Chapter 0108: Eyes on me

The game quality of this year’s Division I league was very high, drawing the attention of well-known active players. The organizers also spared no expense in promotion. Ningchang University’s championship victory lent Boiling Point a massive tailwind, saving them from a lot of ineffective marketing and allowing them to reach the college student consumer demographic directly.

Boiling Point’s experience was surprisingly similar to that of the Ningchang University basketball team: both were initially unfavored but managed to swim upstream step by step relying on their actual strength.

This kind of mutual recognition and bond of destiny was something a large brand like Zhengfeng Sports could never resonate with.

Boiling Point’s sales figures tonight made the equally large brand, Zhengfeng Sports, feel the pressure. Naturally, they wanted to secure Ningchang University before the Nationals.

“Then do we have to change our basketball shoes?” Xia Chiyi asked.

Ling Huanzhen replied with a smile: “Change what? You guys wear whatever you like to wear. Besides, before we became famous, Boiling Point didn’t just gift us basketball shoes; they also donated equipment. Even the data analysis team managed by Cheng Qing is funded entirely by Boiling Point’s sponsorship.”

Xia Chiyi’s eyes curved into crescents. “If we get rich and immediately think about changing our sponsor, we’d become solid scumbags—the first sword drawn upon reaching the shore is used to slay the one who loved you most.“

Ling Huanzhen coughed: “What the hell kind of metaphor is that!”

The car stopped at the hotel entrance, and Xia Chiyi shook Zhou Zhexiao awake.

“Mn?” Zhou Zhexiao’s voice carried a heavy nasal tone. His eyelids weren’t even fully open as he rubbed his slightly curly hair, making his whole person look dazed.

Completely lacking in attack power.

Xia Chiyi seized the opportunity and rubbed his hair into a bird’s nest.

“Hahaha, Medusa!”

Zhou Zhexiao tilted his head, seemingly still pondering what similarities he shared with Medusa.

“You two go back and get some good sleep. Given the time, don’t order any takeout.” Ling Huanzhen checked his watch. “Just a reminder: when you get back, your master will definitely make you step on the scale again.”

Step on the scale?

Sure enough, all dreams eventually end.

His heart suddenly plummeted. The takeout he had secretly eaten in the past would all transform into the karmic retribution of body fat percentage.

“Coach Ling, aren’t you going back to your hotel room?”

“Me? I’m going to have a midnight snack with your master to celebrate!” Ling Huanzhen grinned widely.

“Ah?”

Why can’t you take us along to eat midnight snacks and celebrate?

As if seeing through Xia Chiyi’s question, Ling Huanzhen smiled and said: “Don’t moms and dads always have to wait until the cubs are asleep before they start feasting on midnight snacks?”

Even though it was the night they took down the title of Kings of the Southeast, it didn’t seem any different from every other day before it.

As soon as they returned to the hotel, Zhou Zhexiao wrapped himself in the blanket and fell into a deep sleep. Xia Chiyi deliberately leaned close to his ear and listened for quite a while; this guy really didn’t snore.

“Hey, hey?” Xia Chiyi poked Zhou Zhexiao’s cheek, but the guy’s eyelashes didn’t even twitch.

He literally just confessed to me today, yet he isn’t excited at all and sleeps this dead?

“Let’s do something only adults do, yeah?”

After speaking, Xia Chiyi waited for quite a while, but Zhou Zhexiao slept as if he had been drugged.

“Xiaolongnü, Yin Zhiping is here, hurry up and wake up!”

Still no reaction.

“Zhou Zhexiao, are you impotent?”

Any normal man hearing the word ‘impotent’ would explode, but Zhou Zhexiao remained steady as ever, his years peaceful and quiet.

Xia Chiyi was so angry, but being angry didn’t help.

He went back to his own bed, rolled himself up in his blanket, and scrolled through his phone for a while until he got sleepy. Unknowingly, he fell asleep, and his phone slipped from his hand, falling onto the pillow.

Just as his phone screen went dark, Xia Chiyi suddenly woke up again.

Ah, I still can’t help but think about that guy who’s sleeping like the dead.

It felt like there was a little kitten in his heart pulling at a ball of yarn, pulling out fine threads one by one, and the end point of them all was Zhou Zhexiao.

Deciding not to struggle against himself anymore, Xia Chiyi figured he might as well go over and find him.

Who knew that before he could even turn over, there was movement from the opposite bed. Zhou Zhexiao had gotten up.

Is this guy going to the bathroom?

Looking exactly like he was sleepwalking, the guy swayed as he walked over to Xia Chiyi’s bed.

Wh-what is he doing?

The blanket behind Xia Chiyi was lifted, and an arm wrapped around him. Through the thin fabric of his T-shirt, a warm chest pressed against Xia Chiyi’s back.

At that moment, his originally empty heart was suddenly filled to the brim.

So I’m not the only one thinking about him; he’s thinking about me too.

Just as Xia Chiyi was about to say something, the back of his head was lightly touched by something.

Did this guy just kiss the top of my head?

Feeling a sudden, inexplicable palpitation, Xia Chiyi curled his knees up bit by bit.

The kiss slowly spread, and when it landed on the back of Xia Chiyi’s neck, it became a forceful suckling kiss. Xia Chiyi’s blood was nearly sucked right out.

His body temperature skyrocketed, and the air turned stifling.

Zhou Zhexiao’s embrace grew tighter and tighter, his nose pressed firmly against the back of Xia Chiyi’s neck. Waves of breath brushed against him like the ocean tide. The whole room was deadly quiet; the only thing left was the clamoring thud of Xia Chiyi’s heartbeat.

“Mn…” Zhou Zhexiao murmured very lightly.

Xia Chiyi suddenly realized something. After a long while, he lifted Zhou Zhexiao’s arm, turned around, and found the other man half-curled up, sleeping very soundly.

“Did you sleepwalk over here?” Xia Chiyi asked in amusement.

Zhou Zhexiao slept very deeply, responding to Xia Chiyi only with his elongated breaths.

Fine, you are already mine anyway.

Whatever I do to you isn’t considered an offense.

Xia Chiyi shifted lower on the pillow, perfectly catching the shadow of Zhou Zhexiao’s eyelids from this angle.

He lightly pecked Zhou Zhexiao’s lips. The other’s silence seemed like tacit approval for Xia Chiyi to push his luck.

He skillfully propped himself up, leaned in, and licked the seam of Zhou Zhexiao’s lips.

He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but his lips were even more tempting than before.

Unsatisfied with just a fleeting taste, Xia Chiyi used his own lips to part the other’s, slipping the tip of his tongue inside. Originally, he only wanted to tease the other’s upper lip and leave it at that, but once they touched, he didn’t want to easily withdraw.

He pressed closer with increasing force, lightly scraping over the barrier of his teeth.

The arm loosely draped over him abruptly tightened. Xia Chiyi’s shoulder trembled, and Zhou Zhexiao’s eyes suddenly opened.

There was no lazy drowsiness in his gaze; instead, there was an unrestrained, razor-sharp possessiveness that he hadn’t had time to conceal.

Xia Chiyi’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t afraid; rather, he tightly gripped Zhou Zhexiao’s loose cotton pajamas.

Zhou Zhexiao didn’t bother asking what he was doing. Instead, he gripped the back of Xia Chiyi’s head with one hand and kissed him back without any reservations.

After kissing for a while, Zhou Zhexiao pinched Xia Chiyi’s cheek. “Open wider, this isn’t satisfying enough.”

Xia Chiyi shoved him. “Do you have to be so blunt!”

But he couldn’t push the other away at all. Zhou Zhexiao’s kiss came sweeping over overwhelmingly, like a rolling branding iron, welding his blood into a surging rush.

It took quite a while before Zhou Zhexiao finally let him go.

Xia Chiyi’s brain was buzzing. When he opened his mouth to speak, his vocal cords felt as if they were being tugged, “Weren’t you asleep?”

“I was just asleep, not dead.”

Zhou Zhexiao gently pinched Xia Chiyi’s ear.

“I talked to you for so long earlier and you ignored me. You really aren’t a dead person, you’re a dead ghost (teasing term for a lover).”

Xia Chiyi smacked his lips, as if reminiscing about the kiss just now, and then tugged at Zhou Zhexiao’s collar. “Since you’re already awake, let’s kiss again.”

Zhou Zhexiao paused for only a second before immediately covering his lips again, kissing Xia Chiyi until his head spun.

“Hey, we both started at zero experience, how are you so good at kissing?”

Pressing against Zhou Zhexiao’s chest, Xia Chiyi tried to catch a breath.

Resting his chin on top of Xia Chiyi’s head, Zhou Zhexiao rubbed against it. “Probably because I imagined it countless times in my mind.”

“Really? Were you thinking about me every time?” Xia Chiyi’s eyes seemed to light up with countless little stars.

“Mn. That’s why, whenever I thought that your feelings for me might only be admiration… I felt a bit guilty.”

Xia Chiyi froze for a moment, then pinched Zhou Zhexiao’s ear and said, “Then you have to think about me often, think about me hard, and think about me a lot when you have nothing else to do. Consider it honing your kissing skills.”

“You like it? I thought you would prefer it to be gentler.”

“Huh?” Xia Chiyi mischievously pinched Zhou Zhexiao’s cheek hard. “I’m so young, of course I like things exciting!”

Zhou Zhexiao smiled very faintly. For the first time, Xia Chiyi understood what the pampering in a person’s smile looked like.

He hovered over Xia Chiyi, his arms propped beside his ears, “Alright, then we’ll do exactly as you wish.”

Xia Chiyi used to think that basketball was the most interesting thing in the world, until tonight, when he suddenly realized… it was actually Zhou Zhexiao.

---

With the pressure lifted from their hearts, they messed around until two or three in the morning, so the two of them slept straight until nearly noon, the alarm clock almost vibrating the phone right onto the floor.

Xia Chiyi suddenly sat bolt upright, his hair looking like a little bird’s nest. He scratched the back of his head, then shook Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulder. “Get up! We’re having hotpot with Qincheng University for lunch today!”

“Mn…” Zhou Zhexiao’s brows furrowed. Unexpectedly, he grabbed Xia Chiyi and yanked him back into his embrace, looking very dissatisfied.

“No way, right? It’s fine if you didn’t get up for morning practice, but it’s already noon, aren’t you hungry?”

Surprisingly, Zhou Zhexiao pressed Xia Chiyi’s head back against his chest again and covered them both with the blanket.

He truly never knew that dating could smother a person to death.

Xia Chiyi crawled and crawled until he finally escaped Zhou Zhexiao’s demonic clutches.

When he stood by the bed, looking at the wads of toilet paper scattered all over the floor, his throat made a gulp sound.

Only after finding his arms empty did Zhou Zhexiao slowly sit up. His eyelids drooped slightly; he was clearly not fully awake yet.

Realizing that the cleaning staff would be coming to tidy up the room soon, Xia Chiyi hurriedly grabbed the trash can, picking up the wads of toilet paper scattered on the floor and throwing them in.

“Were we exaggerating a bit too much? We used up all the tissues?”

Zhou Zhexiao turned his face and looked at the small sliver of back exposed when Xia Chiyi bent over, along with his soft hair whorl, and raised his hand to ruffle it.

“It’s not us exaggerating, it’s the tissues’ fault.”

“How is it the tissues’ fault?” Xia Chiyi looked at him.

“I’m used to using three-ply. But these are only single-ply.”

Xia Chiyi: What you’re saying makes so much sense, I am actually speechless.

---

Who knows where Qincheng University found this buffet hotpot place, but the variety of seafood was quite large, and it was very fresh.

Everyone had their own personal little hotpot, allowing them to chat while getting food.

Ling Huanzhen and Ren Xin sat together, the two coaches once again engaging in a “battle of wits and courage.”

“The relationship between the players of our two teams is quite good. We can be considered brother teams in the Southeast Region, right?” Coach Ren raised his small teacup and clinked it against Ling Huanzhen’s.

In the realm of coaching, Ren Xin was absolutely Ling Huanzhen’s senior. No matter how tall and big Ling Huanzhen was, when the other initiated a toast, he had to quickly lower his head to show humility.

“I still have to thank Coach Ren for helping arrange so many practice games.”

“Going forward, our two schools should also strengthen cooperation. We can frequently organize training camps and things like that.”

“But of course.”

Li Shunchuan, who had been crying his eyes out yesterday, seemed to have recovered today and even took the initiative to talk to Xia Chiyi.

“That ‘attacking the top foot’ move of yours, I’m going to practice it when I get back,” Li Shunchuan said.

“Ah? Are you planning to use it against me during the Nationals?” Xia Chiyi looked at Li Shunchuan with half a shrimp dangling from his mouth.

“No, I’m going to use it against Liu Suchen. Last time we had a practice game with Qing University, Liu Suchen defended me at the very end, and I couldn’t break through.”

“Oh… I feel like since I used this move against Yang Huaiyu at a critical moment, and Liu Suchen watched the entire game… given Liu Suchen’s personality, he will definitely be extremely vigilant and dodge it very quickly,” Xia Chiyi said.

“Yeah…” Li Shunchuan’s eyebrows drooped down again.

“I think you could use more pump fakes.”

“Hmm?”

Rolling a piece of boiled kelp sprout in sauce, Xia Chiyi stuffed it into his mouth, completely forgetting what he had just said, wholly focused on eating.

Li Shunchuan was still looking at him eagerly. “Pump fakes aren’t as aggressive as your dribble penetration.”

“But ‘Embarrassed Li’, in everyone’s hearts, you are a kind, honest, and sincere person. If you were to use a pump fake, its deceptiveness would definitely be super strong. I guarantee you, when facing Qing University, you can play Liu Suchen until he cries.”

“Even Yang Huaiyu’s fakes can’t fool Liu Suchen. Can I?” Li Shunchuan looked incredulous.

“You can, you definitely can! Yang Huaiyu’s fakes are concentrated under the basket, the range is small, and the techniques are limited. Liu Suchen studied them thoroughly long ago. But your fakes will be freshly baked. Liu Suchen hasn’t studied them frame by frame from a video recording. You will definitely be able to trick Liu Suchen until he doubts his own existence.”

Picking up a boiled scallop, Xia Chiyi puffed his cheeks to blow on it, poured some minced garlic sauce over it, and took a bite with utter satisfaction.

“Mn, then I’ll go back and practice pump fakes,” Li Shunchuan nodded.

Walking past with a food tray, Ye Chaoying rapped his knuckles hard on top of Xia Chiyi’s head. “Xia Chiyi, can’t you teach him something good! Don’t forget, it’s still possible for us to face Qincheng University again in the Nationals!”

“Oh…”

If Li Shunchuan really mastered pump fakes to the point of perfection, they really wouldn’t know how to defend him.

But right now, Li Shunchuan was clearly in a much better mood. His drooping eyebrows lifted slightly like little wings, and carrying his tray, he went to scoop up some small sea snails.

“Are you ‘Embarrassed Li’s’ antidote? Yesterday he hugged his blanket and cried, and no matter how we comforted him, it was useless. Today, after speaking just two sentences with you, he actually has an appetite to eat?” Yang Huaiyu asked curiously.

Thinking for a moment, Xia Chiyi replied: “I think… none of us are afraid of losing, but not knowing how to win is what’s truly terrifying. So the real comfort is giving him a direction to strive toward.”

Without a direction to work towards, it feels as if the chasm of talent can never be crossed.

That sense of despair would make a person lose the courage to fight with their back against the wall.

“Then tell me, how can our Qincheng University win against you guys next time?” Yang Huaiyu asked.

There was a smile on Yang Huaiyu’s face, but his gaze was very deep and very serious.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Chiyi fished out all the boiled shrimp from his small hotpot and pushed them in front of Yang Huaiyu. “You help me peel all these shrimp—once you pay your tuition, I’ll tell you.”

“Haha, you’re really something, Xia Chiyi.”

“Mn, you take your time peeling, I’ll go get some more to boil.”

However, what Xia Chiyi didn’t expect was that when he returned with a plate of carefully selected, maximum-sized shrimp, only empty shrimp shells remained in front of Yang Huaiyu.

“Where are the shrimp? Don’t tell me you ate them all?” Xia Chiyi asked.

Yang Huaiyu lifted his chin. “No, I had just finished peeling them when they were taken away by him.”

“You…” Taking a deep breath, Xia Chiyi watched Zhou Zhexiao eating slowly, and somehow, he didn’t feel angry anymore.

“Hey, you’re the one who ate Yang Huaiyu’s shrimp, so you give him the answer to this question.”

“Oh,” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face and glanced at Yang Huaiyu. “Practice the turnaround fadeaway jumper. Don’t just focus solely on double-clutches.”

Yang Huaiyu froze for a second. Recalling carefully, at least a third of Zhou Zhexiao’s points came from turnaround fadeaway jumpers. His posture was elegant, and his mid-air stability was incredibly strong.

This was definitely not something practiced in a day or two; it was the foundation accumulated over many years.

Whether in the CBA or the NBA, this was an extremely highly efficient scoring skill, and also the signature move of many superstars.

“Alright, thank you.”

Just as Yang Huaiyu was about to leave, Zhou Zhexiao glanced at Xia Chiyi’s bubbling hotpot and asked Yang Huaiyu: “Are you not going to peel the rest?”

“I’ll peel them next time you beat me,” Yang Huaiyu smiled, got up, and left.

Xia Chiyi leaned close to Zhou Zhexiao’s ear and asked: “Is this how you smart people converse? Instantly understanding each other?”

Picking out all of Xia Chiyi’s shrimp that were about to be overcooked, Zhou Zhexiao said calmly: “You aren’t a fool either.”

“Hehe.”

Xia Chiyi was the type who could eat shrimp without dirtying his hands, using his tongue and teeth to extract the meat.

But when Zhou Zhexiao disassembled shrimp shells, it was like performing surgery.

He asked the front desk for a knife and fork, and with a flurry of swift, precise movements like a shell-cracking machine, he dismantled one shrimp every five seconds on average.

“I’ll go get some more to boil!”

Actually, Xia Chiyi just wanted to watch Zhou Zhexiao crack shrimp shells; there was a certain precise elegance to it.

“Finish eating these first,” Zhou Zhexiao frowned.

Walking past them, Shuai Bei said coolly: “Yeah, your eyes are always bigger than your stomach.”

If you can’t finish it, don’t just forcefully shove it all to Zhou Zhexiao.

And so, for the sake of watching Zhou Zhexiao peel shrimp shells, Xia Chiyi nearly stuffed himself to death.

---

The two teams bid each other a friendly farewell. Yang Huaiyu and the others were departing to return home that afternoon.

“Just a reminder, Lu Yingnan owes your entire team a skiing vacation trip.”

“That was a bet between the three of you. I’m not even in your group chat, how could I have the nerve to ask him to fulfill the bet?” Xia Chiyi had only taken Lu Yingnan’s words as a joke.

Plus, treating the entire Ningchang University team to go skiing would cost a lot of money.

How could he take it seriously?

“Then I’ll pull you in.”

“No, no, it would be so weird for a little shrimp like me to be in the ‘Big Three’ WeChat group!”

“What Big Three? It’s just a group where we passive-aggressively mock each other, backstab each other, and stab each other in the back. I think it needs a bit of pure blood.”

Xia Chiyi: Mocking, backstabbing, and stabbing each other in the back—you big shots sure play wild.

“Let’s hug. Won’t see you for a while, I’ll miss you.”

Yang Huaiyu opened his arms toward Xia Chiyi, but who would have thought the person hugging him would be Zhou Zhexiao.

“Take care,” Zhou Zhexiao patted Yang Huaiyu’s back, then grabbed Xia Chiyi and walked away.

Rubbing the tip of his nose, Yang Huaiyu said helplessly: “He keeps such a close watch. It’s just a hug, I’m not going to steal your partner away.”

Standing next to Yang Huaiyu with his hands in his pockets, Ke Yan said, “Aren’t I keeping a close watch on you too? I’m afraid you’ll defect to the enemy.”

Yang Huaiyu leaned over and hugged Ke Yan tightly. “The enemy doesn’t want me, so I guess I’ll just fall into your embrace.”

Ke Yan revealed an impatient expression: “Am I just your fallback option? Kindly roll away as far as possible.”

---

Having seen off their friends from Qincheng University, the only thing left on Xia Chiyi’s itinerary was Xu Mi’s live stream.

Before Xia Chiyi set out, he specifically went to say hi to Ling Huanzhen.

Ling Huanzhen reminded him: “That’s a live stream, there’s no chance for editing. Pay attention, you absolutely cannot swear, keep your jokes within proper limits, and wear something nice-looking. How long has it been since you cut your hair? Go to the barbershop by the hotel’s side entrance and get it properly trimmed…”

Standing in the doorway, Xia Chiyi listened to Ling Huanzhen’s rambling and said helplessly: “Old Ling, I’m just going on Xu Mi’s show to share some shooting tips, I’m not going there to make my idol debut. Don’t be so nervous.”

“Of course I’m nervous, because I haven’t even gotten to the main point yet!”

“What? You’ve talked for so long and still haven’t reached the main point? What is it?” Xia Chiyi asked curiously.

“After the Nationals, it will be time for new recruitment. Please take Zhou Zhexiao with you and make absolutely sure to heavily promote the Ningchang University basketball team during Xu Mi’s live stream!”

“Ah? Is it really that urgent?” Xia Chiyi looked baffled.

Ling Huanzhen’s gaze passed over Xia Chiyi and met Zhou Zhexiao, who was holding his phone browsing a shopping website.

It was as if there was some secret code between the two of them. Zhou Zhexiao immediately understood Ling Huanzhen’s meaning and, for the first time, gave him a clear response.

He nodded: “I understand.”

Ling Huanzhen let out a breath of relief. As long as the Great Demon King understood, that was good enough.

According to his and Jiao Yingfeng’s predictions, after the Nationals, Xia Chiyi would definitely grow to a very high level.

At that point, the Division I league would no longer be able to satisfy Xia Chiyi; many more choices would lie before him.

For example, joining the National Youth Team, entering the CBA draft early, or even going overseas on an exchange to be tempered by the NCAA.

When that time came, the Ningchang University basketball team would lose its core scoring power. Ling Huanzhen had to start preparing to cultivate new talent early.

It just wasn’t the right time to tell Xia Chiyi these things yet. Right now, he still had the mindset of a youth, and being able to play basketball simply and happily was a very fortunate thing.

---

Xia Chiyi brought Zhou Zhexiao to the outdoor basketball court that Xu Mi had rented.

The afternoon sunlight was beautiful; shining on Xia Chiyi’s face, it gave off a clean and bright feeling.

Seeing Xu Mi getting her makeup done, Xia Chiyi subconsciously took two steps back, hiding behind Zhou Zhexiao, worried that some staff member would drag him over to get makeup applied too.

Seeing Xia Chiyi’s reaction in the mirror, Xu Mi started laughing.

“What are you hiding for? You and Zhou Zhexiao have to appear on camera bare-faced, otherwise, when you play basketball, are you going to show sweat streaks running through your foundation?”

Hearing Xu Mi say this, Xia Chiyi let out a breath of relief.

When the live broadcast began, Xu Mi faced the camera and introduced today’s guest stars. The moment she read out Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao’s names, virtual fireworks exploded all over the broadcast room, lasting for a long time.

Keeping Ling Huanzhen’s instructions firmly in mind, Xia Chiyi introduced himself very seriously: “Hello, viewers in the live broadcast room. I am Xia Chiyi, a member of the Ningchang University basketball team, playing the position of shooting guard! The coach of our team is the famous basketball player Ling Huanzhen! Friends who love basketball, you are very welcome to choose Ningchang University for your college applications!”

A flurry of [The cub is so well-behaved] bullet comments floated across the screen.

When it was Zhou Zhexiao’s turn, even though the camera was shoved right in his face, every strand of this guy’s hair was brimming with a ‘I am who I am’ sense of self and handsomeness.

“Hello everyone, I am Zhou Zhexiao, the small forward for the Ningchang University basketball team.”

Still concise and sharp, without a single word of nonsense.

Xu Mi was still waiting for Zhou Zhexiao to expand on his self-introduction, but the camera completely froze in silence.

Xia Chiyi hurriedly nudged him with his elbow.

This time, Zhou Zhexiao completely failed to understand why he was being nudged. He looked at Xia Chiyi blankly: “What?”

“Too short! With a self-introduction like that, you won’t be able to find a job in interviews after you graduate!”

A rare trace of reluctance appeared in Zhou Zhexiao’s eyes, and he repeated Xia Chiyi’s final sentence: “Our team’s coach is the famous basketball player Ling Huanzhen. Friends who love basketball, you are welcome to choose Ningchang University for your college applications.”

[2333~ Zhou Zhexiao’s college application invitation was truly completely devoid of a soul!]

[Especially at the phrase “famous basketball player”, he even took a breath, full of utter helplessness!]

[Zhou Zhexiao, blink if you’ve been kidnapped!]

[Does anyone else think Zhou Zhexiao is really obedient?]

[Yes, yes, yes, he is very obedient! He does whatever Xia Chiyi tells him to do!]

After listening to this introduction, Xu Mi revealed a helpless smile.

“This is a live stream, not a job interview. Your self-introductions were too mundane and stiff!”

After saying that, Xu Mi pulled out two cards and handed them to the two of them.

“These are the self-introductions that the vast number of Division I league fans have summarized for you two. You are allowed to disagree and defend yourselves.”

Taking a look, Xia Chiyi immediately burst out laughing.

“Hello everyone, I am the only top student on the Ningchang University basketball team, possessor of a ‘first-love school grass’ face, Zhou Zhexiao’s wallet manager and online shopping supervisor, the sole provider of Zhou Zhexiao’s headrest, the legendary ‘brother-harvester’ of the Southeast Region, and Ling Huanzhen’s unfilial disciple—Xia Chiyi!”

Looking at his card, Zhou Zhexiao remained expressionless, and the live stream seemed to enter a static freeze-frame once again.

[Chiyi cub, hurry up and remind Zhou Zhexiao to move!]

[Xia Chiyi! At this moment, we need your elbow reminder!]

[What exactly is written on the card that made Zhou Zhexiao stop moving?]

Tilting his head, Xia Chiyi glanced at Zhou Zhexiao’s card, shrugged his shoulders and said: “Isn’t this the truth?”

Only then did Zhou Zhexiao slowly open his mouth: “Hello everyone. I am the only person on the Ningchang University basketball team who requires bone-picking services when eating boiled fish, owner of a ‘top student’ face despite actually having very average grades, the notorious shopaholic of the entire building, an old man at heart with zero nightlife who absolutely goes to bed by eleven o’clock, Xia Chiyi’s walking backpack stand and phone stand, a basket-area show-off maniac, and the loyal… dog… who silently obeys Xia Chiyi’s commands.”

Upon reading this far, Zhou Zhexiao froze once again, then turned his face to look at Xia Chiyi.

The tips of their noses were so close it almost created the effect of a live-streamed kiss.

Fireworks began exploding in the bullet comments again. Audiences loved watching the drama without fearing it getting out of hand, shouting [As expected of the strongest CP in the Southeast Region, they never hold back on dispensing sugar online] and [Is this a plotline we’re allowed to see without paying for VIP?]

Unfortunately, the two main characters couldn’t see the bullet comments and had no idea about the viewers’ excited hearts and trembling hands right now.

“Why did you stop reading?” Xia Chiyi asked.

“Why is it that… you are still human, but I have become a canine?”

Xia Chiyi paused for a second and quickly educated Zhou Zhexiao on internet slang: “This isn’t an insult, it’s a metaphor filled with affection.”

“There is affection in the metaphor ‘loyal dog’?” Zhou Zhexiao asked in return.

His eyes conveyed: Just because I don’t go online, doesn’t mean I’m intellectually disabled.

For example, ‘eagle and dog’ (a hired thug/lackey) is definitely not a good term. So how could ‘loyal dog’ be full of affection?

“A loyal dog describes someone who is very capable, has high execution ability, and a strong protective desire. Moreover, they don’t just lavish this on everyone; they only show these noble qualities to one specific person. For example, how you are to me. We are the best duo in the Southeast Region, right?”

Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao with his sincere, pure eyes.

“…Alright.”

“You haven’t finished reading.”

“Severe double-boba milk tea enthusiast, Zhou Zhexiao.”

Watching Zhou Zhexiao read the card, the audience outside the screen was already laughing so hard their stomachs hurt.

At this time, Yang Huaiyu, Ke Yan, and the others were also watching this live stream on the high-speed train.

Hearing Zhou Zhexiao accept the ‘loyal dog’ setting, Yang Huaiyu also didn’t hesitate to set off a burst of virtual fireworks for him.

Beside him, Ke Yan was laughing so hard he was rocking back and forth: “Xia Chiyi’s forced explanation is pretty good. Very capable? High execution ability? Hahaha, that really is Zhou Zhexiao!”

Yang Huaiyu rubbed his chin. “I told Liu Suchen before that Zhou Zhexiao was Xia Chiyi’s sword-bearing imperial guard! But it turns out the netizens’ description is much more fitting. The two words ‘loyal dog’ capture that vibe perfectly.”

After the self-introduction segment ended, it was time to showcase basketball skills.

Xia Chiyi originally thought he was here to educate people about shooting postures. On the way over, he had planned out how to explain what a one-motion shot was and how it differed from a two-motion shot.

Who knew Xu Mi wouldn’t play by the rules; she insisted they swap their signature skills, having Zhou Zhexiao demonstrate three-pointers while Xia Chiyi executed double-clutches under the basket.

Looking as if he were just completing a task, Zhou Zhexiao took the basketball passed by the assistant and began shooting.

He first stood at the three-point line. With every shot he made, he took a step back. Furthermore, every release was very fast, as if he didn’t even need to aim.

After over a dozen shots, Zhou Zhexiao had retreated past the half-court line, yet neither his accuracy nor his speed had dropped.

Although fans who followed the Southeast Regional tournament generally knew he had long-range shooting capabilities, they were truly astounded when he continuously backed up to the sideline of the opposite half of the court and still sank a super long-distance shot.

This scene successfully flushed out many basketball players who had been lurking in the chat.

Liu Suchen: [Holy crap, is everyone at Ningchang University a shooter?]

Zhao Lingcong: [If Zhou Zhexiao also transitioned to the three-point line, then Ma Tao would be utterly useless!]

Yang Huaiyu: [Hehe… I really appreciate that ‘even if I reveal my true strength, there’s nothing you can do about it’ face of yours.]

Standing to the side, Xia Chiyi watched earnestly, his gaze constantly following Zhou Zhexiao.

Even after so many years had passed, his shooting was still incredibly beautiful—the transfer of power, the balance in mid-air, a smooth display of pure instinct.

When it was Xia Chiyi’s turn to execute a double-clutch under the basket, the audience also showed immense enthusiasm.

During the previous recording for the Coolang program, Xia Chiyi’s imitation of Yang Huaiyu’s double-clutch had already been very successful. This time, it filled the live stream viewers with anticipation.

Smiling, Xu Mi asked: “Are you going to perform ‘Twin Dragons Playing with a Pearl’ again this time?”

Xia Chiyi shook his head. “That’s no fun. I’m going to imitate Zhou Zhexiao. This is my first time attempting it in actual practice in front of so many people. If I fail, please forgive me, everyone!”

Hearing that he was going to imitate Zhou Zhexiao, the audience became thrilled.

Holding his phone, Ke Yan said to Yang Huaiyu beside him with some concern: “Imitating Zhou Zhexiao has a very high difficulty level, right? The range of motion on his double-clutches is hell-tier!”

Yang Huaiyu revealed a thoughtful expression, recalling over and over in his mind what unique under-the-basket skills Zhou Zhexiao had used during the Southeast Regional finals.

It was just… With Xia Chiyi’s explosive power and vertical leap, could he imitate it?

Wait, this brat was someone who nearly dunked on my head. At this point, how could I still doubt his vertical leap and explosive power?

They watched as Xia Chiyi caught the ball and retreated to the half-court line. Dribbling with his right hand, he extended his left hand, pointing a finger at Zhou Zhexiao, and then pointed at his own eyes, meaning: Eyes on me.

Standing on the sidelines, Zhou Zhexiao nodded.

They saw Xia Chiyi charging toward the basket at a high speed dribble. The sprinting speed in that instant left the viewers in front of their screens clicking their tongues in astonishment. His expression was resolute and cold, as if he had genuinely been possessed by Zhou Zhexiao.

Charging past the free-throw line, he leaped into the air with the ball.

Looking up, Xu Mi subconsciously let out a gasp of amazement.

Xia Chiyi rotated his body one hundred and eighty degrees in mid-air, executing a powerful, heavy reverse windmill dunk that made everyone’s vision tremble.

When the basketball hit the floor, it made a loud bang— and bounced incredibly high.

Hanging backward from the rim, Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao. He curled his lips into a smile—a radiant smile carrying a hint of provocation, making the onlookers’ blood boil.

The live broadcast room welcomed another explosive surge of bullet comments.

[Holy crap, was that Zhou Zhexiao’s reverse windmill dunk?]

[He can even do that? Xia Chiyi can jump that high?]

[His hang time is too strong!]

What the audience didn’t know was that Liu Suchen and Yang Huaiyu, holding their phones, were both completely stunned.

This reverse dunk looked like a fancy show-off move, but the required technique and physical attributes were far too high.

Liu Suchen let out a breath, because he realized Xia Chiyi’s dribble sprint speed was much faster than he had imagined. Furthermore, a mid-air rotation demanded an extremely high hang time; one misstep and you’d drop like a lead weight.

What Yang Huaiyu felt was a deep sense of threat. Xia Chiyi’s spinning reverse dunk had a sense of weightlessness to it, yet the power at the instant of the dunk was immense. He could already imagine the sight of Xia Chiyi using this move to pass He Zhan, Meng Ting, and himself in mid-air.

The only way to block this shot was… never let him dribble and jump.

Completely unaware of the sense of threat he had brought to the top experts of the Division I league, Xia Chiyi happily dashed over to Zhou Zhexiao and asked: “Am I amazing?”

Zhou Zhexiao nodded. “Very amazing. I didn’t even know when you practiced it.”

“I want to learn everything you know!”

The corners of Zhou Zhexiao’s lips curved up very lightly, and he pressed down on Xia Chiyi’s head. “Don’t get cocky.”

At this very moment, Zhou Zhexiao deeply felt that for him, the greatest challenge wasn’t some Larry O’Brien trophy, but rather, Xia Chiyi’s gaze.

Because he had always anticipated and yearned to become the center of Xia Chiyi’s world, he must become even more outstanding than the Sheng Xingming of his past life.

Xu Mi also hadn’t expected the live stream effect to be this good; neither of their basketball skills showcases had dropped the ball at all.

And this wave by Xia Chiyi allowed him to harvest quite a few more “older brothers” in front of their screens.

---

After finishing the recording for Xu Mi’s short video program, Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao packed their luggage, ready to return to school.

Feeling somewhat reluctant to leave, Xia Chiyi lay on Zhou Zhexiao’s bed. He was thinking about how, once they returned to the dorm, they’d be stared at by Ye Chaoying and Pang Shuai; even trying to sneak a kiss would require all sorts of cover-ups.

“Wow, after we go back, are we going to have to act like we’re having an illicit affair just to kiss?”

As soon as Xia Chiyi finished speaking, Zhou Zhexiao threw a box of tissues right at his face.

“Who’s having an illicit affair with you.”

“Hahaha, it’s definitely not an illicit affair, because you are my main wife.”

“You still want a concubine?”

Xia Chiyi thought about it very seriously. “Better not. If the main wife and the concubine have a huge brawl and tear the house down, it’ll still smash onto my head anyway. But… do you really not want to make it official at all?”

“It’s better not to let them know. Otherwise, when we play basketball in the future, people will focus on our romantic gossip instead of our synergy and basketball skills.”

Zhou Zhexiao understood the operational rules of the real world much better than he did.

Furthermore, he was even more cautious than Xia Chiyi had imagined.

This was probably his forbearance—always thinking about wronging himself to leave Xia Chiyi an escape route.

This version of Zhou Zhexiao made Xia Chiyi’s heart easily turn soft.

“Even after Yang Guo saw the dazzling world outside, he still loved Xiaolongnü the most. So my Zhou Zhexiao doesn’t need to worry blindly. You are my escape route, and also my only bottom line.”

Lying on Zhou Zhexiao’s back, Xia Chiyi wrapped his arms around his shoulders and swayed him gently.

“Hey, did you notice that after the cleaner tidied up the room, they gave us two boxes of tissues! Do you think he got scared… seeing all those tissue wads in the trash can?”

Looking at Xia Chiyi with a calm expression, Zhou Zhexiao issued an invitation: “Then do you still want to use them up before we leave?”