The two classes were intermingled in a large formation, alternating rows of students from each class. The first warning bell had just rung, and the P.E. teacher hadn't arrived yet, so the lines were loose, everyone chatting amongst themselves. 

Jiang Yi, at 5'6", was the second tallest girl in her class. To her right stood a 5'7" girl, and to her left was her deskmate, Qin Feifei.

Jiang Yi was reviewing vocabulary words in a small, palm-sized book. The competition in their senior year was fierce. Besides Zhong Cheng, who held the unchallenged top spot, the second, third, and fourth ranks were constantly shifting. Jiang Yi aimed for a score of 680, but she was currently stuck around 650. Lately, Zhong Lin and Qin Zezhou had been taking up her evenings, leaving her with less study time. She'd gotten used to squeezing in study whenever she could, reviewing problems or memorizing vocabulary and formulas in every spare moment.

Qin Feifei knew her goal, so she wouldn't disturb her when she was studying and would even study alongside her. Like now.

Qin Feifei also held an identical vocabulary book, but her eyes darted around, clearly not as focused as Jiang Yi. Her ears perked up, catching a snippet of interesting conversation, and her attention drifted from her book.

A group of girls behind them were gossiping. "I bet the 'study god' isn't looking at her."

"What's there to look at? Long torso, short legs."

"Yeah, and she's ugly."

"Her clothes are tacky."

"Pretending to study during P.E. What a show-off."

Qin Feifei, initially enjoying the gossip, frowned at the last comment. She glanced at her own book, then at Jiang Yi's, and turned to face the source of the whispers.

One of the girls noticed her and rolled her eyes. "What are you looking at?"

Well, judging by that reaction, they weren't talking about her.

So, they were talking about Jiang Yi?

Golden ratio, supermodel legs, "long torso, short legs"? This face, capable of both allure and innocence, "ugly"? The luxury, custom-made clothes, "tacky"? Working hard, seizing every second, "pretending"? Qin Feifei scoffed, her eyes raking over the three girls with a mocking expression.

"Jealousy is a disease. Get well soon."

Qin Feifei's voice wasn't as loud as the other girls', and since they weren't paying attention to her, they missed her sarcasm, continuing to belittle Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi, however, heard her and looked up from her vocabulary book. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Qin Feifei replied, instantly switching to a sweet smile. "Just saw some unpleasant things. Utterly boring, a waste of time. Better to study."

But who were they talking about when they mentioned the "study god"? Qin Feifei's gaze drifted and landed on Zhong Cheng. Her eyes lit up.

She leaned closer to Jiang Yi to whisper, "Yiyi, your third brother is looking at you."

It took Jiang Yi three seconds to realize who she meant by "third brother," and her back instantly stiffened.

"Zhong Cheng is… looking at me?"

"Yeah," Qin Feifei confirmed, recalling the girls' mention of the "study god." 

"He seems to have been watching you for a while." 

Goosebumps erupted on Jiang Yi's back, like a startled cat fluffing its fur, her eyes wide with alarm.

Why was Zhong Cheng looking at her?

Conscious of his gaze, Jiang Yi wanted to turn but didn't dare, her body rigid.

Thankfully, the P.E. teacher finally arrived, easing her tension.

There wasn't a structured lesson planned; the teacher allowed the students free activity time, but before that, they had to run laps around the field.

Two laps for everyone. They started running in formation, the first person on the left of the first row leading, followed by the person behind them, and so on. Once the last person in the first row started, the first person in the second row followed, and so on. The starting order was fixed, but after that, they could run at their own pace.

Jiang Yi and Qin Feifei ran side-by-side, Qin Feifei on the inner track and Jiang Yi on the outer, towards the front of the group.

Half a lap in, Qin Feifei started panting. She looked at Jiang Yi, who wasn't even breathing hard, and felt a mix of envy and admiration.

"It's okay…ha…Yiyi…don't…huff…slow down for me…you go ahead…" Qin Feifei gasped, her breathing becoming even more labored.

Seeing her struggle, Jiang Yi slowed down. "It's not a race. No need to be first. Stop talking, close your mouth, and don't breathe through your mouth. Use your nose, and adjust your pace slowly."

Qin Feifei obeyed, closing her mouth and breathing through her nose. She matched Jiang Yi's slower pace and gradually recovered, her breathing less ragged.

Jiang Yi observed her and said, "Some people pant a lot at the beginning of a run. It gets easier once you find your rhythm. Better now?"

Qin Feifei nodded.

Seeing that she had adjusted, Jiang Yi stopped talking and continued running beside her at a leisurely pace.

They gradually fell back to the middle of the pack and finished the first lap.

As the second lap began, many girls slowed down considerably, and some even started walking.