Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1717 - 937: Showdown (Part 2)

Witnessing their actions, Tang Jing felt a surge of displeasure. "Are you all ganging up on someone innocent?"

Huang Yuzhu made a promise. "I'll have my dad bring over some pineapples for everyone to enjoy."

"Now that's more like it!" Lu Qiqi took advantage of the situation, feeling pleased, though she didn't dwell on it.

...

Five minutes remained until class began.

Everyone congregated on the sports field. Class 8 of Grade 11 had a total of 54 students, and all were present.

Yu Wen approached Lu Qiqi, who was engaged in conversation with Shen Qing'e.

Displaying Jiang Yanan's phone, Yu Wen inquired, feigning innocence, "Oh, Qiqi, why did you block me from seeing your QQ Space post yesterday?"

Yu Wen had been browsing her friend's phone and had just discovered that Lu Qiqi had restricted her access to the post about the golden bracelet from the previous night.

Lu Qiqi's expression flickered before she managed a strained smile. "I usually block my family from my posts. I consider you family."

Hu Jun, standing nearby, interjected with criticism. "What you're doing isn't right. If you truly care for your family, you shouldn't block them from your QQ posts."

Yu Wen idly twirled her gold bracelet. "Hu Jun is correct."

Hu Jun offered advice in a paternalistic tone. "Qiqi, remember, you should always listen to your mother."

For reasons unknown to her, Lu Qiqi felt an inexplicable wave of anger wash over her, and she shot Hu Jun a glare. "What business is it of yours?"

Hu Jun shook his head. "Why do you always seem to upset your mother? Unlike you, I always show her respect."

Lu Qiqi retorted, "Respect your mom all you want, but why put on such a display?"

After admonishing Hu Jun, Lu Qiqi forced another insincere smile and turned to Yu Wen. "Wenwen, your gold bracelet is quite lovely, very similar to the one my mom wears. Older folks really seem to favor that kind of style."

Yu Wen detected the subtle mockery in Lu Qiqi's comment. Despite her recent increase in wealth, her quick wit hadn't quite kept pace, leaving her unable to formulate a sharp response.

Hu Jun suddenly chimed in from the side, "Aren't the styles actually different?"

...

The PE teacher, Gu Wei, arrived.

He took his position at the front of the assembled students and surveyed the orderly lines, nodding in approval. "Not bad, a significant improvement from when we had a sports monitor!"

Former sports monitors, like Duan Shigang, silently bristled at the remark. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Given that Gu Wei had the audacity to take over other teachers' classes, he certainly wouldn't miss this chance to assert himself. He continued,

"The physical condition of today's high school students is truly lamentable! This is a failing of the school, and also a failing of mine!"

"Before you all face your college entrance exams, I've decided that every boy must be capable of performing at least 30 standard push-ups and 5 standard pull-ups!"

Upon hearing these requirements, many of the boys' faces fell. Some struggled to complete even a single pull-up.

The girls exchanged whispers among themselves, a hint of schadenfreude in their expressions.

Gu Wei's expression grew stern as he added, "As for the girls, there's no requirement for push-ups and pull-ups!"

A wave of cheers erupted from the girls' line.

"However, each and every girl must be able to complete a 1500-meter run independently, within seven and a half minutes!"

Jiang Yanan gasped in disbelief. "1500 meters?"

What a preposterous notion!

Wasn't physical education class meant for light activity and recreation?

"All of you, turn right! Begin with two laps for a warm-up!" Gu Wei commanded.

After the students completed an 800-meter run, Gu Wei instructed them in high-knee raises performed in place. Following a period of jumping, they transitioned to jumping jacks.

The sheer volume of exercise proved overwhelming, and many of the girls were so exhausted they began to curse under their breath.

Gu Wei's voice boomed out, "Already complaining? You're tired from barely any exercise, and you're already worn out? Once you're married, you won't even be able to keep up with your husband's affairs!"

The girls fell into silence.

Lu Qiqi seized the opportunity to ask, "So, Teacher, are you married?"

Gu Wei was a tall, powerfully built man with an imposing demeanor. He perpetually wore a worn-out gray tracksuit and appeared to be in his early thirties.

At her question, Gu Wei's expression froze momentarily.

Class 8 wasn't lacking in individuals with sharp minds. Tang Jing, adept at reading the room, immediately exclaimed, "Ah, Mr. Gu, you're not married yet?"

Gu Wei's face darkened even further.

Tang Jing continued, praising his perceived prudence. "Mr. Gu, you dedicate yourself so diligently to your work, and at your age, remaining unattached, you must have amassed quite a fortune, correct?"

Gu Wei, somewhat taken aback, responded instinctively.

He countered the incessant nagging about marriage from his family with defiant conviction. "What's so great about marriage? Does getting married guarantee happiness? Several of my former classmates are already on their second divorce!"

Lu Qiqi retorted, "If there were no benefits to be gained, why would people go through the trouble of marrying twice?"

Gu Wei seemed to lose his breath for a moment.

His expression abruptly shifted, as if he were about to unleash some cruel words intended to torment his students.

Jiang Yanan quickly intervened, offering a solution. "Mr. Gu, how about I introduce you to my cousin? She's quite beautiful!"

Gu Wei's stern countenance softened considerably.

Seizing the moment, Lu Qiqi shouted out, "My aunt is only 24, she owns a car and a house, and the car is a Mercedes!"

Gu Wei expressed his doubt: "Are you genuinely intending to introduce her to me?" He still yearned for romance, unconcerned with the make of the car.

Lu Qiqi feigned injury: "Oh no, I've twisted my ankle!"

Gu Wei quickly responded, "How careless of you. Come, have a seat and rest!"

Seizing the opportune moment, Tang Jing also acted weary. She immediately stated, "My cousin just graduated this year. She's quite respectable, has never dated, and she mentioned a preference for dark-skinned, strong, and honest men."

Gu Wei's heart leaped at the mention of 'never dated,' exclaiming, "That partner criterion sounds exactly like me!"

Tang Jing inwardly mused, 'Precisely, the scenario was crafted just for you!'

She then cried out, "Ah, I've got a leg cramp!"

"Quickly, go rest!" Gu Wei urged, clearly anxious to avoid any further mishaps.

Lu Qiqi took a seat next to him, pulled out her phone, and commenced her efforts to promote her aunt to Mr. Gu.

The male classmates observed this unfolding scene with growing displeasure. Cui Yu exclaimed, "Mr. Gu, you're misusing your authority! This is unfair!"

"Indeed! I'm going to report this to the principal!" Liu Chuandao threatened.

Gu Wei stood up, declaring, "Very well, since you all seem dissatisfied, I shall grant you an opportunity!"

His gaze swept across the field, locating a basketball. He promptly seized it with his large, sturdy hands.

Wu Xiaoqi's eyelid twitched; his precious basketball!

Holding the basketball, Gu Wei announced the challenge: "We will play a boys versus girls relay race. Run to me, slap the basketball into my hand, and then return to your team. The next person will then continue."

"We shall divide into two teams: girls and boys, with 8 girls and 10 boys. Whichever team finishes first will earn the right to rest."

"The participants must be selected by yourselves."

Upon hearing this, the boys' formation erupted in joy. Liu Chuandao boasted, "I can definitely outrun them!"

Cui Yu added confidently, "Ten against eight, victory is assured!"

The male students were already rubbing their hands together, their fighting spirit ignited, and they began selecting their most capable players.

Gu Wei pointed at Jiang Ning, who was seated on the grass, and declared loudly, "You are explicitly forbidden from participating."

That student was simply too gifted!

Jiang Ning calmly replied, "Understood then."

Jiang Ning resumed his cross-legged meditation on the grass, as he had no need for training anyway.

Xue Yuantong sat beside him, also free from any need to train.

The girls, despite the numerical disadvantage of 8 against 10, displayed remarkable unity. However, the significant disparity in physical strength between boys and girls meant that victory was far from guaranteed.

Two minutes later, the race commenced.

Cui Yu looked towards Gu Wei, positioned 30 meters away, and shouted, "Here I come!"

The first runner for the girls' team was Yang Sheng.

With the sharp blast of a whistle, the race officially began.

Cui Yu sprinted forward.

Cao Kun scoffed, "Damn, he's slower than a girl!"

Yang Sheng reached the PE teacher, slapped the basketball, and turned back, establishing a considerable lead.

The next girl to run was Wang Yan Yan.

Generally speaking, the boys' speed significantly outstripped the girls', especially with athletic students like Dan Kaiquan and Zhang Chi. After several rounds of competition, both the boys' and girls' teams were left with only two participants each.

The intensity of the cheers escalated. Cao Kun, the second-to-last runner for the boys, dashed swiftly towards Gu Wei, far outpacing Jiang Yanan.

Victory seemed within their grasp, but then Mr. Gu lifted the ball high, persistently shaking it.

Cao Kun found himself completely unable to hit the ball.

The boys' team erupted in protest: "Damn it, are you cheating!"

"Useless Ah Kun!"

The boys were furious!

Meanwhile, triumphant laughter echoed from the girls' team.

Jiang Yanan was already on her way back, while Cao Kun was still struggling to strike the ball!

The boys yelled, "Foul! Foul!"

Gu Wei deliberately delayed for a few seconds before finally allowing Cao Kun to hit the ball.

By the time Cao Kun reached the boys' team, the final girl, Yu Wen, was already nearing Gu Wei!

"It's over, it's all over!" Liu Chuandao lamented with a sigh.

"And Mr. Gu might just cheat again!"

The entire boys' team groaned and sighed, their considerable efforts rendered utterly comical!

Just then, the final racer, Wu Xiaoqi, let out a determined shout:

"Let me save the day!"

Wu Xiaoqi shot forward like a groundhog, staying low to the ground as he darted towards Gu Wei.

At this precise moment, Yu Wen was already making her return journey.

Gu Wei prepared to employ his familiar tactic once more, intending to create a significant delay.

Unexpectedly, Wu Xiaoqi executed a brilliant maneuver, striking the basketball with lightning speed.

Gu Wei, holding the basketball, stood stunned: "What the...?"

Amidst the deafening roars and screams, Wu Xiaoqi successfully overtook Yu Wen, clinching victory for his team.