"That's him! Don't let him get away!"
Upon hearing the shout, Chen Yu immediately turned around, wanting to escape, but he was trapped by the PE teachers who were on standby since long ago.
"..."
As the unbearable smell of armpit stench drifted into Chen Yu's nose, he fell into total despair. "You win! You guys win, alright?! I'm not going anywhere! I admit I was the one that jumped out of the window yesterday…"
"End of the assessment! Return to your classes now!"
After shouting through the loudspeaker, Niu Lanshan ran toward Chen Yu immediately. He held onto Chen Yu's hands tightly as he trembled with excitement. "I finally found you!"
Chen Yu: "It must have been hard for you."
"Principal!" Niu Lanshan turned around, shouting in excitement. "I've found him! The student from last night!"
"Wonderful!" The plump principal seemed to be thrilled too. "To my office, now!"
"Yes." Niu Lanshan nodded sternly and grabbed Chen Yu's wrist tightly, dragging him away.
"Teacher, am I being sentenced to death? Why are you grabbing onto me so tightly?"
"Ah, I got too excited." Niu Lanshan loosened his grip. "Hurry up. Follow the principal to his office."
Chen Yu: "…"
Currently, Chen Yu was feeling immense regret. Just because he wanted to get back home a few seconds earlier, he ended up having to face such a consequence today.
Under the "respectful" gazes of the entire student body, Chen Yu was escorted into the school building and all the way to the principal's office that was on the fifth floor by many teachers and the principal of Sixth High.
"Greetings, my boy. I'm your principal, Principal Pang."
As soon as Chen Yu stepped into the office, the principal pushed Niu Lanshan to the side. He came up to Chen Yu, holding his hands and smiling at him warmly. "How may I address you, my boy?"
"I…"
Chen Yu was struck dumb by the abnormal attitude. His brain was currently in a mess.
"Principal, he's a student in my class. He's called Chen Yu." Chen Yu's form teacher popped out from the crowd of teachers.
"I'm not asking you." Principal Pang glared at the form teacher and waved his hand in annoyance. "Get out! All of you, get out! What are all of you still doing here? Don't you need to work?"
After getting rid of the unrelated people, Principal Pang turned back to Chen Yu, wearing a gentle smile on his face. "Student Chen Yu, come sit here. We'll have a chat."
"This…"
"There's no need to constrain yourself. You're the genius of Sixth High, you can speak to me like we are of the same status."
"Ge-Genius?" Chen Yu was now completely dumbstruck.
"Ah, let me introduce you to him, Student Chen Yu." Principal Pang pointed at Niu Lanshan, doing an introduction. "He's the teacher who discovered your talent yesterday, the PE teacher of Sixth High, Niu Lanshan."
"Nice to meet you, Student Chen Yu!" Niu Lanshan reached out a hand in excitement.
"Oh." He shook Niu Lanshan's hand blankly as he slowly realized what was going on. "So… you were after me because of my speed?"
"That's right!" Niu Lanshan patted Chen Yu's back. "I knew that you were a good seedling from the way you ran. Why did you run off yesterday night? I couldn't possibly have eaten you up, right?"
Chen Yu: "…"
Instantly, Chen Yu felt as if ten thousand llamas were just galloping across his brain.
So all of this took place just because he ran too fast last night?
"Student Chen Yu, why did you not display your talent during PE lessons normally?"
"We… We don't have PE lessons…."
"That's absurd!" Principal Pang smacked his hand hard on the table. "Sixth High focuses on both intelligence and physical fitness! How can your health be forsaken for studies!?"
But the key thing was that Sixth High had never once done well in studies, either…
Chen Yu held in the urge to ridicule.
"Student Chen Yu, it's a good thing that you've brought this to my attention just in time. From today onward, no class should be exempted from physical education!" Principal Pang said sternly. He turned to the discipline director, who was sitting in the corner. "Hold a meeting in the afternoon! Make it clear that PE class will be mandatory from today onward and students will have to take care of both studies and physical fitness. We will do well for both!"
"Yes, principal, this is a good idea. I will arrange it now."
Principal Pang nodded and returned his attention back to Chen Yu as the discipline director took his leave. He smiled at Chen Yu widely and held his hand, trying to show his friendliness and make Chen Yu feel valued. "Sixth High teaches students according to their aptitude. Since you have an aptitude in running, it's our job and responsibility as your school to cultivate you and make you the pillar of our society!"
"Mmm…" Chen Yu stared at his feet. "So you're thinking of having me develop in sports?"
"Yes!" Niu Lanshan replied excitedly. "Join the school team, participate in training, and compete as our school representative! We also want to train you into a professional athlete."
"No." Chen Yu rejected the offer immediately, waving his hand.
He knew his ability well.
He was only able to run so quickly because of the Microkinetic Basketball Shoes. If he chose to participate in various running competitions, it was only a matter of time before his secret got out. At that time, he might even get himself into trouble because of the basketball shoes.
"This… This… Why?" The excitement disappeared from Niu Lanshan's face and was replaced with confusion at once. He never thought that Chen Yu would reject him.
"You're being too anxious! You scared him!" Seeing what was happening, Principal Pang glared at Niu Lanshan unhappily. He patted the back of Chen Yu's hand kindly. "Student Chen Yu, we only want you to join the school team, train, and represent the school in different competitions. Be a professional athlete and bring glory back to our nation!"
What was the difference between his version and yours?! Chen Yu inwardly retorted. His complexion darkening, he repeated, "No."
"This… This… Why?" Principal Pang was unable to believe his ears.
"I'm a student. I don't wish to do sports. I only wish to study properly," Chen Yu said, stressing every word.
"Student Chen Yu!" Niu Lanshan yelled, face flushing red in anger. "Why would you even think of studying?"
Chen Yu: "?"
"That's right, Student Chen Yu," Principal Pang persuaded. "At Sixth High, studying has no future."
Chen Yu: "???"
"Since you're born with this talent, make full use of it! How proud would your family and ancestors be if you end up as an Olympic champion?" Niu Lanshan stepped forward and patted Chen Yu's thighs. "Look at your sturdy muscles. I am sure you will be able to be an excellent sprinter after being professionally trained by me! Trust me!"
"No!" Chen Yu stood up, dashing to the door. "A student's job is to study! I have class…"
"That's a loser's job!" Niu Lanshan jumped to the door, blocking Chen Yu's way. "You're a genius! The genius of Sixth High! The job of a genius is to run! What the hell are you studying for?"
Chen Yu: "…"