volume 1 / Chapter 81: Dazzling Wherever You Go

Maybe it was because they were sitting on the grandstand under everyone's watchful gaze, but all the girls were eating with particularly refined manners.

People are shaped by their environment, after all.

Even Mò Xuěyáo couldn’t help but change her usual way of eating—no more big bites. Instead, she was taking small, careful mouthfuls and chewing slowly.

She found it troublesome, sure. But she didn’t want to stick out or seem unsociable, so she went along with it.

Her natural eating pace wasn’t fast to begin with. She just liked that full, puffed-up feeling in her mouth when it was stuffed with food, slowly chewing it down at her leisure.

During the lunch break, most of the school sports day events had paused. Only the lighter competitions continued—things like the shot put, long jump, and high jump.

The shot put especially felt like a filler event. Most people showed up just to toss it and leave, not even caring how far they could throw.

Compared to the more intense competitions like running, the shot put truly was the least attention-grabbing.

Even the high jump had its own audience.

Since it was break time, Mò Xuěyáo, who was assigned as a cheerleader, had a bit of free time to roam around.

Normally, aside from morning exercises, it was rare to see the school field so packed with students.

She didn’t tag along with anyone. Just strolled around by herself with no particular destination—wandering aimlessly.

If she heard something fun, like a lively chat or noisy laughter, she’d stop to watch for a bit.

Eventually, she found herself standing in front of the high jump area.

They were doing the girls' high jump event now—most of the participants were tall and slender girls.

You rarely saw any heavier girls in this event. Unless they volunteered themselves, the class sports reps and monitors wouldn’t push them into it.

Heavier girls were usually assigned to the shot put.

Not that being chubby meant you had strength—still, of all the events, this one probably suited them best.

“Hey, Mò Xuěyáo.”

She had just watched a girl sprint forward, leap, and… go straight under the bar instead of over it. It made her burst out laughing.

Right then, a brisk, confident-sounding girl’s voice called from behind her.

“Huh?” Mò Xuěyáo turned her head and saw a tall girl standing just behind her.

She vaguely remembered this girl might be from her class.

They weren’t familiar, so she didn’t know her name, but she did know—this was the tallest girl in class.

She had to be over 180 centimeters. And despite the height, she didn’t look bulky at all. Her body proportions were well-balanced, and her face had a bit of a Western-European vibe—exotic and striking.

Standing next to her made Mò Xuěyáo feel tiny, like a child still waiting to grow up.

—Well, technically, she was still growing.

“Are you in the high jump too?”

“No, no!” Mò Xuěyáo quickly waved her hands, her tone tinged with envy. “I’m way too short to do the high jump. I wish I were as tall as you.”

“Pfft, being tall isn’t all that great. Especially for girls.” The tall girl shrugged. “It’s hard to find guys taller than me. If your boyfriend’s shorter than you, it’s just awkward, right?”

“Uh… well, yeah…” Mò Xuěyáo nodded.

Back in the ’90s, men over 180 cm weren’t that common. Most hovered around 170 cm.

And really, what women wanted in a guy’s height had always shifted with the times.

For example, during this era, a man who stood at 172 cm was considered ideal.

No one could’ve predicted that years later, 172 cm would be labeled a “third-tier disability” and 180 cm would become the new standard.

“But I think a tall older girl paired with a shorter boy has its own charm,” Mò Xuěyáo offered thoughtfully.

“Oh? Then if you were a boy, would you fall for me?”

“Eh—wha? W-Why are you suddenly asking that…?” Mò Xuěyáo’s face flushed a little. She looked around to change the subject, not sure how to respond.

“Pfft, you’re way too easy to fluster, aren’t you? Most girls wouldn’t get embarrassed by a question like that.”

“I… I’m just… different, okay…”

“Yeah, you really are different.” The girl smiled. “Wherever you go, you shine.”

“Me? Shine?” Mò Xuěyáo pointed at herself and shook her head dramatically. “You’re the one who stands out everywhere! You’re so tall—it’s impossible not to notice you.”

“That’s not ‘shining,’ that’s just… sticking out.”

“Ahem.” Mò Xuěyáo gave an awkward little cough. “By the way… uh… I forgot your name.”

“You already forgot my name?” The girl teased, gently lifting Mò Xuěyáo’s chin. “Remember it, alright? Big sis here is called—Qiū Yuánlíng~”

“Mmph!” Mò Xuěyáo flinched at the unexpected flirtation and instinctively stepped back.

“Heh, you’re really cute, you know that?” Qiū Yuánlíng grinned. “Alright, time for me to line up for my jump.”

“Okay… I’ll… be cheering you on.”

“Haha, no need. It’ll be over in a flash.”

Even among all the tall girls in the lineup, Qiū Yuánlíng stood out like a model on a school track.

Maybe she was right—it wasn’t “shining.” It was just… impossible to miss.

Most girls were already considered tall if they hit 170 cm. Even someone at 175 cm would still look shorter next to her.

A 5 cm difference didn’t sound like much, but visually? It was a massive gap.

Mò Xuěyáo watched as the line slowly advanced until it was Qiū Yuánlíng’s turn. She took a few extra steps back—widening her run-up—then suddenly burst forward at a full sprint.

It was like she was charging a 100-meter dash.

At the final step, she leaned slightly, lifted her long legs, and soared through the air, her body nearly horizontal to the high jump bar.

Light as a feather, she cleared it with ease.

“Still plenty of room. Go again,” said a nearby gym teacher surnamed Jīn, raising the bar just a little higher.

He had judged her previous distance and adjusted accordingly. She would keep jumping until she couldn’t make it over anymore.

So Qiū Yuánlíng jumped again—and again—and again.

Three times in a row.

Her long, slender legs were definitely eye-catching.

But beside Mò Xuěyáo, several boys were murmuring among themselves:

“Nice legs, but she’s way too tall.”

“Yeah, right?”

“Walking next to a girl that tall would feel weird.”

“Long legs are kinda scary.”

“I still think that girl’s the prettiest.”

“You mean Mò Xuěyáo from Class 2?”

“Yup.”

“She’s probably gonna be voted the school beauty.”

Mò Xuěyáo sighed internally.

Why did the conversation always seem to circle back to her?

And what was this talk about a “school beauty” ranking? Did the school even hold stuff like that?

Probably not. Most likely just a student thing—a quiet, mutual consensus.

In this era without beauty filters, that kind of compliment might’ve been the most genuine kind.

Even if it wasn’t the kind of praise Mò Xuěyáo particularly wanted.

If she had a choice, she’d rather be called cool than pretty...

Still, most people wouldn’t turn down a compliment.

And neither would she.

Hearing others speak well of her did make her happy.

After all, being considered good-looking was better than being called ugly, right?

She just didn’t let that happiness show on her face.

On her fourth jump, Qiū Yuánlíng finally missed. But Teacher Jīn still looked thrilled.

“Oho! That’s a new school record for girls’ high jump!”

“Wooooah—!” The crowd of students cheered.

“Doesn’t that basically mean she won first place?”

“Not necessarily,” Teacher Jīn said with a shake of his head. “Someone else might still jump higher. But anyone who breaks a record can head to the podium and claim a prize.”

“Got it.” Qiū Yuánlíng nodded.

“Here’s the slip. Just take it to the staff table over there. Uh… not sure what your prize is, though.”

“Mò Xuěyáo, wanna come with me?” Qiū Yuánlíng asked.

Girls always seemed to prefer doing things together.

“Nah…” Mò Xuěyáo shook her head. “I want to wander around a bit more.”

“Alright then.” Qiū Yuánlíng looked a little disappointed.

For some reason, both the girls and the boys seemed to like Mò Xuěyáo.

Could this be what they called gender appeal?

Why, though?

…Maybe because she had the vibe of both a boy and a girl. That unique mix made her stand out?

Mò Xuěyáo gave her head a little shake, trying to toss that odd thought away.

“Hi there! Excuse me—are you Mò Xuěyáo from Class 2, Year 10?” A boy she didn’t know walked up to her.

“Uh… that’s me. What is it?” Mò Xuěyáo eyed him warily, like someone preparing to call the police on a pickpocket.

“Ahem, no need to panic! We’re from the school newspaper—the new club that started this term. Would it be alright if we interviewed you and took a photo?”

“Interview me?” Mò Xuěyáo blinked. “Why me?”

“Because you’re the girl who shines wherever she goes!”

“…I’m not that pretty.” She looked genuinely puzzled.

“There are other pretty girls too,” the boy admitted. “But your aura is different—unique. Heh… though honestly, we’re interviewing all the pretty girls. We’re doing a special feature on the ‘school flowers.’ But you really are the brightest. One of a kind.”

Mò Xuěyáo had a feeling he used this exact line on everyone.

Still, she found it hard to say no, so she reluctantly agreed.

“What do you want to ask?”

“Just some simple stuff. What do you like? Favorite color? Star sign? And any special talents?”

“Feels like a census…” Mò Xuěyáo deadpanned, eyelids drooping. With boys, she tried to act a bit more composed.

“Aha… it’s necessary data!”

“Whatever. I like cats. Favorite color: yellow. Star sign… not sure. Birthday’s in January. Special talents? Can’t say I have any.”

“Perfect, thanks!” Click! The photographer beside him snapped a photo.

Mò Xuěyáo nodded. She felt nervous but didn’t show it—though her steps quickened slightly as she walked away.

The idea of ending up in the school paper made her feel embarrassed and shy.

Especially with that guy still chatting behind her: “Yep, that balance of masculine and feminine energy—just so attractive!”

What a moron.

Mò Xuěyáo thought.