In the morning, Class 1 successfully advanced to the finals of the basketball game. The time was set for 2 p.m. After everyone had their meals, they gradually came to the playground. The sky and earth were clear. The bright sunshine spread over the lawn, and the air was filled with a dry, refreshing fragrance. Not far away, some restless teenagers casually took off their loose school uniforms and ran freely on the playground.
From time to time, there were loud cheers and shouts.
Lin Jinran sat cross - legged on the lawn where their class was located. She propped her chin up and watched all this with a beaming smile.
At this moment, the senior three students were free and unrestrained.
As the basketball game was approaching, Su Qinian came to the playground and found Lin Jinran. His eyebrows and eyes softened immediately.
Below his sight, the girl had her back to him. She was wearing the black - and - white school uniform, and her long hair was tied into a ponytail, fluttering in the wind, revealing a fair and slender neck.
Su Qinian silently took out his phone, adjusted the angle, and took a photo.
Then he walked to Lin Jinran's side and sat down directly.
"Have you been sitting here alone for a long time?" Su Qinian asked.
"Yeah, almost an hour. I suddenly realized that such peaceful days are numbered," Lin Jinran said, tilting her head up and propping her hands on the lawn behind her. "It'll soon be the second semester, the last semester."
All the efforts, all the perseverance, and all the sweat would soon be presented in the form of a score.
It was both nerve - wracking and exciting.
"Your wishes will surely come true," Su Qinian glanced at the time. "The finals of the basketball game are about to start. I'll go there later. I might miss your 3000 - meter run."
"A mere 3000 meters. It's no big deal. Just go ahead," Lin Jinran waved her hand nonchalantly. "You guys can even beat Wei Liang down."
At the mention of this name, Su Qinian's heart tightened. It seemed as if the girl's heart - rending appearance that day reappeared in his mind.
He looked down at her, his tone slightly solemn. "Wei Liang's parents said he wants to see us. He's been sentenced to six years."
Six years?
A minor who intentionally harms others. If they are over 14 years old and the intentional harm causes serious injury or death, they shall bear criminal liability.
For the crime of intentional injury, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed - term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, or public surveillance. If the injury causes serious harm, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed - term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years.
Six years. Six years later, they would all have graduated from college and worked for one or two years, while Wei Liang would just be out.
"Want to see us?" Lin Jinran thought for a while. "Then let's find a time to visit him. Maybe he has something to tell us."
"Okay. Then I'll go to the stadium. Don't push yourself too hard during the 3000 - meter run. Run if you can. It's okay if you can't," Su Qinian exhorted, being as nagging as an old man.
Lin Jinran couldn't help but laugh and quickly urged him to go.
After he left, more and more people came to the playground. The host announced that the female athletes for the 3000 - meter race should go for the check - in first and then wait at the starting point of the playground for the start of the race.
When Lin Jinran got up to go, Tao Wan, Xie Wanyu and other classmates in the class accompanied her to the check - in.
"Lin Jinran, don't push yourself too hard," Xie Wanyu worried.
"Yeah. Actually, the most important thing is to participate. It doesn't really matter whether you win a prize or not," Tao Wan concerned.
"Lin Jinran, you got injured just half a month ago. You really don't need to push yourself. We'll cheer for you beside the track," other classmates in the class echoed.
"Right. Lin Jinran, just relax. You'll be the most outstanding one in the race!"
"We may not be able to run as fast as others, but we must win in terms of momentum!"
Lin Jinran was both amused and helpless. Having such good friends made her heart feel warm.
After the check - in, she came to the playground. There were four athletes standing at the starting point respectively. The classmates crowded to the edge of the playground and cheered for her: "Come on, Lin Jinran! You're the best!"
"Ah, is that Lin Jinran? The Lin Jinran who almost made the grade director vomit blood with her speech at the beginning of the semester?" someone asked curiously.
Tao Wan replied actively, "Yes, it's Lin Jinran from our class. I'm surprised you still remember her."
The person rubbed his head embarrassedly. Then he looked at Lin Jinran, his eyes firm. He shouted, "Lin Jinran, although I'm not in your class, I still want to say, come on, Lin Jinran! Of course, the athletes in my class are also great!"
The people around burst into laughter.
"On your marks..."
Lin Jinran lowered her center of gravity, bent her knees slightly, lifted her heels, squinted at the front, and paid attention to the referee's whistle at any time.
"Bang!"
Ninety people around her rushed out "swish". Lin Jinran lagged behind, but she wasn't in a hurry. She took steady steps forward.
She kept a certain breathing rhythm.
One lap of the No. 1 Middle School's playground was 800 meters, so 3000 meters meant running three and a half laps and a bit more.
After Lin Jinran finished the first lap, her breathing became more and more rapid. She opened her mouth wide to breathe to relieve the discomfort caused by running.
In the second lap, Lin Jinran maintained her own rhythm and ran neither too fast nor too slow. Gradually, she overtook four people and was now in the sixth place.
The whistling wind and the encouragement from her companions echoed in her ears.
After the third lap, there were only 600 meters left. Her legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.
Lin Jinran was running with black spots in front of her eyes. Her head was groggy. She had left nine people behind and was temporarily in the first place.
She stared fixedly at the red line 600 meters ahead. There was only one belief left in her mind: she must cross it, she must cross it.
"Lin Jinran, come on, come on! Hold on a little longer. You're almost at the finish line!"
A familiar voice suddenly came, his usual tone.
Like a refreshing spring, Lin Jinran became a bit more awake.
She turned her head and followed the source of the sound. She saw Su Qinian appearing somehow and trotting beside her.
Was the basketball game on their side over?
"I'll wait for you at the finish line," Su Qinian whispered. Then he quickened his pace and rushed to the other side of the finish - line red line, smiling brightly to greet her.
There came heavy breathing sounds from behind. Lin Jinran got a shock. Somehow, she found the strength to quicken her pace and rushed forward.
In her sight, there was only Su Qinian's figure.
She couldn't let others get ahead.
Lin Jinran closed her eyes tightly and rushed forward with big steps. The howling wind slapped her face, and her chest ached from the rapid breathing.
A soft thing fluttered onto her body. Then, Lin Jinran threw herself into someone's arms.
He staggered forward with her for a short distance.
The familiar smell of the shower gel filled her nose. The boy's burning body temperature was close to her skin through the school - uniform fabric.
Lin Jinran slowly opened her eyes. As always, it was Su Qinian who came into view.
Su Qinian was smiling extremely brightly. He congratulated her, "Lin Jinran, congratulations! You've won the first place."