Chapter 29: Traces of Bravery
“That’s right! Because our goddess Lin won first place, our class ranked first, and we got the grand prize. Since we can go have fun, our goddess Lin was so excited that she cried.”
“Any problem with the logic?”
“Perfect score.”
Hearing this warmed Lin Yuejiu’s heart.
Xu Nian and Xu’s mother were standing nearest to her, both wearing gentle smiles.
“Make way.”
A male voice came in. Everyone turned to see Xu Nianshen holding a medical kit.
Chen Qianxi quickly grabbed her hand to check. Just now, she had been paying attention to Lin Yuejiu’s spirit and hadn’t noticed the injury. Her face was full of distress, “Jiujiu, does it hurt?”
Her palm had been scraped raw, and when Chen Qianxi opened it for everyone to see, there was a bloody mess in the center.
The second-year Class One students who saw this instantly panicked and rushed over.
Xu’s mother and Xu Nian also hurried down from the stands.
Lin Yuejiu just smiled and shook her head.
Xu Nianshen took her hand, rinsed it gently with clean water, carefully wiped it dry while blowing on it, and then slowly applied medicine.
“If it hurts, just say so.”
Lin Yuejiu said nothing, simply watching as he treated her palm.
His movements were gentle, his expression focused.
The other classmates from Class One stood to the side, not disturbing him.
The school doctor came over, saw Xu Nianshen’s bandaging, and nodded in satisfaction.
Once the dressing was done, Lin Yuejiu turned her palm over to look at it.
“Don’t get it wet.”
“Mm, mm.”
The referee was tallying points and called for the first-place class to send a representative to collect the award. Everyone in Class One unanimously pushed Lin Yuejiu forward.
Without false modesty, she stepped onto the No. 1 podium, took the gleaming golden trophy, and lifted it up before her with both hands.
The students of Class One smiled and shouted together, “Lin Yuejiu! Lin Yuejiu! Lin Yuejiu!”
The voices were loud and in perfect unison.
The girl stood at the highest point, her high ponytail swaying, hair flying, eyes curved into a smile. The golden trophy in front of her and the white bandage on her left hand set each other off in harmonious contrast.
Xu Nianshen gazed at the spirited girl, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Sometimes, feelings come suddenly—maybe from a glance, a scene, or… a smile.
And then, like a flood, they become unstoppable.
The girl on the podium seemed to see him too, raising the trophy toward him.
Xu Nianshen’s lips curved upward.
The boy stood on the red track in blue-and-white school uniform, gazing from afar at the girl in the same uniform on the podium.
The breeze rustled, fluttering the hem of their uniforms, brushing against the girl’s smile, and finally vanishing into the beating of his heart.
After the sports meet ended, the parents left, and the principal gathered all the participants.
“The sports meet has officially concluded, and I will now announce the winning class. Congratulations to our second-year Class One for taking the grand prize: a class trip! The school will cover all expenses!”
Everyone burst into applause. The students of Class One were thrilled, accepting the envy from all directions with calm pride.
“This reward starts tomorrow morning. After returning to your classroom, your homeroom teacher will explain the details.”
The principal continued speaking for a while.
“Finally, I declare that this year’s sports meet is now officially closed!”
More applause followed.
Everyone returned to their classrooms in an orderly manner.
As soon as they got back, the room was full of lively chatter about the prize.
When the homeroom teacher came in, everyone fell silent.
“First of all, I want to congratulate everyone here for winning first place in the sports meet, which means we get to go on a trip.”
The class erupted in applause.
“Who do you think contributed the most to this victory?”
Everyone spoke in unison—except for Lin Rumeng and Lan Qingqing—“Lin Yuejiu!”
Lin Yuejiu was startled and quickly stood up. “No, no, it was everyone’s effort.”
The class monitor said, “Oh come on, goddess, stop being modest. If it weren’t for your final sprint, how could we have possibly won?”
“That’s right! And you even got hurt because of it—this is the mark of a hero, the scar of a warrior!”
The others all chimed in.
Lin Yuejiu didn’t know how to respond.
The homeroom teacher motioned for the class to quiet down and looked at her. “Go ahead and sit down. Since everyone says so, there’s no need to be humble.”
Seeing the sincerity in their expressions, Lin Yuejiu sat down.
“Thanks to Lin Yuejiu’s last effort, let’s all give her a round of applause.”
Everyone turned to her and clapped.
Lin Yuejiu smiled faintly.
“Alright, since we’ve earned this reward, I’ll go over the details for tomorrow. First rule—everyone must follow my instructions. The destination was chosen by the principal…”
The teacher continued explaining for a while before ending with, “Tonight, everyone should rest well and be ready to enjoy yourselves tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
“And for tonight’s evening study session, you can all leave one period early.”
“Long live the teacher!” the class cheered.
Lin Yuejiu smiled in the midst of the celebration.
—
Nighttime, Room 219 dormitory.
Chen Qianxi sat beside her, changing her bandages. “Jiujiu, it doesn’t hurt anymore, right? Still sore?”
“No.”
“It must have hurt a lot though,” Chen said with a worried face.
Lin Yuejiu smiled. “It did at first, but it doesn’t anymore.”
“Jiujiu, why did you suddenly run so fast back then? You really shocked everyone.”
Lin Yuejiu curved her lips. “Maybe it just happened all of a sudden.”
“That sudden burst of energy scared us all—we thought you wouldn’t make it.”
“But in the end, I did.”
“Yeah,” Chen Qianxi said while re-wrapping her hand, “and you won the grand prize for everyone. Everyone’s really grateful to you.”
Lin Yuejiu took a sip of water. “I only did what I could.”
“Alright, it’s late. Let’s sleep. Tomorrow we’ll have fun. If you wake up early, don’t touch water—wake me up, I’ll help you.”
Lin Yuejiu patted her head. “I know, Mama Chen.”
Chen Qianxi huffed.
—
The next morning, many students arrived at the classroom early, excitedly discussing where the principal might take them.
Dragged by Chen Qianxi, Lin Yuejiu also arrived early, yawning sleepily.
The homeroom teacher entered. “Is everyone here?”
“All here!”
“Class monitor, call roll—one name, one answer.”
The monitor stood and read the names from the list.
“Alright, since we’re all here, let’s get ready to head out!”
“Yes!”
Everyone left the classroom in high spirits, Chen Qianxi pulling Lin Yuejiu toward the front.
Lin Yuejiu looked back and saw Xu Nianshen walking at the very back, his pace lazy, while Du Zhuo chattered endlessly beside him.
As if sensing her gaze, he lifted his eyes—and their gazes met in midair.
