Chapter 11: A Run and a Rescue

Upon reaching the track, the physical education teacher instructed the girls to begin their run ten seconds before the boys. Consequently, the girls lined up in a single row, positioned ahead of the boys.

Having completed my pre-run stretches, I leaned forward slightly, poised to sprint the moment the physical education teacher gave the signal.

It wasn’t long before the familiar shrill of a whistle pierced the air.

The moment the whistle shrieked, I naturally surged forward, becoming the first to break into a run, leaving the other girls gaping in surprise.

While it was true I hadn’t exercised much over the summer, and my stamina had dipped slightly, at the end of the day, I was still a boy. Eight hundred meters was hardly a challenge for me.

Within a mere ten seconds, I had already created a significant lead, a gap that continued to stretch with every stride.

Yet, the instant those ten seconds elapsed, the boys burst forward like arrows loosed from a bowstring, charging rapidly ahead.

With the girls still ahead, their presence momentarily impeded the boys’ initial surge. However, upon spotting me leading the pack, the boys inexplicably accelerated, quickly leaving the girls behind in a blur.

‘Hold on a minute,’ I thought. ‘This is only the first lap. Is there any need to run so quickly? Aren’t you worried you’ll burn out later?’ Perhaps they were simply unwilling to be outpaced by a girl and had accelerated out of pride.

‘But I’m a boy!’ I inwardly exclaimed. ‘What’s the point of chasing me?’

While they had indeed increased their pace, their speed wasn’t quite as breakneck now. Still, the leading boy was steadily closing the distance between us.

‘He truly lives up to his reputation,’ I mused. ‘Is he really that adept at sports?’ Watching his speed slowly but surely increase, I found myself genuinely surprised. This guy possessed the stamina to maintain this pace, or even accelerate further, throughout the entire run.

He was likely destined to become a sports student; it would be a genuine waste of talent if he didn’t pursue it.

By the second lap, my pace had slackened slightly, allowing the boy to catch up. As he ran past me, he seemed to utter a few words.

I hadn’t quite caught what he said, so I simply dismissed it and continued running at my own comfortable pace.

When only one turn remained, I gritted my teeth and abruptly kicked up my speed. This was the final stretch, and I intended to tackle it with the ferocity of a hundred-meter sprint.

Having burst across the finish line, I peeled away from the rubber track and leaned against a nearby pillar, seeking a moment of respite.

It had truly been ages since I last ran, and my stamina had plummeted rather quickly. Completing those eight hundred meters felt more akin to a grueling thousand.

Since squatting immediately after a run was ill-advised, I remained firmly propped against the pillar, recovering. After a short while, a fair number of girls had also completed their run.

As they finished, the girls gravitated towards my spot, and without exception, a distinct look of envy shone in their eyes.

“Luo Ye, you ran incredibly fast! I truly didn’t expect it.”

As her words faded, the other girls enthusiastically chimed in with their agreement.

‘Of course I did,’ I thought, amused. ‘What a silly question. I’m a boy, after all.’

“It’s nothing special,” I replied, forcing a modest smile. “If you run more often, you can achieve this speed too.”

With a faint smile, my energy had mostly returned. It was time for me to move on; there was only one pillar, after all, and it was better left for someone who truly needed it.

Just as I pushed off the pillar, intending to check on the boys still racing around the track, a small, slender figure suddenly caught my eye.

Her stamina must have been truly lacking, for her face was noticeably pale after completing the eight hundred meters.

Sensing a subtle unease, I swiftly quickened my pace and rushed towards her.

“Tang Xiao Rou, what’s wrong?”

Reaching her side, I steadied her body and couldn’t help but inquire.

It was clear something was amiss; her body was trembling, quite violently so.

“I’m f—”

Before she could finish her sentence, she abruptly clapped a hand over her mouth, seemingly struggling to suppress the urge to vomit.

Internally cursing the situation, my gaze darted to a trash can a short distance away. Seizing the moment while Tang Xiao Rou was still holding back, I gently quickened my pace, guiding her towards the bin.

“Ugh!”

Fortunately, our timing was impeccable. Just as we reached the trash can, Tang Xiao Rou could no longer contain herself and violently emptied the contents of her stomach into it.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“I’m fine, Luo Ye. Thank you.”

Despite her assurances, observing her pale, trembling form, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow in concern.

Scanning my surroundings, my eyes landed on the physical education teacher, who was standing on the rubber track.

“Come on, I’ll take you to the physical education teacher. After we get you excused, we’ll head to the infirmary for a check-up.”

“There’s no need for all that trouble. I’m really fine.”

‘Good heavens,’ I thought. ‘Must she be so stubborn? She clearly just threw up, yet she insists she’s fine.’

“Still saying you’re fine? Your face is completely drained of color. Now, be a good girl and come with me. I’m taking you to the infirmary.”

Though Tang Xiao Rou seemed ready to protest further, seeing the resolute expression on the face of the silver-haired ‘loli’ who was pulling her, she ultimately chose to comply.

“Then I’m truly sorry to trouble you. Thank you.”

After locating the physical education teacher and briefly explaining the situation, they readily agreed to accompany us to the infirmary.

It was a relief to have the teacher guide us. Otherwise, with me unfamiliar with the school and Tang Xiao Rou equally lost, who knew how long it would have taken for us to stumble upon the infirmary on our own?

Upon arriving at the infirmary, we quickly explained what had happened, and the staff promptly administered appropriate care. As I watched the color gradually return to Tang Xiao Rou’s cheeks, a wave of relief washed over me.

“Stay here and keep her company,” the teacher instructed. “Once she’s feeling better, you can take her straight back to class.”

I nodded softly, and with a satisfied glance, the physical education teacher departed.

Gazing at Tang Xiao Rou as she sat on the infirmary bed, I reached out and gently tapped her forehead.

“If you suffer from low blood sugar, why didn’t you say something earlier?” I chided gently. “Don’t you know you need to take better care of yourself?”

“I… I thought I could manage,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

As she spoke, Tang Xiao Rou slowly bowed her head, her gaze fixed on her lap.

“I’m sorry to have troubled you.”

‘Ah,’ I thought, observing Tang Xiao Rou. ‘It seems my tone just now might have been a little too severe.’

I lightly patted my own cheek, reminding myself to be more mindful, then gently took her hand once more.

“Alright, alright,” I said softly. “Just be more careful next time, and remember to look after yourself.”

At my words, Tang Xiao Rou slowly lifted her head again, nodded, and offered me a sweet, grateful smile.

“Mm-hmm. Luo Ye, thank you so much for today.”