28 Thoughts

Jiang Ci paused, watching Zhang Heyu charge forward without hesitation until he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhou Song, who was in the lead.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Seeing this, Jiang Ci and the students watching the race couldn't help but hold their breath.

Zhou Song caught sight of Zhang Heyu in his peripheral vision and was momentarily startled. Taking advantage of a lapse in concentration, he accelerated and surged across the finish line first. Zhang Heyu followed closely behind, taking second place.

The boy walked to the side, hunched over and gasping for air. A scent of osmanthus flowers drifted into his nostrils again. He looked up slightly to see Jiang Ci smiling, her lips curled.

"You worked hard, Zhang Heyu."

Her soft voice struck his heart with every word. Zhang Heyu mirrored her smile, his voice raspy from the exertion. "I didn't get first."

"But you were still amazing; you got second place." Jiang Ci handed him a Gatorade, offering gentle words of comfort.

Zhang Heyu took a drink. As the liquid went down his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbed with each swallow. Sweat dampened his hair, leaving Jiang Ci momentarily dazed. At this moment, his eyes were narrowed; he already possessed deep, well-defined features, but now he appeared even more effortlessly charming.

"The comforting is quite effective," he said.

Jiang Ci started slightly, her clear eyes meeting his with a smile as she said sincerely, "It’s not just comfort. In my heart, you are the one who took first place."

Hearing this, a flash of astonishment crossed Zhang Heyu’s eyes. Before he could speak, Jiang Ci realized she had blundered and clumsily added, "I mean, first place in the race."

Zhang Heyu suddenly laughed. Being with Jiang Ci was like riding a rollercoaster; his heart was constantly in his throat, and every emotion seemed easily manipulated by her. Before meeting Jiang Ci, he had never experienced anything like this. He had been reckless and indifferent, with no room for emotions. But now, every feeling he had revolved around one person. He realized completely that his feelings for Jiang Ci were different.

He liked Jiang Ci. He admitted he had fallen, and fallen hard.

With the race over, the group snuck back to the classroom to sit. The school sports meet wouldn't conclude until the afternoon. Jiang Ci spent her spare time working on problems at her desk, while Zhang Heyu, Huo Chensi, and Bian Ze played games nearby. Yu Xijin didn't return to her own class, choosing instead to sit at the desk in front of Jiang Ci, fiddling with her camera.

"Hey, Ci Ci, I’m going to organize the photos and send them to you now."

"Okay." Jiang Ci paused her writing, looked up, and replied.

Seeing Jiang Ci focused on her work, Yu Xijin stopped bothering her, and everyone else tactfully kept their voices down. Time passed quickly; when she finally looked up from the sea of books, it was nearly five o'clock. She checked her phone and saw a notification from her homeroom teacher, Mo Bingyou, tagging her in the class group.

[Mo Bingyou: Jiang Ci, come to the office. @Jiang Ci]

[Jiang Ci: Understood, Teacher.]

Jiang Ci tidied her desk and stood up.

"Ci Ci, where are you going?" Yu Xijin put down her phone and looked up at her. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Jiang Ci shook her head. "No need, I’m just heading to the office."

By now, Zhang Heyu had stopped gaming with the others. Hearing their conversation, he shifted his gaze toward the girl. He watched Jiang Ci leave the classroom, and not long after, he heard Yu Xijin say, "Hey, Top Student Zhang, do you want me to send you the photos I took of Ci Ci today?"

Zhang Heyu looked indifferent and nodded. "Yeah, thanks."

"Don't mention it."

As Jiang Ci emerged from the office, she bumped