As the weekend passed, cold air invaded the entire Pingchuan City.

In the classroom, everyone wore scarves, hats, and gloves, dressed in the heaviest winter school uniforms.

Winter had officially arrived, and with the drop in temperature came the revival of drowsiness throughout the body. Early in the morning, the classroom was filled with yawns, everyone sleepy and dazed.

The homeroom teacher walked into the classroom, knocking on the board: “Wake up, everyone wakes up.”

“There’s a Pingchuan Basketball Cup final at three this afternoon. The remaining two classes will be changed to self-study. Those who want to watch the game can go to the city gymnasium next to the school, those who don’t can stay in the classroom to study.”

At these words, the classroom instantly erupted in excitement, filled with screams and cheers.

The homeroom teacher was exasperated: “Just now you were all lifeless, but mention play and you come alive! If only you had this energy for studying, who wouldn’t get good grades!”

Gu Meng immediately turned around: “Wan-wan, Wan-wan, are you going?”

“I probably won’t,” Zhou Wan said, “I don’t understand basketball.”

“We’re not going to watch basketball, we’re going to watch handsome guys!” Gu Meng said, then suddenly lowered her voice, “Besides, Lu Xixiao is going too, aren’t you two recently…” She winked at Zhou Wan suggestively.

Zhou Wan paused: “Lu Xixiao is going too?”

“Yeah! You didn’t know?” Gu Meng said, “The Pingchuan Basketball Cup has been going on for two or three months now, it’s a competition between all the high schools in the city. This final should be between Yangming and No. 18 High, and Lu Xixiao should still be the team captain.”

Zhou Wan remembered how he looked playing basketball last time.

Gu Meng shook her arm pleading: “Go, please go, Wan-wan you’re the best, I want to watch.”

Zhou Wan finally nodded: “Alright.”

Gu Meng then asked Jiang Yan nearby: “Are you going, Jiang Yan?”

He was doing homework, and his fingers paused at her words, saying flatly: “No.”

Gu Meng didn’t know about the history and entanglements between him and Lu Xixiao, only saying he needed to learn to balance work and rest, not just focus on studying.

*

Class 1 of Grade 2 was the best-performing class in the entire grade, with intense internal competition. Only half the class took leave to watch the game, while the other half stayed to study. In other classes, almost everyone had left, and in Class 7, not a single person remained.

The city gymnasium was right next to Yangming Middle School, just two hundred meters from the north gate.

Zhou Wan and Gu Meng followed the crowd in and sat in the first row.

The seats were good, with an open view.

“No. 18’s people are all here, why haven’t Lu Xixiao and his team come out yet?” Gu Meng said.

Zhou Wan: “Maybe they’re changing clothes.”

Six people stood on the court, wearing white jerseys with “No. 18” and their names in pinyin on the back. Zhou Wan glanced briefly, then her gaze suddenly stopped, seeing one of them—

LUO HE.

Luo He.

She saw his face when he turned around – it was the one who had caused trouble with Lu Xixiao and fought with him before.

So he was a student at No. 18 High.

But he didn’t have any student-like qualities about him, just looking like a street thug, and not just him – all those from No. 18 were like that.

No. 18 was the worst and most chaotic high school in Pingchuan City.

Zhou Wan heard boys discussing behind her.

“Luo He and his group play street ball all the time, heard they play dirty. I guess today’s game will be pretty tough.”

“Even Lu Xixiao can’t beat him?”

“In terms of skill, Lu Xixiao should be better, but he plays too properly, and rarely goes all out. Against No. 18’s group, it’ll probably be hard. In the semi-finals, their forward elbowed someone and broke their nose.”

…

Zhou Wan’s heart tightened.

At this moment, cheers erupted throughout the venue.

Lu Xixiao led the way onto the court.

They wore red jerseys, all tall and long-legged.

Gu Meng screamed along with everyone else, exclaiming dramatically: “Is this a male model team?!”

Zhou Wan laughed, hearing such a description for the first time.

Lu Xixiao walked to the waiting area seats, picked up some bandages thrown on the ground, and wrapped them around his ankle.

His calf muscles were smooth, his Achilles tendon high, his face expressionless, completely ignoring the surrounding cheers and screams.

After finishing with the bandages, he stood up and took off his black jacket. It was then that he noticed Zhou Wan in the front row, first pausing, then raising his eyebrows.

He leaned forward, hand resting on the railing, asking without caring about the surrounding gazes: “Why are you here?”

“Came with my friend,” Zhou Wan said softly.

He handed over his jacket without saying anything, the movement extremely natural.

Zhou Wan hurriedly took it, folded it neatly, and held it properly in her arms.

He was the focus of attention, and now Zhou Wan also became the focus, with discussions behind her.

“Is Lu Xixiao dating Zhou Wan? Last time on the forum, didn’t they say Lu Xixiao was picking her up after school?”

“Damn, my worldview is shattered, how did those two get to know each other?!”

“Shit shit shit Lu Xixiao is handsome, so suave and flirty, even if you got played by him it’d be worth it.”

“You know, Zhou Wan is quite pretty, the more you look at her the better she looks, and she’s so sweet-looking, they look quite good together.”

“I still think the femme fatale type suits Lu Xixiao better.”

“Anyway, no matter what type, Lu Xixiao never dates anyone for more than a month.”

…

Zhou Wan held his clothes, looking straight ahead, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.

With a whistle blast, the game began.

Jump ball, Lu Xixiao controlled the ball, quickly dribbling toward the basket.

Several No. 18 players marked him tightly, not giving an inch of space, Luo He spread his arms, blocking Lu Xixiao’s path.

Lu Xixiao looked at him coldly. Everyone thought in this situation he could only pass to a teammate, but his teammates were also tightly defended, seemingly at a dead end.

No one saw clearly, but Lu Xixiao made a fake move, causing Luo He to fall.

He jumped up from his spot, wrist pressing down—

Bang.

Score!

The whole venue erupted.

The opening immediately raised the temperature.

Lu Xixiao landed steadily, lowering his eyes to glance at Luo He on the ground, letting out a soft sneer.

Luo He’s face changed, veins bulging, as he got up and shouted to his teammates: “Get back on defense!”

The first quarter ended 18:24, with Yangming Middle School in the lead.

As soon as they left the court, many girls went up to offer water, both from Yangming and No. 18.

Lu Xixiao didn’t accept any, walking through the crowd to grab his towel from the seat to wipe his sweat.

He straightened up, looking at Zhou Wan: “Water.”

There was a box of mineral water prepared nearby, and Zhou Wan quickly went to get one, handing it to him.

Lu Xixiao raised his eyebrows.

She then helped him twist off the cap.

Lu Xixiao took it, tilting his head back to drink.

The water level in the bottle rapidly decreased, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. After finishing the bottle, he threw it on the ground.

“Has your cold completely recovered?” Zhou Wan asked softly, leaning closer.

Lu Xixiao seemed not to hear clearly, bending down to bring his ear to her mouth: “Hm?”

His body was radiating heat, full of surging hormonal energy. Zhou Wan bit her lip and repeated herself.

He laughed lightly, straightening up: “Been better for a while.”

As the second quarter began, many people noticed that No. 18’s playing style had changed. They weren’t giving Lu Xixiao any chance to get the ball, and whenever other teammates controlled the ball and jumped, they would use the momentum to knock them down.

Backs scraped against the green plastic court, making harsh sounds.

“Fuck! They’re not calling this! That’s a foul!” a boy cursed from behind.

“Damn it, Luo He’s group must have bribed the referee, not calling fouls like this, is the referee blind?!”

Lu Xixiao’s expression didn’t change, his gaze calm as he said coldly: “Everyone plays properly.”

But No. 18’s group was used to playing street ball, and the game got increasingly dirty.

Even Lu Xixiao was pushed down while shooting.

But the referee only called a few insignificant yellow cards, and the dissatisfied voices from below grew louder.

By halftime, it was 48:32, with No. 18 scoring 30 points in one quarter to take the lead.

“This game is eye-opening, winning by playing so dirty, what’s the point?”

“Heard Luo He and Lu Xixiao have been at odds for several years, he’s deliberately provoking him. Didn’t see them play this excessively in the semi-finals.”

…

Zhou Wan rarely watched such games, her hands tightly clenched throughout, her nails leaving red marks on her palms.

Lu Xixiao and his teammates stood together, discussing tactics for the next quarter.

Two players were more seriously injured earlier, one with a twisted leg, another with bruised arms from collisions.

Zhou Wan’s heart clenched watching this, feeling very uncomfortable.

“Meng-meng, I’m going to the bathroom,” Zhou Wan said.

Gu Meng: “Okay, do you know where it is? Want me to go with you?”

Zhou Wan smiled: “It’s fine, I know where it is.”

Zhou Wan washed her face, looking at herself in the mirror.

In her mind was the image of Lu Xixiao being knocked down earlier, and there was still half the game to go.

Zhou Wan sighed very softly, just hoping he wouldn’t get hurt.

Walking out of the bathroom, she met Luo He coming from the opposite direction, a cigarette between his lips.

Zhou Wan tried to walk around him, but he stepped sideways, blocking her path.

Zhou Wan looked up.

“So you’re Lu Xixiao’s new girlfriend?”

He had seen Lu Xixiao having her hold his clothes earlier. Luo He blew out a breath of smoke, all of it hitting Zhou Wan’s face. She frowned and turned her head aside.

Luo He’s gaze lewdly looked her up and down: “This guy’s taste has changed, now he likes little girls who haven’t even grown up yet.”

A few more people came out from the men’s bathroom, laughing at his words.

“Boss Luo, these innocent types are the best to have fun with.”

“Who knows, looking so innocent, what she’s like in bed.”

The humiliating, taunting words came from their mouths, mixed with lewd, unrestrained laughter.

Zhou Wan clenched her teeth, staying silent.

Seeing she was easy to bully, their vulgar words became even more excessive, each sentence piercing Zhou Wan like needles.

Although Zhou Wan was someone who didn’t want to cause trouble, she also wouldn’t bow down to humiliation. After staying silent for a long time, she finally spoke quietly: “Would you dare say these things about me in front of Lu Xixiao?”

Though humiliated, the young girl’s face remained pure and clean, her gaze calm and composed.

Luo He couldn’t help but frown as if struck by the light in her eyes.

For some reason, her gaze at this moment reminded him of Lu Xixiao.

An innocent and gentle face, even her voice was soft, yet proud and calm, looking at him steadily, something sharp breaking through her surface gentleness through her eyes.

She was truly cut from the same cloth as Lu Xixiao.

Luo He then understood why that surnamed Lu, who was proud and cold-blooded, never looking up to anyone, was willing to be closer to this girl before him.

They were the same type of person.

Luo He raised his eyebrows: “Why wouldn’t I dare? You probably don’t know how many times I’ve beaten up Lu Xixiao, oh right, you wouldn’t know, after all, you weren’t his girlfriend back then.”

“Then why do you need to play dirty just to win against him? Even if you win, it’s not honorable.”

Zhou Wan looked straight at Luo He, “Have you heard this saying? True strong ones don’t fight to win against the weak.”

Whoever takes winning and losing seriously is the weak one.

The strong don’t even see the weak in their eyes; they have their own higher mountains and skies to reach.

So from the beginning, the outcome between Lu Xixiao and Luo He was already clear.

Luo He was provoked, suddenly stepping forward and grabbing Zhou Wan’s collar.

“You think I don’t hit women?”

She was so small and frail, seeming like Luo He could break her with just a bit of force, but she wasn’t scared at all, looking at him with calm, black pupils, squeezing out a sentence from her throat.

“I didn’t think that. You hitting girls is normal.”

Her few sentences drove Luo He crazy with anger.

Others held him back, advising from the side: “Let it go, Brother Luo, after all, she’s Lu Xixiao’s girlfriend, if you hit her, Lu Xixiao will definitely…”

Luo He’s veins bulged as he turned back and shouted: “You think I’m afraid of him?”

“But he’s someone who doesn’t care about his life, who has nothing to lose, besides the second half is about to start, the game’s starting soon, don’t waste time here.”

Luo He stared hard at Zhou Wan for several seconds before lowering his raised hand.

But he had to vent his pent-up anger, and the hand gripping Zhou Wan’s collar pushed hard.

Zhou Wan fell directly down the five steps outside the bathroom, her temple hitting hard against the sharp corner.

There was a “bang.”

Pain crawled up her spine, she hurt so much she couldn’t make a sound, only a muffled groan, her body curled up and shaking, something hot flowing down from her forehead, seeping into her pupils.

…

The whistle and screams could be heard again from the distance.

The second half had begun.

It took Zhou Wan a long time to recover before slowly getting up.

Her ankle was sprained, with subcutaneous bleeding, turning purple and blue, likely to swell by evening.

Her forehead and palms were scraped, the forehead more seriously, bleeding from the broken skin, but fortunately it stopped quickly.

She used tissues to wipe away the surrounding blood, and let down her ponytail, messing up her bangs to hide the injury on her forehead.

She wasn’t usually such a reckless person. Just as she was best at playing docile, if it had been before, encountering such a situation, she would have stayed silent, not provoking the other party.

But seeing how they bullied people on the court earlier, Zhou Wan couldn’t even pretend to be docile and weak anymore.

However, now that she was injured, afraid Lu Xixiao would notice, Zhou Wan didn’t dare go back inside.

If he found out, he would probably play with emotion, and since the referee was clearly on No. 18’s side, he would be called for fouls if he played aggressively.

If Lu Xixiao got fouled out, then there would be no hope of winning.

Zhou Wan didn’t want him to lose.

She leaned alone outside the stadium, putting all her weight on her uninjured right foot, her left foot barely touching the ground.

Screams and cheers rose and fell from inside the gymnasium.

Seems Lu Xixiao was scoring many points.

Another quarter ended, and Zhou Wan’s phone suddenly made a sound.

She opened it.

[6: Where are you?]

[Zhou Wan: Outside.]

Afraid he would come out, Zhou Wan quickly sent another message.

[Zhou Wan: It was too stuffy inside, I’m walking around nearby. Your clothes are on my seat, remember to get them later.]

Lu Xixiao didn’t reply again.

Soon after, the final quarter began.

Zhou Wan listened to the sounds inside, her heart surging along with them. Finally, a long, loud whistle cut through the dusk, the entire gymnasium erupted in screams, and she could hear many girls shouting Lu Xixiao’s name.

Five minutes later, people started walking out.

Everyone who came out couldn’t help but marvel at how amazing the game had been.

Zhou Wan waited quite a while before Gu Meng came.

“Wan-wan? Why didn’t you come back for the second half? I thought you went back to the classroom!” Gu Meng ran over and linked arms with her, “Was your stomach very uncomfortable?”

Zhou Wan brushed her hair, vaguely making an “mm” sound.

“Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“No need, I’m better now.”

Gu Meng wanted to feel her forehead but saw the injury under her messy bangs. She jumped in shock, lifting the hair away: “What happened to you?!”

“Just fell earlier, it’s nothing, doesn’t hurt.”

“Such a big cut and it doesn’t hurt?”

Zhou Wan smiled with pressed lips: “It only hurt when I fell.”

“You should be more careful! Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“I’m fine.”

Zhou Wan pretended not to have sprained her ankle, not wanting Gu Meng to notice.

Gu Meng linked arms with her: “You missed out by not watching earlier! You don’t know how cool Lu Xixiao was!”

“Did they win?”

“They won! Eight points ahead too! Those beasts from No. 18 got too anxious after halftime, too reckless, couldn’t defend against Lu Xixiao, so he took the chance to score lots of points.”

No wonder the screaming was so intense earlier.

Zhou Wan lowered her head and smiled lightly.

Suddenly, a magnetic deep voice came from behind.

“Zhou Wan.” Lu Xixiao called out to her.

She turned around.

The young man had put his jacket directly over his red jersey, looking arrogant, zipper open, still sweating, walking towards her in large strides against the sunset light streaming into the corridor.

Gu Meng immediately bumped Zhou Wan, blinking at her frantically, dropping an “I’m leaving first” before running away.

Lu Xixiao walked to her side: “Your friend is quite sensible.”

“…”

Zhou Wan touched the few strands of hair at her temple.

“I won,” he said.

Zhou Wan couldn’t help but smile: “I know.”

“They’re going to eat something later,” he took out his cigarette case, pulling out a cigarette and holding it between his fingers, “Want to come?”

Zhou Wan paused: “I still need to go to the arcade, so I won’t.”

The wind was always disobedient.

The draft blew through the entire corridor, messing up Zhou Wan’s hair.

Lu Xixiao’s gaze moved from her eyes to her forehead, and seeing him frown, Zhou Wan thought, it’s over.

“How did this happen?” his voice sank.

“I fell.”

This explanation worked on Gu Meng, but it wouldn’t work on Lu Xixiao.

“A fall could cause an injury like this?” he laughed coldly, “Tell the truth.”

Zhou Wan pressed her lips together, not speaking.

Lu Xixiao suddenly became angry. When he was truly angry, he gave no face to anyone: “Who the fuck did this!”

Zhou Wan was quiet for two seconds before telling the truth: “Luo He.”

He curled his lips in a cold laugh, nodding: “Alright.”

That unlit cigarette was thrown to the ground and mercilessly stepped on, Lu Xixiao turning and walking away with large strides, his steps fierce.

Luo He’s group had just changed clothes and came out, walking towards them.

Lu Xixiao didn’t stop his steps, face dark, without any warning throwing a punch at Luo He’s face.

He used his full strength, making Luo He stagger and nearly fall, instantly tasting iron in his mouth, half his face numb, without any feeling.

The next second, before those around could react, Lu Xixiao grabbed Luo He’s neck and slammed him against the wall, arm veins nearly bursting, Luo He’s heels leaving the ground.

His eyes were so cold they didn’t look like they were looking at a living thing.

“Luo He, who do you think you are?”

His palm kept applying pressure, Luo He couldn’t even catch his breath, for the first time looking so pathetic.

Lu Xixiao’s eyes were blood-red as he said word by word, “You dare touch my person.”