Lin Shu was a sports-track student admitted through special recruitment. His treatment was basically the same as regular students. He hadn’t been placed in a specialized class yet to avoid falling behind academically.

During the first semester of freshman year, there were no morning training sessions. Practices were usually scheduled for the last two afternoon classes when the sun wasn’t scorching. The workouts focused on strength and conditioning—intense but manageable. Depending on the weather, they’d test their 100m and 800m sprints every two weeks.

The second semester added grueling morning drills. Though not winter, it was brutal. The first class of the day was basically wasted—everyone just dozed off.

At first, classmates were curious about Lin Shu’s athlete status. Some even envied how he got to "play" on the field during the last two classes. *It’s not playing*, he’d think. *It’s training*.

He could arrive late to evening self-study sessions too. After training, stretching, and showering, it was already late. Plus, he reeked of sweat.

As the only male athlete in class—besides one girl—he naturally became the unwanted PE rep. Nobody bothered him on ordinary days. Some even avoided him. But during sports meets or class basketball tournaments? He’d be shoved forward as free labor. Skip out, and they’d accuse him of lacking class spirit.

"Lin Shu. Math homework. You’re the only one who hasn’t turned it in."

A crisp voice and a tap on his desk jolted Lin Shu awake. He blinked sleepily, wiped drool from his chin, and yawned before focusing on the speaker.

Su Nuan, the class study rep, stood there clutching a stack of exercise books. Her expression was blank. She wore the standard blue-and-white tracksuit uniform. Jet-black hair was pulled into a simple ponytail down her back. Her flawless fair skin seemed almost translucent. Pink sleeve covers protected her uniform cuffs—meticulous to a fault.

*"Lin Shu made Su Nuan chase him for homework again."*

*"He’s totally faking the bad-boy act to get her attention."*

The gossiping girls whispered. Su Nuan was stunningly pretty, with perfectly balanced features. Winning city-level "Model Student" awards was as easy as breathing for her. She’d even snagged provincial ones. From senior boys to middle school juniors—and everyone in between—countless guys had confessed. All rejected. A stubborn few still held out hope.

"Oh. Right. Sorry to trouble you again, Study Rep."

Lin Shu wasn’t faking it. He usually dashed into class at the last bell, sometimes using the first period to finish homework. He could’ve slipped it to the math teacher during break and skipped calisthenics. But saying that would embarrass Su Nuan. And that’d make the whole class hate him.

His position in class was already delicate. In three months, freshman year would end. Sophomore year meant reshuffled classes and subject-based streaming.

"Thanks, Study Rep."

Lin Shu pulled his exercise book from his desk drawer. Something clattered to the floor.

"It’s nothing." Su Nuan’s reply was icy. Her name meant "warm," but she radiated an aura that kept everyone at arm’s length. She had no friends. Some called her "Su Leng" behind her back.

"Your letter fell out." She reminded him flatly before turning away, arms full of books.

"Letter?"

Bewildered, Lin Shu bent down. A pink envelope lay on the floor. A chill shot down his spine—he felt someone glaring at him.

No name or address on the envelope. Just a heart-shaped clasp sealing it. *Real subtle*.

*Wrong desk?*

But he sat alone in the back row. The other desk near the rear door was empty—usually reserved for teachers during evening study hall or observation periods.

*A prank?* Unlikely. He hadn’t offended anyone.

*Who even writes love letters these days?* Everyone just used chat apps or confession walls.

Lin Shu pressed his forehead against the desk and tore open the envelope. No shame in reading it here.

Inside lay pink paper folded into a heart. Neat handwriting read: *"After school today. I’ll wait for you at the pavilion on the sports field."*

The paper carried a faint, sweet fragrance. The delicate script suggested a girl.

*The sports field?* So it was someone who knew his training schedule. If he skipped, they’d see him anyway. If they ambushed him at the school gate or during practice? It’d blow up.

Training daily under everyone’s eyes was bad enough. He refused to be a zoo monkey. Better to reject them properly.

Lin Shu had zero interest in dating. Between studies and training, he was drained. Any relationship would fizzle in days. His parents’ divorce had taught him how fragile feelings were.

Plus, his sister was moving to the city in August. They’d promised to live together. Boarding wasn’t an option. Living at home brought its own headaches.

His sister refused to stay with their dad. Childhood fears lingered, especially after years apart. What would they even say to each other? If she found out he lived there, Mom might get angry.

Worse: no spare room. At their age, sharing a bedroom was impossible. Privacy mattered.

Using "too far from school" as an excuse to rent an apartment? Dad might not agree. Boarding would be digging his own grave.

Lin Shu shoved the letter aside. He focused on class, took notes, then drifted off. He pulled out his silenced phone to check the time. The last few minutes crawled.

He perked up for the final two morning classes. The bell rang. He hopped on his bike and sped to his dad’s gym. The attached café served custom fitness meals for private clients—too pricey for regular members. Most just bought protein shakes.

Lin Shu borrowed their kitchen to cook lunch. He was sick of bland fitness food. *Eat well, train hard. Muscles will grow.*

After a nap, he biked back to school. It wasn’t summer yet, so afternoon energy held up. Too bad he couldn’t understand the lessons.

After second period, he grabbed his backpack and headed to the fieldside restroom to change. Fewer people here than near the main building—mostly students before or after PE.

A row of teammates were already stripping down. Shyer boys hid in stalls.

Lin Shu didn’t care. He’d seen it all at the gym. He jogged to the field to warm up. His eyes drifted to the pavilion in the corner. Green ivy climbed its pillars. Sunlight filtered through diamond-shaped leaves on the roof, dappling the ground.

Boys and girls clustered inside. Too early. Probably not here yet.

This year’s focus was middle-distance running—lactic acid tolerance drills. After training, they paired up to massage each other’s legs. Lucky they had even numbers. The leftover guy always got stomped by the coach’s smelly foot. Some hardcore students even cracked open textbooks during cooldowns.

Lin Shu kept glancing at the pavilion. *Huh. Why’s Su Nuan there?* She sat quietly on a bench, reading.

*Could she have left the letter?* She did remind him about it falling.

Classmates had wondered why Su Nuan always woke him for homework. Some joked she liked him. She’d shut that down immediately.

Lin Shu didn’t believe it either. *Jokes are fine. But don’t fool yourself.* Still—why would she prank him? Piss off Su Nuan, and a line of guys ready to defend her would stretch from the classroom to the school gate.

"Ow! Murderer, Lin Shu!" Yang Chao yelped under Lin Shu’s foot. Yang Chao was his closest friend among the athletes. They’d faced off in middle school tournaments—old rivals.

"Sorry, Chao-ge. Zoned out."

"Heh. Staring at your class flower again?" Yang Chao wiggled imaginary game controllers. "Wanna hit Q-Wan Bar after food? Grab boba, play free consoles. They let minors in."

Q-Wan Bar was a board game café near campus.

Training ended early today. Some teammates were hardcore grinders. Others, like Yang Chao, treated it like recess. Lin Shu was somewhere in between.

"Nah. Got stuff to do."

"Fine. I’ll drag Hou-ge along."

Yang Chao waved at wiry, muscular Hou Fei. They left laughing.

Lin Shu shouldered his backpack and walked toward the pavilion. Time for answers.

Su Nuan glanced up. Her eyes flickered downward. She returned to her book.

*Definitely not her.*

*Phew.* Almost a disaster. Someone must’ve set him up—luring both him and Su Nuan here so he’d think she confessed, only to get humiliated.

Good thing he hadn’t gotten his hopes up. He turned to leave—

A small figure crashed into his chest. Lin Shu stumbled back to steady himself.

He looked down. A girl in middle school’s red-and-white uniform. Tea-brown hair shimmered in the sunset. Her face looked familiar.

Lin Shu gently pushed her shoulders away. He reeked of sweat. *She’s probably disgusted already.*

Her cheeks flushed. "Gu Chuchu? What are you doing here?"

"Who else would write you a lo—love letter? In the whole world, only I like you, senior!" Gu Chuchu clenched tiny fists and shouted.

"That’s harsh. I’ve got my sister, at least."

They’d barely interacted. Lin Shu had been roped into timing middle school fitness tests. He remembered her name.

During one run, she’d tripped and skidded—scraped knees and palms. Her current uniform pants had holes right over the scars.

He’d carried her to the infirmary. (The nurse was never there.) He cleaned her wounds. They’d only nodded hello since.

*No way* did he think bandaging scrapes would make her fall for him. Mess this up, and he’d get scolded.

"From today, we’re dating! Hehe."

Gu Chuchu ducked her head, ears pink. Her fingers twisted her shirt hem. A silly, happy smile bloomed.

"Hold on. I didn’t agree."

"You came to the pavilion. Isn’t that agreement?"

"I came to reject you."

"Why? Am I too short? Ugly? Flat-chested? Is it my short hair? Not your type?" She tugged her bangs, biting her lip. Tears welled up, threatening to spill.

"None of that. You’re cute. Popular in middle school. Probably even with shady high school seniors eyeing you."

True. Gu Chuchu had a sweet face, bright eyes, and a petite but healthy frame.

"Then why reject me? Doubting my feelings? I’m serious! You’re my first love!"

"Think. You’re in ninth grade. Entrance exams are months away—a major turning point. Fail, and you’ll regret it. I’m struggling with academics as a sports student. No energy for romance."

"Don’t worry! I’ve been admitted early to our high school. Won’t affect studies. I’m already previewing sophomore material. Might even tutor *you*."

"No excuses left, senior?"

She stepped closer. Lin Shu backed up. Her faint, sweet scent matched the letter’s.

"I train and study daily. No time for dates."

"Studying together counts! Just being near you is enough."

"I stink of sweat. You smelled it just now."

"I don’t mind. Your scent is nice."

"I’m a gym freak. My muscles are scary."

"I love the security a senior gives."

Lin Shu's back slammed against the school wall. He was cornered with no escape.

This girl is way too persistent. Isn't there any excuse to turn her down?

"Actually, I already like someone."

"Could it be..."

Misunderstanding him, Gu Chuchu suddenly flushed with shyness.

"Sister. The person I like is my sister."

No one would want a pervert obsessed with his sister. She should finally give up now. I'm such a genius.