This week, Teacher Xu would often pass by outside the window. Everyone also listened to the class monitor and stopped reading novels during class. Because of Teacher Xu's quiet appearance, everyone's little thoughts were put aside.
Physical education class was always the boys' favorite, especially with a lenient physical education teacher. After half a class, the teacher let everyone have free time.
Wang Muman shielded her eyes from the somewhat dazzling sunlight and went with He Lele to get their badminton rackets. Today, she was going to compete with He Lele, with a can of colorful paper candy as the stake.
"Manman, I found some new equipment in the equipment room today, and I specifically picked out green rackets for you," He Lele said excitedly, coming out of the equipment room and shaking her racket.
Wang Muman nodded. She had just asked the teacher in the equipment room for a new shuttlecock and waved her hand, urging He Lele to hurry.
The two found a spot under the shade of a tree to block some of the sun, and the match began. Wang Muman, with her height advantage, took the lead by a few points. However, Wang Muman gradually lost her initial drive. He Lele, on the other hand, was full of passion, constantly smashing the shuttlecock, which Wang Muman couldn't return, and she had to bend down to pick it up.
"I admit defeat, Xiaole. You need to slow down a bit, be careful not to hit the tree, it's hard to get it down." Several times, Wang Muman saw the shuttlecock graze the branches of the nearby trees.
After a short rest, Wang Muman tucked her hair, several strands of which had fallen down. He Lele sat on the curb, waiting for Wang Muman to finish resting.
"Then let's go to the canteen after class to buy candy!" He Lele loved colorful paper. When placed in the sunlight, it sparkled beautifully.
Wang Muman looked up at the sky. The spring sky was always clear, with very white clouds. She also loved to place the paper in the sunlight after eating candy; the rainbow colors made her feel happy.
They played a few more rounds. Just as they were about to end their playtime for the class, the shuttlecock He Lele hit disappeared. Only an arc was visible, and with a gentle breeze, it landed in the tree.
"He Lele, I knew this would happen." Wang Muman reached for the tree with her badminton racket, patting the leaves, trying to shake the shuttlecock down. But the shuttlecock seemed to be competing with them, stubbornly refusing to come down.
The dismissal bell rang. He Lele, in her haste, swung her racket upwards, trying to shake the branches forcefully. What was even more exasperating was that her racket also got stuck on the tree. Wang Muman put her hand to her forehead. Fortunately, her racket was large and could be retrieved.
"Zhou Mingyu, come here quickly!" He Lele seemed to have spotted a savior.
Zhou Mingyu, who had been holding Yan Cheng's shoulder, let go and walked towards He Lele.
"What's wrong, big sister?" Zhou Mingyu asked, hands on his hips.
He Lele pointed to the shuttlecock above and then to Wang Muman, who was struggling to reach the tree.
Zhou Mingyu understood. He then noticed that Wang Muman's shirt had ridden up because she was holding her hand high, revealing a small patch of fair skin.
"You two go return the badminton rackets first. We'll handle this," Yan Cheng said, walking to Wang Muman's side, lowering her hand.
Later, He Lele said, "Thank you, heroes!" Then she pulled Wang Muman away. After returning the badminton rackets, they went back to the tree.
The two boys started shaking the tree. They tried every possible method until they finally managed to get the shuttlecock down.
"Hahahaha, Zhou Mingyu, you're so silly!" He Lele burst into laughter, seeing the leaves in Zhou Mingyu's hair, making him look utterly foolish.