Walking to the school gate while bantering back and forth, they could already feel the atmosphere of the sports meet.
The school had started decorating in advance as soon as the holiday began.
The whole campus had been set up to look youthful and full of energy.
An Ling and Li Yang walked into the school.
Colorful banners were hung everywhere, written with all sorts of inspiring slogans, and below them were the small words “M City First High 32nd Student Sports Meet” in a unified style.
They could also hear the broadcast system testing.
A female voice intermittently called out “one two three testing,” the sound carrying over from the open playground.
Almost every student’s face was filled with a youthful and energetic smile.
“It’s so lively.”
An Ling looked around, her tail unconsciously swaying lightly once.
“Of course.”
Li Yang stretched. “It only happens once a year. Everyone’s been holding it in.”
The two walked toward the classroom.
On the way they ran into a few classmates from their class, all wearing the matching sports uniforms and looking much more energetic than usual.
“Brother Yang! Can you handle the competition today?”
A boy shouted to him from a distance.
“Definitely!” Li Yang smiled and waved.
An Ling followed beside him, watching him greet the classmates he knew, and suddenly felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.
This guy really does have good popularity in school.
Walking into the classroom, it was already a noisy mess inside.
Classmates were gathered in twos and threes discussing today’s sports meet events.
Zhou Meng stood beside the podium with a folder in her hands, checking something with the sports committee member.
“An Ling! Li Yang!”
Zhou Meng saw the two come in and waved them over.
“Come here, come here. I have things to explain!”
“This morning’s schedule is out.” Zhou Meng handed the folder over for them to look at.
“Li Yang, your 1000-meter preliminary is in the third group. It starts as the first event after the opening ceremony. Relay in the afternoon. 1000-meter final is tomorrow. An Ling, your three-legged race is tomorrow afternoon, starting at two.”
“Number tags will be handed out before the events later. Remember not to pin them on your clothes during the competition.”
“I’ve pretty much explained everything to the other classmates.”
“Alright, stop standing around here.”
Zhou Meng clapped her hands and began speaking to the class.
“No classes today, but you can’t run around either. Go to your places. Those who need to prepare should prepare. Assemble on the playground at eight for the opening ceremony.”
The classmates scattered in twos and threes.
An Ling returned to her seat and put down her backpack.
Li Yang also sat back in his seat, turned around, and rested his arm on the back of the chair.
“Are your legs still sore?”
“I’m not Superman!” An Ling pinched her aching calves.
“Of course they still hurt.”
“Then when there’s time I’ll take you to do some stretching. It’ll feel better.” Li Yang said. “You have a competition tomorrow afternoon. Don’t pull anything.”
An Ling nodded, feeling warm inside.
This guy.
Even though he trained her a bit too hard yesterday, he still cares about her.
“By the way, your first race is this morning. Are you nervous?” An Ling asked.
“Nervous about what?” Li Yang looked completely indifferent.
“It’s not my first time running. Just stay relaxed.”
“Your mentality is way too good.” An Ling couldn’t help complaining.
“What else should I do?” Li Yang smiled.
“Anyway, when the time comes just prepare the water and wait for me at the finish line.”
An Ling shook her head.
This guy had been like this since they were little.
He never got nervous before exams or before competitions either, as if nothing could stump him.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Li Yang stood up. “To the playground. If we’re late the old class will nag again.”
The two walked out of the classroom. Quite a few students had already gathered on the playground.
Each class lined up in their own area. The colorful sports uniforms looked especially eye-catching in the morning light.
The opening ceremony started quickly.
The principal’s speech, the athlete representative’s oath, the referee representative’s oath.
Going through the whole process took more than half an hour.
An Ling stood in the ranks, listening to the principal read from a script on the stage. Her ears unconsciously twitched.
Standing the whole time made her calves so sore. She couldn’t help changing her standing posture.
“Legs getting sore from standing?” Li Yang asked quietly.
“A bit.”
An Ling answered quietly.
“How about you tell the old class you need to go to the bathroom, then secretly find a place to rest?”
“Would that work? If we get found out we’re definitely done for.”
An Ling had never done this kind of small bad thing before.
“Don’t worry. We absolutely won’t get found out.” Li Yang said with full confidence.
“Forget it.” An Ling shook her head. “It’s about to end. Just stand honestly for a bit longer.”
“Alright. Then when we get back I’ll massage them for you.” Li Yang said casually.
An Ling’s ears suddenly stood straight up. “N-no need!”
Li Yang glanced at her and couldn’t help laughing. “What are you nervous about? I’m not going to eat you.”
“It’s not that I’m nervous…” An Ling looked away.
“It’s just… no need to trouble you.”
“Fine.” Li Yang didn’t insist either and turned back to continue listening to the principal’s speech.
They finally managed to get through the end of the opening ceremony.
The classes dispersed. Classmates went off to do their own things, and the participants also began preparing separately.
Li Yang’s first event was starting, so of course he went to the warm-up area.
An Ling followed along with him, prepared to help hold his phone and clothes while he competed, cheer him on, then hand him water after the race and take him to rest.
In short, Li Yang competed and she served Li Yang.
Arriving at the warm-up area together with Li Yang, An Ling looked around. There were quite a few students preparing here. Many of them had brought people along with them.
Only… An Ling noticed that most of the people who came together could clearly be seen as little couples.
Their school wasn’t strict about this aspect. As long as nothing big happened, the teachers all turned a blind eye.
She raised her head to look at Li Yang, her cheeks red, but found that Li Yang had no extra reaction.
She patted her own face and forced herself not to overthink.