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Chapter 463: Chapter 316 Tai Chi Practice_2
Jiang Ning: "I’ve picked them before too."
Back when living conditions were scarce, he had no snacks to eat, so he often ran with his buddies to the fields to pull Mao Ya, gathering a large bunch before trading with the wealthier village kids for spicy sticks.
"Here’s another one for you," Xue Yuantong produced yet another stalk and fed it to his mouth.
Today, pressed for time, Xue Yuantong had only picked a few stalks.
While eating Mao Ya, Xue Yuantong’s eyes searched the roadside, vaguely spotting traces of them. But since she had to go to school, she couldn’t ask Jiang Ning to stop the car to pick Mao Ya.
Xue Yuantong curbed her burgeoning impulse.
...
The gate of Fourth Middle School.
Upon entering, Jiang Ning immediately noticed that today, the school was quite different from usual.
Several large red banners were stretched across the gate announcing the 60th anniversary of Yuzhou Fourth Middle School, along with words of welcome for the alumni.
Looking from afar, many flowers bloomed along the length of the main school path, with flags and various banners erected at intervals.
The school security and people like Director Wang from the security office were all standing at the entrance, backs straight as arrows, eyes vigilantly scanning the students entering the school, brimming with vitality.
Jiang Ning rode his mountain bike up to the gate and was met by several stern gazes. It was only when he stopped the bike that those gazes relaxed.
Holding the handlebars, he walked through the gate and along the way encountered many students dressed in Tai Chi clothes. Once Jiang Ning entered his class, it was a sea of white.
He was greeted by the sight of Wang Longlong, who, clad in Tai Chi clothes on his slightly chubby face, portrayed a cheerful contrast akin to a festive shroud.
Immediately, Wang Longlong clasped his hands in a salute and called out,
"Master Jiang, welcome to my golden basin hand-washing ceremony today! Quickly, take a seat!"
Jiang Ning smiled and made his way to his own seat.
Geng Lu poked him and stood in front of him: "Do I look good?"
Jiang Ning cast his eyes her way.
Geng Lu tugged at the sash around her waist and gave a light pull outward. The previously loose Tai Chi clothes abruptly tightened inward.
Her waistline instantly appeared more slender, contrasting sharply with the curves above, showcasing nature’s bounty born from slender branches.
Jiang Ning seriously replied, "Hmm, not bad."
Geng Lu’s face broke out into a clean and pure smile: "As long as it looks good."
She showed Jiang Ning for a moment before loosening her waistline again. She knew it was too conspicuous that way.
The back row.
Wu Xiaoqi entered the room.
Dan Kaiquan chuckled: "Wu Xiaoqi, wasn’t your pants torn? How come you have new pants now?"
At this, everyone burst into laughter.
Wu Xiaoqi’s face turned red with embarrassment. Without retorting, he headed straight back to his seat.
Dan Kaiquan and the others made a fuss for a bit.
The class teacher, Shan Qingrong, appeared, and the students quickly returned to their seats.
The teacher glanced at the students in the class, all dressed in Tai Chi clothes—no, except for one, Xue Yuantong.
Shan Qingrong instructed: "Follow me downstairs immediately, stand at the designated spot, and practice Tai Chi."
Guo Kunnan raised a hand: "Mr. Shan, how long will we be practicing Tai Chi?"
Shan Qingrong said, "It depends. In any case, everyone give it your best performance; we have many alumni visiting."
Dong Qingfeng said, "I heard even the big boss from Changqing Liquid Company is coming!"
Wang Yong added, "And leaders from the province."
Chen Qian put down the pen in his hand and adjusted his glasses: "Teacher, will there be academicians attending the anniversary?"
Their Fourth Middle School, celebrating its 60th anniversary, was once fortunate to produce a top-tier scientific researcher.
Shan Qingrong replied with a smile: "Yes, they are coming."
Chen Qian’s eyes instantly sparked with light. To academics, becoming an academician was the ultimate dream.
Shan Qingrong answered a few more questions before looking at the clock on the blackboard: "Time’s up; follow me."
"Xue Yuantong, you don’t need to go. You stay in the class."
She patted Jiang Ning: "Go on, I’ll wait for you to come back."
Jiang Ning left with Geng Lu, following their classmates out. The hallways were filled with students in Tai Chi clothes.
They proceeded down the hall and stopped in front of Building 1.
Class 8’s position was towards the back; Jiang Ning stood at the end of the line, looking out to see a field of students in front of him. The view beyond the main campus path led to Teaching Building 2, which was also swarmed with students in Tai Chi clothes.
Guo Kunnan exclaimed, "So many people!"
Dong Qingfeng surveyed the formation and said, "I guess we’re using Tai Chi to welcome the distinguished alumni, right?"
With the lineup complete, the atmosphere grew solemn.
The school’s loudspeaker transmitted the sounds of string music; following the actions of the physical education teacher, the students began practicing Tai Chi.
The students participating in this rehearsal included both freshmen and sophomores, totaling over 20 classes, with more than a thousand students.
Even the students who were usually joking around were now immersed in the atmosphere of the rehearsal.
Outside the Yuzhou Fourth Middle School gate, a line of cars pulled up, and school leaders and teachers hurried to greet the visitors. One by one, well-dressed individuals stepped out of the vehicles.
Surrounded by school officials, they entered the campus and advanced along the main campus road, with people carrying cameras following behind.
The students practicing Tai Chi on both sides of the road were simply their backdrop.
Zhang Chi, who was practicing Tai Chi, looked toward the guests on the road and gave them a courteous nod.
Many other students did the same.
Everyone understood that each guest invited to the school celebration was someone of no ordinary status.
Jiang Ning kept to himself, remaining focused on his Tai Chi practice. His movements were as fluid as clouds and filled with grace, capturing the attention of his nearby classmates who couldn’t help but look over.
Class 1’s team, positioned near Class 8, had Lin Zida clumsily practicing Tai Chi. He hadn’t fully learned the moves and simply mimicked his classmates. In such a large group formation, his ineptitude went mostly unnoticed.
Upon seeing Jiang Ning’s Tai Chi, Lin Zida couldn’t help but exclaim, "Damn, that’s cool!"
The girl next to him, Dong Jiayi, couldn’t take her eyes off Jiang Ning. His snug Tai Chi clothes, ethereal demeanor, and unrestrained movements were particularly captivating to girls of his age.
This frustrated Wei Xiu Yuan, the Class 1 life committee member, who muttered to himself in annoyance that while others practiced Tai Chi to fulfill a task, this guy was just showing off!
"If only I had practiced Tai Chi seriously," Wei Xiu Yuan lamented the lost opportunity.
His progress in courting Dong Jiayi had jumped significantly, moving from 99% to 99.9%. With just a bit more effort, he could break through the last barrier, confess his feelings, and achieve the status of being her boyfriend.
Many men in suits and sunglasses appeared on the main campus road.
Some students whispered among themselves, wondering if they were bodyguards.
Li Shi from Class 2 glanced at her classmates and explained indifferently, "Those are from the Changqing Liquid Company, responsible for security."
Zhao Xiaofeng responded, "Sister Lee, you know so much. Impressive!"
The alumni passed by the Tai Chi Formation, giving it only a cursory glance before heading to Building 5 with the school officials.
The Tai Chi rehearsal ended when no more people showed up at the school gate and the string music on the loudspeakers ceased.
Ma Shicheng sighed, "We’ve been practicing Tai Chi so hard for a month, all for this brief moment."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chi solemnly remarked, "I hope I won’t have to be someone else’s background in the future."
"I want others to be in the background," he thought, keeping this sentiment to himself.
Ma Shicheng briefly showed surprise and encouraged him, "Keep it up."
He wasn’t as affected as Zhang Chi; instead, he was calm and had his thoughts, without much obsession.
"Longlong, let’s go," Ma Shicheng called out.
Wang Longlong approached quietly and said, "Brother Ma, Brother Ma, I just saw someone I’ve seen speaking on TV!"
Ma Shicheng replied, "Normal. With academicians, there are bound to be other big shots."
Fourth Middle School had a sixty-year history, and among the many batches of students, some were bound to achieve greatness.
After practicing Tai Chi, everyone returned to their classrooms.
The students buzzed with discussion.
Chen Siyu picked up her backpack and said to Jiang Ning, "We’re off. See you at the sports meeting!"
They were participating in a performance for the school celebration opening ceremony.
"Bye."
Meanwhile, Pang Jiao, Zhang Yifei, and Li Shengnan were still chatting on the north side of the classroom.
Wu Xiaoqi looked at the Tai Chi clothes on his deskmate Pang Jiao. How should he describe it?
Wu Xiaoqi couldn’t quite put his feelings into words. He was scared, knowing the poor quality of the Tai Chi clothes. He feared Pang Jiao’s outfit might explode and leave him with a face full of blood!
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became, and Wu Xiaoqi tentatively asked, "Pang Jiao, when does your performance start?"
Pang Jiao slowly turned her head with a loud laugh, "Are you that eager to see our performance?"
Wu Xiaoqi was splattered with saliva, causing his facial muscles to twitch.
Pang Jiao said, "We’re in the closing ceremony."
Wu Xiaoqi thought to himself, ’Thanks for the info, I’ll make sure to miss the closing ceremony.’
Just then, the teacher walked into the classroom, "Alright, everyone, stack your chairs and follow me to the playground."
"Xue Yuantong, please stay behind," he instructed.
The school celebration had begun.
The classroom was filled with the noise of desks and chair clashing.
Jiang Ning extended his Divine Sense, enveloping the familiar scene, just like many years ago.
Geng Lu approached him, "Jiang Ning, let’s sit together. It’s really hot today, and I brought water."
Jiang Ning picked up his backpack, "Sure."
