After dinner, Lin Zhexia returned home. Lin He and Wei Ping took turns complimenting her on winning the award.
Wei Ping said, “I told you, your talent for public speaking is obvious to everyone. Uncle has noticed it for a long time.”
Lin He was also pleased. “You performed quite well this time. Go do your homework now.”
Wei Ping held the certificate, more excited than when he got promoted. “Uncle will put up this certificate right away. Maybe facing the dining table, so we can see it every time we eat.”
Lin He was a bit speechless. “Why not put it at the front door, so everyone passing by can see it?”
“Good idea,” Wei Ping turned to ask, “What does Xiaxia think?”
The allegedly talented public speaker Lin Zhexia herself: “…I think it’s better to restrain my brilliance a bit, to avoid making others feel inferior.”
“…”
They chatted briefly.
Lin Zhexia returned to her room, put down her backpack, and unzipped it.
Her hand paused as she took out the rabbit keychain hidden in the compartment of her backpack.
She thought for a moment and placed the little rabbit keychain on her desk so it could keep her company while doing homework.
But just after putting it there, she felt uneasy and moved it into a cabinet that could keep out dust—
Soon, the official notice came that next Tuesday, there would be a sports meet jointly held with the Experimental Affiliated School. Each class actively signed up and began preparations.
The sports committee member of Class 7, usually an idle position, was suddenly busy running around.
The sports committee member called out with a list in hand: “Anyone else want to sign up? We’re still short one person for the girls’ relay.”
“No one?”
“This is such a rare opportunity to participate in sports, only once a year. Shouldn’t everyone cherish it?”
Lin Zhexia looked around at the others. Seeing no one speak up, she raised her hand and said, “I can do it. Put me down.”
In the evening after school, she and Chi Yao happened to meet He Yang at the entrance of their residential complex.
Lin Zhexia waved at He Yang: “Fellow spiritual schoolmate—”
He Yang walked over with his backpack: “I can’t believe what you said at the beginning of the semester came true. Now we’re having a sports meet together, I’ve become a spiritual schoolmate.”
The three walked together.
He Yang asked, “What events did you both sign up for?”
Lin Zhexia: “I signed up for the relay.”
He Yang turned his head: “What about my bro Yao?”
Chi Yao tossed two cold words at him: “Basketball.”
He Yang swore, “I’m in basketball too. I was planning to shine on my own, but now with you there, it’ll be hard for me to show off tomorrow.”
Lin Zhexia nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly: “When it comes to showing off, you definitely can’t outdo him.”
Chi Yao didn’t say anything.
But he made a small gesture, he occasionally did—his hand reaching around the back of Lin Zhexia’s neck, fingers spread, lightly squeezing in a threatening manner.
This time was different from the last. Last time his fingers had been cold from the popsicle—this time they were burning hot.
Lin Zhexia froze for a moment.
Fortunately, no one noticed anything unusual. He Yang continued: “How about this, Summer-bro, can I ask you for a favor?”
Lin Zhexia: “Huh?”
He Yang began fantasizing: “During tomorrow’s basketball game, could you bring me some water, help me maintain my image? Otherwise, when I come off the court with no one paying attention to me, it would be embarrassing. If possible, it would be even better if you could call out my name with feeling, creating the impression that I’m very popular.”
Lin Zhexia could still feel the sensation lingering on her neck and was a bit distracted. She hadn’t listened carefully to what he was saying, only catching the words “bring water.”
Her mouth moved faster than her brain, and she readily agreed: “Sure.”
“…”
On the day of the sports meet, everyone took buses to the large open-air stadium near the school.
Outside the stadium, cars filled the parking lot. With students from both schools combined, the venue looked extremely crowded.
The uniforms of the Experimental Affiliated School were blue, making them easy to distinguish.
Teachers were stationed at the entrance to prevent students from leaving early against the rules.
The stadium was circular, with stands around the outside and the sports field in the center.
Lin Zhexia entered with her class, endured the school leaders’ speeches, and then sat in the stands daydreaming.
The competition progressed quickly, and soon most of the morning events had passed.
Chen Lin was about to go for the long jump and asked before leaving: “What are you thinking about?”
Lin Zhexia: “I’m wondering why I agreed to someone’s very boring request yesterday.”
Chen Lin: “?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing,” she said. “Go compete. Good luck.”