Chapter 26: The Parade at the Sports Meet—Bai Qingxia Carries the Placard?

After speaking, Lu Yuanqiu lowered his head and gazed at the beautiful young girl, meeting her eyes with a smile in his own. Bai Qingxia withdrew her gaze, seeming to fall into quiet contemplation. Her fingers tightened instinctively, yet she couldn’t bear to crease the red banknote in her hand.

Seeing her still hesitating, Lu Yuanqiu felt not impatience, but a pang of tenderness. It was only fifty yuan, yet she seemed to be making a life-or-death decision.

He offered a suggestion, “How about this? You buy it first, and after the sports meet is over, you can sell me the one you wore for eighty percent of its price.”

Bai Qingxia looked at him in confusion.

Lu Yuanqiu, however, was utterly serious as he reminded her, “Don’t wash it. I want it just the way it is.”

…

That evening, upon returning home, Lu Yuanqiu saw his parents sitting in the living room, wearing subtle expressions as they looked at him. Clearly, Lu Tian had already shared today’s events with his wife.

“Listen, if you don’t make it into the top thirty-five in your class, I really mean what I said: whether your secret crush wants to leave or not, she’ll have to, and you know your old man is perfectly capable of turning his back on you.”

Lu Yuanqiu snorted lightly, not bothering to reply.

Su Xiaoya, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned about any of this, curious only about another matter. “Lao Lu, you said that girl’s really pretty, is that true?”

Lu Tian frowned. “Why would I lie? She looks like a goddess. Who’d have thought there’d be such a good-looking girl in this brat’s high school? It’s honestly bizarre, I never saw her once at a parent-teacher meeting.”

“Next time there’s a parent-teacher conference for our son, let me go. I want to see her for myself.” Su Xiaoya sounded inexplicably excited.

She worked the evening shift, which meant she missed the time when Bai Qingxia worked at the supermarket.

Lu Tian turned to his son, curious. “What does that girl’s family do? Judging by her looks and bearing, she doesn’t seem like she comes from an ordinary background. Why is she short of money, anyway?”

Lu Yuanqiu shrugged, filling a glass at the water dispenser to show he didn’t know either.

Just from Bai Qingxia’s appearance and demeanor, no one would ever guess that she couldn’t even afford a one-yuan bread roll.

Lu Yuanqiu himself was genuinely curious about her family’s situation. But since this touched on the girl’s privacy, he, though curious, refrained from probing further—such interference would only backfire.

As he was drinking his water, he suddenly noticed his sister’s door open a crack, and the little girl with short hair beckoned him from inside.

“Brother~”

Lu Yuanqiu entered Lu Yidong’s room, and she immediately dragged him to sit by the bed.

“What’s up?”

Lu Yidong’s expression was teasing, her two pale feet rubbing against each other at the bedside. She hugged Lu Yuanqiu’s arm, resting her little head on his shoulder.

“Brother~ Brother~”

“Brother’s always best to me, isn’t that right~?”

Had this been his previous life, Lu Yuanqiu might have gotten goosebumps.

But since his rebirth, he could only sigh that compared to his increasingly annoying sister as she grew older, the little girl version of Lu Yidong was still the cutest.

So at this moment, his sister’s coquettish act was quite pleasing to Lu Yuanqiu.

“What is it? Out with it.”

“Brother, can you go to 65th Middle School tomorrow afternoon and attend the parent-teacher conference for me?”

Lu Yidong bit her lip, speaking shyly.

Lu Yuanqiu’s expression shifted, and he lifted her chin with a pinch. “What’s going on?”

Only then did Lu Yidong, face full of grievance, admit, “I lied to Mom and Dad. I didn’t make the top twenty last semester. If Mom finds out, she’ll tan my hide!”

In this family, Lu Tian only disciplined Lu Yuanqiu, while Su Xiaoya only disciplined Lu Yidong—the division of labor was clear.

“I’ve got class, you know.”

“It’s just one time! Haven’t you skipped before? Would you really let your little sister get a spanking?”

Lu Yidong pouted, her big eyes shimmering with feigned sorrow.

“Fine, but just this once. I really do plan to study hard—I’ve got my own tasks.”

“Yay! Brother, you’re the best!”

Lu Yidong happily nuzzled her head against his arm, as clingy as a little kitten.

Lu Yuanqiu smiled helplessly.

In their family, lying about grades was as serious as lying about military orders on the battlefield. Lu Yuanqiu had always been honest—even if he was dead last, he’d admit it.

…

The next day.

During the big break, Lu Yuanqiu saw Bai Qingxia walking over to class president Wang Haoran with a hundred yuan. After reporting her size, she came back with fifty yuan in hand.

Hu Caiwei glanced back, her expression surprised.

Was Bai Qingxia really going to take part in the sports parade this time?

Would they change the girl holding the placard at the front?

Hu Caiwei turned back, a frown of anxiety knitting her brow.

At last year’s sports meet, she had been the one holding the placard for Class 28. Back then, she’d marched at the front, dazzling everyone. With her personality, she especially enjoyed being in the spotlight.

But if Bai Qingxia joined the parade…

In terms of looks or academics, she couldn’t compete at all. The only thing she might have over Bai Qingxia was her figure.

Hu Caiwei automatically assumed Bai Qingxia always bundled herself up so tightly every day because she didn’t have a good figure.

Back at her seat, Bai Qingxia suddenly murmured quietly to the reading Lu Yuanqiu, “I won’t sell it.”

After that, she turned away, her earlobes flushing red, hiding her delicate profile behind the upright book.

Lu Yuanqiu chuckled softly and went on reading.

By the second period in the afternoon, Bai Qingxia noticed her deskmate was nowhere to be found.

Clearly, he had skipped class.

…

Lu Yuanqiu changed out of his school uniform and into a sweatshirt, hands in his pockets as he strolled toward the gates of 65th Middle School.

It had been a long time since he’d been there, and he couldn’t help but recall the “Overall Uncle” from years ago.

After crossing the street, sure enough, he spotted that familiar figure by the green belt.

Still sitting as upright as ever.

Feeling a pang of nostalgia, Lu Yuanqiu bought two lollipops from the kiosk and walked over.

Lu Yidong had asked him to wait by the school gate until it was time for her to come out for him.

Perfect—Lu Yuanqiu planned to catch up with Overall Uncle.

Sitting down beside the green belt, Lu Yuanqiu handed over a lollipop and unwrapped one for himself.

“Lollipop!”

Overall Uncle took it happily, thanking him. “Thank you!”

He turned around, seemed momentarily confused, then broke into a delighted smile. “Little Monk! Little Monk!”

Lu Yuanqiu grinned. Still the same familiar nickname.

He’d kept his hair cropped short since middle school, so Overall Uncle always called him “Little Monk.” It had been over two years since they’d last met, and yet he still recognized him.

“It’s me,” replied Lu Yuanqiu.

But Overall Uncle ignored him, struggling with the lollipop wrapper. Lu Yuanqiu helped him open it.

Seeing this, Uncle clapped his hands in delight. “So clever! So clever!”

Lu Yuanqiu couldn’t help but ask, “Uncle, how many years have you sat here? What are you waiting for?”

“Waiting for Xia Xia to finish school,” he answered in a soft, childlike voice.

“She’s about to finish school? It’s still early,” Lu Yuanqiu replied absently.

Just then, an old, raspy voice spoke from behind. “He’s waiting for his daughter to finish school, but he always forgets she’s already in high school.”

Lu Yuanqiu turned around to see an elderly sanitation worker. He stood up, meaning to offer a cigarette, but found none—after all, in this new life, he hadn’t picked up the habit.

“You know him, Grandpa?” Lu Yuanqiu sat down to chat.

The old man, with time to spare, sat down beside him. “Of course I do. His family’s truly pitiful. Don’t be fooled by how silly he seems now—back in the ’90s, he was a thriving businessman, rich as anything.”

Lu Yuanqiu glanced at the handsome Overall Uncle, surprised.

ps.

Daily plea for you to keep reading—don’t just hoard the book! The survival of a story depends entirely on your continued reading.