That Nameless Summer Chapter 35

I’m waiting for you at the end

The morning fog of autumn has not yet dissipated, and a thin layer of dew is gathering on the plastic track. The wind blows through the branches of the sycamore trees, causing the rustling of the leaves, but it cannot suppress the noise gradually gathering in the stands. Today is the last day of the sports meeting. The finale of the men’s 3000 meters is Qin Jiangwen’s final race, and it is also the end of this three-day event.

Song Li’s knee was replaced with a new band-aid. Ling Qingye had been waiting for him at the alley early in the morning with breakfast and iodine. He held the iodine cotton pad between his fingertips and insisted on disinfecting him again: “Don’t bother him. Sweating after running can easily cause inflammation.” His tone was still calm, but his movements were very careful. His fingertips brushed against the skin around his knee, gently and deftly, for fear of hurting him.Song Li chewed the bun and let him play with it. From the corner of his eye, he saw that the small mole at the end of Ling Qingye’s eye was stained with the moisture of the morning mist. He felt warm in his heart and said vaguely: “I know, you are more verbose than my mother.”

Ling Qingye raised his eyes and glanced at him. He didn’t refute, but just handed the warm milk into his hand: “Don’t be such a mouthful. Stop at the end later and don’t move around.”

The two walked to the playground and saw Qin Jiangwen and Xu Jiangyou standing next to the 3000-meter inspection station from a distance.Qin Jiangwen was wearing a light sportswear. He was lowering his head and pressing his legs. His movements were very slow. There was no expression on his face, but he could see that his fingertips were clenched tightly – 3000 meters and twelve laps was a real tough battle for him.Xu Jiangyou stood beside him, holding a bottle of warm water and a pack of energy gel in his hand. When he saw them coming, he nodded slightly, then turned to Qin Jiangwen and said: “Follow the rhythm of the previous two days of practice, four steps, one inhale, four steps, one exhale. On the eighth lap, consider speeding up. If you can’t hold on any longer, walk slowly. Don’t force yourself.”

There are no unnecessary words, but every word is a detail that has been memorized for a long time.Qin Jiangwen raised his eyes and met her clear gaze. The tips of his ears were slightly warm. He said softly “Hmm” and took the energy gel from her. His fingertips touched her fingertips and moved away quickly. The fingers holding the plastic bag were loosened.

After the inspection was over, Qin Jiangwen stood on the starting line, surrounded by a group of strong athletes. He looked extremely thin, but still stood upright.Song Li and Ling Qingye walked to the shade of the trees next to the finish line. Ling Qingye took out his mobile phone from his pocket and clicked on the stopwatch. His eyes were firmly locked on Qin Jiangwen on the starting line: “I will remember the number of laps and call him on the eighth lap.” Song Li nodded and glanced at the track, feeling nervous in his heart – twelve laps, whether it is long or short, the battle is never about speed, but the tenacity to endure.

The starting gun sounded, and the players rushed out instantly. Qin Jiangwen was still playing at a steady pace, neither fast nor slow, falling in the middle echelon. His steps were even and his breathing was very steady, just like the way he walked slowly to accumulate strength two days ago.Xu Jiangyou stood on the inside of the track. Every time Qin Jiangwen ran past her, she would give him a gentle look. She didn’t shout for help or wave, but just watched quietly, but it seemed like she gave him an invisible force.

In the first four laps, the players on the track had not widened the gap. Qin Jiangwen still maintained his own rhythm. A little sweat appeared on his forehead, but he did not raise his hand to wipe it. He just stared at the road ahead.Ling Qingye’s stopwatch jumped steadily and he counted the laps softly in his mouth. Song Li leaned on him and watched Qin Jiangwen running around in circles. He suddenly remembered his basketball game that day. Ling Qingye was the same way. His eyes were locked on him, more concerned than himself.

On the sixth lap, some contestants began to feel exhausted, their steps were wobbly, and they gradually slowed down. Qin Jiangwen still maintained a steady speed, but quietly leaned toward the inner track – Xu Jiangyou said that the inner track saves distance and saves a few steps.When he ran past Xu Jiangyou, she quietly handed him warm water. He took a few sips and continued running. His fingertips touched the warmth on the wall of the cup, and he felt that his legs had more strength.

On the eighth lap, Ling Qingye raised his eyes and shouted: “Qin Jiangwen, speed up!” The voice was not loud, but it reached Qin Jiangwen’s ears clearly.He gritted his teeth, sped up his pace slightly, swung his arms a little wider, and slowly moved forward from the middle echelon, passing one, and then another, and reached the tenth position.There were sporadic cheers in the stands, but no one shouted at the top of their lungs. Even Song Li breathed lightly for fear of disturbing his rhythm.

The tenth lap is the most difficult hurdle.Many runners have given up running and switched to brisk walking. Qin Jiangwen’s breathing has become heavier and his face has turned slightly pale, but his steps have not slowed down, but his knees are shaking slightly with every step he takes.When he ran past Xu Jiangyou, she finally spoke in a soft voice: “Hold on for two more laps, and I’ll wait for you at the finish line.”

This was the first encouraging word she said today, but it struck Qin Jiangwen’s heart like a ray of light.He turned his head and glanced at her. She was standing under the sycamore tree, the morning light fell on the tips of her hair, her eyebrows were curved, and her eyes were full of determination.Qin Jiangwen clenched his fists and sped up his pace a little. Even though his throat was dry and painful, and even though his legs felt like lead, he never thought of stopping – he wanted to finish the run, he wanted to reach the finish line, he wanted to stand in front of her and say, I did it.

Ling Qingye’s stopwatch was still ticking, and Song Li could feel his fingers tightening slightly as he held the phone, as if he was holding on for the last two laps for Qin Jiangwen.The wind blew again, bringing with it the warmth of the autumn sun, and swept away the morning fog. There were fewer and fewer runners on the track, and only a few people were still holding on. Qin Jiangwen was among them, still running straight, his back not straight but very determined.

On the eleventh lap, Qin Jiangwen passed the seventh place, and then passed the sixth place. His breathing was as thick as a bellows, but he never opened his mouth. Xu Jiangyou said that breathing with your mouth is easy to break, no matter how difficult it is, you have to hold it in.The back of his school uniform was completely soaked with sweat and clung to his spine, outlining his lean lines, but he still maintained his running posture, stepping on the plastic track step by step, making a dull but firm sound.

During the last lap, the noise in the stands gradually grew louder, but no one shouted cheers. They just watched quietly, watching the boy who was forced to go 3000 meters rush towards the finish line.Ling Qingye put away his phone and took a step forward. Song Li also straightened up, his eyes locked on Qin Jiangwen’s figure.

Xu Jiangyou walked a few steps before the finish line and stared at Qin Jiangwen, his eyes shining.

Qin Jiangwen saw the finish line, saw the four people standing there, and saw the light in Xu Jiangyou’s eyes.He gritted his teeth, used up his last bit of strength, accelerated his pace, and rushed towards the finish line – the wind whistling in his ears, the pain in his throat, and the soreness in his legs were all forgotten at this moment. There was only one thought in his mind: rush over and cross the line.

The moment he crossed the finish line, his body swayed and he fell forward. Xu Jiangyou quickly stepped forward and held him steady. He leaned on her shoulder, breathing heavily. His face was covered with sweat, but he grinned and said in a hoarse voice: “I’ve finished the race.”

“Well, you finished the run, you were very good.” Xu Jiangyou patted his back with a soft voice, put the warm water in his hand to his mouth, and fed him a few sips.

Song Li and Ling Qingye came over. Ling Qingye handed over the towel. Song Li patted Qin Jiangwen on the shoulder and said with a smile: “Okay, it’s not in vain these three days. I can handle it better than I thought.”

Qin Jiangwen leaned on Xu Jiangyou’s shoulder, wiping sweat, looking at the three people in front of him and the girl beside him, his heart felt warm, and all the fatigue disappeared at this moment.

The results of the 3,000 meters came out, and Qin Jiangwen came in third. It was not the best, but it was a result that no one expected.Chen You came over and patted him on the shoulder: “It’s okay, you didn’t embarrass our class!”

The remaining events were all fun events and there was no sense of tension. The four of them simply found a step under the shade of a tree to sit on, basking in the autumn sun and chatting about the three days of events.Song Li leaned against Ling Qingye, her knees against his legs, and complained about how lazy her opponents were in the basketball game; Ling Qingye listened, occasionally arranging his hair that was blown by the wind, with his fingertips gently; Qin Jiangwen drank water, listening to Xu Jiangyou talk about the small details of his lap, the tips of his ears were slightly warm, but he did not interrupt; Xu Jiangyou said, occasionally turning to look at him, with a slight smile in his eyes.

The autumn sunshine fell warmly on the four of them. Wutong leaves occasionally floated down and fell on their shoulders, falling on the plastic runway with a faint fragrance.There was no vigorous shouting, no deliberate closeness, but the most delicate companionship – it was the iodophor passed during the basketball game, the tacit understanding of taking over the baton during the relay race, the silent waiting at 3000 meters, and the care hidden in every detail during these three days.

The closing ceremony ended soon, and the sports meeting officially came to an end.The four of them walked side by side to the school gate, all carrying small prizes issued by the school, a bottle of sports drink, and a piece of chocolate. They were not expensive, but they held the memories of the past three days.Song Li and Ling Qingye walked in front. Ling Qingye still held Song Li’s arm, fearing that his knees would hurt; Qin Jiangwen and Xu Jiangyou walked behind. Qin Jiangwen held the piece of chocolate in his hand, hesitated for a long time, handed it to Xu Jiangyou, and whispered: “Here, thank you.”

Xu Jiangyou took it and smiled: “You’re welcome, you can carry it yourself.”

The wind blew over again, bringing with it the coolness of autumn, blowing up the hems of the four people’s school uniforms. Their shadows were stretched by the setting sun, overlapping together and falling on the path covered with sycamore leaves.

This three-day sports meeting did not have earth-shattering results, but it contained the purest tenderness of young people.It is the helplessness when being forced to apply for a project, it is the side by side in the fierce battle, it is the waiting before the finish line, it is all the care hidden in silence, and all the companionship melted in the details.

Just like the autumn sunshine, it is not strong but warm enough. It quietly falls on the bottom of my heart and leaves a trace of tenderness. In the days to come, when I think of it, I will still feel that the playground and the three-day sports meeting in that autumn were so good.