Chapter 033: First Place in the Division

Page (1/3)

A brand new week had arrived, and with it, a push for the new book rankings. Brothers, cover me with your recommendation votes—Xiao Mo is charging ahead! Roar~~

******

Soon, students having PE class on the field gathered around the basketball court. There were students from eighth and ninth grade, as well as seventh graders, all eager to witness this “duel.”

Sun Hui had already accepted the basketball from a ninth-grade student and was practicing. His skills were indeed impressive; though he was short and couldn’t pull off many moves, his shots were exceptionally accurate—eight out of ten would go in.

Cheers erupted from all sides at the sight, and Sun Hui grew more excited. After practicing for a short while, he turned to Yang Tian and said, “Let’s begin. Who goes first?”

“You go ahead,” Yang Tian replied with a calm smile.

“Alright, today I’ll show you what real skill looks like!” Sun Hui began shooting. Bang! The first shot went in, and the crowd roared.

Sun Hui waved to the crowd like a basketball star, retrieved the ball, dribbled a bit, took his time, and launched the second shot.

Bang!

Another score. The cheers grew louder. Sun Hui became even more smug, waved joyfully again, his companions retrieved the ball for him, allowing him to continue dribbling and preparing for victory.

Bang!

Sun Hui took the third shot, but his jump was not quite right, causing the ball to veer off course and bounce off the rim.

Even so, there were still cheers. Two out of three was a respectable result for a seventh grader.

“Your turn!” Sun Hui’s friend called out to Yang Tian, flaunting their confidence.

Page (2/3)

Yang Tian took the ball and walked slowly to the free throw line. The surrounding students whispered among themselves—some mocking, convinced Yang Tian would lose; some worried for him; others simply enjoying the spectacle.

Bang, bang, bang!

Yang Tian bounced the ball a few times, then began shooting—three shots in succession, all scored, smooth and effortless.

A hush fell over the crowd. The students were stunned; the unassuming boy had such precise aim. Though he wasn’t tall like a basketball star, his shooting form was elegant and graceful.

Shortly, the field erupted with even more astonished cries.

Sun Hui and his friends were left speechless. Even as Yang Tian walked away, the students’ exclamations hadn’t subsided. Talent like this was rare on a junior high school court, especially in a rural school. The basketball-loving kids cheered wildly.

Sun Hui felt disgraced. After returning to the classroom, he no longer dared show off in front of Yang Tian, though in his heart he bore a grudge. Still, he thought, “A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years.” He was determined to regain his pride in the upcoming calligraphy competition.

Huang Juan found it odd that Sun Hui hadn’t caused any trouble in class lately, and even avoided her when he saw her. This wasn’t like the Sun Hui she was used to, reminding her of Chen Xiaogui from elementary school; after Yang Tian spoke to them, they seemed to change entirely.

Whenever she thought of this, she couldn’t help but glance at Yang Tian. But she never found the answer on his face, for he sat quietly as always, doing whatever he was supposed to do.

“Students, please pay attention. Here is some good news—our school has achieved excellent results in the city’s calligraphy competition. Though the finals haven’t begun, the selection in the Eastern Division has concluded!” Half a month later, during morning reading, Victory Middle School’s campus played the song “Tomorrow Will Be Better,” while the voice of Director Li Gang from the Academic Office echoed through the speakers.

All the students perked up, listening intently. After waiting half a month, the results from the Eastern Division were finally announced.

Hearing Li Gang’s enthusiastic tone, the students knew Victory Middle School had won great honors again. Their spirits soared; many stood up, listening to the loudspeaker in the center of the schoolyard.

Some even rushed out of the classroom, craning their necks, eager to hear more clearly, yet afraid the homeroom teacher might catch them.

Sun Hui and his classmates from Class 5, Grade 7, were among them. Sun Hui was more anxious than anyone about the results—this was his best chance to win favor among his peers.

Page (3/3)

But just as the broadcast reached this point, the sound cut off. The teaching building erupted in complaints.

“What a lousy broadcast! How could it fail right at this moment?”

“No wonder—the school’s speaker only gets used for welcoming new students, once a year. The parts inside must be rusted!”

It wasn’t just Sun Hui and his friends; Yang Tian and Huang Juan also listened intently. Yang Tian appeared calm, but he was nervous inside—he didn’t know if he would realize his dream this time.

Huang Juan was nervous for Yang Tian. She understood his hopes and wanted him to win an award to make his grandfather happy.

“It’s back, it’s back! The sound’s on!” Someone from another class shouted. Everyone listened closely, and sure enough, Li Gang’s strong voice returned to the campus broadcast.

“Students, apologies for the technical issue earlier. Let me continue with the good news. In the Eastern Division, our school has four works in the top ten. Zhang Zhiyuan from Class 4, Grade 9, with his piece ‘Serenity and Purpose,’ was awarded tenth place in the Eastern Division. The school will present him with an honorary certificate. Please congratulate Zhang Zhiyuan with your applause!” Before Li Gang finished, thunderous applause erupted from the third floor of the teaching building—the ninth graders cheering for their classmate. The applause on the first and second floors was more symbolic, since Zhang Zhiyuan wasn’t from seventh or eighth grade, and he had only won tenth place.

“Next, Huang Juan from Class 5, Grade 7, with her piece ‘Hometown,’ was awarded sixth place in the Eastern Division. The school will present her with an honorary certificate. Please give a round of applause for Huang Juan from Class 5, Grade 7!” As Director Li Gang spoke, the first floor erupted in applause, especially in Class 5. The students looked at Huang Juan with admiration.

But Huang Juan was stunned; she hadn’t expected to win. When she saw Yang Tian nod at her, she couldn’t help but smile joyfully, though she quickly subdued it, not wanting to appear too exuberant.

“Also, Sun Hui from Class 5, Grade 7, with his piece ‘The World for All,’ was awarded fourth place in the Eastern Division. The school will present him with an honorary certificate. Please congratulate him with your applause!” Li Gang continued. The seventh graders applauded enthusiastically, and even eighth and ninth graders joined in, since Sun Hui had won fourth place in the division.

Sun Hui rose happily, cupping his hands to thank those around him, presenting himself as a scholar. He turned to Yang Tian with an arrogant smile, as if taunting, “Well? Didn’t you say your writing was better than mine? The rankings speak for themselves, don’t they? Nothing to say now, huh?”

Seeing this, Huang Juan was both angry and puzzled—she had won an award, but why hadn’t Yang Tian? She felt disappointed before Yang Tian could even react.

Just then, Li Gang’s voice sounded again: “Now I want to specially commend the last student to place—also from Class 5, Grade 7—Yang Tian. With his piece ‘Dream Realized,’ he won first place in the Eastern Division. The Eastern Division organizing committee will present him with an honorary certificate and a three-hundred yuan prize. His work has been sent to the finals committee and will continue to bring glory to Victory Middle School. Please give the warmest applause to Yang Tian and cheer him on!”