The class’s dismissal bell rang. Director Liu stood by the window of the general office, holding a thermos in both hands, and sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time today.
His phone buzzed incessantly as photos flooded into the large group chat, sent by the district’s high school directors, each of them uniformly showcasing their sports training regimes for their respective schools.
The Education Bureau’s Head was also present in the group chat. Everyone knew that he always placed great importance on the students’ physical fitness. During the general meeting, he repeatedly stressed the need for daily physical exercise, advising against becoming solely immersed in academic pursuits. As such, the school directors were eager to take this opportunity to present themselves favourably before the head.
【Department Head Lu: @9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing), How’s it going on your end, Director Liu?】
Director Liu nearly spat out the water he had just drunk, succumbing to a fit of coughs as he choked.
【2nd High School’s Director Sun (Sun Fangquan): @9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing).】
【2nd High School’s Director Sun (Sun Fangquan) pats 9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing)】
“This damn Old Sun,” Director Liu grumbled, tossing his phone aside, as if to play dead.
At that moment, the general office door was pushed open.
“Reporting.”
Director Liu didn’t even turn his head. “Come in.”
The person who entered was Class 10’s Song Kai, carrying a hefty stack of papers and placing them on Director Liu’s table. “Director, here’s the registration forms for Class 10; I’ll place it right here for you, aight!”
“Got it.” Director Liu twisted the cup lid shut, then pivoted on his heel and strode towards the table. The moment his gaze fell upon the stack of registration forms, his pupils immediately dilated, leaning so close as if he longed to meld with the table.
—The segments on each registration form had been checked. A total of 48 forms, not a single one missing.
“Oh, and by the way, the class monitors from the other classes should also be on their way here to submit the forms,” Song Kai, still chewing on spicy strips, continued. “I’ll head off now; I still have to plan and coordinate the class for training after school this afternoon.”
Director Liu was too preoccupied to respond; he took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes vigorously, and then refocused his attention on the registration forms.
My eyes aren’t deceiving me. This is real; it’s not a dream.
Outside the general office, someone unknown was leading the charge, shouting, “F*ck 2nd High School—!”
“F*ck 2nd High School—!”
“F*ck 2nd High School—!”
More and more voices joined in.
In a flash, Old Liu “whooshed” back to the window, pulled the window pane open, and yelled, “That one over there! What class are you from?! No swearing allowed!!”
As usual, it didn’t have much impact.
Old Liu let out a snort from his nostrils. “These students, they simply can’t be handled!”
Having said that, he returned to his table, moistened his thumb with a bit of saliva, and flipped through the registration forms one by one.
Song Kai: Men’s Long Jump.
Yang Ning: Aerobic Gymnastics.
Zhang Saiyang: Men’s 200-metre.
Wang Yong: Men’s High Jump.
Wu Feifei: Women’s Shot Put.
…
…
…
Shen Heng: Men’s Fencing.
Zhai Yao: Men’s Fencing.
Director Liu: “?”
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.
Fencing?
There’s even a fencing segment in a student sports competition?
He hastily narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to confirm, and lo and behold, there really was!
Director Liu shook his head. He had heard that Department Head Lu usually seemed very keen on watching fencing competitions, so that probably explained why there was even a fencing segment for the sports competition.
But could such a niche segment really attract enough participants?
“Reporting!”
“Reporting.”
“Reporting.”
“Director, here’s the registration forms for our class.”
In the blink of an eye, the registration forms on the table had already formed a towering stack.
“See, that’s more like it, isn’t it right?” Director Liu maintained a serious expression, dismissed the class monitors back to their respective classrooms with a forced stern demeanour, and then, finally, he let out a sigh of relief as he stood alone in the empty general office.
He glanced around once more to make sure there was no one else present, silently clenched his hand into a fist, and with a lowered voice, he…
“*&% 2nd High School! %￥# 2nd High School! %￥# 2nd High School! …Ahem!”
With a “hehe,” he then erupted into a fit of silly chuckles, until he suddenly remembered something and yanked his phone from its resting spot—
【9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing): @Department Head Lu, you can rest assured, Head. Everything is going smoothly!】
【9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing): @2nd High School’s Director Sun (Sun Fangquan)】
【9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing) pats 2nd High School’s Director Sun (Sun Fangquan)】
【9th High School’s Director Liu (Liu Guangqing): rose.jpg】
…
*
Song Kai returned to the classroom from the general office and discreetly stole a glance towards the back row.
—Seated over there was a person with his eyes half-closed, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. Even from a distance, Song Kai could discern the gloom hovering like dark clouds over that person’s head.
Indeed, Zhai Yao was feeling incredibly vexed to the brink of death right now.
All of this stemmed from whatever transpired two hours ago—
As anticipated, the incident at the internet café soon spread throughout 9th High School, rapidly escalating into a communal affair.
Whether it was for the sake of chivalrous righteousness, a sense of solidarity among the underachieving students, an inability to stomach the indignation, or a subconscious desire to prove something… In the end, the grudge between 9th High School and 2nd High School was thoroughly cemented. It was thus decided that they would use the upcoming sports competition—an official event—to assert dominance and completely trample on 2nd High School, keeping them under their heel.
As a result, the typically autonomous factions and cliques found themselves swept up in a rare unity, rallying behind a shared sense of honour. In the span of a mere morning, every registration form for the sports competition was completely filled out.
And right as Zhai Yao, the key figure of the internet café incident, was contemplating which sports segment to register for, Zhai Bing suddenly appeared at school.
Today, she was wearing a floral chiffon one-piece dress, with rhinestones adorning her fair toes as they peeked out from sandals. Coupled with the conspicuous purple waves cascading over her shoulders, she commanded attention from the moment she entered the school gate, all the way to the classroom.
Zhai Bing confidently flicked her hair, her steps becoming even lighter and quicker.
When she reached the doorway of Zhai Yao’s classroom, she leaned in and waved to Song Kai at the front row. “Hey, little handsome brother. Is Zhai Yao from your class?”
Zhai Bing’s voice was crisp and clear, and when her eyes curved, they resembled crescent moons. Many male students in the class couldn’t help but adjust their postures. Those who were propping up their buddies against the wall would suddenly shove them back to the ground, or they would casually touch their noses or clear their throats.
After all, no one wanted to appear childish in front of a beauty.
“Just a moment, aye.” Song Kai shoved the spicy strip into his mouth, nodded at Zhai Bing, turned around, and called out, “Yao-ge! Someone’s looking for you!”
Zhai Bing followed his gaze, her eyes instantly lighting up upon landing on the opposite party.
“Liangzai!”
She breezed into the classroom and headed towards Zhai Yao, setting down the plastic bag she was carrying onto his desk with a beaming smile. “Guess what I’ve got for you? Your favourite red bean double-skin steamed milk pudding!”
At the sight of his sister in the classroom, Zhai Yao was genuinely taken aback. At first, he was momentarily stunned, then his demeanour swiftly chilled. “Why are you here?”
“Didn’t I tell you already? I’m here to give you double-skin steamed milk pudding!” Zhai Bing said while fanning herself with her hand, “why is it so hot in your class? Hurry up and eat; milk pudding won’t be tasty anymore if it isn’t chilled!”
Zhai Yao stood up and grabbed Zhai Bing’s wrist, dragging her towards the outside.
Zhai Bing was caught off-balance, nearly stumbling as she exclaimed an “Aiya!” but Zhai Yao pressed on without slowing down or even glancing back. He muttered under his breath, “Come out with me.”
As they crossed the aisle, Yang Ning’s inner alarm bell rang; staring as though both of her eyes wished they could be glued onto Zhai Bing.
The student sitting next to her poked her and asked quietly, “Is that perhaps Zhai Yao’s girlfriend? She looks to be older than us. So, he’s actually into the ‘jiejie’ type?”
Yang Ning was fuming with black smoke. Through gritted teeth, she said, “You, stop eating barbecue. It was grilled so poorly, it’s all burnt.”
The student looked puzzled. “Huh? I’m not eating any barbecue, though??”
It was only then did it dawn on Yang Ning that she was still holding the hair straightener she had been using earlier, and the burnt smell was actually coming from her hair.
“Crap!!” She quickly tossed the hair straightener aside and touched her own singed hair with a feeling of heartache.
“Jianqiu, this one‘s head is suffering a most grievous ache—” Yang Ning rubbed her forehead and continued to express her inner turmoil, “I only have my main husband left now.”
Having said that, she turned to look at Shen Heng in the back row and was surprised to see him also staring expressionlessly at the classroom door, his gaze deep and distant.
Yang Ning’s heart sank.
Oh no, oh no, even my main husband has a thing for “jiejie” type!
…
Beneath the tree’s canopy, Zhai Yao cast his gaze downward to meet Zhai Bing’s eyes.
After a brief pause, he asked, “What exactly is it?”
Zhai Bing was put into a soured mood by Zhai Yao’s cold tone, pouting and uttering with a voice tinged with grievance, “I’m really here just to bring you food. Since, you know, I haven’t visited you in your new school ever since you transferred…”
Zhai Yao coldly let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Why do you think I even got transferred in the first place?”
“I know Liang Hao isn’t a good person; he had accepted money from others… I also know you don’t want me to be in a difficult situation…” Zhai Bing lowered her head, tugging at her dress. “Didi, I was wrong. It was mainly because Liang Hao suddenly came back, and I was afraid you’d impulsively fight with him again, so I didn’t let you return.”
Zhai Yao remained silent.
Zhai Bing cautiously lifted her eyelashes. “So, that night, you stayed at a classmate’s place, right?”
Zhai Yao pursed his lips and, only after a while, did he softly murmur, “Mm.”
Seeing that Zhai Yao was finally willing to engage with her, Zhai Bing quickly shook his hand, acting spoiled in a playful manner. “Aiya, don’t be angry anymore~~~ Give him another chance; really, last one! Yaoyao~~~ Liangzai-ah~~~”
“Zhai Bing,” Zhai Yao called her name, then fell silent again.
It was unknown how much time passed before he spoke again, “Mom and Dad told me to protect you, and I also want to protect you… and Xiao Lajiao. So, it’s impossible for me to forgive Liang Hao, do you get me?”
Zhai Bing’s hand, which was shaking Zhai Yao’s arm, slightly halted, and she continued in a soft voice, “I understand.”
“Are you truly happy being with him?” Zhai Yao cupped and lifted Zhai Bing’s face, gazing straight into her eyes.
Zhai Bing’s pupils quivered, then averted to avoid his gaze, a smile gracing her lips. “I do feel pretty happy, you know. Besides, Xiao Lajiao is all grown up now. When he doesn’t drink or cause trouble, he’s actually quite good to us…”
Zhai Yao’s gaze darkened with each word from Zhai Bing.
Following this, a prolonged silence ensued.
Finally, Zhai Yao released Zhai Bing and said coldly, “You should return.”
“Zhai Yao…”
“In the following days, I’ll be on the lookout for apartments. Once I find a suitable one, I’ll move out as soon as possible.” Zhai Yao paused, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his lips. “You guys take care of yourselves. If there ever comes a day when things become unbearable, come find me.”
“Zhai Yao! Jie isn’t trying to chase you away!”
Zhai Yao turned and left without sparing a backward glance, leaving Zhai Bing behind all by herself, her shouts echoing in solitude without any concern received.
Meanwhile, Yang Ning was hiding behind a nearby wall, still having her arm wrapped tightly around the innocent Song Kai’s neck.
“Jie jie jie… I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying!” Song Kai, being held tightly by Yang Ning’s arm, battled for breath and fought desperately to break free.
“Did you see that? Just now, he actually touched her face!” Yang Ning’s voice trembled with anger. “Wuu wuu wuu he was gonna kiss her, wasn’t he!”
“Jie! You’re really choking me to death, hey!”
Song Kai pulled on Yang Ning’s arm, creating some space for himself to breathe. Suddenly, he glimpsed a familiar figure passing by in front of him and, without even considering whether the other person would acknowledge him, immediately called out to seek help, “Boss Shen, Boss, help me!”
Upon hearing “Boss Shen,” Yang Ning promptly pushed Song Kai away, adjusted her clothes, and revealed a standard 8-teeth smile. “Oh? Shen Heng, why are you here too?”
After asking, her expression stiffened.
Could it be… he’s here to see that girl too?!
Shen Heng didn’t spare a look at Yang Ning and Song Kai; instead, he focused straight ahead, a slight crease between his brows forming.
Only after Zhai Yao walked away into a far distance did he withdraw his gaze, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and said, “To smoke.”
Then, he headed towards the restroom.
“Ah, okay.” Yang Ning breathed a sigh of relief, thinking: My main husband’s side profile is really good-looking!
…
Yang Ning and Song Kai returned to the classroom, only to see Zhai Yao standing in front of Song Kai’s seat.
“Registration form.” Zhai Yao handed the form to Song Kai. “Men’s 800-metre.”
Looking at Zhai Yao’s form, Song Kai sighed. “Yao-ge, it was precisely about this matter that I wanted to talk to you about when I went out just now.” He found himself in a difficult spot and awkwardly scratched his head. “Most of the segments had already been taken up by the class when you weren’t around then. Now, there’s only men’s fencing and… ahem, mixed-gender aerobic gymnastics remaining.”
A barely noticeable twitch occurred at the corner of Zhai Yao’s eyebrow.
Song Kai’s heart immediately skipped a beat, but he still put on a bold face and continued with determination, “You have a look and see which one are you signing up for?”
“Not gonna sign up anymore.” Zhai Yao decisively put away the registration form and was about to leave. Upon seeing that, Song Kai hurriedly stopped him. “Yao-ge, Yao-ge, don’t be like this! You see… about the internet café incident, you were actually the key figure. If you don’t participate, won’t it…?”
He wanted to say “disrupt team morale,” but hesitated.
“Zhai Yao! Then how about joining us for the aerobic gymnastics?” Yang Ning popped out from behind Song Kai. “You have a great figure, wearing a gymnastics suit would totally be so cool!”
Zhai Yao: “……”
Asking him to wear skintight clothes, as though like a damn nutcase… Might as well tell him to go die instead.
He turned his head and silently looked towards the direction of the general office through the window—
It was just so from this angle that he could see Director Liu tending to his beloved Devil’s ivy.
He seemed to be in a good mood, even tipping up one foot while watering the plant.
Zhai Yao returned his gaze to the registration form, his lips moving slightly.
“Fencing.”
“Great!” Afraid that he might change his mind, Song Kai hastily grabbed the pen and filled it out for Zhai Yao.
“Who else signed up for this segment?”
“Hmm, let me check…” Song Kai quickly searched through the registration forms.
“Oh, there’s also Boss Shen!”
The author has something to say:
Dsrajcvfgr’ UYN: Dbrr Vtfc lr ibbxlcu ja qgfaas plfplf!
Vtfc Lfcu’r UYN: Itjl Tjb. (rajgf)
Clearly ZY doesnt have feelings yet for SH, but it’s a bit hard to say for SH bcz he’s so inexpressive !open up a bit SH! 😅
I died at the author’s note lmao
Man’s whipped already
I don’t think Sheng Han’s feelings are /romantic/ rn, at least not consciously. I don’t think he’s figured out yet why he’s so focused on Yaoyao, it might take a little while to achieve enlightenment 🤣