Immortal Jump?
(“仙人跳” literally translates to “immortal jump,” but it’s also a slang term in Chinese referring to a scam where a woman seduces a man and then demands money by falsely claiming he took advantage of her.
“Looking forward to it, looking forward to it, the east wind is coming, the steps of the sports meeting are getting closer—”
“Noisy! Stop messing with the text!”
Qiao Yu turned around and snatched the textbook out of Lu Yao’s hands, coldly turning back around and ignoring the whining Lu Yao behind her.
She might be the only person in class who wasn’t looking forward to the sports meeting.
The preventive shot given by Mi Yi previously had her feeling a bit panicked. Up until now, from the start of school, Qiao Yu had gotten along quite well with Cong Ye and the others, and she had been able to find ways to cope with internal incidents, but now with the introduction of this unstable element from Yizhong, the probability of those incidents seemed to be increasing exponentially.
But facing this unknown unease wasn’t the biggest reason for her lack of enthusiasm.
A few days ago, Qiao Yu had sorted through the plot of this world up to now and discovered that this sports meeting was very likely to be a turning point in the narrative.
Whether it was getting injured and sent to the infirmary, or the male lead saving the female lead from being hit on, it was all for one purpose.
That is, the male lead’s emotional awakening towards the female lead.
Especially since Lin Qing has already confessed and it’s only Cong Ye who hasn’t made a move, this speculation seemed particularly persuasive.
However, this speculation did not bring joy to Qiao Yu; on the contrary, her emotions started to surge in a strange manner.
Combining this with her previous inexplicable anger towards Cong Ye, Qiao Yu belatedly realized that she didn’t seem to look forward to Lin Qing and Cong Ye’s mutual affection.
On the night she came to this realization, she was unable to sleep at all.
Qiao Yu didn’t understand why this was happening. After all, she was an author—even if she took over halfway, but if even the author felt that the male and female leads of her own creation weren’t a good match, how was she supposed to write a book that could convince the readers and win their affection?
Her identity as an author and as Qiao Yu seemed like two parts that were difficult to merge, a strong sense of tearing apart left her at a loss, her mind in turmoil.
The system also felt anxious for her and, after urgently studying some knowledge, it finally found a reason that could explain the host’s current condition.
‘It’s like this, host, your situation should be what’s known as—losing interest in the CP (couple pairing).’
‘…Losing interest in the CP?’
‘That is to say, the character setting for the male and female leads in this book isn’t really to the host’s taste, but the host was, ahem, forcibly brought over by me to write, so there’s no helping it.’
‘Therefore, the host is forced to engage with a CP she doesn’t like, and when failing to do so, it leads to negative emotions. I think this is a very normal phenomenon! But fortunately, we have this world! At least you, the host, don’t have to fabricate sweetness for the male and female leads out of thin air! Even if it’s just writing down what happens as a narrative—the satisfaction of the readers might be a bit low though…’
As the system’s voice humanely quieted down towards the end of its explanation, Qiao Yu, who had been curled up and quietly listening on the bed, suddenly spoke up.
‘…At what point is this novel considered finished?’
‘Getting married! Once the male and female leads get married, that’s it! You, the host, don’t even have to deal with the extras after the wedding! Once they are married, you can return to your original world!’
The system could still be of some help in this matter, feeling quite guilty for having misled its host. Now, it was ready to answer any question with an extremely cooperative attitude and even took the liberty of omitting the extras on its own.
It had thought that Qiao Yu would be happy after hearing this news, but a long while passed without her saying another word.
‘Host…?’
The host seems to be in a complex mood right now, could it be that she doesn’t want to write anymore and is thinking of giving up…
As it frantically wondered what to do, Qiao Yu finally spoke up.
‘You’re right.’
She buried her head in the blankets, her voice muffled.
‘…It’s just that the main couple’s chemistry doesn’t suit my taste, but I will continue to write and finish this book.’
Time rewinds to the present, with Qiao Yu idly flipping through the language textbook she snatched from Lu Yao.
Qiao Yu does not look forward to spring, nor does she look forward to the sports meeting.
She has realized that she has been increasingly out of sorts lately, but all she can do is to continue pushing the progress of this world, striving to bring this book to an early—conclusion.
Qiao Yu closes the book irritably and looks out the window, her gaze aimlessly following the clouds in the sky, her eyes empty as they drift with the moving clouds.
“If only the criteria for completion could be to just replace someone.”
As October comes to an end, the sports meeting kicks off as planned.
“…Why does Yizhong have to go first?”
“Probably because they think that if we do it first, when it’s Yizhong’s turn, the students from our school won’t be able to calm down and focus on learning…”
Qiao Yu cocks her head, listening to the distant PA system noises coming from the sports field, and voices her confusion.
“These sounds have been ringing all morning, in this state, Lin Qing, can you even settle down to study?”
“…It’s a bit difficult.”
Even Lin Qing admits to it, which means we can forget about the rest of the class.
It’s break time now, and about half the class has run out to watch Yizhong’s sports meeting. Who knows if this mere ten minutes is enough for them to run there and back.
And the remaining half seem completely distracted, too; it’s not fair to blame Yao Hua’s students for their lack of concentration. Who could ignore the intercom announcing over and over, “With light steps, we welcome the long-anticipated sports meeting,” while trying to focus on class?
In this distracting environment, how can anyone cast aside stray thoughts and not listen in?
“The teachers probably know we can’t concentrate. Today’s class is basically without new content; they’re just going over the monthly test papers.”
Lin Qing glanced over Qiao Yu’s paper, with its uncorrected mistakes, and raised an eyebrow knowingly.
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“You didn’t pay attention during the lesson, did you, Qiao Yu?”
“I’m sorry, I admit I didn’t listen!”
Qiao Yu put her hands together in a gesture of sincere apology towards Lin Qing. Before Lin Qing could respond, the sound of Cong Ye’s mocking laughter came from behind her.
“Qiao Yu, really, why are you uncontrollable like a little kid?”
“……”
Being called a little kid by anyone was annoying, let alone by Cong Ye. Qiao Yu, feeling indignant, rolled up her sleeves and turned around intending to start an argument with him. However, upon turning, she froze, staring at Cong Ye’s forehead and furrowing her brows.
“……What’s that on your head?”
“Hm? A headband. It keeps the hair out of my eyes, stops sweat, and is super convenient when running. Haven’t you ever worn one, Qiao Yu?”
No, what she meant was, since they were just sitting comfortably in the classroom for now, why the need for a headband?
It was apparent to anyone who wasn’t blind that Cong Ye was itching for action. Qiao Yu, maintaining the tolerance of an adult, didn’t call him out but just gave him a friendly smile.
“Must be hard sitting here, restraining your eagerness.”
“? Are you implying something?”
As Qiao Yu denied harboring any ulterior motives—saying, “Of course not, you’re just being paranoid”—she avoided Cong Ye’s suspicious gaze. Then, slapping her forehead as if she remembered something, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a pair of fingerless gloves, handing them over to Cong Ye.
“Here you go.”
“For me? Why?”
Cong Ye, both guarded and slightly surprised, took the gloves unpreparedly.
This was the first time he had received a gift from Qiao Yu outside of his birthday. Holding the gloves, Cong Ye was filled with emotion, wondering if Qiao Yu had finally had a pang of conscience and realized how hard he had been working to help her with her love life. Wow, he thought, it’s like the crow is finally feeding back the ungrateful wolf cub, as if the cub was suddenly grooming his fur—
“Because I have a feeling you might encounter some misfortune soon.”
“Why do you always seem to be cursing me lately?!”
Cong Ye was so infuriated he felt like his hair was about to explode. Watching Qiao Yu waving her hands with a laugh, apologizing and saying she was just joking, he felt that his earlier assumption that she had developed a conscience was just far too naïve. “Ah, it’s getting colder these days… anyway, just wear them when you’ve got nothing else to do, better safe than sorry.”
“What a perfunctory explanation…”
Although Cong Ye was still struggling to let go, Qiao Yu, having fulfilled her friend duty, didn’t care much about that anymore. She stopped paying attention to him and turned away, only to be startled by Lin Qing staring at her unblinkingly.
“What’s… what’s wrong?”
Lin Qing was leaning on her desk with both arms, tilting her head to the side.
“Don’t you have one for me?”
“——”
Qiao Yu started to sweat.
How did it come to this! Could it be that Lin Qing minded others giving gifts to Cong Ye?! That’s right, she likes Cong Ye after all ha ha—this isn’t the least bit funny! She had completely chosen the wrong time to give something to Cong Ye, hadn’t she!
“The weather has gotten cold recently, and my hands aren’t very warm.”
“Tomorrow! Tomorrow I’ll bring you a pair of gloves a hundred times warmer than the ones just now—”
“I don’t want them.”
Why?!
Qiao Yu’s pupils dilated in shock, staring at Lin Qing’s nonchalant expression, she persevered and said again.
“Then, then I’ll bring a pair that’s a hundred times cuter than—”
“I don’t want them.”
So why?! Wasn’t the meaning behind Lin Qing’s words just now that she wanted gloves too?
She actually managed to make Lin Qing angry! What on earth did she do! How could things turn out this way!
Watching Qiao Yu in distress, furiously pondering, Lin Qing leisurely started to mark the errors on her worksheet.
…Was she perhaps bullying Qiao Yu a little too much?
Lin Qing’s pen paused briefly, but she quickly steeled her heart again.
Making Qiao Yu more aware of her presence, and thereby her true thoughts, was all necessary.
One must start slowly to paint the whole picture.
“Then I, I’ll always carry gloves with me, and you can come to me when your hands are cold!”
Lin Qing couldn’t help but laugh, seeing how visibly relieved Qiao Yu was.
See, although she hasn’t come up with the best answer yet, things are already much better than before, aren’t they?
During Yizhong’s sports events, Qiao Yu stuck by Lin Qing’s side, and the two of them didn’t join in the bustling activity all day. Cong Ye did go out for a bit in the afternoon, and when he came back, he vividly described to Qiao Yu how the students from Yizhong seemed rather slim and didn’t look like they could take much of a hit. Qiao Yu chuckled dryly, thinking to herself that this was indeed very good news.
The next day was Yao Hua’s own sports day, and the people from Yizhong would go back to classes today. Qiao Yu heard that they’d return for the fun group competition scheduled on the third day.
From this, it seemed that the incident would definitely occur on the third day. Therefore, Qiao Yu was quite relaxed today, breezing through the long jump and then returning to the stands. “Eh? You’re done jumping already?”
Lu Yao, holding his camera, was stunned in place, while Qiao Yu gave him an odd look before sitting down. She felt like there was still some sand left in her shoes that she hadn’t shaken out properly, furrowing her brow as she replied.
“Yeah, it’s just the long jump, isn’t it a moment’s work?”
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“I was actually thinking of taking some photos of you—”
“No need. Later, just go and take photos of Cong Ye.”
Qiao Yu, who wasn’t fond of getting her picture taken, was relieved she finished the jump quickly. She looked around and didn’t see Cong Ye or Lin Qing, suddenly becoming alert.
“Where are those two?”
“Cong Ye has already gone to get ready for the 1000 meters, and Lin Qing—” Mi Yi, lounging beside her with crossed legs, pointed down towards the stands, “is with her class’s other cultural types, working on a broadcast submission.”
“…Sounds like hard work.”
Listening to the broadcast continuously churning out well-read submissions like “The steps of youth, the speed of youth,” Qiao Yu couldn’t help but admire the hardworking writers (or the atmosphere-enhancing group).
“Ah, I see Cong Ye.”
Lu Yao, camera in hand, was scanning the crowd, when suddenly he focused on his target. Qiao Yu followed his gaze and sure enough, saw Cong Ye on the track, seriously warming up his ankles.
It was hard to miss him; after all, among the athletes standing there, he was the only one fully kitted out.
Equipped with a headband, gloves (he actually obediently wore them at such times), and wrist guards, Cong Ye noticed his friends watching him from the stands. He tried to look cool as he slightly curved his lips and gave them a small wave, but it was clear to anyone with eyes that he was thrilled.
“He’s wearing those wrist guards and gloves when running. Won’t he get very hot…?”
“… Maybe the idiot doesn’t feel the heat, just like how idiots don’t catch colds.”
“That makes sense. Thank you, Miss Mi Yi, for your enlightening explanation.”
Qiao Yu and Lu Yao clapped sporadically while Mi Yi rolled her eyes, too lazy to bother with them.
“Looking at him, he seems about to start—Ah, I need to take Lin Qing to the finish line to wait for him!”
Suddenly, Qiao Yu remembered something important she’d almost forgotten and in a flurry of urgency, she excused herself to rush over to the drafting team, only to be stopped by the fierce class leader.
“We’re under a lot of pressure writing these drafts! It’s not time for a shift change yet! If you take Lin Qing away, our class will lose a key player!”
“…Isn’t this some kind of sweatshop…”
Despite her protest, Qiao Yu couldn’t just barge in and snatch Lin Qing away from the crowd. At a loss for what to do, she suddenly got a brainwave and spun around to look at Mi Yi, who was idly munching on snacks and looking bored.
Mi Yi noticed her intense gaze and looked back at her, blinking in confusion, not understanding what was going on.
So it was, by forcibly drafting soldiers, that the mission to rescue Lin Qing was accomplished. Qiao Yu thought to herself that she’d have to treat Mi Yi to a meal later as compensation for being traded for Lin Qing. Leading Lin Qing by the hand, she made her way to the edge of the sports field’s track.
Right on cue, the broadcast announcement rang out, “The sophomore men’s 1000-meter race, Group A, is about to begin.”
“Ah, we’ve arrived just in time.”
Qiao Yu glanced towards the track and nodded with a composed air.
“Thanks, Lin Qing, for agreeing to come with me to bring Cong Ye some water.”
“It’s nothing, I can’t let you come by yourself.”
Indeed, in Cong Ye’s plans, Lu Yao was tasked with capturing his heroic sprint across the finish line, while Qiao Yu was responsible for waiting for him at the finish line to hand him water.
Despite not wanting to go at all, Qiao Yu still held back her feelings, silently turning her head to pull Lin Qing along.
Now, the two of them stood just outside the finish line. As the judge’s command sounded, the runners burst forth past them, and Qiao Yu quickly pulled Lin Qing back a step to avoid the cloud of dust kicked up.
“Cong Ye is really sprinting fast…”
Watching Cong Ye take the lead, Qiao Yu exclaimed in admiration, thinking that these guys would run a kilometer in just over four minutes. She then hastily said to Lin Qing,
“I’m going to buy a bottle of water for Cong Ye, I’ll be right back!”
After receiving Lin Qing’s affirmative response, Qiao Yu ran to the vending machine. But after getting the water, she started to hesitate.
…Would it be better to intentionally go back a little later?
After all, it’s only natural for the female lead to greet the male lead when he finishes first. What role does she play in this? She’s like a villain with ulterior motives—an evil supporting female character—no doubt that’s how the readers would criticize her.
With these thoughts, Qiao Yu slowed her pace as she headed back. She stopped at a spot from where she could see Lin Qing and the finish line at a distance, hesitant about whether she should wait for Cong Ye to cross the line before running over, creating a time lag to give them some space alone.
However, just then, she noticed Lin Qing wasn’t alone. Two tall boys stood beside her, dressed in unfamiliar school uniforms.
…Hmm?
Qiao Yu blinked, her grip on the mineral water bottle tightening unconsciously.
Lin Qing didn’t seem to be showing any signs of discomfort or trouble, but it was clear she wasn’t familiar with the two—of course, they weren’t from Yao Hua, so Lin Qing naturally wouldn’t know them. Weren’t the students from Yizhong not supposed to come today? So where did these two pop up from?
Let’s put that question aside for now—this is clearly someone making a pass at her! Without a doubt, it’s happening! The incident isn’t set to take place tomorrow, but today! She completely guessed wrong!
At this point, Qiao Yu couldn’t stay put; the alarms were blaring in her mind, and she immediately rushed forward with fierce urgency: “What are you—”
“What the heck are you doing!”
Before she could finish her sentence, a figure suddenly dashed out from the side, charging into the space between Lin Qing and the two boys even faster than her, spreading arms wide like a mother hen protecting its chick.
“…?”
Qiao Yu halted in bewilderment on the outskirts, observing this person who had suddenly appeared.
It was a boy, tall and skinny, not looking very strong, with a scholarly air about him. He was wearing the uniform of Yizhong, yet he confronted his own schoolmates with an air of selfless, resolute righteousness.
But Qiao Yu had no idea who he was; she blinked in confusion.
…What was this, a case of infighting? Could this be some new kind of immortal jump?
If that was the game they were playing, they were sorely mistaken; she was still here! Qiao Yu didn’t bother with the three strangers confronting each other, instead, she walked over, pulled Lin Qing aside, and watched the scene warily as she asked.
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“Lin Qing, are you alright? Did they give you any trouble?”
“Ah, I’m fine—”
“Lin Qing? Really, Lin Qing?!”
The scholarly-looking boy reacted with shock to Qiao Yu’s words, whipping his head around. A tumult of ecstatic sorrow was evident on his face, compelling Qiao Yu to instinctively step forward, blocking his gaze from Lin Qing.
“No, no, it’s not like that, Lin Qing and I, we know each other!”
He also noticed the hostility from Qiao Yu and fumbled to explain himself, casting a look of entreaty toward Lin Qing.
“Lin Qing, do you… do you still remember me?”
Sheltered protectively behind Qiao Yu, Lin Qing only craned her neck cautiously after hearing him to take a good look, her brow furrowing in thought.
“Are you… Li Hua…?”
“Yes! It’s me! You do remember me! I’m so happy!”
The boy was ecstatic, dancing with joy. Happy hands covered his face, and he even twirled around without a care for onlookers.
Just then, Cong Ye crossed the finish line belatedly, using his momentum to run straight toward them. He circled around them like an Olympic champion who had just won a gold medal, his voice hoarse with excitement as he shouted.
“Did you see that, Qiao Yu! I’m in first place! First place—!”
Following him, Lu Yao, the dedicated amateur photographer, lifted his camera and captured the moment with a click.
Six people were packed into the frame, with only Cong Ye and the boy named Li Hua visibly joyful.
The reluctant photographer looked at his handiwork and exclaimed contentedly,
“Wow.”
LP: Yizhong literally means No. 1 Middle School…
lmao
lmao