Chapter 12: Physical Education

Zhong Yuxiu had possessed an outstanding appearance and a cheerful, optimistic personality since she was a child.

This allowed her to thrive in the social circles of other children.

No one could refuse to be her friend.

Until she met Lin You.

This boy was simply impervious. She would take the initiative to talk to him, and he would give a lukewarm response. She would enthusiastically offer to tutor him in math, and he showed no interest at all.

How annoying! Zhong Yuxiu swore to herself that she would definitely make Lin You her friend.

‘What should I do?’

The girl’s little feet, hidden under the desk, tapped rhythmically as she pondered a strategy.

‘She clearly has so many friends, why does she keep talking to me… And the color above her head is getting even greener…’

Lin You had been fully prepared to go it alone, but the girl’s sudden change of heart was causing him a great deal of distress.

The boy and girl at the desk, each harboring their own thoughts.

The second period was physical education.

The P.E. teacher was a woman with dark skin and a sturdy build.

She came to the classroom, had the students briefly introduce themselves, and then led the group of little ones to the school’s sports field.

It’s in a child’s nature to love to play and make noise. They quickly came to love the unique P.E. class.

“Girls in one line, boys the same. The teacher will show you the routine. Starting next week, all students must come to the sports field every morning for morning exercises.”

The P.E. teacher’s weighty words calmed the ecstatic students down.

Under the teacher’s supervision, two small lines were formed.

Lin You was a boy, so he lined up with the other male students in the first column, third in line.

The girls were in the second column, about a meter away from the boys in front of them.

“Girls, eyes front, align yourselves with the boys. No crooked lines.”

The girls were more active and even more mischievous than the boys. The P.E. teacher had to raise her voice to command them.

“Classmate, let me switch places with you.”

Zhong Yuxiu looked at the backs of the boys, quickly found her target, and then whispered to a girl.

She wanted to stand behind Lin You.

“That’s great.”

The girl who had originally been standing behind Lin You had been feeling unlucky. When she heard Zhong Yuxiu wanted to switch, she immediately agreed.

And just like that, Zhong Yuxiu and Lin You were deskmates in the classroom, and even in P.E. class, they were the closest to each other.

“Remember the classmates to your left, right, front, and back. From now on, you will line up like this every time. Next time, you must line up within ten seconds, no more dawdling.”

The P.E. teacher walked a lap around the two lines of students, finally stopping at the front to give a stern reminder.

A commotion rippled through the students as they all twisted their bodies, trying to remember the classmates around them.

Lin You was no exception. He turned his head left and right, memorizing the male classmates beside him.

Then, he turned around, wanting to see which female classmate was behind him.

It was a familiar and pretty little face, tinged with a hint of triumph.

‘Hehe, that’s right, it’s me, Yuxiu.’

Zhong Yuxiu’s pale chin was lifted slightly, as if she had won a great victory. She loved Lin You’s stunned expression.

She didn’t speak, but her large, watery eyes seemed to be able to convey her thoughts directly.

‘Why is it her? Could it be that she deliberately stood behind me?’

Lin You quickly turned back to the front, his little heart leaping.

Just now, when they were lining up, he had heard a girl behind him complaining, “The red-face is in front of me, what bad luck.”

So when he turned to look, he had been prepared to be met with disgust.

He never expected the person behind him to be Zhong Yuxiu.

“Class, extend your arms and keep two arm’s lengths away from those around you. Then, follow my movements for the morning exercises.”

After the lines were formed, the P.E. teacher officially began teaching the students the morning exercises.

Most of the students were absent-minded. Lin You was one of the few who had entered a state of learning.

He carefully observed the teacher’s movements and began to imitate them earnestly.

“Yuxiu, look at that red-face, he’s so stupid, like an idiot.”

The person who was working hard and being serious became the odd one out. A girl to Zhong Yuxiu’s side whispered mockingly.

Lin You’s movements faltered. He heard the harsh words, but he quickly continued to follow and learn, no longer letting the idle talk affect his state of mind.

“He’s clearly learning very seriously, and his movements are much more standard than yours. What’s so funny?”

Zhong Yuxiu was standing right behind Lin You. She knew very well that he was the best learner among all the boys.

Even so, he was still being laughed at. A nameless anger welled up in the girl’s heart, and she directly confronted the girl who was gossiping.

Even though this girl was a friend she had made that morning.

“Huh?”

The foul-mouthed Zhang Chunli was stunned. She had thought Zhong Yuxiu would laugh at the boy with her.

“Hmph.”

She gave a cold snort that was all bark and no bite, and said no more—a typical case of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

Only a few people knew about this little episode. The P.E. class continued.

“This male student is learning very well. Everyone should learn from him.”

The P.E. teacher saw the students’ attitudes and singled out Lin You for praise.

“Are you interested in being the sports committee member? From now on, you’ll stand at the very front of the line.”

The teacher extended an olive branch to the boy.

“I can’t do it.”

Being praised by a teacher for the first time, Lin You’s small body trembled. However, when he heard he had to be some sports committee member, he instinctively refused.

In the end, the P.E. teacher didn’t force Lin You and appointed a tall girl as the sports committee member.

For the last ten minutes of P.E. class, the teacher let the students have free time, as long as they didn’t leave the sports field.

“Yay!”

There was nothing better than free time. The students cheered and began to frolic in groups on the spacious field.

Playing games, chatting, and roughhousing… the sports field was filled with joyous laughter.

But none of this had much to do with Lin You.

He found a large, shady tree and hid behind it, zoning out.

‘Why did she speak up for me? That person was her friend, right? For my sake… isn’t she worried about causing a conflict with her friend?’

Lin You squatted on the ground, his back against the rough bark, lost in thought about what had just happened.

He had heard both Zhang Chunli’s mockery and Yuxiu’s defense.

His deskmate’s repeated acts of kindness left him at a loss.

Should he continue to distance himself from her? Or should he accept her kindness and be friends?

The boy was troubled and conflicted.

“Hey, hey, Classmate Lin!”

Zhong Yuxiu searched for her target, locked on, and then took the initiative to attack.

Her interest in the boy had already surpassed her interest in the entire rest of the class combined.

“Is… is there something?”

His thoughts were interrupted. Lin You looked at the girl who had suddenly appeared in front of him, so startled that he jumped to his feet, responding in a fluster.

The green light of kindness above her head was so dazzling.