A cloud, not particularly thick or heavy, drifted over from afar, veiling the radiance of the sun.
A gentle breeze blew as well.
An almost perfect environment, matching exactly the preparations Xiao Yi’an had made over this period.
There usually weren’t many people signing up for the 400-meter event; those who did were mostly just filling the numbers, and truth be told, his athletic talent wasn’t that bad.
So, he could even try competing for an award.
He bent down slightly, lowered his center of gravity, focusing all his attention.
The referee holding the starting pistol was picking his nose, but the pistol was already raised.
“Ready—”
Xiao Yi’an held his breath.
“Run!”
His legs exploded with force, and for a moment, he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the other competitors in his peripheral vision.
Good, a great start—now he just needed to keep his rhythm undisturbed, and there shouldn’t be any problem.
A faint joy was already bubbling up in his heart as Xiao Yi’an entered the first bend.
The Red Rubber Track provided excellent grip, but also amplified the sound of approaching footsteps.
Halfway through the curve, a familiar figure appeared in lane three.
Xu Nian, still wearing his gentle smile, caught up with big strides, quickly matching Xiao Yi’an’s pace.
The wind whooshed past the teenager’s slightly shocked face. He hadn’t even seen Xu Nian at the check-in.
But he did notice a familiar little kid, cheering by the track before the race even started—the same little potato he always saw sticking with Xu Nian.
It was only then that he understood Xu Nian’s words.
Xu Nian had said he would help him, but needed help in return.
At the time, Xiao Yi’an had been pondering how to help Xu Nian, but the latter hadn’t left any clues.
Now it seemed, Xu Nian had coaxed him into joining the sports meet for a chance to get closer to Ye Qingchang, and then, at the start of the event, used him as a stepping stone to climb higher.
Such deep calculation, such ruthless intent.
A moment’s distraction, and Xiao Yi’an fell a short distance behind Xu Nian, who had caught up.
The teenager closed his eyes.
He wasn’t yet ready to be part of someone else’s scheme, so he couldn’t lose to Xu Nian.
From somewhere, he found a burst of strength, pushed his speed again, and for a moment ignored the burning ache in his calves, forcibly catching up to and overtaking Xu Nian.
Xu Nian tilted his head slightly, glancing at the one running neck and neck with him again, frowning unconsciously.
He too lowered his head and sprinted harder.
On the final curve, the two were still running side by side, evenly matched.
It seemed everyone knew the winner of this event would be one of them; even the air grew quieter.
Xiao Yi’an knew this was probably the fastest he had ever run; otherwise, he couldn’t have kept up with Xu Nian.
He just didn’t want to lose in front of Ye Qingchang.
He couldn’t hear the clamor of the sports meet, nor the ever-present march of the athletes—only his heartbeat and his footsteps.
If things could just stay this quiet, until he took first place, that would be perfect.
Less than a hundred meters to the finish line.
But things never go as one wishes.
Just like Xu Nian, who had appeared out of nowhere at the start, a crisp voice suddenly pierced the quiet by his ear.
With a hint of distortion unique to sound systems—it was from the Broadcasting Station.
“Old Dog, go for it!”
He heard the shout, and also heard the footsteps behind him suddenly tearing through the air.
Then, a blast of wind swept over both of them, icy cold.
Between him in lane one and Xu Nian in lane three, a figure shot past, leaving them both behind in an instant, charging toward the finish with unstoppable momentum.
His steps and gaze stalled for a moment.
Then he snapped back, quickened his pace, head down, trying to catch up.
But in the seconds that followed, every time he looked up, the distance between him and that runner only grew, until he watched helplessly as the other broke through the finish line.
A sudden wave of discouragement, as if all the energy he’d managed to muster was instantly drained away—even Xu Nian, whom he’d just left behind, overtook him.
As the last runner finally crossed the finish, the 400-meter event was over.
He was third, Xu Nian was second.
The first place seemed to be the one who got that personal cheer from the Broadcasting Station.
Xiao Yi’an looked at Xu Nian with confusion and frustration in his eyes.
The ever-gentle boy was catching his breath, his usual smile now a helpless one, as if he’d expected this outcome all along.
He watched as the first-place winner left only a back view after the race, seemingly heading toward the Broadcasting Station.
He saw the little potato, who had been cheering by the track, now hugging a bag of chips and walking up to Xu Nian, a bit embarrassed as he handed over an empty bottle.
But Xu Nian remained gentle as ever, bending slightly to ruffle the kid’s hair, leading him off the field—probably to buy water.
It seemed he was the only competitor left on the track.
So what about him? Where should he go?
The cloud that had blocked the sun at the start of the race now seemed too lazy to linger; the stinging sunlight broke through once more.
He felt a bit dizzy for no reason.
The familiar breeze returned, but this time, someone was standing in front of him.
A strange sensation above his head, and the sunlight was blocked.
Ye Qingchang, standing on tiptoe, hung her sun hat over his head.
“What’s wrong? Not feeling well? Got heatstroke?” Three questions shot straight at Xiao Yi’an.
Ye Qingchang brushed aside his bangs, checking his slightly flushed face from the run.
Even without his glasses, Xiao Yi’an could see the concern in Ye Qingchang’s eyes.
“I didn’t run very well.”
Xiao Yi’an knew Ye Qingchang would ask, so he said it first.
He was prepared to face her look of disappointment and regret.
“Who asked you about that?” Ye Qingchang stood on tiptoe, ignoring his sweaty forehead, and pressed the back of her hand against it. “Doesn’t feel like a fever—how did your brain get messed up?”
“Don’t you think I’m a failure?” Xiao Yi’an retorted.
“Right now, I just think you’re being Versailles.” Ye Qingchang seemed to have figured out what Xiao Yi’an was sulking about. “Why compare yourself to them? Isn’t it enough if you just run faster than me?”
Ye Qingchang pulled out her usual killer move, cupping Xiao Yi’an’s cheeks.
“I don’t have any expectations for you. You don’t have to overthink things. If you must think, just think about me more.”
.
.
Zhu Niao was drinking water when a shadow suddenly pounced over, landing in the spot Ye Qingchang had just vacated.
Then, grabbing the bottle Zhu Niao was drinking from, took two big gulps.
“Little Bird, you have no idea how cool I was just now.” Gou Yu was full of swagger.
“I know, I was watching.”
“Oh, right.” Gou Yu leaned in. “When I was running just now, I think I heard someone cheering me on by name—suddenly, I felt so pumped.”
“Someone wrote a cheer for you.” Zhu Niao turned her head away.
“Then let me see the cheer. I want to check if a junior girl has a crush on me.”
Zhu Niao kept her head turned away from Gou Yu. “Just threw it away. It was annoying to look at.”
But her ears seemed a little red.
A little tsun, aren’t you?
Ye Qingchang is really good, not only did she take the bomb, she’s even making it stronger.