Upon arriving in the classroom, Xu Lin saw class monitor Ji sitting sternly at the podium while a few class representatives were checking homework.
Xu Lin put down his backpack and sat down, but many boys were staring at him.
However, they weren't looking at him but at his shoes, or rather, his running shoes, with envious expressions.
"How do they feel?"
He Run, who would rather skip meals to save up for shoes, chimed in. Unfortunately, he couldn't borrow them to try, as his feet were too big.
"They're alright, good wrapping, not easy to hurt your feet."
"That's good for beginners. With new shoes, you should get first place for Class 7!"
Hei Yuanliang joked from a distance. Although Xu Lin had been training recently, his stamina couldn't suddenly surpass that of the sports students.
A few girls also teased with laughter.
"Anyone with new shoes, give it your best! Last sports meet we came in last, this time let's at least be second to last!"
"Haha, wasn't it because He Run didn't come last time? Otherwise, we wouldn't have been last."
"Ahem, okay, you guys stop boasting."
He Run scratched his head, realizing it would be embarrassing if he underperformed today after all this hype.
"Hey, sports committee member, are we still doing groups of 20 for the race today?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot to tell everyone."
He Run hurried to the podium, took out a paper filled with writing.
"This time, you can sign up on the spot for the races. Participate if you want. No need to sign up in advance, and there's no limit on participants."
"Boys and girls are separated, with three events each: 100 meters, 500 meters, and 1000 meters. You can choose freely, and each event will have a race if there are 30 participants."
"Points don't matter, only first place counts. In the end, the class with the most first-place winners gets a set of Feidu sports gear for the whole class."
"If there are multiple first-place winners across classes, each class with a champion gets a reward."
"Each participant gets a T-shirt, though it's one size fits all. Individual prizes include a sports watch for the first place in each group."
"He Run, if we do it this way, shouldn't we avoid having our good runners in the same group to avoid internal competition?"
A boy in the back suggested, and He Run nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, when we get there, be mindful not to group with our strong runners."
"Got it."
"Class monitor, do you have anything to add?" He Run looked at Ji Yun.
"I'll just say, girls, if you find the 1000 meters too much, feel free to choose 100 or 500 meters. Don't push yourselves too hard."
"Okay."
Ten minutes later, the homeroom teacher arrived, and Ji Yun stepped down from the podium and returned to her seat.
"Monitor Ji, are you participating today?"
Xu Lin glanced at Ji Yun. She had also received her new shoes yesterday and was wearing them today, clearly intending to give them a try.
Xu Lin casually checked her current stats, noting some changes since he activated the system.
Her constitution had increased from a weak 3 points to 4.5. Although he was weak himself back then, the average constitution for an adult female was 5, so she wasn't below average anymore.
Her intelligence had risen from 7 to 7.5. Xu Lin had to spend points to boost his intelligence to 7.5, but she reached it through natural growth.
Her charm increased from 7.5 to 7.9, which was the only visible change. Over the past two months, she seemed to have become more beautiful. Originally delicate, she now looked increasingly like a true beauty. However, despite their good relationship, Xu Lin had never been intimate with her beyond holding hands.
The favorability of the two had reached 40, whereas other girls like Chu Qingchan, Chu Fengyi, and Qin Yunhe were closer to him in intimacy.
This was partly because Xu Lin was afraid, or rather timid. To him, Ji Yun was his White Moonlight. He feared that getting too close would ruin her perfect image, like a beautiful notebook he was afraid to mar with his handwriting.
The words written on it are so beautiful. You are afraid that it will not look good if you continue to write by yourself, so he deliberately avoids intimate actions with Ji Yun.
Of course, as a man, he is willing to be close to his wife, but he should wait until she feels the time is right.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Ji Yun noticed Xu Lin's dazed look, smiled, and gently brushed a stray hair from his forehead to behind his ear.
Most students didn't notice, but Zhuo Yan and a few girls did, feeling a jolt of emotion. This was like a scene from a sweet drama!
"Nothing, nothing, you're just too pretty."
"Don't tease me. We're in school. What did you just say?"
"I asked if you're participating in the race today."
"I'll give it a try. Who knows, I might accidentally get first place. I've been training with you for a while now."
"Ahem, students, stop chatting."
The homeroom teacher's sudden comment made the two instantly straighten up.
Zhao Gang on the podium sighed. He couldn't really reprimand them since their grades had improved. Plus, he had asked Ji Yun once, and both had met each other's parents. He was even more inclined to let them be, hoping they would eventually marry and create a beautiful story.
After 40 minutes of self-study, the teacher prepared to dismiss them to the playground but was interrupted by a phone call.
He walked out to take the call, which immediately piqued the students' curiosity. The teacher never left the classroom to take calls, so something was up!
Students near the windows quickly opened them. Ji Yun thought about stopping them but realized it wasn't breaking any rules and felt curious herself since the teacher was so strict usually.
"Sorry, Teacher Zhao," she muttered, while Zhuo Yan listened intently.
"What's up now?"
"More yogurt? I'm busy."
"Uh... you stinky sister, you know that I don't have a girlfriend, isn't this why I'm going on a blind date!"
"Okay, how about I find someone to send it to you?"
"Okay, I'm in class, bye."
Zhao Gang hung up and walked back in, only to find the students looking at him differently.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
"Nothing."
Two girls in the front row shook their heads, making Zhao Gang more puzzled. Glancing around, he noticed the open windows and barely held his composure, knocking on the table to ease the awkwardness.
"Teachers have private lives too. Don't be so nosy. Now, let's discuss the plan."
He reiterated He Run's earlier points.
"Alright, dismissed. After the race, you can't leave immediately. Return to class to rest, and we'll dismiss at 11:30."
"Got it!"
"Go, and good luck! Xu Lin, come here."
"Huh?"
Xu Lin was puzzled, not having eavesdropped earlier, wondering why the teacher called him.
"Teacher Zhao, what's up?"
"I need a favor."
"What favor?"
"Remember we met outside the hospital? I was buying yogurt."
"Yes, you said it was for your sister who works at the hospital and likes yogurt. I told Ji Yun you care a lot about her."
"Not really, just that she has low blood sugar and likes yogurt. Could you buy a case and bring it to her at noon?"
"Noon..." Xu Lin thought for a moment, remembering he had to drop off Ye Fanleng and Shaoyao but was otherwise free.
"Evening is fine too. I have something today and need your help."
"Okay." Teacher Zhao had been good to him, even giving him some leeway on homework, so a small favor was no problem.