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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Xu stood at the edge of the playground, watching Ji Jiumei's figure gradually disappear into the night. She took a deep breath, the cold air stinging her lungs but sharpening her mind. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream, leaving her somewhat dazed.
"Lin Xu, what are you doing here?" A familiar voice came from behind her. Lin Xu turned to see Lu Ming standing there, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Oh, nothing much," Lin Xu forced a smile. "I just wanted to get some fresh air."
Lu Ming nodded, seemingly unconvinced by her explanation but not pressing further. He glanced at his watch and said, "The evening study session is about to start; we should head back to the classroom."
Lin Xu followed Lu Ming toward the teaching building, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Ji Jiumei's words echoed in her head: "How can one stop liking someone?" It was a question she too wanted to know the answer to.
As the bell for evening study rang, Lin Xu sat at her desk but found it impossible to concentrate. Her gaze drifted unconsciously to Ye Feng in the back row, who was intently reading a book, his brow furrowed as if he were pondering a difficult problem.
"Lin Xu, what are you looking at?" Lu Ming's voice suddenly broke through her thoughts, startling her.
"N-nothing," Lin Xu hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to read.
Lu Ming chuckled and whispered, "You’re not looking at Ye Feng, are you?"
Lin Xu's face instantly flushed red as she waved her hands in panic. "W-what are you talking about?"
"Don't be nervous; I’m just joking," Lu Ming said softly. "But you seem distracted lately. Is something bothering you?"
Lin Xu hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "It's nothing; maybe just a bit of pressure from studying lately."
Lu Ming regarded her thoughtfully but didn’t press further.
After evening study ended, Lin Xu packed her bag and prepared to go home. Just as she stepped out of the classroom, she heard Lu Ming call out from behind her. "Lin Xu, wait for me!"
Lin Xu stopped and turned to see Lu Ming jogging toward her. "What’s up?"
"Um..." Lu Ming scratched his head awkwardly. "I heard your physical education grades are really good. Could you help me practice for the 800-meter run? My fitness test scores have always been poor."
Lin Xu was surprised. "Aren't you always skipping gym class? Why do you suddenly want to practice long-distance running?"
Lu Ming sighed with a wry smile. "I have no choice; if I fail the fitness test, it might affect my college entrance exams. I don’t want that to interfere with my studies."
After thinking it over, Lin Xu nodded in agreement. "Alright then, let’s head to the playground now."
The two arrived at the playground, which was shrouded in darkness with only the distant lights of the teaching building flickering on.
"Do you usually run?" Lin Xu asked while warming up.
Lu Ming shook his head and admitted bashfully, "To be honest, I've been weak and sickly since childhood and often skipped gym class. Running is like a nightmare for me."
Lin Xu smiled reassuringly. "It’s okay; just take it slow. We'll run a couple of laps to warm up first before timing you."
They began jogging slowly, Lin Xu deliberately matching her pace with Lu Ming's. After one lap, Lu Ming was already panting heavily.
"Are you alright?" Lin Xu asked with concern.
Lu Ming forced a smile and replied, "I’m fine; just a bit tired."
Lin Xu encouraged him, "Hang in there! One more lap and then we can rest."
Finally completing two laps, Lu Ming bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. Lin Xu handed him a bottle of water and said, "Take a break; we’ll run another lap soon and I’ll time you this time."
After taking a sip of water and wiping away sweat, Lu Ming asked curiously, "Lin Xu, why are you so eager to help me?"
Lin Xu paused for a moment before smiling brightly. "Because we’re classmates! Isn’t it normal for us to help each other?"
Lu Ming nodded thoughtfully, "Thank you, Lin Xu. You are truly a good person."
Lin Xu felt a sudden discomfort in her heart as she thought of Ye Feng and her own hidden feelings. She forced a smile and said, "Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's keep running."
The two stood once more at the starting line, and Lin Xu took out her phone to time their run.
"Ready, set, go!" Lin Xu shouted.
Lu Ming shot off like an arrow, with Lin Xu following closely behind. Halfway through, Lu Ming's speed noticeably slowed, and his breathing became rapid.
"Hang in there, Lu Ming!" Lin Xu called from behind. "Think about your goals; you can do it!"
Hearing Lin Xu's encouragement, Lu Ming gritted his teeth and quickened his pace. In the final sprint of one hundred meters, he exerted all his strength and finally crossed the finish line.
"3 minutes 45 seconds," Lin Xu looked at her phone in surprise. "Not bad, Lu Ming; you have great potential."
Exhausted, Lu Ming collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. "Really? I feel like I'm about to die."
Lin Xu smiled as she handed him a water bottle. "Don't be discouraged; this is just the first practice. As long as you keep at it, you'll definitely reach the passing mark."
Lu Ming took a sip of water and looked up at Lin Xu with a complex expression. "Lin Xu, you're really impressive. Not only are you good at studying, but you're also great at sports."
Lin Xu shook her head. "Everyone has their strengths. You're quite good at math, aren't you?"
Lu Ming forced a smile. "But the college entrance exam isn't just about math."
Lin Xu patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't think too much; if we work hard together, we can definitely get into a good university."
The two sat on the edge of the playground to rest and chatted. Lin Xu couldn't help but ask, "Lu Ming, what do you think of Ye Feng?"
Lu Ming paused for a moment before laughing. "Why do you suddenly ask that? You don't like him, do you?"
Lin Xu's face instantly turned red. "W-What are you talking about? I was just asking casually."
Lu Ming regarded her thoughtfully and said, "Ye Feng is smart and good-looking; many girls like him. But I think he’s a bit aloof and hard to approach."
Lin Xu felt a heaviness in her heart as she murmured, "Yeah, he really is hard to approach."
Lu Ming seemed to sense something and said softly, "Lin Xu, if you really like him, why not try getting closer? You're so outstanding; he would definitely like you."
Lin Xu forced a smile again. "Thank you, Lu Ming. But I really was just asking casually."
After chatting for a while longer, Lin Xu checked her watch and said, "It's getting late; we should head back."
Lu Ming nodded and stood up. "Thank you for practicing with me today, Lin Xu."
Lin Xu smiled back. "No need to thank me; we can practice together again in the future."
As they walked out of the school gate and said their goodbyes, Lin Xu watched Lu Ming's figure gradually disappear into the night. A wave of inexplicable emotions surged within her as she thought of Ye Feng and Ji Jiumei along with her own unspoken feelings.
"How can I stop liking someone?" Lin Xu murmured to herself softly enough that she could barely hear it.
The next day arrived with the physical fitness test as scheduled. Due to her period, Lin Xu had to delay her test and stood on the sidelines watching her classmates take their turns. Her gaze unconsciously followed Ye Feng's figure.
There he was at the starting line—tall and poised with determined eyes. As the starting gun fired, he shot off like an arrow. Lin Xu held her breath as she watched Ye Feng's agile form sprint down the track.
"3 minutes 10 seconds!" With the timer's shout, Lin Xu's eyes widened in astonishment. Ye Feng's performance was incredible!
Just as she was still processing this shock, she suddenly heard an exclamation from behind her: "Lu Ming!"
Lin Xu turned around and saw Lu Ming crouching on the ground, clutching her chest, her face pale. She hurried over, "Lu Ming, what's wrong?"
Lu Ming struggled to lift her head and managed a weak smile. "It's nothing, I might have overdone it in practice last night. I'm just feeling a bit unwell today."
Lin Xu frowned. "Should we go to the infirmary?"
Lu Ming shook her head. "No need, I just need to rest a bit."
Looking around, Lin Xu noticed that the teacher was busy timing other students and hadn’t noticed their situation. She bit her lip and made a decision.
"Lu Ming, listen to me." Lin Xu lowered her voice, "When it's your turn, we'll run together. You stay behind me, and I'll control the pace to make sure you pass."
Lu Ming looked at her in surprise. "Isn't that a bit risky? What if we get caught?"
Lin Xu said firmly, "We won't get caught. I'll be careful. You worked so hard last night; you can't let your health affect your score."
After hesitating for a moment, Lu Ming finally nodded. "Thank you, Lin Xu."
Soon it was Lu Ming's turn to compete. Lin Xu pretended to warm up with Lu Ming and then quietly positioned herself at the starting line.
"On your marks, get set, go!" With the sound of the starting gun, Lin Xu and Lu Ming dashed forward together.
Lin Xu controlled her speed, always staying half a step ahead of Lu Ming. She could hear Lu Ming's labored breaths behind her, knowing she was giving it her all.
"Hang in there, Lu Ming!" Lin Xu encouraged softly, "We're almost at the finish line!"
Finally, they crossed the finish line together. Lin Xu glanced at the timer and sighed in relief: 3 minutes and 55 seconds—just enough to pass.
Just as Lin Xu was about to relax, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind her: "Lin Xu, what are you doing?"
Turning around, she saw Ye Feng standing there with a puzzled look and a hint of disapproval in his eyes. Her heart sank as she wondered how to explain.
At that moment, Luo Yichuan popped up out of nowhere with a grin. "Oh, Lin Xu! I didn’t know you cared so much about Lu Ming. Could it be that you like him?"
Lin Xu's face turned crimson instantly as she hurriedly waved her hands. "You... what are you talking about? I just..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her foot slipped unexpectedly, and she felt herself falling backward. Just when she thought she would hit the ground hard, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Lin Xu looked up to see Ye Feng gazing down at her; their faces were mere inches apart. She could clearly see the concern in his eyes along with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher.
"Be careful," Ye Feng said softly as he steadied her.
Lin Xu's heart raced as she took a step back in flustered surprise. "Th-thank you."
Ye Feng glanced at Lu Ming and then back at Lin Xu as if he understood something. He spoke gently, "I know you're trying to help Lu Ming. But this isn't right."
Lin Xu lowered her head, unsure of how to respond.
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