Chapter Thirty-Four: Who Wants to Run 5,000 Meters?

Zhou Xuan was well aware of Wei Xinyu’s petty tricks. Last time, when Vice Principal Li was sent to make trouble for him, things backfired—Zhou Xuan ended up gaining the principal’s favor instead. Zhou Xuan didn’t believe Wei Xinyu would dare frame him again so rashly, but the malicious smile that had just crossed Wei Xinyu’s face still left Zhou Xuan uneasy; he couldn’t guess what scheme might be brewing this time.

It’s easy to avoid open attacks, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Zhou Xuan decided it was best to stay alert during the upcoming high school entrance exam period. At this stage, he didn’t have the means to deal with Wei Xinyu; all he could do was wait for another opportunity.

“What? You want me to sign up for the 5000-meter race?” During the break after the first evening self-study session, Zhou Xuan looked at the class monitor in disbelief and refused outright, “No way, I’m not going.”

“Zhou Xuan, you’re so good at running. Just take part, won’t you?” the class monitor urged.

“How am I good at long-distance running? You know I never participated in the sports meets before; you should know how slow I am.”

“But you’ve been running every day lately—why not? I know you run ten kilometers daily. And you’re not slow at all. Don’t try to fool me. You’re a member of this class, too,” replied the monitor, evidently well-informed about Zhou Xuan’s situation.

“Monitor, what I do is just jogging, okay? The sports meet is about competitive athletics—that’s completely different.”

Zhou Xuan was thinking that the sports meet would be the perfect time to write “The Ming Dynasty Chronicles” and “Under the Hawthorn Tree” and send them off for publication, so he could start earning money for next year’s shop. Participating in the sports meet would only waste his time and earn him nothing; he had no interest in joining.

“Zhou Xuan, if even you refuse, I’ll have to tell the homeroom teacher that you have no sense of class honor,” the monitor threatened.

Zhou Xuan couldn’t care less and laughed, “Monitor, you can’t put it like that. I really can’t handle it. Besides, even if I don’t want to go, you can’t force me. There are so many boys in our class—ask someone else.”

“But I already asked. No one else volunteered,” said the monitor helplessly.

Zhou Xuan spread his hands. “Well, there’s nothing I can do, then.”

Seeing that Zhou Xuan was unmoved, the monitor had no alternative but to leave and try his luck elsewhere.

Watching the monitor walk away, Zhou Xuan thought that, if not for other matters, he actually wouldn’t mind participating and bringing some honor to the class. He knew that every year, Class Six’s results in the sports meet were always at the bottom.

He thought that was the end of it, but after the evening self-study session, the homeroom teacher, Mr. Liu, called him out.

“Zhou Xuan, why aren’t you participating in the sports meet?” Mr. Liu asked.

“Oh, that class monitor actually went and tattled,” Zhou Xuan thought, his impression of the monitor dropping considerably.

“Mr. Liu, I’m really no good at long-distance running. You know that. I wouldn’t place, so what’s the point?” Zhou Xuan refused flatly, giving the teacher no quarter.

“The school sports meet is about participation—the ranking is secondary. But I’ve heard you’re quite the runner, always out jogging in the mornings. Your skills must be decent. Just sign up. It’s fine if you don’t place,” Mr. Liu persisted.

“Sorry, Mr. Liu. I really don’t want to. I need to study,” Zhou Xuan replied.

Since Zhou Xuan had said as much, Mr. Liu could only relent. “Alright, if you really don’t want to, I won’t push you. But since you’re focusing on your studies, your grades can’t slip. You mustn’t drop out of the top three in the grade, understand?”

“No problem, I promise.”

Finally having dealt with the homeroom teacher, Zhou Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Five thousand meters—only a lunatic would run that.

Surely no one else would ask him to participate now, Zhou Xuan thought.

But he was mistaken. The next morning, during his run, the PE teacher, Mr. Li Yunxi, tried to persuade him to join the sports meet.

Ever since Mr. Li had first seen Zhou Xuan running and chased him down in the cafeteria to recruit him for athletics—unsuccessfully—Zhou Xuan had run into him many times, and the two had grown familiar.

For many days after, when Zhou Xuan ran, Mr. Li would jog with him, often urging him not to waste his talent, saying that with a bit of training he could make huge progress. If he competed and did well, it could even boost his college entrance score.

There was even talk of being selected for the provincial team, maybe even becoming a professional athlete, and perhaps someday joining the national team.

But Zhou Xuan remained unmoved, making Mr. Li feel as if he were dealing with a particularly stubborn and unyielding stone.

After spending more time together, Zhou Xuan found Mr. Li to be quite an amiable person—apart from his obsession with a certain college classmate of his at City No. 3 High School. The two had been in the same class at university and, being from the same hometown, had been on good terms. Unfortunately, both fell for the same girl, and she ultimately chose Li Yunxi. The other man, narrow-minded, held a grudge, and from then on, the two were at odds.

Later, both returned to the city to work—Li Yunxi to County No. 2 High, his rival to City No. 3 High. The rivalry continued, though Li Yunxi had never once won, owing to differences in student quality. At every gathering or in their group chat, his classmate would mock him, leaving Mr. Li quite frustrated.

Though Zhou Xuan wanted to help Mr. Li, his own aspirations lay elsewhere, so he never agreed to compete. After Mr. Li learned that Zhou Xuan had placed seventh in the monthly exams, he never brought up long-distance training again.

“Mr. Li, I really can’t do it. I only jog slowly—you see that. How could I possibly run five thousand meters in competition?” Zhou Xuan said as they jogged side by side.

“Zhou Xuan, do you think I, a graduate of the sports university, can’t tell your level? You’ve been running for a month, and your progress is remarkable. If you compete, I’m certain first place will be yours,” Mr. Li replied, a bit exasperated.

After a month of training and practicing the “Lesser Celestial Cycle Breathing Technique,” Zhou Xuan’s physical condition had improved dramatically. By Mr. Li’s estimate, his month’s progress equaled six months of training for the average person. This was evident in Zhou Xuan’s increasingly toned muscles and defined abs.

Zhou Xuan curled his lip, “Mr. Li, stop trying to persuade me. Our class is full of talent; they don’t need me.”

Mr. Li sighed, “You! You’ve been in the spotlight so much lately—why are you so reluctant when it comes to bringing honor to the class?”

“I just really don’t want to. Standing in front of everyone like a monkey—how uncomfortable,” Zhou Xuan replied.

“Uh…” Mr. Li was at a loss for words after that, but he still tried gently, “Do you really not want to go?”