Chapter 3

Houghton Vocational High School.

American football is the most popular sport at Horton University—the varsity team has repeatedly won national championships and is unparalleled in its popularity. All the boys in the school are proud to join, which has sparked a fitness craze that lasts for years.

This sport has stringent physical requirements: one must be tall and strong. Those who are ultimately selected are all burly, bear-like men, with an average height of 185 cm and a weight of 90 kg or more.

The team members' impressive physiques (or rather, the team's remarkable achievements) also attracted the attention of all the girls in the school. The school formed two competitive cheerleading teams, and girls eagerly signed up, ultimately selecting only the most beautiful and vibrant. They sweated it out in the gym, danced energetically on the sidelines, and gave their all—purely to cheer on the school team and wish them continued success.

Cheerleading has thus become the second most popular "major" on campus.

Every football player exudes an aura of charisma, radiating confidence wherever they go. Mike, as captain and key player, shines with an almost blinding brilliance.

It's said that he's been single due to his busy training schedule. This left the cheerleaders feeling both disappointed and secretly hopeful.

It would be a lie to say that any new student wouldn't be moved by such a prestigious team.

Before the conflict with the olive team, Su Yue had also dreamed of joining.

Not only him, but Martin and John also thought about it—although the two of them really only "thought about it".

Little Fatty Martin is 172cm tall, but his width is too wide, making him completely below the standard. Bamboo Stick John is 179cm, barely passing the standard, but he's so thin his ribs are clearly visible, as if he's been starving for years, and he has absolutely no interest in exercise.

Faced with the prestige of being on the school team, the two were quite self-aware and decided to give up after thinking about it.

Only Su Yue took action.

He is 178 cm tall and weighs 65 kg, which is a standard build. To get into the school team, he trained hard in the gym for three months, five times a week, rain or shine.

Unfortunately, due to his physical condition, the results were quite different—while others lifted weights and drank protein powder, their muscles grew rapidly; he, on the other hand, became leaner and leaner, and although he developed eight-pack abs, his weight tragically dropped to 60 kilograms.

Su Yue was on the verge of tears. If he kept practicing like this, he'd turn into a bamboo pole too!

Fortunately, he was open-minded by nature and didn't force things, so he turned his attention to painting.

Horton High School's art program is highly regarded in the industry, with experienced teachers and high-achieving students who have repeatedly won awards in international painting competitions.

After adjusting his mindset, Su Yue spent every day in his studio, and his skills gradually improved.

He used to paint intuitively, his works full of emotion but lacking depth and with clumsy brushstrokes; now, he has learned to select and compose, his works have clearer themes and are more thought-provoking. His teachers have given him high praise and recommended him to participate in two international competitions, which makes Su Yue feel satisfied. The regret of not being able to join the team has gradually faded away.

However, at that moment, the football team approached him.

Because they had to pass the sports field every day on their way from the teaching building to the art studio, an unexpected conflict quietly began to brew.

It is said that every time he passed by the stadium, the cheerleaders would be watching him.

At first, only two or three people thought that the boy was handsome and clean-cut, and his temperament was out of place in the heated basketball court. He was like a breath of fresh air, refreshing people's eyes.

He passed by regularly every day and noticed that his cheerleaders were increasing in number. After being surrounded by burly, strong men all day, who wouldn't want to take a second look at someone as refreshing as a breeze?

The girls inquired among themselves and learned that he was a freshman at the Academy of Fine Arts named Pat Suyue.

The surname "Pat" is extremely rare. A female tarot enthusiast consulted ancient texts, claiming it originated from an ancient divine race, noble and mysterious. Everyone chimed in with their opinions, conjuring up an image of a nobleman fallen to earth. Each time he was seen gracefully passing by, his figure became even more captivating—the Alps have no shortage of democracy and freedom, but what they lack is precisely this kind of mysterious aristocrat!

At first, the two cheerleading captains, Mira and Isabel, looked down on the "passerby" with disdain.

That small frame of his, even if two of them were stacked together, wouldn't be as big as one substitute on the rugby team!

After seeing it so many times, it gradually became pleasing to the eye. Later on, even before Su Yue appeared, the two captains were already looking around expectantly.

This is outrageous!

Finally, even the rugby players noticed something was wrong—they were no longer the sole focus of the cheerleading squad. Su Yue, however, remained completely oblivious.

Seeing men and women watching him from the sidelines, and several girls waving and greeting him, he was flattered and politely returned a smile. A gentle breeze ruffled the silver hair on his forehead, and that faint smile appeared exceptionally noble and shimmering in the sunlight.

The football team had reached their breaking point: This pretty boy passes by at the same time every day, it's definitely on purpose!

Daring to act arrogantly on their turf? They need to be taught a lesson!

That day, Su Yue had just left the art studio and made an appointment with Martin and John to go to the game store. Before he even stepped out of the art academy, he was blocked in the corridor by seven tall and strong members of the football team.

The other party came at him aggressively and shoved him against the wall in a few moves, leaving him with nowhere to retreat.

Martin and John tried to stop them, but were shoved aside and fell hard. The seven "human walls" formed a tight barrier, and the two of them couldn't get through at all.

Inside the wall, Su Yue's face was deathly pale.

He didn't know what had happened, but he could "see" the other person's emotions churning like black and red flames, a shocking sight.

My arms and chest ached from being shoved—these "bears" had no sense of restraint.

But why exactly?

"You...you have something to say?" Su Yue's voice trembled.

Mike, the leader, smirked and said, "You don't know?"

Those around them lacked such "manners" and directly cursed, "Pretty boy, still pretending to be innocent!"

"They come to the stadium every day to pick up girls, don't they know what their relationship is with the cheerleaders?!"

Su Yue was stunned. Seduction? A complete injustice!

In a life-or-death situation, he forced a smile: "Misunderstanding! It's really a misunderstanding! This is the only way I can get from the teaching building to the art studio. It wasn't intentional. Please forgive me!"

At the same time, he fully activated his psychic abilities, channeling his power into the seven balls of black and red flames, desperately trying to soothe and reduce them.

I quickly thought to myself: Don't be angry... Let's talk this out...

Mike, who was closest to him, indeed saw the black and red flames on his head fade slightly, revealing a calm blue.

Mike looked down at him, still somewhat doubtful: "...Is it really a misunderstanding?"

The other six, however, refused to listen: "Captain, stop wasting your breath on him, beat him up!"

"Yes! Beat them up!"

Su Yue was horrified. He had never fought anyone before, let alone faced seven "bears"—any one of whom could easily crush him.

Amidst the jeers, Mike lived up to expectations, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground, his other hand clenched into a fist—

In desperation, Su Yue activated his mind control with all his might, frantically chanting in his mind: Don't hit me... We're friends, friends! ...We're good friends, very, very good friends...

Having not used his powers for a long time, he suddenly exerted himself and felt exhausted and dizzy.

Forget it... Su Yue closed his eyes, preparing to tough it out.

The next moment, Mike suddenly pulled him closer and kissed his lips.