Chapter Eleven: A Dazzling Display of Acting

"Not good, run!" If they were caught, they’d be publicly criticized before the whole school! Geng Haoshi thought to himself that he didn’t really care, but he couldn’t drag down Goddess Mimi with him!

He remembered that right behind the horizontal bar area was the back gate of the athletic field. He signaled to Yang Mimi, and together they dashed toward the bars.

The back gate was a small iron door, about two meters high.

Geng Haoshi and Yang Mimi stood before the little iron gate, and behind them, the middle-aged man who managed the field closed in, his flashlight’s blinding white beam beginning to trap them in its glare...

Watching the man approach, Geng Haoshi made a split-second decision—he crouched, looked seriously at Yang Mimi, and patted his own shoulder. “Mimi, step up. I’ll get you over the gate first.”

“I… I’ve never climbed anything before…” Yang Mimi sounded scared.

“It’s fine, Mimi. I’ve got a thick hide and broad shoulders—I won’t let you fall.”

With Geng Haoshi’s encouragement, Yang Mimi gripped the bars, trembling as she climbed onto his shoulders. Once she steadied herself, Geng Haoshi slowly stood up.

He looked up at her. “Mimi, hold tight to the top frame, swing one leg over first.”

With his guidance, Yang Mimi gingerly raised one foot toward the top of the gate… Geng Haoshi craned his neck upward… and through her white athletic shorts, a faint pink triangle flickered into view… Instantly, Geng Haoshi’s nose began to bleed again…

When Yang Mimi landed on the other side, her legs were still shaking. Suddenly, she realized: “Second Brother, how will you get over?”

Seeing the worry in her eyes, Geng Haoshi’s mind flashed with images: revolutionary soldiers sacrificing themselves for their cause, lovers facing life-and-death partings, voyagers crossing galaxies for those they love…

Wiping his nosebleed away, Geng Haoshi declared heroically, “Mimi, go! Don’t worry about me!” …If only Fei Yuqing’s “A Spray of Plum Blossoms” could play now, the moment would be perfect…

The field manager was already right behind Geng Haoshi!

There was no time for melodrama; Geng Haoshi waved for Yang Mimi to hurry off and shouted at the man, “Come catch me if you can!”

He turned his back, slapped his own rear twice for emphasis.

Wasn’t this provocation? The man’s temper snapped. …He’d been in a great mood tonight—his favorite TV drama had ended in a joyful finale. He’d only meant to scold them a bit and let them go. But now, his anger surged; he swore to drag this fat kid to the dean’s office.

Geng Haoshi began running wild loops around the field, the man chasing close behind, yelling, “You brat, stop running!”

…

A faint glow appeared in the east—the dawn was breaking.

On the rubber track, Geng Haoshi lay sprawled on his back, panting heavily. The middle-aged man collapsed atop him, also gasping, slapping Geng Haoshi’s belly as he wheezed, “Thought you could run forever, didn’t you!”

Later, because the chase had been so strenuous, the field manager suffered an acute attack of appendicitis and was rushed to the hospital. The school even commended him, awarding him a Model of Dedication medal.

As for Geng Haoshi, he was dragged to the dean’s office. The administration decided he must make a public confession before the entire school.

So, on a blazing noon, Geng Haoshi stood on the high platform of the sports field, confession in hand.

Damn it! Did these school officials have nothing better to do? They called a special assembly just for my confession! Gathered the whole school on the field! For God’s sake! Such a fuss over nothing, Geng Haoshi cursed inwardly. What should have been a mere public reprimand had become a grand inquisition.

“Test, test…” The dean checked the microphone, then nodded for the principal to speak.

“Respected leaders, teachers, dear students. Today, under this glorious sun, in this…”

Listening to the principal’s endless speech, Geng Haoshi rolled his eyes. What is this, a variety show?

“Thank you, Principal, for making time to join us,” the dean said, prompting everyone to applaud.

“Now, let us begin today’s confession assembly.”

The dean looked at Geng Haoshi. “This student entered the athletic field at night without permission. Even after Field Manager Comrade Lao He tried to stop him, he chose to run. Thanks to Comrade Lao He’s tireless perseverance, the offender was finally caught. However, Comrade Lao He suffered an acute appendicitis attack and is now in the hospital.”

He paused, dabbing his eyes with his sleeve.

Good grief! What a performance! Geng Haoshi was speechless at the dean’s theatrics.

Below the platform, students who knew the inside story murmured, “He’s up for some Outstanding Leader award, isn’t he?” “No wonder he’s making such a big deal out of this poor kid—it’s for his own record.” “Exactly, and with acting like that, he deserves full marks…”

The dean composed himself and continued, “Under the guidance of the principal and myself, this student has realized his error. At his own request, we are holding this assembly so he can repent before all of you.” He gestured for Geng Haoshi to take the microphone.

Listening to the dean’s nonsense, Geng Haoshi could barely muster the energy to roll his eyes.

Taking the microphone, he looked out over the sea of teachers and students below. Suddenly, he was reminded of rural funerals, where the bereaved knelt and wailed. For a moment, the audience seemed like mourners to him. Deeply moved, he spoke into the microphone, voice trembling with a sob: “Oh, my dear mother!”

…

No wind blew, no leaves fluttered past, nor did a crow fly overhead cawing, “Idiot”… The sports field was deathly silent.

Seeing the dean’s furious glare, Geng Haoshi cleared his throat and returned to the script, “Respected principal, teachers, classmates, thank you for being here to hear my confession…”

What is this garbage?! Geng Haoshi glanced at the speech the dean had written for him and cursed inwardly. No, I can’t—got to salvage some dignity. He resolved to improvise.

“First, I want to apologize to Field Manager Lao He. Lao He is a good comrade, a model of dedication. Even when dealing with someone as undisciplined as me, he didn’t give up—instead, he ran with me around the field. But because of the strenuous exercise, he was struck down by appendicitis. For this, I express my deepest regret and sympathy.”

At this, the dean kept winking at Geng Haoshi, urging him to stick to the script.

Geng Haoshi pretended not to notice and pressed on, “As you can see, I’m overweight. A few days ago, feeling unwell, I went to the doctor. After an examination, he told me, ‘You have an extremely rare condition—hyperphagia. It makes you want to eat constantly, and the more you eat, the fatter you get. Eventually, your organs will be crushed by your own fat. If this keeps up, your insides will explode.’”

“Do you know how scared I was?” Geng Haoshi put on a look of terror. “My life hadn’t even begun to bloom—was it about to wither already?”

“At my lowest point, a kind, lovely female classmate appeared. She gave me love and warmth, encouraging me to face my illness bravely.”

Many in the crowd had seen Geng Haoshi dining with a stunning girl at the Sixth Canteen. Now they nodded, thinking: So that’s what was going on.

“As a man, I promised her I’d get healthy—and I must keep my word!”

“So, I made a training plan.”

“That morning, around four, I wanted to exercise on the school field, but the gate was locked. My burning passion for exercise couldn’t be contained, so I found a way to sneak in.”

“But then, Field Manager Lao He discovered me.”

“Instead of blaming me, Lao He encouraged me from behind, running lap after lap with me, until finally, he collapsed on that track filled with love and motivation.” Now, imitating the dean, Geng Haoshi paused, dabbing his eye with his sleeve.

“Even though I only exercised so hard to survive, even though Lao He only fell ill because he joined me, even though all of this began with my love of life and his concern for me… I can’t accept his selfless care so recklessly, just for my own small life. So, I must say sorry to Lao He.”

“Lastly, I want to thank our beloved dean. Not only has he guided this lost lamb back to the right path, but he also said I should join the school basketball team to help me beat my illness. Let’s all cheer and applaud for having such a great dean!”

With Geng Haoshi’s passionate speech, the field erupted in cheers and applause.

He didn’t forget to bow deeply toward the dean as well.