Chapter 37: Disdain and Refusal

“Everyone, before we begin class, I have an announcement. On the 27th of this month, the school will hold a three-day sports meet. I hope you all participate enthusiastically. Those who wish to sign up, please register with the sports committee. Sports committee?”

Xie Mingming glanced toward Shen Qing, who was slouched over her desk, her long ponytail draped across her shoulder.

Nie Huan tapped Shen Qing on the shoulder. “Old Xie’s calling you.”

Shen Qing finally lifted her head, her gaze tinged with a hint of defiance.

“Shen Qing, did you hear what the teacher just said?” Xie Mingming asked gently.

“Yes,” Shen Qing nodded.

“Alright, then everyone, please sign up with Shen Qing. Let’s begin class.”

**

After class, Shen Qing went straight back to sleep. No one dared disturb her.

Yao Panpan, clutching the registration book, hurried over to complain. The boys in the class were quite eager, but almost none of the girls had signed up.

As class president, Yao Panpan had taken on high jump, long jump, and the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints all at once.

“Qing, there are still no girls signed up for the 800 meters, 1500 meters, or the 4×100 relay.”

Previously, Sister Huan had always competed in these, but now her hand was injured—it wouldn’t be humane to make her race.

As for Shen Qing, if she didn’t speak up, Yao Panpan didn’t dare suggest she compete.

“I’ll do the 1500 and 800,” Nie Huan suddenly offered.

“No way!” Chu Yu rejected her without hesitation.

Yao Panpan looked at Nie Huan, troubled. “Huan, what if you hurt your hand again?”

“Put my name down,” Shen Qing sat up, glanced at them, then lay back down to sleep.

Chu Yu nudged the dazed Yao Panpan. “Qing said so, hurry and register her.”

“Alright.”

**

During evening study, Shen Qing was called to the office. Gu Ting wanted to see her.

“You get your own office?” Shen Qing surveyed the small space—just a desk and two chairs, nothing else.

“Sit down,” Gu Ting said, handing her a box of yogurt, ripping off the seal and setting it on the table.

“Did you eat the noodles?”

“They were delicious, thank you.” Shen Qing picked up the yogurt, scooping it out with a small spoon.

Seeing she made no attempt at politeness, Gu Ting’s lips curled with amusement.

“So, why did you call me here?” Shen Qing looked at him, unconvinced it was merely to share yogurt.

“With the sports meet coming up, of course I wanted to discuss athlete training with the sports committee.”

Shen Qing’s eyes lifted slightly. “Oh.”

Gu Ting pulled a report from the drawer. “I reviewed last year’s sports meet results. The athletes this year haven’t changed much from last.”

The biggest change was Shen Qing replacing Nie Huan.

Shen Qing shot Gu Ting a look, then took the report. Beautiful calligraphy marked where the athletes fell short.

If they could find spare moments for focused training, their results would surely improve.

After all, last year’s scores—the boys did well enough, but among the girls, only Nie Huan won anything in long-distance. The relay teammates held her back.

“Alright.” Shen Qing put away the report.

Gu Ting looked at her, his eyes darkening slightly. “Finish eating before you leave.”

“Okay.” Shen Qing sat quietly in the chair, eating yogurt spoonful by spoonful, unhurried, a pleasure to watch.

Gu Ting watched her for a few seconds, then opened his computer and got back to work.

When Shen Qing finished, five minutes had passed. She notified Gu Ting, took the report, and left.

On her way back to class, she passed the main office, just as a girl in a floral dress stepped out, math test in hand.

“Shen Qing.” The girl called softly.

“Do you need something?” Shen Qing turned slowly, looking at her.

Yu Min’er smiled gently. “Are you adjusting well at First High?”

Shen Qing gave her a sidelong glance, said nothing, and turned to leave.

“Wait.” Yu Min’er hurried to catch up and tried to grab her wrist.

Just as her hand was about to touch Shen Qing’s arm, Shen Qing stretched it forward, leaving Yu Min’er grasping at air.

“We’re not close,” Shen Qing stopped, her voice cold.

Yu Min’er lowered her gaze, hesitated a few seconds, then said, “I know you don’t like our family, but we share blood. If you and father admit your mistakes, you can come back to the Yu family.”

Shen Qing regarded her righteous demeanor, her lips curling into a wicked smile.

“Not interested. I won’t go.”

Yu Min’er was stunned, mouth agape.

“Yu Min’er, what are you doing? Oh… Qing, you’re here too?” Liu Yichen emerged from the office, surprised to see the school’s two beauties standing outside.

“You know each other?” Liu Yichen recalled that Shen Qing came from a small town, and Yu Min’er hadn’t even been at school last week. How had they started talking?

Was it because they were both attractive?