Chapter 81: An Unexpected Visitor?

But since Yu Hang was only following orders from Sui Yi, and he had already agreed beforehand, he wasn’t so childish as to make a scene in front of everyone. He merely curled his lip and said nothing more, while A was even less likely to get into an argument with these people.

He had always been more mature than most students.

“Let’s go.”

Xiao Nan watched as Sui Yi suppressed the tension between the two with just a simple phrase, unable to help but smile. Indeed, it was this icy, queenly aura that so effectively kept the boys in check...

But soon enough, a problem arose.

There were six of them, but only four vehicles...

“I’ve got a car! I’ve got a car!” The big sister from No. 2 High waved a toothpick, enthusiastically volunteering. Even though she still didn’t know where everyone was heading...

The group fell silent.

Where did this girl even come from?

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Seven people now—three girls, five vehicles.

The end result...

As an outsider, A ended up riding behind Yu Hang.

This strange arrangement was likely due to Lin Chuxiao’s little pink scooter, which didn’t quite fit her “big sister” persona, or maybe because Sui Yi’s presence was just too commanding.

At first, A hinted—Sui Yi, should I ride with you, or you with me?

Yu Hang decisively insisted that A ride behind him.

Yen Qingwu was quite pleased with Yu Hang’s move, and then... she climbed onto Sui Yi’s bike.

Though Chi Gao and Xiao Nan exchanged eager glances, neither really expected the school goddess Yen to favor them. Just as well, since a crowd of male students at the gate were already staring daggers at them...

When Yen climbed onto Sui Yi’s bike, neither Chi Gao nor Xiao Nan could tell if their sigh of relief was disappointment or regret.

Lin Chuxiao, ever the troublemaker, teased them mercilessly...

Yen Qingwu sat on Sui Yi’s backseat, wrapping one arm around Sui Yi’s slender waist, her eyes crinkling with mirth.

“Let’s go!” the scatterbrained big sister cheered delightedly.

Five vehicles sped off...

At that moment, from the barbecue stand, chubby Yang Ying came running, arms full of skewers, puffing and shouting,

“Damn it, Lin Chuxiao, you... don’t forget me! Aaah, you haven’t paid yet!”

“Hey, where are you all going—?”

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No. 2 High was full of rich kids, so its facilities were decent. But officially, No. 1 High was more prestigious—it was the gathering place for Nanjun’s top scholars, the cradle of good students.

There weren’t many basketball players at No. 1 High, mainly because of the school’s strict and intense academic atmosphere.

First and second years? You’ll be in third year soon enough—if you don’t study now, you’ll never keep up!

So, forget playing—hit the books!

As for third years... play? You’ll get a beating!

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Thus, unlike other schools where boys dominated the basketball courts, No. 1 High’s courts were mostly deserted. The school didn’t strictly bar outsiders—mainly because Yu Hang’s face was well known to everyone there.

The group headed to the court. Most of No. 1 High’s students were still in exams, so few noticed them.

Yu Hang untied the basketball from his bike, bounced it twice, then turned to the others. “We need five for a game—me, Nan, Chi, and you...”

He couldn’t remember the last person’s name.

“A,” A replied coolly.

“Oh, A. So, four of us, one short. We’ll just practice for now. A, do you know how to play?” Yu Hang didn’t mean to be rude, but judging by A’s unconventional look, he assumed he was a delinquent and probably didn’t play much.

As soon as he finished, A’s long fingers snatched the ball, bounced it, palmed it, leaped—

The ball arced perfectly—

Swish!

A clean three-pointer.

Everyone stared in silence at the spot where A had shot from, just outside the three-point line.

Chi Gao’s eyes nearly popped out. “Damn, A, your skills are... just...”

Just what?

A clapped his hands, lips curling into a faint smile. “In truth, I don’t know how to play basketball.”

“....”

A didn’t bother to explain why he didn’t play, nor why he had just made a flawless three-pointer. Only Sui Yi understood that it was the result of their martial training—strong physique and sharp instincts.

Basketball requires both physicality and technique. Physique—A was easily the most robust among the boys. Technique—jump shots are basic, and after watching briefly, A could imitate them perfectly.

The four played a while. Sure enough, A had no idea about positioning, rules, or even basic coordination, resulting in frequent fouls.

Yu Hang finally found an area where he could outdo A, and taught him with great earnestness—after all, this was his chance to “teach” someone openly.

On the grass beside the court, Sui Yi and Yen Qingwu sat together, sometimes reading, sometimes playing on their phones, while watching the four play.

“You just came to watch?” Yen Qingwu didn’t seem bored. In fact, at four in the afternoon, the sky was still blue, not as scorching as noon, but comfortably warm with a cool breeze—it was a pleasant time.

“Mm...” Sui Yi glanced at the four still working to coordinate. They managed during practice, but were still one player short.

“What about the last one?” Yen Qingwu considered pulling some strings. “Should I call in someone from the basketball team?”

“Hmm?” The basketball team? From No. 2 High? Sui Yi glanced at her.

“No... from the city team.”

“....”

“Or maybe the town team? The police department’s team?” Yen Qingwu laughed at her own suggestion.

If those people came, it would hardly be fair.

Zhang Yang’s group would be utterly crushed.

Sui Yi smiled, brushing a strand of hair aside. “If it comes to that, I might as well play myself.”

Nearby, Lin Chuxiao sat cross-legged on the grass, still on the phone with Yang Ying, putting on an ingratiating voice: “Hey, Noble Lady Yang, I know I was wrong... Come here... Yeah, No. 2 High’s court... Fine, fine, I’ll pay for the barbecue, damn it, are you coming or not?”

Within one sentence, she shifted from meek to bossy, her expressions changing as swiftly as a painter’s palette. Watching her, Sui Yi and Yen Qingwu both laughed—how had they never noticed how endearing this girl was?

After hanging up, Lin Chuxiao pouted, only to see Sui Yi and Yen Qingwu looking at her with amused expressions.

Instinctively, she clutched her chest in mock alarm. “What are you planning? I won’t give in!”

“....”

For some reason, Sui Yi suddenly recalled the scene of this girl crushing a bun and a rose with her hands...

A true clown, through and through.

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The sound of basketball echoed on the court, while beneath the trees sat two stunning girls and one quirky, wild one—a scene pleasing to the eye.

Meanwhile, in the exam room, students of No. 1 High were growing restless as the test ended.

“Is it true?!”

“Why would I lie?!”

“That Yen Qingwu from No. 2 High—”

“She’s really here! My buddy finished early and saw her arrive with a bunch of No. 2 High people. I think they went to play basketball.”

“No way, I have to see this.”

It turned out that Sui Yi and the others had underestimated the fame of the school goddess. In no time, the usually empty No. 1 High’s sports field was swarming with people—not only boys but also quite a few girls.

For Yu Hang and the other good-looking boys? No...

Sui Yi looked up at a row of No. 1 High girls standing in front of her, hands on hips, striking model-like poses. Sui Yi glanced at them, then at Yen Qingwu—was this the trouble caused by beauty?

Yen Qingwu paid them no mind, her gaze dropping to the English book on her lap. She only spoke to Sui Yi occasionally; when Sui Yi fell silent, she read. This left Lin Chuxiao frustrated—Yen Qingwu’s gentle warmth was clearly reserved for only a select few.

But who were these people?

“Yen Qingwu?” someone from No. 1 High called out.

So, they really were here for her, Sui Yi thought.

Lin Chuxiao’s gaze darted around, landing on a No. 1 High girl being escorted by a group.

Her jacket was tied around her waist, under which she wore a soft, pale sweater. Her skin was fair, her features attractive, with an air of delicate charm. She was clearly a bit embarrassed, but also curious.

Outsiders often said that No. 1 High’s school beauty outshone all the others.

As No. 1 High’s campus belle, Bai Lingshuang was naturally curious, though not entirely convinced. She didn’t believe she was inferior to anyone. But with the two girls still sitting with their backs to her, she couldn’t see them clearly—only that a slightly shorter girl suddenly sprang up...

She turned to face her, eyes unfriendly.

“Well, well, No. 1 High’s ‘White Arsenic’?” Lin Chuxiao called out loudly.

This immediately stirred up the No. 1 High crowd.

“What are you saying?!”

“Her name is Bai Lingshuang!”

“Hmph.” Lin Chuxiao, ever fearless and fiercely loyal, saw these people as trouble for Yen Qingwu, and therefore, trouble for herself.

“Chuxiao,” Sui Yi called her, a hint of warning in her voice. Lin Chuxiao pouted but said nothing more.

She never felt confident around someone as strong and coolly imposing as Sui Yi.

Sui Yi stood up, turned her head, and looked at Bai Lingshuang and her group.

“We’re just borrowing your court for a while. If we’re disturbing you, we apologize.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, you’re welcome to support it on Qidian with tickets and votes—your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)