* * *

Zhuang Yi quickly added: “Xie Jun is on the basketball team, he’s really professional.”

Wei Jie frowned in annoyance.

Fang Shucheng, feeling a bit upset, countered Zhuang Yi: “Why are you so proud that he’s on the basketball team?”

Zhuang Yi was taken aback, at a loss for words.

Good question, why was he so proud? It wasn’t his own achievement.

Fang Shucheng asked: “Do you have a crush on Xie Jun or something?”

Everyone stopped in their tracks.

Suddenly, there was a silence.

By this time, they had reached the edge of the adjacent basketball court.

Although Fang Shucheng didn’t speak loudly, the basketball team heard him.

The basketball team: “…”

Everyone looked at their captain in unison.

Xie Jun raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhuang Yi with a questioning expression.

Zhuang Yi finally reacted, exploding: “What are you talking about, Fang Shucheng?!”

Fang Shucheng was mortified.

He had meant to tease Zhuang Yi but didn’t intend to embarrass him in front of everyone.

He quickly tried to correct himself: “I meant admire! Like an idol! Don’t misunderstand!”

Zhuang Yi: “You’re ruining my reputation! I’ll fight you!”

Wei Jie quickly stepped in to protect him, while Fang Shucheng hid behind Wei Jie, bowing in shame: “Sorry!”

A few boys held back Zhuang Yi: “Calm down, calm down, Xie Jun isn’t mad, why are you?”

Zhuang Yi shouted, baring his teeth: “Don’t make me use violence.”

Wei Jie kicked him: “Alright, stop making a fool of yourself. People are watching. Do you think this is your own class? And you guys, stop laughing! Fang Shucheng meant admiration, you guys are so dirty-minded! And you’re supposed to be honorable members of the Youth League! Even if we take a step back, Zhuang Yi isn’t a girl. What’s wrong with him liking Xie Jun? Is that not allowed?”

Zhuang Yi had finally calmed down, but the last sentence immediately set him off again: “Damn it! I said I don’t like him!”

The basketball team members looked at their captain once more.

Xie Jun finally spoke, his voice low: “Why?”

Zhuang Yi was taken aback: Who was he talking to?

Turning his head, he sweat nervously: “Why what?”

Xie Jun asked, “Why don’t you like me?”

Zhuang Yi was at a loss for words.

Xie Jun continued, “Have I offended you?”

Zhuang Yi remained silent.

Zhuang Yi explained wearily, “What I meant was I don’t have feelings for you.”

Xie Jun pressed, “Not having feelings is the same as not liking, right?”

Zhuang Yi: “…”

Xie Jun: “?”

Zhuang Yi felt overwhelmed: “Bro, can’t we avoid discussing our feelings in public?”

Xie Jun pondered, “So should we talk privately?”

Zhuang Yi: “…”

Xie Jun: “Then wait until the game is over.”

Zhuang Yi: “Wait, I didn’t agree.”

Xie Jun: “So, make it clear now?”

Zhuang Yi: “…”

The basketball team members exchanged glances once more.

Was this a date? No wonder he’s the captain!

By the time the friendly match was over, the streetlights had come on. Wei Jie’s T-shirt was drenched in sweat.

Fang Shucheng handed him a towel to wipe off the sweat.

After wiping his face, Wei Jie asked, “Where did you get this?”

The class monitor chimed in, “Bought it from the small convenience store at the school gate ten minutes ago. Didn’t want you catching a cold.”

Zhuang Yi was envious and teased, “Can you handle this, Xiao Cheng is worried you might be too weak.”

Fang Shucheng frowned, “Zhuang Yi, if you keep talking nonsense, I won’t lend you my notes anymore.”

Zhuang Yi put his hands on his hips, “What’s wrong with you? You were just talking about me. I’m just treating you the same way.”

Xie Jun turned around and said, “Almost forgot, there’s still something we haven’t cleared up.”

He looked at Zhuang Yi, tilted his head, and said, “Come with me.”

Zhuang Yi’s heart tightened, and he glanced at the sky, musing, “It’s so late, if I don’t go home, my mom will scold me.”

Xie Jun: “Oh?”

Zhuang Yi, feeling a chill down his spine, immediately gave in, “Alright, Xie Jun, I was just talking nonsense. My mom doesn’t care about me anyway. But there really is nothing between us, it was just a slip of the tongue by Fang Shucheng…”

* * *