Chapter 22

On the 9th, Yang Jingxing didn’t go to the music academy because he still had to throw the shot put in the afternoon. In the morning, he was still in the practice room, where Hu Yiqing found a lot of variations to play for him, helping him analyze the methods of variation. The profound and complex charm of classical music made Yang Jingxing thirsty for more.

When it was time to go for lunch, Hu Yiqing said to Yang Jingxing, "I’m going home this afternoon, so I won’t be there to cheer you on."

Yang Jingxing replied, "Cheer now, I’ll save it."

Hu Yiqing chuckled, "Cheer!"

In the cafeteria, Tao Meng found Yang Jingxing and reminded him, "Don’t forget in the afternoon, change your clothes... It’s the last high school sports meet, be more active, and don’t even write a broadcast script!"

Yang Jingxing said, "I’ll guarantee the championship, providing you with material."

At 2 PM, Yang Jingxing, dressed in his basketball uniform, appeared at the comprehensive sports field.

Ren Chuyu criticized him, "You’re so lazy, you should play basketball or soccer, it’s a waste to be so tall... Hey, are you still growing?"

Yang Jingxing gestured from Ren Chuyu’s head to his own chest, "Still growing."

"You’re cheating!" Ren Chuyu was upset, "I’m up to your nose!"

The broadcast announced for the senior high school boys' shot put athletes to gather at the venue. Among the dozen or so participants, Yang Jingxing’s physique stood out like a crane among chickens.

First, they warmed up and prepared. A 5-kilogram shot put, Yang Jingxing picked it up and tried it, shouting loudly and throwing it lightly, about 5 to 6 meters.

A few classmates who came to cheer laughed, and Ren Chuyu, while taking photos of Yang Jingxing, called out, "Take it seriously, I’ve already written the broadcast script!"

The strong competitors looked at Yang Jingxing and his cheerleaders, feeling a bit disrespected.

Just before the competition started, Tao Meng also came over and said, "Cao Linglan lost." Cao Linglan participated in chess, with few people signing up, so there were no grade divisions.

Yang Jingxing said, "Good, I can throw half a meter more."

Tao Meng didn’t understand what he meant, and a girl asked, "If you call all the girls in the class, you can throw 30 meters."

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "Some don’t have as much effect as you."

Tao Meng almost turned to leave.

The first round of the competition began, and Yang Jingxing was the fifth to go. The best score so far was 12.5 meters. Yang Jingxing, looking at the teacher measuring 20 meters away, felt a bit nervous. This time he only threw 13 meters, half a meter less than his own score from last year.

Ren Chuyu explained to the people around her, "He hasn’t trained, he has to practice the piano every day."

Others didn’t care about his piano practice. The strong guy from Class 5 went up, roared, and threw it far, 14 meters! It seemed he had trained, and he was determined to avenge himself this year.

After the first round, Yang Jingxing was in fourth place, which was quite pitiful. The second round began, and Yang Jingxing added more force, throwing 14 meters, but the others were close to 15 meters. However, he was at least second, and Ren Chuyu only needed to add a line to the broadcast script.

The third round, the final round. Yang Jingxing, fearing the worst, said to the measuring teacher, "Teacher, can you stand a bit further? I’m afraid to use my full strength."

Everyone laughed, and the young physical education teacher stepped back a few steps, pointing to where he originally stood, "If you can throw it here, I’ll accept it!" Your posture doesn’t even look like you’re throwing a shot put.

The girls cheered for Yang Jingxing, who held the shot put and looked at Tao Meng, who hadn’t spoken, and asked, "What about you?"

Tao Meng, impatient, said, "Cheer!"

Yang Jingxing was satisfied, "Half a meter more."

Yang Jingxing’s throwing posture was really ugly, just pretending. He just pushed it, and the shot put flew out, without the best angle.

However, the measuring teacher was still surprised, "How did it fly so far this time?" It went over 16 meters, almost 17 meters!

The girls cheered, and Tao Meng also smiled.

Yang Jingxing walked over and pointed to the strong guy from Class 5 with his thumb, saying to Tao Meng, "Bad, he hates you, just because of that extra meter."

Tao Meng’s face turned cold for a moment, and when the strong guy from Class 5 went up, she suddenly shouted, "Cheer!"

Yang Jingxing looked at Tao Meng sadly, "You’re not my class monitor, you’re not my desk partner..."

Tao Meng lifted her chin, pretending not to hear. Alas, her cheering wasn’t that magical, and the strong guy still didn’t break 15 meters.

Thus, Yang Jingxing broke the school record of 15.32 meters, winning the senior high school boys' shot put championship with a score of 16.58 meters. He felt embarrassed to tell others that he actually practiced the piano.

Breaking the record! Ren Chuyu’s broadcast script was invalidated, and she hurried back to rewrite it. Yang Jingxing sat in the audience, waiting to hear his glorious achievements praised.

"In the just concluded senior high school boys' shot put event, Yang Jingxing from Class 3, Grade 3, won the championship with a score of over 1 meter better than the original school record. Congratulations to him — submitted by Tao Meng from Class 3, Grade 3."

Even as the class monitor, she was too lazy.

After a while, Ren Chuyu called Yang Jingxing to pay attention. "... In the first round, he only ranked fourth, but he didn’t lose confidence... Encouraged by his classmates, he threw a better score than last year, but... with a determined gaze full of confidence, his well-built muscles burst with potential, making a final all-out throw — he achieved an excellent score of 16.6 meters! Not only did he break his own record, but he also broke the school record, winning the championship as expected! Wishing Yang Jingxing and all the senior high school students to strive hard and achieve good results in the coming high school life — submitted by Ren Chuyu from Class 3, Grade 3."

You can imagine how many disdainful gazes there would be around, Yang Jingxing didn’t have the face to look up.

In the evening, there was the usual class meeting. The homeroom teacher praised the students' performance in the sports meet and also encouraged them to apply the spirit of striving to their studies.

After the homeroom teacher left, the classroom became lively, as if most people wanted to take the opportunity to relax during the sports meet.

Ren Chuyu stopped Yang Jingxing from leaving, "Let’s chat."

Yang Jingxing said, "I think it will be partly cloudy tomorrow."

No matter how white Li Ya’s eyes rolled, Ren Chuyu still smiled brightly, "Remember tomorrow morning." Tomorrow they were playing volleyball against the girls from Class 4.

Yang Jingxing nodded, "I know."

Ren Chuyu pulled Yang Jingxing’s wrist, "Let’s go listen to how you play."

Yang Jingxing refused, "No, you need to maintain a good state, you have to win tomorrow."

Volleyball was the most popular among boys because it involved tall girls in volleyball uniforms. At this time, the boys' cheerleading team was especially loud and powerful, making the indoor sports field roar, even though the volleyball game itself was not very exciting.

Yang Jingxing took photos, which was the task assigned by Ren Chuyu. Yesterday, Ren Chuyu took a dozen photos of Yang Jingxing throwing the shot put, and today he had to repay her by pressing the shutter button repeatedly.

The busy Tao Meng came over from the playground to check the situation and caught Yang Jingxing, "How do you have time?"

Yang Jingxing admitted, "You can criticize me."

Tao Meng directly penalized him, "You must submit a broadcast script this afternoon."

At 3 PM, it was the senior high school girls' 800-meter race, with Tao Meng and another girl from Class 3 participating. It seemed that the girls in Shangpu were particularly delicate, and few were willing to participate in events like the 800 meters, girls' shot put, or basketball.

Tao Meng’s running shoes were quite professional, and her sports shorts and T-shirt looked the part. She stood on the starting line with a dozen or so other girls, all in various colorful and different lengths, preparing to start.

Yang Jingxing only came just before the start, shouting, "Tao Meng, cheer!"

Tao Meng glanced at him, acknowledging it.

Yang Jingxing, being a bit cheeky, shouted to the other girl, "Yao Qing, don’t fall too far behind."

Yao Qing smiled, still warming up.

On the starting line, the girls were ready, and at the sound of the gun, they ran out. Only Tao Meng and a good runner from Class 2 used a sprint. Tao Meng was a bit faster, leading by about 10 meters after half a lap.

At this point, Yang Jingxing walked over, ran a few steps, and reminded Tao Meng, "Pay attention to your stamina, pay attention to your breathing."

After one lap, the girls’ speed clearly slowed down. Tao Meng was still in the lead, and it seemed she had trained. However, the second-place girl was more stable, not slowing down much, and the distance to Tao Meng gradually shortened. Tao Meng’s expression was already quite serious, while the chasers behind her looked more relaxed.

At 600 meters, the good runner from Class 2 was only a few meters behind Tao Meng, seemingly preparing to overtake her in the final sprint.

Tao Meng’s ponytail wasn’t swinging as happily as before, her mouth was slightly open, and it was clear she was breathing heavily. Her eyes were almost lifeless, and each step she took was a bit shaky.

At 700 meters, Tao Meng was about to be caught up. She felt a sense of crisis and started to speed up, but not as much as the others.

Yang Jingxing came over again, running alongside her, shouting, "Cheer up!"

At this point, Tao Meng couldn’t hear Yang Jingxing, just telling herself to keep going.

Yang Jingxing, worried, called out, "She’s catching up, why is my cheering not working... Oh no, she’s going to like me, you can’t be so unrighteous, cheer up!"

Tao Meng really wanted to get rid of Yang Jingxing, this fly, and burst with potential, starting her final sprint.

Tao Meng was the first to cross the finish line, then bent over, hands on her knees, panting, ignoring the teachers and classmates who came to congratulate and care for her.

Yang Jingxing came over, still shaken, "Scared me to death, thanks."

Tao Meng suddenly squatted down, arms hugging her head, burying it in her knees.

The people around her were a bit scared, asking, "What’s wrong? Are you okay? Can’t you stand up? Help her up."

Tao Meng spread her arms to show she was fine, and after a while, she stood up. Her previously pale face was now a bit rosy, and there was a smile she couldn’t control.

Just winning the 800 meters first place, it wasn’t necessary to be so happy.

Tao Meng rested, and the physical education committee member collected the broadcast script. Not long after, "After a long run, with the steps of youth. Tao Meng from Class 3, Grade 3, won the first place in the girls' 800 meters with her strong willpower. Congratulations to her — submitted by Yang Jingxing from Class 3, Grade 3."

Finally, the task was completed, and Yang Jingxing left. His current task was to quickly write a decent variation piece. Hu Yiqing was very dedicated to this, drawing several drafts for Yang Jingxing to reference, but they were all rigid and mechanical, and would definitely not form a coherent piece when played.

On the 12th in the morning, it was a series of highlights of the sports meet. 100 meters, 4x100 meters, 400 meters, 4x400 meters. Yang Jingxing didn’t participate in the sprints, but he had to run in the relay.

When discussing the 4x100 meters strategy, Tao Meng said to Yang Jingxing, "You either run the first leg or the fourth leg!"

Yang Jingxing refused, "I’ll run the second or third leg." Actually, if he ran all four legs, he would definitely win first place.

Tao Meng shouted, "Can you have a bit of responsibility?"

Shao Lei, impatient, said, "Let him run the third leg." He won first place in the swimming competition and second in the 100 meters, feeling very confident.

Yang Jingxing said, "Xu Zisheng runs the first leg."

"Ah!" Xu Zisheng was the weakest among the four, under a lot of pressure.

Tao Meng was disheartened, "Whatever! It’s your call."

The relay race was exciting, with drums adding to the atmosphere, and the audience seats were full. At the sound of the gun, the athletes rushed out, and the cheers were deafening.

Xu Zisheng, the first leg of Class 3, used all his strength, but he was still a step behind the others. By the time he passed the baton to the second leg, the fastest was already 10 meters ahead.

The second leg was really pushing hard, gritting his teeth and running with his head down. Yang Jingxing didn’t even warm up, and when he took the baton, he was already 20 meters behind the leader, but there were others worse off, and he was in second to last place.

With a sense of responsibility, Yang Jingxing shot out like an arrow, and his speed quickly became the focus in the wide field of view of others. After sprinting 30 meters and overtaking one person, the cheers from the audience doubled.

"Cheer!" Tao Meng and Ren Chuyu were both standing by the third leg track.

Yang Jingxing sprinted, and every time he overtook someone, the cheers around him grew louder. As he got closer to Shao Lei, there was one more person to overtake, and Yang Jingxing added more effort.

When Yang Jingxing overtook the last person in front of him, Shao Lei’s eyes really saw him as a brother. Shao Lei took the baton and ran to the finish line faster than when he won second place, and he lived up to everyone’s expectations.

When Shao Lei reached the finish line, threw the baton on the ground, and raised his arms to accept the cheers, Yang Jingxing was getting a white eye from Tao Meng, "Now you’ve made enemies."

Tao Meng said, "This is a team event, not just your achievement."

Ren Chuyu was still excited, "You ran so fast, the photos are blurry, it scared me."

After a while, the broadcast announced the good news again, Class 3, Grade 3, won the boys' 4x100 meters with a time of 45.30 seconds, breaking the school record.

The physical education teachers, of course, noticed the guy who ran faster than a rabbit and asked the teacher of Class 3, Grade 3. Yang Jingxing’s physical education teacher was full of anger, "That guy, lazy, doesn’t want to participate in anything! He could definitely break the record in swimming."

In the afternoon, it was the closing ceremony of the sports meet. The students changed into their clothes, especially the seniors, who wanted to commemorate the event.

Ren Chuyu jumped next to Yang Jingxing, "I want a photo with the champion."

Yang Jingxing also jumped, "I want a photo with a beauty."

Several girls from the class came to take photos with Yang Jingxing, as they found him more enthusiastic than before.

On the 13th, the atmosphere of the sports meet disappeared from the senior high school classroom, and everyone returned to their studies.

During the break, Tao Meng went out and came back to find Yang Jingxing daydreaming. She sat down, tidied up her books, and asked, "Yang Jingxing, how is your piano practice going?"

"Getting started."

"Didn’t Ren Chuyu say you play very well?"

"Seeing is believing."

"I don’t have time to listen to you play." Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, "Isn’t your dream to be a race car driver?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "That was my old dream." When he introduced himself at the beginning of the school year, he had to say his dream, and without a dream, he chose a hobby to say.

Tao Meng asked again, "Why didn’t you go see the Ferrari in Italy last time?"

"You weren’t willing."

Tao Meng’s voice rose, "Don’t blame me!"

Yang Jingxing clasped his hands, "No, no. I suddenly missed home at that time."

Tao Meng smiled, then remembered, "Right, what’s the name of the girl you went on a date with?"

"Roka."

"Are you still in touch?"

"No."

Tao Meng nodded, "I’m pen pals with Alina, they are very enthusiastic... What are you thinking about?"

Yang Jingxing looked away from the ceiling and asked, "Do you have time at noon?"

Tao Meng was alert, "What for?"

"I’ll give you a concert."

Tao Meng said, "I need to take a nap."

"Have a good dream."

Tao Meng asked again, "How long will it take?"

"15 minutes."

Tao Meng hesitated for a moment and nodded, "Okay, let’s have lunch first?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "You treat me or I treat you?"

"No need! Wait for me at 12:45."

Yang Jingxing arrived at the practice room at 12:30, and Tao Meng came on time. Yang Jingxing warmly welcomed her, and Tao Meng said, "Hurry up, what are you going to play?"

Yang Jingxing sat down at the piano and said, "I’ll play one, a very ordinary one, definitely one you haven’t heard before. Tell