Chapter 54: Don’t Waste Time Denying Yourself

“Which cafeteria should we go to? South cafeteria? Or North cafeteria?” Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao.

“South cafeteria,” Zhou Zhexiao replied.

“But the South cafeteria is spicier,” Xia Chiyi said, looking at Yang Huaiyu.

“The South cafeteria is more authentic,” Zhou Zhexiao answered.

“Oh, true. Let’s go!”

Xia Chiyi and Pang Shuai were very generous, taking Yang Huaiyu for a tour around the South cafeteria.

Seeing red chili peppers everywhere, Yang Huaiyu had a bad premonition.

He suddenly understood why Zhou Zhexiao insisted on coming to the South cafeteria; it was to torture his taste buds and stomach severely.

“By the way, Yang Huaiyu, how long are you staying here?” Xia Chiyi asked.

“Didn’t you say if I came to Ningchang, you’d let me see how you train? Of course, I have to investigate and research before going back.”

So, more than one day.

“Oh, that’s great. Then come train with me tomorrow.” Xia Chiyi showed no intention of holding back, pushing aside chili peppers with a spoon and picking out a few pieces of beef offal for Yang Huaiyu.

Yang Huaiyu found it incredible; how could this guy be so generous?

Zhou Zhexiao’s face was still icy cold, looking like a late December night with continuously dropping temperatures.

Xia Chiyi scooped a few slices of pickled fish into Zhou Zhexiao’s bowl, carefully picking out the fish bones one by one with chopsticks, then scooped a spoonful for himself to eat slowly. The temperature around Zhou Zhexiao gradually warmed up.

Yang Huaiyu raised his chin, asking amusingly, “Being your roommate and teammate gets bone-picking service?”

Zhou Zhexiao said indifferently, “If you need it, I can also provide ‘bone-picking’ service for you.”

This guy’s “bone-picking” (nitpicking) service would definitely be piercing to the heart.

Yang Huaiyu waved his hand. “That’s really not necessary.”

“Then where will you stay tonight?” Xia Chiyi pushed the stir-fried pork with chili peppers in front of Yang Huaiyu, implying it was a Ningchang specialty he should taste more of.

Actually, Yang Huaiyu’s ears were already hurting from the spiciness, and a patch of red had appeared on his face.

“Haven’t decided yet. Where did Shenghai University stay when they came for the practice match?”

“The last few rooms in our row of buildings. I can ask the student union for clean bedding for you, but staying alone in a four-person room is so desolate. How about you sleep in our dorm tonight?” Xia Chiyi said.

“How? Sleep with you?” Yang Huaiyu asked with a smile.

“Let him stay in the back row,” Zhou Zhexiao spoke up.

“No need, I’ll sleep with you, and he can sleep in my bed, right?” Xia Chiyi said.

“Let him sleep in my bed, I’ll sleep with you,” Zhou Zhexiao replied.

“That works too. But are you that generous, giving your bed to Yang Huaiyu?”

Xia Chiyi always felt Zhou Zhexiao was very territorial. Of course, once you became someone he approved of, he would be very generous.

“On your bed, there are either Bluetooth earphones, wristbands, or small tin boxes of mints. Do you want the guest to tidy up for you?”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi immediately smiled and said to Yang Huaiyu, “You’d better sleep in Zhou Zhexiao’s bed. His sheets don’t have a single wrinkle, comparable to a hotel. The quilt core is silk, soft and breathable. And this guy changes pillowcases every week, just changed this morning… Ouch…”

Xia Chiyi’s head was pressed down.

“Speak. You suddenly came here without bringing anyone else from Qincheng University, not for a practice match. What exactly is the matter?”

Zhou Zhexiao looked into Yang Huaiyu’s eyes and spoke directly.

Yang Huaiyu was stunned for a moment, not expecting Zhou Zhexiao to be so sharp.

“In two weeks, we’ll play a few practice matches with Qing University.”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi’s eyes lit up. “Qing University? Last year’s First-Class League champion! You’re playing practice matches with Qing University? Can we go watch?”

Zhou Zhexiao flicked Xia Chiyi’s hair whorl with his finger. “Idiot, these practice matches are usually completely closed.”

“Liu Shuochen will also participate. His strength should be even greater than last year. Last year, I marked him one-on-one in the last quarter, but I let him score 18 points.”

Hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Xia Chiyi still remembered Liu Shuochen in that game… It wasn’t that Yang Huaiyu wasn’t strong enough, but Liu Shuochen was truly a divine soldier descending from heaven.

“I don’t want the result to be the same during the practice match. Although… I didn’t seem to try hard enough this year, while he experienced the harsh beatings of the youth training team and should be even more formidable.”

Zhou Zhexiao leaned back against the chair, saying indifferently, “You don’t want to hear teammates’ comfort anymore, nor do you want to hear the coach’s analysis, because they just want you to feel better. You want to hear real opinions. Is Liu Shuochen really your ceiling?”

For some reason, Yang Huaiyu felt a special touch, as if Zhou Zhexiao had also experienced such loss and hesitation.

Even pressure a thousand times heavier than his.

Yang Huaiyu remembered Zhou Zhexiao graduated from Oak Hill Academy. Undoubtedly, in such a strong basketball school, the competition might be even crueler than the University First-Class League.

“Let’s eat. We’ll study it when we get back,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Just then, Ye Chaoying received a text and also found the South cafeteria.

“What dishes did you order today? A chili pepper meeting?”

Hearing Ye Chaoying’s words, Yang Huaiyu felt he found a savior.

“Wait, I’ll teach these two guys what hospitality is.” Ye Chaoying patted Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder.

When Yang Huaiyu thought this lively handsome guy would choose some non-spicy dishes for him, Ye Chaoying came back with an iron basin.

“Come, taste this, Ningchang Grand Stew! All meat, this is a real hard dish!”

Red spicy soup with braised chicken feet standing helplessly inside. Yang Huaiyu felt it would be better if he fainted.

Fortunately, Fatty had a habit of ordering takeout and ordered egg fried rice and thick soup for Yang Huaiyu, saving his stomach.

While eating egg fried rice, he saw Xia Chiyi arranging stools.

“What are you guys doing?”

“Of course, watching that game between Qincheng University and Qing University together, focusing on your ten minutes of collapse,” Xia Chiyi said.

Yang Huaiyu almost spat out his soup. “You guys are setting up a projector?”

“Yeah.”

“You want to watch the most embarrassing ten minutes of my life magnified like this?” Yang Huaiyu really doubted if Xia Chiyi understood hospitality!

“It doesn’t matter, life is long. There will definitely be more embarrassing moments than these ten minutes in the future.” Xia Chiyi’s expression was so matter-of-fact.

Yang Huaiyu closed his eyes. He had to seriously consider whether he came here for validation or to get an arrow in the knee.

Not only that, Ye Chaoying also brought up a plastic bag.

“Here here here, Zhou Zhexiao, your milk tea, double pearls. According to the coach’s special request, no sugar allowed.”

“Mn, thanks.”

“Xia Chiyi, jasmine milk green tea, skim milk, sugar-free.”

Xia Chiyi showed a sad expression: “Would it kill you to add a tiny bit of sugar!”

“You won’t die, but the coach will kill me. Don’t you know he checks orders in the takeout app?” Ye Chaoying turned and handed one to Pang Shuai. “Fatty has been working hard on editing photos recently, Grand Slam Family Bucket.”

Yang Huaiyu suddenly felt the egg fried rice wasn’t fragrant anymore and emphasized helplessly, “That was the game where I was blown out by Liu Shuochen…”

Can you guys not treat it like watching a comedy?

“Here, a certain team’s ace defeated by Liu Shuochen, this is yours—Family Bucket, whole milk, 70% sugar, zero-calorie sugar.” Ye Chaoying added, “Zero-calorie sugar costs two yuan extra.”

“…Thanks, you’re surprisingly nice.”

Xia Chiyi couldn’t help laughing: “This is our Ningchang Steals King—wait until you get the ball stolen by this guy in a game and see if you still think he’s ‘surprisingly nice’!”

Yang Huaiyu immediately shook hands with Ye Chaoying seriously again. “Disrespect, disrespect.”

Ye Chaoying kicked Xia Chiyi. “You did it on purpose, right? Making Yang Huaiyu guard against me before the game, how am I supposed to steal?”

Everyone laughed.

Yang Huaiyu was a guest from afar and the protagonist of the game video, so naturally, he sat in the middle.

Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao sat on his left and right respectively. Yang Huaiyu’s mood was a tiny bit complicated. “Feels like being on the court, ruthlessly double-teamed by you two.”

“Just take it as adapting in advance,” Xia Chiyi responded heartlessly.

Fatty dragged his desk to the back row, monopolizing the highest seat. Ye Chaoying leaned on the corner of his desk.

This game was exceptionally intense. From the first quarter, both sides went back and forth fiercely.

Yang Huaiyu shook past Liu Shuochen with a sway, scoring a layup.

Xia Chiyi whistled and cheered very respectfully because the rhythm of this ball was very beautiful. Even Zhou Zhexiao rarely gave an “Mn” of approval.

In the next round, Liu Shuochen dribbled into the paint, bounced off Yang Huaiyu with contact, and scored with a floater.

“Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. What’s Liu Shuochen’s zodiac sign?” Xia Chiyi asked.

“Pisces, I think,” Yang Huaiyu replied.

“Sentimental and soft-hearted Pisces… where does this guy resemble one?” Xia Chiyi expressed doubt. “Look at me, look at me, I’m the Pisces!”

“He plays drums well, quite artistic like a Pisces…” As Yang Huaiyu spoke, he found it funny himself.

Liu Shuochen’s drumming wasn’t called playing well; it was called playing crazily.

“Alright, let’s analyze that Geng Lu who is neither far nor near to Liu Shuochen,” Xia Chiyi said.

Mentioning this name, Yang Huaiyu felt his throat tighten.

Xia Chiyi’s shoulder lightly bumped Yang Huaiyu, his finger pointing at Geng Lu on the screen whom almost everyone ignored. “In this play, Geng Lu was on your left, blocking your offensive route, forcing you towards Liu Shuochen’s defensive range. Tsk, if not for him, you would have cut straight in to score!”

Yang Huaiyu took a deep breath and whispered, “Yes, felt like losing two hundred million.”

Not long after, Xia Chiyi bumped him again. “Here! Here! Here! Geng Lu stood on your passing route again, destroying the connection between you and Meng Ting. Sigh, resulting in you running into Liu Shuochen and his teammate again, breaking out of a double-team, wasting stamina.”

In the back row, Ye Chaoying lowered his head and said behind Yang Huaiyu, “But your double-team breakout is too amazing. Xia Chiyi made Zhou Zhexiao and me simulate it many times, tiring me like a dog. Buddy, you shouldn’t be called ‘King of Double Clutch’, you should be called…”

“King of Double-Team Breakout. Hahaha!” Xia Chiyi laughed, and the air vibrated gently with him.

Mentioning Yang Huaiyu’s double-team breakout, Xia Chiyi seemed very excited, his arm draped over Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder shaking.

“I bet you a hundred yuan, after Liu Shuochen went back, he definitely studied this double-team countless times, pounding his thigh, gritting his teeth, thinking—how did we fail to clamp down on this guy Yang Huaiyu! ‘It’s not my fault, it must be the teammates not being strong enough.’ Hahaha!”

Yang Huaiyu propped his chin with his hand, half his face covered. He said muffledly, “Sounds like I played not bad in this game?”

“It wasn’t bad to begin with.”

Zhou Zhexiao, who had been silent, said slowly while pinching Xia Chiyi’s fingers, removing his hand from Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder.

Xia Chiyi tried to withdraw his hand, but his fingertip was held by someone all the time, almost flattening the fingernail.

He leaned back, his gaze meeting Zhou Zhexiao sitting on the other side of Yang Huaiyu. He thought he would see the other’s profile, but unexpectedly Zhou Zhexiao was looking at him. His gaze was deep as always; once met, one would be attracted and dragged in, not knowing how to withdraw.

Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao had watched this game countless times lying in bed wearing earphones. Just hearing the friction between sneakers and the floor, they knew roughly where it progressed.

Maybe a few seconds, maybe just a moment, Zhou Zhexiao turned his face away expressionlessly and continued to look at the screen.

His hand that was pinching Xia Chiyi slowly released, and Xia Chiyi withdrew his hand.

Tch… what are you doing, pinching my fingernail so it hurts.

The evenly matched contest between the two teams continued until the end of the third quarter.

Facing Yang Huaiyu’s defense, Liu Shuochen suddenly changed speed, even passing through two assisting Qincheng University players, scoring with a fadeaway jump shot.

“So amazing… feels like watching NBA stars play!” Fatty uttered heartfelt admiration.

Yang Huaiyu’s expression also became solemn. “This ball can be considered the turning point of the game.”

Zhou Zhexiao spoke up: “In a state where both sides were exhausted, Liu Shuochen not only broke through Yang Huaiyu’s defense but also shattered Qincheng University’s zone defense, bringing great pressure to Qincheng University. Qincheng University’s full-court press was originally like a fully inflated balloon. Being poked a hole by Liu Shuochen, it collapsed completely afterward.”

Yang Huaiyu’s brows rarely furrowed: “But in such a situation, what should I do?”

Zhou Zhexiao got up, replayed this section, and paused at a certain point where Yang Huaiyu and Liu Shuochen were very close.

“If I were you, I would gamble, striving to be half a body position faster than him, arriving at this point one step ahead of him.” Zhou Zhexiao stood up, fingers tapping the side of the top of the key. “If Liu Shuochen wants to pass me, he must lower his center of gravity, and I will have a chance to steal his ball.”

At the time, Yang Huaiyu only felt Liu Shuochen was too fast. But replaying now, rather than “fast,” it was better to say “smooth.”

—Liu Shuochen just cut into the advantageous position one step ahead of everyone else.

Ye Chaoying behind understood the Yang Huaiyu of that time very well. “Mn, I also noticed when watching. Liu Shuochen is very good at suddenly launching this kind of one-breath attack, disrupting the opponent’s defensive rhythm. Once you are dragged into his rhythm, you’re done for.”

“What about you, Brother Chiyi? No comments?” Yang Huaiyu looked at Xia Chiyi beside him.

Xia Chiyi propped his chin, gaze focused. “This is a team game, right? Defending Liu Shuochen isn’t just your responsibility alone. Was that number 6 on your team wandering in spirit? For a guy like Liu Shuochen, once crossing the center line, there are eight hundred if not a thousand ways to score! What use is this number 6 guarding dead under the basket?”

Yang Huaiyu’s gaze trembled, suddenly understanding Xia Chiyi’s meaning.

Ye Chaoying also understood: “Yeah, if this guy just ran a few steps outward, he could block Liu Shuochen’s dribbling route. Whether Liu Shuochen wants to stop for a jump shot or dribble past, at least Yang Huaiyu would have a chance to come over for a steal.”

Xia Chiyi patted Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder. “So don’t be sad, this ball isn’t entirely your fault. If Ke Yan were playing point guard on the court, I believe he would definitely cut over from this position, coordinate with you, and force Liu Shuochen to the sideline.”

Unfortunately, in the last few minutes, Ke Yan was substituted out.

“Mn, Liu Shuochen playing so smoothly is also related to this guy named Geng Lu mobilizing your people to the other side,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Xia Chiyi’s arm became restless again, hanging on Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder once more. “Good news, Geng Lu graduates this year!”

Yang Huaiyu covered his eyes. “Qing University’s bench is very deep, full of talent.”

“But finding another Geng Lu won’t be easy.” Xia Chiyi smiled slyly. “After all, you are Yang Huaiyu. Not just anyone can trap you.”

Yang Huaiyu exhaled. “That is true!”

Only this time, when Xia Chiyi patted Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder, his index finger seemed to poke something… it was Zhou Zhexiao’s ear.

Xia Chiyi quickly withdrew his hand, leaning back. “Sorry!”

Sure enough, he received a warning look from Zhou Zhexiao.

Xia Chiyi pouted, thinking: Just poked you once, why so fierce.

The game continued playing. Facing Yang Huaiyu, Liu Shuochen suddenly took a step back to create space, pulling up for a jump shot.

Yang Huaiyu and Meng Ting jumped together to intercept, but the ball flew past between their arms.

Every time he saw this scene, Yang Huaiyu’s breathing would stop once. The image of Liu Shuochen’s shot passing overhead repeated countless times in his sleep, like a nightmare.

“We calculated this shot. Liu Shuochen used about 0.35 seconds to stop and 0.5 seconds to complete the shot, absolutely professional level. I train very hard and still can’t do it now.” Xia Chiyi exhaled. “Yang Huaiyu, if you really want to say you lost, you only lost to his stamina. Being able to complete such a high-quality jump shot in the fourth quarter… this guy calculated you.”

“Calculated me?”

“Yes, from the first to the third quarter, he and Geng Lu joined hands to consume your stamina, making every score of yours not so smooth. By the fourth quarter, you only had half a bar of battery left, but Liu Shuochen still had one bar. Marking Liu Shuochen solo, where would the winning rate come from?” Xia Chiyi looked at Yang Huaiyu very seriously.

Zhou Zhexiao spoke up: “This is Qing University’s strategy against you. They didn’t do this against other teams. Very risky, can be said to be a risky move. If your stamina were a bit better, the consumption from the first to third quarters would be meaningless.”

“Although I don’t fully understand but think it’s awesome, can someone summarize for me?” Fatty spread his hands.

Ye Chaoying said, “To summarize—Yang Huaiyu is very powerful, the opposing Qing University was very wary, spending three whole quarters consuming his combat power, until the fourth quarter when Liu Shuochen picked up the Grim Reaper’s scythe for the final harvest.”

“Oh—understood!” Fatty nodded.

Yang Huaiyu’s heart was like a cold room suddenly heated, even his fingertips were warm.

This wasn’t his dorm.

Those around should also be his opponents.

He reviewed this game hundreds of times, and each time he could feel the silent threat and oppression brought by Geng Lu.

He had said it, to the senior playing point guard at the time.

Facing graduation, the other party smiled indifferently. “So what do you want? You are the ace. Are you going to turn around and blame me for not helping you stop Geng Lu? Or do you want to post a Weibo to express appreciation for him? After all, playing ball for four years, his greatest glory was containing Qincheng University’s ace Yang Huaiyu.”

So, Yang Huaiyu never mentioned this matter again.

They all called him “Ace”; gains and losses seemed to be his to bear.

Even when Coach Ren chatted with him, she only mentioned Geng Lu lightly.

Teammates reviewed with him, but no one put Geng Lu in their eyes.

Until… Xia Chiyi, taking out the trash, used a Weibo alt account to fight everyone who belittled him.

The wound hidden in Yang Huaiyu’s heart, pretending not to exist but actually festering, was finally lightly picked by Xia Chiyi.

Pus gushed out; what remained was healing.

“So the most important thing is still help defense.” Xia Chiyi made a sound sucking milk tea, unfortunately, his milk tea was bland. “Anyway, if Zhou Zhexiao is PK-ing Liu Shuochen, I will definitely pay attention to positioning at all times. For example, here, you and Liu Shuochen were already battling at the sideline. If this number 12 didn’t stand so far, even one step closer, Liu Shuochen should have chosen to pass instead of passing you.”

The number 12 Xia Chiyi mentioned was the senior playing point guard at the time.

Yang Huaiyu’s fingertips hooked slightly. Hearing Xia Chiyi talk about everyone’s positioning on the court, this feeling was wonderful.

He wasn’t deconstructing Liu Shuochen, but the entire Qincheng University’s defense.

Everyone marveled at Liu Shuochen’s unstoppability, only Xia Chiyi kept telling Yang Huaiyu—the real blame lay in no one helping him defend, and teammates’ positioning having too many holes.

Finally, it was Liu Shuochen’s last ball. He raised the ball above his head, gathered it high, shook past the tallest Meng Ting, and laid it up elegantly.

Simply as smooth as milk; the center of the entire world focused on Liu Shuochen.

Powerful, flexible, every step was the optimal solution.

Yang Huaiyu still remembered his heartbeat when watching Liu Shuochen score helplessly, like a drained sink, cold from limbs to fingertips.

Why was this person so strong that not a single flaw could be found?

Suddenly, Xia Chiyi’s voice rang out, clear and bright, like a bird rushing into the clouds, violently pulling Yang Huaiyu out of his loss.

“It’s here! This is really super pity! Yang Huaiyu, you made perfect positioning, giving Geng Lu no chance to come over for support. But why didn’t your team’s power forward cover? He could have clearly caused great interference to Liu Shuochen!”

As Xia Chiyi spoke, he reached around Yang Huaiyu, pushing Zhou Zhexiao wildly with his palm. “Right? Right?”

Zhou Zhexiao crossed his arms, displaying his strong core advantage again, motionless. “Mn.”

Xia Chiyi turned back to look at Ye Chaoying again. “Little Shadow, don’t you think so?”

“Hiss, my eyes were originally attracted by Liu Shuochen. Now that you mention it, I realized—yeah, why didn’t Qincheng University’s power forward cover? Our Shuai Bei and Du He wouldn’t be this stupid, right?”

“No, no. I dare not say for Shuai Bei, but Du He would cover even if risking his life!” Xia Chiyi vowed.

Ye Chaoying: “Are you sure Shuai Bei won’t twist your head off hearing this?”

Listening to their voices, Yang Huaiyu’s emptied heart seemed to have breath blowing through, carrying warm moisture. Blood flowed back bit by bit, and his fingertips seemed to feel the temperature from the paper milk tea cup again.

—That moment filled with despair actually had infinite possibilities.

The ball he failed to defend in the end repeated in his mind over and over again for the past half year.

But today, someone said to him, “You made perfect positioning.”

Yang Huaiyu lowered his head, covering his eyes with one hand.

“So in the final analysis, it’s still stamina. Your stamina drained too fast. By the fourth quarter, judgment and desire for off-ball movement both declined.” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face to look at Yang Huaiyu, poking the other’s weakness bluntly again.

Yang Huaiyu responded with a sincere expression, hoping Zhou Zhexiao would continue.

“Liu Shuochen saved his stamina for the fourth quarter. He used the first three quarters to let you adapt to his ‘rhythm’, then used the fourth quarter to break this rhythm, catching you off guard.”

Xia Chiyi looked at Liu Shuochen on the projection screen with appreciative eyes, sighing from the heart.

“Yes, I also have this feeling. I watched his game with Southwest Aviation University afterward. He was forced by Lu Yingnan’s steals to constantly change rhythm. This guy is really a rhythm master.”

For some reason, seeing Xia Chiyi praise Liu Shuochen made Yang Huaiyu both angry and somehow follow his state of mind to become calm and open-minded.

“But encountering someone who easily drags others into their rhythm, what should one do?” Ye Chaoying asked from the back row.

Xia Chiyi frowned, his upper lip pouting slightly again. “I might ask you guys to pinch me.”

“Bring a rubber band.” Zhou Zhexiao looked at Yang Huaiyu. “When you feel dragged into a vortex, snap yourself hard.”

“But listening to you guys for so long, this Liu Shuochen… is still very formidable, right?” Pang Shuai asked.

“Mn, although we analyze logically now, Liu Shuochen is too fast. In the world of martial arts, only speed is unbreakable—even if we know what to do, it’s useless if we can’t keep up.”

The game finished playing, the screen paused at the score of Qincheng University’s defeat.

Xia Chiyi turned around and raised his fist.

Others in the dorm, including Zhou Zhexiao, also raised their fists.

Yang Huaiyu, full of question marks, thought it was some bedtime ritual of their dorm and raised his fist too.

“Guests don’t need to,” Xia Chiyi said.

Just as Yang Huaiyu put his hand down, the remaining four started “Black and white match—trash taking out hey—”

After a few rounds, everyone showed the back of their hands, only Zhou Zhexiao showed his palm upward.

“Oh—the one taking out trash today isn’t me!” Xia Chiyi showed a happy smile.

Zhou Zhexiao got up silently, pulled up the garbage bag, and collected the empty milk tea cups one by one.

When Zhou Zhexiao went out the dorm door, Yang Huaiyu followed him out, reasoning that watching Liu Shuochen brutally abuse him again, he needed to blow some night wind to relax.

The two walked downstairs in silence. When Zhou Zhexiao put the lid on the trash can, he walked straight to the steps at the dorm entrance and sat down, looking up at Yang Huaiyu.

Just as Yang Huaiyu was about to sit on his left, Zhou Zhexiao suddenly pulled the clothes on his back. “Sit on the right.”

“Huh? Any difference?” Yang Huaiyu asked amusingly.

“Xia Chiyi is used to sitting on the left.”

“Ha, the position close to the heart?” Yang Huaiyu joked half-seriously.

Zhou Zhexiao didn’t answer him but said calmly, “Liu Shuochen is indeed very formidable. You have reasons to be apprehensive about him.”

“But you look very calm.”

“Because at your age, the opponents around me were all at his level, or even stronger than him.”

“I’m a sophomore, should be a bit older than you, right?” Yang Huaiyu said amusingly.

“Don’t waste your time anymore, Yang Huaiyu.” Zhou Zhexiao looked at the street lamp ahead and said indifferently.

“What, you also think I can’t catch up to Liu Shuochen?” Yang Huaiyu looked up, surprised to see so many stars in Ningchang University’s night sky.

“Don’t waste time denying yourself.”

Yang Huaiyu didn’t speak, only raising his eyebrows very slightly. He wasn’t sure what he heard from Zhou Zhexiao’s mouth.

“I often accompany Xia Chiyi to watch your games. Honestly, for the 28-year-old me, winning against you is like a university professor doing primary school math problems, no challenge at all.”

Clearly, the logic of this sentence didn’t make sense. How did Zhou Zhexiao know what level he would reach at 28?

“But when the 18-year-old me competes with you under the basket, I find you are actually very interesting.”

“Thanks…” Although Yang Huaiyu wasn’t sure if Zhou Zhexiao was praising him.

“I look forward to still seeing you in my opponent or teammate list when I’m 28.”

Clearly arrogant words, as if this guy were a gold medal scout, and what he said were golden words evaluating a basketball player’s future.

But there was a premonition that made people inexplicably believe.

“I can feel you encouraging me, but can there be a more concrete comparison? There are still ten years until your twenty-eight.” Yang Huaiyu spread his hands helplessly.

“Do you know Wynn Royster?”

“Of course, one of the most formidable small forwards in the NBA ten years ago. His double-clutch layup was called ‘magic time’. Back then when someone in the league attacked Sheng Xingming’s race, Wynn Royster always stood up to speak for him. He’s a real man.”

“Royster was on the Duke University team.”

Yang Huaiyu nodded. “Yeah, he and Sheng Xingming were alumni of Duke, played NCAA together. Although they served different teams later, Royster always appreciated Sheng Xingming.”

“Sophomore Royster wasn’t as good as you.”

After speaking, Zhou Zhexiao got up.

Leaving Yang Huaiyu stunned on the spot.

Comparing him with Royster, Zhou Zhexiao either didn’t praise people or praised them to the sky!

“Hey, I’m just the ‘King of Double Clutch in the Southeast Division’, self-proclaimed by fans. Royster is the ‘God of Double Clutch’.” Yang Huaiyu stood up slowly.

“Tomorrow one-on-one. I’ll try to imitate Liu Shuochen’s offensive mode.”

Yang Huaiyu looked at Zhou Zhexiao’s back, revealing a playful smile. “The so-called one-on-one, gains are mutual.”

“Yes, because you are also the strongest opponent I can contact at this stage.”

Walking a few steps, as if remembering something again, Zhou Zhexiao turned around slowly with hands in pockets. “Oh, also, after our one-on-one, you are responsible for accompanying Xia Chiyi to do confrontational layups.”

That lofty attitude, as if issuing an imperial edict.

Yang Huaiyu couldn’t help asking, “Do you really think because your surname is Zhou (Zhou Dynasty), you represent the Son of Heaven?”

“You don’t want to?”

“Hehe, I do.” Yang Huaiyu nodded.

When they returned to the dorm, the tables and chairs had been returned to their original positions.

Xia Chiyi patted Yang Huaiyu. “Why back so late? Brother will teach you how to use the water heater. For Zhou Zhexiao’s dragon couch, you have to bathe and burn incense before lying on it.”

“Clearly a little brother, but always wants to pretend to be big brother.” Yang Huaiyu thought Xia Chiyi was really cute.

If he had such a younger brother, he would probably be happy every day.

At night, everyone lay in their beds.

Xia Chiyi lay on his side against the wall. He could hear Zhou Zhexiao hanging up his sportswear for him, and unwittingly blurted out, “Zhou Zhexiao, can you be faster?”

Opposite, Ye Chaoying started being weird: “Your Majesty, this concubine is so cold. When will Your Majesty be willing to put down the memorials~”

“Coming.” As Zhou Zhexiao finished speaking, he threw the vest Ye Chaoying left on the chair without washing up, covering his face perfectly.

“I washed my face!”

Xia Chiyi gloated: “It’s your own vest; you can’t despise it even if it stinks!”

Zhou Zhexiao stepped on the ladder. Every step seemed to step on the drumbeat of Xia Chiyi’s heart.

Before lying down on his side, his arm suddenly went around Xia Chiyi, almost hugging him in his arms.

Xia Chiyi’s nose pressed against Zhou Zhexiao’s chest. The smell of orange shower gel made Xia Chiyi’s brain feel dizzy.

Zhou Zhexiao turned his face sideways. His soft bangs gently brushed past his forehead and brow. His palm explored between Xia Chiyi’s back and the wall, then released him.

“Wh… what are you doing?”

“Checking if you threw anything randomly that would hurt your back later,” Zhou Zhexiao answered.

Incidentally, he also pulled down the hem of Xia Chiyi’s pajamas, covering his waist perfectly.

“Oh.” Xia Chiyi’s head lay back on the pillow.

Zhou Zhexiao also lay down. There was almost no gap between them. Xia Chiyi’s slightly curled legs pressed against Zhou Zhexiao’s thighs.

Leaning against the headboard, Yang Huaiyu felt that two people sleeping in this bed would really be squeezed immobile. He asked worriedly, “Can you really fall asleep?”

“If not, do you plan to sleep on the floor?” Zhou Zhexiao asked back.

“You have extra quilts, I can do that.”

Opposite, Ye Chaoying laughed: “Don’t worry, they often sleep together watching videos.”

Pang Shuai also comforted: “They sleep together like a key and lock, very tacitly.”

Hearing them say this, Yang Huaiyu felt much more relieved.

The lights in the dorm went out, the room darkened. There were faint sounds of people walking in the corridor.

Chatter from the next dorm could still be heard. Yang Huaiyu wasn’t asleep yet; he seemed to be playing with his phone.

Opposite, Ye Chaoying was still listening to music with earphones.

Pang Shuai was also watching dramas on his phone.

Only Zhou Zhexiao opposite him lay on his side with eyes closed, eyelashes lowered, making Xia Chiyi really want to reach out and touch them.

Thinking so in his heart, Xia Chiyi did so.

Just before his finger touched the other person, Zhou Zhexiao’s eyes suddenly opened. Even in the dark, those eyes had a strong presence. He gently clasped the hand Xia Chiyi extended, mouthing: Still not sleeping?

Xia Chiyi whispered, “Everyone is scrolling on phones, let’s scroll too.”

“Practice tomorrow will be hard, sleep early,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Xia Chiyi could only sigh and closed his eyes under Zhou Zhexiao’s gaze.

But he wasn’t sleepy at all, so he sang songs in his heart, ankles swaying to the beat.

He didn’t realize his toes were rubbing against Zhou Zhexiao’s tibia now and then, like deliberate tickling or a prank.

Before Xia Chiyi finished singing a song in his heart, Zhou Zhexiao’s leg suddenly pressed down on his self-entertaining ankle. Xia Chiyi wanted to move back but was pinned down firmly.

Opening his eyes, Xia Chiyi found Zhou Zhexiao looking at him, gaze deeper and heavier than before.

Mouthing: How will you be willing to sleep?

Xia Chiyi whispered, “I’ll turn over.”

Zhou Zhexiao could only lift the leg pressing him, letting him turn over on the spot.

Back facing the wall, no longer face to face with Zhou Zhexiao, Xia Chiyi could finally exhale.

His fingers drew on the wall, drawing basketballs, courts, the basin of boiled fish eaten at night…

Unknowingly, breathing sounds rose and fell in the room. Even Yang Huaiyu at the end of the bed put down his phone and breathed evenly.

Xia Chiyi pricked up his ears, wondering if Zhou Zhexiao behind him was asleep.

Remembering he said he couldn’t sleep without hearing the sound of him falling asleep.

But it was very late now. Zhou Zhexiao didn’t say anything, so he should be asleep, right?

Xia Chiyi really wanted to turn over to check on him but was afraid of waking Zhou Zhexiao up. Xia Chiyi’s hand supported against the wall, moving back a little bit. He could feel Zhou Zhexiao’s body temperature but didn’t touch him.

Did this guy Zhou Zhexiao sleep sticking to the bed rail? His back would hurt, right?

Xia Chiyi moved back again, finally sticking to Zhou Zhexiao’s chest.