27 Wait for me at the finish line

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Jiang Ci’s expression was calm, and she glanced at her briefly, clearly not wanting to engage.

After seeing her foot kick the cotton, Wan Hanqiu spoke again, her words dripping with blatant malice. “So, what now? Planning to flirt with Zhang Heyu again?”

“Wan Hanqiu.”

Jiang Ci’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, her voice even and steady. “We’re both girls. There’s no need to fight to the death over a boy. The world doesn’t revolve around Zhang Heyu.”

“Don’t lose yourself over just one person.”

Wan Hanqiu stood frozen for a moment.

Having said that, Jiang Ci pinned the number tag onto her clothes and left the check-in area.

Zhang Heyu lowered his head, adjusting his camera, when suddenly a classmate nearby said, “Our class monitor is here.”

He raised his camera, focusing the lens on the girl standing on the red plastic track.

The girl had taken off her school uniform jacket and retied her hair; the summer short-sleeved uniform revealed her fair arms, and the number “9” was pinned to her body.

It seemed she noticed the camera pointed at her. When her gaze met the lens, her face froze for a moment before quickly regaining its composure.

The referee instructed the athletes to stand in their respective lanes. Jiang Ci glanced sideways and noticed Wan Hanqiu was also present.

She withdrew her gaze, adjusted her posture, and took a deep breath.

As everyone took their positions, the referee raised the flag, whistle clenched between his lips. “On your marks!”

With a sharp whistle and the flag dropped, “Go!”

The girl in the lens wore an expression of unwavering focus, sprinting forward without hesitation; the wind lifted her hair, leaving traces of youthful abandon.

Zhang Heyu’s camera followed Jiang Ci closely, capturing her spirited form.

For a fleeting moment, he felt as if Jiang Ci was glowing.

Brighter than the sun hanging in the clear blue sky.

Many around cheered for the athletes, and Zhang Heyu smiled gently. “Go, Jiang Ci.”

The girl pushed herself to the limit towards the finish line.

Only fifty meters remained.

Jiang Ci possessed excellent endurance, maintaining a steady pace in the final fifty meters.

At the crucial moment, she gritted her teeth and charged toward the finish.

Jiang Ci crossed the finish line first.

She won first place in the women’s 400 meters.

Standing aside, sweat soaked her collar and the ends of her hair; she bent over, catching her breath.

Suddenly, a pair of white sneakers entered her field of vision.

A familiar faint scent of light tea filled her nostrils, and her weary body felt a sudden relief.

Zhang Heyu’s eyebrows lifted lightly as he handed her a towel and water.

His voice was low and lazy, the last syllable drawn out. “Good job, Jiang Ci.”

Jiang Ci was momentarily stunned; her cheeks flushed from exertion, she straightened her back and accepted the items.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Heyu took out the candy he had just bought from the convenience store and placed it in the girl’s palm.

“Worried you’d get low blood sugar,” he explained softly.

Jiang Ci took a sip of water, unwrapped the candy, and glanced at the words on the wrapper.

“Keep it up, ya!”

Back at the base camp, Yu Xijin pulled her hand excitedly. “Ahhh! Ci Ci, you’re amazing! You actually got first place!”

Jiang Ci smiled. “Jin Jin, why weren’t you there just now?”

“I was, but right before you started, my stomach hurt, so I went to the restroom,” Yu Xijin explained. “I handed the camera to Zhang the scholar so he could take pictures for you.”

Well, she just did it on purpose.

Jiang Ci looked up at Zhang Heyu, who happened to be looking at her as well.

As if understanding her gaze, Zhang Heyu handed over both his phone and camera. “Want to take a look?”

“Let’s see how Zhang the scholar did!” Yu Xijin urged.

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Jiang Ci held the camera, scrolling through the photos—each one capturing her in different moments.

Under Zhang Heyu’s lens, Jiang Ci was radiant.

“Oh my, Ci Ci, you’re so beautiful!” Yu Xijin exclaimed beside her. “No wonder beauty is in the eye of the beholder; every single shot could be a poster!”

Jiang Ci blushed slightly. “What lover… you’re exaggerating. It’s a shame you’re not an actress.”

“I’m not acting, you can ask Zhang Heyu,” Yu Xijin said, tugging at her lip and glancing at the person standing nearby. “Right?”

Zhang Heyu stared intently at Jiang Ci for a long moment before curling his lips into a faint smile. “In my eyes, you’re very beautiful.”

Jiang Ci was taken aback; the breeze lingered on her shoulder as she met the boy’s deep eyes, a faint blush touching her brows, stirring a flutter in her heart.

“I told you!” Yu Xijin grabbed the camera and continued browsing. “I’ll export these photos and send them to you later, Ci Ci.”

Jiang Ci smiled obediently and nodded.

The school sports meet proceeded smoothly, quickly arriving at the second day of competition.

Zhang Heyu’s 1500-meter race was still an hour and a half away.

Several of them sat chatting beneath a phoenix tree.

“Ci got first yesterday; is it Heyu’s turn today?” Fan Mian teased.

Huo Chensi added, “No, our Heyu will get second.”

“Why?” Yu Xijin was puzzled. “Didn’t Zhang the scholar get first last year?”

Huo Chensi raised a finger and waved it. “Ci took first in the sports meet; Heyu tops the honor roll. They’re truly talented in both academics and athletics.”

Yu Xijin rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy, Huo Chensi.”

Jiang Ci laughed quietly, covering her mouth.

Noticing the girl’s smiling eyes, Zhang Heyu’s heart softened.

“Huo Chensi,” Zhang Heyu called, pulling at his lips. “Your intelligence is questionable.”

Huo Chensi was speechless.

With half an hour left before Zhang Heyu’s race, Jiang Ci remembered the promise she made and followed him to the convenience store.

Jiang Ci stood before the freezer, Zhang Heyu beside her, an inexplicable pressure rising.

Her hand froze mid-grab. “Don’t keep staring at me…” she murmured.

“I actually have a question for you,” Zhang Heyu said, hands in pockets, lazily lifting his chin. “How did you know I only drink this?”

Jiang Ci’s mental thread snapped instantly.

Zhang Heyu lowered his eyes, bent down slightly, and looked at her without any pretense.

Her heart involuntarily skipped a beat.

“I—I just…” Jiang Ci stammered, “When I worked at the convenience store, many athletes bought this drink after their events.”

Actually, Jiang Ci had noticed Zhang Heyu’s preference for this drink back in her first year of high school.

“Hmm.” Zhang Heyu didn’t doubt her explanation. “Pay and go.”

Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Ci caught up.

They returned to the base camp, the stadium’s broadcast announcing the ongoing high jump event.

Soon after, the announcement declared the high jump concluded, followed by the men’s 1500-meter notification.

“Men’s 1500-meter athletes, please report to the check-in area.”

Jiang Ci held her drink, glanced at Zhang Heyu, and reminded him, “You need to check in.”

“Mm.” Zhang Heyu lowered his eyelids and nodded, then added, “You come with me.”

Jiang Ci thought she misheard, rubbing her ear. “Come with you?”

“Otherwise?” Zhang Heyu replied casually, his tone softening as if coaxing, “Can’t you keep me company?”

Jiang Ci was stunned, a vague flutter rising in her chest.

Seeing her ears redden, Zhang Heyu teased, “You’re so obedient, Ah Ci.”

Jiang Ci’s face flushed deeper, turning away. “Go check in.”

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“Okay.”

The two walked side by side across the field toward the check-in area.

As Jiang Ci accompanied Zhang Heyu, many cast admiring glances their way.

“Jiang Ci?”

Someone called from behind. Jiang Ci turned and was surprised to see Zhi Jiangwen.

He took a few steps forward. “Congratulations on first place in the women’s 400 meters.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Ci noticed his number tag and asked, “Which event are you in?”

Zhi Jiangwen smiled. “The relay, 4x100 meters. It’s almost my turn. Want to watch?”

Before Jiang Ci could answer, Zhang Heyu’s usual lazy tone interrupted.

“Sorry, Ah Ci has to watch my 1500-meter race.”

Ah Ci?

Zhang Heyu raised an eyebrow, looking down on Zhi Jiangwen while pulling Jiang Ci closer to his side.

His hostility was unmistakable.

Zhang Heyu never hid his emotions, and Zhi Jiangwen clearly noticed.

“No problem,” Zhi Jiangwen smiled. “You can watch mine after yours.”

Jiang Ci glanced at Zhang Heyu, then after a long pause said, “Class monitor, I have something to do later, so I won’t watch.”

Zhi Jiangwen hesitated, his heart sinking but understanding her meaning. He didn’t insist. “Alright then, see you next time. I’m off.”

Watching Zhi Jiangwen’s departing back, Jiang Ci seemed to see a reflection of herself.

If she were rejected by Zhang Heyu, she might feel the same.

Sensing her mood, Zhang Heyu reached up and patted her head. “Ah Ci, my race is about to start.”

Jiang Ci nodded, composed herself, and smiled again. “Let’s go.”

They reached the men’s 1500-meter race track.

Zhang Heyu stopped, suddenly bent down, and locked eyes with Jiang Ci, his gaze tender beyond reason.

His Adam’s apple bobbed twice. “Don’t forget to wait for me at the finish.”

Jiang Ci’s face heated; she turned away and mumbled, “I know.”

“Cheer for me, okay, Jiang Ci?”

After two seconds of silence, Jiang Ci’s heart raced wildly, and she spoke softly, “Good luck, Zhang Heyu.”

“Good girl,” Zhang Heyu smiled lazily. “See you at the finish.”

Jiang Ci watched him disappear into the crowd, his figure growing distant and fading from sight.

Snapping back to reality, Jiang Ci looked down at the Gatorade in her hand, then lifted her head at the sound of a starting pistol.

The boy wearing number “3” crouched and launched forward like an arrow released from a bow.

Many of the 1500-meter runners were endurance-trained athletes. No one expected Zhang Heyu to surpass them, yet he left two ahead sprinters behind and surged into third place.

“Wow, Zhang Heyu actually overtook the sprint stars from the sports class!”

“Oh my god, my idol is amazing!”

“Keep going, keep going! Only one lap left!”

“Can he beat the long-distance champion from the sports class?”

Each overtaking move was met with waves of cheers.

Only half a lap remained.

Jiang Ci stood by the finish line, her breath tightening as the boy sprinted toward her, her heartbeat pounding faster.

Suddenly, a scream rang out, “Ahhh! Zhang Heyu overtook Li Heng!”