After registering and receiving the team badge and wristband, Xu Zhiyi stood in the leading position.
Shortly thereafter, all members of the two teams for the first round were present. Xu Zhiyi quickly assessed the explosive power and endurance of the team members, organised the formation, and gave some last-minute tips on tug-of-war techniques. The teams were arranged in order of height, standing in a cross-step formation, with the strongest member at the rear.
With the rope passing under the armpits, hands grasping the rope palms up, front leg straight, back leg in a lunge position, squatting down, body weight shifted back, and the whole body stretched straight. A whistle blew, signalling the start of the match.
The opposing team was led by the Class Six sports committee member, clearly familiar with the tug-of-war event. Both teams approached the event with a competitive spirit, despite it being a spring outing. With the surrounding cheers echoing, the tension between the two teams escalated. The large red bell in the middle of the rope swung back and forth, making a clanging sound. Ten minutes later, the bell returned to the centre line.
At this moment, a member of the opposing team stepped on the foot of another, causing a chain reaction that momentarily weakened their force. Seizing this opportunity, Xu Zhiyi's team suddenly exerted force, shouting in unison with synchronized explosive power and endurance, chanting "one-two-one-two...", marching backwards with the same rhythm.
The opponents quickly adjusted, enhancing their explosive power, but it was not enough to match the momentum of Xu Zhiyi's team. The red bell continued to inch closer to the white line in front of Xu Zhiyi, occasionally pausing but showing no signs of retreat.
In less than a minute, amidst the ringing of the bell, the red reached beyond the white line. The whistle signalled the end of the match. The opponents released the rope, causing some members of Xu Zhiyi's team to fall due to the momentum, luckily on the grass without any major injuries.
As Xíng Xiuze fell back, he thought of Haii behind him, shifting his weight to the upper body and rolling to the side to avoid any impact.
Xu Zhiyi untied the bell and shook it towards where Meng Yin was. The young man stood there, bathed in the warm sunshine of early spring, looking simple yet passionate. The arm he raised seemed to be seeking a hug.
Yin faced the wind on the mountainside and unceremoniously crashed into Zhiyi's arms.
In fact, she couldn't make sense of the sudden impulse; she just really wanted to hug him at that moment.
Her comrade, her young man.
As the sound of applause and cheering filled her ears again, Yin realized what she had done, burying her head in Zhiyi's chest, too shy to lift it up, her hand around his waist tightening. This was her shy side showing.
The coaches and staff present once again chose to turn a blind eye, pretending they hadn't seen anything.
Xu Zhiyi let go of Meng Yin's hand holding the bell, placing one hand on her back, feeling the warmth in her ears.
With joyful eyes fixed on Yin's head, Zhiyi smiled and said, "Comrade, let's block the next team from competing." Almost as soon as Yin let go of her hand, Zhiyi held hers and said, "Take you to receive the award."
With a swift motion, the bell rang in the air, eventually caught by the referee. Lin Xipei chanted, "Didn't see a thing, didn't see a thing," as her camera honestly continued to take rapid shots without stopping for a second.
Zhiyi pinned a badge on Yin's lapel and asked, "Why did you come over to hug me just now?"
"I was feeling a rush of emotion," she replied.
With a smile, the other person massaged Yin's shoulders. Yin pursed her lips and called out, "Comrade," saying, "Because I saw you win."
When you are adorned with brilliance, others may offer applause and accolades, but I will embrace you without hesitation; when you are dissatisfied, I will still hold you tightly, tears welling up in my eyes, always proud of you.
"At last, I hear the truth."