Chapter 18: Real motivation cannot be given up.

"I'm laughing at how someone could be acting like a child just because they're afraid of a 1,000-meter run." Jiang Ci said calmly.

"Who are you saying is like a child? Brother Kid is not as reasonable as me." Yu Xiang retorted unconvinced.

"Are you sure you're being reasonable?"

"Where am I being unreasonable?"

"Um, Brother Yu, although I understand very well that you want to push your deskmate into the drawer, I have to remind you that class starts in five minutes." Fang Chengyu interrupted him with a dry laugh, "If you're late, we'll be more than a thousand meters away."

"Shit!" Yu Xiang finally woke up from his dream and didn't bother to argue with Jiang Ci anymore. He jumped up from his seat and rushed out of the classroom, "Hurry up and catch up!"

"Don't be stupid after leaving Sanshui!"

"oh oh!"

Jiang Ci looked at the three people's slightly hurried backs, shook his head helplessly, and finally followed them.

"Today we are going to test long-distance running. Girls will run 800 meters and boys will run 1,000 meters. Everyone, jog once lap jogging first and then come back to do warm-up exercises." The physical education teacher brought a stopwatch this time and said to everyone after the roll call.

Since they had prepared themselves mentally in advance based on the information from the neighboring class, the students in Class 4 were much more accepting of the news after they officially learned of it.

But Yu Xiang couldn't accept it and still had a bitter face.

According to convention, boys are tested first, while girls like to watch first.

Especially since their class has two extremely handsome guys, Jiang Ci and Yu Xiang, the girls' enthusiasm for watching has increased several levels, and even attracted people from other classes to watch.

"Why are there always so many people watching your class every time they take a physical test?" Because there were so many people watching, even the teacher was forced to be the center of attention, and couldn't help but wonder.

"Because there are many handsome boys and beautiful girls in our class." Someone said with great pride.

"There are quite a lot. This is the most attractive class I've ever taught." The teacher echoed in agreement, then blew a whistle to warn the onlookers at the track, "You guys over there! Stay away from the track! Don't disturb others' tests!"

The voice was so deep and powerful that no one dared to disobey and they immediately stepped back a distance.

"Why are there so many people coming to watch Watma's running every time? What's so interesting about running?" Yu Xiang, who was already waiting at the starting line, was almost questioning his life.

I was already anxious enough, and seeing so many people watching made it even worse.

"Brother Yu, this is all your fault. You and Jiang Ci are too outstanding in appearance. Not to mention the girls in our class, those girls in other classes are obviously coming for you." Fang Chengyu said to him in a low voice.

"The problem is that I'm running last..." Yu Xiang said weakly.

"But Jiang Ci came in first." Zhang Miao said without thinking.

"Idiot, which side are you on?" Fang Chengyu cursed.

Zhang Miao quickly tried to make amends: "But Brother Yu, you came in first in the 50-meter race. You're the little prince of sprinting. Not even Jiang Ci can shake your position."

"You'd better save this for the next 50-meter test." Yu Xiang held his forehead helplessly, "Remember to help me after I finish running."

"You really don't need us to take you away?" Fang Chengyu asked again after careful consideration.

"No, you guys just run your own way. It will make me more tired if I run with you."

"Oh well."

"Come and get ready—" The whistle sounded again, indicating that the test was about to begin.

Yu Xiang pursed his lips nervously.

"run!"

A group of boys responded by rushing out of the starting line all at once. After a few seconds, they all gathered on Lane 1 and ran along the track at a relatively uniform speed.

To conserve his energy, Yu Xiang didn't dare to rush too hard at first, so he could only fall behind, trying to regulate his breathing as he ran. But after running 400 meters, his steps became noticeably heavier, and his breathing became heavier.

"Two steps, one exhale, two steps, one inhale..." He gritted his teeth and insisted on running, while silently reciting the breathing technique taught by the teacher before. However, his mind wandered as he was reciting -

Where did Jiang Ci run to?

Thinking of this, he turned his head to look for Jiang Ci on the runway. However, when he turned around, he didn't see him at all, but came face to face with a group of girls.

"Come on, Yu Xiang!"

"Hold on!"

Yu Xiang had no choice but to nod to them to show his gratitude. At the same time, he quickened his pace and caught up with Wang Ming, who was a little ahead of him but was already out of breath.

"Yu, Yu Xiang, it's great that it's you again. I, I feel relieved." Wang Ming said in surprise when he saw Yu Xiang.

"Xiaopang, you'd better save your energy and stop talking." Yu Xiang caught a glimpse of Wang Ming's red face from running, and kindly reminded him.

"No, no, I can't run if I don't talk. Talking can distract me a little." Wang Ming still insisted and continued, "Brother Yu, I really have to call you brother. It's been almost two years. You are the only one who has always stayed with me."

Yu Xiang: “?” What the hell?

The sincerity on Wang Ming's face was about to overflow: "You always run with me for the countdown. I, I am really touched!"

When Yu Xiang heard this, he almost lost consciousness and tripped over his right foot, falling to his death.

Wang Ming had been in the same class with him since the first year of high school. Logically, he should have known him better than those classmates who had been in the same class with him since the second year of high school, but from now on, it seemed that this innocent child had misunderstood something.

As he expected, Wang Ming continued, "You are so thin, and your legs are so long. I know you can run in front like them, but you are always willing to accompany me to count down. To be honest, if you are not with me, I may not be able to run anymore."

Yu Xiang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry when he heard this, thinking to himself, "Silly boy, there is no rule that says thin people with long legs can run among the top few, because he is an exception."

He didn't mean to count down with him, he really could only run count down.

"Wait a minute, is there a possibility that I really run slowly?" Yu Xiang thought about it and decided to tell the truth.

"Brother Yu, please don't be so modest. You won a place in the sports meet last year."

Yu Xiang: “…” That’s because he was participating in the 100-meter race in the sports meet.

He has good explosive power but poor endurance. He can beat everyone in short-distance running, but he is a failure in long-distance running.

"Little Fatty." Yu Xiang realized that it would take forever to explain while running, so he made up his mind and said to Wang Ming solemnly.

The latter looked confused: "Huh?"

"I'm going to abandon you." After saying this, Yu Xiang suddenly increased the pace of his steps and ran forward dozens of meters in front of Wang Ming's shocked gaze.

"Huh-huh-huh-" The price of doing this was that he was almost exhausted with only two hundred meters left to the finish line. Sweat blurred his eyes and his ears seemed to be buzzing.

His heart was pounding, his legs felt heavy, and the wave of fatigue made him want to give up several times. His mind was out of control, and the fragments of memory that emerged were all about Jiang Ci.

"Jiang Ci is first again."

"You should learn more from Xiaoci next door. Look at him, he has such high academic scores and a perfect score in sports."

"Jiang Ci is so versatile. He's no longer just an ordinary academic master, he's an academic god."

"Nima is amazing, what on earth can't he do?"

“…”

He also tried to force himself to think of something else, but no matter how he struggled, the only thing that came to his mind was that name.

Jiang Ci.

Yu Xiang clenched his fingers into fists, bit his lower lip, and stared straight ahead.

The fastest group of people have reached the finish line, and the people in front of them have also crossed the finish line and gathered next to the teacher waiting to register their results.

One of the boys was particularly eye-catching. He was tall and long-legged, and his exposed skin was much whiter than the other boys. His soft black hair was slightly messy from the wind, but it didn't affect his handsomeness at all.

Most of the others were supporting themselves on their knees, breathing heavily, or with their heads down, as if all their strength had been drained. He was the only one who stood straight and turned to look in his direction.

It’s Jiang Ci.

He had finished the run and even looked like nothing had happened.

Noticing Jiang Ci's gaze, Yu Xiang couldn't help but look back, and several thoughts suddenly came to his mind.

Can't lose to him.

Even if he can't come in first, at least he has to finish the race.

Can't give up.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a surge of strength coming from nowhere and started to sprint with all his might.

So many people on the playground saw that day that there was a young man running against the wind, regardless of anything, and finally when he crossed the finish line, he fell exhausted into the arms of another young man who was closest to the finish line.

Yu Xiang almost didn't have the strength to open his eyes. He didn't see who caught him when he almost fell to the ground after crossing the finish line, but he smelled the unique fragrance of Jiang Ci.

He used Jiang Ci as his fulcrum, leaning softly against him and breathing in the air greedily.

It was very noisy around him, but unfortunately he couldn't hear clearly. All he could hear was the sound of his own pounding heart.

The aches and pains all over his body had not yet gone away, and his throat was very dry. He didn't care whether the person holding him was Jiang Ci or not. He just hoped that this person would not be too tired to hold on and leave him.

"Take a deep breath." Jiang Ci's cold voice sounded very close to him, "Tell me if you feel uncomfortable."

Jiang Ci's tone was calm when he said this, and it seemed to be contagious. Yu Xiang felt a lot more at ease after hearing it, and adjusted his breathing rate as he said.

"25! Who is 25!" The physical education teacher who was busy recording the grades shouted at the top of his voice.

"Here." Considering that Yu Xiang probably didn't have the energy to speak, Jiang Ci answered for him. In order to prevent the teacher from not hearing clearly, he raised his voice, "Yu Xiang."

"Brother Yu! Brother Yu! You passed!" Zhang Miao ran over excitedly, as if he was even happier that Yu Xiang had passed than that he had come in first. "Historic progress!"

Yu Xiang was still lying on Jiang Ci: "Hmm..." But I was also dying of exhaustion.

The moment he finished running, he really felt like he was going to die.

May there be no one-kilometer test in heaven.

"Um...Brother Yu, would you consider getting up from Jiang Ci first?" Fang Chengyu approached cautiously. "There are a lot of people watching. Sanshui and I can help you."

Yu Xiang: “…” Do you think I don’t want to?

He couldn't get up!!! He hadn't recovered yet and he had no strength left in his body!

"It's all your fault, Old Fang. Why didn't you help just now?"

"I was also exhausted just now and had no strength at all, okay? You said it was easy, why didn't you do it yourself?"

"My legs are weak too. I'm afraid that if I go there, both of us will fall to the ground."

"But you're quite brave." Fang Chengyu looked at Jiang Ci with admiration, "You actually caught it with one hand."

You have to know that although Yu Xiang is thin, he has flesh where it should be, he is tall, and his weight is close to that of a normal adult man. When he crossed the finish line, he was still affected by inertia. If he fell on top of someone in such a situation, it would be difficult for an ordinary person to catch him.

"It's okay, it's not too heavy." Jiang Ci said calmly, "The girls are going to take the 800-meter test, so leave the track first."

"Oh, okay, do you need help?" Fang Chengyu pointed at Yu Xiang.

"No need." Jiang Ci said, and in full view of everyone, he half-carried Yu Xiang to the lawn on the inside of the runway.

Fortunately, the girls' 800-meter test was about to begin, and there were fewer people watching, so I wasn't being stared at like monkeys.

"Should we let him sit down and rest for a while?" Zhang Miao suggested.

"No. You can't sit down right after running." Jiang Ci refused bluntly.

"Do you have any common sense? Don't you know that your butt will hurt if you sit down for a while right after running?" Fang Chengyu said to Zhang Miao with a look of disappointment.

"My butt hurts? Shouldn't it be my thigh?"

"It hurts." Yu Xiang regained some strength and said helplessly, "Can you guys be quiet? The noise is giving me a headache."

Zhang Miao and Fang Chengyu looked at each other, and in tacit understanding, they raised their hands and made a zippering gesture at their mouths.

It was quiet indeed.

But this silence did not last long, because soon the other boys in the class, led by the physical education teacher Qi Ran, had adjusted themselves and came to care for Yu Xiang, who seemed to have fainted from running himself.

"Brother Yu! Brother! You haven't explained to me why you suddenly left me—" Wang Ming stepped forward aggrievedly, "Did he faint? Do you want to go to the infirmary?"

"I'm not dizzy, I'm just exhausted." Jiang Ci answered for him again, "What did you mean by that?"

"Ah? Which sentence?" Wang Ming blinked in confusion.

"What left you?"

"Oh, I was expressing my gratitude to him at that time, but he suddenly said to me, 'Fatty, I'm leaving you behind', and then he ran in front of me," Wang Ming explained.

"What the hell? What gratitude? What are you thanking me for?" Fang Chengyu was also confused.

"It's nothing, I'm fine, you guys go do what you need to do." Yu Xiang couldn't lie down anymore, so he struggled to stand up, turned his head and said to everyone.

"Brother Yu, are you alive?" Zhang Miao asked immediately upon seeing this.

"If I don't stay alive, you guys will ruin my reputation. Each one is more outrageous than the other." Yu Xiang's legs were still a little weak, but he still said to Jiang Ci, "You can let go now."

The latter withdrew his hand from around his waist, but just as he loosened it, Yu Xiang stumbled due to his weak legs: "!"

Yu Xiang reacted quickly, adjusted his center of gravity and regained his balance, and waved at him to show that he was fine.

"Brother Yu, please don't be so stubborn. If you really can't help it, just let him hold you for a while longer." Zhang Miao leaned over to Yu Xiang with a worried look on his face and whispered, "No one will laugh at you."

Yu Xiang: “…”

Yu Xiang: "Do I look that weak?"

Zhang Miao quickly shook his head in denial: "Of course not!"

"Then shut up." Yu Xiang raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his face. He was so hot that he wanted to go home and take a shower right now. "Who brought some water? Give me some."

"I brought some," Zhang Miao answered quickly, then smiled sheepishly, "but I finished it."

Fang Chengyu pointed at Zhang Miao and said, "Sanshui has also drunk all my water."

Yu Xiang glanced at Zhang Miao in amazement: "..."

True Buffalo Reincarnation

"Drink mine." As he spoke, Jiang Ci took out his own water and handed it to Yu Xiang.

Yu Xiang was about to send those two clowns to the store to buy him a bottle, but Jiang Ci's hands reacted faster than his brain when he handed him the water. By the time he came to his senses, the bottle of water was already in his hand: "Ah...thank you."

After thanking him, he realized that the bottle of water was heavy. He looked down and found that it was unopened. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Aren't you going to drink it?"

"Just leave me half."

"Then you should drink first." Yu Xiang returned the bottle of water to him. "I'm afraid I might drink too much by accident."

"Okay." Jiang Ci didn't refuse. He took the water, unscrewed the cap, tilted his head back and took a big sip.

Yu Xiang subconsciously looked at Jiang Ci's Adam's apple rolling up and down, and was distracted for a moment.

"Brother Yu has really changed. He is so polite to Jiang Ci." Zhang Miao leaned close to Fang Chengyu's ear and whispered calmly.

Fang Chengyu raised his eyebrows, not quite agreeing with this statement: "He wasn't polite enough before?"

"Hiss. It seems so, but before doing that, he should at least suspect whether the water is poisoned." Zhang Miao answered thoughtfully.

Fang Chengyu nodded slightly: "Indeed."

"Here." After Jiang Ci finished drinking, he handed the remaining half bottle of water back to Yu Xiang.

The latter finally came to his senses, took it and began to find the angle, trying to drink the water inside without touching the bottle mouth.

"I remember you don't have mysophobia." Jiang Ci said calmly, his arms folded across his chest, looking at his face.

"Yeah." Yu Xiang put down the water bottle temporarily and explained with a strange look on his face: "Isn't this because you have mysophobia?"

Although Jiang Ci's mysophobia is not particularly serious, he will never take water or food that has touched someone else's mouth. Yu Xiang, who grew up with him, knows this very well.

Jiang Ci: "Just drink it directly from your mouth, the rest is yours."

Yu Xiang: “…”

After all this time, it turns out that I had already decided not to have it. In the end, I still disliked it.

"Then I'll drink it all, don't regret it." Yu Xiang did what he said and drank the half bottle of water neatly.

After finishing, he raised his legs and walked out of the playground.

"Brother Yu, where are you going? The get out of class hasn't ended yet and the teacher will call the roll later!" Zhang Miao was the first to react and caught up with him in three or two steps.

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