22 : Competition

 The two had just sat down when He Xi, sitting in front of them, turned around: "Brother Mu, do you know what day it is in a few days?"

Chen Zhoumu, propping his head up with his hand, lazily looked at him: "What?"

I knew you'd forgotten—it's the sports competition held by all the universities in Xia City.

"Last year you took leave because of family matters, so you didn't participate, but this year it seems like the schools are taking it quite seriously."

"Especially No. 3 Middle School." He Xi took out his phone: "The people from No. 3 Middle School didn't beat us in the last joint exam, so this time they seem to be better prepared."

He swiped across the screen, then handed the phone over: "Here, it seems like one of No. 3 Middle School's international students is coming back this year, supposedly for this competition."

"That person used to study at No. 3 Middle School, and supposedly almost got selected for the national team, but later went abroad because of family reasons."

Chen Zhoumu glanced at the phone; the person in the photo was wearing a trench coat, black-rimmed glasses, and had striking blue hair—the whole person was just—pretentious.

He gave a somewhat uninteresting "hmm" and then looked away.

"Tsk tsk, another handsome guy. Looks like this competition is going to be interesting." He Xi put away his phone.

Just then, the school bell rang, and Jiang Man walked in from the doorway a moment later, her brows furrowed.

She placed the documents in her hand on the table: "The sports competition is in two weeks. This time, the participating teams are the Second Middle School sports team, the Experimental Middle School team, the Third Middle School sports department, the Seventh Middle School sports group, and our school's team."

She paused for a moment: "This time, all the schools are very well prepared, but our school's boys' volleyball team is missing three people. Does anyone in our class know how to play volleyball?"

As soon as she said this, the students below started to discuss. He Xi turned around and nudged the person who was about to fall asleep: "Brother Mu, don't you know how to play volleyball?"

Chen Zhoumu opened his eyes: "Really? How come I didn't know I knew how to play volleyball?"

"You don't know how? I remember you did."

He casually shook his head and then lay down with his school uniform under his hand.

“If any students who play volleyball can come to my office after class, I can talk to you about it. Time is tight. It's supposed to be a normal competition, but this year the national team will be coming down to select players.”

Jiang Man sighed and continued, “Whether we win or lose is another matter. Our school isn't like our school, which has art and sports students, but we still need to show our attitude. Even if we don't excel, we still need to give them face.”

After class, Jiang Man went to the back and called Song Shi into her office.

Song Shi stood by the familiar desk. Jiang Man, sitting in a chair, asked him about his life as usual, then moved an unused stool next to him. She looked at the man, who had grown considerably taller, and nodded with satisfaction.

“Song Shi, when I looked at your file last time, I saw that you participated in the national team volleyball competition in Guangzhou and won second prize. I wanted to ask if you would like to participate this time?”

“If you don’t want to, the teacher won’t force you; I’m just asking for your opinion. Xiacheng isn’t a very developed county, and very few families have access to sports like volleyball and can provide excellent training.”

Jiang Man then frowned, looking conflicted. “But the teacher is just asking for your opinion. There aren’t many students in the other classes who have played volleyball.”

She picked up the water on the table, took a few sips, and sighed several times since the topic was first brought up. “But the teacher is just asking for your opinion; if you don’t want to go…”

Song Shi: “…I’ll go.”

Jiang Man took the water… The cup paused, then he grinned and quickly took out a piece of paper from the cabinet: "Okay, then fill out this list."

After Song Shi returned to his seat, Chen Zhoumu was already awake. He leaned against the wall, looking at the person who had returned from the office, his voice a little hoarse from just waking up: "What did Mantou call you for?"

Song Shi took out his workbook from his desk, casually grabbed a bottle of milk from the drawer without looking around: "Joining the volleyball team."

Chen Zhoumu was stunned, his eyes widening slightly: "Huh? What?"

He Xi, who had turned around at some point, said: "Brother Shi said he joined the volleyball team."

"You play volleyball? I've never heard you mention it?" Chen Zhoumu raised an eyebrow, looking at the person who was doing his work.

"Do I have to tell you everything?" Song Shi looked up at him, puzzled.

Chen Zhoumu had asked the question anyway, not expecting a reply from Song Shi—he did this every day—but Song Shi turned to look at him.

He stared blankly at the other person. The light from the window shone on Song Shi's face. His hair was a bit messy from not sleeping well last night, with a single stray hair sticking up.

His eyelids drooped slightly, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His expressionless face looked distant and cold, but he had a bottle of incongruous pure milk in his mouth.

He had bought this milk for Song Shi. This person didn't like to eat breakfast in the morning, so he had prepared a lot of milk for him to prevent low blood sugar.

The other person's lips were pink, with some white marks at the corners of his mouth. The white milk slid down his throat and into his stomach.

Chen Zhoumu's throat tightened, and his Adam's apple bobbed imperceptibly. He then looked away from the other person's face, giving a somewhat blank "hmm." Song Shi

glanced at the other person, then crushed the empty milk carton in his hand and casually threw it into the trash can not far behind him.

Just as he was about to turn around and continue doing his homework, he heard the person sitting next to him speak: "Is that milk good?"

"Do you want some?" Song Shi reached into the desk drawer and took out a bottle, handing it to him.

Chen Zhoumu shifted his gaze again, this time avoiding the other person's face. The outstretched hand had slender, pale fingers with a faint pink tinge.

He blinked hurriedly, took the milk offered, and knew from the unintentional touch that the other person was rather cold.

During the afternoon break, Jiang Man asked the two of them to go to volleyball practice. He Xi looked at Chen Zhoumu suspiciously: "Brother Mu, when did you tell Mantou that? Wait! Didn't you say you can't play volleyball?"

Chen Zhoumu stood up from his seat and looked down at her: "Really? When did I say that?"

"Just this morning."

"Really? Forgot."

He Xi watched the two of them leave: "It's not that I forgot, it looks like it was for someone. Sigh, are we still brothers?"

*

The two of them ran into Jiang Man on their way from the teaching building to the indoor stadium. She came over: "I wasn't planning on having you come, didn't you have a cold this time?"

"It's nothing, Mantou, just a little cold." Chen Zhoumu smiled.

"If you sweat a lot while playing ball and it gets worse, who's to blame?"

"I'm not that fragile. Don't believe me? Ask Song. I'm perfectly healthy."

Jiang Man glanced at Song Shi, who was standing to the side, seemingly unconcerned. He ignored the trash talk and nodded at Jiang Man.

She didn't really believe Chen Zhoumu, but she inexplicably trusted Song Shi.

She nodded and said to the two of them, "Be careful. Although we don't have a chance to win this time, we should at least beat Experimental Middle School. Practice hard."

After Jiang Man left, the two continued walking. Chen Zhoumu casually asked, "Why didn't you ask me how I know how to play volleyball?"

Song Shi gave a speechless sneer, "I'm not that bored."

"Oh, I was just concerned about my deskmate."

The stadium at No. 1 Middle School wasn't very big because it wasn't a comprehensive high school like No. 7 Middle School. Here, academics were the main focus, and the sports team was just going through the motions. They weren't professional, but they could still participate in some competitions, big and small.

There were only about two volleyball courts, one indoor and one outdoor, with the outdoor court being much larger.

This training session was outdoors.

Two of the three missing players were from Class 1, and the other was the sports committee member from Class 3.

He was a local from Xia City, very tall, with dark skin, but he looked very upright.

Upon seeing them, he grinned and walked over to greet them, "I know you two. My name is He Dong, from Class 3. I'm He Xi's older brother."

Song Shi nodded and gave his name, while Chen Zhoumu, standing next to him, put his arm around the other man's shoulder like a good friend. "Chen Zhoumu, just call me Xiao Mu."

"We've met before, haven't we?" Chen Zhoumu handed him an unopened bottle of water.

"Yes, we met last year at Xiao Xi's birthday party," He Dong waved his hand, indicating he wasn't thirsty.

"Xiao Xi's grades are also thanks to your help. I'll treat you to a meal sometime."

"You're welcome."

A man in all-black sportswear walked over from not far away, his face very amiable: "Since we already know each other, there's no need to get to know each other better. My name is Xu Sen, the volleyball coach."

"This time the time is quite tight. You only have less than two weeks to train and get used to the team."

"I heard from others that a very strong player came to No. 3 Middle School this time. He can play volleyball, air volleyball, basketball, and other sports, but don't be nervous. He might not be able to match us."

Xu Sen looked at the things in his hands: "We are missing two positions this time, and one more person will be a substitute player."

"The two positions are middle blocker and libero. The requirements for libero are higher. Given Chen's physical condition this time, you have been placed in the substitute position."

The person standing next to him smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Song Shi, who was standing to the side, looked at the person with a casual posture. The requirements for the substitute player are the highest. He has to be able to play any position.

"Next up are the positions for the two players. Song Shi will be the libero, and He Dong will be the middle blocker

. Let's try it out first, and if it doesn't work, we'll change them." After making all the decisions, Xu Sen led the three towards the volleyball court.

Those who were practicing freely all turned to look.

Xu Sen, standing at the front, clapped his hands and then introduced the three players' positions.

He had spent the first half hour leading the team in warm-ups.

Xu Sen checked their basic skills; they were all quite good. "Ten-minute break."

Song Shi sat down to the side, and someone handed him water. His phone, which was in his pocket, vibrated.

He took it out and unlocked it; there were several messages, all from someone whose profile picture was a dog.

TT: [Emoji jpg.]

TT: [Luckily, I didn't block him.]

TT: [Shishi, I'm back!]

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