Jiang Chengzhou turned his gaze toward Liang Ping.
Liang Ping was the same age as a sixth grader and just as tall, but he was only in first grade!
First graders were lower graders, which meant they belonged to his group—it wasn’t cheating!
Liang Ping had just started learning basketball and didn’t understand many of the rules.
Jiang Chengzhou decided to give him special training.
But Liang Ping still had to go help with the farm work after school.
Without telling the adults, Jiang Chengzhou went straight to the Han family’s house after dinner.
The Han family was eating. When he came in, Wang Xiuzhi spoke first. “Jiang Chengzhou, have you eaten yet?”
“Yes, Aunt.”
Jiang Chengzhou found a stool and sat down. “Go ahead and finish eating. I have something to discuss with you after.”
Commander Han choked a little and tapped his bowl with his chopsticks. “Eat.”
Jiang Chengzhou just sat there watching them, silent and serious-faced.
The family ate uneasily, not daring to make small talk.
As soon as they finished, Wang Xiuzhi cleared the table. Jiang Chengzhou pulled his stool closer to the table.
Wang Xiuzhi was still in the kitchen. Jiang Chengzhou called out, “Aunt, don’t wash the dishes yet. I have something important to say. Liang Ping can wash them afterward.”
Wang Xiuzhi wiped her hands on her apron. “Do I need to hear it too?”
“Of course.”
Wang Xiuzhi had no choice but to sit down at the table.
Liang Ping muttered, “Why do I have to wash the dishes?”
Jiang Chengzhou glanced at him. “Didn’t you use a bowl when you ate?”
Jiang Chengzhou was the king of the kids, very popular at school.
Liang Ping didn’t yet know what charisma meant, but facing this boy a few years younger, he subconsciously wanted to listen to him.
He glanced sideways at Commander Han and Han Mei and murmured, “Dad and my sister used bowls too.”
“Tsk,” Jiang Chengzhou scanned Commander Han briefly, then turned to Liang Ping. “I’m not familiar with them.”
Those words made Liang Ping cheer up again.
“Fine, I’ll wash them then.”
Commander Han and Han Mei felt a bit uneasy, as if Jiang Chengzhou’s glance carried a hint of disdain.
Jiang Chengzhou ignored them and got straight to business. “Aunt, Uncle Han, Liang Ping has joined our basketball team. We need to practice after school. Could he stop going to the fields for now?”
Before Wang Xiuzhi could respond, Jiang Chengzhou added, “Don’t worry, Aunt. After the game, everyone on the basketball team will help you with the work.”
Wang Xiuzhi quickly said, “No need, no need.”
Commander Han looked at Liang Ping. “You joined the basketball team?”
“Yes.”
Commander Han nodded. “Good. Practice hard then!”
He had also heard about the school sports meet and asked Han Mei, “What about you? Did you sign up for anything?”
Han Mei pursed her lips. “The teacher put me in the 100-meter dash.”
It was a bit of a cheat too—among the three first-grade classes, aside from one eight-year-old boy in Class Two, Han Mei was the oldest.
“Then you need to practice hard too!”
Commander Han said to Wang Xiuzhi, “Starting tomorrow, I’ll help you in the fields. Let the kids train.”
Wang Xiuzhi hurriedly replied, “No need, I can handle it alone.”
Jiang Chengzhou frowned. “Aunt, why do you like suffering so much?”
“What?”
Wang Xiuzhi was stunned by his question.
Who would like suffering?
She wanted to say something but feared Jiang Chengzhou might poke holes in it, so she swallowed hard.
“Isn’t it good to have help?” Jiang Chengzhou said. “Commander Han is an adult. If he goes to the fields with you, you can take it easier.”
Jiang Chengzhou didn’t understand the subtleties and spoke directly and bluntly.
He wasn’t demanding an answer either, so he let it go.
But it left the adults dizzy from his straightforwardness.
From that day on, the boys played basketball on the playground every day after school.
When Lin Zhilan and Su Lang got off work early, they’d bring Linlin to the basketball court to watch.
Lin Zhilan sat in the shade, while Su Lang carried Linlin over to the sidelines to give pointers.
When Linlin got excited, she’d grab Su Lang’s hair, making him wince in pain—but he didn’t dare scold the little one.
During breaks, Su Lang would even carry Linlin on his shoulders to shoot hoops.
Lin Zhilan smiled at the sight, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
Also watching, stunned, was Han Mei on the track.
Commander Han had told her to train, but she didn’t know what to do, so she just ran aimlessly on the playground.
When Lin Zhilan and Su Lang arrived, she hid behind a tree, not wanting them to notice her.
Lin Zhilan spotted her anyway.
She waved at Han Mei.
Han Mei hesitated, then walked out from behind the tree.
“Here to watch the game?” Lin Zhilan patted the chair beside her. “Sit here, it’s cooler.”
Han Mei shook her head, summoning her courage. “I’m here to train.”
Lin Zhilan smiled. “What event are you in?”
“The 100-meter dash.”
“Great, want me to time you?” Lin Zhilan tapped her watch. “See how long it takes you to run 100 meters.”
Han Mei was stunned, as if she hadn’t expected Lin Zhilan to offer.
She looked down at her shoes, then up at the watch on Lin Zhilan’s wrist, and pressed her lips together. “Okay.”
The white lines on the playground had been painted by the soldiers a few days ago.
Small red flags marked the start and finish of the 100 meters.
Lin Zhilan led Han Mei to the starting point.
Han Mei took off her shoes first, looking up at Lin Zhilan. “I run faster without shoes.”
Lin Zhilan glanced sideways. This was a stubborn girl.
Worried about sharp stones and glass shards on the path, Lin Zhilan walked her through it slowly.
Han Mei followed behind her, stepping in her footprints, her heart pounding inexplicably.
When they were ready to start, Lin Zhilan even crouched down to roll up Han Mei’s pant legs.
Wang Xiuzhi had made the pants longer to save fabric.
They might trip her up when running.
Han Mei looked down at Lin Zhilan’s hands—fair and slender, in stark contrast to her dusty trousers.
“All set,” Lin Zhilan stood up, brushed off her hands, and stepped back. “When I say go, you run.”
“Okay.”
“Ready... go!”
Han Mei shot off like an arrow.
She didn’t know proper form or posture; she only knew Lin Zhilan was watching, so she wanted to perform well and gave it her all.
Lin Zhilan watched her closely, also eyeing her watch.
When the second hand hit 16, Han Mei had already reached the finish line.
Lin Zhilan was surprised. 16 seconds for 100 meters!
She could hardly believe it, but it was definitely 16 seconds.
When she shouted “go,” the second hand was at 12, and when Han Mei crossed the line, it had just passed 3.
