The spring breeze was warm, and the sky was clear.
The annual school sports meet was just around the corner.
Back when Zhou You was a student, aside from being forced to participate in his freshman year, he never joined in again, nor did he ever watch. Later on, he didn't even pay attention to it.
Who would've thought that early in the morning, he'd be called to the office by his teacher.
"Teacher, what's up?" Zhou You rarely came by during the year—if he showed up, it meant trouble.
Professor Wang gestured for Zhou You to sit down. "How old are you this year? I remember you're not yet 30, right?"
"Teacher, I'm only three years older than A-Le. You forgot—I'm just 27, still young," Zhou You said, unsure what his teacher was getting at. It probably had something to do with setting him up with someone, and he had no idea how to handle that.
"Being young is good. Zhou You, the school sports meet is coming up soon, you know that?" Professor Wang said with a beaming face.
"I know. That means another break, at least three days." Zhou You grinned foolishly, remembering the holiday schedule perfectly.
"Here's the thing: our school got a new principal this year, remember?"
"Huh, when did that happen?" Zhou You looked completely clueless. He was just a minor teacher—no one had informed him about the principal change. How was he supposed to know? He spent all his time having fun.
Professor Wang gave him a look of utter disappointment. The school's top leader had changed, and you didn't even know? What were you doing all day, messing around? He wanted to scold him but then thought better of it. Zhou You's teaching was just a side gig anyway; he couldn't demand too much. Besides, he had a task for him.
"You never care about school affairs all year, always out playing. Now the new principal wants teachers and students to participate in the sports meet together, emphasizing teacher-student harmony. Every department and major has been assigned tasks, and all teachers under 30 are required to sign up for at least one event."
Zhou You curled his lip. "University teachers don't care about that. They're just bullying the young ones. No problem, I'll join one. It's not like I have anything better to do. Sign me up for the 100-meter dash, and I'll be done with it."
Since his teacher had brought it up, he had to show some respect. If the principal had said it directly, Zhou You might not have bothered.
Professor Wang wasn't particularly happy that Zhou You agreed so readily. "Hold on. Our department still has a few events. Look, I and the other teachers aren't young anymore, so we're counting on you. The women's events are handled by the counselors, so the men's ones are all yours. Pick a few yourself."
With that, he handed Zhou You a sheet of paper for him to choose from.
What the hell.
Zhou You was a bit annoyed. Who does that? Treating university teachers like high school or middle school teachers?
Even in the past, the most they'd do was organize a faculty sports meet for fun, run some union activities, and hand out small prizes.
This was straight-up conscription, making teachers compete alongside students in sports. How many could keep up?
Zhou You took the paper and glanced over it.
The front had the usual events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 4x100m relay, 110m hurdles.
There was also high jump, long jump, shot put, and so on.
But what was this at the end? Martial arts (including sparring, taekwondo, wrestling, etc.), with a note: subject to registration numbers.
"Teacher, what's this new principal's deal? Why is he so unconventional, adding martial arts?" Zhou You was baffled. In all previous years, there were never events like this. These were things from the National University Games. For a comprehensive university like this, they probably couldn't even gather enough participants.
Professor Wang sighed helplessly, trying to calm Zhou You. "Don't worry about his deal. Teachers are permanent, principals come and go. He'll be gone in a few years—it'll pass in a blink. Is there anything you're interested in? We need to sign up for three events. Besides the 100m, pick two more you're good at."
Hearing his teacher say that, Zhou You couldn't help but smile. Principals changed like a revolving door; his teacher had probably seen several come and go. Except for those on the administrative track, most teachers didn't bother.
"I'll add standing long jump and sparring." Zhou You wasn't stupid—he chose the ones that required the least energy and time. As for sparring, hah, it was just small fry. Perfect for practicing in the newbie zone.
Seeing Zhou You sign up for sparring, Professor Wang couldn't help but worry. "I remember you don't know sparring. Don't go up there and get beaten by a student—that would be embarrassing."
"Teacher, don't worry. I've been learning sparring for a long time. I can go a few rounds with professional fighters, let alone school students."
"When did you learn?"
"After graduation, when I had money, I hired someone to teach me privately. I even opened a sparring gym. I'll invite you to check it out sometime." Zhou You showed off a little.
Professor Wang took a sip of water, utterly speechless. Why would I go to a sparring gym? To get beaten up? With my old bones, if something happened, could you afford it?
"Be careful yourself, and don't invest recklessly. A-Le likes this stuff. When he comes back for summer break, let him hang out with you."
Zhou You grinned. "Teacher, don't worry. I'll teach A-Le real skills. A boy needs to protect himself out there too."
Professor Wang laughed. "Get out of here. Go practice well, and just don't come in last."
Haha, no way. I'm going to dominate.
Of course, Zhou You wasn't that cringey. He kept that thought to himself—saying it out loud would be unbecoming of a teacher.
After leaving, Zhou You went to teach.
On his way to class, he remembered something and pulled out his phone to call Zhao Yun. "Bro Yun, the documentary 'China in the Countryside' was great. I really liked it. Have you thought about sponsoring that Du Shenzhong guy?"
"You're the boss, you decide. As more documentaries come out, can you sponsor them all?" Zhao Yun wanted to help too, but he didn't have the money—it was Zhou You's.
"It's all about fate. Help where I can, lend a hand when I feel a connection. I'm not trying to save the whole world, and I don't have that ability." Zhou You was honest. There were too many poor people out there; he couldn't save them all.
"Alright, how do we sponsor, and in what form?" Zhao Yun asked.
"Sponsor through the documentary fund. Set the amount at 100,000 for now. Before that, send someone to investigate again, and have Director Jiao lead it." Zhou You explained briefly.
"Any conditions?" Zhao Yun had dealt with plenty of sponsorships, many with strings attached.
"None. Just use it to improve his life. People like that shouldn't be stuck in poverty forever." Zhou You figured he'd start with 100,000 and see how it went, taking it step by step.
Zhao Yun fell silent, lost in thought.
After a long pause: "Bro You, I thank you on his behalf."
Zhou You was speechless. Zhao Yun's artistic temperament was probably acting up again. "Alright, I'm off to class."
Zhao Yun, hung up on by Zhou You, started getting sentimental.
People like that shouldn't be stuck in poverty forever.
He had watched the documentary too. Du Shenzhong's wife's words kept echoing in his mind:
"A rich bastard sits at the head of the table, while a poor gentleman is treated like dirt."
Though people asked Du Shenzhong to write calligraphy for festivals, weddings, and funerals, the villagers didn't respect him. Instead, they saw him as a cautionary tale.
Zhao Yun didn't know how to put it into words, but he just felt—
A heaviness in his chest.