Pretentious... After hearing Su Zi's explanation, that was the word that instinctively surfaced in Lin Feng's mind to describe Ning Aoxue.

As someone who had struggled in the lower rungs of society, Lin Feng understood all too well how tough life could be for the average person. The vast majority wouldn't complain about their rough beginnings or bemoan their poor circumstances, and certainly wouldn't fret over being too privileged or attractive...

Only a young lady like Ning Aoxue, born with a golden spoon in her mouth, would get upset over such things...

People should live more carefreely; going with the flow is the best way.

As far as young ladies went, Su Zi was clearly more open-minded than Ning Aoxue in these matters.

However, no matter how much he disapproved, Lin Feng couldn't meddle with Ning Aoxue's delicate sensibilities. On the contrary, since he had become Ning Aoxue's personal bodyguard, he could only try to help her fulfill her wishes, provided there was no threat to her safety.

"Aoxue is truly admirable! I could never be as self-reliant as her..." Tang Rou said to Lin Feng, her voice tinged with envy and admiration.

Seeing Tang Rou looking as if she was about to be captivated by Ning Aoxue, Lin Feng couldn't help but tease her, "Silly girl, girls are meant to be protected. If you're too self-reliant, how can this handsome fellow show off his imposing might!"

Tang Rou's face turned slightly red as she mumbled weakly, "Lin Feng, you're not that tall and mighty..."

"Aha, you dare say I'm not mighty..." Lin Feng, like a provoked bull, snorted, flexing his muscular arms. He grinned at Tang Rou, "Look at this, all muscle..."

"Alright, alright... Pull your sleeve down. Aren't you afraid of people laughing..." Tang Rou's face grew even redder seeing Lin Feng bare his arm.

Meanwhile, Su Zi stood by, smiling at Lin Feng and Tang Rou's flirtatious banter with a thoughtful expression.

...

At the starting line for the women's 1500-meter preliminary race, Ning Aoxue was stretching and loosening her muscles. Liu Xinghua, clad in sportswear, walked up behind her with a smirk and said coldly.

"Ning Aoxue, I knew you weren't someone who gives up easily... But I didn't expect you to be so foolish. You clearly know that participating will only lead to your humiliation, yet you still insist on competing..."

Liu Xinghua stood beside Ning Aoxue, speaking with a cold sneer.

Ning Aoxue paid Liu Xinghua no mind at all, continuing her warm-up exercises without even turning to look at her.

"Hmph, still putting on an act. I'll see how disgraced you'll be later..." Seeing Ning Aoxue's silence, Liu Xinghua assumed she was afraid and continued smugly, "Ning Aoxue, let me tell you, this 400-meter track means about four laps for 1500 meters. I'll comfortably lead you for three laps, toying with you slowly! Then, in the final lap, I'll leave you completely in the dust, so you understand what real running is, not just putting on a show!"

Ning Aoxue shot Liu Xinghua a speechless glance but remained silent. However, the trace of mockery in her eyes clearly expressed her attitude.

"Women's 1500-meter long-distance preliminary race, on your marks!"

At that moment, the referee had already raised the starting gun...

Three seconds later, BANG! The starting gun fired...

Ning Aoxue, Liu Xinghua, and the twenty-odd other girls competing in the long-distance race shot off the starting line in an instant...

When it comes to long-distance runs, especially those over a thousand meters, experienced athletes typically conserve energy for the first three laps, maintaining a steady pace before sprinting on the final lap…

Liu Xinghua was convinced Ning Aoxue's running speed wouldn't be very fast. That's why she had declared she would lead Ning Aoxue for the first three laps and then leave her behind in the final one. This running style fit the rhythm of a long-distance race and would also place significant psychological pressure on Ning Aoxue—which was precisely Liu Xinghua's aim!

However, just as Liu Xinghua expected Ning Aoxue to start at a relatively slow, even pace, a graceful figure shot out the instant the starting gun fired, immediately opening up a lead of more than ten meters!

Ning Aoxue was actually sprinting at full speed right from the start!

Hmph! Foolish woman! Liu Xinghua cursed Ning Aoxue inwardly. Without hesitation, she immediately took off, chasing after Ning Aoxue.

In Liu Xinghua's mind, Ning Aoxue's stamina and sprinting speed were definitely no match for hers. Therefore, she wasn't afraid of any tricks Ning Aoxue might try. She was certain she could stick to her original plan and leave Ning Aoxue steadily behind...

However, after finishing the first hundred meters of the straightaway, when Liu Xinghua realized she was still three or four body lengths behind Ning Aoxue, a sense of absurdity washed over her...

How is this possible? How can that woman Ning Aoxue run faster than me? My sprinting ability is among the best in all of Jiangzhou; how could I lose to her? Impossible! She must have started sprinting first, that's why she's a little bit faster! She should slow down after entering the turn, and I'll definitely overtake her then!

Liu Xinghua gritted her teeth and pushed forward, her eyes fixed on Ning Aoxue, trying to overtake her in the first turn...

But when Liu Xinghua was shocked to see Ning Aoxue's figure lean slightly, entering the turn smoothly without any loss of speed, her astonishment was undeniable...

"Absolutely impossible! That's a cornering technique only professional athletes can master! How could Ning Aoxue know it too?!" Liu Xinghua roared in extreme disbelief. She then took a sharp breath, and instantly her breathing became somewhat ragged, her throat burning with waves of intense pain...

This was the result of her disrupted breathing. Normally, a person couldn't maintain a sprinting pace for a long-distance run for very long. Liu Xinghua, though a professional athlete, had her mind elsewhere; she was constantly focusing on Ning Aoxue's movements. The shock had caused her to neglect controlling her own breathing, which led to such discomfort.

If I'm suffering this much, Ning Aoxue can't be feeling any better! I can't lose to her! How could I possibly slow down before she does! Liu Xinghua's face turned pale as she gritted her teeth, stubbornly maintaining her position two or three meters behind Ning Aoxue, refusing to ease up.

But what Liu Xinghua didn't know was that, at this moment, Ning Aoxue's expression wasn't even as strained as hers...

Ning Aoxue paid no attention to what was behind her. Her gaze was intensely focused on the track ahead, and she continued to sprint with all her might...

After sprinting at full power for nearly three hundred meters, anyone would normally feel tired. Yet, what Ning Aoxue felt at this moment was quite marvelous...

Firstly, her legs. She could clearly feel them become very light, as if an inexhaustible supply of energy was continuously welling up, allowing her to sprint at full speed without any effort...

Then, her breathing. Usually, when Ning Aoxue ran, she would have felt oxygen-deprived by this point. She would need to open her mouth wide to breathe, and her throat would definitely be uncomfortable. But now, Ning Aoxue clearly felt a peculiar coolness in her throat. This allowed her to run at full speed while maintaining normal breathing...

So, Lin Feng's acupuncture is this incredible! A confident smile touched Ning Aoxue's lips. She accelerated again, once more pulling away by several meters from Liu Xinghua, who had just managed to close some of the distance...

[Thank you "Yi Shuihan" for the 100 coin reward!]

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