long-distance running
Chapter 20: Long-distance Running
In the late autumn on campus, most of the sycamore leaves have fallen, leaving only bare branches swaying in the wind.
Bai Ke walked out of the psychology institute, internship materials in hand, and took a deep breath of the cool air. With her junior year drawing to a close, she stood at a crossroads in life—should she continue her graduate studies or officially enter the workforce?
"Bai Ke, what have you thought about it?" The director of the agency walked her to the door. "We really hope you can stay."
"Thank you, I will seriously consider it." Bai Ke said goodbye with a smile.
On the way back to school, her thoughts were in turmoil. The success of her internship had her looking forward to work, but her deep love for campus made it hard to let go. This confusion mirrored the feelings she had when facing Chen Yiyu—she clearly felt his concern, yet she could never quite fathom his sincerity.
The Student Union held a farewell party at a KTV near the school. As the seniors were leaving, a touch of sadness hung in the air.
Bai Ke sat in the corner of the box, watching Lu Zihan surrounded by his schoolmates. He was about to be admitted to the same university, and was still the focus of everyone's attention, but the light in his eyes had dimmed a lot.
"Chairman, I heard you're going straight to a PhD? Congratulations!"
"Senior Zihan, please come back to the student union to see us more often!"
Lu Zihan responded to everyone's blessings, but his eyes kept drifting towards Bai Ke's direction. Whenever his eyes met hers, he would quickly look away.
A bold schoolgirl walked up to Lu Zihan with a glass of wine in her hand, her cheeks flushed: "Senior, I...I have liked you for a long time. Can I...?"
The box instantly became quiet, waiting for Lu Zihan's answer.
He shook his head slightly, his voice gentle but firm: "I'm sorry."
As he said this, his eyes looked straight at Bai Ke, the deep affection in his eyes almost overflowing. The schoolgirl ran out disappointed, while the others whispered to each other.
Bai Ke lowered her head, avoiding the burning gaze. She understood Lu Zihan's transformation. The student union president, who always seemed so at ease, had indeed put a lot of thought into her over the past year. It was a pity that love was never based on first come, first served.
The school sports meet arrived as scheduled, and the late autumn sky was as blue as a clear sky.
"Bai Ke, can you help me?" The sports committee member clasped his hands together, his face pleading, "We're short of someone for the women's 3,000 meters, and our class really can't find anyone..."
Bai Ke wanted to refuse, but seeing the other party's anxious look, he nodded softly.
Standing at the starting line, Bai Ke rushed out with the crowd as soon as the starting gun sounded. The first three laps were relatively easy, but from the fourth lap onward, her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her legs felt heavy as if they were filled with lead.
"Come on! Come on, Bai Ke!" The shouts of classmates came from the stands.
She gritted her teeth and tried to catch her breath. On the fifth lap, her vision began to blur and her ears began to ring. The sounds from the stands grew distant, and only the deafening thump of her own heartbeat filled her ears.
When he was about to reach the end, Bai Ke felt dizzy, then his eyes went black and he lost consciousness.
In the chaos, she felt herself falling into a warm embrace. That embrace was very familiar, with a faint and refreshing scent.
"Bai Ke?"
Chen Yiyu's anxious voice sounded in her ears. She wanted to respond, but no sound came out.
He picked her up and ran to the infirmary. Bai Ke leaned against his chest in a daze, and could hear his rapid heartbeat.
"Hold on, we're almost there." His voice was panicked.
In the infirmary, the school doctor examined Bai Ke and said, "It's hypoglycemia plus heatstroke. Just rest for a while. Go buy her some sugar water and food."
Chen Yiyu gently tucked the quilt for her and turned to leave.
Bai Ke slowly opened her eyes and looked at his back, feeling a mixture of emotions. He was always like this, appearing when she needed him most, but quietly disappearing just when she was about to reach out and grab him.
After a while, Chen Yiyu returned with warm porridge. He carefully helped her sit up and held the straw to her lips.
"Thank you." Bai Ke said softly, noticing the beads of sweat on his forehead.
Chen Yiyu looked at her seriously: "Why did you agree to run 3,000 meters? You are obviously not good at long-distance running."
"The class needs..."
"Class needs are not a reason." He interrupted her, his tone full of suppressed emotions, "Your health is more important."
Bai Ke mustered up the courage to ask, "Why do you care about me so much?"
The infirmary was so quiet that you could hear the wind blowing the curtains.
"Because..." he began, his voice hoarse.
At this moment, the door of the infirmary was pushed open, and Lu Zihan rushed in breathlessly: "Bai Ke! How are you? I heard that you fainted..."
Chen Yiyu's words came to an abrupt end. He stood up, stepped aside, and resumed his usual indifference.
"She needs to rest." He said to Lu Zihan, then turned to Bai Ke, "Take good care of yourself."
After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.
Bai Ke looked in the direction he left, feeling a wave of disappointment. Once again, at the moment of being about to touch the truth, he chose to retreat.
Lu Zihan sat in front of the bed, looking worried: "Are you okay? I just..."
"I'm tired and want to rest." Bai Ke interrupted him softly and closed her eyes.
Silence returned to the infirmary. Bai Ke's heart felt like it was torn apart. On one side was Chen Yiyu's ambiguous protection, and on the other side was Lu Zihan's persistent affection.
And the road to the future is becoming increasingly unclear in the fog of emotions.
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