The early winter mist lingered on the eaves of Shenzhen’s old buildings, and the air was as clear as iced glass.
Ning Xiwan wrapped herself tightly in her off-white cashmere scarf, but her steps were as brisk as a bird that had escaped from a cage, and the fallen leaves under her feet made a crisp sound.
The loose maple-leaf red sweater stood out as a bright color in the gray morning light, making her skin look even whiter.
"Wanwan! This way!" Tian Tianmao waved stealthily from behind the holly bushes on the side of the School of Life Sciences building, holding two thick books as a cover. "Have you got the leave note?"
Ning Xiwan slipped over and proudly shook the screen of her mobile phone. On it was a freshly-made, realistic-looking text message of "Notification of Supervisor's Emergency Experimental Meeting".
"Done! Old Zhang was taken into the city as a soldier today. There's no trace of him!"
Tian Tian gave a thumbs-up in admiration: "Amazing! You even skipped Nun Miejue's molecular biology class just to watch your 'son' play. What a warrior!"
"What son? He's my son Qingliu!" Ning Xiwan glared with her almond-shaped eyes, then bent them again, with a cunning light flashing in her eyes.
"Besides, this is his last city-wide finals match of his high school career, and his opponent is those arrogant guys from No. 2 Middle School next door. If I don't go there and cheer, I'd be a complete 'guardian'."
She deliberately emphasized the word "guardian" with a hint of sarcasm.
"Okay, okay, your Qingliu is the best!" Su Xiao smiled and took her arm. "Come on, come on, if we're any later the good seats will be taken by the Ye family's young master's fan club! I heard that the No. 1 Middle School gymnasium will be packed today!"
The two of them slipped out of the school gate in the flow of people leaving get out of class, and a taxi took them straight to the city's No. 1 Quanxin Middle School.
No. 1 Middle School Gymnasium.
With half an hour left until tip-off, the gym was already buzzing with heat. The massive electronic scoreboard flickered coldly, and the air was thick with the whirring aroma of rubber flooring, sweat, and the throbbing whiff of youthful energy.
The stands were packed, and school uniforms of various colors formed a colorful river. Homemade banners and cheering sticks waved like enthusiastic waves.
Ning Xiwan and Tian Tian grabbed two valuable spots in the stands near the back of the No. 1 Middle School bench.
As soon as her eyes swept across the noisy venue, Ning Xiwan's gaze was firmly locked on that familiar figure.
Ye Qingliu stood at the top of the three-point arc, his dark blue and white No. 1 Middle School jersey outlining his lean, upright figure. He didn't join his teammates in their noisy warm-up dribbling, but dribbled the ball alone.
The orange basketball shuttled and bounced deftly between his slender fingers, behind his back, and between his crotch. Every touch of the ball was accompanied by a precise and restrained sense of power, like the calibration of a precision instrument.
He lowered his head slightly, and the slightly longer hair on his forehead covered part of his eyebrows, revealing only his cold jaw and tightly pursed thin lips.
The running, shouting, and noise around him seemed to be blocked out by an invisible barrier, and he was as calm as the eye of a storm.
The flower on the high mountain, even in the bustling crowd, has a cold and cold air that keeps strangers away.
Ning Xiwan's lips curled up unconsciously, with a mother's satisfaction. At this moment, a gentle, clear, yet penetrating voice rang out:
"Qingliu! Come on!"
Ye Qingliu's hand spinning the ball paused almost imperceptibly, and he looked up at the sound.
Next to the No. 1 Middle School bench, closest to the sidelines, sat Bai Zhiye. With shoulder-length, smooth black hair and a fair, delicate face, her temperament was as gentle as a pool of spring water.
She was wearing the neat Quanxin No. 1 Middle School uniform, holding a thermos cup and a clean white towel in her hands. She was smiling and waving at Ye Qingliu, her eyes full of undisguised trust and concern.
The usual layer of frost on Ye Qingliu's face melted a little the moment Bai Zhiye looked over, like the first snow kissed by the sun.
He nodded slightly, a barely perceptible warmth flashing across his gray-blue eyes, and then he lowered his head again, concentrating on the ball in his hand.
This silent communication carries a tacit understanding that is difficult for others to interfere with.
"Tsk, the aura of the queen." Tian Tian whispered teasingly in Ning Xiwan's ear.
Ning Xiwan smiled and patted her: "Don't be so funny, Naizi is so good."
However, this harmony did not last. A gaze as sharp as an ice blade shot across from the relatively empty VIP seats across the way, pinpointing Bai Zhiye with precision.
Ye Fanshuang.
She was sitting alone, not wearing her school uniform, but a well-tailored smoky grey cashmere coat, her long jet-black hair meticulously groomed, her makeup exquisite and perfect, yet she exuded a cold and aloof air that kept people at a distance.
She folded her arms, her chin slightly raised, her posture as proud as a queen inspecting her territory. Her beautiful phoenix eyes were now scrutinizing Bai Zhiye with undisguised criticism, disdain, and a hint of deep-seated, offended anger.
Ye Fanshuang's feelings for Ye Qingliu were the most secret treasure in her heart, known only to a few in her circle. She was used to being in control, used to being the center of attention, used to the position next to Ye Qingliu that should have belonged to her.
Bai Zhiye, a seemingly ordinary girl, became the most glaring flaw in her perfect script.
"Brother--!! Over here, over here! You're the most handsome!!!"
A voice full of energy and extremely sweetness exploded like a small cannonball, instantly dispersing the condensed aura created by Ye Fanshuang.
Hua Jinyue, wearing the pink and white No. 1 Middle School uniform and with fluffy twin ponytails, came skipping and jumping from the passage like a lively little deer, aiming directly at Ye Qingliu.
She has a sweet baby face and big, sparkling eyes filled with stars. She is Ye Qingliu's half-sister.
Hua Jinyue ignored everyone, including Ye Fanshuang's cold gaze and Bai Zhiye's gentle smile, and rushed to the side of the field closest to Ye Qingliu, with her hands cupped to her mouth.
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