Senior, Stop Pretending to be an Alpha - Chapter 43

The heavy rain lasted for three consecutive days before gradually tapering off in the middle of the night. As soon as the rain ceased, the temperature surged back up, becoming unbearably hot.

The long-awaited bright sunshine enveloped the campus, and the sports meet, postponed for so long, finally officially began amidst everyone’s eager anticipation.

 

The sports representative had previously encouraged everyone to sign up to contribute to the class. Since no one dared to register for the long-distance events, Yu Qiao signed up for the 3,000-meter run. She was used to morning jogs, so long-distance running was relatively easy for her.

 

After all the freshman classes finished their march-past, the school leaders delivered speeches on stage. She was busy helping write encouragement drafts below the stage until Lu Yun lightly nudged her arm.

 

“Look! Senior Xie is coming out!”

 

Yu Qiao immediately looked up. She saw an orderly formation approaching the rostrum from the end of the plastic track.

 

Xie Bufei stood at the very front, holding the Class Plate for the sophomores, walking with a graceful and elegant gait.

 

She wore a gray suit jacket, with a white shirt outlining her exquisite curves. As she walked, her plaid skirt swayed from side to side. Her legs were slender and long, her features vivid and bright, radiating youthful energy.

 

The boys behind her all wore black suits, and the girls, like her, wore uniform skirts, yet they were far less eye-catching than she was.

 

A wave of cheers erupted from the spectator stands.

 

“Wuuu, Goddess looks way too good today!”

 

“Is there any day the school beauty doesn’t look good? That face, those legs, that waist… I love it so much…”

 

Yu Qiao dazed for a moment, then suddenly saw Xie Bufei look up and glance toward her direction. She smiled with curved eyes and gave a secret wink.

 

She looked exceptionally beautiful when she smiled; Yu Qiao’s heart skipped a beat. The people sitting in front of her broke out into a howl: “Goddess seems to be smiling at me! She has me in her heart!”

 

“Bullshit, she was clearly looking at me!”

 

Yao Rudong smirked. “She was looking at you just now, wasn’t she, Qiaoqiao?”

 

Yu Qiao silently pushed up her glasses, her cheeks burning. “Mhm.”

 

By extension, Senior has me in her heart too.

 

The 3,000-meter race was held in the afternoon, while the morning was dedicated to sprints and high jumps. Yu Qiao followed Lu Yun and several classmates to the high jump area to cheer for Yao Rudong, who was about to compete.

 

“You guys came just in time. Help me pin this number plate.” Yao Rudong turned around, her tone complaining. “I’m so annoyed! I accidentally dropped it just now. Luckily, I noticed early.”

 

Lu Yun took the number plate and safety pins from her, laughing. “You’re amazing. It was pinned so tightly, yet it still fell off.”

 

Yu Qiao stood to the side and handed Yao Rudong a bottle of mineral water.

 

The crowd was bustling. When she looked up, she saw a figure standing in the shade not far away.

 

The girl’s features were delicate and pretty, like a pale and fragile porcelain doll, yet her gaze was heavy, cold, and vicious—reminiscent of a poisonous snake living in a place where the sun never shines.

 

The girl watched Yu Qiao from a distance and suddenly gave a small smile. Her lips moved, soundlessly saying something.

 

Then her expression became innocent and guileless again, as if that previous malice had merely been Yu Qiao’s hallucination.

 

Yu Qiao couldn’t help but frown. Before she could look closer, someone happened to walk by; when they moved away, Xie Ke was no longer in that spot.

 

“Qiaoqiao, what are you looking at?” Lu Yun’s voice sounded in her ear as she patted Yu Qiao’s shoulder. “The competition is starting.”

 

Yu Qiao turned back and said flatly, “Nothing.”

 

The referee blew the whistle; it was Yao Rudong’s turn for the high jump.

 

The first time, she accidentally knocked the bar down, landing on the mat in an incredibly clumsy posture, drawing a wave of laughter from the surroundings.

 

Yao Rudong said casually, “A mistake, a mistake. Can I try again?”

 

The referee laughed. “Sure, everyone has three chances.”

 

On the second try, Yao Rudong cleared it smoothly. The students of Class A immediately clapped and cheered. “Good! That was impressive!”

 

“One more chance, want to jump?” the referee asked her.

 

Yao Rudong waved her hand. “No more. This was already an extraordinary performance for me.” She felt that clearing it once was a victory.

 

She walked over to Yu Qiao, who looked at her with admiration. “You jumped very well.”

 

Lu Yun added, “Consider it as bringing honor to our class.”

 

Yao Rudong grinned widely, feigning modesty. “Don’t, it wasn’t that exaggerated.”

 

While she gulped down water, she asked Yu Qiao, “Do you know what event Senior Xie signed up for this time?”

 

“She signed up for the long jump,” Yu Qiao said. “It’s in the afternoon.”

 

“The long jump and the long-distance run aren’t at the same time, are they?” Yao Rudong asked in surprise. “Will you have time to see her compete?”

 

Lu Yun checked the schedule and said slowly, “They are at the same time. However, the long jump will finish first, so she should have time to come and cheer for you then.”

 

Yao Rudong sighed, “Oh, why did you pick the 3,000-meter run of all things? It’s tiring and a hassle!”

 

Lu Yun gave a bitter smile. “If she didn’t go, no one in our class would be willing.”

 

Yu Qiao said calmly, “It’s fine. I’m used to running.”

 

When she had lunch with Xie Bufei at noon, she brought this up. The latter had an “I already guessed it” expression. “I knew you would sign up for the long-distance run.”

 

Yu Qiao felt a bit of regret. “I might not make it in time to cheer for you.”

 

Xie Bufei chuckled. “It’s fine. It’s the same if I go to find you.”

 

Yu Qiao nodded, then paused, hesitating. “Senior, keep an eye on Xie Ke these few days.”

 

Xie Bufei raised an eyebrow. “What kind of trouble is she stirring up again?”

 

“Nothing specific. She’s just been acting a bit strange lately, so I wanted to remind you.”

 

Xie Bufei blinked. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

 

After finishing lunch, they headed to the playground together; many people had already arrived. Just before parting, Xie Bufei hooked her index finger at Yu Qiao, signaling her to hold out her hand.

 

“Here, for encouragement.”

 

Yu Qiao opened her palm, and a light-blue candy landed softly in her hand.

 

“If you eat this candy, you’ll take first place.” Xie Bufei acted serious, speaking mysteriously. “Do you believe me?”

 

Despite there being no scientific basis, Yu Qiao still nodded. “I believe you.”

 

“Why do you believe everything I say…” Xie Bufei couldn’t help but laugh. Her eyes curved as she reached out to ruffle Yu Qiao’s hair. “Qiaoqiao is too obedient.”

 

Yu Qiao swayed under her touch but smiled foolishly along with her, whispering, “As long as it’s something Senior says, I’ll believe it.”

 

Xie Bufei froze for a moment. A flash of inexplicable emotion crossed her eyes, disappearing as quickly as it had arrived.

 

She lowered her eyelids and gave a very faint smile, her voice soft. “Okay, I’m heading back to my class first.”

 

She waved at Yu Qiao with a smile and turned to leave.

 

Yu Qiao watched her walk away, then looked down at the candy. The cellophane wrapper reflected a spectrum of colors in the sunlight, like a transparent soap bubble.

 

She felt inexplicably happy. Even though it was just a piece of candy, it felt like something more. Perhaps what mattered wasn’t the candy itself, but the special meaning behind it.

 

She had never thought about striving for the championship, but since Senior believed she could take first place, she definitely would.

 

By the time the competition began, the temperature had risen a few more degrees, and the sun was so dazzling it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.

 

The check-in for both the 3,000-meter run and the long jump began. Yu Qiao placed the candy in her pocket without unwrapping it. She wanted to keep it safe and eat it only after achieving victory.

 

Lu Yun pinned the number plate for her and said, “Run slowly, don’t rush. It’s the taking part that counts.”

 

Yao Rudong was more nervous than she was. “Are your laces tied? Have you warmed up? Go, Qiaoqiao!”

 

The sports representative came over with a few classmates to cheer for her too. The track was surrounded by people.

 

Yu Qiao scanned the area but didn’t see Xie Bufei.

 

She took a deep breath, stepped onto the plastic track, and felt the round hard candy through her pocket. In the next second, the referee blew the whistle, and the group of runners surged forward.

 

Instantly, screams and cheers washed over them like an overwhelming tide. Yu Qiao stayed in the middle-rear position. She was used to maintaining a steady pace and wasn’t in a hurry to be first.

 

Several girls from her class stood on the green lawn, shouting her name at the top of their lungs: “Yu Qiao! Go! Go!”

After a lap and a half, several people in the lead began to lose steam and fell behind. Some stopped mid-run, clutching their stomachs and slowing to a walk.

Maintaining a steady pace and breathing, Yu Qiao gradually overtook several runners.

 

She felt someone run up beside her, matching her speed.

 

The weather was sweltering; the track felt like it was burning the soles of her feet, and Yu Qiao could taste a metallic, rust-like tang with every breath. She glanced to her side and was surprised to see Xie Bufei.

 

Thinking she had misidentified her, Yu Qiao widened her eyes. Xie Bufei took the opportunity to hand her an already opened bottle of mineral water. “Want some?”

 

Yu Qiao took a few sips, the icy moisture alleviating the dizziness brought on by the heat.

 

“No rush, I’ll run with you,” Xie Bufei said softly, taking the bottle back. “Keep your rhythm. Just one lap left.”

 

Yu Qiao hummed in response, a warm current surging through her heart.

 

During the final lap, the energy Yu Qiao had conserved earlier came into play as she began to accelerate.

 

She quickly overtook one person, then two, then three. She continued to speed up, surging ahead and leaving the third-place runner far behind until she reached the second-place position.

 

The students from Class 1 of the Computer Science Department started screaming. The runner in first place felt the threat and quickened her pace as well. Yu Qiao stayed pinned tightly behind her, the gap between them closing rapidly.

 

With a hundred meters left to the finish line, Xie Bufei ran beside her, her voice urgent: “Almost there!”

 

Yu Qiao inhaled sharply, her strides lengthening as she ran faster and faster.

 

In a sudden burst, she overtook the lead and crossed the finish line.

 

The students from Class 1 swarmed her instantly, surrounding her in a celebratory huddle.

 

“Yu Qiao! You’re amazing!”

 

“Yes! We got first place! Ahhh!”

 

Yu Qiao gasped for air, her heart feeling as if it would burst through her chest. Her body went limp, and she fell uncontrollably into Xie Bufei’s arms.

 

Xie Bufei caught her steadily, supporting Yu Qiao’s shoulder with one hand. She whispered, “Don’t stop. Walk for a bit longer.”

 

Yu Qiao blinked slowly, her cheeks flushed with post-exercise heat, her body entirely spent.

 

She buried her face in the crook of Xie Bufei’s neck, tightly clutching the older girl’s waist. In her daze, she seemed to hear a heartbeat—thumping rhythmically.

 

Seeing this, Yao Rudong and Lu Yun tactfully refrained from interrupting. The two girls walked dozens of meters down the track. Despite the shouting and cheering around them, they were very quiet, hearing only the sound of their own hearts.

 

Regaining her senses, Yu Qiao looked up to find Xie Bufei looking down at her with a faint, gentle smile.

 

Yu Qiao smiled back shyly and reached habitually for her pocket, but her expression suddenly froze.

 

She pursed her lips, her gaze turning lost and bewildered.

 

Noticing something was wrong, Xie Bufei asked softly, “What happened?”

 

“Senior, the candy you gave me is gone,” Yu Qiao whispered, looking around at the ground.

 

“You didn’t eat it?” Xie Bufei paused. “It probably fell out while you were running.”

 

“I’ll go look for it,” Yu Qiao said, stepping toward the synthetic grass inside the track. Xie Bufei followed closely behind. They circled the area once, but the candy was nowhere to be found.

 

“I lost it…”

 

Yu Qiao’s head slumped. Her footsteps slowed as she stopped by the side of the path, looking like a dejected puppy.

 

“Forget it if you can’t find it,” Xie Bufei comforted her gently. “It’s okay.”

 

Yu Qiao kept her lips pursed, a dark cloud hanging over her. Her expression didn’t improve; she looked inexplicably aggrieved.

 

Xie Bufei let out a soft laugh. She cupped Yu Qiao’s face with both hands and pinched her cheeks lightly. “Alright, alright! Qiaoqiao, don’t be unhappy, okay?”

 

Dejected, Yu Qiao’s eyelashes fluttered as she muttered, “I was planning to eat it only after I got first place.”

 

Xie Bufei said, “It’s just a normal mint candy. You don’t need to be so stressed.”

 

Yu Qiao looked at her, her tone unexpectedly stubborn. “No, it’s different.”

 

Xie Bufei was stunned, looking at her with a hint of surprise.

 

After a moment of silence, she took Yu Qiao by the wrist and led her out of the playground.

 

Yu Qiao followed behind her with her head down as they entered a convenience store.

 

Xie Bufei grabbed several large bags of candy from the shelf and handed them to the counter.

 

“Why are you buying so much? Can you finish them all?” the owner asked in surprise.

 

“I have no choice. The little one wants to eat them,” Xie Bufei smiled.

 

Yu Qiao stole a glance and saw the bags were filled with the same sparkling blue candies Xie Bufei had given her earlier.

 

Her ears burned instantly, and she let out a silly “ah.”

 

So she came here to buy more candy…

 

It was strange. That nickname made it feel like Xie Bufei was teasing her on purpose.

 

Xie Bufei led Yu Qiao out the door and turned to stuff the bags of candy into her arms.

 

“Hold onto these, little one.” Her eyes shimmered with amusement, her voice tender. “Don’t be sad anymore.”

 

Feeling deeply sheepish, Yu Qiao asked, “Senior, why do you call me ‘little one’?”

 

“Because I want to coax you,” Xie Bufei hummed. “Being so aggrieved just like a child.”

 

Yu Qiao muttered, “But I’m only a year younger than you.”

 

“I don’t care. You’re still a ‘little one’ to me.” Xie Bufei pinched the tip of her nose and gave a mischievous grin. “You should call me ‘Sister’.”

 

Yu Qiao pursed her lips in embarrassment, her eyelashes trembling. She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

 

She was an only child who rarely interacted with relatives and had never called anyone “Sister.” For a moment, she felt incredibly shy.

 

It felt as if there was a deeper meaning layered within that title.

 

Xie Bufei didn’t intend to force her. She smiled and turned to walk away, only to hear Yu Qiao whisper very softly:

 

“Sister.”