Chasing You Like a Tenacious Falcon

Another month passed.

Quan Zhisui finished her midterm exams and received her results.

Looking at her test papers, she felt a sense of accomplishment. She was getting better and better at solving problems.

After working hard during the first semester of her second year of high school, she had finally made significant progress in the second semester.

She had climbed to the middle of her class!

Zhuge Ying had also been tutoring Kong Mingze, but Kong Mingze really wasn't cut out for studying. Even though Zhuge Ying was getting frustrated, he still only managed to score in the double digits.

Without the constant troubles from the Zuo Family weighing her down, Quan Zhisui felt much lighter these days.

She hadn't returned to the Zuo Family this month, except for one trip to the Wei Family to pick up some clothes. She had shed her heavy winter attire and switched to spring clothes. Soon, it would be time to wear short sleeves.

She still hadn't met Wei Shixu's grandfather, but the fish in the artificial lake seemed to have multiplied.

Fishing was a joy!

Wei Shixu kept sending her things—sometimes clothes and shoes, other times various novel little trinkets.

He didn't send too much or too frequently, always staying within what Quan Zhisui could accept.

It seemed like he had found a balance, and she had accepted all the gifts he sent during this time.

Zuo Zichen was also improving steadily, both in his studies and in his martial arts training. He was catching up to Quan Zhisui, and his stance training sessions were getting longer. His demeanor had stabilized, and he was making gradual progress.

One noon,

Quan Zhisui was organizing her collection of mistakes from her test papers.

A classmate called out from the front, "Quan Zhisui, someone's here to see you!"

Quan Zhisui looked up and saw an unfamiliar boy.

She walked out into the hallway.

The boy smiled and said, "Hello, Quan Zhisui. I'm Lu Li from Class 5 of the second year. I'm also part of the student council's sports department."

Quan Zhisui: "Hello, what can I do for you?"

If it was about special talents or some competition, she would have to refuse outright. Zuo Zhiyu absolutely refused to sign any permission forms.

This was the only way he could still control Quan Zhisui.

It was already the second semester of the second year, and they were about to enter their final year of high school. There was no time left for anything else.

Lu Li smiled warmly, "Here's the thing, Quan Zhisui. Our school is planning to promote Tai Chi as a replacement for the usual morning exercises. I heard you know Tai Chi, right?"

Quan Zhisui was taken aback, "I do. Are you saying... you want me to teach everyone Tai Chi?"

She had actually heard about this from her senior, Zi Yin. Last time Zi Yin came to Liangxi Town, it was to attend a meeting about this promotion.

At the time, she hadn't asked for details. Zi Yin had multiple roles, including being part of the martial arts association, so he was always busy.

Quan Zhisui was still young, just a student.

She hadn't expected that in less than a semester, the plan would be finalized and ready to be implemented in schools.

And now the student council had come to her?

It seemed quite reasonable.

Lu Li nodded with a smile, "Exactly! But I heard Tai Chi is quite difficult? We'll take it step by step. We're not asking you to teach the whole school right away—that would be too much! First, teach our student council's sports department, and then we'll gradually spread it to the entire school. We're aiming for the whole school to practice Tai Chi by next semester."

Quan Zhisui nodded, "That makes sense. Which style of Tai Chi are we going with?"

Lu Li was surprised, "There are different styles?"

Quan Zhisui: "Yes, there are five major schools: Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu, and Sun. I'm most familiar with Wudang Tai Chi, which comes in 13 forms, 28 forms, and 108 forms."

"Wow!" Lu Li was impressed. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Do you have time during lunch break? Let's go to the student council office and discuss this in detail?"

Quan Zhisui: "Sure."

Lu Li smiled, "Let's go!"

Wei Shixu was returning to the classroom with two drinks in hand when he turned a corner and saw Quan Zhisui walking side by side with a male classmate, heading down the stairs.

He stood still, watching their retreating figures until they disappeared.

Who was that guy?

Fortunately, Quan Zhisui returned by the end of lunch, and it didn't seem like anything major had happened.

Wei Shixu thought about it and decided to ask her, "Where did you go at noon?"

Quan Zhisui continued organizing her mistake collection without looking up, "The student council was discussing the Tai Chi thing."

Wei Shixu frowned, "Why wasn't the class president involved?"

Quan Zhisui: "It's a sports department matter."

Wei Shixu didn't say anything more.

But...

Quan Zhisui wasn't even part of the student council. Why did they need her for this?

What was the sports department even doing?

Wei Shixu was inwardly annoyed, but since Quan Zhisui didn't seem bothered, he kept it to himself.

He didn't want to upset her.

But the next day at noon, Lu Li showed up again.

This time, he brought a cup of milk tea, "Quan Zhisui, I got you some milk tea. Let's go?"

Quan Zhisui stood up and walked out, "Okay, thank you."

Lu Li smiled brightly, "No problem! You're helping us out a lot. It's the least I can do!"

Wei ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍Shixu's heart sank, and his expression darkened.

He said nothing, holding it in.

...

In the student council office,

It was just Lu Li and Quan Zhisui again that noon.

Quan Zhisui said, "Any style is fine, really. They're all quite similar."

They were all simplified versions, not the full sets, since the time for morning exercises was limited.

She had explained a lot over the past two days, but Lu Li seemed to have a case of decision paralysis and couldn't make up his mind.

Lu Li smiled, "Let's try it out first and see. We're hoping you can lead the school in Tai Chi during your final year."

Quan Zhisui: "..."

Lu Li added, "Shall we start practicing tomorrow at noon?"

Quan Zhisui asked, "What do you mean by practicing?"

Lu Li grinned, "You can teach me first. We'll learn a little each day, practice a few times. One-on-one is easier than one-on-five. Once I get it, I'll teach the others."

Quan Zhisui glanced at him and said, "No, teaching everyone together would be faster. Call all the sports department members here. We'll start tomorrow at noon."

For beginners, it wasn't suitable to spread it out too much. Mistakes could easily be made.

Lu Li asked again, "How long will it take to learn everything? If we do a little each day, will it take two months? If that's too long, we can use the summer break to finish it before the final year starts."

Quan Zhisui: "It won't take that long. Between half a month to a month. Let's choose either the 13-form or the 28-form. There's no need to learn everything."

Lu Li: "How about the 28-form?"

Quan Zhisui: "Sure, the 28-form is simpler, with fewer movements."

Lu Li was surprised, "Huh? Isn't the 13-form simpler?"

Quan Zhisui: "One form isn't just one movement. The 13-form has more movements than the 28-form and is harder."

Lu Li chuckled, "Then let's do the 13-form?"

Quan Zhisui vetoed him, "28-form."

Lu Li still smiled, "Alright."

...

On the third day at noon,

"Quan Zhisui!" Lu Li leaned against the window of Class 1, waving enthusiastically at the back row. "I got you a small cake! And ice cream! I'm here to pick you up. Let's go?"

Quan Zhisui stood up and walked out, saying, "You don't need to buy me these things. I don't eat them."

Lu Li shoved them into her arms, "Come on, eat them! Eat!"

Quan Zhisui: "..."

The two walked side by side down the hallway, leaving together for the third day in a row.

At the front row of the classroom,

*Snap!*

Wei Shixu slammed his pen down, his face expressionless as he stared out the window at the greenery.

The classroom fell silent, not a single sound to be heard.

The atmosphere had turned icy.