The Ways of the World

Ten minutes earlier—

"Next up is Faculty Group 2 for the 200-meter dash!"

On the spectator stands, Tang Keke and Bai Yuyou had already changed into dry clothes and were sitting together. "Yuyou, Yuyou, Brother is about to race," Tang Keke said.

"Mm."

"Why is the school director there too? And why is he wearing... that?" Tang Keke scratched her head at the sight of the eye-catching pink outfit. She had always thought the old director had eccentric tastes, but this was something else.

What even was that pattern?

"Keke."

"Hm?"

"I'm hungry," Bai Yuyou suddenly said, rubbing her flat stomach. Maybe it was because of today's physical activity, but she felt hungrier than usual.

"Hungry?" Tang Keke reached over and patted Bai Yuyou's belly. "Sometimes I feel like your stomach is a bottomless pit from another dimension."

"But how do you never gain weight?"

"Ye Shuang said I might have poor nutrient absorption," Bai Yuyou replied.

"Really?" Tang Keke tilted her head in thought before suddenly clapping her hands together. "Oh! How about we throw a party after the sports festival?"

"Party."

"Yeah, yeah! Brother would definitely agree. One with tons of delicious food, just like that villa last time."

"Delicious food..." Bai Yuyou murmured, then paused as if noticing something. She glanced upward.

"Right, as long as it's not Sister Chen Qin's cooking, anything works," Tang Keke added.

"Mm. Yuyou, why are you spacing out?"

"Sister Chen Qin..."

"Sister Chen Qin?" Tang Keke followed Bai Yuyou's gaze and looked up—only for her plump cheeks to be pinched by a slender, pale hand. Blinking, she found herself face-to-face with a smiling woman leaning down toward her.

"Keke, talking behind someone's back is what naughty children do," Chen Qin said sweetly.

Tang Keke: "?!"

Why does Sister Chen Qin always appear whenever I criticize her cooking?!

"Mmph, Sister Chen Qin... let me explain—I mean, defend myself!"

"Naughty children don't get explanations," Chen Qin said mercilessly, grinding her fists against Tang Keke's head.

"I'm sorry! I surrender!"

After some playful roughhousing, Chen Qin plopped into a seat nearby. Bai Yuyou spoke up softly, "Sister Chen Qin... your injury."

"Pfft, no big deal," Chen Qin waved it off optimistically. It wasn’t fully healed, but it was manageable. Even if it hurt, the company’s private doctor could always administer painkillers.

"Ugh, I feel like my soul’s leaving my body," Tang Keke groaned, clutching her head as if she were about to faint. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder, "Sister Chen Qin, you actually have free time today?"

"I’m not a workaholic 24/7, you know," Chen Qin replied, then turned her attention to Ye Shuang on the track. "Hm? Why does A-Shuang look so lifeless?"

"Brother said he’s just here to fill a spot," Tang Keke chimed in, with Bai Yuyou nodding in agreement.

"That won’t do," Chen Qin crossed her legs. "I rushed here from the office just for this. He can’t half-effort it." A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. "Hmm, seems like he needs a little... encouragement."

"Encouragement?"

"Exactly."

"But it’s so far away. How are you gonna get your voice across?" Tang Keke asked.

Chen Qin waggled a slender finger. "Encouragement doesn’t always need words. Sometimes, it’s visual."

"Visual? Is Brother gonna check his phone while running?"

"Heh." Chen Qin smirked mysteriously and snapped her fingers—"Ta-da!"

The next moment, a swarm of drones rose from the field, swirling into formation before spelling out four giant characters in the sky:

"Go A-Shuang ❤"

Chen Qin pointed proudly at her aerial masterpiece. "A drone show, courtesy of moi."

"The power of money!" Tang Keke squinted at the dazzling display. "Ugh, you rich people are the worst."

Chen Qin admired her handiwork, then glanced at Ye Shuang, who stood frozen like a statue on the track.

"Bet A-Shuang’s thrilled, huh?"

Tang Keke squinted. "More like he looks like he just ate something... questionable."

Bonk. A light smack from Chen Qin.

...

Bang! The starting pistol fired, and the crowd erupted as the runners took off.

"Go, A-Shuang!" Chen Qin cheered.

But Ye Shuang’s pace was sluggish—even the slightly chubby teacher ahead of him was pulling away. Eventually, Ye Shuang overtook one runner but still couldn’t pick up speed.

"Brother, you can do it!!"

"Ye Shuang, jiāyóu," Bai Yuyou added softly, her voice drowned out by the noise.

Ye Shuang’s strides grew slower, as if he’d lost all motivation.

He was running out of steam.

No.

Bai Yuyou suddenly remembered—no matter what she did, Ye Shuang always cheered her on.

Ye Shuang... needed encouragement too.

Haaah... The girl took a deep breath, then shouted at the top of her lungs:

"YE SHUANG, JIĀYÓU—!!"

The sheer volume made Tang Keke and Chen Qin whip their heads around in shock. They’d never heard Bai Yuyou be this loud—it was like witnessing a rare phenomenon.

"A-Shuang, jiāyóu!!!" Chen Qin joined in, matching her intensity.

"Not that it matters," Tang Keke muttered. "Brother can’t hear us from here anyway."

But the next second, her jaw dropped.

Ye Shuang suddenly surged forward like a man possessed, overtaking two runners in seconds and closing in on the school director!

"Holy—?!" Tang Keke gasped. "Is this the power of love?!"

Just like that, Ye Shuang blew past Anshi Yilang!

"He’s in the lead!"

"Final stretch!!"

"Eh?" But as Ye Shuang neared the finish line, his steps faltered for a split second—allowing Anshi Yilang to sprint past him and cross first.

"Oh?!"

"And the winner is... our beloved school director!" the announcer declared.

The stands burst into applause.

"Uh..." Tang Keke scratched her head. "Why did Brother suddenly hesitate?"

"Just being socially savvy," Chen Qin chuckled. "No worries. Seeing A-Shuang so energetic means he’ll have no trouble making babies later~"

At that, Bai Yuyou spoke up: "I want to have babies with Ye Shuang."

Chen Qin stiffened, her gaze snapping to the girl.

The atmosphere instantly turned... complicated.