CH 40.3

Thief (3)

The end of September arrived soon.

The autumn sports day at Experimental No. 3 was always held just before National Day. Two days after it started, it was directly followed by the National Day holiday. The students used these few successive days as an excuse to party.

Old Jian stood on the podium and waved vigorously. “Anyway, I’ve finished saying everything I wanted to say. This is the last chance for you guys to improve yourself and strive for glory on the field! You guys will be seniors next year. According to tradition, you guys won’t be encouraged to participate anymore and will be focusing on your exam preparations. You’ll regret it if you don’t strive to do your best now!”

The group of Class 9’s students blankly looked at him from below, showing him their lackluster reaction right then and there.

“Everyone, raise your spirits. Don’t let yourself regret it for a lifetime!”

It was still silent below and many people secretly muttered in their hearts, Old Jian must have lost his mind. There was actually no point in him encouraging them like this.

Their Class 9 had always been bad at sports. Except for Liu Jun and the others who helped the class earn some forty points last year, the rest weren’t capable of achieving anything.

Oh, right. Huang Ya was the runner-up in the shot put and Niu Xiaoqing was the third place in the javelin throws.

Old Jian looked below the stage and helplessly coughed. “Fine. The class meeting will end here. Ruan Qingmu, remember to mobilize everyone. If someone has the desire, they can sign up their names with you first.”

Old Jian had just left the classroom when a buzz arose in the class.

Tang Tiantian and Niu Xiaoqing looked at each other. Seeing as nobody was budging, Tang Tiantian stood up first.

“I will take the lead first. I want to sign up for the 200 meters and 400 meters run.”

The boys cheered in goodwill. “The class monitor is so awesome to have had added another category!”

“We will cheer for you when the time comes!”

Tang Tiantian’s sports were terrible and didn’t she get the bottom rank in the 200 meters last year?

Niu Xiaoqing stood up next. “I want to sign up for the javelin throws, shot put, and discus throws!”

“Wow ~~~” The boys cheered some more. “Niu-jie is amazing! To participate in three categories at once. So mighty of her!”

Niu  Xiaoqing excitedly raised her head. “Of course. The sports representative supports our publicity work, so I have to work hard to support his work as well. Also, the team category still lacks people. I can still enter one more if you need me to!”

With both of them taking the lead, the girls whispered to each other secretly. Someone suddenly turned around and held her deskmate’s arm, shouting at Ruan Qingmu from the back, “Sports representative, me, her, Zheng Huan, and Zhu Sizhu want to sign up for the 400 meters relay.”

Ruan Qingmu raised his head, looked at them, and let out an “oh.”

He reached out for a piece of paper. It was the sports registration form that Old Jian had given him at the class meeting just now. He began to record their names on it.

After writing down Tang Tiantian and Niu Xiaoqing’s names, he raised his head and wanted to say something but slightly hesitated. “That… What are your and your deskmate’s names?”

The speaking girl’s face was red and she glared at him with shame and anger. “Sports representative! We won’t sign up anymore if you keep being like this!”

What was this? He actually didn’t even remember their names?

Tang Tiantian held back her laughter and hurriedly ran over to help him write the girls’ names on the registration form, whispering, “They said it’s not for Old Jian. That they’re doing this to support you.”

Ruan Qingmu raised his head to look at her, not bothering to say anything.

He waved the form around and asked, “What about the boys? Who wants to sign up?”

The boys, who were still making noises just now, slowly became silent, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Many people avoided eye contact with him and turned their gazes to look at the back corner.

Last year, Liu Jun was the sports representative. He, Li Zhiyong, and several other boys helped their class get several points. They definitely wouldn’t participate anymore now. Furthermore… would they bear grudges against those who participated?

Liu Jun looked at those evading gazes and suddenly burst out laughing.

He pompously leaned backward and held his arm, seemingly talking to himself. “What a trash sports competition. Only fools will bother to participate.”

The boys looked at each other in dismay and didn’t even dare to breathe.

At the back, the muscle on Huang Ya’s fat face twitched, and he suddenly spoke. “I will sign up for the shot put like last year. No, add another: the discus throws.”

Ruan Qingmu nodded and helped him record his name. After that, he waited for a while longer.

After not hearing anyone speaking, he indifferently raised his head. “I’m the sports representative, so I will lead.”

His voice wasn’t clear, but it was languid and clear. “Everyone can only sign up for four categories, right? I will sign up for the 100 meters, 400 meters hurdles, high jump –”

He looked down and quickly glanced at the categories. “For the last one, let’s add the 5000 meters.”

… The classroom became quiet. After that, the class frantically flared up as if someone had added several drops of water into boiling oils.