Chapter 59: Oddballs Every Year

On November 26, the Jiang University sports meet opened.

As soon as the opening ceremony ended, Li Dong prepared to leave, but was blocked by Li Tie.

Seeing the puzzled look on Li Dong's face, Li Tie said with exasperation, "Dongzi, don't tell me you've forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?"

Li Tie was thoroughly frustrated and retorted, "In the 100-meter preliminaries later, you're the only participant from our class. What do you mean you forgot?"

"Are you kidding me?" Li Dong shook his head quickly. "I didn't even sign up. How did I become a participant?"

"Dong Ye, can I call you Dong Ye now? Stop joking around." Li Tie was near tears and helplessly said, "I mentioned that no one had signed up for several events, and asked if you could help out. Didn't you agree?"

"Did I?"

Li Dong looked at him suspiciously. When did he agree to that?

"Nonsense, do I need to lie to you?" Li Tie rolled his eyes dramatically, realizing Li Dong had really forgotten.

Li Dong scratched his head. He genuinely didn't remember agreeing.

However, he had plans later, and he needed to get things done.

Realizing this, Li Dong quickly said, "Big class monitor, can you find someone else to take my place? I have things to do later."

"No! Dong Ye, have some pity on me. It's impossible to find a replacement at the last minute. If we had someone else, would I ask you to participate?"

Li Tie was also in a tough spot. The class was full of mediocre students. Could he really count on Meng Qiping to avoid embarrassment?

The only ones who seemed somewhat reliable were Li Dong and Yuan Qingfeng, but Yuan Qingfeng had issues with him. There was no choice but to turn to Li Dong.

Since Li Tie was adamant, Li Dong had no choice but to agree, "Alright then, when does the competition start? I really have things to do. I'll have to get busy after running."

Fortunately, it was only the 100-meter race, which would only take a few seconds. It shouldn't delay him too much.

As Li Dong thought this, Li Tie said with a sigh, "After the 100 meters, there's also an 800-meter preliminary."

"Are you kidding me?"

Li Dong instantly freaked out, "How many events did you sign me up for?"

"Ahem, not many. Besides these two, there's a 3000-meter long-distance run. No preliminary for that; it's a direct final tomorrow."

Li Tie looked a bit guilty after saying this, but then thought that Li Dong had agreed to it himself, so it wasn't entirely his fault. After all, Li Dong had said he was fine with it.

Li Dong gave him a fierce glare. He knew this guy was a professional at tricking his roommates!

---

At the starting line, the 100-meter sprint preliminary was about to begin.

All the athletes had taken their positions, and a boy from the lane next to Li Dong looked at him with admiration and said, "Dude, you're confident wearing jeans to compete. Looks like you don't care about us."

Li Dong rolled his eyes. Wearing jeans didn't mean confidence, did it?

He simply didn't have time to change clothes. Besides, it was just a competition; Li Dong couldn't be bothered and was just going along with Li Tie's request.

Seeing the guy still chattering about admiration, Li Dong said irritably, "Shut up. The competition is about to start. Be careful or I'll report you for verbal harassment of your competitors."

The other person promptly shut up, though his gaze still held admiration.

Seriously, even his talking had a faint pretentious tone. He was something else!

Li Dong was speechless. What an idiot, on par with Meng Qiping!

Just as the starter was about to give the signal, someone on Li Dong's right suddenly spoke up, "Teacher, wait, I have something to say!"

The starter was a teacher in his thirties. He put down the starting pistol and frowned, "The race is about to start. What's the matter?"

The person who spoke stood up and pointed at Li Dong, "Teacher, I object to him competing! Sportsmanship is sacred, and wearing jeans is disrespectful to the sport and all the participants. I suggest canceling his eligibility!"

With everyone's gaze on him, Li Dong was speechless.

Damn it, did you think I wanted to participate? If it weren't for Li Tie tricking me, I wouldn't have shown up!

But whether he wanted to or not, this guy was being so unreasonable. This was a school sports meet, for goodness' sake. What was going on in this person's head?

And this talk of sacredness and disrespect was making Li Dong nauseous. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss?

Indeed, oddballs every year, and this year seems to have particularly many!

Seeing the starter teacher frowning and unsure of what to do, Li Dong also stood up and said, "Teacher, this guy might have a problem with his head. I suggest canceling his eligibility!"

"Who are you calling crazy!" Fang You retorted angrily.

Li Dong rolled his eyes and replied dismissively, "I call whoever has a problem with their head. What does what I wear have to do with you? Does the school have a rule against wearing jeans for the competition?"

"You're insulting the spirit of the sport!"

"Stop talking nonsense. If I'm insulting it, so be it. If you're not happy, go ahead and report me!"

Li Dong had zero tolerance for such idiots. If he backed out now, they'd think he was easy to bully.

Fang You was enraged by Li Dong's nonchalant attitude. He turned to the starter teacher and said, "Teacher, I refuse to participate if he's in the race!"

Li Dong smirked, saying, "Fine, let's just get on with the competition. Everyone's waiting."

Before the referee could say anything, Fang You angrily declared, "Shameless! I challenge you to a one-on-one match. Loser withdraws!"

Everyone was stunned. What did that mean?

Wasn't a one-on-one match still a competition?

Fang You had just accused Li Dong of insulting sports, and now he wanted a one-on-one match?

Jiang University had this kind of talent? It was truly eye-opening!

The starter teacher was also furious, thinking, "Damn it, are you trying to mess with me on purpose?"

The teacher snapped, "Fang You, if you're not participating, then leave. If you cause any more trouble, I'll report you to the counselor!"

Fang You was infuriated but dared not take it out on the others. He glared at Li Dong and said, "Do you dare to compete with me?"

Li Dong couldn't be bothered with this idiot and ignored him.