Chapter 3, Our Distance

The next day is Saturday

Lu Sheng replied without thinking, "My mother doesn't have time"

As the two individuals walked out of the alley and passed by the newsstand, Lu Sheng suddenly stopped, "Let's take a look at the newspaper"

Lu Sheng did not respond, but simply stared intently at the newspaper, reading that small piece of news word by word.

The Southern Wind plane crash, with life and death uncertain

Lu Sheng did not know how long he had been sitting. When Teacher Ding passed by the breakfast stall, the sun was already high in the sky

Director Ding adjusted his glasses and said, "It might be a bit late to learn tennis at this age, but it's still possible. Come here, let me measure your height."

The matter has been settled. Director Ding took a parental consent form and asked her to sign it. Then he called Lu Sheng over and said, "You can enroll today. Would you like to go with me?"

Is tomorrow acceptable

This summary is truly precise and impactful

... ...

Hmm

Principal Wei sighed softly: "She is only twelve years old. I am fifty-two this year, and I cannot do what she does."

Lu Sheng immediately reacted: "Ah?!"

Without requiring her to spend money or worry, Mother Lu agreed.

Lu Sheng

Indeed

Director Ding noticed her tightly gripping her backpack. The backpack was indeed quite worn, with several seams coming undone, and the plastic cartoon decorations on the surface had become faded and peeled off; the fabric, which appeared to be sturdy, had several small holes at the corners, revealing the books inside and an unidentified object.

Please provide the text you would like to have translated from Simplified Chinese to English

Then Director Ding told Lu Sheng: "When is your mother free? Have her come to the school; parental signature is required for the enrollment procedures."

Director Ding frowned as he glanced at Principal Wei, at this moment he did not wish to conceal his dissatisfaction

In many competitive sports, height is an important factor affecting performance. In tennis matches, taller individuals have a significant advantage. Therefore, when selecting tennis prospects, Director Ding always considers height first.

Lu Sheng's face was flushed, and he randomly wiped his forehead, his palms feeling damp.

Get lost

Director Ding internally complained, yet maintained a calm demeanor as he nodded, saying, "Hmm, how did it suddenly rise so high? Did you eat something nutritious? Did you drink milk?"

Get lost

Principal Wei noticed Lu Sheng continuously squeezing his backpack, and suddenly his intelligence kicked in. He asked Lu Sheng, "Did you bring the money?"

two thousand

Director Ding could not help but ask: "Principal, may I ask how much is your monthly allowance?"

Director Ding cleared his throat and drew a line in the "Father's Height" section. He then reassuringly said, "It's alright, your height is good now, and your mother is not short either. You will definitely grow taller in the future."

What nonsense, I don't understand a word

But hope is the most beautiful thing in the world Is it not

A strip of yellow tape with standard measurements is vertically affixed to the white wall of the office. Director Ding instructed Lu Sheng to stand next to the tape and to lay a plastic ruler flat above her head

As they walked, Director Ding suddenly said to Lu Sheng, "You ... ... "

Although he did not have to go to school, Lu Sheng still woke up early. His mother had played late into the night yesterday and was still in a deep sleep now. Lu Sheng did not dare to wake her and quietly got dressed and got out of bed.

Director Ding did not pursue the matter further; he asked a few more questions, to which Lu Sheng responded one by one

This angle is indeed quite unique

After Director Ding met with Mother Lu, she began to suspect whether Lu Sheng was truly her biological daughter. First, how could a mother treat her own daughter in such a manner, calling her over and scolding her without any concern; second, the mother was very beautiful, while Lu Sheng was merely delicate and pretty, and the two bore no resemblance to each other

Upon arriving at the office, after the three individuals took their seats, Director Ding inquired, "May I first ask one thing, why are you not accompanied by a parent?"

It is known that a fee will be charged in the first year

Lu Sheng remained silent

Principal Wei chuckled, "The little girl is quite clever."

He thought to himself, this backpack must be a family heirloom

Hmm! Xiao Xi said that his father said I have been like a millet seedling in June this year

Mother is approximately 1.65 meters tall

Although this road is distant and long

Principal Wei and Director Ding stood on either side, like two formidable guardians, walking beside her, which created an invisible sense of pressure. She felt somewhat nervous, her body slightly stiffened, and she took careful, tentative steps, far less resolute than when she had arrived

Lu Sheng could not be more eager: "Hmm!"

Director Ding and the young girl stared at each other for a while. At this age, young girls always have clear and pure eyes, and Director Ding felt a bit reluctant to continue asking.

After finishing these, Director Ding asked, "What are the heights of your father and mother?"

Lu Sheng felt a sudden buzz in his head, as if he had been struck hard by a heavy hammer.

Today's conversation went surprisingly smoothly. The main reason is that Director Ding concealed the fact that "tuition fees are required," only mentioning that Lu Sheng seemed promising and could try playing tennis, with the school offering free lessons, allowing the child to go there by themselves after school

Director Ding and Principal Wei exchanged a glance, each seeing approval in the other's eyes ... After all, this young girl has a good height, the tuition fees are not an issue, and most importantly, they are in dire need of students ...

In general, students in their first year of enrollment are not considered formal students; they are merely in a trial training period, for which they must pay their own tuition fees. After one year of trial training, if they pass all assessments, the school will officially accept the student as a "seedling," at which point they will only need to cover a small amount for accommodation and meals, as tuition fees will be subsidized by the government

Um! Lu Sheng unzipped her backpack and took out a rectangular box from inside.

Director Ding was unexpectedly startled by her, "You don't need to be nervous, you're already sweating..."

Principal Wei: "How did you save this up? This is quite a sum of money!"

However, a fool next to him couldn't hold back and asked Lu Sheng: "Don't you know who your father is?"

Mother was disturbed by someone and is a bit grumpy after waking up

Principal Wei: "At such a young age, accumulating such a large sum of money is no easy feat. She appears quite poor, likely not eating or dressing well. To hold onto so much money and still refrain from spending it is truly remarkable."

She hurriedly woke her mother: "Mom, someone is here to see you!"

However, they are formal institutions and must follow procedures. If a child wishes to enroll, parental consent is essential.

Director Ding left without changing his expression. When he came out, he saw little Lu Sheng with a beaming face and a pair of bright, clear eyes, and he smiled, saying: "Your outfit is acceptable, but the shoes won't do. Come, I will take you to buy a pair of sneakers"

Finally, Director Ding asked, "Lu Sheng, do you know about our enrollment system?"

Lu Sheng hesitantly asked, "I only have half the money, can I study for half a year first?"

Director Ding appears cultured and gentle, with a harmless demeanor that easily instills a sense of security in strangers. After he entered, his attitude was humble, and Mother Lu's temper did not surface after all

I put it together myself

Principal Wei and Director Ding looked curiously at the box. Then, they saw her open the box and take out a ball of modeling clay, several colorful stickers of beautiful girls, and five or six glass marbles. With a clatter, she placed everything on the table, which was truly dazzling

My mother said he is a bastard

"It's nothing," Director Ding adjusted his glasses, "Would you mind telling me how tall Lu Sheng's father is?"

Principal Wei: "I believe this young girl is someone who will accomplish great things"

Director Ding thought for a moment and suddenly smiled, "Alright, since you trust me, I will keep this money for you. If you cannot enroll, I will return it to you... Don't worry, I won't let your mother know." After pausing here and noticing that she had quietly breathed a sigh of relief, he continued, "When will your mother be home? I will visit your house and try to persuade her."

Director Ding feels that, compared to the principal's wife, his own wife is truly a little angel

She picked up a copy of the Sports Weekly and immediately saw the headline on the front page

She went downstairs to have some breakfast and also bought a portion for her mother to bring back. Then she sat by the window, watching the bustling life outside. The early spring morning was still quite cold, and people were dressed warmly, gathered around the breakfast stalls. A plump woman in a white apron was frying dough sticks, while a short uncle was steaming buns. When he lifted the large bamboo steamer, white steam rushed out eagerly, enveloping the entire scene in a mist. Their lively little daughter was darting through this mist, and Lu Sheng seemed to hear her laughter.

Principal Wei extended two fingers

What is your name

It is truly not easy. Director Ding suddenly felt a bit moved

Lu Sheng was taken to the admissions office

Director Ding's eyes widened: "You wouldn't want to use these treasures to offset your tuition fees, would you?"

No, "Lu Sheng" replied with a flushed face. She lifted the folded poster, took out a few old postcards, and finally, the moment of witnessing a miracle arrived—at the bottom of the box lay neatly arranged Renminbi.

Lu Sheng obediently went out, and then Lu's mother watched Director Ding warily, "What do you want to do?"

How old are you

Indeed, such habitual doubts are internal grievances that are not expressed verbally

Director Ding: "The height is quite good, let's see after practicing for a while."

No

Director Ding noticed that Lu Sheng's face suddenly turned pale, and her hand holding the newspaper trembled slightly, even her whole body was quivering slightly. He felt a bit uneasy: "What is wrong with you?"

Although she still mocked, "Lu Sheng is a failure, you have misjudged him."

Director Ding nodded, wrote a number in the "Mother's Height" column, and after a moment, he looked up at her: "What about Dad?"

"Ahem." Director Ding felt that his previous thought was truly foolish; what was even more frightening was that he had voiced this foolish idea... He touched his nose and reproached, "Why didn't you just bring the money directly?"

After sending off Lu Sheng, Principal Wei and Director Ding sat together to discuss the record sheet from earlier.

Lu Sheng lowered his head, remaining silent.

Is that so

Hmm

two hundred

When leaving, Director Ding asked Lu Sheng to go out first, as he had something to discuss with his mother

Is it possible tomorrow morning

I will soon be twelve years old

Director Ding did not expect the principal to give such a high evaluation, and he was somewhat curious, asking, "What leads you to this conclusion?"

Director Ding could not help but ask her, "Is this money given to you by your parents, or did you save it yourself?"

Running to school and back home both in the morning and after school, one can also save some time during meals

Director Ding is very perceptive and can easily understand such children without much effort. Therefore, he asked, "Does your mother not agree?"

Then, Director Ding saw this quiet and resilient little girl suddenly lose control, hugging the newspaper and crying out loud, her sobs heart-wrenching and filled with despair

1.55 meters, not bad, not bad, Director Ding is quite satisfied with this number, he asked Lu Sheng to sit back down. Then he spread out a form and recorded Lu Sheng's name, age, and height on it

Lu Sheng felt a bit ashamed that she could not recall her father's height. She made an effort to rummage through her mind for other information regarding her own height and suddenly said, "Well, it seems that I have grown particularly fast over the past year"

Is it 1.8 meters?

She is now filled with joy at the prospect of learning tennis, and she can hardly wait to check for news from Nanfeng, eager to reassess the distance between them. Once, that distance was an insurmountable chasm, but now, at last, there is a path connecting them.

Lu Sheng did not know how to answer this question. She simply steeled herself and took all the money out of the box, placing it in front of Director Ding: "Teacher, please accept the money first."

As a declining institution within the sports school system, Shuqing Sports School has consistently employed this traditional method to measure height during the enrollment process

Principal Wei's attention was entirely focused on Lu Sheng's background gossip, and he did not notice the expression of this subordinate

afraid of being discovered