“Fifth place!” Ruan Yu lunged forward and was caught in an embrace by Jian Xiangxiang, Chen Manbai, and the others.

“Don’t sit down or lie down right away—keep walking around!” the school’s physical education teacher called out.

Jian Xiangxiang and Chen Manbai supported Ruan Yu as they walked toward the center of the soccer field. Xia Qiaofeng followed behind them, carrying water.

“Ruan Ruan, what happened? Didn’t we agree you’d pretend to faint after three laps?” Jian Xiangxiang asked.

“Exactly,” Chen Manbai said unhappily. “Did you forget we were supposed to trick You Lexuan? Why did you run so hard!”

Ruan Yu panted.

She remembered, of course, she remembered—it had been her idea in the first place. But after Teng Yi had cheered for her, she suddenly changed her mind.

No matter what, once on the track, this was a competition.

She didn’t want her prank to destroy the spirit of competition, disrupt other competitors’ rhythm, or affect the normal progression of the entire race.

“What should we do now? Just let You Lexuan off the hook?” Jian Xiangxiang asked.

“There’s still time.” Ruan Yu licked her pale lips. “Find out where our homeroom teacher is and help me over there.”

“What are you planning?” Xia Qiaofeng asked.

“To faint.”

Jian Xiangxiang and Chen Manbai exchanged glances, instantly understanding Ruan Yu’s intention. Their dampened spirits immediately lifted again.

“Three o’clock direction, Stand C, target spotted,” Jian Xiangxiang mimicked the tone of a detective drama.

The other two raised their hands to their ears, pretending to wear earpieces, playing along perfectly.

“Copy that!”

“Move out!”

Ruan Yu: “…”

Their homeroom teacher Cai Zhi was standing at Stand C at that moment, with a male student in a white T-shirt beside him. The two seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

As soon as Ruan Yu’s group of four approached, Cai Zhi spotted them.

“Aha! Our class’s super lady is back!” Cai Zhi strode over, clapping as he walked. “Ruan Yu, tell me, is there anything you can’t do? You’ve brought honor to our class!”

“Teacher Cai, I didn’t even get a medal.”

“Who cares about medals? Participation is what matters! Just finishing the whole race is already impressive. Besides, I heard everyone who finished ahead of you was from the school’s athletic team. This means if there weren’t any professional athletes, you would have been first!”

“Thank you, Teacher Ca—” Before Ruan Yu could finish her sentence, her legs gave way, and she collapsed.

“Aiyayaya!” Cai Zhi cried out in panic.

“Ruan Ruan! Ruan Ruan! What’s wrong?”

Jian Xiangxiang and the other two also started shouting, each one’s performance more convincing than the last.

Students nearby gathered around.

“Quick, take her to the infirmary!” Cai Zhi shouted.

At that moment, Ruan Yu felt her body become weightless as someone scooped her up in their arms.

Who was this unexpected hero?

“Aiyayaya!” Beside her ear came Jian Xiangxiang’s exclamation, and unlike her previous affected performance, this time her voice finally carried a hint of genuine emotion.

But why did this genuine emotion sound strange?

Ruan Yu kept her eyes closed, unable to see who was carrying her. She only felt the person’s strong arms and broad embrace. He started running, and despite carrying Ruan Yu’s added weight, his steps remained nimble and steady.

Wind came from all directions.

Ruan Yu caught the clean scent of the young man, reminiscent of bamboo after rain.