Chapter 030: A Born Shopaholic

As they were about to leave the gym, the two girls walked up to them.

“Hey, handsome, you look so professional and patient. Can we add you on WeChat?”

“Yeah, we want to hire you as our coach!”

“I’m not a coach.”

After saying that, Zhou Zhexiao walked right past them.

Xia Chiyi watched and laughed, clutching his stomach.

“Hahaha, he… he’s not a coach… he’s my classmate!”

“Oh, we misunderstood? So sorry. Then can we add your classmate’s WeChat?”

“He doesn’t have WeChat,” Xia Chiyi said.

“Doesn’t have WeChat?”

“How is that possible?”

Zhou Zhexiao, who had already walked four or five meters away, crossed his arms, frowned, and said coldly, “I don’t have WeChat.”

Now, the two girls were a bit embarrassed.

Xia Chiyi smiled to ease the atmosphere. Even with strangers, he didn’t want anyone to misunderstand Zhou Zhexiao.

“He’s just like that, but actually very patient and gentle.”

With that, Xia Chiyi chased after Zhou Zhexiao.

Passing the reception desk, the young lady called out to them, smiling. “After an afternoon of working out, would you like to try our imported protein powder?”

“Ah? No need! No need!” Xia Chiyi quickly shook his hands. He was about to go bankrupt; where would he get money for protein powder?

“Let me see.” Seeing Zhou Zhexiao about to walk over, Xia Chiyi hooked his arm and dragged him into the elevator.

“Next time, next time! Let’s go back early for dinner, don’t miss the tactical analysis meeting tonight.”

When the elevator doors closed, Zhou Zhexiao spoke up: “But you need to supplement protein.”

“We can buy it from the official flagship store online. There are promotions, discounts, and delivery to the express collection point at the dorm entrance! The gym sells it so expensively!”

“Online flagship store?”

“Bro, what era do you live in? Nowadays, you can even find proxy bidders online for limited-edition sneakers.”

On the way back, wanting to save money, they chose the bus instead of a taxi.

As the bus rocked forward, Xia Chiyi demonstrated how to use a smartphone for online shopping to Zhou Zhexiao.

Like searching for what he wanted, putting it in the shopping cart, automatically selecting coupons, and so on.

Rocking along, Xia Chiyi got sleepy and fell asleep with his cheek resting on Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulder.

Zhou Zhexiao took Xia Chiyi’s phone, lowered his eyes, and concentrated on studying the online shopping app.

Meanwhile, Jiao Yingfeng, carrying a document bag, arrived in front of his mentor, the head coach of the National Youth Team, Xie Huai.

The office window was open. A breeze blew, puffing up the curtains. Sunlight filtered through the gap, leaving slender trails of light on the floor.

On the front wall hung a piece of calligraphy with vigorous strokes: The torch is passed down, endless life.

“Rare for you to come find me.” Xie Huai waved to Jiao Yingfeng standing at the door, then calmly began brewing Kung Fu tea.

“There’s a student I’d like Master to take a look at.” Jiao Yingfeng handed over the document bag.

“Are you recommending someone to me?”

Xie Huai took out the contents, only to find it wasn’t a profile introducing someone, but some detailed data and a training plan.

“Not a recommendation. It’s my first time mentoring a student, and I’m not sure if my arrangement is appropriate. Whether it’s too eager for quick success, or if there are aspects I haven’t considered.”

“You want to be a coach? Then you should come to the National Youth Team. It’s been so many years, and there hasn’t been a second Jiao Yingfeng.”

“I don’t have the confidence to teach many people well. If I can focus and teach this one well, maybe that’s already a lifetime achievement.”

Xie Huai laughed, taking Jiao Yingfeng’s words as modesty, and opened the file of the child named Xia Chiyi.

“Any game videos?”

“Yes, Teacher, let me play them for you.”

There was a projector in Xie Huai’s office. Jiao Yingfeng didn’t look for other games; he specifically played the highlights of his one-on-one with Xia Chiyi.

At first, Xie Huai frowned, commenting, “Solid basics, excellent dribbling and jump shots, but there are many kids like this in the National Youth Team.”

“Teacher, watch a little longer.”

As Xia Chiyi constantly found ways to surpass his past self, Xie Huai’s frown gradually smoothed. “This kid has good resilience, can take a hit, and can get back up anytime, anywhere.”

“Keep watching.”

When the footage reached Xia Chiyi mimicking the NBA player’s move at the Olympics, tricking Jiao Yingfeng to score a layup, Xie Huai chuckled, “Ho ho.”

“Quite clever, and very bold.”

“The last ball is even more interesting,” Jiao Yingfeng said.

This made Xie Huai put down his teacup, lean forward with hands on knees, squinting to see what the “more interesting” goal was.

In the video, Xia Chiyi passed Jiao Yingfeng with an extremely low center of gravity and a posture almost kneeling on the ground. That clean ruthlessness made Xie Huai suddenly grip his knees tight.

“I… understand where you think this kid is special.” Xie Huai nodded. “Which province is he from?”

“Jin Province, but he was cut by Ma Hongming.”

Xie Huai shook his head speechlessly. “The level of players Ma Hongming recommended to the National Youth Team has been getting lower over the years. I thought it was because basketball isn’t popular enough in Jin Province and talents are scarce. Now it seems… he should have stepped down from that position earlier. However, even though Xia Chiyi has potential and these flashes of brilliance, he hasn’t reached the level of my approval yet.”

“Master, you said true talents will come before you sooner or later. We will play well in the University First Division League.”

“Alright.” Xie Huai smiled heartily, patting the document bag. “I’ll take a good look at your training plan. Gold will shine; glass only reflects. I’m also curious if you were dazzled by glass or caught gold.”

During that night’s tactical drill, Xia Chiyi was a bit exhausted, his reactions sluggish, catching the ball either with his face or the back of his head.

Ling Huanzhen didn’t roar at him but substituted him out to watch from the sidelines.

At the end of training, Ling Huanzhen called Xia Chiyi over and asked, “Is the training intensity your master gave you too high? If so, I’ll discuss with him to lower it a bit.”

Xia Chiyi shook his head immediately, saying firmly, “Please give me three days. In three days, I will definitely adapt!”

Ling Huanzhen shook his head. “Three days? I don’t think so.”

“I can do it!”

Ling Huanzhen waved his hand, signaling Xia Chiyi could leave, but didn’t tell him that he had made a bet with Jiao Yingfeng. If Xia Chiyi stuck to the training plan, Ling Huanzhen would have to give Jiao Yingfeng back massages for a month. If he didn’t, Jiao Yingfeng would serve Ling Huanzhen.

“Tsk, should I hope you persevere, or not?”

On the first day, Xia Chiyi was still catching balls with the back of his head in practice games; on the second day, he couldn’t hold out and slept through English class; on the third day, he and Zhou Zhexiao slept together on the bus all the way to the terminal station.

“I fell asleep; why did you fall asleep too!” Xia Chiyi got off the bus, covering his head with both hands. Terminal station! 12 stops past their destination!

Zhou Zhexiao wasn’t fully awake yet, looking dazed. “You slept, so I slept.”

Such a matter-of-fact tone, truly “fair, just, and open.” Xia Chiyi raised his fist but felt too embarrassed to hit him.

On the bus back, seeing Zhou Zhexiao’s head about to lean against the window again, Xia Chiyi tugged his ear.

“No sleeping!”

“Oh.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s eyelashes fluttered, his gaze blank—that very obedient look appeared again.

This guy obedient? Give me a break; he’s clearly a T-Rex.

By the evening of the fourth day, Xia Chiyi was already practicing the elevator door tactic with everyone in high spirits.

Ling Huanzhen couldn’t help but whisper to Zhou Zhexiao, “Did you lower his training intensity without Jiao Jiao’s permission?”

Zhou Zhexiao turned his face, giving Ling Huanzhen a cold look.

Ling Huanzhen chuckled “Hehe.” Others might go easy out of soft-heartedness, but Zhou Zhexiao was absolutely a ruthless execution machine.

Finally, the preliminary round of the First Division League arrived.

There were forty-six universities in the province, thirty-six of which had school teams and qualified for the First Division League.

Since the other three in the dorm were participating, roommate Pang Shuai felt he couldn’t stay out of it. He opened the official website of the Chinese University Basketball Association and exclaimed, “So this competition you’re playing is the top amateur league in Chinese sports, second only to the CBA in influence! Known as China’s NCAA!”

Ye Chaoying smiled, leaning on the back of Pang Shuai’s chair. “In terms of actual level, it’s still far behind the NCAA. The NCAA is the cradle of the NBA, maintaining a competitive level comparable to professional leagues. But our university league, even the First Division, doesn’t supply many players to the domestic CBA.”

Xia Chiyi added, “Back then, Ling Huanzhen and Jiao Yingfeng were cut by the provincial team, with bleak professional prospects, but were recalled by the National Youth Team due to their excellent performance in the US NCAA. The level of the US university league is very high; ours is relatively amateur.”

“Not really! Look at the homepage, who is this guy? Already selected for the National Youth Team! Really handsome—Liu… Liu…”

Xia Chiyi leaned over and laughed. “Little Fatty, what did you score in Chinese on the college entrance exam! His name is Liu Suchen!”

Mentioning this name, Ye Chaoying’s expression also became serious. “Liu Suchen, the ace of Qing University’s team. Last year, Qing University played against Southwest Aviation University in the semi-finals. Liu Suchen scored 32 points alone, a triple-threat offensive and defensive player with no shortcomings. Only if we enter the national top four will we have a chance to face a player of this level.”

“He was selected for the National Youth Team? But the university league still put him on the official website; seems his application for this year was approved.” Xia Chiyi exhaled. “So handsome…”

“You think this guy is handsome too? Really annoying. If he’s that handsome, go act in idol dramas; why play basketball?”

Xia Chiyi pointed to the popup window in the lower-left corner of the computer. “I meant Liu Suchen’s floater passing two people in a row was handsome.”

“That’s more like it. Speaking of faces, shouldn’t the handsomest be our dorm’s Zhou Zhexiao?” Ye Chaoying glanced in Zhou Zhexiao’s direction.

Only to find that the guy, who was slurping milk tea loudly just moments ago, had slammed the milk tea onto the desk starting from Xia Chiyi’s “So handsome…” and turned to enter the bathroom.

Visibly low pressure.

That night, Xia Chiyi covered his head with the quilt because Zhou Zhexiao on the other end kept scrolling through videos on his phone. The light swayed back and forth, keeping Xia Chiyi awake.

He had to turn over, reach his hand through the shelf, and fumble around. He seemed to touch Zhou Zhexiao’s eyes again; the eyelashes swept across his fingers, the ticklish feeling making Xia Chiyi want to grab something hard.

“What exactly are you watching?” Xia Chiyi tugged the other’s ear gently.

Zhou Zhexiao grabbed his hand and pressed it against his ear, holding it there. Zhou Zhexiao’s ear cartilage was soft and springy; Xia Chiyi couldn’t help kneading it with his palm.

“Liu Suchen.”

“Oh my… why watch him? We haven’t even broken out of the preliminaries yet…”

“I watched for a long time and didn’t understand where he is handsome.”

Xia Chiyi sighed. “Didn’t Ye Chaoying say? His face is good-looking… can act in idol dramas…”

“No, you said his floater passing two people was handsome.”

“Oh, that was indeed handsome. And dribbling past five defenders from Yandu University alone, scattering them like fallen flowers. And facing the Mining University’s twin towers defense, gently tossing the ball into the hoop from under their elbows, lifting heavy weight as if it were light…” Xia Chiyi was dying of sleepiness, thinking, Damn phone run out of battery quickly. Once dead, Zhou Zhexiao will stop scrolling.

Zhou Zhexiao frowned, seeing a post about “Fated Showdown,” where Liu Suchen’s fated rival was a guy named Yang Huaiyu.

“What about Yang Huaiyu from Qincheng University?”

“Um, Yang Huaiyu… in terms of men’s aesthetics, he’s handsomer than Liu Suchen’s pretty-boy look…”

“I mean skills.”

“En, the King of Double Clutch in the Southeast Division. Of course handsome.”

Xia Chiyi thought, Zhou Zhexiao wants to review the masters of the First Division League, but why must it be at 1 AM?

“Southwest Aviation’s Lu Yingnan?”

“This one…” Chatting along, Xia Chiyi woke up too. “He’s the Steal King! Contributing an average of 4.5 steals per game. Ye Chaoying dreams of taking the Steal King title from Lu Yingnan.”

“Is he handsome then?”

“Definitely handsome.”

“So Xia Chiyi, this one is handsome, that one is handsome. In your world, is ‘handsome’ so worthless?”

“Zhou Zhexiao, stop making a fuss… Liu Suchen, Yang Huaiyu, and Lu Yingnan were the three god-tier visuals of the First Division League last year. They could debut as a group directly. Whether looking at faces or skills, they are all handsome.”

“I think you are very philandering,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Xia Chiyi was genuinely amused this time. “If you think so, then so be it.”

“Scumbag.”

“Hehe, if you want to think that way, I can’t help it.”

Zhou Zhexiao passed the phone through the shelf and tapped it lightly against Xia Chiyi’s cheek.

Xia Chiyi exhaled. Did this guy finally put down the phone?

Taking it over to lock the screen, he found the page Zhou Zhexiao had open was actually “Scumbag Quotes.”

Ranked first: Stop making a fuss.

Second: If you think so, then so be it.

Third: If you want to think that way, I can’t help it.

Bang bang bang, three shots hit Xia Chiyi’s heart.

“I was too young. Why did I choose to sleep head-to-head with you!”

Look at Ye Chaoying and Pang Shuai opposite them. Feet-to-feet, playing on phones, gaming, reviewing CET-4 vocabulary—none affecting the other.

Zhou Zhexiao slowly lifted his eyelids to look at Xia Chiyi. “It’s not too late to switch directions now.”

Who knew Xia Chiyi immediately reached out his hand and hooked his finger.

Zhou Zhexiao raised his hand to swat him lightly, but as soon as they touched, Xia Chiyi grabbed his fingertips.

“Not switching. Even if you hold a disco on the headboard, I won’t switch. This is the bond between you and me.”

Only then did Zhou Zhexiao lie back down silently.

Xia Chiyi secretly exhaled. Good, stabilized. Otherwise, Zhou Zhexiao would definitely give me a stink face tomorrow.

“What they can do, I can do too,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

“I know. That’s why you and I, who can defeat them, are the truly invincible handsome ones.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Zhexiao held onto Xia Chiyi’s fingertips without letting go.

Ah, Big Boss, when will you let go? My arm is going to break!

Xia Chiyi suddenly understood; this was probably Zhou Zhexiao’s ultimate punishment for his “philandering.”

At the team’s Monday morning meeting, assistant coach Cheng Qing announced the grouping. As one of the two teams representing Jin Province last year, Ningchang University was honored to be a “seed,” although the quality of this “seed” wasn’t high.

The true basketball powerhouses in the province should be Jin Province University of Finance and Economics and Chengjiang College. It was said that Normal University was also strong this year.

Last year, Ningchang University and Chengjiang College were in the upper bracket. Luckily, Chengjiang College plowed through, eliminating all strong teams in the upper bracket. Ningchang University stumbled into the final four. When facing Chengjiang College… two main players of Chengjiang College ate street food, one got gastroenteritis, the other appendicitis requiring surgery. Although Ningchang University played worse than trash, they won by sheer luck.

This year, Chengjiang College was eyeing them covetously, not only aiming to thrash Ningchang University for revenge but also to qualify as the province’s number one.

Although by Ling Huanzhen’s logic, Chengjiang College should be thrashing the food stall, what did it have to do with Ningchang University?

“Coach Ling, you don’t know. Those two players ate at the food stall right outside our school.”

“Ah… oh…” Ling Huanzhen showed an expression of realization. “Then they can only blame their own weak stomachs. The stall is right outside our school; why didn’t anyone from our team get the runs?”

So logical, irrefutable.

And this Tuesday, they would face their first opponent in the preliminary round, Ningchang Medical College.

Ling Huanzhen had carefully studied their level from last year and inquired about their new recruits this year. After a comprehensive judgment, he had more confidence in his own kids.

“Ningchang Medical College. You haven’t played against them last year, right?” Ling Huanzhen asked.

Veteran Chen Chuan nodded. “Correct. But He Bin and I watched the first and second quarters of their game against the University of Technology last year live.”

“To be honest, with your lineup from last year, do you have confidence in beating them?” Ling Huanzhen asked.

Shuai Bei let out a cold laugh. “That would probably require treating them to a few meals of barbecue and fried skewers from street stalls to see if we can send them to the hospital.”

Chen Chuan opened his mouth. Last year, people already mocked that Ningchang University opened the street stalls. It stung every time he heard it.

Ling Huanzhen laughed along, but his laughter was more inclusive and open-minded. “Shuai Bei, don’t be so mean. You’ve been practicing rebounds lately; Chen Chuan and the others stayed behind quite a bit to practice with you, right?”

Shuai Bei lowered his eyes and stopped talking.

Ling Huanzhen clapped his hands. “Alright, announcing the starting lineup against Ningchang Medical College.”

The whole team tensed up, looking earnestly at Ling Huanzhen. Except for Zhou Zhexiao, who lowered his eyes, focusing on Xia Chiyi’s untied shoelace next to him.

“Center, Du He! During the jump ball, don’t scare the opponent. After all, they are a medical college. Make friends with them; maybe today’s opponent will be your physical therapist or nurse tomorrow.”

Hearing this, the tense atmosphere relaxed, and everyone laughed.

“Power Forward, Shuai Bei. Don’t pull a long face all day; don’t scare the young ladies there.”

“Hehe.”

“Small Forward… Chen Chuan!”

Chen Chuan froze, doubting his ears. He stared straight at Ling Huanzhen. Shouldn’t Small Forward belong to Zhou Zhexiao?

“Chen Chuan! Did you hear me or not!”

“Here!”

“Mm, Zhou Zhexiao practiced cutting to the basket with you for over a week. Do well; don’t let Zhou Zhexiao fall asleep watching you play.”

“Yes!”

“Shooting Guard, He Bin.”

“Here.” He Bin took a deep breath, looking at Ling Huanzhen. He hadn’t expected Ling Huanzhen to forgo Xia Chiyi and use him instead.

“You watched the videos I found for you these past few days carefully, right? I wanted to get my old friend to guide you individually, but he’s busy and won’t come until next month. Perform well in tomorrow’s game. Show everything you’ve mastered and learned. It’ll serve as a reference for my old friend.”

“Yes.”

Recently, Ling Huanzhen had been taking Zhou Zhexiao to conduct technical training for the team’s forwards, leaving the guards seemingly sidelined.

He Bin knew Ye Chaoying was well-off and had his own trainer. Zhou Zhexiao ran around with Xia Chiyi all day, either finding him a teacher or personally giving his bro extra lessons.

Only He Bin felt the helplessness of being exiled. Although Ling Huanzhen said he would find a friend to train him personally, He Bin took it as casual comfort. But hearing Ling Huanzhen say it today meant he really found a teacher for him.

This steadied He Bin’s floating heart. He must perform well tomorrow.

“Finally, Point Guard, Fu Chenxue.”

In an inconspicuous corner of the team, a boy with freckles raised a trembling hand. “Here.”

“You’ve performed consistently well during tactical drills. Just play as usual, be the team’s offensive hub, and we won’t lose.”

“Yes! Coach!”

After the starting lineup was announced, Chen Chuan truly found it unbelievable. He thought veterans like them who followed Ma Wenhua would be dispensable pawns to Ling Huanzhen. But clearly, Ling Huanzhen was using Ningchang Medical College for practice, hoping their “bench” level could reach a higher floor.

This was a long-term consideration for the team that Ma Wenhua would never have made.

“Coach, what about us freshmen? Exiled to the horizon?” Ye Chaoying raised his hand with a mischievous grin.

“As a superb offensive organizer, sometimes you can see the game situation better from off the court.”

“Got it.” Ye Chaoying scratched his cheek.

He understood that Ningchang Medical College’s level didn’t require them to play. Just Du He and Shuai Bei’s suppression under the basket was enough to make them cry. Ling Huanzhen wanted to help the veterans regain their confidence and fighting spirit.

Ling Huanzhen coughed and added, “It’s the preliminary round; our team management should get on the right track. The previous captain graduated. The vice-captain was He Bin. I’m thinking, should He Bin become full captain?”

He Bin looked at Ling Huanzhen in surprise. He thought a role like captain would go to Ling Huanzhen’s confidant, or a player with offensive organization skills, like… Ye Chaoying.

Ling Huanzhen said loudly, “I don’t want to do any secret ballot. Raise your hand if you object. If no objections, it’s settled.”

Xia Chiyi and Ye Chaoying looked at each other. This captain election is too sloppy, right?

He Bin looked at the freshmen, prepared for their opposition.

Xia Chiyi and Ye Chaoying were whispering there.

“Captain has to take care of the whole team. Whoever wants to do it can do it.”

“Such a worrisome role, of course, leave it to the senior.”

He Bin waited for a long time, but Xia Chiyi and Ye Chaoying didn’t raise their hands to object.

Ling Huanzhen said again, “If you want to object, raise it now. Don’t choose him and then trip him up later.”

The team remained silent.

“Then Vice-Captain, who wants to be it?” Ling Huanzhen’s gaze fell on Du He.

Who knew Ye Chaoying said, “Aiyo, He Bin is captain, just pick Chen Chuan for vice-captain.”

Chen Chuan, suddenly cued, was shocked. He looked at Ye Chaoying: “You nominated me? What conspiracy do you have?”

“What conspiracy can a junior have? In the future, you carry the mineral water, you hand out towels, you take attendance for tardiness.” Ye Chaoying grinned.

Chen Chuan understood now. These freshmen treated the captain and vice-captain as team nannies!

And the team actually passed it. Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao, hands in pockets, looked like it was none of their business. Chen Chuan dazedly became the vice-captain.

After training that day, Xia Chiyi took his phone out of the locker and was utterly shocked.

“Why do I have twelve pick-up messages!” Xia Chiyi’s eyes widened. Was my Alipay hacked?

“Change your password,” Ye Chaoying’s voice came from not far away.

“Could someone have left the wrong number?” Du He said while changing clothes.

Xia Chiyi had no mood to shower, suspecting he was hacked. He sat on the chair and opened his Taobao backend.

What are all these…

Protein powder for 588 a can? Robbery?

Damn, this brand of compression pants is expensive. Who bought three pairs at once!

This sports water bottle looks so cool, wanted this for a long time, but also so expensive… Wait, the point is who bought it!

“Holy sh— three thousand for a massage gun! 699 for a fascia blade! Whose fascia is that valuable!”

“Yours.” Zhou Zhexiao had finished showering and walked over with a towel on his shoulder.

“M… mine?”

“Wanted to choose the 5600 one, but the card said insufficient balance.”

Zhou Zhexiao stood in front of the locker arranging things. Xia Chiyi suddenly realized these twelve packages were Zhou Zhexiao’s!

He was crazy. Why did he teach Zhou Zhexiao online shopping! He had inadvertently opened Pandora’s box!

“Do I have any money left on my card!”

Xia Chiyi hurriedly clicked on the account. 1.20 left. Hehe… hehehe… not even enough for a flatbread.

“Zhou Zhexiao, you prodigal son!”

Ye Chaoying laughed against the locker. “Case solved. Zhou Zhexiao, if you admitted it any slower, Xia Chiyi would have reported it to the police!”

“This is my living expenses for the whole semester, and you just buy buy buy! Do you want me to eat dirt for the next three months?”

Zhou Zhexiao tilted his head. “My wallet is with you.”

“Even if your wallet is with me, you can’t spend money recklessly! Return this massage gun! And the fascia blade, what’s it for! I don’t know how to use it!”

Who do you want to blade with a fascia blade?

“Not returning.”

“It was bought with my money!”

“But you need it. Based on your current adaptation, your training will ramp up soon. Without the fascia blade, do you want me to carry you to class the next day?”

Xia Chiyi opened his mouth, suddenly realizing the protein powder was what Zhou Zhexiao wanted to buy for him before.

The compression pants weren’t Zhou Zhexiao’s size, but Xia Chiyi’s.

“Also, suggest you use the knee and ankle braces I chose for you. Stronger support and binding, won’t fall off easily,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Ye Chaoying leaned over to glance and nodded. “I agree with Zhou Zhexiao on this. It’s fine to buy cheap wristbands to wipe sweat, but some things really can’t be skimped on. Once you use them, you’ll know what professional protection is.”

Xia Chiyi was teary-eyed. “Du He, only you in the team know rice and oil are expensive. Judge for me…”

Du He, holding both ends of his towel, walked to Xia Chiyi and looked down. “Eh, this massage gun is very useful! Many modes, adjustable intensity. This ankle brace is good too. I sprained mine before, switched to this, and haven’t been injured since!”

Xia Chiyi showed an expression of disbelief. “Du He, you’re the player who has to go home to sell sweet potatoes if you can’t find a job in the city… Do your parents know you spend like this?”

“Yeah. My parents said, as long as I get injured less, use the best for these things,” Du He said seriously.

Shuai Bei dropped a bombshell in a calm tone: “Although Du He’s family sells dried sweet potatoes, he is a bona fide factory owner’s son. Their family has a dried sweet potato processing factory, a raw material supplier for many snack companies.”

The locker room suddenly went quiet.

Everyone thought simultaneously: How blind was Ma Wenhua to look down on the Sweet Potato Prince!

“Um… how about we crowdfund to support you. Don’t return these things.” Ye Chaoying scratched the back of his head.

“Or, you guys dress me up, see if I can go ‘down to the sea’ (prostitute).” Xia Chiyi sighed.

“You already have me supporting you; why go ‘down to the sea’?” Zhou Zhexiao spoke up.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it echoed penetratingly in the locker room.

Xia Chiyi’s face was about to explode. Chen Chuan and the others were already laughing uncontrollably.

“I’m not worried about having food to eat later, but once Zhou Zhexiao tastes the sweetness of online shopping, I’m afraid he won’t stop being a spendthrift. Am I supposed to find an ATM to transfer money every day?” Xia Chiyi exhaled.

“This is actually easy to solve. Doesn’t he refuse to buy a smartphone and insist on using yours? Just get a card, don’t put money in it, transfer Zhou Zhexiao’s money in, and link this card to your shopping app. Whenever he wants to buy something, pay from that card. Let him buy however much he wants; shopping is a nature you can’t stop. Just lie flat and watch him act up.”

Xia Chiyi covered his face. “Bro, you haven’t seen his account balance. I’m afraid our dorm won’t fit it all.”

As Xia Chiyi expected, his originally ordinary university life gained a new task: pushing a trolley to accompany Zhou Zhexiao to pick up packages.

The dorm also gained an assembly line job: helping Zhou Zhexiao open packages.

While opening, everyone chanted silently: This prodigal son!

Once opened, it was waves of exclamations.

“Holy sh— latest AJ. Zhou Zhexiao, you don’t wait for a discount?”

“God, this hoodie is limited edition. I couldn’t grab it; you actually used a proxy bidder!”

“Zhou Zhexiao, you bought orange-scented sports perfume? Don’t you think it’s too sweet? Or are you just that sao (flamboyant/coquettish)!”

Zhou Zhexiao, holding milk tea in his left hand and Xia Chiyi’s phone in his right, with items still increasing in the cart, said, “Sweet? I just think it smells like Xia Chiyi.”

The dorm went silent. Xia Chiyi covered his ears. He knew Ye Chaoying was starting again!

“Holy sh—, what exactly is your relationship! Guan Yu would definitely not notice if Zhang Fei smelled good!”

Xia Chiyi sighed to the sky. “It’s just the smell of my body wash…”

Bought because that big bottle was on sale. Better buy regular-priced ocean scent next time.

The match between Ningchang University and Ningchang Medical College was held in the basketball hall of the Provincial Gymnasium.

Basketball wasn’t a popular sport in Jin Province, and the competitive level of Jin Province universities was at the bottom of the entire Southeast Division, so there was little attention. If it were last year, besides the school itself, maybe even city-level media wouldn’t be there.

But this year was different. The recently retired Ling Huanzhen chose Ningchang University. Many guessed this was just his gap year, and he would definitely go to work for relevant associations next year. But who wouldn’t want to see this legendary figure who once dominated the basketball world up close?