Regarding Chen Huan’er’s athletic ability, Jing Xiqi had unwavering faith.

After learning about her night running and good jumping ability, once while freeloading a meal at the Chen household, he secretly asked Chen’s mother and got the response: “Huan’er was weak since childhood, so her uncle insisted on having her exercise to build up her health. Every time he comes back, the two of them practice together. Her standards are almost up to those of his soldier boys.” It’s worth noting that Chen’s father was an armed police officer who had won national awards in combat, with unmatched physical fitness – how could a tiger father have a weak cub? He recalled the time he was preparing for his specialty exam; in the two months before the test, he ran frequently and several times ran into Chen Huan’er. They would run large circles around the residential compound and hospital together. Though not fast, after several kilometers, she could quickly adjust to normal breathing. Coming from a sports background, Jing Xiqi knew at a glance – this was the response of someone who had made it a long-term habit.

Now with the school sports meet ahead, who else but her should go?

However, as soon as the words “sports meet” were spoken, she immediately refused. Chen Huan’er argued firmly, “That’s just for fun, I can’t compete.”

“You definitely can,” Jing Xiqi first tried reasoning, “You don’t even get winded after five kilometers, and you naturally have a slow heart rate – you’re born for long-distance running.”

Huan’er remained unmoved.

He switched to stating facts, “You don’t know, but the better the academics, the worse the athletics. Those bookworms sitting all day, when do they get a chance to exercise? Even our school team gets destroyed when playing against sports schools. You’ll be fine.”

Chen Huan’er ignored him. No matter how much he talked, her answer remained three words: not participating. Jing Xiqi had the personality of seeing things through to the end – brainwashing during school, encouraging after school, using both soft and hard tactics, threats and inducements, and trying everything. But Chen Huan’er wanted nothing from him, and for some misaligned reason did nothing but study every day. As the date approached, during one evening self-study period, he passed a note diagonally forward: “Just participate. Consider it a favor I owe you, there’ll surely be times you can use it on this long road ahead.”

He had played his trump card now, heaven knows how Chen Huan’er would make him repay it.

After passing the note, he kept poking her back demanding an answer. Annoyed by the poking, Huan’er turned back to glare at him once, then hunched over and escaped to the bathroom.

Song Cong glanced at her departing figure and advised, “Don’t force her if she doesn’t want to run.”

“You think I want to?” Jing Xiqi sighed, “There’s no one else in our class besides her.”

“Four thousand meters, ten full laps around the track.” Song Cong’s worry showed on his face, “She seems fine usually, but she might not make it through.”

Jing Xiqi felt dejected and didn’t want to explain, just retorted, “That’s because you don’t know how well she can run.”

Qi Qi turned around at his tone, “If it’s necessary, I can go.”

“One four thousand and one fifteen hundred, you can’t do it,” the boy waved his hand. “Besides, we wouldn’t let you go anyway.”

“If she can’t finish running, she can walk. Even dropping out midway doesn’t deduct points,” Qi Qi knew her friend’s thoughts and spoke for her. “Huan’er just doesn’t want to be distracted. Look how hard she’s working now, focusing all her energy on preparing for the monthly exam coming up. Others might not understand, but you know how difficult the school choice fee issue is for her.”

“Still…” Jing Xiqi put down his pen and stood up, “Let me talk to her again.”

Just as he left the classroom, they ran into each other. The boy blocked her path with his foot, “The sports meet…”

“Will you ever stop?” Huan’er was furious, “You’re like a stubborn plaster.”

“Just, just consider it a little.”

“Get out of the way.”

“Studies won’t suffer from these few kilometers, and you don’t even need to practice.”

“Finished?”

“I know I’m being annoying, but…” Jing Xiqi withdrew his foot, paused briefly, and held her shoulders, “Just help me this once, okay?”

In the empty corridor, the boy’s eyes were utterly sincere. School uniform, sneakers, and a pair of clear, bright eyes – Huan’er looked at him and somehow suddenly couldn’t speak words of refusal.

What was Jing Xiqi after?

Just for the collective, just for everyone to get a good score, just to win some glory for Class 5.

A pure intention is as pristine as oxygen.

Huan’er knocked his hands away, “Fine, I’ll register, happy now?”

“Really?”

The girl frowned without speaking.

“Good girl.” Seeing her response, Jing Xiqi excitedly ruffled her head with both hands, “If you need anything in the future, just ask your brother.”

Chen Huan’er, face contorted, casually smoothed her disheveled hair. Wanting to vent her anger but unable to find any vicious words, she accidentally blurted out, “I must have holes in my brain.”

Jing Xiqi looked at her puffed-up little appearance, wanting to laugh but not daring to, could only turn his head away. The corridor window reflected an increasingly angular young face, with corners of the mouth almost reaching his ears.

Jing Xiqi was right.

At the school sports meet, the previously unknown Chen Huan’er won first place in the freshman girls’ 4000-meter race. This unexpected joy made all of Class 5 erupt – half the class didn’t even see her cross the finish line. With so many laps and unfamiliar faces, while they were still looking for her on the track, Chen Huan’er had already returned to the class section.

The area instantly ignited with drumbeats and stick-clapping. The boys’ whistling became so fancy they were called out by name on the broadcast for criticism, but what did that matter? Never underestimate the enthusiasm of sixteen-year-olds.

I will be done, let the winds blow where they may.

Chen Huan’er received a hero’s welcome. Amid continuous applause and cheers, everyone made their way, classmates from all sides offered water and snacks, everyone was smiling at her, and even the neighboring class’s attention was drawn over – everyone was looking at this triumphantly returning girl.

She had forgotten what it felt like to be the center of attention.

A bit at a loss, and a bit apprehensive. Regaining something lost is always sufficiently joyful, and sufficiently unfamiliar.

“You were so cool, Chen Huan’er!” Qi Qi was so excited her face was completely red, her hands shaking as she tried to twist open a bottle cap. “Are you uncomfortable? Hot? Quick, take a rest.”

Seeing her clumsy movements, Huan’er snatched the bottle, skillfully opened it, and took several gulps before recovering somewhat. After catching her breath, she started showing off, “I only used half my strength.”

“Now you’re exaggerating.” Qi Qi laughed loudly.

Class monitor Liao Xinyan waved from several rows away, “Quick, listen, it’s our class’s composition!”

The broadcast was reading a rather silly rhyme: “Huan’er, Huan’er runs so fast, four thousand meters first place at last; Huan’er, Huan’er you’re so great, you’re Class 5’s pride to celebrate.”

That voice, that tone…

Huan’er pointed bewilderedly toward the podium direction. Qi Qi understood immediately, “Song Cong, Principal Fu pulled him over this morning to fill in.”

She casually commented, “Actually Song Cong is quite good at running too, it’s just that our class’s boys are too strong.”

“Really?” Qi Qi pursed her lips, “He’s amazing, amazing at everything.”

“But he can’t outrun Jing Xiqi.” Chen Huan’er hadn’t noticed her friend’s tone – she was scanning the field looking for their sports representative who was about to compete.

Song Cong, Song Cong. Qi Qi silently repeated these all-too-familiar two syllables in her heart.

Early the next morning, Chen Huan’er felt unwell all over. Her stomach was growling, her limbs ached, and her head was dizzy. She had considered herself in good shape, thinking that even running four kilometers at full strength shouldn’t leave her this weak. After much thought, she attributed it to her mental state. After all, it was her first time participating in a sports meet – nerves.

After the hundred-meter race finished, Liao Xinyan called out, “Huan’er, time to get ready.”

“Go for it!” “Chen Huan’er, you’re the best!” “Huan’er, destroy them!”

While everyone was cheering enthusiastically, only Qi Qi held her friend’s hand, “Are you okay?”

Since sitting in the stands that morning, she had vaguely sensed something was off. Yesterday before the race there had been stretching, high knee lifts, and jumping; she had done several rounds of warm-up before the previous event even ended. Today though, Huan’er was unusually listless, neither speaking nor drinking water, head drooping as if in a trance.

“Don’t worry.” Huan’er squeezed her hand back, her palm covered in a cold sweat.

“If you can’t do it, just forget it. Don’t push yourself.” Qi Qi felt her forehead then her own, “At least you don’t have a fever.”

“Didn’t eat much this morning.” Huan’er took off her school uniform revealing the number tag on her chest, grinning at her girlfriend, “Remember who to cheer for, don’t get it wrong.”

Before the 1500-meter race started, Jing Xiqi specifically came to the athletes’ preparation area. Huan’er was warming up, and he went straight behind her, massaging her shoulders to help her relax while muttering, “The one in red is the sports student. No one expected your first place in the four thousand yesterday, she’ll probably sprint from the start today trying to make you follow.”

Huan’er looked over, her heart unconsciously speeding up.

Jing Xiqi moved in front of her, “Once they wear you out, the other strong runner from their class can overtake. Don’t follow, keep your own pace. It doesn’t matter if you run well or poorly, okay?”

The sports representative had come to discuss strategy.

Huan’er nodded.

“Why are you sweating so much?” Jing Xiqi looked up at the sky, the blazing sun’s direct rays making him squint. He shifted slightly to shield Huan’er in his shadow, then gripped her arms and shook them a few times, “Relax, don’t be nervous. Today the boys’ events are our strong points, we don’t need those one or two points from you.”

“One or two points?” Huan’er glared. She had contributed eight points yesterday.

“Petty.” Jing Xiqi tapped her forehead, wiping away the sweat beads there, “I’m going to high jump now. Relax more, you hear me?”

She watched him run off to join the high jump queue. He turned back, and through the crowd made a fist-pumping gesture of encouragement.

The starting gun fired, and nearly fifty people surged forward from the starting line, followed by waves of cheering from the stands. After one lap, the gaps gradually widened, with Huan’er in third place. Her strength returned with the running, and she sprinted to briefly take first place. But soon the girl in red overtook her, seemingly deliberately provoking her to chase, speeding up and slowing down, always staying just a few steps ahead of her.

Passing the Class 5 stands, cheers of “Chen Huan’er, go!” reached the sky.

For a moment she was inspired by the cheering, truly wanting to compete with the sports student, but she quickly remembered Jing Xiqi’s words – the opponent was doing it on purpose.

He was right again.

It wasn’t a blind guess – Huan’er knew his conclusion came from observation and analysis. Unlike Song Cong, Jing Xiqi always showed a different kind of intelligence in these inconspicuous corners.

When the sports student looked back, Huan’er openly snorted a laugh, as if saying “Do what you want, I’ve got this.”

The opponent accelerated, directly widening the gap.

Chen Huan’er maintained second place until the finish line, a result good enough to fulfill her duty.

Dragging her feet toward the class stands, waves of dizziness came over her. She walked with stops and starts, the sounds around her alternating between loud and soft. Just as her legs could barely support her body anymore, a pair of arms came to support her just in time.