Chapter 17: Sixth Place

Although the sports meet didn’t require arriving at school as early as for regular classes, the numerous events still demanded that everyone arrive by seven o’clock.

There was no need to return to the classroom; they headed straight to the sports field to their class’s designated spot.

At seven in the morning, the campus was still shrouded in pale blue mist, with dewdrops clinging to the grass blades beside the track.

The red banner on the rostrum billowed slightly in the wind, the gilded characters “Summer Track and Field Games” shimmering with the fabric’s undulations. A few student cadres wearing armbands hurried past carrying scoring boards, the clacking of the plastic panels startling the sparrows in the trees.

Shen Jia Yan walked toward her class’s position, her backpack containing her athletic wear and spiked shoes slung over her shoulder.

As she walked, she kept glancing back from time to time.

She wondered if Wan Ning had arrived yet.

At eight in the morning, all classes assembled on the sports field for the opening ceremony.

Since the long jump was scheduled early in the day’s events, the teacher instructed Shen Jia Yan to warm up at their class’s spot instead of joining the march.

Shen Jia Yan was naturally delighted. She didn’t have to stand under the sun listening to the school leaders’ lengthy speeches, and she could admire the spirited march of the other classes passing by.

Of course, what she anticipated most was Year 2 Class 4’s entry—Wan Ning’s entry.

She had specially brought her mirrorless camera from home to capture those memorable moments.

The familiar music started playing, and the classes began marching past the rostrum one after another for inspection.

The order was from Class 1 to Class 30.

After all the Year 1 classes had passed, it was the Year 2 group’s turn.

Soon, the broadcast announced, “Now entering is Year 2 Class 4…”

Shen Jia Yan readied her mirrorless camera, poised to shoot.

Sunlight slanted across the field. When Year 2 Class 4’s formation appeared at the far end of the track, Shen Jia Yan’s gaze was instantly captured by the figure holding the class flag.

Her breath hitched, and her fingers instinctively raised the camera and pressed the shutter.

The flag bearer was Wen Wan Ning.

She wore a crisply ironed white shirt, a navy silk ribbon tied at the collar fluttering gently in the wind. The tailored navy pleated skirt traced elegant arcs with her steps, revealing slender calves beneath the hem, paired neatly with white socks and black leather shoes.

Her hands gripped the flagpole firmly, her back straight, chin slightly raised. Sunlight filtered through the stray hairs by her ear, casting delicate shadows on her profile.

“This flag bearer is so pretty…” Shen Jia Yan heard a soft exclamation from a boy nearby.

She really was beautiful. Shen Jia Yan’s eyes stuck to Wen Wan Ning, ripples stirring in her heart.

Her fingers kept pressing the shutter. In the viewfinder, Wen Wan Ning’s taut neckline as she raised the flag in salute, the swirling arc of her skirt as she turned—they were all perfectly frozen in frame after frame.

As they passed the rostrum, Wen Wan Ning suddenly thrust the class flag high into the air.

The motion tugged the shirt’s hem free from her skirt waist, revealing a glimpse of her lower back. Screams erupted from the stands one after another, but she merely tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the excited crowd before landing on Shen Jia Yan’s position.

A fleeting second of eye contact.

The corner of her mouth curved up almost imperceptibly. That split-second gesture was like a spark landing in dry grass, igniting Shen Jia Yan’s entire chest. The flag billowed like waves over her shoulder, while Shen Jia Yan’s heartbeat raced even faster, threatening to shatter her ribs.

Only after the formation had passed did Shen Jia Yan lower her camera, realizing her palms were slick with sweat.

Reviewing the photos, each one was so stunning it made her heart race. Especially the one where Wen Wan Ning looked toward the lens—sunlight shattered into stars in her eyes, the curve of her smiling lips brighter than ever.

Wan Ning is so beautiful…

The opening ceremony ended, and the competitions officially began.

Shen Jia Yan changed into her athletic clothes and spiked shoes, then went to the check-in area.

There were thirty participants in the Year 2 girls’ long jump, starting with preliminaries; those who qualified advanced to the finals.

Since the 4x100m relay was the next day, Xia Yuxin had appointed herself as Shen Jia Yan’s assistant for the long jump.

She walked beside Shen Jia Yan holding a water bottle. “Jia Yan, with so many people in the long jump, good luck!”

Shen Jia Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “This isn’t my strong suit. I’ve already told Zhou Yi that I probably won’t place—maybe just get a ‘participation award’ or something, haha.”

Xia Yuxin unscrewed the cap and handed her the water. “Alright, as long as you have no pressure. You still have your strong events anyway.”

Shen Jia Yan took a sip. “I’m very relaxed. But I have to say, you’re a pretty competent assistant.”

Xia Yuxin capped the bottle smugly. “Of course.”

The long jump began, and Shen Jia Yan was eighth in line.

This round was triple jump. Though Shen Jia Yan hadn’t practiced it, her sprinting skills made for a solid approach run.

She completed the set of movements decently.

With many competitors still to go, Shen Jia Yan left with Xia Yuxin.

Xia Yuxin frowned as she followed. “Jia Yan, aren’t we staying for the results? The finals start right after prelims.”

Shen Jia Yan remained nonchalant. “I don’t think I’ll make finals. No point waiting around. If I surprisingly do, they’ll announce it over the broadcast, and I can head back then.”

“Alright.” The emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuch is anxious.

They returned to their class.

Zhou Yi asked curiously, “How’d it go?”

Shen Jia Yan sat in a random spot. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

Zhou Yi nodded, unsurprised, and comforted her. “No worries. Just shine in tomorrow’s relay.”

Just then, the broadcast began announcing the long jump finalists.

While Shen Jia Yan looked around casually, Xia Yuxin perked up her ears.

“…Year 2 Class 11, Shen Jia Yan…”

Wen Wan Ning, who had been reading a pocket book at their class spot, froze.

So she had entered the long jump finals too—and hadn’t mentioned it. Still, making finals was something to celebrate.

“Jia Yan, Jia Yan!” Xia Yuxin shook Shen Jia Yan’s arm excitedly; she hadn’t heard the announcement. “You made finals!”

“Ah? Oh, really.” Still nonchalant.

Xia Yuxin stood up. “Yes! How are you not excited at all?” She reached to pull her. “Come on, finals are starting soon.”

Shen Jia Yan rose with her help and smiled faintly. “Why are you so thrilled? Making finals doesn’t mean placing.”

“Psh, making finals is impressive! Think about it,” Xia Yuxin analyzed earnestly. “Thirty competitors, only twelve in finals. Sure, only top three get prizes, but top eight get points. You’ve got a good shot at points for our class.”

Infected by her seriousness, Shen Jia Yan got serious too. “Okay, then I’ll push harder and try to rack up some points for us.”

“Yeah, go for it!”

Soon, it was Shen Jia Yan’s turn.

She positioned herself on the runway, stepped back, and counted silently in her head: “Three, two, one.”

Her spiked shoes kicked up tiny rubber granules. Sunlight compressed her shadow into a sharp arrow, accelerating along the deep red track.

At the takeoff point, the entire field’s noise seemed to vanish.

In mid-air, her body extended for the first phase, left leg slicing forward in a perfect line, right leg taut like a bowstring behind. Her shortsleeve hem lifted, revealing the tense muscles of her waist and abdomen. Wind pressed the bib tight against her back, outlining her shoulder blades as if ready to take flight.

On the second bound, her arms spread wide.

At the final sandpit landing, she tucked and rolled forward.

The judge raised the small red flag, signaling a valid jump.

Each jumper got three attempts; Shen Jia Yan completed two more. All three were valid; the best counted.

Shen Jia Yan brushed sand from her clothes and said to Xia Yuxin, “Whatever happens with points, I gave it my all.”

Xia Yuxin helped straighten her clothes, smiling. “It’s fine. You jumped great.”

“Let’s go. If there are points, they’ll announce it.” Shen Jia Yan gazed toward Year 2 Class 4’s spot, searching for Wen Wan Ning.

She wondered if she’d heard about the finals—and if she’d be happy for her.

After hearing Shen Jia Yan make finals, Wen Wan Ning pocketed her book and tuned into the broadcasts.

Lü Yue noticed her staring ahead motionlessly and followed her gaze.

Nothing there.

“What are you looking at?” she asked with a frown.

Wen Wan Ning held the pose. “Listening to the broadcast.”

The broadcast was airing the cheers scripts submitted to the rostrum.

“Listening to the broadcast?” Lü Yue muttered softly. “Are they reading our class’s cheer script now?”

Wen Wan Ning smiled without replying.

Five minutes later.

The broadcast rang out again. “Now announcing the Year 2 long jump finals rankings.”

“Jia Yan, Jia Yan.” Xia Yuxin was more nervous than Shen Jia Yan.

Shen Jia Yan smiled faintly. “I hear it.”

“Eighth place, Year 2 Class 20 Li Qing; seventh place, Year 2 Class 7 Chen Ru; sixth place, Year 2 Class 11 Shen Jia Yan…”

“Sixth! Sixth!” Xia Yuxin nearly jumped for joy.

Shen Jia Yan quickly held her back. “Calm down. People might think I won first.”

“Hehe, I’m just happy for you. You got three points for our class!”

Zhou Yi ran over, delighted. “Jia Yan, nice one! First time long jumping, you make finals and snag sixth for points. Hidden talent, huh?”

“Right? Our Jia Yan’s got skills galore,” Xia Yuxin chimed in.

Even Shen Jia Yan, usually cheeky and self-loving around friends, blushed at the praise. “Um, lucky break. Total fluke.”

She sidled between them and whispered, “Can we keep it low-key? It’s just sixth—no certificate or prize like top three. First place isn’t making this much noise. Let me quietly score our three points, okay?” She batted her big eyes, tilting her head with a smile.

“Hahaha, sure.”

After Zhou Yi left, Shen Jia Yan and Xia Yuxin sat down.

Just as they did, Jiang Yufei and Chu Ye approached. “Jia Yan, you too—”

“Stop!” Shen Jia Yan cut in. “I know I’m awesome. No more praise—I’m low-key.”

“Hahaha, she says she’s low-key,” Jiang Yufei laughed.

Shen Jia Yan pouted at her. “Am I not?” She turned to Chu Ye. “Am I not low-key?”

“Uh…”

Shen Jia Yan gave up. “Fine, I admit I’m usually straightforward. But today, I wanna low-key be sixth, okay, everyone?” She spread her hands to the trio.

They nodded, stifling laughs.

Shen Jia Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

She thought: Sixth place and they’re this hyped. If we win relay gold tomorrow, they’ll put me on a pedestal.

Still so “low-key.”