The orderly lines of students from each class marched down from the teaching building. Since the sports meet combined both middle and high school divisions, the entire field felt packed—even though Wenlan Academy’s track was the largest in the city, a full 400-meter oval exclusive to this high school.

Students from all six grades hauled their chairs to the field’s edges, squeezing together as tightly as possible. They then lined up by class, seniors first, juniors last, preparing for the opening ceremony.

Each class showcased their unique flair: some stiff and formal, others lively and playful, a few even leaning into parody. For Class 3, Grade 10, Wang Xin organized the entrance routine, with the class monitor and deputies adding suggestions—making him seem almost higher-ranked than the monitor himself.

Their performance wasn’t particularly solemn or dazzling—just ordinary. Dressed in uniforms, each student held a fan. They waved twice at the podium, shouted a few slogans, and finished.

*“Which class is that? The girl leading them is gorgeous!”*

*“Huh? You don’t know? That’s Class 3. The leader’s Jin Jing—their class beauty.”*

*“Class beauty? She could easily be school beauty! Yeah, I agree. Give it half a semester, she’ll be the undisputed class beauty.”*

*“Talking about Class 3, Grade 10? Let me tell you—they’ve got tons of beauties.”*

*“I know. Rumor says both their class beauties could be school beauties. The other one’s Ye Wen, I think? Some transfer student?”* an uninformed student chimed in.

*“Yeah, and even the other girls in their class are all pretty high quality.”*

*“Sacred ground!”*

*“Drooling over here…”*

Every class had to circle the entire track, passing the podium halfway before returning to their seats. Students not yet called waited in their designated spots.

As Class 3, Grade 10’s line moved slowly past, someone in the crowd suddenly perked up, slapping their neighbor’s shoulder.

*“Look! Class 3’s got another beauty!”*

*“Who? Ye Wen or Jin Jing?”*

*“Neither! Never seen her before!”*

*“Impossible! Did you forget?”* The friend was stunned—this guy claimed to memorize every pretty girl in school. If *he* didn’t recognize her…

*“No way I’d forget a face like that,”* the self-proclaimed playboy insisted.

*“New transfer?”*

*“Probably…”*

Many now noticed the stunning girl at the front of the boys’ line. Whispers spread, especially among male students—envy and resentment flaring. *Why are all the beauties in Class 3?* They glanced at their own classmates. No comparison.

The ceremony ended quickly, but half the boys’ attention stayed glued to Class 3’s girls—and half of *that* attention focused squarely on Feng Yulan.

Ye Wen, Jin Jing, and Feng Yulan endured the burning stares as they returned to their seats. Jin Jing was long used to it; Ye Wen had grown accustomed, though she still found the gazes irritating. Feng Yulan, however, had never faced such intense scrutiny. Her face flushed crimson, head bowed, eyes fixed ahead—drawing even more attention. That shy, delicate demeanor naturally sparked protective instincts.

*Well, let’s just call her a “girl” for now.*

With the ceremony over, school leaders took the podium for lengthy speeches. Thirty minutes later, the sports meet finally began. Students with events prepared; others roamed freely. Many brought snacks, turning the meet into something like an autumn outing. Only the athletes competing on the field reminded everyone this was still a sports day.

*“Class 3, push your chairs back!”* Wang Xin shouted. The monitors echoed the order, and the class slowly shuffled their chairs rearward.

*“That’s it! Can’t move further!”*

*“There’s a wall behind us!”* the back rows called out.

*“Alright, good enough.”* The class had shifted back significantly. Wang Xin pulled out stacks of plastic panels and, with help from class officers, assembled them in under half an hour.

It was a small viewing platform—room for about ten without crowding. Wang Xin had specially prepared it as a cheer squad stand. Ye Wen had never seen this in her memories; she found it oddly novel.

Twenty-plus girls stood ready. Wang Xin selected ten of the prettiest—privately discussed with the boys beforehand, though now claimed as “random picks.” The chosen girls felt flustered but excited, stepping onto the platform with confidence. Feng Yulan was gently pushed up too.

The remaining girls cheered from the track’s edge.

Led by Jin Jing and Ye Wen, the girls formed a circle around Feng Yulan. Too shy to shout at first, Jin Jing took the lead. Once started, hesitation faded—even Ye Wen found herself yelling along.

Feng Yulan joined in, but shyness dominated. Her cheers were soft. The girls understood; they didn’t push. After all, he was a boy—being forced into a girl’s uniform and paraded on stage was awkward enough, let alone cheering loudly.

Ye Wen glanced at Feng Yulan, deeply understanding his feelings. Though she herself… seemed to have grown used to this identity.

Boys occasionally approached to chat, some even bluntly asking for dates. All were chased off by the girls and boys guarding Feng Yulan like protective hens. A few persistent guys lingered below, spewing cheesy lines. *What would they think if they knew Feng Yulan was male?*

Wang Xin had ordered the class to keep Feng Yulan’s gender secret. Watching the love-struck boys, Class 3 students couldn’t stop laughing. The suitors stood completely baffled, clueless about the joke.

Girls also came by—mostly to size up Class 3’s rumored beauties. Seeing *three* stunning figures, their eyes flickered with envy and admiration. But girls were more reserved; most pretended to pass by casually, lingering only briefly.

The meet reached its peak intensity. Only at lunchtime did Ye Wen snap out of her excited haze, suddenly parched.

She couldn’t believe she’d cheered so long without feeling thirsty. *Had she fully adapted to this girl’s body?*

*No, no—I was just hyped!* she scolded herself.