The moment when Director Sun’s gaze landed on the photo displayed on the phone screen, his demeanour visibly deflated.
The initially smiling face of the organizing-committee leader also transitioned to expression of grave seriousness.
As the phone was passed among the committee leaders from left to right, Director Sun’s complexion fluctuated from a flushed red to a pallid white. His hands awkwardly hovered in front of him, finding no place to settle.
After a brief moment, the leader handed the phone back to Xie Ziming and assured Director Liu, “We’ve understood the situation. Rest assured, a decision will be made and communicated to everyone before the start of this afternoon’s competition.”
“Yep, sure thing. Thank you, Leader!” Director Liu quickly extended his hand and gave the leader a hearty handshake. Before departing, he didn’t forget to impart a word of wisdom to Director Sun, a sentiment he had been holding back.
“Old Sun-ah, you’re also in the education field, how could you not understand that a person’s moral character really doesn’t strongly correlate with their academic performance?”
With those words, he led the 9th High School crowd away, striding off with their heads held high.
…
*
Zhai Yao’s triumph in the morning’s competition not only brought glory and elevated the reputation of 9th High School, but also naturally garnered him an entourage of admirers across genders, with Yang Ning emerging as the leader of the fans.
Upon his return to his seat, Zhai Yao found it laden with an assortment of beverages, snacks, and chocolates.
Yang Ning pulled out a scented wet wipe and offered to help him dab away the sweat, but Zhai Yao turned his head to avoid it, saying, “I’ll do it myself.”
Meanwhile, Song Kai, with exaggerated flattery akin to a henchman’s, started massaging Zhai Yao’s shoulders as he reminisced about the competition. “Yao-ge, did you realize who you just won? That was a professional athlete from a sports college’s track and field team! Man, that’s so badass of you for real! With that speed of yours, why even bother with school? The national team should be your calling!”
“Did you just eat spicy strips?” Zhai Yao asked.
“Ah, yeah.” Song Kai smacked his lips. “I still have some left, do you want?!”
“Don’t get the oil on my clothes.”
“Don’t worry, my hands are spotless clean!”
Song Kai, in fact, didn’t wash his hands; instead, he just sucked them clean with his own mouth.
Hou-ge also came running over, carrying two large bags filled with ice cream.
“Come, everyone, enjoy some ice pops! And remember, don’t litter the wrappers.” He handed the bag to Song Kai to divide among everyone, meanwhile grabbing a Yili Torch ice cream cone for Zhai Yao. “Champ, cool off with a Torch first.”
Zhai Yao accepted it with a “Thank you.”
In his excitement, Hou-ge confided, “Let me tell you, throughout my tenure as a homeroom teacher, it’s the first instance of someone from my class clinching the top spot! Director Liu is also quite overjoyed. You’ve really put 9th High School on the map with this one! Keep up the good work in the next match and snag us another number one!”
“How did the women’s division do?” Zhai Yao asked.
“Second place! A pretty good outcome as well. Tao Fang and her class are currently celebrating!” Having said that, Hou-ge leaned closer to Zhai Yao and whispered, “Don’t worry, the first place isn’t from 2nd High School.”
Zhai Yao nodded.
The classmates nearby began to rile things up again, all while enjoying their ice creams.
“Hou-ge! Aren’t you gonna treat us to lunch at noon?!”
“Yeah, Hou-ge, I know there’s a good hot pot place nearby!”
“Barbecue works too!”
“Are you even human, you lot!” Song Kai laughed. “Hou-ge’s monthly paycheck barely covers his own expenses, plus he’s been busy with blind dates lately. No way he’s got spare cash to treat us.”
“Damn, Hou-ge is going on blind dates?! I thought you had a thing for the geography teacher?!”
“Knock it off, don’t talk nonsense!” Hou-ge hurriedly dismissed them, looking flustered.
Amidst the banter, Zhai Yao, still feeling the heat, simultaneously ripped open the ice cream wrapper and nudged Shen Heng’s elbow.
“Give me back my cap.”
Shen Heng placed the cap on Zhai Yao’s head and offered him a sandwich. “Eat this first.”
Zhai Yao pressed down the brim of the cap. “No, I’m feeling hot.”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Eating ice cream is the same as…” Zhai Yao hadn’t finished speaking when the ice cream was snatched away by Shen Heng, who replaced it with the sandwich.
Zhai Yao glanced at Shen Heng, then at the ice cream, and said displeasedly, “It’s gonna be all melted later.”
Shen Heng pretended not to hear.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Zhai Yao frowned, thinking to himself: Never seen him be such a nag before.
But he still unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite.
The combination of savoury ham, fresh and crisp cucumber, and a hint of sweet mayonnaise proved surprisingly pleasing.
Zhai Yao quickly finished off the whole sandwich in just a few bites.
Turning his gaze back to Shen Heng, he saw him with brows pinched together, staring at the ice cream he was holding.
Sure enough, after facing the brunt of high heat, the ice cream started to soften and melt.
The cream got onto the hand of the notorious clean freak, Shen Heng, dribbling down his wrist and leaving behind a sticky residue.
He was visibly uncomfortable with the sensation, wanting to rid himself of melted ice cream yet feeling it wouldn’t be right to do so.
Seeing Zhai Yao had finished eating, Shen Heng passed the ice cream back to him, then quickly used his other free hand to search for a wet wipe.
He meticulously wiped his hands, carefully cleaning each slender knuckle and the spaces between his fingers, leaving no part untouched.
It was as if he were a surgeon preparing for an operation, diligently sterilizing his hands.
Seriously, is that really necessary?
Zhai Yao disdainfully remarked, “It’s merely some cream, not like it’s goddamn…”
He stopped mid-sentence, almost slipping into an inappropriate joke. Lowering his chin and letting out a soft cough, he continued, “Such a fuss over nothing.”
For some reason, what would typically pass as the most common jest among boys felt strangely awkward in Shen Heng’s presence.
Little did one expect, Shen Heng momentarily stopped wiping his hands and raised his eyelids. “Not like it’s what?”
“.”
Zhai Yao turned his head away and bit into his ice cream. “Nothing, just carry on with your wiping.”
Shen Heng’s brows relaxed slightly, and he resumed wiping his hands with his eyes cast down. “What even is running through that mind of yours.”
Suddenly being exposed just like that by his words, Zhai Yao’s reaction was a clumsy smudge of ice cream across his own cheek.
Shen Heng, upon noticing the white cream on Zhai Yao’s face, briefly lingered his gaze on it before lowering his head and handing him a piece of wet wipe.
“Clean it off.”
This time, his gaze didn’t return to Zhai Yao anymore.
Zhai Yao snatched the wet wipe brusquely, gave his face a careless wipe, and then scrunched it into a ball.
Afterwards, Shen Heng stood up and went off to smoke again.
…
*
By the afternoon, the investigation results concerning 2nd High School were out—
According to the photo provided by 9th High School and confirmation with the sports college, the participant in the men’s 800-metre race was indeed a member of their track and field team
And his being Zhang Tengfei’s cousin also directly implicated Zhang Tengfei.
Under the relentless questioning of Director Sun and the organizing committee, Zhang Tengfei finally cracked under the pressure and confessed to locking Chen Yuan in the restroom, along with revealing the names of several accomplices.
With anger seething, Director Sun decided there and then to take serious disciplinary measures against Zhang Tengfei and his accomplices, as well as the homeroom teacher of Zhang Tengfei’s class.
As for the final decision of the organizing committee, it was to annul the results of 2nd High School in the men’s 800-metre race, directly eliminating them from the race competition.
They would also oversee Director Sun to ensure he took appropriate steps in holding the relevant individuals accountable for their actions.
However, recognizing the incident as stemming from the personal actions of Zhang Tengfei and others, and not reflective of 2nd High School as a whole, the organizing committee issued a yellow card warning instead of imposing a complete ban from the competition.
If similar malicious violations were to occur again in future matches, 2nd High School would face blacklisting and might even lose its status as a “municipal key school.”
The announcement, broadcasted over loudspeakers, was met with the immediate jubilant cheers from 9th High School.
In stark contrast, 2nd High School, seated behind them, appeared as though they had weathered a storm that left them not merely defeated but fundamentally shattered, their spirits utterly crushed.
The consensus was clear: Zhang Tengfei, the rotten egg, was deeply resented by all. With the annulment of one match’s results, their chances of securing a favourable final rank were now virtually non-existent.
As for Director Sun, he appeared visibly aged by the ordeal; he no longer berated others or carried out his lively antics. Instead, he sat in a corner with his hands over his bald crown, questioning life.
This might be the first occasion in his life that he seriously reflected on whether the educational principles he held as truths were actually right or wrong…
The next events were the high jump and long jump, along with the mixed-gender aerobic gymnastics that Zhai Yao would rather die than participate in.
After the match results were announced, 9th High School was revealed to be ranked second in the district based on their overall performance.
This meant that the results of tomorrow’s matches would be pivotal and determinative.
With less than two hours to go before the end of the sports competition, Shen Heng and Zhai Yao were given tacit permission by Hou-ge to leave early to prepare for tomorrow’s fencing match.
When they arrived at the Flying Dragon Skating Rink, they happened to run into Zhai Bing, who was about to pick up Xiao Lajiao from school.
Zhai Bing pulled out a pair of brand-new fencing shoes from beneath the counter and tossed them to Zhai Yao, blowing him a kiss. “Liangzai, how do you like them?!”
Zhai Yao caught the shoes, glancing at the label—they were branded, a sign they weren’t cheap.
He didn’t really want them, but he knew all too well that rejecting Zhai Bing’s offering would only invite further insistence. With reluctance, he accepted it and said, “Thank you.”
Beneath it all, Zhai Bing was actually pretty worried that Zhai Yao wouldn’t appreciate and accept the gesture. So, when she saw Zhai Yao accept it, she inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Switching off the rink’s booming sound system, she shouted to everyone who was present, “We’re closing up! My little brother’s got a competition tomorrow and needs the space to practise. Everyone, please come get your deposits back!”
“Come on, Bing-jie, we’ve barely started playing.”
“Right? Does your business even want customers?!”
“Kicking us out, really?”
Zhai Bing planted her hands on her hips, flipped her hair back with a flourish, and said refreshingly, “Alright then, today’s on the house. Happy now?!”
“Oh sh*t, you serious?!”
“Bing-jie, you’re the best!”
Zhai Bing’s eyes crinkled into a smile, her dimples deepening as she grinned. “Think of it as me banking some good luck for my family’s Liangzai’s competition tomorrow!”
“Go for it, Yao-ge!”
“We’re all rooting for you!”
“Just by looking at Yao-ge, you know my bro’s destined to take the crown!”
Upon hearing Zhai Bing say their play was on the house, the non-mainstream crowd in the skating rink unleashed a torrent of flattery, elevating it to an art form, with each stroke more masterful than the last.
Turning her attention back to Zhai Yao, she said, “I’ve cleared the rink for you guys, practise hard. Tomorrow, I’ll bring Xiao Lajiao to cheer you on!”
Zhai Yao’s lips moved and was about to say: “Don’t.”
But Zhai Bing was quick to silence him, pointing at him with her fair fingertip, insisting in her characteristic manner. “I. Am. Going. Period!”
In her next breath, she immediately switched to a 180-degree change of demeanour, winking at Shen Heng. “Big thanks for your effort, little handsome brother! My little brother’s inexperienced, so be a bit gentler with him~”
“Zhai Bing!”
Zhai Bing grabbed her electric scooter key, spun around, and sauntered out of the entrance with a bounce in her step.
With her thoughtful gift accepted, Zhai Bing was filled with happiness, confident that it wouldn’t be long before Zhai Yao fully forgave her.
Just as it had time and again.
…
*
In the blink of an eye, the skating rink was left with only Zhai Yao and Shen Heng.
With practised speed, they donned their outfits and pulled their foils from their foil bags.
Zhai Yao adjusted and secured his mask, assuming a ready stance.
“Come.”
His voice sounded slightly muffled behind the mask.
“You be the attacker first,” said Shen Heng.
Not one for formalities, Zhai Yao quickly advanced and leapt into an attack, thrusting his foil mid-jump.
Taking advantage of Shen Heng’s readiness to parry, he seized the moment of his landing to redirect his thrust to Shen Heng’s abdomen.
In response, Shen Heng deftly manoeuvred the latter half of his blade for another parry, simultaneously shifting his aim for a riposte at Zhai Yao’s waist.
Zhai Yao nimbly leapt back to evade the attack, which then prompted Shen Heng to switch to a varying-speed attack approach.
Zhai Yao parried, then immediately accelerated his advance to follow up with another attack. Shen Heng abruptly pulled back and retreated, feinting a move that lured Zhai Yao into making a thrust, only to flick his foil and strike towards Zhai Yao’s shoulder.
In that instance, Zhai Yao didn’t manage to see through the attack and sidestep in time. A flicker of annoyance crossed his features, lips drawn tight.
Over the course of their practice sessions, he had consistently fallen prey to and been defeated by Shen Heng’s feints.
Seriously, he was pulling a fast one, but it sure was convincing as hell.
“What a cunning dog…”
Zhai Yao muttered a curse under his breath and flexed his wrist, signalling Shen Heng to come at him once more.
Shen Heng remained silent and made no immediate move. His heavy gaze beneath the mask settled on Zhai Yao’s leg.
—He couldn’t help but notice that Zhai Yao seemed slower today compared to his usual pace.
“Is your leg hurting?” Shen Heng asked.
Zhai Yao was momentarily taken aback, then immediately dismissed it, urging, “It doesn’t hurt, hurry up.”
Shen Heng pressed his lips together, then after a short pause, put away his foil, took off his mask, and approached Zhai Yao.
Zhai Yao frowned and said impatiently, “I told you, it’s nothing.”
Shen Heng leaned over and gave Zhai Yao’s calf a firm squeeze without any mercy.
Zhai Yao’s leg buckled, nearly sending him kneeling to Shen Heng. He quickly steadied himself by grasping Shen Heng’s shoulders, cursing through gritted teeth, “The hell, you’re asking for a death wish, huh?!”
Shen Heng ignored him, sliding his hand down Zhai Yao’s calf and applying sudden pressure a few inches lower.
“Ouch… F*ck!” Zhai Yao instantly drew in a breath, shoved Shen Heng away, and ended up flopping down on the ground, landing awkwardly on his butt and looking particularly silly in the process.
“Muscle strain. You didn’t stretch before your race today?” Shen Heng asked while extending a hand to pull Zhai Yao up, only to have Zhai Yao slap it away.
A “smack” resounded, and Shen Heng’s hand instantly reddened.
“Go to Shaolin Temple if you wanna practise your bloody ass acupuncture, don’t use Laozi as your guinea pig!” Zhai Yao retorted, visibly irritated.
Yet, Shen Heng didn’t budge, still standing there with his hand reaching out.
“Get up.”
“Piss off.”
Shen Heng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. “You just struck my wound.”
After a brief pause, he added, “It hurts a lot.”
Sure enough, Zhai Yao’s expression underwent a notable change.
Shen Heng had indeed injured his hand while making ginger soup for Zhai Yao; the cut was quite deep, too.
“Show me your finger; let me have a look.”
With a cold expression, Zhai Yao leaned towards Shen Heng’s hand, only to be abruptly pulled up by him in one swift motion.
“Just kidding you.”
…
The author has something to say:
Vtfc Lfcu: Lf gfjiis vbfr kbggs jybea wf, tjqqs.
Itjl Tjb: = = Qtfgf’r ws obli ja?
From Yunz:
Cr fzqfmafv bo beg tfcutfcu.
Every time, they always make me laugh 🤣
Hahaha…Thanks for the update 🤣❤️
Thank you for the chapter ☺️
Not Zhai Bing thinking that her lil bro’s just going to forgive her again… she needs a wake up call and a restraining order against that abusive dog she calls a husband
Heavy stuff aside the cum joke and “be gentle with him~” got me cracking up like there’s no tomorrow 😂
Thankyou for the chapter! ^^
I just love these two🤍! They’re so adorable, your updates make my whole week of waiting worth it! Thank you so much! ,🤍🤍🤍
Not like it’s cum- hahaha love how he can’t even crack up a dirty joke with hengheng 😂 and sis zhai bing seriously need a wake up call indeed 😩
His sister is impossible. Her husband is a dumpster, he messed with her and she still stays with him? Woman, do you have earth instead of neurons? Stop being stupid
In my country there is a saying that goes “Errar uma vez é humano, errar duas vezes é estupidez” trouxa
Thanks for the update ❤️
As much as I don’t want to hate the sister but boy, I really don’t like her! She’s making me feel like she’s taking advantage of yaoyao’s kindness, like, have a good look at your brother, he’s suffer enough already. She’s supposed to be the older one but I feel like her kid is more mature than her
Thank you for the translation!