Section 1

Cheng Lang pretended to be dejected: "It is the first time I have been mocked by a girl, and it has hurt my self-esteem"

Xia Xiaoju can no longer recall what the weather was like that day, yet countless memories have filtered out all impurities. She stubbornly believes that at the moment Cheng Lang leaped, the world was clear and bright, everything appeared as if seen through a camera lens fitted with a gradient filter, the edge of the sky was a deep sea-like blue, slowly flowing and staining his white sports vest. The elegant backstroke, the archangel spread its wings, flying just ten centimeters above Xia Xiaoju's head. She stubbornly believes that at the moment Cheng Lang leaped, the world was clear and bright, everything appeared as if seen through a camera lens fitted with a gradient filter, the edge of the sky was a deep sea-like blue, slowly flowing and staining his white sports vest. The elegant backstroke, the archangel spread its wings, flying just ten centimeters above Xia Xiaoju's head. The sunlight pushed his figure straight into her eyes, and at that moment, her heart inexplicably ached, filled with happiness and dizziness, forever branded with a name.

Xia Xiaoju tried hard to recall the first time she met Cheng Lang, only remembering an angry face topped with a mushroom haircut reminiscent of Aaron Kwok from the 1990s. At the beginning of high school, outside the main building, a red list of class assignments was posted on the wall. She found her class and began to run around looking for the whereabouts of several familiar junior high classmates. Upon seeing Class 3, the name "Cheng Lang" written in bold black script stood out among more than fifty other names in the same font. During one summer vacation, Xia Xiaoju tuned in every night to TVB's "No Regrets in This Life," and upon seeing the name that matched the male protagonist exactly, she couldn't help but shout to her old junior high friends: "Cheng Lang! Hey, come look, there's a boy named Cheng Lang. How funny, why isn't he called Li Ming?"

At that time, the school was preparing for the city sports meeting scheduled for a month later, with training sessions held every afternoon. It was said that achieving a ranking would grant extra points for the college entrance examination. Xia Xiaoju's event was the 800 meters. Although her performance was among the best in the school, she believed that in the city-level competition, surrounded by many outstanding athletes, she would at best be a mere participant. She was not particularly enthusiastic about training, but considering that it spared her from sitting in the classroom for self-study, she preferred to wander around the playground, allowing herself to indulge her throat and tongue.

In just 0.1 seconds of his leap, Xia Xiaoju's fate took a turn for the rest of her life

Then I have no problem at all; just cover my medical expenses if you hit me

In order to project an image of righteousness in the eyes of her classmates, Xia Xiaoju stood under the horizontal bar, still facing the track. The melody of the accordion piece "William Tell" echoed in her ears; this skilled archer indeed had a brave son, who could face the arrow with an apple balanced on his head. The key lies in his trust in his father, yet Xia Xiaoju did not trust that constantly smirking mushroom. Although he now sported a refreshing buzz cut, he stood at the starting point, looking at her with a seemingly amused expression. The key lies in his trust in his father, yet Xia Xiaoju did not trust that constantly smirking mushroom. Although he now sported a refreshing buzz cut, he stood at the starting point, looking at her with a seemingly amused expression.

What are you trying? I certainly cannot high jump

The desire for face is the greatest flaw in her character. If one were to pay a price for it, then she has already spent the best years of her life.

The physical education teacher, unable to tolerate it any longer, said: "Xia Xiaoju, you talk too much. If you’re not going to run, at least don’t just stand around. Come, I have some work for you." After saying this, he pulled her to level the long jump sandpit. Xia Xiaoju complained, "The rake is too heavy; I’m afraid I’ll hurt my back and won’t be able to run anymore"

"Forget it, I'm afraid she is not tall enough," Cheng Lang said with a laugh.

Boasting

Recalling this matter, Xia Xiaoju continuously protested: "Please, I was just adding fuel to the fire. The real culprit is Auntie; it was she who insisted that you get a haircut for the new semester and new atmosphere. You dare not blame your mother, and instead shift all the responsibility onto me"

It seems like the mouse under the cat's paw, unable to die a quick death. Thus, Xia Xiaoju stood dazed under the horizontal bar, restraining her legs from trembling

She told Cheng Lang that he was the first boy she met after entering high school. He smiled and said, "I know, and you are the first girl I have ever hated in my life"

"Could it be that you can jump two meters?" Xia Xiaoju scoffed

I have no problem, just afraid... Cheng Lang tilted his head slightly, lightly tapping his index finger on the bridge of his nose

Xia Xiaoju scoffed with a "tch," and he heard it. He raised his thumb and gestured towards the horizontal bar behind him, saying, "Do you have the guts to give it a try?"

The face has turned pale

1.66 meters," Xia Xiaoju said, quickly adding, "net weight.

Cheng Lang glanced at her sneakers, "With the heels added, it's not even 170. That's usually the height of my first jump."

Cheng Lang crouched down, tightened his shoelaces, bent slightly, and charged towards the horizontal bar. Xia Xiaoju felt a jolt of anxiety; he stopped again. "Are you scared?" he asked

Who said that

"Excuse me. Why didn't you stick out your tongue when you were talking?" Just as she lifted her leg to sneak away, the physical education teacher caught her and said, "Then you go over there to the high jump area and help lift the bar."

Oh..." he said with a sly smile, "Then don't move.

"Absolutely not!" she shouted back loudly

Xia Xiaoju has always been unsure how to define "love," and even more uncertain whether unrequited love counts as a part of it. Yet, she always tells herself in her diary: Cheng Lang is the person I fell in love with for the first time

Of course. Cheng Lang raised his eyebrows and said, "You are actually a very simple person, easily seen through at a glance"

"So you are not Aaron Kwok, but Leon Lai." Someone nearby laughed, while the boy in the center kept his lips tightly pressed together, remaining silent. The neatly styled sideburns and the faint blue line at the hairline indicated that this hairstyle was freshly done. However, he did not have the square face of King Kwok, nor the sharp chin and straight nose; instead, the top of his head suddenly flared out into a rounded curve, making him look, in every way, like a mushroom.

Upon seeing the young Cheng Lang for the first time, Xia Xiaoju could not help but chuckle. Through the boys who were pushing him back and forth, Cheng Lang looked at her with a hint of anger in his eyes

After 246 days of knowing Cheng Lang, Xia Xiaoju began to like this boy

"How tall are you?" he asked

That cannot be, but at least I am taller than you

"I can jump over your height," Cheng Lang said firmly. "If you don't believe me, you stand below."

At that time, could you tell that I was mocking you

Isn't it good to adjust the horizontal bar to 170? If you can't jump over it and fall, do you expect me to be a cushion? Xiaojun shook her head. However, the surrounding classmates were eager to see the excitement, "Give it a try, come on, give it a try!" Some enthusiastic individuals even went to raise the bar. She and Cheng Lang were surrounded in the middle, just a fist bump away from being like street performers.

Xia Xiaoju tilted her head, wanting to ask him, then, from the very first moment, did you understand my feelings clearly?