Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1744 - 956: Making an Appearance

Tuesday, the fourth period of the morning, this class was not originally scheduled for Physical Education.

However, the school made an announcement the previous night: students selected for the upcoming sports meet would be granted five PE classes per week leading up to the event.

Jiang Ning had entered the same competitions as the year before, thus securing his spot among the participants.

The sky overhead was a brilliant blue, the sun shone brightly, and Jiang Ning found himself leaning against the podium, leisurely sipping a small bottle of cola.

On the athletic track, numerous students were engaged in training drills, their efforts punctuated by rhythmic slogans.

In a nearby area, two first-year students were overheard whispering about a second-year student who had recently become notorious for selling prime cafeteria seats at a discounted rate. This individual purportedly used a table occupied by six senior girls as a lure, successfully ensnaring several infatuated male students on multiple occasions.

Jiang Ning’s gaze shifted to Zhang Chi, who was part of the running team. Zhang Chi was running with evident seriousness, and beside him, Guo Kunnan displayed even greater focus, his legs a blur of motion like a miniature whirlwind!

This heightened intensity was spurred by the sight of ten vibrant girls on the green field, energetically dancing to music, their youthful exuberance almost radiating outwards.

Wei Xiu Yuan’s voice rang out from nearby, “Jiayi, keep pushing!”

Dong Jiayi, who had been eliminated by the first-year group ‘Sun Never Sets’ girl group during last year’s New Year’s Eve party dress rehearsal, had opted to join the dance team this time.

Ai Man, true to her former role, shone as the star of the dance troupe. Clad in a striking fire-red dress, she was as dazzling as ever, her hips swaying subtly, exuding a unique charm.

Once the performance concluded, the girl group members took a moment to rest, and Wei Xiu Yuan promptly approached Dong Jiayi to offer words of encouragement.

Ai Man, adjusting her attire, then walked across the track directly towards Jiang Ning.

“You’ve signed up for the sports meet too?” Ai Man inquired with a smile.

Jiang Ning replied, “Yeah, just for the fun of it.”

Ai Man seemed to grasp his sentiment, stating, “No wonder you aren’t out there training.”

“Still, soaking up the sun on the field is certainly more pleasant than being cooped up in the classroom doing nothing.”

“You know,” Ai Man continued, seemingly musing aloud, “the opening ceremony for this year’s sports meet is considerably more elaborate than last year’s, with participation from many different schools.”

Jiang Ning observed the energetic students on the field and simply responded, “Yeah.”

He recalled that the former Fourth Middle School, up until his graduation, was merely an ordinary high school. It lacked exotic elements like ‘Evergreen Liquid,’ small dining tables, and such a large influx of transfer students; grand events like this were certainly unheard of.

He mused that the present situation was considerably better.

“Students from Yu Zhou Second Middle School, for instance, must have witnessed far more impressive opening ceremonies; their academic tours involve trips to Jiangnan water towns for sketching,” Ai Man remarked, her conversational tone quite lively. If some first-year boys were to witness ‘Sister Ai’ engaging in such extended conversation with a male peer, they would likely experience considerable discontent.

‘Sister Ai’ was recognized as a ‘celebrity’ one grade above, her status comparable to that of Zhou Jinglan.

“Therefore, I believe ordinary performances might not capture their attention. So, Jiang Ning, fancy a collaboration?” she extended her hand, her eyes sparkling with an inviting allure.

During the previous year’s New Year’s Eve party, Jiang Ning’s ‘Fire God’ act had been incredibly spectacular, and Ai Man still had no idea how he had achieved such an effect.

Later on, Ai Man had discussed Jiang Ning with Yao Yiyao and gathered some insights into his background.

“Yao Yiyao might even come to watch,” Ai Man mentioned.

Jiang Ning asked, “You know her?”

“We’re old acquaintances,” she replied.

Jiang Ning nodded, stating, “I’ll have to consider it. You understand, I already have a partner.”

Ai Man appeared prepared for this response, asking, “Could I perhaps invite her to join my dance team?”

Jiang Ning looked at her appraisingly, “Do you think you can enlist her?”

Bai Yuxia, despite her fondness for eavesdropping on gossip, staying up late watching movies, and maintaining an innocent facade, was, from Jiang Ning’s perspective, not someone who easily conceded. In fact, she could be quite headstrong at times.

Ai Man responded with a radiant smile, clenching her fist, “There are always more solutions than problems!”

“If that’s the case, we’ll undoubtedly make a significant impression on countless high school students!”

Jiang Ning let out a soft chuckle.

Ai Man interpreted his reaction as happiness regarding the prospect, recognizing that this was by no means a minor undertaking.

Ai Man firmly declared, “Let’s collaborate! It's a rare opportunity, you wouldn’t want to pass it up, would you?”

...

In a relatively secluded open space, Cui Yu and Liu Chuandao were observing Yun Tingting play badminton, while also taking turns in a queue to participate.

“Brother Nan, stop running and take a break!” Cui Yu called out.

Guo Kunnan paused his running for a few seconds. Upon noticing that the dance team had ceased their training, his enthusiasm plummeted by a dramatic ninety percent.

He immediately stepped out of the running formation to rest. As he withdrew, the students remaining in the team cast dismissive glances his way, one commenting, “Already quitting?”

Cui Yu exclaimed, “Damn, those guys are competing even during practice!”

Guo Kunnan caught his breath and said, “Don’t even get me started. There’s this first-year student named Zhao Zhengyao, you know, the one decked out in full Nike gear? He’s incredibly arrogant, boasting that he narrowly missed breaking his middle school’s record by just 0.1 seconds.”

Liu Chuandao inquired, "What was their middle school record?"

Guo Kunnan responded, "I believe it was 11.6 seconds, though Zhao Zhengyao clocked in at 11.5."

Cui Yu commented, "Not too shabby."

A nearby student athlete remarked, "You consider that 'not bad'? That's practically the standard for a second-level athlete, almost a perfect score on the sports aptitude test."

Guo Kunnan interjected, "Let's not dwell on it; it's quite disheartening. Let's just focus on Tingting!"

The sports student fell silent, and all eyes turned to admire Tingting's striking figure, creating a remarkably serene atmosphere.

On the running track, a group of students continued their training. As they passed the spectator stand, Gu Wei halted their progress.

Zhao Zhengyao, observing the dance troupe, deliberately called out, "Teacher, why are we stopping? It's hardly strenuous!"

"Indeed, let's keep going, keep going!"

Many members of the dance team showed great enthusiasm, eager to impress the opposite sex.

Dan Kaiquan cast a glance at Zhao Zhengyao, acknowledging the latter's proficiency but noting the formidable competition from Fourth Middle School, where athletes had already achieved 11.23 seconds the previous year.

"Too full of himself," Dan Kaiquan mused.

Gu Wei announced, "Let's take a break."

His primary reason was his own disinterest in continuing; a girl introduced by a female acquaintance had just sent him a text message.

Zhao Zhengyao conceded, "Alright, we've been practicing for half the day!"

Upon stopping, he surveyed the stands. Beside Sister Ai, a young man was casually sipping cola and engaging in lively conversation with the girl Zhao Zhengyao fancied.

Zhao Zhengyao couldn't help but voice his opinion, "Some students truly lack ambition; it seems they only come to the field to mess around!"

He projected an air of superiority, judging the lazy ones with his own disciplined approach to training.

His words went unnoticed by the surrounding students.

A first-year student posed a question, "Mr. Gu, do you believe our school has a solid chance of clinching the championship?"

Gu Wei shook his head, replying, "It will be challenging, very challenging. However, in certain events, we might stand a fighting chance, such as the 100 meters, high jump, 200 meters, and shot put..."

Zhao Zhengyao interjected, "I've signed up for the 100 meters. I ran it in 11.5 seconds back in middle school last year, nearly setting the school sports meet record. But I'm convinced I actually broke it; they used manual timing back then, whereas now we have electronic timing!"

Gu Wei offered encouragement, "Give it your best shot. You have a strong foundation, and with further practice, our school record is definitely attainable."

Zhao Zhengyao inquired with a laugh, "What is our school's current 100-meter record?"

Dan Kaiquan promptly answered, "10.86 seconds."

Zhao Zhengyao appeared taken aback, exclaiming, "That fast?"

Dan Kaiquan affirmed, "Yes."

After a moment's thought, Zhao Zhengyao mused, "Those seniors who set the records were certainly skilled, but it was likely manual timing back then, not as precise as electronic. We should probably add about 0.2 seconds, making it effectively 11.06 seconds. Still quite impressive, though."

Gu Wei corrected him, "No, that record was set Using electronic timing."

Numerous first-year students expressed surprise, asking, "Has Fourth Middle School been utilizing electronic timing for that long?"

Gu Wei, brimming with pride as he stood at the pinnacle of his career as a PE teacher at Fourth Middle School, declared, "Our school adopted electronic timing last year, and the record was indeed broken last year as well."

A first-year student inquired, "Was it set by someone from the sports team?"

Gu Wei shook his head, replying, "No."

He paused for a moment, then began to walk, stating, "Never mind, let me escort you to meet him. Follow me!"

A contingent of new students followed suit. They traversed the track, and Gu Wei eventually stopped before Jiang Ning, introducing him with fanfare, "This is our school's triple crown champion, Jiang Ning!"

Zhao Zhengyao stared at Jiang Ning, disbelief etched on his face: "How is this even possible?!"

Ai Man, who had been conversing with Jiang Ning, displayed a look of bewilderment upon hearing the introduction.

Gu Wei elaborated, "Jiang Ning shattered three records at last year's sports meet: the 100 meters, high jump, and 200 meters! He's our star player for this upcoming three-city sports competition!"

Ai Man's expression shifted from shock to a subtle hint of awkwardness.

She turned back to look at Jiang Ning, her eyes conveying a flicker of unspoken resentment.

"Why didn't you mention this sooner?!" she silently fumed.