Let's shift focus to Qiu Yi, the low-key male lead.
Hmm... Alright, Qiu Yi was napping on his desk. Guess we'll have to pan the camera elsewhere—this isn't the author skipping him on purpose!
Just as the author prepared to shift perspective, Wang Xin walked back to the classroom after talking with Feng Yulan. He approached Qiu Yi.
"Hey, Qiu Yi, napping?" Wang Xin nudged him.
Qiu Yi was the easygoing type; even disturbed during his nap, he wouldn't get mad.
"What is it..." Qiu Yi, not fully asleep, opened one eye slightly.
"Here's the thing: there's a 10,000-meter race. Wanna join?"
"Not interested..." At the mention of the race, Qiu Yi felt even sleepier. "Ask someone else..."
"Ye Wen will cheer for you!" Wang Xin added.
Ye Wen, sitting nearby, shot Wang Xin a scornful look. "Don't act like I'm invisible! Using others as bargaining chips is shameful."
"Ahem, you're joining the cheer squad anyway! Cheering for Qiu Yi is only natural."
"Who said that's definite? I have conditions." Ye Wen glared at Wang Xin. "You'd scam a fortune if you went into business..."
Qiu Yi instantly grew wary, afraid Wang Xin would sell him out. He shook his head repeatedly. "Not joining...!"
"Sigh, forget it." Wang Xin sighed and went to scout a new "prey"—ahem, new "candidate."
After refusing, Qiu Yi went back to napping. He'd stayed up late reading novels last night and was still groggy.
"Lao Hui, interested in the 10,000-meter race?" Wang Xin, holding the roster, walked up to Jin Jiahui, who was reading a novel.
"Uh... 10,000 meters? 400 meters per lap—that's 25 laps. You're trying to kill me?"
"Your long-distance records are solid. You didn't look tired after the 1000-meter run. You can handle this."
"I doubt I'll reach the finish line."
"No worries, it's about participation. Just don't quit first."
"Can I skip it?"
"Bonus points! What reward do you want? I'll get it."
"Feng Yulan's cross-dressing photos."
"...
Feng Yulan, sitting nearby, interjected: "If Lao Hui skips the race, I skip the cheer squad."
Jin Jiahui frowned. Feng Yulan on the cheer squad was tempting—at least to him—but 25 laps sounded exhausting. Hesitating, he caught her challenging glance from the corner of his eye. His stubborn streak flared; if they doubted him, he'd prove them wrong.
"Alright! You said it! I'm in for the 10,000-meter race!" Jin Jiahui slammed the table and declared.
"Good man." Wang Xin wrote Jin Jiahui's name on the roster.
"What about you?" Jin Jiahui looked at Feng Yulan.
"Tch... Fine, I'll join." Feng Yulan turned her head away haughtily.
"Great, it's settled!" Wang Xin beamed, relieved both tasks were done.
"Lao Hui, so bold? Joining the race?" Boys in the classroom gathered around.
Jin Jiahui explained, and they cheered.
"Lao Hui, real man!"
"Not bad, doing a public service!"
"Sacrificing yourself for others—you're a hero!"
"Wang Xin!" Jin Jiahui called out. "Don't forget extra photos of Feng Yulan—aim for forty or fifty!"
"Got it." Wang Xin replied readily, already planning who to borrow a camera from.
He remembered Qiu Yi had one—not digital, but usable. Qiu Yi was generous; borrowing it wouldn't be hard.
So Wang Xin went to bother Qiu Yi again.
"Qiu Yi, can I borrow your camera?"
"What for?"
"To snap Feng Yulan's cross-dressing photos at the sports meet."
"Sure!" Qiu Yi agreed instantly.
"Cross-dressing photos?" Ye Wen perked up. "I have a digital camera! I'll lend it!"
"Perfect." The deal was sealed. Sports meet prep was nearly done.
"By the way, Ye Wen, Feng Yulan joined the cheer squad. You should too."
Ye Wen, not wanting to break her word, agreed reluctantly.
"Also, during the opening ceremony, hold the class sign at the front, okay?"
"Hmm... Let Jin Jing do it..." Ye Wen evaded.
"Jin Jing?"
"What's in it for me?" Jin Jing teased.
"Well..."
"Just kidding. I'll do it."
"Great, thanks!"
"Jing'er, you're naive! If you'd asked for a reward, this scheming guy would've given it!"
"... Wang Xin wiped his brow, wondering when he became a scheming merchant.
"All girls join the cheer squad! Wear your own clothes!"
"Huh—?"
"Ye Wen and Jin Jing are in!"
Hearing the class's prettiest girls were joining, others couldn't protest.
"What if we have events?"
"Go when yours starts, return after! Bonus points for joining!"
Under Wang Xin's organization, preparations ran smoothly. When he submitted the roster to the office, homeroom teacher Ms. A Dan was stunned.
"Finished so fast?" A Dan's eyes widened. The task was given after lunch, yet done before afternoon self-study ended.
"Yes, all set. Cheer squad organized. Only chants and opening rehearsal left."
"Good. Handle those too. Go prepare."
"Understood." Wang Xin left.
"This kid's efficient."
"Shows leadership." Teachers commented.
A Dan smiled proudly. "Of course—he's my student."
...
