Following his friend's gaze, You Ziming saw Lin Qinghe and You Rong walking side by side. Lin Qinghe's face held a cautiously flattering expression, one he had only ever seen directed at him before.
You Rong and Lin Qinghe walked closer and closer.
An inexplicable anger brewed within You Ziming. He hurled the basketball in his hand.
The basketball struck You Rong's shoulder. His body staggered, and he stumbled back several steps, almost falling.
Fortunately, Lin Qinghe's reaction was swift, and she caught him.
Lin Qinghe anxiously asked, "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"
You Rong looked up and saw You Ziming. His gaze darkened slightly.
"You Rong? Why aren't you saying anything? Did the basketball hit your shoulder? Does it hurt? I'll take you to the school infirmary!"
You Rong withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice, "I'm fine. Let's go."
Lin Qinghe meticulously examined You Rong from head to toe. Once she was sure he was unharmed, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and anger surged through her.
Lin Qinghe turned and saw You Ziming. With even a moment's thought, she knew he had thrown the basketball. She scolded him indignantly, "You Ziming! Are you blind? Such a big person is right here, and you can't see them!"
You Ziming's expression soured. He walked over holding a basketball, glanced at Lin Qinghe, then at You Rong, and provocatively said, "Fancy meeting you here. How about it? Dare to have a match with me?"
After speaking, You Ziming added sarcastically, "Considering you're a cripple, I won't take advantage. I'll use only one hand against you!"
Lin Qinghe's anger flared up like wildfire. She stepped in front of You Rong and snapped, "You Ziming, are you out of your mind! Think you're so great because you're good at sports? Haven't you heard the saying, 'All brawn and no brain'? That's exactly what you are! Brainless!"
Despite her anger, Lin Qinghe was also extremely worried about You Rong. Before his left leg was injured, he had been the captain of the school's basketball team. She worried that being provoked by You Ziming like this would bring back painful memories for him.
"Qinghe! You..." You Ziming's face turned ashen with anger. He couldn't do anything to Lin Qinghe, so he took out all his frustration on You Rong. "If you're a man, then have a match with me. If you dare not... Fine, admit you're not a man, and I'll pretend I never said anything."
Lin Qinghe couldn't stand it any longer. "Fine, you want a match? I'll play with you!"
She didn't care if she won or lost. If she could land a debilitating kick on You Ziming amidst the chaos, she would feel avenged!
But You Rong walked out from behind Lin Qinghe and said, "I'll play with you, but we'll do it the simplest way. Three-point shooting, three balls. Whoever makes more wins. One round decides it."
You Ziming's face showed hesitation. His friends whispered reminders, "Don't be rash. You Rong's three-point shooting is legendary. Even though he left the team and hasn't played for a year... you should be cautious."
Lin Qinghe heard every word. Seeing You Rong's calm demeanor, she inexplicably found herself believing him.
She mocked him coldly, "Oh? You're backing out? Going to admit you're not a man?"
"Qinghe! You!"
You Ziming glared at her furiously. Lin Qinghe rolled her eyes at him, "What me? Didn't you say it yourself? If you don't dare, you're not a man. What, you're not going to stand by your own words?"
You Ziming gritted his teeth and, in a fit of anger, declared, "Fine! Let's have a match, who's afraid of whom! I'll go first!"
You Ziming took the ball and walked to the center of the court. He took a deep breath, held the ball, bent his knees slightly, leaped, and tossed the basketball.
The ball arced perfectly through the air and swished into the hoop.
You Ziming's friends cheered ecstatically, "Great! Nice shot... Ziming! Go, go!"
You Ziming glanced at You Rong with a sneer, his face full of disdain and smugness.
Lin Qinghe almost rolled her eyes to the back of her head. She loudly declared with contempt, "Looks like I was right after all, you truly are a prime example of 'all brawn and no brain'!"
You Rong lowered his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
You Ziming's face instantly turned as dark as ink. Only after his friends persuaded him did he manage to compose himself and pick up the ball for his second shot.
This time, You Ziming wasn't as lucky. The basketball hit the rim and bounced out.
Enraged, You Ziming pulled at his hair, retrieved the ball, stared intently at the hoop, jumped, and shot again.
Unfortunately, this time the ball didn't even touch the rim. It missed.
You Ziming cursed under his breath, his face grim. He threw the ball at You Rong. "Your turn!"
You Rong caught the thrown basketball steadily. Lin Qinghe said, "You Rong, give me your backpack, I'll hold it for you."
You Rong said calmly, "No need."
"Then... I'll go by the hoop. I'll pick up the balls for you later, so you don't have to run around."
Lin Qinghe trotted over to the hoop and waited, shouting encouragement to You Rong.
You Ziming, witnessing all this, was furious to the point of distortion.
When he shot, she was dismissive, not even wanting to look. But when You Rong shot, she was so expectant!
You Rong held the ball, his eyes narrowed, and he gazed at the hoop. Without jumping, he raised the ball, tiptoed slightly, and tossed it with force. The ball arced perfectly in the air and landed in the basket.
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. She jumped up excitedly, shouting, "Beautiful! A perfect three-pointer! You Rong, you're amazing! Just as I expected, handsome and talented!"
You Ziming was so angry his teeth threatened to shatter.
When he made a shot, he was 'all brawn and no brain.' When You Rong made one, he was 'amazing, handsome, and talented'?!
There was no doubt about it; Lin Qinghe had deliberately said that for You Ziming to hear.
He had mocked You Rong earlier, and this was her way of returning the favor.
Lin Qinghe picked up the ball and ran to You Rong, handing it to him and giving him a thumbs-up. "Come on! I believe in you!"
Lin Qinghe returned to the hoop to wait. You Rong repeated his previous action: aimed, shot, and scored another perfect three-pointer.
The outcome between You Rong and You Ziming was decided.
Lin Qinghe retrieved the ball and brought it to You Rong, her face beaming. "We won! The last shot wasn't necessary, but to show respect for the opponent, we should finish it. Let them see what someone with both brains and athletic talent looks like."
You Ziming was too angry to speak. He glared ferociously at You Rong and stormed off.
Seeing this, Lin Qinghe shouted, "Don't leave! The match isn't over yet. If you're gone, You Rong's last shot will be meaningless!"
You Ziming heard her and quickened his pace, soon disappearing from the basketball court.
Lin Qinghe snorted and muttered under her breath, "Let's see if you dare to be so arrogant next time! The male lead will teach you how to behave in minutes..."
You Rong tossed the basketball in his hand. It was a casual throw, yet another perfect three-pointer.
You Rong paid it no mind, glancing at Lin Qinghe. A hint of a smile flickered in his eyes. He called out softly, "Let's go, I'll tutor you at the library."
Lin Qinghe looked up and smiled slightly. "Okay! Let's go!"