Chapter 14: Gunshot Hearts & Sudden Storms

Today marked the opening of track and field—but not the beginning of the Provincial Games.

That had started nearly a month ago.

Football, basketball, volleyball, even the smaller ball games and water sports had already played out their early battles. Track and field, as always, came later—saved for when the stage was ready, when the tension had ripened.

The Games were split into three divisions: youth, university, and employees.

Duan Yucheng and his classmates had been placed in the university category’s top-tier group.

The hardest one.

Here, it wasn’t just ordinary college athletes. Many were specially recruited talents—some even stepping down from national teams. Even if they weren’t in peak form, their level was far beyond the average competitor.

The moment they stepped into the main stadium, something shifted.

The air felt heavier.

There weren’t many spectators, but that didn’t matter. The presence of elite athletes created its own pressure—like a silent battlefield. It reminded people of those legendary martial arts tournaments, where every figure—flashy or plain, loud or quiet—watched, measured, calculated.

No one here was harmless.

Duan Yucheng felt it immediately.

His skin tightened. His body reacted before his mind did, muscles coiling as if preparing for impact.

He had competed before—city-level meets, school events.

But this?

This was different.

There wasn’t a single weak presence on the field. Confidence alone could decide whether you stood tall—or got crushed.

He drew in a slow breath.

The morning air was cool, sharp.

“How are you?” Luo Na appeared beside him. “Nervous?”

“Not nervous.”

She shot him a look. “Don’t act tough. First time at this level—you’re telling me you feel nothing?”

Her gaze drifted toward the track. It was still empty, bathed in soft morning light. The reddish surface carried that familiar scent she oddly loved.

Then—

Her hand was suddenly grabbed.

Before she could react, Duan Yucheng pulled it against his chest.

“What are you doing?” she frowned.

“Do you think I’m nervous?”

Only then did she realize.

Her palm rested over his heartbeat.

Steady.

Strong.

Years of training had hardened his body into something unyielding, but beneath it—his heart beat with calm precision. No rush. No chaos.

Luo Na looked up.

His eyes were bright, sharp—like something quietly burning.

For the first time, anticipation stirred inside her.

Maybe… he really would surprise everyone.

---

The 100-meter race had the most participants, and the schedule was tight.

Today was just the group stage.

After settling Duan Yucheng in the prep area, Luo Na returned to the stands—and noticed Jiang Tian sitting alone in a distant corner.

Two hours later would be the high jump qualifiers.

Gao Mingshuo was busy briefing Liu Shan, while Jiang Tian sat apart, silent.

Too silent.

Luo Na walked over. He didn’t even notice her until she touched him.

He flinched hard.

“Coach Luo…”

“Relax.”

His lips were pale, dry.

Something wasn’t right.

“Just compete like you usually do,” she said gently.

He nodded—but it felt empty. Like he hadn’t truly heard her.

Footsteps approached.

Dai Yuxia.

Steady. Solid. Like a mountain in motion.

“There’s no shot put today, but I came anyway,” she said calmly. “I’ll stay with him. The 100-meter race is about to start—you go.”

Luo Na hesitated, then nodded.

If anyone could hold things together, it was Dai Yuxia.

---

After Luo Na left, Dai Yuxia dropped into the seat beside Jiang Tian.

The contrast was almost ridiculous.

One thin as a stick. The other round and solid like a bun.

She crossed her arms.

“If you’re that scared, don’t compete.”

Jiang Tian didn’t even look up. “Get lost, you fatso…”

Smack.

The force of her slap nearly knocked him off his seat.

“Damn it!” he snapped, grabbing the chair. “Do you know your own strength?! What if I get injured?!”

Dai Yuxia didn’t smile this time.

“Scared out of your mind—what kind of competition is that?”

“You’re the one scared!”

She snorted. “Want to look in a mirror?”

Silence.

They had known each other since childhood.

Bullied. Isolated. Different.

He endured.

She fought back.

Somewhere along the way, she became the one who dragged him forward.

Now, she sighed and pointed ahead. “Look. A beauty.”

Despite himself, Jiang Tian glanced up.

And froze.

She wasn’t lying.

A woman stood by the railing—stunning. Early twenties, maybe. A tight black dress, lace coat, long legs framed by high heels. Blonde waves fell around her face, her skin almost glowing under the light.

Effortless.

Untouchable.

For a second, even Jiang Tian forgot his fear.

---

On the track, the first group finished.

Gasps erupted.

“10.68 seconds!”

Even the runner himself looked stunned before breaking into a grin.

Luo Na stared at the scoreboard. “That fast… in the group stage?”

The pressure doubled instantly.

The second group ran—nothing special.

Then came the third.

Lane seven.

Duan Yucheng.

Luo Na had watched countless competitions. She thought she was used to it.

But the moment she saw him on the track—

Her heartbeat spiked.

Her palms grew damp.

Why?

It was just a group race.

“Xiao Cheng, jiayou!”

The voice cut through her thoughts.

She turned—

And saw her.

The same stunning woman from before.

She waved enthusiastically, her voice soft and sweet.

Wu Ze leaned closer. “Who’s that?”

Luo Na shook her head. “No idea.”

“On your marks—”

The command rang out.

Luo Na’s chest tightened.

This was ridiculous.

She had seen bigger races, higher stakes.

Why did this feel suffocating?

The gunshot cracked.

Her body jolted.

And just like that—

It was over.

Less than five seconds of tension.

Duan Yucheng surged ahead from the start, securing the lead instantly. He didn’t even push to his limit—just enough.

11.12 seconds.

Clean. Controlled.

Wu Ze yawned lazily. “Not bad.”

Luo Na exhaled, tension slipping away.

“If he keeps this up, finals are easy,” Wu Ze added.

She nudged him. “See? My recommendation.”

He smirked. “Usable.”

Behind them, the beauty was practically bouncing in her heels, screaming in excitement.

Wu Ze glanced at her. “You’d think he just qualified for the Olympics.”

“Xiao Cheng! Over here!”

Duan Yucheng looked up—

Then frowned.

“Mom… why are you here?”

Silence.

Then—

“Mom?!”

The entire team echoed it in disbelief.

---

Mom.

And what a mom.

When she rushed forward and hugged him, it was obvious—they looked alike. Small faces, pale skin, delicate features.

Still—

She looked barely older than him.

“Coach, did you see? My son got first!” she beamed.

Wu Ze smiled politely. “Yes, we saw.”

Duan Yucheng turned red. “It’s just the group stage! Didn’t you see the 10.68?”

“Who?” she blinked innocently.

Wu Ze, completely charmed, waved it off. “Doesn’t matter. No one’s better than your son.”

She laughed, clearly pleased.

Luo Na leaned closer to Duan Yucheng. “That’s really your mom?”

He nodded.

“Not your sister?”

“…No.”

She studied her again, amazed. “Is your family… vampires?”

He groaned. “She’s just well-maintained. She’s thirty-six.”

Luo Na blinked.

“Then she had you at seventeen—”

Before she could finish—

Dai Yuxia came running.

Fast. Breathless. Face tight.

Luo Na’s stomach dropped instantly.

“What happened to Jiang Tian?”

Dai Yuxia shook her head.

“It’s not him.”

A pause.

Then—

“It’s Liu Shan. He got injured during warm-up.”