Chapter Fourteen: High Jump Training

Today, Rousseau's training program was high jump.

After a week of observing and practicing the technical essentials of high jump—both visually and through the textual descriptions on his status bar—Rousseau slipped into the gym used by the high jump team after nine o'clock tonight, when it was deserted, to train alone.

He sprinted, transitioning from a straight line to a curve, and during the curved approach, he landed on the inside of the forefoot of his outer foot, swung his shoulder higher than the one facing the bar, inclined his body inward, accelerated in the last two steps, took off, straightened his left knee in the penultimate step to "brace," swung his right leg upward and inward, kept his knee close to the inside, and faced the bar with his shoulder...

This was the takeoff, followed by clearing the bar and landing, each with its own set of techniques.

The whole movement broke down into dozens of details to be mindful of. For a high jumper, the task was to turn these details into instinct, then optimize each one, letting the body "evolve" toward adapting to all the standard actions, ultimately achieving better results.

Here, physical fitness mattered more than anything.

Rousseau had jumped several times with imperfect form, repeatedly knocking the bar down, but gradually began to consciously correct his mistakes.

The status bar, though miraculous, only served as a guide; Rousseau still had to painstakingly correct himself, get used to his own body. Though his movements remained unrefined, by the end of his practice, he could consistently clear 1.75 meters without knocking the bar.

It wasn’t especially difficult; Rousseau stood at 1.82 meters tall, considered tall among sprinters. While a long stride was an advantage in running, increasing stride frequency was always a challenge. But in high jump, with his height, clearing 1.75 meters was achievable with a bit of training.

Over the next week, Rousseau continued his training.

His performance quickly improved, and he occasionally managed to clear 1.80 meters.

The next challenge was figuring out how to compete with Juno in the same event.

Although competing against a girl seemed somewhat absurd, if it truly meant gaining "attribute points" or "skills," Rousseau didn’t mind training in all the women's events.

It was a pity the women’s track and field team wasn’t training at Pengcheng Sports Academy; otherwise, might he have earned more "rewards" by competing against them?

...

Juno returned from the shower, rubbing her hair, only to see her roommate Zheng Ni waving a letter with a mischievous expression, clearly indicating it was for her.

“For me?” Juno asked. She let go of her towel, and her thick, short hair—envied by all girls—cascaded like a waterfall.

“Yes, Tian Shiwei delivered it on behalf of someone else. I suspect it’s a love letter,” Zheng Ni said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Your relationship with Old Tian is better than with me. What did you get for selling me out this time? If it’s less than a meal of hairy crabs, you’re losing out,” Juno sighed as she took the letter. “These boys are really old-fashioned—what era is this, and they’re still writing love letters…”

But after tearing open the letter, Juno was momentarily speechless.

Because it wasn’t a love letter at all.

The opening line read “Challenge Letter.”

It specified the time and place: tonight, ten o’clock, at the gymnasium, high jump training area.

...

Ten o’clock.

Juno appeared at the training field.

Had it been a love letter, she certainly wouldn’t have come.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to fall in love, but she felt boys her age were too immature—better as buddies, but not for romance. Besides, her family situation made it hard to find a satisfactory boyfriend.

Yet her curiosity was strong. Who had sent her this "challenge letter"? Was this some new trick to win a girl’s favor? If so, this one was somewhat successful, a little interesting.

Accompanying Juno was her roommate Zheng Ni. Ever since they were frightened by a “ghost” while buying spicy hotpot at night, Juno no longer dared to go out alone after dark.

When their figures appeared at the gymnasium, Tian Shiwei, who was waiting there, was dumbfounded.

“Juno, you actually showed up!” Tian Shiwei stomped his foot. “I lost, I lost.”

“You lost just because I came?” Juno asked curiously, glancing toward Rousseau, who stood beside Tian Shiwei.

Juno had a vivid impression of Rousseau. Though they’d never spoken one-on-one, she’d been paying attention to him for some time—from his four false starts during the team entry test, to his comments about her technique being unrefined but full of potential.

“Because I bet with him that you’d come after receiving this letter,” Rousseau explained. “He thought you definitely wouldn’t, so he lost.”

“You’ve received so many love letters and never showed up, but you come for a challenge? That’s illogical!” Tian Shiwei grumbled in disappointment.

“You were sure I’d come? Why?” Juno looked curiously at Rousseau, the tall, dark figure.

“Pure guesswork,” Rousseau replied. It really was just a guess—worth a try.

...

“So what did you bet on? I’m the stake here; can’t I get a share?” Juno asked, as if convinced their wager involved something delicious.

“Sure. If I won, he’d request a room change with the coach. If I lost—well, the matter of delivering your letter is settled.” Tian Shiwei said gloomily, thinking he’d finally escape this training fanatic. “If you want a share, let Old Rousseau move into your room.”

“Are you nuts!” Zheng Ni punched Tian Shiwei, who dodged with a grin, showing their unusual rapport.

“All right, I’m here. What’s the plan?” Juno asked Rousseau.

“Let’s compete,” Rousseau said earnestly.

“You really want to challenge me... but I don’t want to,” Juno shook her head.

“Why not?” Rousseau asked.

“Because you want to, so I don’t,” Juno replied mischievously. “I’m smarter than Old Tian; I won’t fall for your trick.”

“If you compete with me, I’ll help you improve your result to 1.85 meters,” Rousseau offered.

“Oh, you’re quite the odd one. But why should I trust you?” Juno countered.

“Don’t believe him. He’s just looking for a chance to be alone with you, trying to win you over. He’s not even the coach—making such boasts, he’s got some nerve,” Zheng Ni whispered to Juno.

“Trust me—if I can’t do it, you lose nothing. If I can, you won’t just be the top in the team; you might achieve results at the provincial games, even the national games,” Rousseau said.

“You’re underestimating her. Juno’s goal is the Asian Games gold medal,” her roommate interjected. “Coach says she has a good chance.”

“I can help you have even more hope,” Rousseau replied.

Juno gazed at the tall, dark figure, standing with bright eyes and a sincere expression; there was an inexplicable aura that made people want to believe him.

“And, I swear, if I use this opportunity to try and win you over, may lightning strike me down,” Rousseau raised his hand to heaven and vowed.

Damn, he’s really going all out to win a girl—risking his life... Tian Shiwei stared at Rousseau in astonishment. Was it really necessary?

“You’re so unwilling to woo me? Huh?” Unexpectedly, Juno was annoyed by this.