Chapter 53: The Women’s 100-Meter Heat

Chen Dahai came running over.

“The referee teachers are coming. The women’s 100 meters should start soon.”

Xu Chen asked, “Are you done with your business?”

Chen Dahai replied, “All set.”

Xu Chen pressed, “What place did you get?”

Chen Dahai smiled.

“I finished second. That Experimental High girl is a monster—just too strong to beat.”

Wang Liang chimed in from the side,

“Bing Ge, we’ll guard the track for you!”

Xie Bingran nodded and whispered earnestly, “Thanks!”

Wang Liang gave an awkward, honest smile, looking every bit like Bing Ge’s little fanboy.

He signaled to a few teammates and spread out along the 100-meter lanes.

Lowering his voice, Chen Dahai said,

“I’ve talked things through with Teacher Chen Ming. The Experimental High referees have been greased in advance.”

Xu Chen patted Chen Dahai’s shoulder and said sincerely, “I don’t know how to thank you!”

Chen Dahai laughed, “No need, Young Master Xu.”

Just then, two referee teachers came into view from afar.

“Women’s 100 meters, get ready…”

The two referees, one fat and one thin, reached the track area.

The heavyset one, with a beer belly, was Lu Qiang, Experimental High’s track coach.

The lean, delicate-faced one was Chen Ming, Chen Dahai’s younger uncle and PE teacher at First High.

Seeing Chen Ming, Chen Dahai raised a hand in greeting.

Chen Ming spotted Chen Dahai and naturally saw Xu Chen and Xie Bingran beside him. He nodded slightly, then shot Chen Dahai a strange look.

But Chen Dahai didn’t seem to notice anything odd.

“Women’s 100 meters starts in ten minutes. Now—roll call!”

Lu Qiang held the list and began calling names.

About twenty girls instantly gathered, including Tian Chaorui.

Lu Qiang’s voice boomed as he called the groups one by one.

Xu Chen frowned and whispered to Chen Dahai, “Something’s off with Teacher Chen Ming.”

Chen Dahai froze, then looked back at Chen Ming, realizing he really was signaling.

Xu Chen said, “Go ask him directly.”

Chen Dahai agreed and, during the list call, slipped over to Chen Ming.

From a distance, Xu Chen watched them whisper. Chen Dahai’s face turned panicked.

“Wait here,” he mouthed to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen told Xie Bingran, then strode over to join them.

He approached with a polite smile. “Hello, Teacher Chen Ming.”

Chen Ming nodded but deliberately stepped back a few paces and turned away.

Chen Dahai then whispered urgently,

“Crap… Experimental High swapped in a different referee at the last minute.

The one we greased got sent to another event.”

Xu Chen said, “Don’t panic. What did Teacher Chen Ming say?”

Chen Dahai replied, “He asked if I had any more Hua Zi… but I’d already given mine away.”

Xu Chen chuckled, “I thought it was something big.”

He took off his backpack and pulled out two packs of high-end cigarettes, slipping them into Chen Dahai’s hand.

“Young Master Xu, you actually have a couple left…I thought you’d given them all to me.”

Xu Chen grinned, “I figured we might need backups. Didn’t expect to actually use them.”

He added, “If Hua Zi can fix it, then it’s no problem!”

Without another word, Chen Dahai moved behind Chen Ming and quietly handed over the cigarettes.

Xu Chen avoided attention and hurried back to Xie Bingran’s side.

Xie Bingran asked, “What happened?”

Xu Chen replied, “Nothing to worry about.”

Referee Lu Qiang finished roll call quickly.

All but one girl—absent due to injury—were present.

“Check your lane numbers according to group assignments.”

“Teacher Chen Ming will handle timing at the finish line.”

Lu Qiang glanced at his watch and announced,

“First heat, five contestants—onto the track!”

Five track-and-field students in spikes slapped their bodies and took their lanes.

Meanwhile, many PE students crowded the field.

The 100-meter dash always draws a big crowd.

Hearing the women’s heat start soon, those not competing naturally came to watch.

Xu Chen glanced at Xie Bingran and nodded at her.

She silently slipped into lane six, hands in her pockets.

She wore a long-sleeve tracksuit and bright red racing spikes.

Next to the others in shorts and singlets, she stood out distinctly.

As a real person on the track, Bing Ge immediately caught the attention of lanes one through five—they all turned to look.

Three of the five were from First High. Spotting Bing Ge, they froze and dared not speak.

Ahead on the side, Wang Liang and the others stood in lane eight, clearly clearing the way so no one would stray into seven.

Coach Lu Qiang spotted Xie Bingran’s sudden appearance.

“Non-competitors, leave the track! Don’t interfere!”

Xie Bingran remained silent but glanced at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen said nothing, just nodded to her—“Stay calm.”

The onlookers immediately noticed the scene.

Students from First High recognized Bing Ge, and chatter rose.

“Isn’t that Xie Bingran?”

“She was expelled this morning. Why is she on the track?”

“What’s going on? Bing Ge’s running 100 meters?”

“That’s your school’s Bing Ge… she’s definitely special!”

…

Referee Lu Qiang, Experimental High’s PE teacher, didn’t recognize Xie Bingran.

He shouted, annoyed that she didn’t move.

Teacher Chen Ming suddenly stepped forward, whispered to Lu Qiang.

Xu Chen saw Chen Ming slip the two packs of cigarettes into Lu Qiang’s hand…

Nearby, waiting to race, Tian Chaorui glanced sideways at Xie Bingran.

“Xie Bingran, you really plan to run?” she sneered.

Xie Bingran didn’t respond.

Tian Chaorui’s tone was taunting:

“I’m in the second heat. Want to race me?”

Xie Bingran remained impassive.

Tian Chaorui laughed, then turned to Lu Qiang,

“Coach Lu, can you move her to heat two? I want to run against her!”

Lu Qiang returned to the track, his pockets bulging with cigarettes.

He eyed Tian Chaorui, knowing her reputation as the city’s top woman sprinter—she’d even joined the Provincial Team.

“Ridiculous! Even in a prelim, rules are rules. You can’t switch heats at will.”

Tian Chaorui’s face fell.

She glanced at Xie Bingran and said,

“Teacher… she didn’t sign up, did she?”

Lu Qiang hesitated, then glanced at Chen Ming.

Chen Ming said, “This student’s already been cleared with the organizers.”

He offered no further explanation.

Tian Chaorui frowned in confusion.

Before she could speak, Lu Qiang snapped, “Don’t waste time. Heat one, get ready!”