Chapter 11

This Is an Opportunity

In the shade of the school building, Miao Luo had already set up mats on the ground with a few students assisting.

On this September morning, accompanied by a gentle breeze and shielded from direct sunlight, it felt incredibly comfortable.

If not for the physical education class, buying some snacks from the store, sitting on these mats, and chatting while enjoying the treats would have been pure bliss.

However, Miao Luo didn’t allow any time for leisure. As soon as the mats were laid out, she began assigning tasks.

“Pair up; one person does sit-ups while the other holds their feet and counts. Do as many as possible within one minute without overexerting yourself. Afterward, switch roles.”

“Those who have formed pairs, please stand next to your assigned mat now.”

Holding a stopwatch, Miao Luo pointed towards the mats placed near the flower beds. While others hesitated, Qing Ting promptly pulled Wei Lai to the farthest mat.

With someone taking the lead, the rest followed suit, choosing classmates they usually got along well with and standing beside the remaining mats.

“All right, you can lie down now to get ready. Wait until I say ‘start’ before beginning.”

As Miao Luo’s instructions ended, students gradually lay down on the mats. Qing Ting, carefully holding her skirt, also positioned herself accordingly.

“Hurry up, Wei Lai! I still need to tie my hair,” Qing Ting urged him, holding her skirt with one hand and managing her hair with the other.

(Why didn’t she tie her hair beforehand, knowing we’d have sit-ups in today’s PE class?) Wei Lai muttered silently as he squatted down to help secure Qing Ting’s dress.

Although it was a long skirt, it didn’t reach her ankles. While assisting, Wei Lai encountered a problem. With only one hand available to hold Qing Ting’s foot, due to needing his other hand for her dress, he found it challenging to maintain balance and grip properly.

Wei Lai glanced towards Miao Luo, seeking assistance.

“Teacher, I can’t keep her foot steady like this.”

“Is that so?” Miao Luo turned her attention to Wei Lai and Qing Ting’s pair, promptly approaching them.

“If you find it difficult to press on her foot, just sit down and hug her legs instead.” Miao Luo gently pushed on Wei Lai’s shoulders, guiding him to sit on the mat. He then leaned sideways, embracing Qing Ting’s calves, which also helped him hold her dress securely.

As these images flashed through Wei Lai’s mind, he felt a slight warmth in his cheeks but couldn’t think of any better alternative. His knee injury made it inconvenient to use his knees instead of his hands to stabilize Qing Ting’s feet.

(It seems I’ll have to wrap my arms around her calves.)

Wei Lai removed his hand from Qing Ting’s foot and was about to sit down, intending to hold her lower legs when suddenly, she pulled them back.

Confused, he looked at Qing Ting, “What’s wrong?”

Qing Ting, with her hair now tied on top of her head, blushed slightly, glanced away, and murmured, “Just pressing my knees is fine; I’m ticklish elsewhere.”

“Alright, no problem.”

Without giving it much thought, Wei Lai placed both hands firmly on Qing Ting’s knees. With ample fabric covering her knees, holding them down allowed him to secure her skirt effectively without any hindrance.

However, this position left most of her calves exposed, drawing his attention intermittently due to their smooth appearance.

“Everyone ready?”

“Yes, Teacher, we’re ready!”

“Then… start timing!”

After confirming everyone was prepared, Miao Luo pressed the stopwatch hanging around her neck.

As others began doing sit-ups, Qing Ting followed suit. Her cheeks flushed gradually after completing five repetitions, rising and falling softly.

While holding her knees, Wei Lai couldn’t help but notice her increasingly rosy face as it moved closer and farther from him, momentarily forgetting the sight of her legs right before him.

“How many have I done?” Qing Ting asked, slightly breathless yet maintaining bright eyes that made Wei Lai instinctively look away.

Caught up gazing at her face earlier, he had forgotten to count.

“I think you’ve done seven already.”

“No, it’s not seven; that was five, and now it’s six.” 

Qing Ting sat up again, deliberately whipping Wei Lai’s forehead with her ponytail. “You were staring at me the whole time without counting. Am I really that captivating?”

“Not at all, my mind was elsewhere. From now on, I’ll keep a proper count… That makes seven now.” Wei Lai turned his focus back, determined to prove himself by attentively counting.

(She teased me again, seriously.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting smiled but didn’t respond, slowing down her movements instead.

“Thirty seconds left, push yourselves for a few more reps. This assessment will impact your final physical education grade.”

“I can’t do any more. I’m so tired.”

“Eleven… You’re reaching your limit!”

Miao Luo observed her students from the sidelines, quietly watching those who started complaining within mere seconds, without any rebuke. She had a clear understanding of which students were consistently active and which ones preferred slacking off.

The purpose of gym class was to ensure they received adequate exercise. At this age, the goal wasn’t to train professional athletes; such tasks could be left to their middle and high school teachers.

Finding herself idle, Miao Luo shifted her gaze towards Wei Lai and Qing Ting, warmth flickering in her eyes.

“Eleven, twelve…”

Wei Lai counted Qing Ting’s sit-ups, noticing as the intervals between her lying down and sitting up lengthened that she was nearing her limit.

(She’s already doing well. Last year, I think she only managed twelve.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting felt exceptionally happy. After completing three more, she lay on the mat and looked at him.

“Wanna race? I can still do one more. Fifteen shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

At Qing Ting’s challenge, Wei Lai puffed his cheeks, lowered his head, feeling embarrassed.

Last year, with assistance from other boys, he had also stopped at twelve sit-ups. However, the reason behind it couldn’t be shared with Qing Ting, lest he faced further teasing from her.

(Yes, this is my chance!)

“Alright, let’s compete,” Wei Lai lifted his head, determined not to lose against a girl.

“Okay, then I’ll hold your feet.” 

A glint appeared in Qing Ting’s eyes as she sat up and gently blew onto Wei Lai’s hand. With lightning speed, Wei Lai retracted his hands and glanced at Qing Ting. She was already blushing, hugging her legs as she sat watching him.

“You could have just stood up; no need to blow on my hand.”

“Did I? It must’ve been the wind,” she replied innocently.

Wei Lai fell silent, studying Qing Ting. Through glimpses of future scenes, he instantly uncovered her scheme.

(So you planned to sneakily blow air on my knees while I did sit-ups? Not impressive.)

He realized it was simply a matter of being unprepared. With vigilance, he wouldn’t be so easily affected.

Wei Lai had no intention of altering what would happen in the next minute, confident in his ability to endure.

“All right, after one minute, switch positions,” Miao Luo announced. Qing Ting rose from the mat, and Wei Lai eagerly took her spot without delay.

“Just wait and see, I’ll definitely do more than you,” Wei Lai declared confidently.

Qing Ting smiled slightly but didn’t respond.

*****

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