Physical education class, competition

The shrill ringing of the lunchtime bell echoed through the entire school building, rousing those still lost in dreams from their slumber.

“Mmm… That was such a good nap!” Xiao stretched languidly, her eyes half-closed, murmuring with contentment.

“Come on, Shangguan, hurry and change into your sports uniform! PE class is about to begin!” Xiuxiu’s voice chimed in beside her once more.

“Alright, alright, Lady Xiuxiu! What a waste it is that you never ran for class president!” I couldn’t help teasing her after hearing her nag. Instantly, her face flushed a bright red.

How adorable she is! Maybe it was the restful sleep, or perhaps it was Xiuxiu’s charming embarrassment, but I felt my spirits soaring and even the gloom of midday was swept away.

After changing, Xiao and Xiuxiu walked together to the sports ground, taking their places in line as instructed. The PE teacher strode over and ordered the class to count off from left to right: “One,” “Two,” “Three,” “Four,” … “Fifty-eight,” “Fifty-nine,” “…”. When it came to the last student, he seemed utterly engrossed in something, so much so that even with the teacher standing in front of him, he hadn’t noticed.

“What are you looking at?” the teacher asked, following his gaze and then glancing back at the distracted student.

Completely unaware of the impending reprimand, the boy replied enthusiastically, “The genius from Class A is playing basketball against a real heartthrob! It’s so cool!”

“Is it that interesting?” the teacher pressed.

“Of course! It’s a showdown between men! I wish I could go watch,” the boy answered, still oblivious to his fate.

“Oh, you want to watch, do you? You think it’s so fascinating you’d rather stand here making us all wait? If you like it so much, then run a hundred laps around the track! Not a single break until you’re done!” The PE teacher’s furious shout rang out.

“Yes…” the boy mumbled weakly.

“Louder!” barked the teacher.

“Yes, sir!” The boy straightened his posture, answering loudly before beginning his endless circuit around the field.

“The rest of you are dismissed! Free activity, but be careful! That’s all, dismissed!” With that, before anyone could move, the teacher himself hurried off to the basketball court to watch the game.

How shameless! Lecturing others, then dashing off to spectate himself. Unbelievable!

“Hooray! We really are having PE with Class A! It feels like a dream—Xiao, pinch me, quick!” Xiuxiu was practically swooning.

Now she even wants me to hit her—she’s completely obsessed! “I’m going to pinch you!” Xiao warned helplessly.

“Yes, hurry! Ah—ow!” Xiuxiu clutched her reddened cheek, squealing.

“Hey, you asked for it!” Xiao protested innocently, hands raised.

“That hurt, Xiao, you pinch so hard!” Xiuxiu’s eyes glistened with tears.

“Silly, if it hurts that means it’s not a dream.”

“Oh, right! Let’s go watch the game!” This child is so easy to fool.

Xiao got away with it easily. “Nope! Go by yourself if you want, I can’t stand basketball. I’m going to read over there. Bye!” She strode off without giving Xiuxiu a chance to pull her along.

She walked alone toward the shade of a tree, found a clean spot, and was just about to start reading when a shadow fell across her.

“I told you, if you want to go, go yourself—” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing it was Tang Meng, not Xiuxiu, standing before her.

“What are you doing here? You didn’t come find me! If someone hadn’t mentioned our class and Class F had PE together, I’d have known nothing—and you didn’t even look for me!” Tang Meng reproached her angrily, as if Xiao had committed some unforgivable crime.

So it was just because I didn’t seek her out? Is that really worth all this fuss?

Despite her thoughts, Xiao dared not say so. If she did, Tang Meng would probably never speak to her again.

“I saw you were busy watching the game, so I didn’t want to bother you. And now you’re blaming me!” Xiao pretended to glare at Tang Meng in mock annoyance.

Tang Meng immediately looked guilty, forcing a sheepish grin. “Alright, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been so caught up in the match and missed that your class had PE. I’m really sorry! Please don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Oh, she actually fell for it—I almost feel guilty. Quickly, Xiao asked, “So what did you need me for? Weren’t you just watching the game? Or is watching me more interesting than the match?” Tang Meng found her friend’s smugness amusing.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier—did you really just get back from abroad last night?” Tang Meng asked, pulling Xiao to her feet and leading her toward the court.

“Yes! I even forgot today was the start of the semester. Luckily I got back last night, or I’d be doomed today!” Xiao let herself be dragged along.

“So where are you staying now? And your brother?”

“Oh! So you’re really concerned about my brother, not me! I’m so heartbroken—no one cares about me,” Xiao pretended to pout.

“No! I’m worried about you! But why did you arrive so late?” Tang Meng stammered, flustered.

“Alright, just teasing. I’m staying with my brother now, but since he hasn’t been back in the country much, there’re no servants assigned to the house—just a cleaner who comes occasionally. That’s why I had to run to school today,” Xiao replied casually.

“What? Did I hear that right—you ran here?” Tang Meng exclaimed.

“Yes! But the housekeeper is coming today, so from tomorrow I’ll have a car.”

“Oh, I see! By the way, Ouyang and Shawn from our class are playing right now—let’s go watch!” They were already near the basketball court as she spoke.

On the court, Ouyang Xianyu deftly snatched the ball from his opponent and sped toward the basket. Someone tried to intercept him, but he was fooled by a series of fakes. By the time the defender realized, Xianyu was already at the three-point line.

“Shuo! Block him!” a red-haired boy shouted anxiously to the nearest teammate. The boy called Shuo sprang forward, attempting to swat the ball away, but human leaping power has its limits, and he missed. The ball traced a graceful arc through the air, dropping neatly into the hoop.

“Three points!” the teacher acting as referee shouted enthusiastically into the microphone.

—Author’s Note—

This is my first work. I hope you enjoy it and support me! I welcome your comments and suggestions, and will strive to improve as I continue writing. If you like my story, please add it to your bookshelf and vote for me! Thank you all for your support!