Chapter 035: You Are So Hot

At this time, the student union arrived pushing cardboard boxes, distributing bright orange cultural shirts to the alumni, along with temporarily purchased cheering sticks.

“I’ve never understood why our school’s cultural shirt has to be orange?”

“Looks like we’re going out to collect garbage!”

“Stop picking and choosing, put it on quickly! Look at the red camp opposite, acting all wolf-like and tiger-like again!”

“Isn’t collecting garbage good? We’ll collect the garbage from the opposite side!”

During the injury timeout, the red cheerleading squad opposite showed no guilt for knocking Ye Chaoying down; instead, their momentum grew even greater.

Soon, the color on the Ningchang University side suddenly flipped. The uniform bright orange was particularly eye-stinging… ah, eye-catching.

Xia Chiyi was just about to go over to see how Ye Chaoying was doing when Ling Huanzhen whispered, “Zhou Zhexiao, take Xia Chiyi to warm up! Tell him what position he’s playing!”

Time was tight. Zhou Zhexiao took Xia Chiyi to the sideline to dribble.

“What position am I playing?”

“Obviously, Ye Chaoying’s position.”

“Po… Point guard?” Xia Chiyi almost didn’t catch the ball Zhou Zhexiao passed over.

“Listen. Dribbling speed, breakthroughs, cutting and passing—you have all the skills a point guard should have. Now, just bring what we’ve imagined in our minds while watching countless games into reality.”

Xia Chiyi took a deep breath. “Understood!”

He had always told Ling Huanzhen he wanted to play as a combo guard, so he must possess the ability to organize the offense.

Their Ningchang University would definitely enter the Southeast Division. With strong schools everywhere, Ye Chaoying’s organizing ability might be locked down due to certain circumstances. When that time came, Xia Chiyi would very likely become the second core for organizing the offense.

He could only adapt to the point guard’s perspective in the grassroots tournament; the Southeast Division wouldn’t give him time to adapt.

“Ye Chaoying has already given you a very good template. You can choose to follow his style.”

“Mn.” Xia Chiyi nodded.

Zhou Zhexiao suddenly pinched his nose. Xia Chiyi, who was mimicking Ye Chaoying in his mind, suddenly snapped out of it.

“Ouch, why did you pinch me again?”

“Or—you can also choose to be yourself. There are no two identical leaves in this world, and no two identical point guards.”

“Then I want to be Xia Chiyi.”

The boy raised his eyes to look at Zhou Zhexiao. Tiny flames flickered in his glass-bead-like eyes, leaving the crackling sound of burning in Zhou Zhexiao’s calm heart lake.

“Good, I’ll be watching you.”

“Xia Chiyi, ready yet!” Ling Huanzhen shouted.

“Coming!”

Xia Chiyi walked onto the court. Behind him, deafening shouts erupted from Ningchang University.

“You are light—You are electricity—You are the myth of Ningchang University—”

Xia Chiyi paused, resisting the urge to look back.

Instead, Ling Huanzhen turned around, looking at the group of university students shouting at the top of their lungs. “Did the Optoelectronics Department come today?”

“We dare to dream—We dare to think—Ningchang University stands tall through blood—”

“We are all little stars—Together we are the Milky Way—”

As long as they beat Chengjiang College, Ningchang University would have one foot in the Southeast Division!

Chengjiang College didn’t want to be outdone, and both sides competed with their voices.

With the referee’s signal, both sides finally quieted down.

Xia Chiyi received a pass from Du He. He dribbled and charged into the opponent’s formation, encountering a double team right at the three-point line. Xia Chiyi dribbled quickly, his eyes looking at He Bin, but his hands passed the ball in another direction.

Chen Chuan, who was preparing to screen for He Bin, suddenly received the ball. More importantly, he discovered he was unguarded and decisively cut to the basket to score.

In the stands, Xu Mi was stunned. A no-look pass… but how was Xia Chiyi sure Chen Chuan was there?

No, no, no. Chen Chuan wanted to screen for He Bin, so he would inevitably run past that point. Xia Chiyi had already thought it through before passing!

Coincidence… or intentional?

When it was Chengjiang College’s turn to initiate offense, Xia Chiyi and He Bin double-teamed the opponent’s shooting guard at the three-point line. This guy was about to run out of possession time and wanted to pass low to a teammate rushing over. Unexpectedly, Xia Chiyi dipped low to scoop, his knee almost kneeling on the ground, yet miraculously maintaining balance, he lunged out fiercely, catching Chengjiang College off guard with a steal!

“Aooo aooo aooo—”

Ningchang University erupted in turbulent shouts.

“Cut in—” With a roar from Xia Chiyi, Du He, Shuai Bei, and Chen Chuan all launched straight for the opponent’s basket.

Chengjiang College hurriedly retreated to defend, and the space under the basket suddenly became congested. Facing a steal attempt, Xia Chiyi suddenly turned, passing the ball out—not to under the basket, but near the corner!

Unguarded, He Bin received the ball and jumped calmly. Ningchang University scored another ball!

“Too godly, how did he do it? Chengjiang College is being played around by him!”

“Holy crap, it’s simply like magic, feinting east and striking west!”

Chengjiang College was also dazed.

This Number 15, isn’t he good at three-pointers? Why hasn’t he taken a single shot since coming on?

Ye Chaoying pinched his nose, frowning. “I’m so angry—I’m so angry—don’t think I don’t know he’s learning from me off the court!”

“Mn.” Zhou Zhexiao admitted calmly.

“Learning from me is one thing, but he’s even cooler than me!”

“Then you evolve.”

“I want to watch NBA games with you guys in the future too!”

Zhou Zhexiao replied leisurely: “Whatever.”

Facing the defense of the opponent’s big man, Xia Chiyi suddenly feinted, like a fish in water. His peripheral vision made brief contact with Du He, who was boxing out under the basket, then he rushed towards He Bin’s direction.

Realizing he was going to pass to He Bin, the opponent indeed sent someone to defend. Xia Chiyi flicked his right hand, and the ball was caught by Du He.

Du He jumped calmly, dunking the ball into the basket!

In the stands, Xu Mi revealed an expression of disbelief. Luring the tiger away from the mountain again—Xia Chiyi, how does your brain turn so fast!

No, no, no, not just a fast brain. In recent games, every time Xia Chiyi appeared, it was like an evolution.

Faster jump shots, higher accuracy, undefendable sudden brakes, and now he had turned the entire team into the spear and shield in his hands.

When the game reached the final quarter, Chengjiang College launched a ferocious counterattack.

Ling Huanzhen winked at Shuai Bei, and Shuai Bei immediately understood the meaning—protect Xia Chiyi.

When Xia Chiyi made a beautiful bounce pass to He Bin, the opposing defender was about to crash into Xia Chiyi. Xia Chiyi agilely dodged, and Shuai Bei moved quickly to block the opponent just right.

“Bro, be careful—” Shuai Bei looked at the opponent with a warning gaze.

Xia Chiyi walked over and high-fived Shuai Bei. “Thank you!”

Shuai Bei gave an “Mn” and ran away expressionlessly. It seemed this guy wasn’t good at dealing with thanks.

Ningchang University’s Orange Army made “Woo woo woo” jeering sounds.

Chengjiang University’s coach shook his head at his players, meaning defense must be compliant.

Xia Chiyi, having found the feeling, suddenly discovered that organizing offense was such an interesting thing.

The terminal of his vision was no longer fixed on the basket at the end of the court, but on each person running with all their might.

Chengjiang College felt an unprecedented threat. In the last five minutes, they constantly tried to intercept Xia Chiyi, but Xia Chiyi formed a triangle threat with Shuai Bei under the basket and He Bin on the three-point line.

His passing choices became incredibly numerous. Chengjiang College was like a small insect stuck on a flexible spider web; the harder they struggled, the more counterproductive it was.

In the last five seconds, Xia Chiyi passed the ball to Chen Chuan, who passed it to He Bin.

Someone chased up to block him. He Bin never expected that the one coming to screen for him this time would be Xia Chiyi.

Xia Chiyi collided abruptly with the opponent, tightening his core and stabilizing his lower body!

Like hitting a small hill. Even Shuai Bei was dumbfounded and rushed over to catch him, afraid he would land on the back of his head, but Xia Chiyi stood firm and quickly separated from the opponent.

He Bin jumped, and the shot ended the game.

The whistle blew; the winner was decided.

Xia Chiyi’s eyes lit up. He excitedly rushed in front of Ling Huanzhen, clenched his fists, and gave two low roars.

Ling Huanzhen pressed his head into his embrace. “Stinky brat—who are you trying to scare to death? Who are you trying to scare to death?”

“I’m not that fragile!”

When Xia Chiyi drilled out of Ling Huanzhen’s arms, he met Zhou Zhexiao’s eyes.

The other party was staring straight at him, obviously shaken by the aura with which he decisively rushed up to confront the opposing small forward.

Xia Chiyi suddenly jumped up, wrapping around Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulders. “Who said my confrontation is no good! Who said I can’t do it! Who said I’d be knocked to the moon!”

Zhou Zhexiao belatedly scooped him up, listening to Xia Chiyi’s excited blabbering in his ear.

Behind them, the Orange Army suddenly let out a shout that could lift the ceiling.

Zhou Zhexiao’s face pressed against Xia Chiyi’s cheek for a moment. He said something, but Xia Chiyi didn’t hear clearly.

But whatever, it must be flattering words.

Chengjiang College’s side seemed very quiet. The coach comforted his players.

“You worked very hard this year, but competitive sports are like this; effort doesn’t guarantee a win. This year’s Ningchang University is indeed very strong.”

The players held back tears, remaining silent.

“At least we have one more chance. Play the remaining games well; if we beat the Finance and Economics University, we still have a chance to qualify.”

---

The game was won, and everyone else from Ningchang University was hugging to celebrate. Only Ye Chaoying hurriedly took out his phone camera to check his nose. “Luckily… not crooked, not disfigured.”

A person wearing Chengjiang College’s uniform walked up to him and handed him a can of cold cola. “Um, sorry.”

Ye Chaoying looked up. Although he took the cola, he still put his hands on his hips and said, “Do you know that elbow of yours almost ruined my beauty?”

“Beau… ty…”

What beauty does a man need? Scars are medals!

“Bro, next time if you don’t want a technical foul, hold back your elbow.” Ye Chaoying lifted his chin. “Since we won, I’ll forgive you.”

“…”

The other person’s face instantly became awkward, and he quickly turned and left.

This time, the Ningchang University Basketball Team advanced to the finals of the Jin Province grassroots tournament based on ability. No shady deals, no opponents having diarrhea—they took down the provincial powerhouse Chengjiang College!

Principal Feng looked at the press release on the school’s official account, unable to lower the corners of his mouth even during meetings.

“I think the basketball team is doing us proud. Following this trend, they’re going to enter the divisional competition. We still need to increase the budget so they have no worries in the divisionals.”

The school leaders immediately nodded in agreement.

Only Ma Wenhua, idling at home, was completely stunned when he saw the official account news.

How is this possible?

Ningchang University PK Chengjiang College, that’s an egg hitting a rock!

But how did the egg crack the rock?

He didn’t even dare look at the comments under that press release, how many people were condemning him, saying he delayed Ningchang University for two whole years.

On the bus back, Ling Huanzhen sent a message to his nemesis Li Xiaoran: [You can get my barbecue ready, we won.]

Li Xiaoran replied: [If you have the ability to enter Beijing, I’ll set up a three-hundred-meter barbecue stall for you in Qing University’s cafeteria.]

Ling Huanzhen sneered, “This guy is really smug!”

Shuai Bei and Du He leaned their heads together and fell asleep.

Chen Chuan and He Bin were browsing the campus forum and Fatty’s Weibo, wanting to see how everyone evaluated today’s game.

After all, they were scolded all last year, never approved of. Conversely, after beating Chengjiang College, they finally had the courage to click on various comment sections.

[I admit I was too loud about Chen Chuan in the past. He actually played pretty well, cuts were effective, didn’t retreat facing wolves and tigers!]

[He Bin too, big improvement! Used to be a shooting machine needing to be fed, but his off-ball movement was so active in today’s game.]

[So it’s not that our Ningchang University has a thin foundation, but a group of lions led by a dung beetle. No matter how fast they charge, they can only step on sht!]*

…

At this moment, Xia Chiyi wasn’t sleepy at all. He was still immersed in the thrill of organizing the offense.

Zhou Zhexiao was listening to music. He recently spent four figures buying particularly expensive headphones. Right now, he was leaning back against the seat, eyes closed, listening to who knows what.

Curious, Xia Chiyi took off one side of his headphones. The other person remained motionless, tacitly allowing him to share.

As soon as the earphone was put in his ear, he heard a sexy chant, instantly making Xia Chiyi’s face explode red.

The bus happened to jolt, and the earphone fell out.

Xia Chiyi let out an “Ah ya,” tilting his neck trying to trap the Bluetooth earphone that fell into his collarbone hollow.

The lyrics coming from the earphone made one flush with embarrassment.

“Don’t be so scared of my biting, ah～ah～”

“You are the icing covering my tongue，ah~ ah~”

In that instant, Xia Chiyi forgot that presumably only he and Zhou Zhexiao around here could understand the lyrics, but he scrambled to make the song stop.

Zhou Zhexiao suddenly opened his eyes. His amber eyes seemed to have undercurrents surging from the abyss; Xia Chiyi had the illusion of being submerged.

“Clamp it.”

Xia Chiyi’s neck was about to break from tilting.

“Clamp tight.”

“Already clamped tight, hurry up!”

“I’m coming.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s fingers reached between Xia Chiyi’s cheek and collarbone hollow, grabbing that Bluetooth earphone.

“Wow, is this a conversation I can listen to?” Ye Chaoying in the front row turned around.

Xia Chiyi immediately pressed this guy’s head back. He didn’t want to hear any analogies about Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at all.

Letting out a breath, Xia Chiyi leaned back against the seat, but unexpectedly, Zhou Zhexiao put the retrieved earphone back into Xia Chiyi’s ear.

“Love me hard, ah~ ah~”

“Let’s taste each other, ah~ah~”

Xia Chiyi super wanted to return the earphone to the other person, but felt that once he did so, it would seem like a guilty conscience.

He glanced at the song name, GINGERBREAD MAN. The name was normal, but the lyrics and singing style made one feel like their brain nerves were being licked and eaten bit by bit.

“What is this song called?” Xia Chiyi clearly saw the song name but still wanted to confirm if the other person just clicked it randomly.

“Gingerbread Man,” Zhou Zhexiao answered.

Xia Chiyi stared at him blankly.

“Don’t know it?”

Xia Chiyi shook his head. Where would he have heard such ear-burning songs?

“Then I’ll buy some for you to eat.”

So Zhou Zhexiao misunderstood, thinking he didn’t know what a gingerbread man looked like.

“I just thought… you would listen to more… serious songs.”

“Like what?”

“Like…” Xia Chiyi suddenly remembered Zhou Zhexiao’s rebellious life on the other side of the ocean. This guy had been too well-behaved recently, making Xia Chiyi forget that listening to serious songs would be abnormal for him. Maybe this American style was his normal taste.

“Why stopped talking?”

“No ‘like’.” Xia Chiyi leaned close to Zhou Zhexiao’s ear and whispered, “You are so hot (sao).”

It was clearly meant to be a teasing remark, the boy even deliberately used a frivolous and rising tone, but the unconcealable shyness made one’s heartbeat change from steady to drumming, and even breathing seemed to be grasped in the boy’s hand.

At this moment, Xia Chiyi hummed along softly with the rhythm with peace of mind, as if deliberately tickling someone’s heart.

Zhou Zhexiao decisively cut the song.

“What are you doing?” Xia Chiyi turned his face. “I just got used to listening to it.”

“I’m not used to it.”

Immediately after, Poker Face came through the headphones. Alright, Xia Chiyi roughly understood Zhou Zhexiao’s taste.

---

From the moment they returned to the dorm, Fatty got busy. He imported the photos into the computer and started post-processing.

Because Ye Chaoying was gloriously injured today, Fatty made a special nine-grid for him, posting a sentence: Blood-stained elegance.

Although the photos were handsome, Ye Chaoying still frowned: “Fatty, the way you say it, sounds like I’m already dead.”

But the effect was very good. After today’s game, word of mouth spread in the school, and everyone realized “our school basketball team is a strong team in Jin Province.” Fatty’s followers continued to rise, and over three thousand people liked Ye Chaoying’s post.

Next, Fatty posted a nine-grid of the whole team. This time, the center position was given to He Bin who made the final shot, but the picture of Xia Chiyi dribbling for a breakthrough in the bottom left corner still attracted countless fans.

[Number 15 is simply an expert in the Thirty-Six Stratagems! Luring the tiger from the mountain, feinting east striking west, almost played the wolves and tigers of Chengjiang College to death!]

[Baby Chiyi is too handsome, mommy loves you!]

[Thought only men shooting three-pointers were the most handsome, didn’t expect the look of devising strategies is even more heart-pounding~]

…

Ye Chaoying ran angrily behind Xia Chiyi, shaking his shoulders vigorously. “You kid are too much, stealing all my glory!”

Xia Chiyi was sitting in his chair watching an NBA game and replied indifferently, “You have to learn to be the sun, shine for yourself.”

“Where’s Zhou Zhexiao? He’s not watching the game with you?”

Xia Chiyi shook his head. “He went to practice ball.”

---

That night, in Jiao Yingfeng’s training base, Zhou Zhexiao completed a 21-point shooting test.

Fan Qingliang timed him. Looking at the stopwatch in his hand, he was stunned.

“60 seconds… you finished in 60 seconds.”

Zhou Zhexiao adjusted his breathing while walking, looking into Fan Qingliang’s eyes. “Then I need Level 2.”

Fan Qingliang frowned. What is this incredibly familiar feeling?

“I… is there anything I can help you with?”

“I want this body to surpass Sheng Xingming. What training plan do you have?”

Fan Qingliang’s throat moved. It took a long time before he spoke: “As long as you can persist, I can formulate it for you.”

“Of course.” Zhou Zhexiao lifted his chin.

That arrogant expression overlapped with a certain impression deep in Fan Qingliang’s memory, causing a tremor in his heart.

---

That night, when Zhou Zhexiao came back, it was past eleven o’clock. He stood at the dormitory gate, looking at the tall iron gate, and dialed Xia Chiyi’s phone directly.

Xia Chiyi was happily browsing video sites on his phone when he suddenly saw Zhou Zhexiao’s number flashing. He said grumpily, “What?”

“I’m outside the dorm gate. It’s locked.”

“Then climb in.” Xia Chiyi said as a matter of course.

That big iron gate was practically non-existent for them basketball team members.

“…You weren’t like this before.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice was flat.

“I waited for you before because you were new to the school and didn’t know the rules. Now you should grow up, climb in yourself. Be good.”

After Xia Chiyi hung up, Ye Chaoying opposite reminded him, “Has he never climbed it? Someone has to demonstrate for him, right?”

Thinking carefully, Xia Chiyi really didn’t recall if Zhou Zhexiao had seen anyone climb the iron gate, and subconsciously started to imagine things.

For example, this guy trying to squeeze through the bars of the iron gate and getting his head stuck, or climbing to the very top but not knowing how to get down… So tragic, so stupid, so pitiful.

“You’re right, I’d better go check.”

Xia Chiyi quickly climbed out of bed, put on shoes, and ran out.

Ye Chaoying lay on his side, propping his chin up, and said lazily, “Clearly can’t let go, yet still calling him ‘be good’.”

Xia Chiyi ran downstairs while feeling guilty.

If he hadn’t occupied the training ground in the afternoon, Zhou Zhexiao wouldn’t have had to go at night.

Running to the iron gate, Xia Chiyi looked left and right but didn’t see Zhou Zhexiao.

Where did this guy go?

“Zhou Zhexiao? Zhou Zhexiao, where are you?”

Outside the iron gate, only the street lamp shone coldly on the ground. Zhou Zhexiao was nowhere to be seen.

Xia Chiyi took out his phone and dialed Zhou Zhexiao. From the other side came a beautiful prompt: “Hello, the number you dialed is powered off. Please try again later.”

Xia Chiyi was confused. They just talked three minutes ago, how did it suddenly turn off?

Did he climb the wall too stupidly and get caught by the dorm supervisor?

Xia Chiyi leaned close to the dorm supervisor’s window, pressing his face against the glass to look inside.

The supervisor’s lights were out, meaning he was asleep.

“Eh? Zhou Zhexiao? Zhou Zhexiao, are you inside or outside?” Xia Chiyi didn’t dare shout too loud, afraid of waking the supervisor.

Xia Chiyi thought, Did I miss Zhou Zhexiao?

He quickly called Ye Chaoying. “Hey, is Zhou Zhexiao back in the dorm?”

“No? What? Did Zhang Fei finally lose Guan Yu?”

“Lose your head!”

Xia Chiyi decisively hung up. Looking at the iron gate, he took a deep breath, stepped back two paces, preparing to rush to the other side in one go to see if Zhou Zhexiao was outside.

Just as he was about to speed up, someone suddenly came up behind him. Arms fiercely circled him, picking him up abruptly and pulling him back. Xia Chiyi’s back slammed into someone’s chest.

“I was very good, listened to you, and climbed over myself.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice rang in Xia Chiyi’s ear, low and deep, crashing into the depths of his brain. His heart resonated with a tremor, buzzing uncontrollably.

“Holy crap? Where were you just now?”

Zhou Zhexiao pointed to the corner of the dorm supervisor’s room, where there was a shadow.

So from the moment he ran down, this guy had been calmly watching him look for people from there.

“You played me? You’re dead, Zhou Zhexiao!”

Whenever Xia Chiyi exerted force, Zhou Zhexiao lifted him up so his feet couldn’t touch the ground.

“I had risks too.”

“You teased me, what risk did you have!”

“You might really have ignored me and gone to sleep under the covers.”

“Should have ignored you, let you feed mosquitoes until you die.”

Xia Chiyi elbowed the other person, pried open his arms, and turned to walk towards the dorm building with a cold face.

When he reached the steps of the dorm building and looked back, he found Zhou Zhexiao was completely taking his time. Xia Chiyi was a bit annoyed.

“Hurry up, do you want me to carry you up?”

“Then are you still angry?”

“Angry my ass.”

As soon as Xia Chiyi finished speaking, Zhou Zhexiao took something out of his pocket and threw it at him.

Xia Chiyi quickly reached out to catch it. In the light, he realized it was a gingerbread man bought from a bakery.

This guy was really good at smoothing fur after ruffling it.

“Warning once. Do it again next time, and I’ll red card you out of my circle of friends,” Xia Chiyi said seriously.

“Oh.” Zhou Zhexiao nodded with hands in pockets.

Oh your ghost!

---

Fan Qingliang’s arrival put Xia Chiyi’s equipment training on track.

While Xia Chiyi was swinging kettlebells at a uniform speed, Ling Huanzhen and Jiao Yingfeng watched from not far away.

“The next battle is against the strongest in Jin Province, the Finance and Economics University. Can we maintain a total victory?” Jiao Yingfeng gently punched Ling Huanzhen on the chest.

“The news I heard is that the Finance and Economics University is desperately studying us. Photos of your precious disciple have been printed out and pinned to the wall with nails. Their coaching team is analyzing his technical characteristics and blocking methods overnight.” Ling Huanzhen looked like he had a headache.

“Blocking? Brick him in with cement?”

“The Finance and Economics University’s attitude is serious; they are a respectable opponent. They also reminded me that our Ningchang University should also have a technical data analysis team.”

“You’re getting carried away. How much salary did Principal Feng give you?”

“Assistant Coach Cheng has been doing our internal data analysis. It’s too hard on him; I found a few more white hairs on his head. I want him to select some students who like basketball and understand the rules to join in.”

“Ah, you want college students to work for love (for free).” Jiao Yingfeng looked at him with a scornful tone.

“Am I that kind of person? I mentioned it to Principal Feng. His meaning is that if such a data analysis team can really be established, then the soccer team, badminton team, and table tennis team can all set one up later. So he will give a certain budget and issue relevant certificates to these students, which is also good for their future employment. Win-win.”

“Solve the problem of Finance and Economics University first! My disciple’s handsome face pinned on a wall? Making it look like he’s on an assassination list, I’m very unhappy,” Jiao Yingfeng said.

“I’ll play point guard.”

A cool voice came from behind them.

Zhou Zhexiao had finished his technical training, a towel draped over his shoulders, standing in the passage behind them.

“You? Point guard?” Ling Huanzhen rubbed his chin, revealing a meaningful smile. “Right, almost forgot, you are the expert at playing this position. Who can be better than you?”

Even if Zhou Zhexiao playing point guard was recorded and studied, let them study. In the divisional competition, this guy would definitely play the more aggressive forward position. Studying him would be useless.

“You want Xia Chiyi to experience the silky layout of a top point guard, right?” Jiao Yingfeng asked with a smile, hands in pockets.

Zhou Zhexiao’s gaze went over Jiao Yingfeng’s shoulder, landing on Xia Chiyi’s face. “He already has the concept of layout and knows to read the game, analyzing enemy and friendly movement trends. Ye Chaoying is already a first-class point guard in the province, but what he can teach Xia Chiyi is about enough.”

Ling Huanzhen nodded. “That’s true. And compared to organizing offense, he is more suitable for defense and steals. Against Finance and Economics University, I still hope he can display his true specialty.”

“Then I look forward to what you can teach Xia Chiyi.” Jiao Yingfeng smiled.

Xia Chiyi did his shooting training very seriously today. Although the time exceeded 75 seconds, with Fan Qingliang staring at his force exertion method, Xia Chiyi was adapting little by little.

In the evening, Jiao Yingfeng was preparing a nutritious meal for him. Xia Chiyi leaned in front of him and asked ingratiatingly, “Master, can I let loose tonight?”

Jiao Yingfeng asked amusingly with arms crossed, “Oh, how do you want to let loose?”

“My high school class monitor’s birthday. He invited me to dinner tonight… He used to tutor me in math and physics.”

Jiao Yingfeng certainly understood that many friendships from student days were precious; besides dreams, youth also had brothers.

“Eat what? Roadside stalls? BBQ, beer, deep-fried skewers?”

“No, no! The gathering is Sichuan cuisine, then we’ll sing KTV.” Xia Chiyi looked at him eagerly.

“Then why aren’t you showering? Did you prepare a birthday gift?”

“Hehe, actually no. I forgot his birthday.”

Jiao Yingfeng shook his head helplessly and took out an unopened pair of Bluetooth headphones from his sports bag.

“This was supposed to reward you for breaking the 75-second mark. Now you decide what to do with it.”

“This is the first gift Master gave me, how can I give it to someone else? I’ll pick another gift on the way.”

After speaking, Xia Chiyi put the headphones in the innermost layer of his sports bag and rushed to shower.

“Who’s having a birthday?” Zhou Zhexiao’s voice suddenly rang from behind Jiao Yingfeng.

“Relax, not Xia Chiyi, it’s his high school class monitor.”

“Living expenses are gone, still thinking of giving gifts to others?”

Hearing this point, Jiao Yingfeng couldn’t help roasting, “Who was the one who shopped online without limits and maxed out Xia Chiyi’s card?”

“I paid him back.”

Xia Chiyi came out carrying his bag, constantly checking the high school class WeChat group on his phone.

“Have you decided what gift to buy?”

Zhou Zhexiao followed Xia Chiyi into the elevator.

“Decided. A tie. My monitor is entering the venue to participate in a speech contest. Suits naturally need ties.”

“What does he look like?” Zhou Zhexiao asked.

Xia Chiyi thought Zhou Zhexiao wanted to help him evaluate, so he found a daily life photo from the monitor’s Moments to show him.

Ordinary hairstyle, ordinary features, semi-rimless glasses, looking very gentle.

Then Xia Chiyi looked up and asked, “How is it?”

Meaning what style would be good to choose?

“Looks like he needs your protection.”

“Mn? It was okay. At most, someone tried to forcibly copy his test paper, and I just snatched the paper back for him.”

“He brings you water or snacks during breaks.”

“Eh? How did you know? Before, someone asked him to buy water without paying. He was thin-skinned. I deliberately asked him to bring me water and paid him in front of the whole class. Then anyone who asked him to bring water would pay. But later, he often didn’t take my money when bringing me food.”

Xia Chiyi realized he hadn’t pressed the elevator button yet. Just as his finger was about to touch the button, Zhou Zhexiao said, “Come back after you finish dinner tonight.”

“Ah? There’s still KTV…”

“What time will you finish singing?”

“Dorm closes at eleven. I’ll definitely be back before ten.”

“I’ll pick you up tonight,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

“Ah?” Xia Chiyi scratched the back of his head. “You picking me up, that’s so weird.”

I’m a big guy. Being urged by a girlfriend to go home early is one thing, but a roommate picking me up at night? Am I a little baby in your heart?

Zhou Zhexiao took a step forward, looking down at Xia Chiyi’s ear. From this angle, he could see a bit of fine fuzz.

Unknown if Zhou Zhexiao grew taller again recently, Xia Chiyi felt the pressure from the other person’s shadow.

“Or are you guys not singing KTV, but have other special activities?” Zhou Zhexiao asked.

“Spec… special? What special activities could we have!”

Images of wild college parties from American dramas suddenly appeared in Xia Chiyi’s mind—punk music, smoke swirling, wine bottles everywhere.

“Oh.” Zhou Zhexiao stepped back with hands in pockets, dragging the final syllable meaningfully.