C44 Register for the Sports Event

The following day marked the official start of the academic year. Yi Lanyou, having tidied up, descended the stairs for breakfast. As she turned, a sharp bark at her feet startled her.

Looking down, she saw Fang Fang's dog eyeing her with hostility, its gaze tinged with provocation and disdain.

Yi Lanyou frowned in displeasure, vowing to herself that the dog would be gone sooner or later.

"Little cutie!" Yi Rui'er cooed, cradling the poodle and petting its fluffy coat. "Our Candy is a champion dog, truly remarkable. Sometimes, people are even worse than dogs." She cast a sidelong glance at Yi Lanyou, her eyes brimming with challenge. "Some people live lives worse than a dog's, not even understanding their own status."

"Do you enjoy comparing yourself to dogs that much?" Yi Lanyou snorted dismissively and, ignoring Yi Rui'er's souring expression, left her with a parting shot: "You're nothing but a dog!" She then turned, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and strode out.

"Yi Lanyou," Yi Rui'er muttered through clenched teeth, "we'll see how long you can keep that smugness!"

Fang Fang had her assassins lined up, just waiting for the right moment to strike.

As Yi Lanyou stepped out of her home and into the car, her mind was clouded with irritation. The thought of the upcoming sports meet was just another headache waiting to happen.

Over the following month, Yi Lanyou committed to memory the names and faces of all her classmates. Beyond her daily studies, she was tasked with managing class affairs alongside Wang Hongfei. Yi Lanyou had a knack for leadership; despite her lack of experience, with pointers from Wang Hongfei and Bai Yiming, she kept class operations running smoothly.

Yi Lanyou's routine—school, cafeteria, or Yi's mansion—left Fang Fang no opportunity to harass her, but she was convinced this reprieve was only temporary.

Fang Fang found Yi Lanyou's dedication to her studies both irksome and worrisome. She would have preferred Yi Lanyou to be useless, then she could dismiss her entirely. But Yi Lanyou's drive was undeniable; reports from the servants spoke of the Eldest Miss studying late into the night before finally turning off the lights to rest.

Fang Fang would never allow Yuan Hui's daughter to outshine her, and Yi Lanyou was marked for death. She was biding her time, waiting for the right moment to strike. After all, patience is a virtue when one aspires to accomplish great things.

The bell signaling the start of the last class of the day echoed through the halls. Bai Yiming timed his entrance with the bell and walked into the classroom. Once all the students were seated, he scanned the room and announced, "Today's final period will be a class meeting. Let's use this time to go over the events for the upcoming sports meet."

"Sounds good," the students agreed in unison.

"Class Monitor Youyou, Vice Monitor Wang, please take the lead," Bai Yiming instructed before taking a seat in an empty chair at the front of the classroom by the window.

Yi Lanyou stood up and approached the podium with her notebook, which she had used to take notes at the previous class monitors' meeting. "The City No. 1 High School sports meet is scheduled for next week," she began. "Vice Monitor Wang is listing all the events on the blackboard. Please let us know which ones interest you."

While Yi Lanyou spoke, Wang Hongfei transcribed the events from her notebook onto the blackboard.

"The sports meet will take place on the 29th and 30th of September. Following the event, you'll get a ten-day vacation. Please note that no leave will be granted during the meet, and tardiness or leaving early will result in a two-credit deduction, while absence will cost you four credits," Yi Lanyou continued. "Regardless of how you place, participation alone will earn you an additional two credits."

Upon hearing this, the previously disinterested students perked up. These credits were directly tied to their academic performance and could significantly impact their university applications and study abroad evaluations. They were indeed very mindful of their credits.

Wang Hongfei finished writing the events on the board, dusted off his hands, and stood by the blackboard to facilitate easy viewing for everyone.

"Remember, it's the participation that counts more than the competition," Yi Lanyou reminded them, her hands resting on the lectern. "Does anyone have an interest in the events listed on the blackboard?"

"I'd like to sign up for the men's 100m sprint," a boy announced, raising his hand.

"Sure," Yi Lanyou responded, glancing at Wang Hongfei and nodding for him to take note. Wang Hongfei acknowledged with a nod of his own, picked up the chalk, and wrote the boy's name under the men's 100m sprint event.

Others began to register one after another.

"Anyone else looking to sign up?" Yi Lanyou surveyed the room.

"Class monitor, aren't you signing up?" Lin Xiaorou interjected. She was irked by Yi Lanyou's presence at the podium, feeling that she should be the one leading the class meeting.

"I'm not particularly athletic," Yi Lanyou replied, locking eyes with Lin Xiaorou.

"Just join the sports meet!" Lin Xiaorou pressed.

"And you?" Yi Lanyou deflected, asking instead, "Lin Xiaorou, which event are you interested in?"

Her question, "Which event are you interested in?" cut straight to the point, making her intentions clearer than Lin Xiaorou's.

Lin Xiaorou bit her lip, "Are you saying you'll sign up for whatever event I do?"

Yi Lanyou chuckled briefly and remarked, "Lin Xiaorou, you should only measure yourself against your own achievements. There's really no need to drag me into everything you do."

At that moment, Lin Xiaorou was at a loss for words. She could sense the displeasure in the eyes of her classmates and felt awkward about the confrontational words she had blurted out in a moment of irrationality. Now, she was regretting it.

"As you're part of our class, I do hope you'll create some fond memories at the sports meet," Yi Lanyou mused, looking at the blackboard. She then took the chalk from Wang Hongfei and added her name to the women's 4x100 relay race list. "Is that okay?"

Lin Xiaorou, caught off guard, nodded, "Sure."

"We need four people for this event," Wang Hongfei pointed out. "So we have to find two more, right?"

"Me," Wang Xiaoman volunteered, raising her hand.

"Me too," Zhang Ya chimed in, also raising her hand.

Yi Lanyou smiled and gave a nod to both of her friends.

Even though neither of them excelled at sports, they would never overlook Yi Lanyou when she needed support. They were true friends.