Clearly, she couldn’t.
Li Mo spotted a couple of classmates from her own class among the onlookers. Though it was obvious they weren’t there to watch *her* performance, they weren’t blind—they’d definitely seen her here.
*I’m doomed. Should I fake a stomachache and make a run for it?*
Too many people here… She couldn’t handle it…
The more she thought about it, the less she wanted to stay. Honestly, it was all her class’s PE rep’s fault—for assigning events without asking! She’d always claimed she was absent due to health issues. Yet this guy went ahead and signed her up for long jump *and* the 1500m. Zero brain cells whatsoever.
Head lowered, she turned and left the long jump area. Li Mo planned to hide out in a bathroom stall until the event ended, then head straight to the classroom for a nap.
“Li Mo!”
*Dang it!*
Just as she turned, someone called her name. Before she could bolt, an arm hooked around her neck from behind.
“I wondered where you’d vanished to. So eager to compete, huh?” The voice dropped to a whisper right by her ear: “That desperate to show off against these sporty guys?”
*Liu Shishi, you traitor! Worst timing ever—and you’re messing with my head on purpose!*
Li Mo shot her a glare that looked furious but felt utterly pitiful, silently mourning her escape plan strangled in its cradle.
Only Liu Shishi and Zhang Wanting had come; Liu Jia had ditched them to “check out hot guys,” so of course she wasn’t here.
Unlike Liu Shishi, Zhang Wanting wasn’t so excitable. After three years of high school, what “hot guy” hadn’t she seen? They were all just teenagers. She was more curious about when Liu Shishi and Li Mo got so chummy—since when did they walk around arm-in-arm?
“When does the competition start?”
“Li Mo should be checking in soon.”
Liu Shishi didn’t seem worried about Li Mo embarrassing herself at all. She dragged Li Mo right to the last minute. When the announcement blared—*“Long jump participants, report for check-in now!”*—and the teacher echoed it, Li Mo’s heart sank.
*It’s over…*
“Perfect timing, perfect timing!”
Just then, Tang Zhe, Shen Yi, and the others arrived. Of course they would—after Tang Zhe reminded them about her event.
*My reputation’s ruined…*
“Hmph～～～”
Liu Shishi’s signature scheming chuckle cut through the air. Li Mo, already stepping toward check-in, broke into a cold sweat. *She’s definitely up to no good.*
“Tang Zhe! Over here!”
“Hey! What are you doing at a time like this?!” Li Mo stamped her foot in panic. *Why call them over?! Shouldn’t they just stay put? I’m trying to get rid of them!*
“What’s up, class rep?” Tang Zhe jogged over, grinning.
“Look,” Liu Shishi leaned in, lowering her voice while Zhang Wanting pretended to scroll on her phone, “Li Mo’s been sick. She’s weak now—not cut out for intense sports. And she can’t possibly beat these guys. So… how about…”
“You mean I take her place?” Tang Zhe caught on instantly. But could you even substitute in competitions like this?
“Relax. Just memorize Li Mo’s number. They’ll only call numbers during the event.” Liu Shishi nudged him. “Help or not?”
“Hmmmm…”
He’d thought this might be good exercise for Li Mo. But Liu Shishi had a point.
“I figured since he’s got the stamina of a little girl, a workout wouldn’t hurt…”
“So you’d help if he were *actually* a girl?”
“Hahaha, no way! If he were a girl, he wouldn’t need *me*—we’d never be this close. Besides, I don’t even know how to act around girls properly.”
Boys and girls just moved in different circles. Being “bros” with girls? Not his style.
“Hmm… so? Will you help?”
“Well…”
*…What are those two scheming about?*
Li Mo stood at the back of the check-in line, watching Tang Zhe and Liu Shishi whisper. Something felt off.
Her confusion didn’t last long. After a moment’s thought, Tang Zhe nodded and walked straight to her.
“What do you want?” Li Mo tensed. With Liu Shishi involved, nothing good ever came of it.
“You’d just embarrass yourself. I’ll take your spot.” Tang Zhe shoved her gently out of the line.
“Huh?!”
Before Li Mo could react, Tang Zhe rushed to the registration teacher. He glanced at Li Mo’s number, grabbed the flimsy numbered bib meant for her, pulled it on, signed the sheet just as his turn came, and headed for the athlete’s prep zone.
*What’s his problem?! Is he looking down on me?!*
Tang Zhe’s blunt words stung, but with so many people around, Li Mo bit back her anger. She shot a look at Liu Shishi’s knowing grin and pieced it together.
*Dang it all.*
Fuming, she marched over—but Liu Shishi was already dragging Zhang Wanting away by the arm. “Tang Zhe’s subbing for Li Mo. It’s starting. Wanna watch?”
“Huh?” Zhang Wanting blinked, puzzled by her friend’s sudden shift. But she *was* curious about Tang Zhe—he was tall, newly transferred, and built. Might even win a medal. “Sure, why not?”
Li Mo’s flood of questions died in her throat. She couldn’t confront them now.
Silently, she stood alone at the very back of the crowd, watching from the outskirts.
*I wanna game. I wanna sleep.*
*But I also wanna watch Tang Zhe compete.*
She chose the latter.
And instantly regretted it.
“OHHHH—!!!”
A cheer erupted—someone must’ve nailed a jump.
None of it mattered to Li Mo.
The crowd was too thick.
Stuck at the very edge, far behind the outermost ring of spectators, she jumped and tiptoed frantically, catching only glimpses through gaps.
It was agony.
Whenever the people in front stretched to see better, she lost all view.
*What even is this?! Not only am I underestimated—I can’t even see the guy who stole my spot!*
*I. CAN’T. SEE!*
“Where’s Li Mo?” Zhang Wanting spotted a short figure hopping awkwardly near the far edge of the crowd, face scrunched like she was constipated.
“Oh… probably can’t see over everyone,” Liu Shishi said knowingly. Zhang Wanting wasn’t tall either—if they weren’t positioned well, she’d struggle too.
*So cute. Every time. How is she this adorable?*
“Hmm… should I just let her ride on my shoulders?” Liu Shishi couldn’t help but drool a little.
“You’re serious?” Zhang Wanting stared. *Did a perverted shut-in just crawl out of my best friend’s body?*
