Chapter 57: I'll Give You Five Seconds!

"Chu Tian, even at a time like this, you still insist on being stubborn?"

"I know you’re desperate to prove yourself, just to show how outstanding you are. But no matter how you try to present yourself, you and I are from two different worlds. It’s impossible for us to be together."

A flash of disappointment appeared in Yue Xin’s eyes, as if no matter what Chu Tian did, he could never be worthy of her.

"You’re too narcissistic!"

Chu Tian chuckled, finding it all utterly ridiculous.

Yue Xin actually thought his recent changes were all for her sake.

That, he had to admit, was a colossal misconception!

"What did you say?"

Yue Xin’s expression darkened, her delicate brows furrowing deeply.

She had assumed everything Chu Tian did was to win her approval. Though his transformation was indeed moving, it didn’t mean she was obliged to accept him.

But now, Chu Tian was publicly denying it. What did that mean? Was it simply pride?

Was he so concerned with saving face that he refused to admit his efforts were all to attract her attention, to win her favor?

"Yue Xin, the only reason I agreed to Han Zhuang’s challenge was because I didn’t want someone pestering me every day—it has nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself."

Chu Tian laughed again, showing Yue Xin not the slightest courtesy.

But with a personality like hers, Chu Tian truly didn’t wish to waste another moment on her.

"You..."

Yue Xin was angry, but she couldn’t get a word out.

She was convinced Chu Tian was only denying it out of pride. Since he didn’t appreciate her concern, she would not try to persuade him any further.

At this moment, Han Zhuang’s gaze was locked tightly on the two of them.

He stood some distance away, unable to hear their conversation, but assumed Yue Xin was worried for Chu Tian, which only fueled his rage.

Yue Xin was the woman he had set his sights on; he would allow no one to defile her.

Previously, Yue Xin had always looked down on Chu Tian, yet now she was taking the initiative to speak to him. It had to be because Chu Tian had beaten him in the exam!

The more Han Zhuang thought about it, the angrier he became. He was determined to utterly crush Chu Tian and prove to Yue Xin who the truly suitable man for her was.

At that moment, Chu Tian sensed a hostile gaze fixed upon him.

He met Han Zhuang’s eyes and smiled lightly, then strode directly toward him.

The two of them stood ready, each at the edge of the pool.

"I won’t lose this time," Han Zhuang said, his face grim.

Yet Chu Tian did not even regard him as a worthy opponent.

"I’ll give you a five-second head start."

Chu Tian’s tone was indifferent as he uttered these deeply insulting words.

"What did you say?" Han Zhuang’s face changed, and he glared at Chu Tian, trembling with rage.

In a swimming race, even a one-second difference can decide victory or defeat.

And now, Chu Tian was giving him five seconds?

Was he not being taken seriously at all?

But Chu Tian said nothing more, his eyes fixed on the far end of the pool.

"Ready!"

At that moment, Li Xin stepped up as referee and called out.

"Go!"

With a wave of Li Xin’s hand, the race began.

Han Zhuang had no time to dwell on the humiliation; he quickly gathered himself and leapt into the water.

His figure was agile, slicing into the pool like a swift and nimble fish, swimming toward the opposite side with perfect form.

Yet Chu Tian stood unmoved, making no attempt to enter the water.

"Chu Tian, why aren’t you swimming? Are you really giving Han Zhuang a five-second lead?" Li Xin cried out in disbelief, but Chu Tian remained utterly composed.

Only after five seconds had passed did Chu Tian finally dive in.

His dive seemed ordinary, but the moment his body entered the pool, it was as if a dragon had plunged into the sea.

With a single stroke of his arms, he broke through the waves, spinning like a high-speed propeller, closing the gap with Han Zhuang at a speed that defied belief.

Han Zhuang felt Chu Tian catching up, and was shocked.

But Chu Tian not only caught up with him—he overtook him, reaching the finish line first in a manner that was nothing short of overwhelming.

He pressed his hand lightly against the edge of the pool, and with a gentle push, his entire body soared out of the water, landing on the poolside.

This feat drew gasps of astonishment from the crowd.

Although the buoyancy of the water helped, for someone to lift their whole body out of the pool with one hand and leap directly onto the poolside—this was far beyond the abilities of an ordinary person.

Even professional athletes might not possess such arm strength.

For a moment, those with insight were left speechless with astonishment.

Li Xin, in particular, had watched most closely.

He realized Chu Tian had truly changed—not just in temperament, but in academic performance and physical prowess as well.

If he didn’t know Chu Tian so well, he might have suspected this wasn’t the same person.

How could someone change so much in just a dozen days?

About ten seconds later, Han Zhuang finally reached the edge.

He pressed his hands against the poolside and vaulted up, half-kneeling before straightening to his feet.

Even this method of climbing out tested one’s arm strength.

The crowd had first seen Chu Tian ascend so lightly, then watched Han Zhuang’s effortful climb—by comparison, their strengths were obvious.

"No wonder Han Zhuang lost; his opponent is a complete monster!"

"In both academics and physical strength, Chu Tian utterly outclasses Han Zhuang."

"Who exactly is this Chu Tian? Why was he so low-key before, never making a name for himself at school?"

"Han Zhuang used to be the school’s star, but now he’s lost to Chu Tian twice in a row. How can he show his face here anymore?"

The crowd whispered among themselves, some admiring Chu Tian’s prowess, others quietly sympathizing with Han Zhuang. The atmosphere was abuzz.

Naturally, Han Zhuang heard their comments as he came ashore, which only made his humiliation and anger burn hotter.

"Chu Tian!"

Han Zhuang gritted his teeth and strode toward Chu Tian.

His two greatest prides were his academic performance and his swimming talent.

Yet both had become a joke in front of Chu Tian.

Especially before Yue Xin, Han Zhuang felt he had lost all dignity.

"Han Zhuang, what are you doing?" Li Xin tried to block him, but Han Zhuang shoved him aside.

Losing a competition was one thing, but to lose and then lose his temper—he was showing himself to be a sore loser.

"I made it clear before: if you lost, you were not to bother me again."

"If you don’t understand plain words, then I’ll just have to see you off myself."

Chu Tian’s face darkened, and his entire demeanor changed.

Han Zhuang was startled.

At close range, his anger shifted into fear.

For the aura emanating from Chu Tian was terrifying—like a primeval beast, wild and dangerous.