Chapter 7

Let’s Race, Shall We?

After morning assembly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students would head to the playground for group calisthenics.

Despite the cool breeze earlier, by the second period of the day, it had ceased entirely.

As Wei Lai stepped out from the classroom, leaving the shadow of the school building, like his classmates, he gazed at the sun hanging overhead, hoping for some clouds to drift by and provide shade, sparing them from the heat.

However, contrary to their wishes, even as the PE teacher gathered everyone, not a single cloud appeared in the sky.

The boys and girls lined up separately in two rows. After leading warm-up exercises, the teacher proceeded to outline the day’s activities.

First, they were divided into groups of four to run 400 meters. Then, pairs were assigned to perform sit-ups under the shade of the teaching building.

Upon hearing this workout plan, both boys and girls alike displayed discontented expressions.

“Both boys and girls, if you can’t run the full distance, you must still walk and complete the 400 meters, understood?”

“Yes,” half-heartedly responded most of the female students, who constituted about half the class. They genuinely disliked sweating, finding the discomfort of damp clothes sticking to their bodies unbearable.

While the teacher grouped the students at the front, Wei Lai whispered to Qing Ting, taking advantage of the moment:

“It’s not too late for you to back out now. I don’t need fancy drinks; just a small bottle of mineral water from the store will suffice.”

The cheapest beverage at the store cost two yuan, whereas a small bottle of mineral water was only one yuan, allowing her to save half the money.

“You afraid of losing?” Qing Ting glanced sidelong at Wei Lai.

Wei Lai turned away, feigning indifference.

“More like fearing your tears if you lose.” 

(There’s no wind today, and I’m worried about you overheating, yet my concern is misunderstood as mockery.)

“You’re the one who’ll cry! Want to add something more?”

“What do you mean?”

Qing Ting extended a finger, suggesting this addition.

“How about adding a pack of tissues? The loser has to buy an extra pack for the winner.”

She hadn’t anticipated that even during their second PE class, there would be no breeze, despite the weather forecast predicting gusts of three to four levels.

“Deal.” 

Wei Lai hooked his pinky around Qing Ting’s index finger.

In his mind, he decided that even if he won against Qing Ting, he would still give the tissues to her.

The elementary school playground was small; one lap on the track measured only 200 meters, requiring two laps to complete 400 meters.

As the PE teacher assigned groups, noticing Wei Lai and Qing Ting standing together again, she discreetly placed them in the last group without comment.

After several groups finished their runs, it was Wei Lai and Qing Ting’s turn. As she announced the start, the teacher pressed her stopwatch, then turned to supervise the other students standing in the shade of the school building.

“During this break, pair up with someone nearby for sit-ups later.”

“Understood.”

The students began forming familiar partnerships for the upcoming sit-up exercise.

Including Wei Lai and Qing Ting, everyone had already started running on the track.

Soon, some individuals slowed down to walking. Those lagging at the back were reluctant to run, especially on such a windless, sunny day.

Before long, Wei Lai and Qing Ting surpassed them by more than a full lap.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept across, causing all the students in gym class to squint comfortably, including Qing Ting.

However, her squint wasn’t due to comfort, but because sweat from her lashes blew into her eyes. The mix of sweat and dust from the playground irritated her, prompting her to rub her eyes momentarily. In that instant, she stumbled over a pebble, slipped, and fell onto the ground, leaving a red mark on her forehead.

Blood slowly seeped from the abrasion.

As time rewinds, Wei Lai witnesses these events unfolding once again through his eyes.

As Wei Lai gradually slowed down and stepped out of formation, he matched Qing Ting’s pace.

Qing Ting looked at Wei Lai with confusion beside her.

“What’s wrong? Already running out of steam?” 

Whether she won or not didn’t matter; she simply wanted to reciprocate yesterday’s gesture from the stuffed animal.

“You don’t understand; in long-distance running, you can’t start too fast. You need to sprint only during the last ten meters,” Wei Lai casually offered as an excuse.

(If you hit your head again and get a scar, what then? Seriously.)

Recalling Qing Ting’s expression when she fell earlier, Wei Lai felt inexplicably uneasy.

It’s just a race, no need for such risks, truly unnecessary.

Qing Ting blinked, her eyes sparkling, making it hard for Wei Lai to maintain his composure. “Are you feeling sorry for me?”

“No, just keep running, I’m not… I’m not concerned.”

Experience has shown that every man who glances at a woman while running meets a similar fate.

While talking to Qing Ting, Wei Lai misjudged his footing, abruptly dropping to one knee on the gravel track. His facial features instantly contorted in pain.

A gust of wind blew, lifting Qing Ting’s skirt and hair simultaneously. 

She stopped.

“Are you okay, Wei Lai?”

With tears welling up from panic, Qing Ting hurried to help Wei Lai stand.

A small diamond-shaped stone had lodged itself deep into his knee, looking quite gruesome.

The teacher witnessed this scene and swiftly paused her stopwatch, rushing over.

“What happened?”

“His knee is injured,” said Qing Ting.

Gently nudging the stone on his knee, Wei Lai found it wasn’t embedded too deeply and easily removed it. 

Looking up, he reassured the teacher, “It’s fine; not like I got shot by an arrow. Just need some rest.”

Seeing Wei Lai’s injury was indeed serious, the PE teacher turned to the other students and announced, “Everyone, take free time for now. We’ll continue with sit-ups next class!”

She then joined Qing Ting in supporting Wei Lai. “Come, let’s get that wound treated.”

The school lacked a proper infirmary; since most students commuted daily, minor ailments were typically addressed at nearby hospitals. For immediate first aid, such as cuts and scrapes, the responsibility often fell on the PE teachers.

The teacher escorted Wei Lai to her office, retrieving disinfectant alcohol and red ointment from a drawer.

Qing Ting followed closely, standing beside them to watch.

“Hold him still while you pour the alcohol onto his knee to clean the wound,” the teacher instructed, handing the opened bottle of alcohol to Qing Ting.

The scent of alcohol instantly reminded Wei Lai of his childhood injuries, causing his hair to stand on end.

“Use less.”

“I know.”

Qing Ting carefully dripped the alcohol one drop at a time onto Wei Lai’s wound.

Instantly regretting it, Wei Lai felt as if he were being tortured slowly.

“Just pour more; short pain is better than prolonged agony.”

Seeing Wei Lai’s grimace, Qing Ting pouted sympathetically.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ve never been injured, so I wouldn’t know.” 

“All right, it’s time for the ointment now.” The teacher released Wei Lai’s leg and picked up the red medicine, while Qing Ting prepared to close the alcohol bottle cap.

The lingering alcohol on his knee continued to make Wei Lai wince in pain.

(I’m glad it’s me who got hurt. Qing Ting hasn’t experienced this kind of pain before. She probably couldn’t handle it.)

Wei Lai tried to distract himself with random thoughts, just beginning to feel slightly better when Qing Ting, hearing his inner monologue, turned towards him, touched.

In her momentary emotion, she accidentally dropped the bottle cap onto his wound again.

“…”

(Are you sent by the devil to torment me?!) Wei Lai mentally cried out from the second blow.

Qing Ting immediately looked upset, clearly not having done it intentionally.

“Teacher, the wound got dirty again. Should we clean it once more?”

“Yes, rinse it again.”

“…”

As Wei Lai watched the alcohol bottle approaching his wound once more, he painfully closed his eyes.

*****

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