Stringy Wind in the Ear - Chap 44
Song Yang was lying on the lawn, looking at the azure blue sky. A cloud that looked like a cat’s paw moved inch by inch, blocking the sunlight completely. The world in front of him suddenly darkened, but soon the sun popped out from the thick clouds again. Song Yang basked in the sun again, and all the muscles in his body relaxed.
He turned his head and looked not far away. Li Xun was frowning and drawing on a notebook. He was probably worried about several team members who did not meet the physical fitness requirements.
Without warning, Li Xun suddenly looked up at him, and Song Yang was stunned. Even though he heard those words last night, he couldn’t hide the surprise in his eyes today.
Li Xun asked him, “Do you want to eat more?”
Song Yang raised the chocolate beans in his hand: “I haven’t finished eating yet.”
“It takes me so long to eat such a small amount, and I finished it in one bite.” Li Xun said as he tore open a packet and poured it into his mouth.
It was the first time that Song Yang saw someone eating chocolate like this. “Aren’t you choking? What should I eat if you finish it all?”
Li Xun touched his pocket, probably realizing that he had no more chocolate in stock. Then he made a reaction that Song Yang couldn’t resist – he opened his mouth to show the chocolate beans in his mouth, and his wet tongue tip hooked them inwards.
This action was quite ambiguous, and coupled with the smiling corners of Li Xun’s eyes, it was like an invitation for a kiss. Song Yang lowered his head, feeling briefly ashamed for his excessive imagination.
The second round of archery selection was scheduled at 3 pm, and the reason for this arrangement was to give everyone enough time to rest. Many students in the team went back to the dormitory to sleep, but Song Yang did not. After a quick lunch, he went to the outdoor archery range.
Practicing alone is a boring and troublesome thing, because there is no one to help score and draw arrows, and there is no human voice. Especially when there is no sunshine, Song Yang always has the illusion that he has been abandoned by the world.
There are walls on both sides of the archery range to block the wind, but the arrows still deviate to the sides and it is impossible to get high scores.
Song Yang was wondering if it was a problem with the sight or the wind when he heard footsteps approaching, neither light nor heavy, and very regular. He determined from the sound that they were Li Xun’s shoes and turned around immediately.
“Why are you here so early?” Li Xun held a bow in his left hand, a box of mineral water in his right hand, and a corner of his report card in his mouth.
Song Yang asked back: “Why are you here too?”
Li Xun wanted to take advantage of the break to practice more. He had previously thought that being a school team coach would be easier than coaching in the archery gym, but who knew it would be even busier, with one competition after another, and he could only satisfy his desire when the little ones were not around.
“Let’s do it together.” Li Xun raised his eyebrows and said, “I’ll give you 20 meters, 10 arrows each, and see who can hit the highest score, how about that?”
Song Yang almost didn’t hesitate: “It must be you…”
This answer was somewhat unexpected. Li Xun turned around and looked at him: “Weren’t you quite confident when you made bets with your teammates? Why are you so weak when it comes to me?”
Song Yang couldn’t answer. In his heart, Li Xun would always be his master, just like a god, a belief, and an existence that could not be surpassed.
“Do you want to bet with me too?” Song Yang asked.
“You can bet if you want, but…” Li Xun held the bow rack with one hand and turned to look at him with an ambiguous look.
Song Yang was so embarrassed by his stare: “But what?”
Li Xun curled his lips: “I am greedy, I am afraid you can’t satisfy me.”
Song Yang was curious: “What do you want?”
“Just about what you wanted.”
Song Yang didn’t understand what he meant and listed several things, but Li Xun denied them all and called him a fool.
They put arrows on their bows and arrows together. Song Yang shot at 70 meters. Li Xun said he would give way and stood 90 meters away. After the first arrow was shot, the problem that had been bothering Song Yang for a long time was forgotten.
Because he saw that Li Xun hit the ten rings.
Many people think that arrows move in a straight line, but in fact, from the moment the arrow leaves the bowstring, it rotates at high speed like a bullet. In the process, it encounters resistance and inevitably deviates from its course.
There are many reasons for deviation, which are related to the athlete’s own movements, the accuracy of the sight, the elasticity of the arrow shaft and even the wind speed and wind force on that day. Therefore, in many major competitions, the first arrow results of those professional archers are not particularly ideal. They need time to find out the reasons, and usually by the second round, their condition is much better.
It’s cloudy today, with wind resistance and a long distance. Just now, Song Yang spent more than ten minutes trying to figure out how to shoot his best. If it was at the archery range, the game would be over.
The huge gap between himself and the professional players made him feel anxious. He didn’t know how long it would take him to reach this level. It could be five years, ten years, or even a lifetime.
With this subtle psychological gap and impatient state, Song Yang’s performance in the afternoon was average, but his total number of rings still exceeded Ahong, ranking third in the school team.
Theoretically, the place in the Provincial Games was secured, but Li Xun did not announce it on the spot, saying that he would go back and discuss it with the team leader.
Who knew that the result of this discussion the next day would be beyond Song Yang’s expectations.
The notice was sent by the team leader in the WeChat group, and the names of the participants are: Yu Shenwei, Wu Jianian, and Ahong.
Song Yang was in class at the time. At first glance, he thought he had seen it wrong. After confirming it, he became so angry that his heart rate soared. The professor’s voice on the stage sounded vague and distant.
He habitually asked Li Xun for the reason. His fingertips trembled when typing and he made mistakes repeatedly.
【Why!】
[I am obviously four times taller than him! ]
【point!】
After waiting for a long time, Li Xun did not reply, so he had to sneak to the back door.
This was the first time in his life that he skipped class. He was so nervous that he was sweating, but he felt that there must be something wrong. The total number of rings between him and Ahong was so different…
It was class time and it was very quiet outside the teaching building. He rushed to Li Xun’s office as fast as he could, but no one was there. There was a water cup with lemon slices on the table, which allowed him to determine that the owner of this position was Li Xun.
There was another coach in the room. He was the track and field team coach Zhang Cheng who had approached Song Yang at the school sports meet.
Song Yang had added him on WeChat at the time and had some impression of this person. Cheng Zhang also remembered him and asked with a smile, “Are you here to ask about the quota?”
Song Yang was surprised and asked, “How did you know?”
“I heard them chatting about it. They said that their scores were similar and they could only choose one.”
An idea flashed through Song Yang’s mind. As long as Li Xun persisted, maybe there was still room for this matter to turn around. He asked with anticipation: “What does my coach say?”
Zhang Cheng smiled and skillfully avoided a direct conflict between the student and the coach.
“He must have considered the issue from all aspects. There is no need for you to worry so much about a spot. There are still many opportunities. In fact, if you are willing, you can transfer to our track and field team…”
Song Yang listened to what was said afterwards in one ear and out the other. He just felt his head buzzing. He walked out of the office in a daze, came to a completely unfamiliar place, found a rock and sat down.
The weather was bad and the clouds blocked out the sunlight completely.
He was a smart man, and he knew there was only one reason why Zhang Cheng could not respond to him directly – after weighing the pros and cons, Li Xun chose to recommend Ah Hong.
This feeling was worse than being eliminated on the spot.
He tried to call Li Xun’s cell phone, and surprisingly, the voice came from not far away from him. Li Xun was holding food in his hands, and it seemed that he had just gone to get a takeaway.
Li Xun did not show any surprise when he saw him, but just asked: “Isn’t it class time now? Why did you come here?”
Song Yang stood up, unable to suppress his excitement, and said in a loud voice: “Why did you choose him? Don’t tell me you have to look at the comprehensive results. I also passed the physical fitness test!”
Li Xun was helpless.
Song Yang’s physical fitness score was qualified, but it was just above the passing line. Because of this, the team leader felt uneasy and was afraid that Song Yang would be eliminated in the first stage. To be on the safe side, the team leader recommended Ahong first, and the director agreed with this point.
Li Xun initially opposed the idea and argued with them, assuring them that Song Yang’s physical fitness would only improve and would not decline. However, a phone call that night made him change his mind.
Li Huiying asked him why he didn’t go home this week. He was like a student caught by the class teacher, and he made up excuses guiltily, saying that he had to work overtime because of school activities.
However, Li Huiying was too smart and guessed the reason immediately. She said bluntly, “I know that the school has a competition in May. You promised me before that you would not let him participate in competitions if it conflicts with his studies. I really can’t stand his grades.”
How to balance studies and hobbies is an eternal problem. Li Xun can ensure that Song Yang’s physical fitness is up to standard, but he cannot guarantee that his academic performance and future will not be affected.
It’s not just Song Yang who is trapped in layers of shackles. Li Xun feels like his head is going bald from worrying so much.
“This matter is very complicated…” He put his hand on Song Yang’s shoulder, “I’ll tell you slowly.”
“What’s so complicated about it? The results of the competition are obvious, aren’t they? Do you think you value the athletes’ physical performance more?”
The sky was gloomy, just like Song Yang’s expression at the moment.
As far as he could remember, this was the first time that Song Yang looked at him with such eyes and spoke to him in such a piercing tone, which showed that his bottom line had been touched.
Li Xun tried to be as tactful as possible: “Your physical fitness test results are not particularly ideal, and this is the most basic part…” He paused, thinking that Song Yang would definitely understand, so he did not continue, but changed the topic to comfort: “But it doesn’t matter, there will be a college student sports meeting during the summer vacation…”
Who knew that Song Yang felt even more aggrieved after hearing this. He was like an abandoned child, with a little pitiful self-esteem, and asked back: “So you also think that I can’t pass the physical fitness test? You don’t trust me that much?”
“Of course not, but this is not something I can decide on my own.”
“Is there really no chance?” Song Yang unconsciously grasped his wrist and squeezed it tightly. “Master, you know how much I am looking forward to this game. I promise that I will pass the physical test. If I don’t, you can even ask me to quit the school team.”
Anxiety was transmitted along his skin, Li Xun received it all, and held Song Yang’s hand back. In his memory, those hands were very beautiful, with distinct joints, delicate and slender, but now what he touched was the thin callus at the base of the thumb and the skin on the back of the hand that had lost moisture.
Li Xun’s heart was stabbed by that helpless little look, and his breath was stuck in his throat. He wanted to withdraw the application list immediately, but it was too irrational to do so.
“Take advantage of this time to catch up on your studies. This is also very important to you.”
After Li Xun said this, Song Yang also knew the ending. He suddenly felt that he was extremely stupid for actually expecting Li Xun to give him some special care.
The breeze blew up the fallen leaves all over the ground. Song Yang’s eyes dimmed and he loosened his arms: “I know.”
He said this softly and walked away without looking back.
After he left, Li Xun completely lost his appetite.
The next day, Song Yang did not go to the archery hall for training as usual. Li Xun knew that he must be upset about the quota, so he did not think much about it. On the third and fourth days, Song Yang continued to ask for leave and avoid training. Li Xun called him, and Song Yang said he would go to the library instead of going to class, but the problem was that he even skipped the physical education class that Li Xun taught.
Realizing the seriousness of the problem, Li Xun went to the dormitory to look for someone. It was already late at night, and Yu Le was the only one in the room, sitting at the desk drawing.
As soon as Li Xun entered the room, he asked, “Where is Song Yangren?”
Yu Le pushed up his thick glasses and said, “I don’t know. He should have gone to the library.”
“Which library?”
“He can sit anywhere. He might be in the study room. What do you want to see him for?”
Li Xun couldn’t answer and returned empty-handed. After going downstairs, his subconscious led him towards the library.
It was almost the beginning of summer, and flowers were blooming everywhere in every corner of the campus. Li Xun was paying attention to both sides of the road, fearing that he would miss the young man.
The third floor of the museum was packed with people. Li Xun walked up from the bottom to the top, slowing down his pace and searching floor by floor, just like Song Yang groping for clues about him in the vast crowd more than ten years ago.
There is a retro corridor next to the library, which is quiet and long, like a winding dragon. There are many students sitting by the wooden fence reading books, surrounded by dense trees. In the center of the pavilion, there are several small round stone tables, coffee, milk tea, and fruit, the aroma is overflowing.
Zhou You is explaining a question to Song Yang.
“Have you read the mind map I sent you last night?”
“Um.”
Zhou You said: “If you recite the content again after a week, you will not easily forget it. The key is to learn how to process information. First, extract the catalog, think about the questions and associate them. This will deepen your memory.”
“good.”
The bracelet on Song Yang’s wrist vibrated, reminding him that it was time to practice. He turned it off and continued doing his exercises.
Zhou You asked: “Aren’t you going to training today?”
Song Yang rested his chin on his fist and shook his head.
Zhou You felt strange: “What about in the future? Not going there anymore? Don’t you like it very much?”
Song Yang still shook his head: “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Zhou You laughed, “If you want to go, go. If you don’t want to go, don’t go.”
Song Yang took a deep breath, covered his eyes with his hands, and said in distress: “I like archery very much, too much, I like it so much that I can’t live without it, but at the same time it brings me a lot of pain, I don’t know how to continue.”
Behind a pine tree, Li Xun moved his toes and heard Zhou You ask the question that concerned him most at the moment in a very soft tone that was unique to girls.
“Can you tell me what’s bothering you?”
Li Xun paused.
He suddenly had a very evil thought in his heart. He actually hoped that Song Yang would stop talking to her and stop. He wanted Song Yang to share all her happiness and sorrow with him, and only with him.
Soon he felt extremely ashamed of his outrageous possessiveness.
But in the end, he still heard Song Yang speak.
Song Yang told Zhou You that he thought he could get a spot in the provincial games, and he was happy for the whole night, and even celebrated with his roommates, but in the end the spot went to someone else, and he didn’t know how to explain it to his roommates;
His grades kept dropping, and his family’s expectations made him feel a mountain of pressure and guilt. His roommates all had new goals, and his future was bleak.
He didn’t know that archers actually practiced so many physical exercises. His lumbar muscle strain was getting worse and worse. It hurt every time he sneezed. He didn’t know if it would get better in the future.
He encountered a difficult bottleneck period, and was often out of shape during training. He was very afraid that his grades would never improve, that he really could not escape the curse of having a small face and not being able to get good grades, and that he would really achieve nothing in the future as Sun Pang said.
His love for archery and his expectations for the future eventually became the straw that broke the camel’s back. He didn’t know when he started to become obsessed with results, and no position outside the center of the circle could make him happy.
Li Xun lowered his head in silence, his heart filled with sour emotions.
Those were the troubles that Song Yang had never told him.
