Hmm… The sensation was incredibly yielding. Ye Wen instinctively squeezed twice before realizing she was under everyone’s gaze. She yanked her hand back instantly. Losing her balance again, she nearly collapsed onto Jin Jing. She rolled sideways just in time, landing flat on her back on the track.
"Help those two girls up! It’s dangerous lying there!" the PE teacher bellowed, already sprinting over.
The boys fidgeted restlessly but none dared approach. Stepping forward would make them targets. The girls were still running or had just finished—they could barely stand themselves, let alone help others.
The PE teacher lifted Jin Jing first, then glared at the seated boys. "What are you waiting for? Move!"
Even with his cue, the boys froze. Class monitor Wang Xin sighed, ready to step up—only to see someone else dash out first.
It was Qiu Yi.
He’d charged out boldly, but now stood awkwardly before Ye Wen.
"Y-you okay…?" Qiu Yi stammered. His rush had been pure impulse; facing her, he had no idea what to do.
Ye Wen shot him a weak glare with her last ounce of strength. Too exhausted to speak, she just gasped for air.
"Stop gawking! Help her up!" the teacher snapped. Qiu Yi finally remembered his purpose and reached out his right hand. Ye Wen had no strength left to lift hers—not even enough to roll her eyes again.
"What are you doing? Carry her!" The teacher had already settled Jin Jing on the bleachers. Seeing Qiu Yi still frozen, he blustered with anger.
"Huh?" Before Qiu Yi could react, the teacher’s strong arms lifted Ye Wen effortlessly, carrying her to the steps.
Qiu Yi stared at his own hands, then trudged back to the grassy edge of the track. Relief mixed with disappointment washed over him. *I could’ve held her… such a perfect chance…*
Jin Jing sat beside Ye Wen, both heaving breaths in near-unison. But while Ye Wen still fought for air, Jin Jing was already smoothing her sweat-tangled hair.
Ye Wen had no such composure. She gulped air desperately, as if each breath might be her last.
After a long while, their strength returned. A circle of resting girls gathered around them.
"You alright?" Jin Jing asked.
"Huh? Yeah, fine!" Ye Wen waved frantically. Her mind had cleared—and was now replaying the softness of Jin Jing’s chest. Jin Jing’s question made her fluster like a caught thief.
Ye Wen tucked the memory of that softness away before apologizing. "Sorry… about earlier…"
"It’s nothing. Just a fall. Don’t worry—I’m fine." Jin Jing forced a casual smile.
"Huh?" Ye Wen had meant the *squeezing* part. Her brain finally caught up. "G-good… glad you’re okay…"
*Such a girl perk!* Ye Wen thought, eyes drifting to Jin Jing’s chest. *Grope freely and no one calls you a creep!*
Jin Jing had shed her uniform jacket. Her damp undershirt clung to her frame, hinting at curves beneath. Ye Wen’s imagination ran wild…
"What’s wrong?" Jin Jing tilted her head.
"Ahh! N-nothing!" Ye Wen snapped her gaze away, cheeks flushed crimson. Adorably flustered.
…
Across the grass, Qiu Yi watched them. Both stunning—but in utterly different ways.
He felt drawn to Ye Wen. When she’d sat beside him earlier, a strange familiarity had sparked in his chest. And she’d seemed to know him too—reaching for his pen without a word. Was it默契? Telepathy?
Or… *does she like me?*
*One of life’s great illusions*, he reminded himself. They’d just met. Too soon to tell.
Most boys had drifted off to play basketball. A thousand-meter run barely scratched their energy. Only a few lingered in the far corner. Qiu Yi stayed put, alone on his patch of grass. Girls nearby whispered and pointed—he was lost in his own world, oblivious.
Sweat-drenched, Ye Wen looked anything but messy. Strands of hair clung to her flushed face, adding a touch of allure to her uniform-clad innocence. *The privilege of pretty girls*, Qiu Yi mused.
Jin Jing’s beauty was fox-like—naturally captivating even without trying. Her white uniform looked like cosplay.
Ye Wen radiated pure, little-sister charm. Her slightly childish face didn’t hinder her universal appeal. Even grown, she’d keep that clean, clear aura—especially in uniform.
Jin Jing’s phoenix eyes. Ye Wen’s wide, clear gaze. Both breathtaking in their own right.
By noon, the boys had already crowned them class flowers—no, *school* flowers. The third prettiest girl? Nowhere close.
*That’s the gap…*
Beside Jin Jing, Ye Wen was lost in her own replay: the softness under her fingers. She even thought about not washing her hands today.
*So sweet… How can she smell nice after sweating so much?* Ye Wen sniffed again.
Jin Jing nudged her. "What are you doing now?"
"Ah… nothing. Just wondering why you still smell nice."
"…Do I?" Jin Jing lifted her arm to sniff. "I don’t smell anything."
Nearby girls leaned in, all agreeing—no scent at all.
Ye Wen grinned sheepishly. *Guess only I get to smell it…*
*Love…?*
…
