Zhang Tianxing completed the ten-kilometer run in thirty-five minutes, a decent time, but not quite enough to beat a sports student.
However, in Zhang Xiaodong's eyes, Zhang Tianxing's potential had not been fully unleashed. After the ten-kilometer run, only a few beads of sweat dotted his face.
His camouflage uniform was not even wet, suggesting he still had energy to spare. This was a very good result; if Zhang Tianxing had pushed himself for a final sprint, his time would have improved further.
Zhang Xiaodong casually said, "Zhang Tianxing, I have something to tell you. Forget about the other classmates, but you should prepare yourself for something."
"Instructor, please tell me," Zhang Tianxing replied, a little surprised. What was this Zhang Xiaodong, so close in age, up to?
Still, things happened unexpectedly. Who could have predicted a girl's issue, and why hadn't he informed the instructor beforehand?
Although his intentions were good, the military emphasized discipline. If he was ordered to run ten kilometers, without questioning why, he could say nothing.
"It's like this, instructor Zhao Hu came over earlier and said that our materials science freshmen were nothing special. I disagreed and had a debate with him."
Zhang Tianxing's expression was a mixture of grimness and uncertainty. "Good heavens, this instructor isn't being honest. He wants to set me up. Have you two instructors made some kind of bet, wanting our freshmen to compete?"
"The thing is, if you're willing, you can compete with them on behalf of our department. They're from the sports institute, but don't worry, I feel they're all brawn and no brains."
The way he put it. The crucial issue was that the competition would likely be in physical fitness, where being brawny clearly held an advantage.
Seeing Zhang Tianxing's noncommittal response, Zhang Xiaodong continued, "If you're unwilling, then this matter is dropped. After all, they have the freedom to say what they want."
Before Zhang Tianxing could respond, his surrounding classmates cried out, "Head of the class, go for it!"
"So what if they're from the sports institute? We're not convinced. Let's see what they've got, a real fight to the finish."
"Exactly! With our head of the class, his physique, his looks, he's definitely a campus heartthrob, capable of defeating gods and buddhas!"
"The sports institute's desire to destroy our materials science department is unyielding. We can't let them have the satisfaction. We can lose, but not our spirit!"
"Alright, listen to my command, everyone! Target: Canteen!" Zhang Xiaodong's voice cut through the air. This matter couldn't be discussed further. Zhang Tianxing had clearly seen through Zhang Xiaodong's intentions.
This instructor, though young, had plenty of ideas. However, he wasn't willing to participate in a competition without significant benefits.
Wasn't casually running just a waste of dopamine? Youth was capital, but capital shouldn't be casually displayed.
Finding an opportunity, Tan Honghong softly said to Zhang Tianxing.
"Thank you for this matter. Otherwise..."
"We're classmates, no need to say anything. Are you planning to pledge yourself to me? Let me tell you, I'm not interested in you." Seeing Tan Honghong's expression, Zhang Tianxing quickly clarified his stance.
This was his free labor, but not his type.
Tan Honghong gave Zhang Tianxing a huff and said indignantly, "My humble appearance is not worthy of Master Zhang's favor. I agree to your request from last time. From now on, I'll handle class matters for you. You can focus on your own affairs. I never expected that in college, I would be sharing your workload. Isn't this making me your secretary?"
"No, secretaries get paid. I won't pay you," Zhang Tianxing said seriously.
Having a secretary to handle things, Zhang Tianxing's college life was truly excellent.
"By the way, instructor Zhang asked you to compete with the sports institute. What do you think?" Tan Honghong asked casually.
"I don't think much of it. When soldiers come, they block them; when water comes, they build dams. If they want to compete, we'll compete. If not, we'll disperse." Zhang Tianxing was not interested in this matter.
Winning would bring no benefit, and losing would make him a laughingstock. This was not a profitable endeavor.
From a businessman's perspective, when undertaking something, one must first consider the profit, and then the impact.
Sometimes, even unprofitable ventures had to be undertaken; in the business world, one was bound by circumstances.
The competition between the materials science department and the sports institute was no longer something Zhang Tianxing could control.
However, he didn't take the sports institute's individuals seriously.
But the materials science department didn't see it that way.
"The person from the sports institute broke the record during the physical fitness test. They were specially recruited by our school."
"Indeed, that's a trump card prepared for the National Collegiate Athletic Games. To compete with the materials science department here, isn't that overkill?"
Amidst the crowd's discussions, no one was optimistic about the materials science department.
There was no way around it; this wasn't a written exam. Physical fitness couldn't be trained in a day or two.
Over at the sports institute, Zhang Dalong handed Zhao Siyang a bottle of beverage.
"Siyang, it's all up to you this time. That Zhang Tianxing was too much last time. You must curb his arrogance well this time."
Several classmates nearby chuckled, "Zhang Tianxing is just a crawfish vendor. I never thought he'd want to go to university, but that doesn't change his identity as a crawfish vendor."
Their words drew a burst of laughter. "That's right, Zhang Dalong. You handle this properly and strive to get a position in the student union as soon as possible, then we can all benefit."
Zhao Siyang, with his strong build and well-proportioned physique, chuckled upon hearing this.
"Dalong, no problem. As long as Zhang Tianxing accepts the challenge, I'll definitely crush him under my feet. It just won't be a glorious victory. Also, you guys, our sports institute's fame comes from those few clubs, the legacy of our predecessors. Now that it's in our hands, there can't be any mistakes."
For a top sports student to compete with a student from the materials science department, Zhao Siyang wouldn't have sought this spotlight if Zhang Dalong hadn't pleaded with him.
He had seen Zhang Tianxing before; his physique was decent. He had even seen him running, but in Zhao Siyang's eyes, it was merely decent.
After all, he was part of the sports circle, and Zhang Tianxing was merely a skilled individual outside of it.
Zhang Tianxing was not a threat. Looking at the instructor's intention, they wanted a decisive victory.
Suddenly, the news of a competition between the sports institute and the materials science department spread like wildfire.
When the counselor Ma Qiang learned of this, his expression turned somewhat grim.
What were these new students from the sports institute thinking? They always seemed to have a problem with the materials science department.
Was it just because the materials science department took the lion's share of the annual funding? If they had the ability, they should earn it through their research projects.
What was the point of making such petty moves here?
He decided to inform Zhang Tianxing, telling him not to bother with these physically fit individuals.
It was meaningless, Ma Qiang thought.
As researchers, achieving success in their respective fields was true skill.
However, their paths in university were different; their goals were not the same.
If one had to differentiate, it was a case of reaching the same destination via different routes; their starting points were different.