CHAPTER 12 — When Control Breaks
The sports field was louder than usual.
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Voices overlapped.
Whistles blew.
Energy filled the air.
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It was one of the few times the entire school gathered in one place.
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Zhang Xiao Qi stood at the edge of the field, her expression calm as she observed the scene.
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Crowds.
Noise.
Movement.
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Messy.
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But useful.
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Because in chaos—
People revealed themselves more easily.
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"…You're not participating?"
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A voice came from behind.
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Zheng Meng Ying.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't turn.
"…No."
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"…You usually don't avoid attention."
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"…I'm not avoiding it."
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A pause.
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"…I'm choosing where to place it."
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Zheng Meng Ying studied her for a moment.
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"…You're calculating again."
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"…I never stopped."
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Not far from them—
Gu Yichen stood with a few others, clearly not interested in the event itself.
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His gaze drifted.
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And stopped—
On Zhang Xiao Qi.
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"…You really like watching from the sidelines," he called out.
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"…It's more interesting," she replied.
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A faint smile touched his lips.
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"…Then don't blink."
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— Center Stage
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At the center of the field—
stood among the participants.
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Even in a simple sports uniform—
She stood out.
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Effortlessly.
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Calm.
Focused.
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Unapproachable.
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Beside the medical station—
watched quietly.
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Detached.
Observing.
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And near the track—
stood with the event organizers.
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Relaxed.
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But his attention—
Was not on the event.
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— The Start
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The whistle blew.
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The race began.
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Movement exploded across the field.
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Fast.
Chaotic.
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Zhang Xiao Qi's gaze remained steady.
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Tracking.
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Not the runners—
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But the patterns.
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It happened quickly.
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Too quickly for most to notice.
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A slight misstep.
A shift in direction.
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Someone bumped into Pei Ruoxi from the side.
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Not hard enough to look intentional.
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But enough—
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To throw her off balance.
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She fell.
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The sound wasn't loud.
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But it cut through everything.
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"Ruoxi."
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Lu Zeyan moved first.
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Fast.
Decisive.
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No hesitation.
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At the same time—
Shen Yu was already there.
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Kneeling beside her.
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"…Don't move."
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His voice was calm.
But firm.
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— Surrounding Tension
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The crowd began to gather.
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Whispers.
Concern.
Shock.
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"…She fell?"
"…How did that happen?"
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Gu Yichen's expression dropped.
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He stepped forward instinctively.
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Zheng Meng Ying followed—
Eyes sharp.
Analyzing the situation.
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Pei Ruoxi didn't speak immediately.
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Her brows furrowed slightly.
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Pain.
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But controlled.
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"…I'm fine," she said quietly.
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"…You're not," Shen Yu replied.
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Already checking her ankle.
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Precise.
Careful.
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Lu Zeyan crouched beside her.
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Closer than anyone else.
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"…Can you stand?"
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"…Yes."
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"…Don't."
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Simple.
Final.
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She didn't argue.
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— Observation
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At the edge—
Zhang Xiao Qi watched.
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Unmoving.
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Her gaze wasn't on the injury.
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It was on—
Everyone else.
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Lu Zeyan's reaction.
Shen Yu's speed.
Gu Yichen's shift.
Zheng Meng Ying's focus.
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"…So this is what breaks your composure," she thought.
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Her eyes flickered briefly—
To the direction of the collision.
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The person who caused it—
Had already stepped back.
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Too quickly.
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"…Not an accident."
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Her Quiet Move
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Without drawing attention—
Zhang Xiao Qi stepped away.
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No one noticed.
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Because all attention—
Was on Pei Ruoxi.
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"I'll take her to the medical room," Shen Yu said.
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Already preparing to lift her.
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Lu Zeyan didn't object.
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"…I'll come."
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Not a question.
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As Pei Ruoxi was helped up—
Her gaze lifted briefly.
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And met—
Zhang Xiao Qi's.
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Across the distance.
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Just for a second.
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No words.
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But understanding.
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The event didn't stop.
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But the atmosphere had changed.
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Because something—
Had gone wrong.
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And this time—
It wasn't random.
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It was a move.
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And Zhang Xiao Qi—
Had already started tracing it.