Chapter 127: Showdown of the Hu City Twins

The students around Xu Chen were all cheering for Bai Miao—one half of Tonghai University’s famed “Shanghai Twins.”

Just then, a rousing cheer rose from the stands beside them:

“Like wind and lightning, Dong Jiajia—let your hurdle run shine!”

It came from a group of Huahai Normal University students rallying behind Dong Jiajia.

On this side, Tonghai University’s supporters felt challenged and, led by a girl, launched their own chant:

“Bai Miao, you soar—like an arrow from its bow! Conquer the hurdles, seize the crown!”

“Bai Miao sweeps the hurdles like a breeze—on the 100-meter track, your brilliance shows!”

…

Listening to the deafening slogans, Xu Chen could only stare in disbelief.

He might as well have sat in a powder keg!

To his left, Huahai students rooting for Dong Jiajia—

To his right, Tonghai students backing Bai Miao—

And soon he’d be the lone voice cheering for Xie Bingran.

Just one guy against dozens—this can’t end well…

Surely Teacher Chen Ming didn’t plan this on purpose?!

After a while, the noise died down for a moment.

Then students from both schools unfurled long banners, holding them taut in the back rows.

Xu Chen glanced back: each banner was a pompous, overblown slogan, just like their chants.

…

A moment later, the stands erupted again.

Someone nearby shouted:

“Look! Bai Miao is entering!”

“Dong Jiajia’s here! Start cheering!”

…

Fans on both sides rose, banners held high, voices roaring.

Spectators across the aisles stood too, clapping and leaning forward.

Only then did Xu Chen realize that half the morning crowd had come to see the “Shanghai Twins.”

Competing in Shanghai was practically home turf for the duo.

And home advantage meant overwhelming popularity.

Sure enough, local media had hyped them up as sports stars.

Their duel today had lit up the buzz around the National Youth Athletics Championships.

Suddenly, the giant screen above the opposing stands switched to live footage.

It captured the two “Shanghai Twins” together.

Both were handsome-faced girls with their long hair tied back.

They were attractive—any female athlete outside shot put or hammer throw

boasts a toned figure, exuding athletic youthfulness.

Born right here in Shanghai, they carried the proud confidence of big-city girls.

No wonder the local media dubbed them the “Shanghai Twins.”

Xu Chen couldn’t tell who was who until they smiled and waved at the camera.

Only when their bibs flashed on screen did he spot it: the taller, darker one was Dong Jiajia; the shorter, fairer one was Bai Miao.

The crowd cheered again, louder than before.

Following their gaze, Xu Chen looked down onto the track.

A line of people was stepping out from the side.

Leading them were the “Shanghai Twins.”

They strolled onto the track, waving to both sets of stands.

Two cameramen trailed them, shouldering cameras and backing up to film every angle.

More people followed behind.

Xu Chen smiled.

After all these days, he was finally seeing Bing Ge again…

Xie Bingran trailed at the end of the procession. With everyone riveted by the twins, she went almost unnoticed.

She wore a light-blue long-sleeve team jacket—the Provincial Team uniform.

Her black shorts revealed those long, powerful legs.

On her feet were bright red spikes…

Her hair, slightly longer than last time, brushed her delicate, brooding brows.

But from this distance, Xu Chen still couldn’t make out Bing Ge’s silent, cool, slightly world-weary face.

Hands in her jacket pockets, she walked with gritty stubbornness, fearless of anything.

Xu Chen couldn’t help but smile.

It had to be Bing Ge…

Unnoticed by all, she silently brimmed with the aura of someone ready to conquer the world.

Teacher Tian Fangfang walked beside Xie Bingran, but there was no sign of Teacher Chen Ming.

Xu Chen watched from the second-floor stands, yet didn’t dare call out to her.

Yesterday Chen Ming had warned him: before the race, Xie Bingran needed perfect calm.

He didn’t want his presence to disturb her thoughts now.

Xu Chen knew Xie Bingran cared about him.

He refused to bring any pressure or emotional waves to Bing Ge.

…

Staff on the track carefully inspected each hurdle rack.

There were nine lanes, ten racks each, hurdle height eighty-four centimeters—still no match for Bing Ge’s long legs…

The moment Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia appeared on the track, the stadium buzzed.

The day’s most anticipated event, the women’s 100-meter hurdles, was about to begin.

The “Shanghai Twins” were set for another epic showdown—everyone wondered who would cross the line first.

To most, this race was a straight battle for gold and silver between Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia.

Only Xu Chen harbored an odd thrill, eager to watch the spectacle.

Off the track, athletes warmed up around the perimeter.

Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia ran here and there, drawing cheers from the stands.

They waved again, prompting even louder roars.

Xu Chen lowered his gaze to the starting line.

Xie Bingran had removed her jacket, revealing an ice-blue singlet and sculpted shoulders and arms.

From afar, two months’ training had clearly refined Bing Ge’s physique.

Unlike the others who dashed around, she stayed by the starting blocks, doing jumps and stretches.

Suddenly, a burst of stirring music played, followed by the announcer’s rousing voice:

“Ladies’ 100-meter hurdles at the National Youth Athletics Championships is about to begin!

Today’s highlight: Shanghai Twins Bai Miao and Dong Jiajia face off again!”

His words dropped, and the stands erupted in cheers once more.

Xu Chen covered his ears, resigned.

From his seat, he was cheering for Bai Miao and applauding Dong Jiajia at the same time…

It was ear-splitting.

On the track, the twins waved again to the crowd.

At the starting line, Xie Bingran seemed deaf to the commotion, focused on stretching her legs.