Chapter 16: Competition Bet
She is his goddess. From the first glance, he was deeply attracted by her innocence and cuteness. Because of his family background, although Ye Xiaofan admired Liu Siyan, he never expressed it and always kept it hidden.
However, in the daily life of studying, everyone's eyes could see Ye Xiaofan's feelings for Liu Siyan. Of course, most of the boys pursuing the goddess are very outstanding. They are either top students with excellent grades or noble sons from wealthy families. If not, they're both academically excellent and from affluent families.
Yet, Liu Siyan rejected all of them, which made Ye Xiaofan even more discouraged. Although his academic performance was not bad, compared to others, he was far inferior.
He originally planned to capture the scene of the meteor shower, even if it couldn't win the goddess's heart, at least it would make a good impression on her, but man proposes, God disposes.
Now, she personally invited him to participate in the competition, and they would be companions on the same track, so how could he refuse?
"Well, um, there is a competition at school in three days, can I take off the lead weights during the competition?" Back at home, Ye Xiaofan stammered while reporting to Shen Zuimo.
However, Shen Zuimo looked at Ye Xiaofan with a strange gaze. Eyes somewhat puzzled, she asked, "Is it because of that girl named Liu Siyan?"
Hearing Liu Siyan's name from Shen Zuimo's mouth, Ye Xiaofan suddenly looked over in surprise. How did she know?
"Is she your girlfriend?" Shen Zuimo did not wait for Ye Xiaofan's response and continued to inquire.
"No, she's not." Ye Xiaofan hurriedly denied.
"Then you really like her, right?" To Shen Zuimo, whether to take off the lead weights didn't seem as important as these questions.
"I... um." He admitted it, as it was the truth, and Ye Xiaofan couldn't find any reason to lie.
Hearing Ye Xiaofan's admission, Shen Zuimo was slightly startled, feeling a bit bitter. She didn't press further. Indeed, he's just a young man new to feelings, having a crush on a girl before meeting her was nothing abnormal.
Moreover, there was no need for any concern. Ultimately, being together or whatnot was all a subconscious expectation. In reality, that was simply impossible. His thoughts were so calm, he must have realized this long ago.
"If you want to take them off, then do so, but from this afternoon, add the lead weights to twenty pounds. Be home by six-twenty in the evening, if you're late, the penalty is two hundred push-ups." Shen Zuimo said, then went to serve noodles for Ye Xiaofan.
However, Ye Xiaofan didn't feel happy because of Shen Zuimo's concession. Why did her expression look so unhappy? Was it because he had feelings for a girl?
Since he had agreed, he must do it. With twenty pounds of lead weights bound, Ye Xiaofan went to the table to eat the noodles Shen Zuimo had cooked for him.
Complex and strange feelings, are men all fickle? Clearly, he liked Liu Siyan a long time ago, but now, was he influenced by Shen Zuimo's mood?
Three days later, the school sports meet officially began.
It had been two years since he last participated in the school sports meet, perhaps due to age. Sitting on the sidelines watching the cheerleaders with their white thighs seemed much more leisurely than being in the competition.
However, today, Ye Xiaofan was back on the track, simply because of a girl's expectation, because he didn't want to disappoint her.
He quietly removed the lead weights and put them in his backpack, leaving it in the classroom. He felt much lighter. He didn't know how fast he could run without the lead weights.
In the mixed relay, each class sent two boys and two girls to participate.
There were eight classes in senior year, divided into four classes for a single match, and the first and second places proceeded to the final.
Ye Xiaofan's class was in the second match. The boys were himself and the sports secretary, while the girls were Zhang Qing and Liu Siyan.
Zhang Qing ran the first leg, Ye Xiaofan the second, Liu Siyan the third, and the acclaimed sports secretary for the final sprint.
During the first match, Ye Xiaofan and the others were observing the opponents' competition.
Ah, the cheerleaders by the basketball court are way more attractive. Look at those skirts short up to the thighs, and those tight tank tops, wow, unbelievable.
"Ye Xiaofan, what are you thinking about? It's almost our turn." Suddenly, Liu Siyan's voice came from beside his ear.
Turning around, Ye Xiaofan was suddenly stunned. The once pure and cute Liu Siyan had already changed into her competition attire, and her perfect figure was right in front of him under her delicate face.
Perhaps it was because the goddess in his heart was inviolable. After glancing twice, Ye Xiaofan quickly turned his head away with a blushing face. He always felt that staring at her any longer seemed like it would sully the goddess in his heart.
"Um, I'll go over now."
The first group's results were out, with class six taking first place and class three second. The next match involved the remaining four classes: class two, class five, class seven, and class eight.
Ye Xiaofan's class seven was in the second lane. After everyone stood in position, with the referee's signal, the first runner set off immediately.
The so-called memories of youth are nothing more than wanting to leave behind more joy. Here, joy doesn't necessarily mean victory but being part of such a team, striving together for a goal, even if you fail, at least you walked together.
Ye Xiaofan's goal was Shen Zuimo two hundred meters away. If he could win, she would definitely be happier.
Zhang Qing wasn't very fast and fell to third place at the start. To secure a top-two finish for the finals, Ye Xiaofan took the baton and immediately sprinted with all his might.
Suddenly, his body lost balance, and he fell to the ground with a 'thud', his face hitting the earth. Instantly, laughter erupted from the sidelines.
Sure enough, his body hadn't adapted to sprinting full force without the lead weights, he would need to gradually adapt to his body's condition.
There was no time for further thought. Having fallen to last place, Ye Xiaofan immediately got up, chasing after with residual fear.
Liu Siyan, who initially had worried eyes, suddenly seemed a bit surprised. Previously, Chen Mengying had mentioned that he had achieved rankings during middle school, not exaggerating, seeing Ye Xiaofan slowly catching up to two opponents, indeed quite fast.
When Liu Siyan took the relay baton, it was in second place. If everything went normally, entering the finals shouldn't be too difficult.
As expected, with the sports secretary's proper performance, class seven secured second place in the group, advancing directly to the finals.
"Ye Xiaofan, what were you doing? If you hadn't fallen, we might have taken first in the group," the sports secretary said displeased.
"Sorry, it's been a while since I've run." Xiaofan apologized with a smile.
"Are you hurt? Here, have some water first." Meanwhile, Liu Siyan, with a gentle expression, brought over a bottle of mineral water, her eyes showing concern as she asked.
"I'm fine. My skin is thick. I won't get hurt." Ye Xiaofan replied grinning.
"Siyan. Here, have some water." At this moment, a boy suddenly ran over, smiling broadly, handing Liu Siyan a bottle of icy mineral water: "Drink mine, it quenches thirst more."
"No need, it's not good for the body to drink something so cold after strenuous exercise." Liu Siyan seemed unimpressed by the boy and directly declined.
"Is that so? Oh, by the way, congratulations on making it to the finals too. We'll meet in the finals later. Don't worry, I'll purposely go easy and let you win." The boy shamelessly said, completely ignoring everyone's gaze.
Strangely, the usually quick-tempered sports secretary was completely quiet and didn't even dare respond. Who exactly was this person?
"No need, we are strong and will win." Liu Siyan said calmly.
"Oh, why don't we make a bet? If our class beats yours, can you sing a song for our class after, sing 'Why Do I Love You So'?" the boy said with a wicked grin.
"What nonsense, why should our Siyan go sing for your class?" Zhang Qing immediately objected displeased.
"Alright, if your class loses to ours, then you come to our class and sing 'Conquer', how about that?" Surprisingly, Liu Siyan agreed to the boy's wager.
"Alright, it's a deal." Seeing his plan succeed, the boy went back to discuss with his classmates.
Ye Xiaofan didn't understand why Liu Siyan would agree to the boy's request, but when he met Liu Siyan's gaze, he felt that, regardless of the reason, he couldn't let Liu Siyan lose this race.
"Lin Hai, let me run the last leg." Yes, because of the look Liu Siyan gave him, he knew of Liu Siyan's expectations for him. At this moment, no matter what, he had to go all out.