Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Shi Guang headed back to the club for her first training session after the Flying Fish Cup. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to head back; but her grandma had fallen ill and school had reopened, and she was rather busy as a result. It was only now as it was getting closer to the preliminary heats that she had time to go train at the club.

Toward the preliminary heats, Zhang Shulin did not give her much pressure. He still had quite a bit of confidence in Shi Guang’s strength. As long as she were to demonstrate her potential as per usual during the preliminary heats, there shouldn’t be any issues at all.

Even though she didn’t head back to the club, Shi Guang had been training on her own daily as well. Zhang Shulin gave her a test swim, and he was really pleased with the results.

Coming forth from the professional training hall, Shi Guang had been discussing the preliminary heats with Zhang Shulin the entire time. Suddenly, she felt a strong gaze fixated on her. Turning around, she caught sight of Xu Zixian standing by the side.

When Xu Zixian realized that Shi Guang had turned around, her eyes turned sparkly as she smiled at her happily. However, when Shi Guang’s gaze went back onto Zhang Shulin, her eyes darkened once more.

She lowered her head, looking somewhat sad.

Hearing a set of gentle footsteps drifting over to her, Xu Zixian, whose head was lowered, caught sight of someone walking toward her with the side of her eyes.

Those familiar slippers had her raising her head in surprise. When she caught sight of Shi Guang smiling out faintly at her, she smiled back happily. However, her eyes could not hide her dejected feelings behind them. “Shi Guang.”

Shi Guang chatted casually with her, “You’re here for training today as well?”

Xu Zixian replied carefully, “I’ve always been training for this entire period…”

“Oh, right, I forgot about it. You got into the finals…” Shi Guang replied casually before putting on a smile, “Congrats!”

Even though she knew that Yang Sitong was the one who had locked her up the other day, she knew that she must definitely have had an accomplice.

Whether or not that accomplice was Xu Zixian, Shi Guang did not know. And because she was uncertain, she also did not know when something bad might happen to her again because of anyone by her side.

When she had no control over anything, the best she could do was to pretend as though nothing had happened. She would absolutely not allow herself to fall into danger once more.

She had once sworn that she would not live a life filled with hatred. She had to stay strong, be sunny, and live out every single part of life spectacularly for her parents and her sister’s part as well.

However, that did not mean that she would not get into a dispute with others.

As for those who meant her harm, she would definitely not forgive them.

Xu Zixian said really apologetically, “That day… If not because you were late, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to get 3rd place or get into the finals. Shi Guang, I’m sorry!”

“Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault that I’m late. On the other hand, I was the one who was rude because I was in a rather bad mood…”

“N-Nonono it’s fine. I’m not angry!”

Shi Guang kept her loose hair back behind her ears and said in a casual way, “Don’t worry about me. I just have to get through another round of preliminary heats, that’s all. Nothing much.”

Xu Zixian looked at her firmly. “Shi Guang, I believe that you’ll be fine!”

Shi Guang burst out laughing with a joyful expression, “Let’s work hard together.”

Xu Zixian’s sunken expression turned radiant once more. “Y-Yes! I’ll be waiting for you at the finals!”

They continued chatting idly and intuitively, and none of them spoke about the reason why she was late.

…

It was the middle of September and the weather was still scorching. After lunch, Shi Guang headed over to the venue for the preliminary heats—Zhang Shulin was already awaiting her there.

This time around, he was really nervous on seeing Shi Guang. He had been calling her before she had even arrived, and once she did, he forbade her from running around anywhere.