Shen Lianyao had long anticipated ending up on her own.
Her hesitation centered on whether to approach the PE teacher and request to record her data solo, without needing a partner.
But that would leave someone else without a teammate, just like her.
This sparked another dilemma: why not pair up with that other leftover person?
So, her options boiled down to either explaining the situation to the teacher or just teaming up with another classmate, however makeshift.
From a pros-and-cons standpoint, the latter was clearly better—it wouldn’t trouble the teacher or anyone else.
Mm.
Having made up her mind, Shen Lianyao lifted her head and scanned the surroundings, hoping to spot someone else in the same boat.
But everywhere she looked, her classmates were strolling toward the testing area in pairs, with no stragglers in sight.
Huh?
Shen Lianyao narrowed her eyes, a touch of puzzlement crossing her face.
Just then, Shen An sauntered up behind her and murmured softly, “What are you looking at?”
She gave a little start and whipped around, eyeing him warily.
“What do you want?”
Her tone and expression made it seem like she was warding off some sleazy thug.
Shen An’s mouth twitched slightly as he rolled his eyes. “I’m just concerned about you!”
Shen Lianyao’s mouth twitched in kind. She let out a dry chuckle. “No need. You should hurry up and get to testing.”
With that, she turned to put some distance between them as quickly as possible.
But after just one step, realization dawned on her.
Hold on…
The class had fifty-eight students: three boys and fifty-five girls.
Excluding herself, that left fifty-four girls—exactly twenty-seven pairs.
Among the boys, Yang Bin and Li Yun were roommates, so they could pair off, leaving…
Shen Lianyao finally grasped the situation.
This guy wasn’t avoiding the test—he was partnerless too, which was why he’d made a beeline for her.
Seeing her halt mid-stride, her expression shifting uncertainly, Shen An circled in front of her at just the right moment. In a gentle voice, he said, “How am I supposed to test without you?”
Exactly as she’d suspected!
Shen Lianyao pressed a hand to her forehead in exasperation. “You… you’re the one without a partner?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“You…” Seeing how shamelessly straightforward he was—and recalling his earlier outrageous comment—she couldn’t resist a jab. “Tch, no one wants to team up with you? That’s honestly surprising.”
Yes, Shen Lianyao had never imagined Shen An would be left out.
Her feelings toward him were mixed these days, but she knew full well how popular he was in class.
Besides…
Wouldn’t Wang Yuqiong have stuck with him?
Oh… right, Wang Yuqiong’s dorm had four people—perfectly even.
Shen An chuckled lightly. “It’s not that no one wanted me. I was waiting for you on purpose.”
“I want to pair with you.”
Aaaah…
Shen Lianyao couldn’t handle such cheesy lines. She backed away a few steps.
“Er… looks like I was being presumptuous?” Shen An sighed. “No big deal, though. I’ll just talk to the teacher—we can do it solo.”
He turned to leave, making no further attempt to persuade or plead.
Shen Lianyao gritted her teeth inwardly. She knew this guy wasn’t that “understanding.”… He was just positioning himself on the moral high ground to guilt her into feeling bad for rejecting his good intentions.
Damn reverse psychology!
Lowering her stubborn little head, she ground out through clenched teeth, “Wait.”
“Oh?” Shen An’s lips curved upward. “Changed your mind?”
“It’s not a change of heart. I never said I wouldn’t team up with you.” Shen Lianyao plastered on a look of feigned reluctance. “I don’t want to put the PE teacher in a tough spot, so… we’ll pair up.”
“Really pairing with me?”
“Yes…”
Shen Lianyao gave a slight nod, but catching the teasing glint in his eyes, her pretty face flushed. Annoyed and embarrassed, she snapped, “I mean team, not pair!”
“Hah? I didn’t quite catch that. What’s the difference?”
Shen An grinned dopily. “Isn’t it the ‘team’ from teaming up?”
Shen Lianyao’s hands, hidden behind her back, balled into fists that trembled faintly. “Let’s go.”
“Sure thing~”
Shen An’s face lit up with smug satisfaction. Shen Lianyao huffed coldly and strode ahead without waiting for him.
By the time they reached the testing area, their classmates had already begun their assessments, leaving just the two of them standing idle.
The PE teacher glanced over and prompted, “Don’t just stand there—get started.”
Shen Lianyao nodded awkwardly. “Okay.”
“Teacher, what’s the first event?” Shen An asked, though he already knew.
“Pull-ups for boys, sit-ups for girls. One-minute limit—time it on your phone.”
“Got it~”
Shen An flashed an OK sign and pulled out his phone. “Alright, sit-ups.”
Shen Lianyao knew there was no escaping it. She pouted and lay down quietly on the mat.
“Uh, sit-ups, not playing dead.”
Shen An offered a helpful reminder. Shen Lianyao shot him a glare. “How am I supposed to do them if you don’t hold my legs down?”
“Oh, right.”
Shen An feigned sudden realization, then promptly crouched and placed his hands on her slender calves, pressing down.
He held a bit too firmly, making her uncomfortable as she lay there.
She furrowed her brows but said nothing.
“Ready?”
She asked softly.
“Ready.” Shen An set the timer.
“Okay.”
Shen Lianyao glanced at the countdown on his phone screen and prepared to start.
But…
Halfway through her first sit-up, Shen An interrupted. “Hey, your legs are pretty slim, huh.”
Pfft.
Shen Lianyao flopped back down, glaring at him hostilely.
“Sorry, sorry.”
Shen An cleared his throat, forcing a serious expression. “Go on.”
Shen Lianyao steadied her breathing and tried to sit up again.
“You know the passing score, right? I heard it’s twenty-six, fifty-six for full marks. Think you can hit full?”
“Oh, right—you used to dance. Flexibility and stamina should be good. Guess I didn’t need to ask. Ha.”
“By the way, do you work out normally? Or do sports? What kind? Don’t tell me you’re a homebody like me who never moves.”
“That’s not great for your health.”
Shen An prattled on.
Shen Lianyao: …
She was doing half sit-ups over and over—each time she lifted her waist a little, he’d interrupt.
“Can’t you shut up for once?”
She said coldly.
“Er… fine. I’ll be quiet this time. Promise.”
Shen An nodded solemnly.
Seriously…
Shen Lianyao wanted to throttle him.
Whatever, no point stooping to his level.
She tested by lifting her waist slightly. Seeing he was truly silent, she committed fully. “Starting now.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen An hit the countdown.
The sixty-second timer began.
“1, 2, 3…”
He counted each time she came up.
And each time, her little face tilted up to meet his serious gaze.
He made no effort to look away, staring unabashedly at her face. The heat in his eyes nearly drowned out her own silent counting.
Deeply embarrassed, she deliberately avoided his intense stare every time she rose.
Otherwise, she felt she might not last.
One minute wasn’t long, but it didn’t feel short either.
Shen Lianyao’s final count: thirty sit-ups.
Just passing, teetering right on the edge.
When time was up, Shen An released her legs, puzzled. “That can’t be right. With your dance background, your stamina should be better.”
Shen Lianyao pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
She rose silently. Once standing, she discreetly placed a hand on her waist, her expression faintly unnatural.
“Did I distract you earlier? Want to try again?”
This time, Shen An’s suggestion was sincere.
He had trouble believing her endurance was that low.
Sit-ups weren’t some grueling challenge.
Given the dance skills she’d shown last time, she didn’t seem out of practice.
Flirting was one thing, but tanking her score was not okay.
Shen Lianyao fixed him with a cold stare. “No thanks. I don’t want to hear you yapping again.”
“I won’t say a word this time.”
Shen An made an X with his fingers and held it to his mouth.
Shen Lianyao exhaled in relief, moving her hand from her waist. Turning, she asked, “What’s the next event?”
