“Xiaoyun, come here, come here! Let me help you warm up!”
Qin Xue, having just finished stretching, started calling out to Su Yun cheerfully.
Her clear and confident voice echoed across the quiet track field. Those who had been admiring her instantly shifted their gaze toward the girl sitting on the right steps, dozing off.
“……”
Su Yun didn’t respond.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, someone poked her forehead.
“Mm... don’t touch… don’t touch…”
Su Yun waved away the soft hand instinctively.
“Xiaoyun, you’re the one who told me to come, you know. If you hadn’t invited me, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
“And now you’re the one napping?”
“If you’re not feeling well, we can head back.”
Qin Xue sat down beside her and gently wrapped her arms around Su Yun’s slender waist, looking like she was about to scoop her up entirely.
“Ugh…”
“I’m fine… just a little sleepy…” Su Yun struggled to sit up, squinting against the harsh morning sunlight.
If she didn’t do this physical fitness retake, her grades would suffer—and Qin Xue’s sister might get angry.
Escaping from Qin Xue’s arms with ease, Su Yun took two bounding steps and leapt down two tiers of stone steps.
“Xiaoyun, that’s dangerous!”
“Huh? I’m fine. Just warming up.”
“Oh…” Qin Xue blinked, momentarily surprised before remembering just how different Su Yun really was.
Those two layers of steps weren’t a big deal, maybe just over a meter in height—but from there to the track was an additional two meters. For most girls, jumping like that would be risky.
“Phew… haah… so sleepy…”
Now on the ground, Su Yun did a few perfunctory stretches.
Not that she needed a warm-up—this was just to keep herself awake. If she took the 800-meter run seriously, she’d finish in less than fifteen seconds.
Of course, she wasn’t in a hurry to die either. Walking would do.
Compared to the sleepy Su Yun, Qin Xue was visibly more anxious. She kept looking toward the red rubber track in the distance—her personal nightmare.
If it weren’t for Xiaoyun showing up, she never would have agreed to take this test.
After about ten minutes of casual preparation, a young woman with defined leg muscles walked toward them holding a clipboard.
“You two here for the make-up test? Get on the track,” she said. Her voice wasn’t delicate like most women’s, but instead rang out with a masculine firmness.
At her command, all the girls who had been sitting nearby stood and made their way down the steps.
There weren’t many—just over a dozen or so.
Su Yun followed Qin Xue to the edge of the track and immediately spotted a familiar face.
It was that short girl from their class.
What was her name again?
Oh—Chen Tingting.
The “pure little cutie” who had ditched Zhang Deyi and was rumored to be stringing along multiple guys.
Su Yun gave her one glance and immediately felt tainted.
Still wearing a skirt for running today, huh? Tsk tsk…
She didn’t look again and instead focused on the track ahead.
At this point, more people had gathered—some guys starting their 1000-meter test on the other side, and more from the track’s surroundings. In total, there were about fifty people now.
“Three, two, one—go!”
At the sharp command of the PE instructor, followed by the crack of a starting pistol, everyone surged forward—including Su Yun.
But unlike the others who sprinted, Su Yun began her version of “walking”—a low-energy trot that conserved stamina. Running a full 800 meters seriously in under three minutes was too much of a hassle.
And yet, despite that easy pace… Su Yun suddenly noticed there was no one ahead of her.
She glanced behind in confusion and saw all the girls lagging behind.
“Huh… this is kinda fun.”
With a grin, she slowed down a little. Once someone overtook her, she matched their pace.
“Whew…”
That felt more balanced. Finishing second wouldn’t raise eyebrows or lower her grade—perfect.
Just as she was feeling relaxed, she noticed a girl in a pink skirt catching up from behind.
It was Chen Tingting.
She had her sharp little eyes locked firmly on Su Yun.
Chen Tingting had noticed it earlier—when that white-haired girl was chatting with the school belle on the stone steps, the entire field had been sneaking glances at them.
And she—who had purposely worn a skirt and sat at the highest point—barely got a single look.
Why?
She had worked so hard…
Just like last time, when she lost first place to her.
Now, her gaze at Su Yun was filled with jealousy, resentment, and frustration.
No one else could help her, so she’d help herself.
“Haah…” Chen Tingting lowered her head, a sly grin forming on her face—even as she gasped for air, making the smile look rather creepy.
This girl looks so fragile… and yet she runs so fast…
Fine.
Once I catch up, I’ll trip you.
With that speed, if you fall on your face… you might get a scar.
Driven by her vicious thoughts, Chen Tingting pushed herself harder. She was only a meter or two away.
“So close…”
Su Yun, completely unaware of the danger behind her, muttered sleepily, “Ugh, walking is too hard… I’ll jog a little.”
She began to pick up speed.
“!”
Chen Tingting was stunned.
Just when she was about to reach her, the girl sprinted forward like a breeze.
Damn it!
Still, she pushed on, running harder than she ever had in her life.
The chase lasted nearly a minute.
Just as Su Yun slowed again—though not because she was tired, but because she kept hearing girlish panting behind her.
It was oddly… pleasant.
Who was that, running so hard?
She glanced back shyly—only to see Chen Tingting, her face flushed, lips parted as she gasped for air.
She actually looks… kind of cute?
Su Yun quickly shook off the thought and slowed further, hoping to let the hardworking girl take the lead.
Soon, Chen Tingting drew level with her—but didn’t pass.
Instead, she finally smiled again.
Caught you.
“Go to hell, meow!”
With a final surge, Chen Tingting thrust her foot sideways to trip her.
But in the next instant—it was like her foot hit a rock.
She lost her balance and tumbled forward.
“Ugh—ahhh!” she cried out.
“Eh?! Are you okay?”
Su Yun immediately stopped and turned to help.
“Don’t touch me! Wuwuwu…”
“Uh…”
Chen Tingting had fallen hard.
She reached up to feel her face, realized she’d scraped it, and immediately burst into tears.
Out of breath and strength, she couldn’t say much—just sat on the ground and sobbed like a child.
“You keep running—I’ll handle this!”
The PE instructor rushed over, squatting beside her.
“O-okay…”
Su Yun stared blankly for a second before continuing.
How did she fall flat on open ground…? What a shame, she was running so hard.
Hm? Qin Xue?
Looking ahead, she realized the finish line was only 200 meters away—and saw Qin Xue up ahead.
She runs this fast too?
But wait…
Something felt off.
Su Yun hurried up to catch her.
From a closer angle, all she could see was…
Bounce
Bounce
Bounce
“……”
Su Yun quickly realized Qin Xue was trying her best to run hunched over.
But… they were just too big to keep down.
No wonder she wore such a thick outfit today…
No wonder she didn’t want to come.
So indecent—ugh, she couldn’t let others see this…
“Sistet Xue…”
Su Yun positioned herself to Qin Xue’s right—between her and the spectators sitting on the stone steps.
“Phew… huh? Xiaoyun… you’re so fast… you lapped me… phew…”
Qin Xue forced out a smile that was still somehow beautiful.
Su Yun looked at her and felt a bit sorry.
“Just stay behind me, I’ll run slowly.”
“Huh?”
“The coach who’s timing us changed. Just cross the finish line with me.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Su Yun fixed her eyes on the finish line and controlled her pace.
“Two.”
“Three.”
When they finally crossed, the new coach called out their places.
Su Yun came second. Qin Xue was third.
The teacher didn’t notice.
Perfect.
Full marks, both of them.
“Thank you, Xiaoyun. You’re amazing.”
Qin Xue gazed at her with admiration.
“No need to thank me.”
Su Yun responded casually, though she couldn’t help feeling a chill down her back.
Why does her gaze feel… off?
Afterward, the two of them went on to complete other basic test items.
But with running maxed out, the rest didn’t really matter.
As for Chen Tingting… she was taken to the infirmary by the PE teacher.
Poor thing.
“Hey, Xiaoyun~ let’s go to Summer End Plaza later! You promised we’d go to the amusement park!”
Right after they left the testing area, Qin Xue excitedly wrapped her arms around Su Yun—so tightly her chest squished flat to both sides.
Su Yun felt her head throb.
“We have exams coming up. You still want to play?! We’re going back to study!”
“Come on~ you need to relax too. Play with me~”
Qin Xue’s sweet, clingy voice melted Su Yun’s resistance.
She held on even tighter.
This persistent, seductive school belle was really testing her limits…
“Fine. If you pass all your exams, I’ll go with you. However you want to play—fine. Deal?”
…Qin Xue hesitated for a moment.
“Okay. It’s a promise. But when the time comes, you’d better keep your word. I’ll play however I want.”
“Mm.”
Su Yun agreed almost immediately.
As long as Qin Xue was willing to study, anything was fine.
Although now that she thought about it, what she’d just said sounded a little questionable.
Ah, whatever.
(End of Chapter)