"Brother Jiang! Go! You’re amazing!" Xu Yingjun shouted.
Cheng Shukai was silent, his composure completely shattered.
His teammate on the sideline could also see that Lin Jiang was on a completely different level.
The gap in skill was hard to overcome. Unless he sank every single shot from here on out, he had little chance of winning.
"Brother Kai, stop trying to drive in. If he gives you space to shoot, don’t hold back. Three-pointers are your strong suit, just stand back and sink threes on him!"
"I know!"
When it was Cheng Shukai’s turn on offense, Lin Jiang stood back and didn’t defend, just as he had before.
The message was clear: shoot freely from the perimeter, but try to drive and you’d get blocked.
SWISH!
From beyond the three-point line, the ball dropped through the net without touching the rim. Cheng Shukai had managed to score one back.
In the next four possessions, Lin Jiang only scored twice. Since he wasn’t being defended on the perimeter, Cheng Shukai sank two more, bringing the score to 5:3.
Cheng Shukai smiled. "You got lucky and sank a few shots at the beginning. It won’t necessarily be the same from now on."
Lin Jiang dribbled the ball in place, bouncing it between his legs a few times.
"You sank a few shots, and now you’re showing off, huh?"
"My skill speaks for itself. It has nothing to do with showing off."
Cheng Shukai lowered his center of gravity and spread his arms. Having scored a few shots, his confidence had soared.
His eyes followed Lin Jiang’s every move.
’I must look so cool right now,’ Cheng Shukai thought, ’like a lone wolf staring down its prey.’
But in Lin Jiang’s eyes, he just looked like a toad.
Catching him off guard, Lin Jiang accelerated, breaking past him on the right. Cheng Shukai moved with him, sticking close to Lin Jiang and managing to slow his speed.
Lin Jiang wasn’t in a hurry. He started to post up, backing him down one step at a time.
Cheng Shukai was completely outmatched physically and could only let Lin Jiang back him down all the way to the basket.
"No way. Isn’t Cheng Shukai also 180cm? Their builds aren’t that different, but the difference in their strength is insane, right?"
The girls didn’t understand basketball, but they could still tell who was stronger.
Lin Jiang just leaned into him lightly, and Cheng Shukai couldn’t hold his ground. The difference was too obvious.
"It’s what’s on the inside that counts for a man. Look at the guy with the ball—his shoulders are so broad. You can tell he works out all the time. I bet he even has an eight-pack."
"But Cheng Shukai works out too. I always see him posting workout videos."
"He only posts those videos to show off. I saw him at the school gym once. He went in, took a few pictures, and left not long after."
"Wow, you really can’t judge a man by his cover."
"Even if you do judge by his cover, he loses. That guy from off-campus is way more handsome."
Cheng Shukai could clearly hear the chatter around him, but even giving it his all, he couldn’t stop Lin Jiang.
The difference in their strength was just too great.
Effortlessly, Lin Jiang backed Cheng Shukai under the basket.
With a small floater, he tossed the ball into the hoop.
"Brother Jiang! That was awesome!"
Xu Yingjun yelled loudly.
"Calm down, calm down. It was nothing."
They say women are a stumbling block for athletes, but Lin Jiang didn’t think so.
’Does a little fun drain your stamina?’
’Not a chance!’
The score was now 6:4. Cheng Shukai’s expression turned grim.
"Brother Kai, this isn’t working," said Cheng Shukai’s teammate.
"He’s scored so many baskets, and none of his offensive moves have been the same. Damn! This guy is just too good!"
"Now’s not the time to praise him. If he just relies on his physical advantage for the next few plays, posting up and forcing his way in, Brother Kai won’t have a chance," said another person.
"What do you mean, no chance? I’ll just back him down, too."
"Huh?"
Cheng Shukai’s teammates all looked at him. "There’s a huge difference in your strength. There’s no way you can back him down!"
"Then I’ll use some dirty tricks. I’ll play rough!"
"That’s a good idea. This is our home court. We can’t lose, even if we have to play a little dirty!"
Cheng Shukai nodded.
He had also realized the gap between himself and Lin Jiang. With Lin Jiang needing only one more basket to win, he knew he couldn’t succeed without resorting to some tricks.
A new possession began. Cheng Shukai dribbled the ball, trying to get close to the basket and give Lin Jiang a taste of his own medicine with a post-up.
As he was about to enter the three-second lane, Lin Jiang stepped up to defend.
But as soon as they made contact, Lin Jiang realized this guy was starting to play dirty.
He had started using his elbows to shove.
Looking at him, he was gritting his teeth with every move, as if using every last ounce of his strength.
Cheng Shukai dribbled the ball once, then gathered his strength. Like Malphite using his ultimate, he charged at Lin Jiang.
Lin Jiang took a step to the side. Cheng Shukai’s body lost its point of contact, and he instantly lost his balance, tumbling towards the basketball hoop’s support pole.
A whiffed ultimate.
"Haha..."
Laughter came from all directions. Cheng Shukai’s face went pale with humiliation.
He wanted to drop a bomb, but he just dropped a deuce.
The classmates and teammates behind him couldn’t bear to watch anymore.
"An ugly toad trying to be slick. You’ll really try any cheap trick, won’t you?"
"Cut the fucking crap! Let’s go!"
Lin Jiang took the ball again, preparing to pick up the pace. It was the last point; he had to end this quickly.
After a crossover, Lin Jiang went straight for the basket!
Cheng Shukai stuck to Lin Jiang like a mad dog.
But he was half a step behind, which put his rhythm half a beat off.
When he reached the free-throw line, Lin Jiang took three steps, leaping high on the final one and dunking the ball through the hoop!
WOAH!
Gasps of amazement erupted from the sidelines.
Originally, many girls had been supporting Cheng Shukai. After all, he was Jiaoda’s "campus beau" and one of their own, so they felt they had to support him.
But after Lin Jiang’s dunk, they switched sides.
Every one of them had a starstruck look on her face, constantly snapping pictures with her phone.
[Congratulations, Player. You have defeated the challenger.]
[Victor’s Reward: Top-Tier Three-Point Skill, 1,000,000 cash.]
"You should practice more. If that doesn’t work, maybe take some Chinese medicine. You’re so young, how are you already so weak?"
"Haha..."
The sounds of ridicule drowned Cheng Shukai. Lin Jiang left with Xu Yingjun.
"Brother Jiang, you were amazing!"
Xu Yingjun was so excited she was practically dancing. "Especially that last basket! That was incredible!"
"That was nothing. I can do more than just that."
"I knew it. Brother Jiang is the best."
The two of them strolled around campus for a while longer. Lin Jiang accompanied Xu Yingjun as she played with some of the stray cats, and then they prepared to head back.
BZZZT—
Just then, Xu Yingjun’s phone buzzed.
"Tongtong just sent me a message. She’s asking where I am. She might be back."
"What did you say?"
"I just said I was in the study room. We’re heading back right away anyway."
"Sounds good."
Looking down at her phone, Xu Yingjun replied to Li Yueting’s message and quickened her pace towards the library.
AHEM, AHEM—
A light cough came from behind them, and they both turned.
They saw Li Yueting standing right there, looking at Xu Yingjun with a grin.
"Tongtong, you’re back..."
"Didn’t someone say she was studying in the library? How’d you end up at the basketball court with my brother?"
"I, uh, I was just at the library. Brother Jiang came to see you, but you weren’t there, so I came out with him."
"What a coincidence. He just had to show up when I wasn’t here. Should I go find somewhere else to hide for a while?"
"I think you should."
Lin Jiang pointed to a car parked nearby. "How about you go hide under the car for a bit? Your timing is really messing things up."
"Damn! I see what’s going on now. You asked me to come here for tutoring, but you were just using it as an excuse to get close to Junjun. I’m the third wheel, right?"
"You’re more self-aware than I thought. Not bad, not bad."
"I seriously want to kick you."
"Alright, Tongtong, Brother Jiang is still your brother. You should respect him."
"I see you’ve betrayed me too. You’re not on my side anymore."
"Hey, of course I’m on your side! You and I are the best of friends."
"That’s more like it."
Xu Yingjun linked arms with Li Yueting and waved at Lin Jiang.
"Brother Jiang, we’re heading back now."
"Mm."
The two girls left for the library, and Lin Jiang prepared to go see Chen Jingxian.
Just as he reached the parking lot, he heard the sound of arguing.
"Jiajia, I’ve been messaging you all day. Why haven’t you replied?"
He glanced over and saw that the speaker was none other than Zhou Fan.
Wang Jia was next to him, wearing a floral dress, her expression impatient.
"The library was really busy today. I barely looked at my phone all day."
"Really? So busy you didn’t even have time to glance at your phone?"
Obviously, Zhou Fan didn’t quite believe her and seemed pretty angry.
"It really was that busy."
"Alright then, let’s go get dinner. I’ve already booked a place. We’re having your favorite, Western food."
"I’m a little tired from work today. I don’t feel like going. Maybe some other time," Wang Jia said dismissively.
"You can’t skip dinner just because you’re tired. Come on, it was hard for me to get this reservation."
Wang Jia hesitated.
Because of what happened yesterday, she had been in a bad mood.
She could accept Lin Jiang earning a little money, but earning a fortune was a different story.
He had spent 126 million on a car and was the fourth-largest shareholder in Zhou Fan’s father’s company, with a net worth in the billions. This level of success was far beyond anything Zhou Fan could compare to, and it had shaken her resolve.
If he had accepted her friend request, she would have chatted with him for a bit to get closer, and then she’d have been ready to draw a clear line with Zhou Fan.
But a whole day had passed, and Lin Jiang still hadn’t accepted her friend request, which left her feeling gloomy.
As for the Western restaurant Zhou Fan mentioned, she had long wanted to go there to take pictures and post them online. Now that she had the chance, she didn’t want to miss it, leaving her feeling conflicted.
BEEP BEEP—
Just then, the lights of the Maybach parked nearby flashed on.
"Um, could you two move a little? You’re blocking my car."
Lin Jiang’s voice rang out. Wang Jia’s face immediately lit up, and even Zhou Fan walked over with a smile.
"Lin Jiang, you came looking for me."
"Hm? Why would I be looking for you?"
Wang Jia paused. "If you didn’t come to find me, then what are you doing at Jiaoda?"
"I have a friend here. I came to see my friend. It has nothing to do with you."
Lin Jiang didn’t tell the truth, afraid that Wang Jia would bother Tongtong if she found out she was studying here.
"Ah... well..."
Wang Jia was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.
"Then the day before yesterday, when you came to the university..."
"I was also here to see my friend. You’re being a bit presumptuous."
With that, Lin Jiang opened the car door and got in.
Seeing Lin Jiang’s Maybach, Wang Jia guessed this car must also be worth a lot of money. She teetered over on her high heels to the driver’s side and leaned on the open window.
"I sent you a friend request. We were classmates, and we haven’t seen each other in so many years. We should keep in touch and get together more often."
"We haven’t seen each other in years. There’s no point in keeping in touch now. I’m leaving."
The car started. Wang Jia took a step back, watching Lin Jiang drive away. The look in her eyes was full of longing; she even had the urge to run after him.
Zhou Fan stared at Wang Jia, his face cold.
"What was that all about?"
"What do you mean, ’what was that all about’?" Wang Jia said, her expression unchanged.
"Weren’t you being a little too friendly with Lin Jiang? Don’t you think that’s inappropriate?"
"Was I?" Wang Jia said nonchalantly.
"We were classmates. I just went over to say hi. What’s the problem?"
Zhou Fan’s voice rose. "What do you mean, ’what’s the problem’?! Don’t forget, you’re my girlfriend now!"
"What are you talking about! When did I ever become your girlfriend!"
Zhou Fan’s expression froze. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say; all the words he wanted to speak were forced back down his throat.
"If you’re not my girlfriend, then what am I to you!"
"Unlucky, I guess."
"Then what about all the sweet nothings we said to each other!"
"Idioms."
"Then what does all my effort during this time count for!"
"Community service."
Wang Jia’s tone was impatient. "Zhou Fan, let’s not contact each other anymore. I don’t want Lin Jiang to get the wrong idea."

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