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Chapter 504: Chapter 338: Turn into Light!
"Is it time for the tug-of-war?" Guo Kun Nan watched the spectacle of the women’s 100 meters race, Yang Sheng radiating glory, shiningly handsome.
The life committee member, Hu Jun, had a clear grasp of things, and he glanced at the schedule of events:
"There’s still the men’s 3000 meters."
Hearing about the long-distance race, Guo Kun Nan thought of the heroic deed he had done for Xu Yan.
Having done such a exhilarating deed, overcoming his own cowardice, he became bolder and his entire demeanor grew more robust.
’If a person possesses the courage of love, what is there left in the world to fear?’
Guo Kun Nan felt a sublimation in his heart.
"Who from our class is participating in the 3000 meters? It’s quite exhausting," Dong Qingfeng inquired, clearly not interested in participating in such a thankless race.
Whoever participates is a fool!
Hu Jun said, "Huang Yu Zhu."
Cui Yu exclaimed, "Wow, Yu Zhu is fierce!"
Hu Jun, with a helpless look on his face, said, "No choice, someone has to sign up for the 3000 meters; since no one else wanted to, it had to be him."
Wang Longlong, who was listening by, said, "Yu Zhu is a really good guy, he doesn’t talk much usually, but he’s genuinely helpful when others need it."
Dong Qingfeng commented, "That’s our class’s old workhorse."
Cui Yu added, "Last time, Yu Wen even scolded Yu Zhu; damn it, if I were the class president, I’d make Yu Wen run the long race!"
Dong Qingfeng did not respond.
Wang Longlong: "Ahem."
3000 meters runners, gather at the starting line.
At the starting line, a crowd of people formed, and Cui Yu exclaimed, "Damn, there are so many people?"
At a glance, there were at least thirty to forty competitors, gathering like a whole class at the starting line.
Hu Jun explained, "The teacher said to finish in one go and save time."
Guo Kun Nan’s mind clicked, "I have a question! Wasn’t it said that we would have the tug-of-war after the long-distance race? How can we do so right after running without any recovery?"
Cui Yu replied, "Anyway, each class is missing one person, isn’t it the same?"
The past few days were sunny and sweltering, barely cooler than the midsummer, with temperatures at 30 degrees; in such weather, running 3000 meters was utterly soul-sapping.
However, it absolutely could not crush the enthusiasm of high school students.
A group of competitors warmed up at the starting line.
The Experimental Class’s Wei Xiu Yuan watched coolly from the side, still warming up? They’d see who would suffer later.
Class 11’s Luo Jun was in ready stance.
He was running the 3000 meters because he wanted to exercise intensely, to cleanse his soul, and to rid himself of those painful, filthy memories.
The pain of being resuscitated by two women in turns haunted him like a nightmare, causing his sleeplessness.
Luo Jun had heard that every seven years, human cells completely regenerate; by then, he could transform into a completely new person.
No more, their marks.
...
Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong moved to a shaded spot under a different tree.
They found a large tree with flourishing branches and leaves.
Xue Yuantong gazed towards the distant track and suddenly asked, "Jiang Ning, where shall we go for the May Day holiday?"
Jiang Ning thought for a moment and replied, "Do you want to travel?"
"To another city."
Xue Yuantong’s heart was immediately stirred; she had never been out of Yuzhou City in her life.
The outside world was something she both yearned for and felt inexplicably fearful of.
"For May Day?" Xue Yuantong asked.
Jiang Ning had no objections, "Sure."
Xue Yuantong became scared again, "It’s going to be crowded during May Day, right? I’ve heard that it’s packed every holiday."
Jiang Ning confirmed, "Indeed."
"Then let’s not go," she mumbled, hanging her head low.
Xue Yuantong disliked crowded places.
For instance, right now, she wasn’t under Class 8’s sunshade but had chosen a secluded spot under a tree.
"There are still many places in the city we haven’t visited," Xue Yuantong found an excuse.
Jiang Ning suggested, "Let’s go for a boat ride in the park."
He looked up at the sky, judged that the weather tomorrow wouldn’t be as hot as today, which would be perfect for an outing.
On mentioning the boat ride, Xue Yuantong’s heart leapt; the last time she had been on a boat, she was quite short.
Moreover, that boating experience hadn’t been pleasant, it was scary.
With Jiang Ning by her side this time, she definitely wouldn’t be scared.
"Which park, and isn’t boating expensive?" She had heard online that boat rides were super expensive, costing several tens of yuan for a very short duration.
Jiang Ning, leaning against the tree and stretching his legs, pondered the pricing that Shao Shuangshuang had negotiated for him, which seemed to be:
"Playing half a day would cost about 200 yuan."
Xue Yuantong’s eyes widened in surprise. "That’s expensive!"
"That’s enough for two meals of hotpot!"
"Maybe we should go when we have more money."
Jiang Ning challenged, "When you eat, you never say it’s expensive, do you?"
Xue Yuantong argued confidently, "Whatever goes into the stomach is worth it!"
"200 is not expensive, and it includes a fruit plate and drinks," Jiang Ning attempted to rectify.
"Fruit plates are worthless," Xue Yuantong was sharp.
Jiang Ning revealed, "There is prize money from the sports meet, 200 yuan isn’t a lot."
Xue Yuantong stubbornly responded, "We shouldn’t waste money."
Jiang Ning decided to lower the price: "Just remembered, I have a discount coupon, won the lottery for a 90% discount."
Xue Yuantong instantly replied, "Then it’s only 20 yuan, let’s go tomorrow; it’s my treat!"
Jiang Ning agreed, "Alright."
He would have Shao Shuangshuang print a few more discount coupons for him.
Once confirmed, Xue Yuantong’s face lit up, her eyes sparkled, and she began to dream:
"Jiang Ning, should I bring a paddle tomorrow?"
"...No need."
"What if I accidentally fall into the river?"
"I can swim," Jiang Ning stated.
Xue Yuantong kept probing, "What if there are big fish in the lake?"
Jiang Ning asked, "Are you scared?"
"Heh, me, scared? Just watch me eat fish!" Xue Yuantong retorted, hanging tough.
He had better not underestimate her.
The two discussed the details of the boat ride, with Xue Yuantong doing most of the talking. She asked all sorts of questions, trying as much as possible not to let Jiang Ning notice her unfamiliarity with it all.
Jiang Ning’s phone vibrated; he took it out to see a message from Shen Qing’e.
Since parting from his uncle’s house last week, this was the first time Shen Qing’e had contacted him for a chat:
"My sister and others are going on a trip for May Day; my aunt asked if you would like to join?"
Jiang Ning stared at this message, stunned for half a second.
