Extra 4 (1/2)

When the bell rang at the end of class, there was a flurry of conversation and the sound of people packing up which filled the room.

Rong Zan was also packing up his books and pens. His movements were very speedy and efficient, as well as being quiet.

At this time Shi Ting turned around. First she looked at the seat directly behind her, then moved her glance to Rong Zan who was behind slightly to the right. She said in a gentle voice, “Next class is science, shouldn’t you wake Xiao Hai up early?”

{T/N: Actually says “experiment” class, I assume it’s science class. In this case I think the students have their normal classroom which they attend most pen and paper type classes, and then go to special classrooms for science, sport etc.}

Rong Zan glanced up at Shi Ting. He had deep set features as well as a pair of deep, narrow eyes. The appearance was exquisitely perfect, but because of his expression there was also a sense of coldness and hardness. “It’s still early.”

Shi Ting didn’t seem affected and smiled. She picked up her book and stood up. “You need to give him some time to wash his face ba. It also takes at least 5 minutes to walk to the science classroom.” The way she stood up and pushed back her chair was also gentle and elegant looking.

Rong Zan didn’t reply. He only nodded his head. “See you in the classroom.”

Shi Ting behaved as though she didn’t understand this dismissal. Instead she said gently, “Then I’ll go and mind the table next to the window. Let’s be in the same group next class. See you.”

“En.” Rong Zan agreed. Then he began to organize the things he needed to bring to the science class. After finishing Rong Zan opened Qiu XiaoHai’s bag and began to organize for him too. He made his movements slightly bigger this time.

Because of this movement, the Qiu XiaoHai who had been lying on the table sleeping without moving finally moved his mouth and slowly woke up.

After waking up, the first thing Qiu XiaoHai did was stretch lazily. He also yawned. At the same time Rong Zan reached for the thin jacket which had slid off Qiu XiaoHai’s shoulders and pulled it back up in a smooth, practiced motion. This was the jacket that Rong Zan had laid on him during class.

Qiu XiaoHai hadn’t completely woken up it. He rubbed his face. Rong Zan handed him the jacket. “Put it on.”

As though he was used to being commanded, Qiu XiaoHai took the clothes and messily stuck his arms into it.

Rong Zan picked up the things he had prepared and stood up. He helped smooth down Qiu XiaoHai’s flipped up collar. “Let’s go, next class is science.”

“Haaa—-” Qiu XiaoHai yawned again. “Finally a fun one….”

“Being able to sleep while standing, I have to give it to you.” Rong Zan helped support Qiu XiaoHai.

“One day I’ll definitely master it.” Qiu XiaoHai’s voice was thick. Then he added, “Oh, I need to go to the toilet.”

“There’s enough time.” Rong Zan’s brow slightly moved. “It’s on the way.”

Qiu XiaoHai looked around then grabbed the water bottle which was hanging on the back of his chair. “We should also bring our water bottles. Just then you didn’t drink any water right?You need to drink more ah. Drink more and go to the toilet more, it’s good for your body. My coach and Ah Bai both say that.” After talking he unscrewed the cap and drank a few gulps. Then he handed it to Rong Zan. “Drink some.”

Rong Zan took it with one hand. Without hesitation he drank a few mouthfuls.

Qiu XiaoHai stood to one side grinning and nodding his head. Thus Rong Zan drank a few more mouthfuls.

Drinking more was good. Then they could go to the toilet together later.

***

The “coach” mentioned by Qiu XiaoHai was his cycling coach.

This was something which had started because of the foreign movies that Bai Lang filmed previously.

It was a movie adaption from a book. The two part series was also split into two separate movies, and so the shooting time spanned nearly three years.

During this time, Bai Lang would spend nearly half the year overseas. Originally Bai Lang thought that because Qiu Qian had assigned him a private jet for his use, that the travel wouldn’t be too arduous. He planned to return home every two weeks, so this meantthat the Qiu father and son would be able to obediently remain in China and attend school and work the way they were supposed to.

It was only that Qiu Qian wouldn’t agree and Qiu XiaoHai also wouldn’t agree. One of the picked up his laptop and said he could work from anywhere, and the other threw away his backpack and said he would definitely go wherever Ah Bai and daddy went.

Bai Lang tried to coax them for a long time, his primary concern with Qiu XiaoHai’s schooling, but eventually he was rejected by Qiu Qian who said that when he was young he often skipped school and that going to school had nothing to do with whether you would become successful later. So after rushing to pack up a few clothes, Qiu Qian and Qiu XiaoHai followed Bai Lang onto the plane, and directly headed towards the small wooden villa that they had long ago purchased near the filming set.

It had to be said that because the film set was in the countryside, the surrounding environment was very good. There were green fields, clear air, mountainous surrounds and even a large lake. The lakeside town was very peaceful and tranquil, the pace of life was slow. Even Bai Lang felt that this place might be better for Qiu XiaoHai to grow up in, rather than a crowded city.

So during the three years of filming, Bai Lang and the Qiu father and son mostly stayed overseas. During this time, because of the beautiful surrounds, the family of three was able to maintain their habit of cycling in the morning together very well. And as they continued cycling, as time passed, Qiu XiaoHai started getting very interested in cycling. In this country, it was also considered a series sport that was being promoted nationally.

So, his hobby turned into a professional interest. After that he participated in many competitions. After Qiu XiaoHai requested it, Qiu Qian hired a professional coach to train him and purchased expensive bike after expensive bike for him. No matter if the competition was big or small he would sign him up.When the series of movies finishing filming, it changed to the two adults following Qiu XiaoHai to run around.

Because of this, prior to senior high school, Qiu XiaoHai’s schooling was very casual. However this didn’t affect Qiu XiaoHai too much, because at the age of 12 he had already found the direction of his future life, which was to be a cool professional cyclist.

However each school he went to was like soy sauce. The fact that he had never properly completed any school term was something which gave Bai Lang a headache. So Bai Lang had a discussion with Qiu Qian and decided that prior to the best age in which would really enter the professional cycling world, Qiu XiaoHai needed to properly experience a period of school life. He needed to experience the joys and bitternesses that young people his age should have.

When they asked Qiu XiaoHai which school he wanted to go to, Qiu XiaoHai picked the senior high that Rong Zan attended.

Of course Bai Lang and Qiu Qian supported this. It was fortunate that Rong Zan’s private high school had a class schedule which had a lot of freedom, and there was a lot of choice as to curriculum. This meant that there wasn’t any special sporting positions? Then they would simply use money to create one. There wasn’t a cycling club or cycling coaches? Then they would help the school create one. That way, Qiu XiaoHai wouldn’t have to be thinking about cycling during class and be unable to rest.

Of course Rong Zan’s school didn’t do everything just for money. When he applied to enter the school, Qiu XiaoHai had won a string of international youth competitions. The brightness of the shining trophies was enough to make the teacher’s eyes go blind. So even though professional cycling wasn’t a sport that was widespread in China, however if they really trained an international sporting star, then that would also look good for the school.

So in this way, the uncouth Qiu XiaoHai was thrown the class Year 2 Class 1 which was filled with intellectual geniuses.

Aside from the times he was training, everyday he was surrounded by these intellectuals watching him while he slept.

Then what would happen when it came time for exams?

No problem since he was sitting next to a real genius. Rong Zan was extremely accurate when guessing the content of the exams. Also Qiu XiaoHai only needed to memorize about 30% of the content.

Because Qiu XiaoHai’s grades were also 30% comprised of his sporting marks, goddammit.

***

However, actually the special student Qiu XiaoHai and his intellectual classmates got along together quite well.

{T/N: I didn’t want to use the word “nerd” since it has negative connotations traditionally (although changing). Asian/Chinese people look highly upon education, so smart students are considered elite. So I thought “intellectual” would fit the bill better.}

After all among these group of competitive and close-knit students, having Qiu XiaoHai who has outside the circle, who was cool, easygoing and liked to laugh (the female students added: also handsome) was fantastic. Not only that but he was also great at making people laugh. Although sometimes when he slept in class he would snore, but after class he could help others weedle Rong Zan’s notes out. Since he was a benefit both for entertainment and studying purposes, more and more people like to crowd around Qiu XiaoHai.

Not to mention, beside Qiu XiaoHai there was always Rong Zan.

Every discovered that after getting to know Qiu XiaoHai, it also became easier to talk to Rong Zan.

For example, asking him to borrow his notes was something that the top student Rong Zan would have never agreed to before.

In the highly competitive environment of the school, every classmate was your competition. Notes were a valued resource, each person carefully kept theirs. So if it was to top student Rong Zan’s, then it was definitely something that would not easily be passed to others! In addition Rong Zan had always had a stern and proper image, and asking for notes seemed to be a sign of the crime of not working hard and taking shortcuts.

However on a particular day, three students surrounded Qiu XiaoHai chatting about him sleeping in class. After being complemented a lot, it was unknown who said that they envied him to death for possessing the golden notes, which was pretty much an exemption from the death penalty and with it he could sleep as much as he liked.

Qiu XiaoHai heard this then he turned around to look at Rong Zan. “Ah Zan, can I make a few copies to give them?”

While Qiu XiaoHai chatted, Rong Zan wouldn’t read but instead sit to one side silently “participating”. “Sure.”

The talking classmates all went quiet. Suddenly there was the “zeng” noise of them jumping out.

“Really!?”