Song Yi: "..."
Murong Huan: "..."
Song Yi snapped the branch in her hand with a "crack" and took a deep breath.
The word "anger" filled her mind. If Shen Yujing were in front of her right now, she would definitely break his legs.
Murong Huan patted her shoulder, trying hard to defend Shen Yujing, "He was just joking."
Song Yi nodded, "Let's keep climbing."
Murong Huan: "?"
Fine, fine QAQ
Although Murong Huan was reluctant, she was forced to follow Song Yi up without taking a break.
As Song Yi climbed up, her mind kept repeating—
Three hundred thousand! Three hundred thousand! Three hundred thousand! Three hundred thousand! Three hundred thousand!
If she could get this three hundred thousand, she would forgive all of Shen Yujing's stupid and disrespectful behavior.
Driven by this determination, Song Yi dragged Murong Huan to the mountaintop.
At their destination stood a huge red flag, along with many staff members wearing Saint Slee Academy uniforms waiting there.
There was also a row of seats and tables, occupied by members of the Saint Slee Academy student council.
Jiang Yiheng sat in the middle, with students from the Disciplinary Inspection Department on both sides.
On the tables in front of them were gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Victory was in sight, but suddenly there were shouts from behind—
"Quick! Charge! Overtake them! The medals are ours!"
The sense of crisis made Song Yi grab Murong Huan's wrist, leading her in a hundred-meter sprint, "Run! Don't let them catch up!"
After climbing all this way, it would be a total waste if they got overtaken at the last moment!
Charge! The gold and silver medals were theirs! The three hundred thousand was hers!
Although Murong Huan was exhausted, she was touched by Song Yi pulling her along, so she made an effort to run.
Murong Huan thought that Song Yi really wanted this gold medal, and although Song Yi wouldn't say it, she obviously wanted to be Shen Yujing's dance partner!
She couldn't hold Song Yi back! She needed to learn from Song Yi! And get the chance to be Jiang Yiheng's dance partner!
As the two ran forward desperately, Jiang Yiheng gripped his pen tighter, a look of relief suddenly appearing in his eyes.
Seeing Murong Huan trying so hard just for the chance to dance with him, it seemed his previous doubts were unfounded - she still liked him as much as before.
As for beside him...
Watching Song Yi holding half a tree branch in one hand and pulling Murong Huan with the other, her expression extremely determined, first place seemed certain.
Those who knew would say Song Yi was participating in a mountain climbing competition, those who didn't might think she was going to commit a crime.
Jiang Yiheng raised a hand to cover his face, not wanting to meet Song Yi's gaze.
Song Yi hadn't noticed Jiang Yiheng's subtle reaction at all, still desperately pulling Murong Huan along as they ran.
When Song Yi and Murong Huan finally reached the finish line together, just as they were about to cross that line, Murong Huan suddenly stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
Song Yi quickly stopped to help Murong Huan, asking with concern: "Are you okay?"
Murong Huan raised her right hand high in the air, "Wait a moment."
Song Yi: "What's wrong?"
Murong Huan lifted her head to look at Song Yi, then looked at her left hand.
Song Yi followed Murong Huan's gaze, and saw—
Murong Huan's left hand was pressed against the ground, just past the finish line.
Song Yi: "..."
She seemed to watch three hundred thousand slip away from her grasp.
Money... her money!
Three minutes later.
Song Yi looked at the silver medal in her hand, Murong Huan at the gold medal in hers, and along with an unexpected bronze medal winner, the three were forced to take a "winners" photo together.
Song Yi maintained a blank expression throughout, her entire being could be described as "lost and dejected."
Murong Huan winked at Song Yi, "It's simple, we can just swap."
"Oh right!"
Perhaps because the shock of "losing three hundred thousand" had been too great, Song Yi's brain only caught up when Murong Huan said it.
Yes, she could swap with Murong Huan!
Murong Huan could fulfill her wish to be Jiang Yiheng's dance partner, and she could get the three hundred thousand! They were sisters! No difference between them!
Just as Song Yi was happily thinking about what to do with the three hundred thousand once she got it, Jiang Yiheng suddenly passed by them, dropping only one cold and heartless sentence—
"Due to malicious bidding on the school forum last year, this year any form of trading or exchanging prizes is prohibited, which is also why we just had you take photos together."
Murong Huan: "??"
Song Yi: "!!"
Jiang Yiheng's figure walked away, while Murong Huan and Song Yi stood rooted to the spot, staring at each other.
After a while, Song Yi's voice, devoid of spirit, slowly spoke—
"So you're saying, not only do I not get the three hundred thousand, but I have to spend time with Jiang Yiheng?"
And Murong Huan was also devastated: "Who wants to be Shen Yujing's dance partner!"
After all their effort and struggle to get here, what was it all for!!!
Murong Huan looked at her left palm, her face full of regret, truly one fall that became an eternal regret!
*
An hour later, most of the other students gradually reached the mountaintop.
Many who couldn't handle it due to foot pain had taken cars up from halfway.
Song Yi and Murong Huan sat shoulder to shoulder in chairs, both wearing the same expression of dejection and lost spirits.
Meanwhile, Shen Yujing and Quan Le strolled over leisurely, holding lemon tea.
Seeing Song Yi holding a gold medal and a silver medal, Shen Yujing's lips couldn't help but curve upward slightly.
Sure enough, she was first place.
Earlier at the start of the competition, when he saw Song Yi and Murong Huan charging ahead in the lead, he knew she could definitely do it.
She must have wanted to be his dance partner after all.
Shen Yujing walked over with Quan Le, bent down, and waved a hand in front of Song Yi, "Hey, snap out of it."
Song Yi was completely unaffected, just reaching out to push away Shen Yujing's hand, her gaze still staring blankly into the distance.
And Murong Huan sitting beside Song Yi was the same.
Quan Le asked curiously: "Are they both possessed or something?"
Shen Yujing said: "They got first and second place, it's normal to be too tired to recover for a while."
When Quan Le saw the two medals, he sincerely praised them: "Amazing!"
Shen Yujing looked at Song Yi, "Being my dance partner isn't something to take lightly, I'll have the butler send over the dress and jewelry for you later."
Song Yi slowly shifted her gaze from the distance to Shen Yujing's face and said: "You seem to have misunderstood something."
Murong Huan also said irritably: "I don't need your dress set."
Shen Yujing frowned, trying to understand what they meant.
Quan Le was the first to realize, asking in surprise: "Murong Huan, you got first place?"
Murong Huan nodded lifelessly, then looked at Shen Yujing with disgust, "Just my rotten luck."
Shen Yujing asked Song Yi, "Don't tell me you got the silver medal?"
Song Yi nodded.
After hearing Song Yi's answer, Shen Yujing's eyes widened, his face writing—
Un-be-lievable.
Shen Yujing left with his lemon water, his lone figure sad and lost.
He was like a ghost, wandering aimlessly on the mountaintop.
Murong Huan frowned at Shen Yujing's retreating figure, "Why does he look so unhappy? How is being my dance partner beneath him? Shouldn't I be the one who's angry?"
Song Yi casually replied: "You'll get used to it, he's mentally ill."
Quan Le looked at Song Yi and Murong Huan in front of him, hesitated for a moment, but still went after Shen Yujing.
At this moment, Shen Yujing felt his emotions were very complicated.
Shen Yujing felt his intelligence had peaked, and he conducted some brilliant deduction.
With Song Yi's abilities, getting first place in the mountain climbing competition should have been effortless, yet somehow Murong Huan got first place instead.
But rather than first place, Murong Huan would definitely prefer to be Jiang Yiheng's dance partner, so her target must have been second place.
Therefore, there was only one possibility - Song Yi deliberately fell behind Murong Huan and snatched her second place, all to be Jiang Yiheng's dance partner.
Just how much did Song Yi like Jiang Yiheng, to the point of disregarding her friendship with Murong Huan.
How profound this emotion was, and how complex this relationship had become.
Suddenly, Shen Yujing felt his heart surrounded by an indescribable emotion.
It seemed to be a mixture of loss, sadness, and a feeling that Song Yi wasn't worth it.
What was so great about Jiang Yiheng anyway? He always had that cold expression on his face as if everyone owed him millions, and he even had smelly feet. Apart from his decent grades, what else did he have to show for himself?
The more Shen Yujing thought about it, the more confused he became, feeling that Song Yi's judgment was seriously flawed.
So he stopped walking, turned to Quan Le, and said, "Let me ask you something."
Quan Le: "Go ahead?"
Shen Yujing: "Between me and Jiang Yiheng, who's better?"
Quan Le answered without hesitation: "Jiang Yiheng, of course!"
Shen Yujing: "?"
Quan Le: "?"
Shen Yujing: "?"
The two stared at each other, both with different degrees of confusion in their eyes.
Quan Le: "Is there even any question about this?"
Shen Yujing: "..."
Some people just can't be taught!
*
Half an hour later, all the senior year students had gathered and been counted.
The teacher stood at the front, holding a megaphone, spouting a bunch of encouraging but meaningless words before announcing the next task.
"Before dinner, all students need to find their partners. You can form groups across different classes freely, but please choose carefully as these groupings will affect all upcoming games and competitions. The teachers suggest that you consider both mental and physical abilities when selecting teammates."
"The requirement is five people per group, and there must be both boys and girls. Begin forming groups now, you're dismissed!"
With the teacher's announcement, the boys and girls around immediately scattered to find their desired teammates.
Murong Huan quickly squeezed her way to Song Yi's side and linked arms with her, saying, "Let's be together."
Song Yi said: "Then we still need three more people."
Murong Huan rested her chin on her hand, "We need to choose our teammates carefully."
Since they were here, they might as well enjoy themselves.
And if they were going to play, they might as well play beautifully and win beautifully.
So the two began selecting teammates, and quite a few people actively approached them.
Like the small forward from the school soccer team.
The sunny-natured boy rubbed the back of his head, looking at Song Yi bashfully, "Um, may I join your group?"
Several boys stood behind him watching, clearly his friends, and they started making teasing noises.
Song Yi pointed to Murong Huan, passing the buck, "Ask her, I'll go with whatever she says."
Murong Huan wore an expression of watching a good show as she sized up the boy from head to toe, then looked at Song Yi with a meaningful tone, "Not bad at all."
So Murong Huan asked him, "We kind of know each other, but you've never actively approached me all these years. What's this about? You're not here for our Yi Yi, are you?"
The boy's face turned bright red instantly, and he lowered his head even more, but didn't deny it.
Song Yi tugged at Murong Huan's sleeve, "That's enough teasing."
"Alright, alright." Murong Huan stopped joking and looked at the boy, "If you want to join then..."
"Wait!"
A male voice called out from afar. Shen Yujing walked over and said to the boy: "They already have a group."
Disappointment flashed across the boy's face, but seeing it was Shen Yujing, and remembering his family's company's recent cooperation with the Shen family, he could only remain silent despite wanting to compete.
"Sorry," the boy finally nodded slightly to Song Yi, then turned and left.
Murong Huan watched his retreating figure and said somewhat disdainfully: "If that's all the determination he has, then forget it."
Shen Yujing and Quan Le had come together, and he said very naturally: "So now our group has four people, we just need one more."
Song Yi: "?"
Where did this confidence come from?
Compared to the soccer team boy, Murong Huan naturally thought Shen Yujing was more suitable.
So even though Song Yi clearly wanted to object, Murong Huan had already agreed, and Shen Yujing and Quan Le stuck to them like leeches, making Song Yi's objection clearly ineffective.
Murong Huan began analyzing the group's situation, "So now it looks like we have enough muscle power, we just need someone smart. Why don't we go find Jiang Yiheng?"
Shen Yujing snorted, "Why him? I'm not any worse than he is."
A moment of silence fell over them.
Song Yi looked at Shen Yujing, opened her mouth, and finally said: "I really envy your confidence."
The matter was so absurd that Murong Huan couldn't even be bothered to get angry, instead saying: "As long as you can say that with a straight face."
Quan Le also sighed, extending a hand to block Shen Yujing behind him, "It's my fault for failing to teach him properly. Please excuse us."
Shen Yujing: "?"
What kind of attitude was this?
Even if he wasn't completely superior to Jiang Yiheng in every way, saying he was slightly better shouldn't be too much of a stretch, right?
Just as Shen Yujing was about to protest and demand justice for himself, Song Yi spoke first, "Alright, enough of this useless talk, let's focus on finding our last teammate."
So the four of them began discussing potential candidates, and the final conclusion was—
Everyone had different ideas, and no one could convince the others.
Since that was the case, they decided to take it one step at a time and see who they might encounter.
As they walked, they saw Hang Feng, who was currently alone.
Meeting by chance was fate, so they had to at least chat a bit.
So Song Yi walked towards Hang Feng and asked directly: "Don't you have a group yet?"
Hang Feng stood there with downcast eyes, and the moment he saw Song Yi approaching, he immediately turned up the volume on his earphones, completely ignoring her presence.
Of course, if possible, what Hang Feng wanted most was for Song Yi to ignore his existence as well.
Like oil and water, just treat each other as air, as if they were invisible.
But Song Yi wouldn't let Hang Feng have his way so easily.
She walked up to Hang Feng and, catching everyone off guard, directly lifted his chin, forcing him to look her in the eyes.
Meeting the boy's startled gaze, Song Yi curved one corner of her mouth, then showed a mischievous smile.
The next moment, her voice rang out, confident and gentle: "What are you being shy about? I know you were waiting for me. I admit it, your little tricks caught my attention."
"Ninth in the grade, right? I wouldn't have looked twice at you before, but now I'm giving you a chance to join our group. Eyes don't lie, I know you're happy about this."
"Come on, don't glare at me. You're trying to suppress your excitement about joining our group, right? I know how you men are, these are all just playing hard to get!"
"I refuse."
After answering, Hang Feng expressionlessly removed Song Yi's hand and turned to leave, ready to escape this noisy world where she existed.
But Song Yi immediately chased after him and stretched out her hand to block his path again.
Hang Feng completely lost his patience, his narrow eyes narrowing further, carrying a hint of dangerous warning.
He grabbed Song Yi's wrist and said in a hoarse voice: "I already refused. Don't you understand human language?"
Song Yi smiled confidently and said: "Are you just saying that out of spite? I don't believe you!"
