Chapter 0069: Guess Who I Am

His emotions had never been so full and soaring, and the guests in the bar were also swept up in the impassioned fervor.

He played in one breath for a full seven or eight minutes before finally stopping.

The guests stood up, waving their arms and shouting, “Encore!”

Liu Suchen let out a breath and looked toward that booth, which was now completely blocked by the excited guests.

He pulled the hair tie from his head and walked around from the backstage area, but the people at that seat were already gone, leaving only two glasses behind.

One glass only had ice cubes left; the other was half-drunk, but the lemon slice on top was gone.

Liu Suchen stroked his hair back, suddenly feeling that he had just acted both impulsive and silly.

“A Mojito… are you a kid?” Liu Suchen flicked the glass forcefully.

At this time, Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao were walking on the road back to Capital Electric Power University.

Xia Chiyi’s mind was still full of Liu Suchen playing the drum set.

“He’s really amazing, don’t you think? No wonder he has so many fans!”

Zhou Zhexiao quietly followed behind Xia Chiyi, watching him air-drumming as he walked.

“Do you know that when his gaze swept over, my heart pounded in fear? I felt like I had been dragged onto the basketball court to be brutally crushed by him! But then I thought about it, who am I? There’s no way he knows me, hahaha!”

“He recognized you,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

“Recognized me? The prerequisite for that is that he has to know who I am.” Xia Chiyi turned around and patted his own chest.

Zhou Zhexiao lowered his eyes. Even if it was just a single look, he was very clear on the meaning behind Liu Suchen’s brief gaze.

After that, Liu Suchen’s drumbeats changed rhythm.

He was playing for Xia Chiyi to hear.

It was a declaration of war, a provocation, an acknowledgment, and also… a seduction from one rival to another.

Right at that moment, a woman wearing tall boots and a jumpsuit walked out.

“You two, wait a moment.”

Xia Chiyi turned his head. “Hmm?”

The woman wore exquisite makeup, and her inverted triangle earrings added a bit of fashion sense.

“I am an agent for an entertainment company. I saw you guys in the bar just now. Even though you were both wearing thick glasses, I could tell at a glance that you’re handsome.”

By this time, both Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao had taken off their glasses and put them in their pockets.

Seeing their figures from behind, this agent was already incredibly satisfied.

When Xia Chiyi turned around, revealing that clean, handsome face, the agent went crazy in her heart. She had struck gold.

“Are you two sports students? Are you interested in becoming artists? Your physical conditions are truly excellent.” The agent took out her business card and handed it to Xia Chiyi.

Xia Chiyi didn’t take it; instead, he looked at Zhou Zhexiao.

Zhou Zhexiao kept both hands firmly in his pockets, showing absolutely no intention of bringing them out for air.

The agent walked a half-circle around him. Upon seeing Zhou Zhexiao’s face clearly, the sheer amazement in her heart couldn’t be hidden.

“You two could debut as a duo, I guarantee you’d be famous…”

“Why don’t you go scout that drummer, Dusty?” Xia Chiyi asked curiously.

“Him… he’s also a sports student, insisting on playing basketball. No matter how much I try to persuade him, it’s useless.”

“Well, we’re exactly the same.” Xia Chiyi smiled, grabbed Zhou Zhexiao, and walked forward. “Sister, you’d better look for someone else!”

The agent let out a long sigh. Do all handsome guys with long legs nowadays insist on playing basketball?

As they walked, Xia Chiyi laughed out loud.

“Zhou Zhexiao, do you remember when I went to pick you up at the airport McDonald’s, you said you had been scouted by talent agents before… It looks like it was true!”

“She also took a fancy to you.”

“When I was a kid, a TV station scouted me to perform in a children’s program, alright?”

“What program?”

“Just telling stories. Things like ‘Grinding an Iron Pestle into a Needle’.”

“Can I still watch it?”

“Definitely not. That program aired over a decade ago.”

Zhou Zhexiao and Xia Chiyi made it back to their room just before Ling Huanzhen came for the room check.

Xia Chiyi grabbed Ye Zhaoying and excitedly told him about seeing Liu Suchen play the drum set.

“Really? The videos of him playing the drums have super high view counts online! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, Xia Chiyi.” Ye Zhaoying revealed a regretful expression. “I kinda want to go to that bar you mentioned tomorrow night to see if I can appreciate Liu Suchen’s drumming in person.”

Their roommate, Shuai Bei, was speechless. “Since he’s a player on Qing University’s basketball team, you should just appreciate him playing on the court.”

Playing the drums is neglecting his proper profession.

He Bin smiled and said, “Basketball isn’t everything in life. Having some other hobbies to express nervous emotions is pretty good too.”

That night, Xu Mi posted the news on Weibo that Capital Electric Power University and Ningchang University would be holding a practice match this weekend.

Under the posts of several first-tier league basketball bloggers, discussions about the result of this practice match began again.

The capital, after all, was a place where prestigious universities gathered in abundance. Coupled with strong teaching faculties, it was highly attractive to sports specialty students from all over the country, so talent naturally congregated there.

Among the regular Top Eight teams nationally, Qing University, Yandu University, and Capital Normal University exclusively occupied three spots, standing as equals against the Southeast Division and forming a North-South divide in the first-tier league.

Basketball received a much higher degree of attention among university students in the capital. Rare as it was, the discussion on Weibo overwhelmingly leaned in favor of Capital Electric Power University.

At first, it was just rational discussion and comparison, but some people’s sense of superiority was too high, and the tone gradually changed as they chatted.

[What the heck is Ningchang University? Last year the Southeast Division reaped absolutely nothing, the internet has a memory, okay?]

[No matter how formidable Ling Huanzhen is, getting them out of Jin Province is already his limit. It’s like taking the national soccer team out of Asia—what, do you really think you can take on the world?]

[Whether it’s Shenghai University, Chujiang University, plus whatever that Xiangnan University of Technology is—never even heard of it—so what if they won? This is the capital’s territory!]

…

A perfectly fine prediction of a practice match result was forcefully twisted into a North-South confrontation by these radical netizens.

A few bloggers were actually quite happy to see the discussion volume on their posts skyrocket.

That was until Yang Huaiyu used his main account to vote for “Ningchang University wins” in a poll initiated by one of the verified influencers, pushing the battle to its absolute peak.

When Ke Yan saw it, he inhaled sharply. “Are you crazy? Aren’t you afraid that certain extreme fans will rush to your Weibo and curse you to death?”

Yang Huaiyu put down his phone indifferently, laid out a mat in the dorm, and started doing yoga.

“If they initiated a poll, isn’t it meant for people to predict? Even if they curse me, they’ll only curse for two days. Once Ningchang University wins, I’ll tag those who cursed me the worst one by one and say ‘Bounced right back at ya’.”

Sure enough, Yang Huaiyu’s vote was criticized by people saying, “The Southeast Division defends the Southeast Division, how boring. Did you forget how you were completely destroyed by Liu Suchen?”

Ke Yan thought about it, logged onto his main account, and also voted for “Ningchang University wins”.

Li Shunchuan came through the door carrying a bag, scrolling on his phone. “I say, have you two gone mad? Using your real-name main accounts to vote for Ningchang University? The keyboard warriors are already at the gates!”

“It’s all Yang Huaiyu’s fault! He used his main account, so I can only use mine to help share the firepower for our ace!”

Li Shunchuan sighed. “Do you guys understand the strength of Capital Electric Power University? Are you that sure Ningchang University will definitely win?”

Yang Huaiyu slowly transitioned to another yoga pose. “I just feel that, aside from Qing University and Yandu University, which are hard to say, on the capital’s turf, Ningchang University can still sweep away a thousand armies. Otherwise, it wouldn’t justify the fact that we only beat them by 2 points.”

“Alright.” Li Shunchuan also used his main account to vote for “Ningchang University wins”.

Over at Xiangnan University of Technology, holding the mindset of “If Ningchang University wins, then we are the most badass,” they all consecutively voted for “Ningchang University wins,” very successfully redirecting the incoming artillery fire away from Yang Huaiyu and the others.

Liu Suchen returned to his dorm, unhurriedly brushing his teeth and washing his face, when he heard the sounds of his teammates discussing behind him.

“Those guys from Qincheng University are really hardcore, fully backing Ningchang University. It feels like they’re brotherly institutions. I’m actually a bit jealous of such deep camaraderie,” Qing University’s shooting guard, Song Boyun, said enviously while resting his chin in his hand.

Liu Suchen stepped back a half-pace while biting his toothbrush. “Little Yun, if you were matched up against Xia Chiyi, do you think you could beat him?”

Song Boyun said casually: “Not sure, we’re completely different types of shooting guards, right?”

Liu Suchen raised an eyebrow. “You’re not even sure if you could beat their shooting guard, yet you aren’t picking Ningchang University to win?”

“That makes sense…” Song Boyun tapped his screen on Weibo, then let out a howl. “They’re arguing over their own things, what does it have to do with me? Why did I click this! Liu Suchen, did you do that on purpose!”

Sure enough, as soon as Song Boyun clicked it, a bunch of people came to ask him, “Why did you pick Ningchang University?”, “Has Qing University played against Ningchang University?”, “Where is your pride as a top powerhouse school in the capital?”… At this point, it was too late to delete it, so he could only let it sit stiffly on his Weibo profile.

Song Boyun really wanted to smash a block of tofu against his own forehead.

What was clearly just the simplest of simple practice matches had become raging fire thanks to the real-name votes from players of major prestigious schools.

This stimulated Capital Electric Power University quite a bit. It was understandable that Qincheng University’s Yang Huaiyu didn’t favor them, but what was the deal with Chujiang University, Shenghai University, and even the Southwest Division’s Xiangnan University of Technology joining the fun?

Therefore, in the practice match the next day, they came out in full force. All their elites took turns taking the court, pushing the game’s tempo to the point of taking flight, their minds entirely set on winning.

However, the offenses that Electric Power University managed to build up were always transferred into Ningchang University’s hands due to Ye Zhaoying’s steals. Such a nimble and swift point guard left them completely overwhelmed during offensive and defensive transitions.

The dribbling training Du He had received these past few days also showed results. Even though he was a big guy, when facing double-teams, he could execute various direction changes and fake moves to confuse the opponents, bringing a lot of variables to the game.

Ling Huanzhen occasionally applauded him from the sidelines. This honest and simple big guy gained more and more confidence as he played, actually scoring consecutive points.

Shuai Bei performed even more unexpectedly, pulling off several jump shots and going 3 for 5. Xia Chiyi was overjoyed, leaning over and asking: “Hey, when are you going to call me Master?”

Shuai Bei gave a very light laugh. “Didn’t I say it? When I can make 10 shots in an official match, I’ll acknowledge you as Master.”

As for Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao, the two of them were scoring machines, becoming Capital Electric’s key targets for tight defense.

Cutting under the basket, Zhou Zhexiao would always rely on his superb hang-time ability to execute all sorts of gravity-defying maneuvers. Meanwhile, Xia Chiyi sometimes shot from the three-point line like a light fawn, and other times darted through the opponent’s layered blockades like a fierce little wolf, receiving and passing the ball with effortless ease.

Their cooperation flowed like moving clouds and running water, their unique chemistry making the opponents deeply experience what “drawing a sword to cut water only makes it flow faster” truly meant.

By the third quarter, Ling Huanzhen subbed out all the players on the court, sending He Bin, Chen Chuan, and Fu Chenxue up to seize the time to practice.

Capital Electric Power University also swapped in their second team. They displayed a superb level of regional zone defense, and the individual abilities of their second-team players were all very strong.

The score of the first practice match was 88 to 82, with Ningchang University winning.

When Xia Chiyi was eating lunch, his WeChat was bombarded incessantly.

Qincheng University’s Ke Yan and Li Shunchuan, Chujiang University’s Gao Chong, and Xiangnan U of T’s Yuan Yang were all asking if they had won.

Xia Chiyi got the feeling they were more nervous about the practice match result than he was. He copy-pasted his reply to them one by one: [Won, the score gap wasn’t big. Capital Electric’s zone defense level is very high. Zhou Zhexiao and I were subbed out in the third quarter.]

Meanwhile, Qing University’s Song Boyun also managed to find out the score from Capital Electric’s side. He let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness Ningchang University won the first game.”

“They won? What was the score?” Liu Suchen asked.

“88 to 82, but in the third quarter, Ling Huanzhen pulled the entire starting lineup. I heard from the Capital Electric guys that Ningchang University doesn’t have many bench players, but their level is decent.”

Liu Suchen tilted his head back and sighed. “Tsk, these schools are so secretive about practice matches, they don’t even dare to do a live stream. How boring.”

Song Boyun scratched the back of his head. “But didn’t we also not live stream our practice match with Qincheng University? Every major university is just afraid their practice matches will get out and be heavily studied by their rivals.”

“Maybe I should wander over to Capital Electric Power University tomorrow,” Liu Suchen stroked his chin.

“Give it a rest, your photo is practically hung over the doorways of every major university’s basketball team,” Song Boyun revealed a gloating expression.

In the second practice match, Ling Huanzhen changed the lineup again, deploying a dual-shooter configuration. He put He Bin and Xia Chiyi on the court at the same time, with Xia Chiyi acting as the point guard. These two complemented each other perfectly, putting immense pressure on the opponent. However, without Zhou Zhexiao’s sharp sword and Ye Zhaoying’s super-assists, Xia Chiyi was under a lot of pressure. Still, he broke into the basket several times, finding gaps to score amidst the chaotic entanglement of friend and foe.

Ling Huanzhen smiled and asked the quiet Zhou Zhexiao beside him, “His guts are getting bigger and bigger, always running under the opponent’s basket to provoke them. I’m really worried his little head is going to be smashed by an opponent’s block.”

Zhou Zhexiao just watched quietly. “Actually, he could have just confronted the shot head-on just now; there was no need to switch hands. He’s still apprehensive about tall opponents.”

Ling Huanzhen really wanted to grab Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulders and shake him vigorously. “The opponent is over two meters tall, and it’s two people blocking him alone. Give it a rest!”

“Then I bet you, he’ll do a contested layup on the next ball,” Zhou Zhexiao stated.

Hearing this, Ling Huanzhen’s little heart hitched. He didn’t want Xia Chiyi to be knocked flying in a practice match. If he got injured anywhere, Jiao Yingfeng would definitely give him plenty of dirty looks.

“I really don’t want to take this bet with you…”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Xia Chiyi dribble past the opponent point guard’s defense, cut diagonally toward the basket, smoothly fake out a defender, and raise his off-hand while going for the layup, clashing forcefully against the opposing center.

“Go for it—” From the sidelines, Ye Zhaoying clenched his fists and roared to cheer Xia Chiyi on.

The opposing center mercilessly bounced him away, but at the critical moment, Xia Chiyi used his wrist strength to toss the ball up. Unfortunately, it lacked just a tiny bit of accuracy, hit the rim, and the rebound was snatched by the opponent.

When Capital Electric’s center landed, he glanced at Xia Chiyi and, while charging forward, called out: “Commendable courage.”

“He didn’t fall, that’s good.” Ling Huanzhen rubbed his chest.

“It seems the new shoes have good grip,” Zhou Zhexiao replied faintly.

A rational coach should have called a timeout and told him, “If you play your normal way, you’ll win this match too,” but as a former power forward, Ling Huanzhen also wanted to see if Xia Chiyi could actually withstand players over two meters tall under the basket.

Finally, in the last quarter, Shuai Bei missed a shot. Du He grabbed the rebound and passed it to Xia Chiyi.

Xia Chiyi rushed toward the basket. The opposing center had long planned to lock him down.

After his previous three failures, Xia Chiyi understood that head-on physical confrontation for a layup was like a small armored vehicle insisting on comparing hull hardness with a massive tank. He had to pay attention to the angle, offsetting just a little bit—who knew who would leave scratches on whom!

The opposing center watched with veins popping on his forehead. This brat is endless! Can’t you just shoot your jumpers? Why do you insist on coming under the basket to look for abuse!

Xia Chiyi took the ball and leaped into the air, colliding with the defending center once again. Xia Chiyi’s off-hand fiercely braced against the opponent’s block, and with a clever flick of his wrist, he sent the ball toward the hoop. Only then did the opponent’s block fall—one step too late.

When Xia Chiyi landed, he stumbled two steps before finally steadying himself.

On the sidelines, Ye Zhaoying whistled. Ling Huanzhen smacked the back of his head. “You’re still egging him on!”

But to Xia Chiyi, he felt incredibly badass.

Like a rabbit, he bounded over to Zhou Zhexiao, grabbed Zhou Zhexiao’s fingers, and shook them while jumping. “Look at me! Look at me! Even if you’re not on the court, I can hold my own under the basket!”

Zhou Zhexiao gave a small smile.

“Alright, Xia Chiyi—your head is getting bigger and bigger!”

Ye Zhaoying slapped Xia Chiyi’s back hard. Xia Chiyi had just happened to jump up, and the force sent him pouncing straight at Zhou Zhexiao.

Seeing that a human tragedy was about to occur, Zhou Zhexiao bent down and scooped him up. Xia Chiyi landed against his shoulder, avoiding eating dirt.

Zhou Zhexiao held him by the waist, practically propping him up.

The strength transmitting from the other’s palm made Xia Chiyi’s heart beat incredibly fast. He let go of the other’s shoulders but accidentally tugged at his collar. From Xia Chiyi’s angle, he could see a large swath of Zhou Zhexiao’s nape and back. He quickly let go, but as he stood up, for some reason, the palm of his right hand slipped inside the other’s collar and pressed directly against his bare back.

Zhou Zhexiao’s back instantly tensed. The power transmitting from it caused Xia Chiyi to rapidly pull away.

His palm felt hot and numb, as if he had done something bad, and even broke out in a thin sweat. Like a revolving lantern, the image of the other party pulling up the hem of his shirt in the locker room, revealing his shoulder blades and back muscles, flashed through his mind.

Zhou Zhexiao raised his eyes and looked at Xia Chiyi. His calm gaze briefly soothed Xia Chiyi.

Yeah, yeah, it’s no big deal. They are teammates, they’re guys.

Besides, I just touched his back, it’s not like it’s some big deal.

Zhou Zhexiao suddenly lifted that very hand of Xia Chiyi’s, which made him nervous all over again. He was inexplicably worried about his overheated palm and the thin sweat seeping into his palm lines; it was clearly the most normal thing in the world, yet he didn’t want Zhou Zhexiao to discern anything from it.

But Zhou Zhexiao didn’t focus on Xia Chiyi’s palm at all. His fingers slid between Xia Chiyi’s wristband and his skin. His finger pads brushed against Xia Chiyi’s skin, passing over the artery on his wrist. In that moment, an unspeakable heatwave surged through his blood. The insteps of Xia Chiyi’s feet arched inside his basketball shoes. Zhou Zhexiao rolled the soaked wristband off, keeping his right hand locked on Xia Chiyi’s wrist, while his left hand rolled his own dry wristband down from his palm, past Xia Chiyi’s fingertips and the back of his hand, and slipped it onto his wrist.

“Change to a dry one, otherwise your hands will slip later.”

“Thank you.” Xia Chiyi revealed a huge smile.

Thank goodness, Zhou Zhexiao isn’t mad that I touched his back.

It was just that he rejoiced too early. Zhou Zhexiao waved at him, signaling him to come closer.

Xia Chiyi rested his hands on his knees and bent down, thinking the other party was going to impart some under-the-basket experience to him, but he didn’t expect Zhou Zhexiao to say: “You touched me.”

“Ah?”

Just as Xia Chiyi was about to straighten up, Zhou Zhexiao grabbed both of his wrists, and enunciating every word, said: “I have to touch you back.”

He released Xia Chiyi’s wrists, spun him around, and gave him a gentle push. “Continue playing.”

Holy crap, did this guy do that on purpose?

Touch me back? What’s there to touch on a back! Besides, didn’t you already touch my back plenty when you gave me muscle massages?

Xia Chiyi couldn’t help but shoot Zhou Zhexiao a glance. This guy had put away all his expressions, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t stop from curving up slightly.

Ah, he was just too bored sitting off the court, so he’s messing with me!

Under the joint efforts of Xia Chiyi and He Bin, Ningchang University took the victory again, 92 to 84.

After a day of practice matches, they took showers in the basketball gym’s shower room.

What they didn’t expect was that the shower room here had no partitions—just rows and rows of bare showerheads.

Shuai Bei and the others walked in indifferently. When Xia Chiyi looked over, he could see absolutely everything.

“This hot water is pretty fierce. Du He, come scrub my back for me,” Shuai Bei said to Du He.

“Coming!” Du He walked over, his flip-flops squeaking.

Xia Chiyi was a bit happy. This bathhouse was just like his high school days, where everyone showered together without any grudges. He couldn’t wait to join them.

A hand reached out from behind and covered his eyes.

“You like looking that much?” Zhou Zhexiao’s voice came through, feeling a bit low-pressure.

“Like looking at what?” Xia Chiyi pried Zhou Zhexiao’s hand away. “Let’s go, let’s shower together, I’ll help you scrub your back.”

Xia Chiyi even mimed a back-scrubbing motion, the excitement in his eyes impossible to hide.

Zhou Zhexiao sighed: “Wait here, I’ll go ask Ling Huanzhen for a bathhouse card.”

“Why go to the bathhouse? The public bathhouses in universities probably don’t even open until night, right? The conditions might not even be as good as here. A whole bunch of people showering together, the steam alone could make you faint.”

Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao with an expression that said, One look and I can tell you have no experience.

Zhou Zhexiao paused there, seemingly still digesting the information about public bathhouses.

“We can book… a hotel room,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

At this time, Ling Huanzhen, wearing a bath towel around his waist, walked past them. He shot Zhou Zhexiao an amused look. “Yo, you really don’t need to be shy. With your physical conditions, you’d stand proudly above the crowd whether domestically or abroad.”

With that, Ling Huanzhen patted Xia Chiyi’s shoulder. “This guy is too particular. If he won’t shower, let him go back to the dorm and use his mouthwash cup to catch cold water for a shower. You, come scrub my back!”

“Sure thing!”

Seeing that Xia Chiyi was about to go in, Zhou Zhexiao grabbed him and pulled him back.

“Get Chen Chuan to scrub for you,” Zhou Zhexiao told Ling Huanzhen.

Ling Huanzhen laughed. “Don’t be so reserved either. Scrubbing backs is an open and honorable time to exact revenge for any grudges or grievances.”

“Wrap your towel tight,” Zhou Zhexiao said, looking at Xia Chiyi.

“Oh please, rest assured, no one’s going to compare sizes with me,” Xia Chiyi said helplessly.

When they entered the shower room, the towel around Xia Chiyi’s waist was wrapped so tight he could barely breathe. It had been forcefully tightened by Zhou Zhexiao. Xia Chiyi had no idea what was wrong with this guy.

Sure enough, when Xia Chiyi walked in, he was mocked by the guys from Capital Electric.

“Yo, covered up so tight? You’re almost catching up to the bodycon dresses at Milan Fashion Week,” teased the center who had clashed with Xia Chiyi under the basket.

“I’m just getting in touch with high fashion.” Xia Chiyi said this while patting Zhou Zhexiao’s back. “Crouch down a bit lower. You’re so tall, I can’t put any strength into it.”

“I’m not scrubbing.” Zhou Zhexiao looked to the side. Shuai Bei’s back had already been scrubbed entirely red; it looked quite terrifying.

“Then I’ll go scrub someone else.” Xia Chiyi turned to leave but was yanked back by Zhou Zhexiao.

“You scrub… I’ll let you scrub.”

Zhou Zhexiao sighed, turned around, and placed his hands flat against the tiled wall.

This was the first time Xia Chiyi had ever felt the concept of “resigning to one’s fate” from him.

“Why are you still wearing your towel? Rinse yourself off! You have to rinse clean before the dead skin can be scrubbed off.” Xia Chiyi crossed his arms and turned his back. “I won’t look at you, okay?”

Zhou Zhexiao gritted his teeth. He really wanted to drag Xia Chiyi into a corner and beat him up.

He quickly rinsed off and wrapped the towel around his waist again. When Xia Chiyi turned around, he was elated. “I’m coming to scrub your back!”

Pressing both hands into the exfoliating scrubbing mitt, Xia Chiyi started scrubbing vigorously, imagining in his mind that he was de-hairing a pig.

As he scrubbed, the other’s broad shoulders and back gradually made Xia Chiyi feel jealous. Plus, seeing Zhou Zhexiao with his head down, remaining completely motionless and letting himself be slaughtered… Xia Chiyi felt his heart soften a bit.

Shuai Bei glanced over. “Are you trying to scrub out blood-stained glory over there?”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi decided to stop. Then, like claiming credit, he showed the scrubbing mitt to Zhou Zhexiao. “Look, the eighteen years’ worth of dead skin you’ve never shed is all on here.”

Zhou Zhexiao shot Xia Chiyi a glance and pulled him into his own spot. “My turn now, right?”

Xia Chiyi smiled and tried to wriggle out like a loach, but he was still caught by Zhou Zhexiao.

“Come on, hurry up and rinse off. Once you’re clean, I’ll scrub you.”

“You guys returning from America don’t have the technique. Ye Zhaoying… I’ll let Ye Zhaoying scrub me…”

Zhou Zhexiao pulled the scrubbing mitt off Xia Chiyi’s hand, unhurriedly rinsed it in the hot water, and enunciating every word, said: “I said, I will scrub you.”

Xia Chiyi heard an imperative tone that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The others had mostly finished rinsing and were leaving one after another.

He Bin glanced at Xia Chiyi. “The cycle of karma spares no one—this truly is a universal truth.”

Ye Zhaoying also waved. “I’m done washing, bye-bye.”

Shuai Bei’s voice came from the locker room: “Xia Chiyi, just shower in peace. Even if you’re really plucking hairs from a tiger, since when has the tiger ever swatted you to death?”

Xia Chiyi took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and like a hero severing his own wrist, ripped off his bath towel and hung it on a water pipe. Standing under the showerhead, he washed himself hurriedly.

“Think about it carefully, when you become famous in the future, becoming some NBA superstar or whatever, I wouldn’t be able to get you to scrub my back even if I begged!”

Xia Chiyi turned around, propped both hands against the tiles, and shouted: “Brother, bring it on!”

As soon as Zhou Zhexiao turned around, he saw Xia Chiyi’s beautifully contoured back, and the water tracing a meandering path down his shoulder blades.

His gaze uncontrollably heated up.

The muscle groups sculpted by hex bar deadlifts and kettlebell exercises were filled with linear beauty and unparalleled tension.

Even though the entire space was filled with water vapor, Zhou Zhexiao’s throat felt dry and hoarse to the point of pain.

Xia Chiyi waited for a moment. Seeing that Zhou Zhexiao hadn’t made a move, he was just about to turn his face when his nape was gently grasped by the other party.

The scrubbing mitt moved from bottom to top, spreading out along his spine toward both sides. Even though he had wanted to teach this bad guy a little lesson, in the end, he still couldn’t bear to use too much force.

Through that layer of coarse scrubbing mitt, Zhou Zhexiao felt Xia Chiyi’s flexible muscles. This tactile sensation was addictive. It was like an ascetic practice; the possessiveness deep within his brain was spreading explosively, yet his face remained unchanged, and he remained restrained the entire time.

Perhaps this was the torture one must accept for being alive.

Xia Chiyi suddenly wriggled his shoulders and started directing. “Left, left… yeah, yeah, use a bit more force!”

“Right, a bit higher, yes, yes, right there!”

“My waist dimples tickle too, scrub them for me!”

Zhou Zhexiao forced his gaze to stay only above Xia Chiyi’s waist, but this guy just didn’t know the meaning of death. Zhou Zhexiao felt that if he took one more look at his posterior iliac crest muscles, he probably really wouldn’t be able to hold back from just killing this guy.

Outside the locker room, Ye Zhaoying and Shuai Bei exchanged a glance, revealing “I knew it” expressions.

“Ah—” Xia Chiyi suddenly let out a tragic shriek that echoed in the bathhouse. “Stop scrubbing! Stop scrubbing, my fault! I won’t boss you around anymore!”

Ling Huanzhen was stunned for a moment. “How rare, I thought Zhou Zhexiao would never be able to bear laying a heavy hand on him.”

“It’s about time he was taught a lesson,” Shuai Bei said coolly. “Today he kept stubbornly competing against their center; I was worried for him. And he still dared to provoke Zhou Zhexiao in the bathhouse.”

When Xia Chiyi came out, his back was a patch of red. Even after pulling on his T-shirt, a few red marks still peeked out from his back collar.

As they carried their things and walked back to the dorm, Ye Zhaoying stroked his chin, looking at the exposed red marks on Xia Chiyi, and said meaningfully: “If we didn’t know the origin of those red marks, I’d seriously think this kid had started a long-distance relationship in the capital using his good looks.”

Those last two scrubs Zhou Zhexiao did were too ruthless.

Xia Chiyi occasionally tugged at his undershirt; it still stung a little when the cotton fabric brushed against his back.

“If only there was a scale here. Zhou Zhexiao scrubbed so hard, I might have directly lost two taels of weight.”

---

The next morning was the final practice match. Ningchang University fielded a full bench lineup, giving Fu Chenxue, Deng Qi, and Qin Jiayu a complete opportunity to practice. This was also the only practice match Ningchang University lost, and the score gap was a bit large: 68 to 92.

Ling Huanzhen consoled them for a long time, and finally relented.

“Alright, since it’s not a holiday, the return tickets aren’t that tight, so I didn’t book tickets for everyone in advance. How about this: we’ll gather at the high-speed rail station at 4:00 PM. Whichever train we can buy tickets for, we’ll take. Whoever is late buys their own ticket.”

Hearing this, the bench squad, whose morale had originally been sluggish, finally gained some motivation.

“A suggestion, I suggest to everyone: since time is limited, just go to one place to look around. For example, the ancient palaces and temples. Once you’re done, hurry to the high-speed rail station! Buddy up, don’t get lost!” Ling Huanzhen instructed.

Zhou Zhexiao didn’t have much interest in the capital. The places worth visiting here, he had already been to many years ago.

He glanced at Xia Chiyi.

At this moment, Ling Huanzhen walked over, patted Zhou Zhexiao’s back, and said: “Why don’t you come to the hospital with me? I just got news that Coach Xu was admitted for high blood pressure. Even though it’s been five years since he stepped down from his position as the national team coach, every year he still mutters about ‘Sheng Xingming’.”

“…Mm.” Zhou Zhexiao nodded.

Ling Huanzhen left with Zhou Zhexiao, and the teammates scattered like birds and beasts. Ye Zhaoying asked Xia Chiyi if he was going to the Imperial Palace. Xia Chiyi said, “I want to wander around nearby.”

“What’s there to wander around near this university town?”

“I want to check out Qing University. It’s a century-old school.”

Ye Zhaoying revealed an expression of disgust. “Good lord, Ningchang University is also a century-old school.”

Xia Chiyi added: “I also want to buy some local specialties to take back. They’re too expensive at the high-speed rail station. The ones around here are cheaper.”

“Alright then, up to you.”

Therefore, Xia Chiyi was the only one who chose to wander around Qing University.

Qing University was relatively close. Carrying his messenger bag, he walked for over twenty minutes and arrived at this institution, which was full of academic atmosphere and had supplied large numbers of talents to all walks of life.

He walked unhurriedly inside. The campus’s modern vibe and sense of history were intertwined. There were new buildings full of design sense, as well as old buildings with a long history.

As Xia Chiyi walked, he took pictures, passing by the old German classical-style school building, the archway-style old campus gate, and the Corinthian-style grand auditorium…

“Qing University… is really quite massive…”

After wandering for a long time, Xia Chiyi finally arrived at the legendary Comprehensive Sports Center.

“Wow… it really is huge…” Xia Chiyi spread his arms and gestured.

The main arena reportedly contained three standard basketball courts and could seat nearly five thousand people. Last year’s National Top Eight matches were held right here.

“I really want to go in and take a look.”

But right now, Qing University’s varsity team was very likely training.

Even if they weren’t training, as an outside student, he probably couldn’t get in anyway.

Regret surged in his heart, and Xia Chiyi let out a long sigh.

Right at this moment, a pair of hands reached out in front of him and covered his eyes.

Caught entirely off guard, Xia Chiyi stumbled backward and bumped into another person’s chest.

The other person seemed to be quite tall…

“Guess who I am?”

The other person’s voice felt like a gravitational pull, making Xia Chiyi’s ears want to lean closer, though the tone carried a distinctly teasing note.

Xia Chiyi lightly patted the back of the other person’s hand and said amusedly: “Classmate, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not a Qing University student.”

“I know. Ningchang University’s Xia Chiyi.”

The other’s enunciation was clear; especially when pronouncing his name, the timbre was crisp and moist. They were standing so close that Xia Chiyi’s back could feel the resonance in the other’s chest cavity.

Could it be a high school classmate of his?

Xia Chiyi thought for a while; he didn’t think any of his classmates had tested into Qing University.

“Are you also visiting from another school?”

“Nope, I am from Qing University.” The smile in the other’s voice grew thicker.

Although the person was covering his eyes, their fingers weren’t applying much pressure. Xia Chiyi could sense the other had no malicious intent. At the same time, it was amazing that a Qing University student not only knew which school he was from but also knew his name, considering Ningchang University had never publicly played in the Northeast Division.

This game of “Guess Who I Am” was getting a bit interesting.

Xia Chiyi smiled: “Classmate, give me a hint.”

“Hmm, alright. You’ve watched my game videos, probably many times.”

Xia Chiyi laughed, “But I’ve watched many people’s game videos!”

“You thought of two people using a time difference to block my layups.”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi’s brain spun rapidly, searching swiftly through his memories. An answer was ready to burst out of his heart.

But even if he had studied the other party a thousand times, he himself had no fame in the Northeast Division at all. The other party shouldn’t know him.

The smile in the other’s voice became more obvious: “What? Still can’t guess? Then I’ll give you a more obvious hint—you came to watch my performance the night before last.”

This time, it truly felt as if his heart had been struck.

“Liu Suchen?”

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[The author has something to say]

Yang Huaiyu: Hahaha, Zhou Zhexiao, you’re getting your home stolen!
Liu Suchen: Old Yang, you seem very happy?
Yang Huaiyu: I’m waiting to see you get absolutely destroyed by Zhou Zhexiao!