Chapter 96: Free Activity and Unexpected Encounters

As the whistles of the two sports teachers pierced the air, students from Class Three and Class Four neatly formed their lines within the gymnasium, awaiting their instructors’ guidance.

The sports teacher, who had also instructed them in their first year, was already well-acquainted with the students after a year of interaction; thus, despite this being the inaugural physical education class of their second year, he dispensed with any formalities and immediately commenced the lesson.

“Alright everyone, time for warm-ups!”

The sports teacher rhythmically blew his whistle, leading the warm-up exercises with an infectious enthusiasm that the students mirrored, diligently completing each movement.

“Excellent, now for the usual—laps!” With the warm-ups concluded, he strode to the front of the line. “Two laps around the track!”

“Only two laps, Teacher?”

A few boys in the class playfully booed.

“Damn it, he’s really underestimating us!”

“I only thought you did well on the warm-ups and wanted to give you a break, but it seems you’re ungrateful!” The sports teacher chuckled heartily. “Very well then, those boys who complained it was too few, you’ll run four laps!”

“No, Brother Wei!”

“Calling me ‘brother’ won’t help now! Let’s go, let’s go!”

The sports teacher clapped his hands, initiating the laps for Class Three of the second year.

Su Linxi had already moved to the side before the sports teacher’s announcement, settling into a spot where she wouldn’t obstruct the runners.

At that moment, Class Four of the second year also began their laps.

This marked the first time the two classes shared a physical education lesson, and it was expected that this arrangement would largely continue for the remainder of the academic year.

Both Bai Ruijin and Zheng Qiao were pleasantly surprised by this arrangement, realizing it would significantly increase their opportunities to interact with Li Jianren.

“Xiao Bai,” Zheng Qiao slowed her pace to run alongside Bai Ruijin, her tone light, “During free activity later, are you going to make a move?”

“Hmm… I was planning to… but with both classes here… I’m not sure I dare…”

“It’s fine, I’ll go with you.”

“…Okay…”

The two continued running, but before completing a single lap, Bai Ruijin already felt exhaustion creeping in, her breathing becoming ragged, while Zheng Qiao beside her seemed completely unaffected, casually chatting with Bai Ruijin as they ran.

Meanwhile, within Class Three’s formation.

“I’m so tired… Why do we have to run laps…”

It was Lin Han who complained, her words punctuated by her running.

“Mm.”

Chen Yining, running beside her, remained expressionless, simply offering a sound that perhaps conveyed her agreement.

“That’s only one lap, and you’re already tired?” Jiang Nanjin appeared relatively unburdened. “Your physique is a bit weak, Lin Han, my dear classmate.”

“So what if it’s weak?! I’m a girl, what’s wrong with having poor athletic ability!”

“Haha, don’t talk while you’re running; won’t that just make it harder for you?”

Lin Han huffed, falling silent.

Zhong Tian, as always, ran at the very back of the line.

He had already tied his long hair into a ponytail at the start of the run, ensuring it wouldn’t get in the way during exercise.

At the sound of the sports teacher’s whistle, the laps concluded.

“Alright, everyone, free activity!”

“Yay!”

“Let’s go play ball!”

Long Tao, clad in his sportswear, was in high spirits; he called out to Wu Rui and a few other boys before eagerly dashing off to the basketball court.

Lin Han, panting heavily, clutched her knees. “Yining, let’s go sit down for a bit…”

“Mm.”

“Phew—Nanjin, what about you?”

“I’m going to watch the boys play basketball.”

“Alright… I’m exhausted… Yining, did you bring a water bottle…?”

“No.”

Su Linxi sat composedly in the spectator seats, silently watching and listening to the interactions among her former friends.

****

Zhong Tian, never one for exercise, immediately opted to slack off during free activity, heading straight for the spectator seats and settling down beside Su Linxi.

From his vantage point in the stands, he observed his classmates moving about the gymnasium below.

Li Jianren had also been roped into playing basketball; at one meter seventy-eight, he was the shortest among the group of boys playing, with the exception of Wu Rui.

Long Tao, Class Three’s towering figure at one meter ninety, executed a block, effectively ‘dismounting’ Li Jianren from his play.

“Damn, so just because you’re tall, you can do whatever you want?”

“Oh, sorry, but being tall really does mean you can do whatever you want!”

“Damn it, I’m not playing anymore!”

“Haha! Keep going, keep going! I won’t block you this time!”

“Alright, you promise!”

Amidst laughter, Li Jianren attempted a lay-up—only for Wu Rui to block it.

“Ah—I’m not playing anymore!”

“Jianren, I’m only one meter seventy-four.”

Wu Rui grinned, adding insult to injury.

“How are the opposing teams supposed to play with you two on the same side! No way!” Li Jianren shouted towards the adjacent court. “Class Four brothers! Want to play together!?”

A few boys from Class Four exchanged glances at his words before replying, “Class versus class?”

“Yeah, seven against seven, five on court, two subs, wanna play?”

“Alright then, let’s do it.”

“So, if you can’t beat them, join them, huh?” Long Tao chuckled, patting Li Jianren’s shoulder. “Just don’t drag us down.”

“Definitely not, I’m joining the reserves directly!” Li Jianren patted Long Tao’s shoulder in return. “I won’t bother you, I’m heading off now.”

“Well, look at that, stirring up trouble and then leaving!”

“Hey, I wouldn’t call this stirring up trouble!” Li Jianren said as he walked away. “I’m merely promoting friendly basketball exchanges between the two classes! See ya!”

Having spoken, Li Jianren settled into the spectator area and began drinking water.

Zhong Tian could tell this was Li Jianren’s method of escape. He likely hadn’t wanted to play from the start but, unable to refuse the enthusiastic invitations, had resorted to this strategy.

Were it not for the inconvenience of maintaining his persona at school, Zhong Tian would have gone to chat with him right then.

As he watched, two figures entered his line of sight.

They were Bai Ruijin and Zheng Qiao.

“Go on, Xiao Bai, I’ll just watch from here.”

“Mm…”

“Go for it!”

Bai Ruijin nodded, walked to the row where Li Jianren sat, and after hesitating for a few seconds, took a seat one space away from him.

“G-good morning!”

“Oh, good morning, Xiao Bai.”

“Xiao Bai?!”

Li Jianren’s seemingly casual address struck Bai Ruijin with considerable impact, causing her to involuntarily gasp aloud.

Only after her gasp did she realize, instinctively covering her mouth.

“Uh…”

“I saw your friend call you that… hmm… if you mind, I can just call you by your name.”

“No, I don’t mind at all, just call me Xiao Bai!”

“Excellent.” Li Jianren nodded, satisfied. “That makes things much easier.”

“Easier…?”

“Indeed, don’t you find it bothersome?” Li Jianren asked. “For a newly acquainted friend, using their full name seems a bit impolite, while just their given name feels too intimate. Addressing them as ‘Classmate So-and-so’ is too long and clunky. A nickname is simply much more casual and pleasant to use.”

“Mm… that’s true.”

Bai Ruijin nodded in agreement.

“So…” Li Jianren glanced at Zheng Qiao not far away. “If your friend knew I called you Xiao Bai, she wouldn’t get jealous, would she~?”

“Xiao Bai, you’re sitting in the same row as me; if your friend found out, she wouldn’t beat me up, would she~? Your friend is so scary, unlike me, I only feel sympathy for Xiao Bai~”

“Huh?”

Seeing Bai Ruijin’s startled expression and realizing she hadn’t understood the joke, Li Jianren promptly raised a hand in apology. “My bad, that was a terrible meme. Don’t worry about it.”

“What kind of meme was that…?”

“…I’ll share it with you on WeChat later.” Li Jianren cleared his throat. “It’s actually quite amusing.”

“Okay…”