0003 First Encounter (2)

As the starting gun fired, cheers of encouragement erupted from the stands. The women's 1000-meter race, nearing its end, was one of the events that could ignite the crowd's excitement. This is because it tests not only explosive power but also endurance.

To He Lingling's left was a member of the sports team. Even though he knew he couldn't use too much speed at the beginning, he still managed to leave Lingling behind right from the start. He Lingling's goal wasn't ambitious; as long as she could successfully complete the race and fulfill the task assigned by her class, she would consider it a success. She gave herself a little encouragement in her mind, then swung her arms and took a slightly larger stride.

A gust of wind blew past her, and the chill from her water-soaked school uniform t-shirt made her shiver slightly. The lower abdominal pain intensified.

Suddenly, she heard someone call her name.

"Lingling—Go! Lingling—Go!!" Du Fenfang shouted her name loudly and energetically beside the track she was about to pass, surrounded by almost all the boys from her class who weren't competing.

Lingling felt a surge of emotion when she saw a group of classmates waving enthusiastically at her.

She remembered what her neighbor, Shen Yan, had told her: high school is one of the few precious and joyful times in life, and she would definitely meet classmates who would be like family. In fact, many years later, He Lingling still felt a warmth in her heart when she thought of those lovely classmates.

After the sports meet, the school will have a long holiday in October. She can finally go home and see her parents whom she hasn't seen for a long time, and also... her brother Ayan, who is studying at a university in the province. He told her that he would be going home during the holiday.

Thinking of this, He Lingling felt energized and put in even more effort. But with this exertion, she clearly felt a warm current gushing out from her lower body. She panicked instantly. Although her school uniform pants were dark-colored, stains were still visible, and she noticed that the liquid below was flowing out continuously. Combined with the coolness and pain from the water splashed on her shirt, embarrassment, pain, and panic swirled within her.

She needs to leave, but how can she face the group of students who are watching her with burning eyes and cheering her on?

Thinking this, she grew increasingly anxious, sweat beading on her forehead. The pain in her abdomen had escalated from a slight feeling of heaviness to an unbearable discomfort. Most importantly, she could clearly feel that the thin tissue she had used that afternoon was now soaked through, sticking together with her sweat and making her extremely uncomfortable. She felt her face burning hot.

He Lingling's health was already poor, with mild anemia and hypoglycemia. Coupled with her menstrual period, this was a long and arduous tug-of-war that she found difficult to endure. Finally, halfway to the finish line, she saw a sea of ​​people before her, then her vision blurred, and finally, everything went black.

A slender, beautiful figure collapsed on the rubber track.

The pain and fatigue disappeared at that moment, and Lingling fell into a long period of darkness.

In fact, it would take her a very long time before she could carefully sort through this first encounter from the memory box she least wanted to face, which had been carelessly tossed into a dusty corner, and put it into the treasure chest she cherished.

It turns out that even after all these years, love has always remained the same as it was at the beginning.

The long eyelashes still held beads of sweat or tears that hadn't dried, making her look even more frail.

The wind blew through the milky-white gauze curtains of the school hospital. She opened her eyes and saw a tall, thin, dark-skinned figure from behind.

Hmm... He's very tall, even taller than Brother Ayan. He's also thin, but not frail; rather, he has a youthful, vigorous physique. In fact, she would soon see his "true face" beneath his clothes again and again, realizing that while he did look thin, in reality... he was quite well-endowed... and very strong, even beyond the average person, cough, full of energy.

Once she came to her senses and could see more clearly, she discovered that he was standing not far away with his back to her, seemingly stirring something in his hands.

He wore a plain black short-sleeved t-shirt, which made his fair skin stand out even more. Perhaps it was too hot, as one sleeve was rolled up to his shoulder, while the other hung loosely down. His hands continued stirring, and she noticed the veins protruding from his forearm, and for some reason, she suddenly blushed. He wore black shorts with white trim, and further down…

"Cough cough—"

He suddenly turned around, and she, like a thief caught red-handed, abruptly pulled the white blanket over her head, revealing a fluffy head and two tiny paws clutching the blanket.

But the covering in front of her was quickly ripped away by a larger hand. Lingling's face was already as red as a ripe fruit, but she had no choice but to face this embarrassing scene.

She peeked at him through one eye, and couldn't help but gasp—

Good heavens, what a beautiful face!

So without hesitation, she went from peeking out with one eye to staring wide-eyed in a daze—

He wore a woolen headband in the same color as his clothes, and his chestnut-brown hair was soft and fluffy, complementing his aloof demeanor. His eyes were slightly upturned, like—Lingling only realized this blush-inducing metaphor later in the night—like a male fox spirit, the kind that specifically bewitches the soul. Yet, his expression and thin lips were so cold that he seemed unapproachable.

"He Lingling".

The person in front of me spoke; their voice was low and husky, yet incredibly pleasant to hear.

"Huh?" How did he know my name?

"Does it still hurt?"

"..."

His expression didn't even change, but what came out of his mouth was the concern that only close friends should have.

The little goose on the bed finally realized what she had just experienced. She had fainted on the track, unconscious, and then... then she knew nothing more! Good heavens! How long had she been unconscious? Was the race over? Did Fenfang scold her?!

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sit up abruptly, grab the arm of the person in front of her, and ask what was on her mind: "Classmate, tell me quickly, is the competition over yet?"

The person in front of her, who had been expressionless the whole time, was taken aback by her words, then frowned, his eyes showing annoyance.

He Lingling could clearly see that he had become unhappy. Realizing her rashness, she quickly scratched her head and apologized, but he then stuffed the warm thing in his hand into her arms.

It was a cup of brown sugar ginger tea, still steaming, but not too hot.

Then, the handsome boy in front of him turned around and left without hesitation.

Lingling was lost in thought for a long time. She remembered the chill of their hands touching for a moment, and then the warmth that filled her palms.

She heard someone calling from not far away, "Ah Xu, what are you doing here? Are you hurt? Someone is looking for you..."

The sound traveled farther and farther.

Along with that dark-skinned figure, he also vanished without a trace.

P.S.: Hehe, sorry I'm a little late. I was busy watching dramas (both watching and shipping the couples while editing this post). Going to watch dramas now, bye-bye~