Chapter 18: Your Exclusive Prize

After the long jump, Shen Jia Yan had no other events on the first day, so she felt relatively relaxed. She cheered on her classmates from Year 2 Class 11 alongside the others.

Suddenly, a female classmate lightly patted her shoulder.

Shen Jia Yan turned to look at her.

“Jia Yan.” She pointed toward the back of the class near the stands’ staircase. “Someone’s looking for you over there.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks.” Shen Jia Yan stood up.

Who could it be? She wondered as she walked over, scanning around.

As she neared the staircase, the figure that made her heart race appeared before her.

It was Wen Wan Ning.

She was still wearing her flag bearer’s uniform. The collar of her white shirt was unbuttoned at the top two, revealing a glimpse of her slender collarbone. When the wind billowed the fabric, the subtle curve of her waistline faintly showed.

“Wan Ning.” Shen Jia Yan tried to keep her voice calm, but she couldn’t hide the upward lilt in her tone.

“Here.” Wen Wan Ning pulled a small gift box from behind her back and held it out.

Shen Jia Yan hesitated before slowly taking it. “What’s this?”

“Your prize.” Wen Wan Ning’s lips curved into a bright smile, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with sunlight.

Shen Jia Yan frowned at her. “Prize? What… prize?”

“I heard the announcement. You got sixth in the long jump. That’s impressive.”

Shen Jia Yan’s smile deepened at her words.

She really was paying attention to me.

Wen Wan Ning continued, “I know you earned points for your class, but from what I heard, only the top three get prizes.”

“So,” she pointed at the gift box in Shen Jia Yan’s hand, “I’m delivering your exclusive prize.”

Shen Jia Yan rubbed the edge of the box, feeling the lingering warmth from Wen Wan Ning’s touch. A wave of warmth threatened to overflow from her chest.

“Thank you.” Her voice came out a bit hoarse. “Tomorrow, in the relay, I’ll definitely take first place for you to see.”

Wen Wan Ning’s lips hooked up slightly, and she said softly, “I believe in you.”

Back home, Shen Jia Yan carefully untied the ribbon on the gift box. Her fingertips still seemed to hold the warmth from the moment Wen Wan Ning had handed it to her.

Inside lay an exquisite silver metal bookmark, topped with a small star pendant. Shen Jia Yan held it up to the light, and the star refracted tiny glimmers, just like the light that sparkled in Wen Wan Ning’s eyes when she smiled.

On the back of the bookmark were the words: “Though the competition only rewards the top three, in my heart, you’re just as outstanding as they are.”

Shen Jia Yan’s heart skipped a beat. She gripped the bookmark tightly; the metal’s coolness gradually warmed in her palm. That surge of warmth from her chest finally overflowed her eyes, turning into a damp smile.

The second day of the sports meet.

The final day—or rather, half-day—of competitions wrapped up all remaining events in the morning, followed by tallying class points and the award ceremony.

Though it was only half a day, the events were thrilling ones. Whether competing or cheering from the sidelines, everyone was full of energy.

Shen Jia Yan especially so.

The girls’ 4x100m relay was the last event of the sports meet, but she’d started warming up and practicing as soon as she arrived at school that morning.

It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in herself; it was a team event, and not everyone was as skilled as her. She needed to ensure that even if they fell far behind, she could turn things around.

After all, she’d promised Wen Wan Ning she’d take first.

Xia Yuxin searched for a while before spotting Shen Jia Yan practicing quietly in a corner.

She sneaked up and leaned down near the stretching Shen Jia Yan’s ear, whispering suddenly, “Shen Jia Yan.”

“Damn!” Shen Jia Yan’s fingers jerked back from touching her ankle. She bounced up like a startled cat, her head nearly smacking the other’s chin. Her eyes widened as she whipped around.

“Xia Yuxin!” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “What’s the benefit of scaring me half to death? Or did you find a replacement for me in the ‘4×1’?” She resumed stretching.

Xia Yuxin quickly turned coquettish, grinning. “Aw, just a joke.” Then she straightened up seriously. “No one in the whole school could replace someone as awesome as you.”

Shen Jia Yan smiled. “What do you want?”

Xia Yuxin sat on the nearby steps. “Nothing much, just checking where you were. Our event’s coming up soon.”

“But…” She squinted at Shen Jia Yan.

Shen Jia Yan frowned at her hesitant look. “But what?”

Xia Yuxin looked sly. “But I didn’t expect our ex-school team athlete to seem so nervous, sneaking practice like this?”

Shen Jia Yan’s eyes darted around unnaturally. “I-I just want to play it safe, get a good score for our class.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Xia Yuxin’s smile was meaningful. “Spill it.” Her tone sharpened. “Got a crush? Trying to show off in front of them?” She added, “Don’t lie—nothing escapes my eyes!”

Caught, Shen Jia Yan’s cheeks flushed red. “I, uh—”

“Hahaha, I saw you blush. No need to explain.”

It was pretty obvious.

Shen Jia Yan stopped hiding it and let Xia Yuxin ramble.

Seeing her tacit admission, Xia Yuxin felt a spark of excitement, her gossip flames igniting.

Shen Jia Yan was good-looking—not the soft, gentle kind, but with a refreshing, heroic vibe, clean and sharp.

Her short hair neatly hugged her nape, trimmed precisely to reveal a defined jawline. High brow bones accentuated deep-set eyes, a straight nose bridge that cut a sharp line from the side, softening subtly at the tip.

Her striking features, paired with her humorous and kind personality, had drawn plenty of admirers. But Xia Yuxin had never heard her express liking for anyone, not even a hint.

If she weren’t so casual about studies and didn’t rank at the top, Xia Yuxin would’ve pegged her as the studious type who only loved books.

Learning this today was like discovering a new continent; Xia Yuxin’s eyes lit up.

She sidled closer to Shen Jia Yan and whispered, “Which guy from which class?”

After a pause with no response, she pressed, “Tell me. I swear I won’t tell anyone.”

Shen Jia Yan smiled faintly. “Alright, I’m going to change. Get ready with Shao Han and Zheng Qian—we’re up soon.” She walked off toward the changing room without looking back.

“Hey?” Xia Yuxin waved, but she was already gone.

Not cool. Why not share with your best roommate?

Half an hour later, the Year 2 girls’ 4x100m final.

With more participants needed, not all classes entered, so six Year 2 classes competed.

All six lined up on the track—no prelims, straight to the showdown.

Shao Han took her position at the start, while Xia Yuxin, Zheng Qian, and Shen Jia Yan went to theirs.

Shen Jia Yan stood ready at her spot.

The athletes prepared. The cheering crowd by the track fell silent, building tension. Everyone awaited the starting gun.

“Go for it!”

A sudden voice rang from the spectator area.

Shen Jia Yan recognized it—Wen Wan Ning’s soft voice raised in volume.

She turned toward Year 2 Class 4. Her gaze cut through the waving cheer squad.

Their eyes met in midair.

Wen Wan Ning smiled with pursed lips, eyes curving into crescents. She mouthed deliberately: “Go—for—it.”

The world went quiet for a moment. All sounds faded from Shen Jia Yan’s ears except the vivid sight of that disobedient strand of hair by Wen Wan Ning’s ear swaying in the wind.

She grinned and nodded vigorously at her.

“On your marks.” The referee called.

“Set.”

Bang. The gun fired.

Before the smoke cleared, first-leg Shao Han shot out like an arrow. Shen Jia Yan, at anchor, watched her hand off first with a slim lead and clenched her fists.

It didn’t last. Second-leg Zheng Qian started slow and got passed on the curve. Shen Jia Yan’s heart tightened; she tiptoed to peer ahead.

Third-leg Xia Yuxin chased desperately, but the gap widened.

Heat waves shimmered off the track under the blazing sun; sweat trickled down Shen Jia Yan’s temple. She took a deep breath, slapped her cheeks, crouched with her right hand extended backward, palm up, ready for the baton.

The neighboring lane’s runner led by two bodies. Cheers surged like tides, but Shen Jia Yan only heard her own pulse throbbing.

“Hand-off!” Xia Yuxin’s hoarse shout cut through.

The instant the baton hit her palm, Shen Jia Yan exploded forward. The track burned underfoot like a fuse. Her spikes kicked up rubber bits with each stride; wind whistled past amid rising “Go!” chants.

In the final fifty meters, the crowd’s roar peaked. Shen Jia Yan’s vision sharpened; the finish line’s red ribbon fluttered in the sun.

Her thigh muscles burned.

No matter what, she’d give it everything—she’d promised Wen Wan Ning.

“Passed her, passed her!” Screams erupted in the last ten meters.

Shen Jia Yan crossed first.

Looking up, the blue sky filled with countless excited faces.

Momentum carried her past the line. She panted hard, trying to slow.

Her foot stumbled; the world tilted.

Then she fell into an embrace warm with sunlight.

Lavender scent mixed with post-race heat enveloped her. Someone caught her steadily—one arm around her back, the other supporting her arm.

“You okay?” A concerned voice came from above.

Shen Jia Yan looked up into Wen Wan Ning’s beautiful face. Sunlight haloed her from behind, gilding her lashes; her hair tips trembled in the breeze.

Only then did Shen Jia Yan realize her hand clutched Wen Wan Ning’s clothing, wrinkling the gym uniform.

She tried to let go, but her fingers wouldn’t obey.

“Can you stand steady?” Wen Wan Ning’s voice softened; her hand on Shen Jia Yan’s back tightened slightly.

Shen Jia Yan nodded, yet she was still leaning into Wen Wan Ning’s embrace.

Surrounding cheers and whistles faded; up close were only the rise and fall of her chest and the warmth seeping through thin fabric.

Sunlight scorched her cheeks.

Unsure who moved first, Wen Wan Ning’s nose tip brushed Shen Jia Yan’s forehead.

In that instant, Shen Jia Yan wished time would linger just a bit longer.