how timid he was just now." Robin coldly replied, "If it weren't for you and Rosalie being classmates, I would've slapped you already!
"If you keep spewing insults at me, don't expect me to show you mercy!"
Piper was taken aback, suddenly feeling a chill as she looked at Robin's icy expression.
Robin pointed a finger at her. "Let me tell you something: with your looks, you're not even worthy enough to be my servant. I wouldn't even glance your way!" "You! How dare you." Piper shook with anger, about to curse him out.
But when she saw the coldness in Robin's eyes, she hesitated and couldn't muster the words.
Robin scoffed and turned away from her.
Rosalie stood awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do.
At that moment, the elevator was so quiet it felt suffocating.
When they reached the 20th floor, Robin stepped out.
"Robin." Rosalie wanted to apologize, but he didn't acknowledge her and entered his apartment.
Piper was still reeling from what Robin had just said and done.
Rosalie tugged at her, and only then did she groggily step out of the elevator.
Back home, Piper kicked the door in frustration. "That jerk! How dare he talk to me like that? I'll never give a crude man like him a chance!"
Piper never expected Robin to say something so harsh, leaving her with no way to respond!
After hastily finishing her breakfast, she and Rosalie left the complex and ordered a ride to their company.
Rosalie had initially planned to take a shared bike, but Piper insisted on taking a car.
From the car, they spotted Robin leisurely biking toward the company.
"Look at that broke loser riding a bike. What gives him the right to act all high and mighty in front of me? Men like him are the worst!" Piper scoffed. Rosalie shook her head. "Piper, we're so close to the company. We shouldn't waste money on a ride.
"I want to save a bit to help my mom with her medical bills."
Sighing, Piper replied, "What am I supposed to say to you, Rosalie? You want me to bike around like Robin?
"Life needs sense of occasion. You become one of them only when you get used to a lifestyle fit for the wealthy."
Rosalie bitterly shook her head. "Piper, I get what you're saying, but we just don't have that kind of money."