Chapter 0068: Liu Suchen: Looking Forward to a Battle with You

“Hey, I thought you were already asleep. Don’t you usually get sleepy when it’s time?”

Xia Chiyi knew what he wanted to hear, but he wasn’t sure if Zhou Zhexiao would say it.

“I can’t sleep without hearing your voice,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

Resting his chin on his knees, Xia Chiyi smiled secretly.

“Hey, someone wants to give me a pair of basketball shoes. It’s not a famous brand, nor is it a limited edition, but she is very confident that her shoes are made well. Once I receive them, do you want a pair too?”

“Is there a sports brand wanting to sponsor you?” Zhou Zhexiao asked.

“I wouldn’t call it a sponsorship. It’s just that the other party said we are a dark horse and thinks we can win the national championship.” Xia Chiyi looked up, sharing the same starry sky with Zhou Zhexiao. “Although I don’t really understand this kind of marketing strategy, it feels pretty good to be acknowledged by someone.”

“There’s nothing hard to understand about it. They want to follow the ‘Retrograder’ marketing strategy.”

“Retrograder? Are you talking about the sports brand Sheng Xingming used to endorse? The ‘Retrograder’ that originally started off making sports backpacks?”

“Right. Back then, apart from backpacks, Retrograder’s other sports product lines had always been lukewarm. If they hired famous athletes or celebrities as spokespersons, the fees would be exorbitant—they couldn’t afford it, and they wouldn’t be able to turn a profit at all. So, they set their sights on athletes who hadn’t made a name for themselves yet. At the time, when Sheng Xingming played his first game as a starting player for Duke University in the NCAA, his debut performance was excellent and garnered attention from many brands, among which was Retrograder.”

“So their cooperation started that early? It started all the way back in his NCAA days? I thought it was after Sheng Xingming entered the NBA.”

“It was when Sheng Xingming was eighteen that Retrograder chose him, believing he would definitely enter the NBA. But the very next year, Sheng Xingming injured his ankle and needed rehabilitation. Internally, Retrograder thought they should drop Sheng Xingming, but the chairman of Retrograder at the time thought very highly of him. Not only did he pay for Sheng Xingming’s rehab, but he also searched everywhere for a trainer for him. Mr. Fan Qingliang was hired by Retrograder at that time. Later, Sheng Xingming lived up to expectations, entered the NBA, and played better and better. When it came to sports brand endorsements, for the rest of his life, Sheng Xingming only ever cooperated with Retrograder.”

Xia Chiyi remembered that brand’s advertising slogan—Sheng Xingming, the Retrograder of the Era.

“How could I compare to Sheng Xingming?” Xia Chiyi smiled.

“What is that sports brand called?”

“Boiling Point.”

“Then… Xia Chiyi,” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face and looked at him with a very deep gaze, just like the way he had just been looking at the night sky, “you will also become the Boiling Point of this era.”

But in that moment, Xia Chiyi only had one feeling: Zhou Zhexiao, you are also my boiling point.

“Let’s go, back to the dorm! Someone told me today that my height should be 188 cm. I need to measure it!”

“If you measure at night, you’ll be shorter,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

“But she saw me at night.”

Xia Chiyi returned to the dorm. As soon as he mentioned measuring his height, even Ye Zhaoying, who had been lying flat on his bed, climbed down.

He took off his shoes and stood on the floor. Zhou Zhexiao took a hardcover express delivery box, placed it flat on top of Xia Chiyi’s head, and drew a horizontal line on the wall.

Ye Zhaoying immediately took out a measuring tape and measured vertically against the wall.

“Xia Chiyi, you’re wearing elevator insoles, right?”

“I am not wearing elevator insoles!” Xia Chiyi pulled his socks down to show Ye Zhaoying.

“Then this wall must be slanted!” Ye Zhaoying absolutely refused to believe this measurement result.

“I’ll measure it myself!” Xia Chiyi snatched the measuring tape. “I really am 188!”

Xia Chiyi specifically gestured next to Zhou Zhexiao. Why did he feel like the distance between him and Zhou Zhexiao hadn’t closed at all?

“You measure too! Let’s see how tall you are now!”

Xia Chiyi grabbed Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulders and pinned him against the wall.

“I don’t want to measure. It feels like we’re elementary schoolers.” Zhou Zhexiao tried to leave, but Xia Chiyi forcefully gripped his shoulders and pressed him back against the wall.

“Just pretend I’m an elementary schooler, I want to measure.”

The way Xia Chiyi forcefully pushed Zhou Zhexiao made Pang Shuai burst into laughter. “Hahaha, Xia Chiyi, you’re trying so hard, you even want to wall-pin (kabedon) Zhou Zhexiao! Why don’t you just ask him if he’s willing to pick you up again!”

“I don’t need to!” Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao seriously. “Don’t you feel like the vertical distance between you and me is even further than it was at the start of the semester? I want to know how tall you are now!”

Ye Zhaoying was full of enthusiasm: “Let him measure, let him measure! He’s working so hard to catch up to your height, just let him know what the gap is!”

Zhou Zhexiao sighed, took off his shoes, and leaned back against the wall.

“Keep your feet together and straighten your back!” Xia Chiyi’s toes nudged Zhou Zhexiao’s toes.

Zhou Zhexiao brought his feet together, looking a bit reluctant.

Xia Chiyi hurriedly stepped onto his insteps. Zhou Zhexiao paused—the weight on his feet belonged to Xia Chiyi. Xia Chiyi held the boutique box over Zhou Zhexiao’s head, his face tilted up slightly. Zhou Zhexiao watched as Xia Chiyi’s nose tip got closer and closer to him. He felt an urge to lower his head and meet it, but Xia Chiyi merely turned his face and drew another line above his own line.

He stepped off Zhou Zhexiao’s feet. In that moment, it felt as if something had become empty.

Xia Chiyi patted Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulder. “You may leave now. Next is the moment to witness a miracle!”

He stretched the measuring tape straight. Pang Shuai held down the bottom end, and Xia Chiyi pulled it upwards. He went quiet.

“What is it? How much exactly?” Pang Shuai could barely stay crouched.

“196… Zhou Zhexiao, you grew 4 centimeters?”

Ye Zhaoying finally found his opportunity. “I told you there was a problem! Either the wall isn’t vertical, or there’s a problem with this tape measure!”

“Then why don’t you measure yourself and find out?” Pang Shuai said.

“Fine, I will!”

Ye Zhaoying suddenly became full of anticipation for his own height.

But the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

“Ye Zhaoying, you’re still 184, no change. So the wall should be fine, and the tape measure is probably fine too.”

As soon as Xia Chiyi finished speaking, Ye Zhaoying climbed back into his bed with a tearful face.

“Alright, alright! You and Zhou Zhexiao both grew taller. A world where only I get hurt has been achieved!”

Zhou Zhexiao’s fingers touched the two lines on the wall. This height difference was actually perfect. Whenever he stood behind Xia Chiyi, as long as he leaned in a little closer, his lips could touch the hair whorl on the back of his head.

The next afternoon, the pair of shoes Yan Jun selected was delivered to the school. Filled with anticipation, Xia Chiyi opened the shoebox.

He took out the basketball shoes. He had originally thought Yan Jun would choose bright colors or a flashy design to catch people’s eyes, but these shoes were black. On the uppers were two asymmetrical koi fish—one gold, one silver—that would even reflect a reddish hue under certain lighting. They were minimalist yet dynamic.

On the back of the shoe was Boiling Point’s brand logo.

Xia Chiyi felt them; the stitching and craftsmanship were actually quite meticulous.

He slipped one onto his foot and stepped down a few times. “Eh, they actually feel pretty comfortable.”

Zhou Zhexiao took the other shoe and inspected the upper, the vamp, and the sole, twisting it a bit while he was at it.

“The midsole material is good; the cushioning should be sufficient.”

“There is TPU at the heel, reinforced design on the upper, and adequate arch support.”

Hearing Zhou Zhexiao’s evaluation, Ye Zhaoying also walked over, craning his neck curiously to look.

“There’s also a torsion-resistant design, which ensures the shoe won’t deform during sudden stops or jumps. It provides enough protection for the foot and ankle.”

This was Zhou Zhexiao: he liked simple designs, but his functional requirements for basketball shoes were always incredibly strict.

This was also why, despite having bought several limited edition or big-brand basketball shoes, he left them in the corner to gather dust.

“The anti-rollover lateral support is also well done. It’s very suitable for a player like you who frequently dribbles with changes of direction and sudden stops.”

Hearing Zhou Zhexiao say this, Xia Chiyi put on the other shoe as well. “Hehe, they really do feel nice!”

“But with this much sincerity put into them, the price probably isn’t cheap, right?” Ye Zhaoying pressed his finger against the shoe upper.

“Let’s search online.” Xia Chiyi leaned back, opened his phone, and searched. “The price is about half of what an Air Jordan costs, but… I feel like they won’t sell well.”

“Because the public’s expectation for domestic sports shoes has never been about their technological content, but whether they are cheap enough.” Ye Zhaoying took a deep breath. “What a pity. The materials used are too sincere, which ironically makes the cost very high. It’ll be hard to sell.”

However, Zhou Zhexiao took Xia Chiyi’s phone, looked at the exact same model, and placed an order for a pair in his own size.

“Hey, wait until I wear them for a few games. If there’s really no problem, it won’t be too late for you to buy them. Besides, who knows, the brand might end up sponsoring us with a pair each.”

“If I buy them myself, if they’re genuinely uncomfortable to wear, I can speak the truth,” Zhou Zhexiao replied.

Hearing this, Ye Zhaoying also got interested. “Then I’ll pick a pair too. But I don’t want to wear the same model as you two; I’m going to pick a flashier one.”

“These shoes arrived right on time. I can wear them to play the match against Capital Electric Power University.” Xia Chiyi jumped twice in the dorm.

Zhou Zhexiao reminded him: “Still bring the pair you normally wear. If these really get uncomfortable, you can change them anytime.”

That night, just as Xia Chiyi put down his phone and prepared to sleep, he heard Zhou Zhexiao ask him, “If the person you like said to you: One-on-one, if you lose, you have to be my boyfriend. Would you lose?”

Xia Chiyi’s brows furrowed. Why did this question sound so familiar?

“Hey, did Shuai Bei tell you about me and Yan Jun playing one-on-one?” Xia Chiyi rolled over, rested on his pillow, and shook the bed frame.

“You could say that.”

“What do you mean ‘you could say that’? Shuai Bei definitely told you, right?” Xia Chiyi was speechless.

He really shouldn’t have underestimated the connection between Shuai Bei and Zhou Zhexiao. After Zhou Zhexiao practiced rebounding with Shuai Bei previously, a mutual appreciation had blossomed between the two—or at least, Shuai Bei unilaterally believed so.

“You haven’t answered me yet. Would you lose?”

“I wouldn’t use basketball to make a bet like that. Besides… if losing meant becoming someone’s boyfriend, the world would be in chaos. I’d have to become the boyfriend of many people.”

“The boyfriend of many people?”

“In terms of one-on-one, I probably still can’t beat Yang Huaiyu, right? I probably can’t beat Liu Suchen either, right? For crying out loud, when I play one-on-one with you, have I lost to you only a few times? If losing meant I had to be the other person’s boyfriend, I’d have been your boyfriend over a thousand times already!”

After speaking, Xia Chiyi vigorously rubbed Zhou Zhexiao’s head, shrank into his blanket, and went to sleep.

It was a long time before Zhou Zhexiao replied with a single, “True.”

—If losing a one-on-one meant having to be with the other person, I don’t know what I’d have to do to make you only play basketball with me.

---

The practice match against Capital Electric Power University (Capital Electric U) made everyone very excited.

The reason for their excitement wasn’t how formidable Capital Electric U’s varsity team was, but rather because for the majority of the basketball team, this was their first time visiting the capital, Beijing.

The high-speed train ride would take 6 hours. Today was a cheat day for Xia Chiyi’s diet management; the restrictions were finally lifted for a day, allowing him to eat potato chips, cookies, pizza, and KFC.

The rows of seats they occupied were the liveliest. Even though they were all university students, they acted like elementary schoolers on a field trip.

This was Du He’s first time leaving Jin Province, and he was both nervous and excited.

When boarding the train, Chen Chuan scared him by saying that if he lost his ID card, he would be treated as a wandering fugitive and locked up in a detention center along the way. This frightened Du He so much that he didn’t even dare go to the restroom, keeping his hand over his pocket every single minute to ensure his ID card wasn’t lost.

Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao sat side by side, propping a phone up on the tray table. With one earbud each, they were watching the latest NBA games.

On the windowsill next to Zhou Zhexiao sat three cups of milk tea. This guy was truly fully prepared—one cup every two hours, finishing right as they got off the train.

And this guy’s bladder was truly amazing; even after drinking a massive cup of milk tea, he never seemed in a rush to use the restroom.

While Xia Chiyi was crunching away on potato chips, Zhou Zhexiao produced that pack of Daji-brand spicy strips from who knows where.

“Wait, Zhou Zhexiao… we’re playing the guys from Capital Electric U tomorrow. I suggest you don’t eat something this irritating to the stomach.”

Xia Chiyi tried to pull the pack of spicy strips away, but Zhou Zhexiao gripped it tightly, his willpower resolute.

“It’s not that spicy.”

“How do you know?” Xia Chiyi asked.

Ye Zhaoying, who was playing cards, said with a grin: “Because this is his third pack!”

So when were the first and second packs eaten? On Zhou Zhexiao’s path to exploring life, there were actually parts that Xia Chiyi hadn’t been able to participate in!

Zhou Zhexiao tore open the spicy strip packaging without splashing a single drop of chili oil.

He squeezed the spicy strips out one by one while keeping his eyes glued to the phone screen. To prevent the chili oil from dripping onto his pants, his two long legs were spread wide apart to the sides. What an experienced posture for eating spicy strips.

This level of experience definitely couldn’t be acquired from eating spicy strips just once.

Xia Chiyi recalled that just the day before yesterday, Zhou Zhexiao had spent a long time scrubbing his pants in the washroom.

It was a pair of smoke-gray sweatpants that showed off the leg shape very well, made of pure cotton. On the left pant leg, from the thigh down to the calf, there was a very long oil stain.

Given Zhou Zhexiao’s wealthy young master temperament, those pants would have most likely ended up in the trash.

The reason Zhou Zhexiao put so much effort into saving them was because the first time he wore them, Xia Chiyi had looked enviously and said, “Those look really nice.”

Later, after Zhou Zhexiao had battled in the sink for over an hour, Xia Chiyi couldn’t watch anymore. He went to the dorm next door, borrowed some heavy-duty grease remover, and finally washed the stain out.

At the time, Xia Chiyi didn’t think much of it, assuming it happened while eating in the cafeteria. He never expected it was because he was secretly eating spicy strips?

Why did he suddenly feel extremely indignant?

Moreover, this guy was taking a sip of milk tea, then eating a spicy strip… a mixture of sugar and oil, an absolute glycemic bomb.

Xia Chiyi couldn’t help but ask, “Zhou Zhexiao, are you sure your abs are really still there?”

Zhou Zhexiao acted as if he didn’t hear him. His eyes narrowed. On screen, a certain NBA star was surrounded by four people under the basket, yet he still executed a series of fierce maneuvers, breaking out and scoring.

After finishing the pack of spicy strips, Zhou Zhexiao grabbed the milk tea beside him and drank it to the bottom in one breath.

“They’re still there.”

By this point, Xia Chiyi couldn’t be bothered with him anymore. Resting his chin on his hands, his eyes sparkling, he was replaying the NBA god’s under-the-basket moves.

A few seconds later, seeing that Xia Chiyi didn’t react, Zhou Zhexiao repeated himself: “They’re still there.”

“What’s still there?” Xia Chiyi’s gaze remained fixed on the phone.

The hand he had resting on his knee was grabbed and pulled over. Then came the sound of a sports jacket zipper being unzipped. Xia Chiyi’s palm, separated only by the fabric of Zhou Zhexiao’s T-shirt, was pressed flat against his abdomen.

With the rise and fall of Zhou Zhexiao’s breathing, Xia Chiyi could feel the firm, taut, and tensile muscle lines.

His palm felt as if it were burning.

“I… I know now…” Xia Chiyi stared blankly at him.

Zhou Zhexiao placed Xia Chiyi’s hand back onto his knee and continued watching the video.

Honestly… you don’t need to prove to me whether your abs are still there or not!

After the high-speed train arrived at the station, they took Capital Electric U’s bus to their destination.

Along the way, they saw many scenic spots that they usually only saw on TV. Everyone took out their phones and snapped pictures through the glass windows.

Cheng Qing whispered to Ling Huanzhen, “After the practice match is over, how about we give them a half-day off to wander around the places they want to see?”

Ling Huanzhen smiled. “Definitely. Otherwise, these kids would hate me to death.”

Capital Electric University arranged student dorms for them. Unlike Ningchang University, the dorms were six-person rooms, and the space was much narrower. Furthermore, each room did not have an en-suite bathroom or toilet.

If they wanted to use the restroom, they had to go to the public restroom in the corridor. The two long rows of washbasins opened Xia Chiyi and the others’ eyes; it looked like a scene straight out of a movie.

Ling Huanzhen explained to them, “Please don’t mind this. This is the capital; land is worth its weight in gold, so the dorms will be a bit smaller than what you’re used to. Plus, this is Electric U’s old campus. As for showering, try your best to shower in the locker room of the basketball gym. If anyone has extra showering needs, you can come to me for a card; you insert the card to calculate water usage.”

Although the dorms were a bit cramped, the beds and bedding were very smooth and clean, and there was no dust on the floor. It was obvious they had been specially cleaned to welcome them.

The boys didn’t really care that much whether the rooms were big or small; the excitement of arriving in the capital still lingered in their hearts.

It was already past eight o’clock in the evening. This area was located in a university town, and it was very bustling at night. Everyone had a little deer jumping in their hearts, eager to go out and wander around.

The dorm locked its doors at 11:00 PM. Ling Huanzhen knew he couldn’t keep them locked up, so he could only establish three rules.

“First, you must return to your respective rooms before 11:00 PM. I will be doing room checks.”

The team members nodded like garlic-pounding pestles.

“Second, no eating food from street stalls outside. Even though this is a practice match, I still expect everyone to face the challenge in their best condition. Do you all remember how Chengjiang University lost their qualification for the division matches last year?”

Ling Huanzhen’s gaze swept the room and finally landed on Zhou Zhexiao.

“Xia Chiyi, you answer this question.”

Ah? Me? Xia Chiyi thought to himself. Coach Ling, why are your eyes staring at Zhou Zhexiao, but you’re asking me to answer the question?

“Yes, you answer it.”

That’s right, you. Say it nicely for the person next to you to hear.

“Last year, two main players from Chengjiang University’s varsity team came to Ningchang University to hang out. They ate at a barbecue stall outside our school. One got gastroenteritis, and the other had an acute appendicitis attack and had to have surgery. They happened to miss their match against our Ningchang University, practically handing over their division match qualification to us on a silver platter.”

Ling Huanzhen nodded, his gaze sweeping past Zhou Zhexiao’s face.

Zhou Zhexiao stood with his hands in his pockets, offering no reaction until Xia Chiyi nudged him with an elbow. Only then did he slowly reply, “Oh.”

“Third, pay attention to safety. Whether it’s traffic safety or personal safety. Don’t go into sparsely populated areas, don’t wander around aimlessly by yourself, and don’t try to start a long-distance relationship just because you’re handsome, OK?”

“Understood—”

Once Ling Huanzhen left, this group of boys could no longer suppress their excited hearts.

Ye Zhaoying had a buddy who played cosplay with him located at the nearby College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The buddy had gathered a few cosplayers in the circle, booked a KTV private room, and was just waiting for him to join the party.

Du He wanted to go take pictures of People’s Square under the night sky, and Shuai Bei agreed to accompany him.

Xia Chiyi was jubilant; he was going to Folk Alley.

Aside from internet cafes and KTVs, Folk Alley was the most frequented nightlife spot for nearby university students.

Although called an “alley,” it was actually just a narrow street with many restaurants and bars converted from old houses on both sides.

“Wanna go? Wanna go? Wanna go?” Xia Chiyi leaned in front of Zhou Zhexiao, showing him photos he had found online.

Zhou Zhexiao looked at them for a moment and frowned slightly. “Isn’t this just a bar? Didn’t you already go to one in Qincheng?”

“This is different from Qincheng’s bar street. The people who go here are all university students. For example, this bar called ‘Lianpu’ (Facial Makeup). They don’t have resident singers; every night, students from the theater academy and the arts university go up to perform. I heard there are also a lot of talent scouts hanging around.”

Zhou Zhexiao still wore a bland expression. “Do you want to be a star?”

“I mean, we can watch the performances of those stars of tomorrow for free. A livehouse you don’t have to spend money on. And even if someone gets scouted, it would be you getting scouted…” Xia Chiyi looked Zhou Zhexiao up and down. “Look at your three-dimensional features, your hormone-filled physique, and your expression that says the whole world owes you a hundred million. If you debuted, the entertainment industry would turn upside down. A top-tier alpha—”

“Oh, so if I debut, what are you going to do?” Zhou Zhexiao asked.

“I can be your assistant. When you go out to film TV dramas, movies, or variety shows, I’ll pour your tea, bring your water, massage your shoulders, and rub your legs. I’ll manage your assets, pay your social security, and stop you from going overboard with shopping sprees. So that when your beauty fades… ah, no, wait… so that when you want to retire, you don’t find out your bank balance is zero.”

“That’s it? Sounds like being a star is worse than being an assistant.”

“Then what else do you want from me?”

“Do you know that you have a face that practically begs to be exploited by unspoken casting couch rules?” Zhou Zhexiao asked back.

He said this casually, his gaze no different from usual, but it made Xia Chiyi gulp.

“Un… unspoken rules? Zhou Zhexiao, no matter how many rich sugar mommas there are, you can’t…”

Ye Zhaoying, who had already applied his hair wax, walked past them and impatiently bumped into Xia Chiyi. “Did your brain get caught in a door? Of course, if you’re his little assistant, the one exploiting you with the unspoken rules is him!”

“Ah?” Xia Chiyi looked at Zhou Zhexiao.

Zhou Zhexiao nodded. “That’s right.”

“…Then you better not become a star. I don’t want to be subjected to your unspoken rules.”

A soft chuckle escaped from Zhou Zhexiao’s nose, and he ruffled the back of Xia Chiyi’s head.

“I’ll go with you.”

“I told you, staying in the dorm at night is too boring anyway.”

Even though they had already walked to the door, Ye Zhaoying turned back to Zhou Zhexiao’s side and whispered, “Actually, if you just said you wanted to walk around the neighborhood, Xia Chiyi would give up on Folk Alley. This kid’s inner world is childish and romantic; he definitely wants to have a chance encounter, which is why he always loves flocking to bars.”

Zhou Zhexiao said faintly: “That’s not it. If he wanted a romantic encounter, he wouldn’t have asked me to go with him. He just likes watching those live performances that haven’t been commercially packaged.”

“Hearing you say that, it makes a lot of sense. But Coach Ling said not to develop any long-distance relationships, so you have to keep a close eye on him—let me tell you, no matter what age, people will always be hung up on their first love. When people say this kid has a ‘first love face,’ they’re not joking.”

“Mm, I know.”

The university town was truly bustling. The various small shops and cafes along the street all attracted Xia Chiyi’s attention.

Zhou Zhexiao, hands in his pockets, followed behind Xia Chiyi. When passing by a small merchandise store, Zhou Zhexiao hooked a finger on the back collar of Xia Chiyi’s shirt. “Let’s go in and buy something.”

“Ah? Buy what? They only sell girls’ accessories here!”

Things like headbands, hair clips, sparkly earrings, rings, and so on.

As soon as Zhou Zhexiao stepped inside, everyone shopping inside—male or female—looked over.

Initially, it was probably due to his proud height; even in the north, where the average height was remarkable, he still stood out.

But once they got a clear look at his facial features, it became even harder to tear their eyes away.

Accustomed to walking amidst the stares of others, this guy didn’t change his expression at all and simply waved Xia Chiyi over.

“What?”

A pair of thick, black-rimmed plastic glasses was placed on Xia Chiyi’s nose by Zhou Zhexiao.

“I’m not nearsighted.”

“Cover it up,” Zhou Zhexiao leaned slightly closer to Xia Chiyi and said softly.

“Cover what up?”

“Your first love face.”

Xia Chiyi’s eyebrows immediately shot up. “No way, even you are making fun of me!”

He was just about to take the glasses off, but Zhou Zhexiao pushed them right back on.

“Keep them on, they look pretty good.”

Xia Chiyi looked left and right in the small mirror in front of him, completely failing to understand Zhou Zhexiao’s taste.

“How does this look good? It looks so nerdy! I look like the type who only knows how to study to death.”

“That way, when we go into the bar later, no one will want to do anything to you.”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi finally understood why the other party had picked such a dorky pair of glasses for him.

“Then you have to pick a pair too! That face of yours is also a high-risk look for attracting flings and romantic encounters.”

“Alright, you pick.”

Xia Chiyi picked a pair of metal-framed glasses and put them on Zhou Zhexiao. Zhou Zhexiao’s entire aura changed.

Previously, although a bit cold, if you looked closely, he still had a bit of boyish obedience.

But now…

“Wow, you look like the ‘refined villain’ from those domineering CEO novels! The type who throws stacks of cash at nightclubs… and even the car keys in your pocket belong to a Lamborghini…”

Hearing the word “Lamborghini,” Zhou Zhexiao thought of the man in the bar in Qincheng who had tried to make a move on Xia Chiyi, and his brows immediately furrowed.

“I don’t want this.”

“Haha, do you not want these glasses, or do you just not want to be a refined villain?”

“Neither.”

“I don’t want you to wear them either.” Xia Chiyi took the glasses off Zhou Zhexiao’s face and swapped them for a pair of rimless glasses.

This pair actually suited Zhou Zhexiao’s temperament very well, perfectly bringing out his calm scrutiny and detached aura.

Xia Chiyi subconsciously reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Zhou Zhexiao’s ear, his knuckles brushing against the curve of his ear.

He didn’t know if it was an illusion, but Zhou Zhexiao seemed to tremble slightly. But when Xia Chiyi looked at him, he found him still expressionless.

“This pair looks very nice, but it completely fails to hide your beauty.”

“Beauty?” Zhou Zhexiao raised an eyebrow.

If this guy sat down in a booth, a whole flock of people would probably throw themselves at him.

“You’d better wear the same black-rimmed glasses as me and be a nerd!”

With that, Xia Chiyi placed an even larger pair of black-rimmed glasses on Zhou Zhexiao’s face.

Indeed, his beauty was blocked by thirty percent.

But…

“You don’t look like you’re going to a bar to relax; you look like you’re going to a bar to catch your unfilial son.”

“Well, isn’t that you.”

“Alright, Daddy, please buy these two pairs of glasses.”

When they went to pay, the clerk reminded them: “Two handsome guys, it’s 20% off if you spend over 300 RMB. You are only 30 RMB away. Do you want to just grab something random to make up the difference?”

“Buy what? Hair clips? Buy them to give to the Class Monitor?”

When the Class Monitor saw them, she’d realize they were the exact same mass-supplied goods from the wholesale market in her hometown. How awkward would that be?

Zhou Zhexiao dug out a metal ring from the basket in front of the cash register. It was styled to look like an antique, with a star carved into the face of the ring.

“Just this one. It’s exactly 30.”

Walking out of the small shop, Xia Chiyi asked curiously, “Are you going to wear that ring? Or was it purely just to make up the total?”

After all, without making up the total it was 270, but by making it up, it was only 240.

“For you to wear.”

“For me? Why?”

“Wearing it makes you look more like an unfilial son.” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face, lifted Xia Chiyi’s hand, and slipped that metal ring onto Xia Chiyi’s ring finger.

His finger felt as if it had been burned. Xia Chiyi wanted to pull back, but Zhou Zhexiao was still holding his fingers.

“Let’s go. If we’re any later, we’ll have to head back before we even get into that bar.”

Xia Chiyi hurried to catch up with him.

He kept his hands in his pockets, but he couldn’t resist constantly twisting that ring, touching the star on the face of the ring.

Just like when he was young, when Sheng Xingming drew a star between his fingers, he also couldn’t resist constantly touching it like this.

By the time they arrived at “Lianpu”, the seats closer to the center were already full. The bar was incredibly popular. The seats at the bar counter—the best spots for enjoying the performance—were already packed with people.

Zhou Zhexiao and Xia Chiyi could only sit in the booth at the very edge. Fortunately, both of them had excellent height, so they could still see the stage through the crowd.

“Unfilial son, what do you want to drink tonight? Cola, Sprite, or Wanglaoji?” Zhou Zhexiao tilted his chin up.

“Daddy, I already told you I’m an unfilial son. I want to drink a Long Island Iced Tea.” Xia Chiyi shot him an annoyed glare.

“Sure, if you’re not afraid of being picked up by someone.” Zhou Zhexiao leaned back against his chair, his voice slow as he looked at Xia Chiyi.

His entire body exuded a cold aura, yet it hunted for the attention of others.

The two had just sat down, and many guests around them were already looking at them with appraising gazes.

Xia Chiyi suspected that if stares could be materialized, not only would Zhou Zhexiao’s glasses be ripped off, but the clothes on his body would probably be gone too.

“I’ll just have a Mojito.” Xia Chiyi took out his phone and scanned the QR code on the table.

Tonight’s program was pretty good. At the very least, it was Xia Chiyi’s preferred style. In particular, the arrangements that combined traditional theatrical singing with pop songs were Xia Chiyi’s favorite.

Watching the performance on stage, his fingers tapped the beat lightly against his glass, the metal ring swaying along with it. He would cheer loudly along with the other guests. Purity and rebelliousness intertwined on him to create a unique aura, morphing into a subtle sexiness that gently tugged at Zhou Zhexiao’s gaze.

At this moment, someone went on stage and sat in front of the drum set. The entire venue suddenly started chanting rhythmically.

“Dusty!”

“Dusty!”

“Dusty!”

Wave after wave of applause followed.

Xia Chiyi was curious. “Who is this Dusty? Why is he so popular?”

The boy in front of the drum set was wearing a simple white T-shirt and a silver Saturn necklace. His bangs were tied back into a tiny topknot, with a few stray strands of hair left falling free.

His eyes were half-lowered. The shape of his eyes was beautiful, sweeping smoothly upward. His nose bridge was high and carried a hint of aggressiveness, while his sharply contoured jawline exuded a powerful, hormone-filled strength.

When he lifted his eyes, they released a slightly arrogant and provocative seductiveness.

Xia Chiyi froze. Pointing at the drum set, he said, “That… that… that looks like Liu Suchen…”

Zhou Zhexiao maintained his posture leaning against the chair back. “Yeah, that is Liu Suchen.”

Only then did Xia Chiyi recall Yang Huaiyu mentioning that apart from basketball, Liu Suchen’s other hobby was playing the drums. He had even accompanied Liu Suchen to drum at the bar street in Qincheng.

Zhou Zhexiao leaned in Xia Chiyi’s direction and said faintly, “Didn’t you run to this bar just to see him?”

“I completely…” Xia Chiyi turned his head and almost bumped noses with Zhou Zhexiao. He pressed a finger against Zhou Zhexiao’s forehead. “I had no idea Liu Suchen would be here!”

The atmosphere around them was so enthusiastic it felt like it was on fire. It seemed many people came here specifically to watch Liu Suchen perform.

Growing up, Xia Chiyi had mostly listened to music with soothing rhythms, similar to campus love songs or ballads. He had very little exposure to rock music, and the few songs he occasionally liked were the type with melodious tunes and uplifting lyrics, mostly just video game soundtracks.

A light, deft rhythm started playing, like a kitten making a mess on a windowsill. The people around laughed along, and Xia Chiyi also giggled silly along with them.

Then the drumbeats grew heavier and heavier, like a profound power brewing deep under the ocean. As the surface of the sea rose and fell, it felt as if lightning and thunder were striking simultaneously.

When Liu Suchen drummed, he never shook his head or swayed wildly. On the contrary, his back and shoulders remained perfectly straight, allowing Xia Chiyi to feel the same stable core that he displayed on the basketball court.

The calmer and more composed he was while building layer upon layer of rhythm, the more emotionally aroused the surrounding crowd became.

Liu Suchen was the first person to make Xia Chiyi understand the charm of percussion instruments.

Watching his cadenced performance, Xia Chiyi thought to himself that Liu Suchen truly lived up to his title as Qing University’s ace. His physical coordination and sense of rhythm were too strong. He had to coordinate with various drumheads and cymbals, all while controlling the pedals perfectly. His wrists were agile, and even his fingers possessed a subtle, clever force, using the ever-changing rhythm to stir everyone’s emotions.

Without a single musical note, he played a state of mind like stormy, turbulent waves.

Suddenly, Liu Suchen looked up. As his gaze swept over, a murderous intent shone through the chill. Xia Chiyi tightly gripped his Mojito. He remembered this look; Liu Suchen had revealed it countless times when fighting against Yang Huaiyu.

But Xia Chiyi didn’t look away, because he knew that sooner or later, he too would face this gaze directly.

Tonight, for Liu Suchen, he was just here to clear his mind.

In the past, encountering opponents like Yang Huaiyu or Lu Yingnan was already very interesting.

They were powerful, their skills were mature, and they had talent. Liu Suchen enjoyed the feeling of his life hanging by a thread during standoffs with them.

However, he had seen Xia Chiyi’s shooting.

That freshman’s strength was not yet enough to make him an opponent. He hadn’t reached the point where he could tighten a noose around his neck and make his heart stop.

But perhaps the very existence of some people was meant to make others feel anticipation.

The Xia Chiyi in high school, the Xia Chiyi in the university grassroots tournament, and even the Xia Chiyi playing the practice match against Chujiang University were all different versions.

He was like a high-speed evolving pursuer, a tiny larva biting through the constraints of its cocoon, fluttering its wrinkled wings, making people worry whether it could actually take flight.

Liu Suchen wondered every single moment whether it would be right now, or at some point in the future, that he would be caught up to by him.

Or even surpassed.

But this hypothetical object of his attention was someone Liu Suchen had never even seen in person once. It was actually a bit funny.

Just in the moment he raised his eyes, at the end of the crowd sat a boy on a high stool, wearing dorky black-rimmed glasses, but those eyes were as crystal clear as midnight dew. Liu Suchen was confident he wouldn’t mistake him for someone else.

He grew excited. The drumsticks spun between his fingers and wrists as he struck with all his might. It was a rhythm like a tsunami erupting, like the end of the world. He wanted to let the other party know: I am looking forward to a battle with you.

__

[The author has something to say]

Xia Chiyi: Looking forward to a battle with me? I’ll beat you until you cry!
Liu Suchen: Zhou Zhexiao behind you just launched an eye-contact attack at me.