Chapter 69 – “Wait for my good news”
The sports meet officially began. Jiang Rong and other logistics team members watched the competitions from a small tent by the field.
A girl asked Jiang Rong: “Classmate Jiang, are you unable to do intense exercise?”
Jiang Rong nodded: “Doctor’s orders.”
The girl pressed on: “What illness? Why can’t you exercise? Is your health very poor?”
“Congenital heart disease.” She used this excuse whenever people asked.
“I envy you, not having to attend PE class or deal with sports meet hassles.”
Jiang Rong remained silent, just watching those sweating on the field. There was nothing to envy. She didn’t even have the privilege to exercise vigorously.
Luo Xing got angry: “What’s there to envy? Is health more important or skipping PE? Qiaoqiao can’t exercise because of her health. I just wish she could be healthy.”
The girl’s face darkened: “I just said I envied her. Why are you so worked up? Jiang didn’t say anything.”
“Because it matters. Don’t say such things without understanding others’ feelings and pain.”
The girl was left speechless.
Jiang Rong opened a water bottle and handed it over: “Have some water.” She softly patted Luo Xing’s head: “It’s okay, I don’t mind.”
Luo Xing hugged her: “Qiaoqiao, you’re my little angel.”
…
In the afternoon, Luo Xing pinned Wu Wei’s number: “Good luck, classmate Wu Wei. Bring back first place again.”
Though Wu Wei’s grades weren’t great, he excelled at sports. He smiled: “Haha, hopefully.”
Wu Wei was running the 1000 meters. He got bumped in the first lap and fell behind.
Luo Xing’s heart nearly jumped out, but relieved when he didn’t fall. She told Jiang Rong: “This might not go well.”
Jiang Rong watched as Wu Wei overtook one runner, then another.
Jiang Rong: “Maybe not.”
Luo Xing called to the other logistics girls: “Let’s cheer together!”
Many from Class 17 joined in cheering.
Hearing his classmates’ support, Wu Wei felt energized. He passed two more runners in the second lap.
In the final half of the second lap, he overtook the last runner and sprinted ahead.
Wu Wei pulled ahead, then suddenly stopped. He wiggled his hips at those behind him, looking smug, then dashed to the finish line when they caught up.
Everyone laughed at his unexpected antics.
A Chinese teacher asked Li Qiuhong: “He’s from your class, right?”
“…” Li Qiuhong wished she could deny it. It was a bit embarrassing. Was it too late to pretend otherwise?
“Haha, he’s quite interesting. Would be great to have him in our class, the atmosphere would be wonderful.”
Li Qiuhong smiled: “That’s true.”
Xia Chen’an was quite popular at No. 17 High School. He was gentle, polite, good-looking, and academically strong. He rejected girls he didn’t like kindly, never embarrassing them.
He was in the second group for the 3000 meters. The first group’s winner was a tall, athletic sports student.
Before the second group started, You Li pinned his number: “Nothing to say, just bring back first place.”
Xia Chen’an nodded, then spotted Jiang Rong on the field’s grass.
Xu Si approached Jiang Rong with his number: “Can you help, little bookworm?”
Jiang Rong nodded: “Sure.” She looked at his number: “Pin this on?”
“Yes.” Xu Si took off his jacket and handed it to her: “Hold this too.”
Jiang Rong held his jacket as he bent slightly. She pinned on his number 17 and said softly: “Done.”
Xu Si felt behind him and smiled: “Thanks, little bookworm.”
Xia Chen’an watched the two close figures on the field – the boy seemed to be smiling, and she smiled too. He quickly looked away and took his position. Maybe they were just classmates, not necessarily someone she liked.
As expected, Xia Chen’an won his group. Girls from both schools cheered.
Luo Xing couldn’t help cheering too. A girl reminded her: “He’s from our rival school, not ours.”
Luo Xing: “But he’s handsome.”
The third group was about to start.
“Xu Si.”
He turned at her voice: “What?”
“Good luck.”
Xu Si smiled: “I promised to bring you first place. Wait for my good news, little bookworm.”
Jiang Rong, still holding his jacket, looked incredibly sweet: “Okay.”
Xu Si went to his lane.
“Classmate, have some water?” “Thanks, but no.” Xia Chen’an declined everyone’s water and went straight to Class 17’s tent.
Luo Xing was talking with Jiang Rong when they heard a male voice: “Could I have some water?”
Jiang Rong recognized his face and froze slightly.
Luo Xing reacted quickly, putting a water bottle in Jiang Rong’s hand.
Jiang Rong handed it over.
Xia Chen’an smiled: “Thanks.” After a few sips, he said: “Your white dress looks nice today.”
“Thank you.”
Xia Chen’an didn’t know what else to say. Looking into her pure, clean eyes, he felt any impure thoughts would be sacrilege.
Luo Xing asked: “You’re from No. 17 High, right? You just won first place, that was amazing.”
Xia Chen’an smiled: “Thank you.” He turned to Jiang Rong: “Sorry if this is forward, but could I ask your name?”
“Jiang Rong.”
Xia Chen’an raised the water bottle: “Thanks for the water, classmate. Hope to see you again.”
Jiang Rong replied “You’re welcome” and “Yes, see you again.”
Before the race started, Xu Si wanted to check what his little bookworm was doing, but saw the boy who’d approached her earlier. He watched Jiang Rong looking up, talking to that boy.
Too far to hear what they said, he felt an inexplicable irritation rising in his chest.
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