The next day.
Huo Guining found Fan Xingzhou and announced her decision to participate in the 4x400 meter women's relay.
Fan Xingzhou responded with a faint smile, showing little emotional reaction.
There was still a week until the sports meet.
Besides Huo Guining, the other participants in the women's relay were Chen Xi, Fang Yuan, and Qi Xin.
Huo Guining had a strong competitive spirit. Since she decided to participate, she didn't want to be left behind.
Fortunately, she had been consistently swimming, so her cardiopulmonary function was well-trained.
During the jogging warm-up, she wasn't out of breath.
Chen Xi was different.
She originally disliked sports and only signed up for the relay because no one else had. Worried that Huo Guining might be in a difficult position, she volunteered.
"Aren't... you all... tired?" Chen Xi panted.
Huo Guining wiped the sweat from her face, indicating she was fine.
Fang Yuan and Qi Xin exchanged smiles: "We often play basketball together, so this level of jogging is okay for us."
Chen Xi: Now it seemed she was the odd one out.
She hesitated, looking worried: "Won't I hold you all back?"
Huo Guining thought for a moment: "You might need to practice a bit harder these few days."
Seeing Chen Xi's crestfallen face, she quickly added: "I'll practice with you."
Fang Yuan and Qi Xin chimed in: "Let's all do it together, we only have a few days anyway."
Chen Xi nodded gratefully.
"You two have such a good relationship," Chen Xi, having caught her breath, couldn't keep quiet. She looked at Fang Yuan and Qi Xin with envy, "Unlike me, my friends are scattered like stars in the sky."
Huo Guining burst out laughing.
Fang Yuan, tall with strong features, laughed heartily: "Xin Xin and I have been classmates since elementary school, so we're quite close."
Qi Xin asked curiously: "Why did all your friends scatter?"
Chen Xi sighed deeply, looking wise beyond her years.
Huo Guining didn't stop her from joking around, instead adopting a listening pose.
"My dad is a busy man, changing jobs as frequently as punching a time clock," Chen Xi said with a hint of disdain. "Every time he changes jobs, I have to transfer schools. Over time, my friends just scattered."
After saying this, Chen Xi sighed again.
Qi Xin, petite with dimples when she smiled, said: "That does sound quite unfair for you."
Chen Xi laughed at Qi Xin's serious tone, and soon everyone was laughing together.
However, play time was play time. After the laughter, the four continued their training.
Friday, the day of the sports meet arrived as scheduled.
That morning, Huo Guining unusually didn't oversleep. She got up early, finished her morning routine, had breakfast, and waited for Huo Xiaozheng to drive her to school.
"So early today?" Huo Xiaozheng was a bit surprised.
Huo Guining smiled: "It's the sports meet, after all."
Huo Xiaozheng didn't tease her further: "Wait a moment, I'll be ready soon."
After breakfast, they arrived at school together.
Huo Guining was the first to open the car door and get out, bending down to say goodbye to Huo Xiaozheng as usual.
Unexpectedly, Huo Xiaozheng also opened his door and got out.
"Dad, aren't you going to work?"
Huo Xiaozheng calmly said: "I'll go after watching your race."
Huo Guining then noticed that Huo Xiaozheng was wearing casual business attire today.
She happily linked arms with him: "Really? But what about the company matters?"
Huo Xiaozheng replied: "The company has matters every day, one day won't make a difference."
The father and daughter walked towards the school together, their tall and short silhouettes particularly heartwarming under the shade of the large plane trees.
The opening ceremony of the sports meet took quite some time. Huo Xiaozheng sat in the stands, holding a video camera, ready and waiting.
When it was time for Huo Guining's relay race, Huo Xiaozheng, like any ordinary father, walked to the side of the track with his camera, standing next to Huo Guining to cheer her on.
"Ning Ning, do your best, Dad will be waiting for you at the finish line."
Huo Guining took a deep breath and gave him an OK sign.
With a loud gunshot, Fang Yuan started the first leg, followed by Qi Xin.
Both performed well, running into the top three.
The first and second places were held by the school's track and field team.
Chen Xi was on the third leg.
She nervously watched Qi Xin, immediately starting to run after receiving the baton, but her lack of explosive power soon led to her being overtaken.
Huo Guining's heart was pounding. She jogged in place while keeping her eyes fixed on Chen Xi's direction.
Soon, Chen Xi appeared in her line of sight.
50 meters, 40 meters, 30 meters, 20 meters, 10 meters...
Huo Guining took the baton from Chen Xi's hand and shot off like an arrow.
Huo Xiaozheng waited at the finish line with his camera.
He watched as Ning Ning overtook the 5th place runner, then the 4th, then the 3rd...
Soon, she was neck and neck with the 2nd place runner.
Huo Xiaozheng's ears were filled with cheers, with Ning Ning's name being shouted by the young students.
"Huo Guining, go for it! Huo Guining, you're the best! Huo Guining, come on!"
Seemingly spurred on, Huo Guining gritted her teeth and made a final push in the last 100 meters.
Finally, she overtook the 2nd place runner!
The cheers reached a new crescendo!
"Ning Ning, I love you, you're so cool!!" An anonymous confession rang out, causing laughter all around.
Before Huo Xiaozheng could frown, another deafening cheer erupted!
"Oh my god! She's caught up to first place!"
"Your class's little academic star is too amazing!"
"That's right, she's got looks and skills!"
"I'm so envious, I wish I could be Huo Guining."
"Sure, go to bed early, dreams can come true."
Listening to the children's banter, Huo Xiaozheng couldn't help but smile.
Meanwhile, Huo Guining was still neck and neck with the track team runner.
As the whistle blew, Huo Guining fell into Huo Xiaozheng's arms.
"Dad," Huo Guining called out, breathless.
"Mm, Dad saw you, you ran very well," Huo Xiaozheng said, taking out a tissue to wipe her sweat and handing her a bottle of electrolyte water. "Drink slowly, small sips."
Chen Xi, Qi Xin, and Fang Yuan rushed over, surrounding her.
"Ning Ning, you were amazing! Our class tied for first with the track team!" Chen Xi's clear voice rang in Huo Guining's ears. "Ning Ning, you're my idol!"
Although Huo Guining felt her head buzzing from the noise, she couldn't help but smile: "To be able to compete with the track team, we really outdid ourselves!"
The four girls burst into laughter.
Huo Xiaozheng watched Huo Guining for a while, and seeing her full of energy, he left the school, promising to pick her up after school in the evening.
After Huo Xiaozheng left, Huo Guining was immediately surrounded by her classmates: "Huo Guining, you're so brave!"
Huo Guining had caught her breath by now. She waved her hand: "It wasn't just my achievement. Qi Xin, Fang Yuan... and Chen Xi, it's thanks to the three of them setting a good example before me."
Chen Xi pretended to be embarrassed: "You can mention those two, but don't include me. I have some dignity."
Fan Xingzhou, as the class monitor, also came forward to congratulate the four.
Finally, he said to Huo Guining: "Participating in the sports meet, no regrets, right?"
Ignoring Chen Xi's winks and nudges, Huo Guining replied frankly: "Yes, no regrets."
