0049 Straight-line three-pointer
The meal ended before seven o'clock, and Feng Jing and Lin Qianqian decided to go home separately. Qu Zhong didn't want to go back so early, so she suggested to Zhai Shi that they take a walk on the campus of H University across the street.
Zhai nodded and said, "As you wish."
H University was originally a church school, and its buildings are antique, blending Chinese and Western styles, with a strong humanistic atmosphere. An arched bridge divides the entire graduate campus into two areas, east and west, with the Suzhou Canal flowing gently beneath it, earning it the reputation of a "Shanghai Cultural Relics Protection Unit".
During her graduate studies, Qu Zhong often saw people from outside the university taking photos and feeding cats on campus. At the time, she found it puzzling, wondering what was so interesting about this old, run-down campus. Now that she has graduated, she feels quite nostalgic, and even feels a bit apprehensive as she walks to the gate.
After greeting the security guard, Qu Zhong transformed into a tour guide, host, and narrator as soon as she stepped into the school gate, holding Zhai's arm and talking non-stop.
Of course, it wasn't all good stuff; there were plenty of complaints too. For example, her dorm room didn't have a private bathroom, so every day she had to carry a bath basket across the bridge to the public bathhouse. On the way back to her dorm after bathing, in the summer she'd be drenched in sweat, making the bath seem pointless, and in the winter her head would freeze solid, making her look like a fool.
This was entirely Qu Zhong's domain, so she talked about everything under the sun, without stopping. Zhai would occasionally offer a brief comment, but most of the time she played the role of a listener.
Duzhi Tower, Shanfa Tower, Mingli Tower… Qu Zhong spoke as she walked with Zhai Shi, step by step, along the paths she had trod countless times before. It was as if she were leading him to meet some of her other close friends besides Feng Jing and Lin Qianqian.
Along the way, they saw many students, mostly younger students from Quzhong. Some were carrying laptop bags and books, heading towards Taoguang Building; others were squatting by the roadside, whispering to their cats. Of course, the campus was never short of couples cuddling and whispering sweet nothings in front of the dormitories.
Upon seeing this, Qu Zhong exclaimed "Eh!" and was about to say something like "it violates public order and good morals" when Zhai Shi quietly inserted his five fingers into hers and held them tightly with great force.
Uh... is this the legendary "if you can't beat them, join them"?
Unable to resist and unwilling to pull her hand away, Qu Zhong simply gripped it back, even gently scratching his hand between her thumb and forefinger with her thumb. Then she heard Zhai Shi chuckle softly and ask, "How did I do today?"
Qu Zhong didn't understand which he was referring to: "What performance? The court hearing or the meal?"
Zhai said: "We have both."
"Eating..." Qu Zhong decided to talk about the latter first because it happened more recently and left a deeper impression on her, "It was a direct failure."
She looked every bit the exasperated tutor scolding her students: "How come you couldn't answer a single question because of their jokes?"
When we argue, aren't we always full of witty remarks?
Zhai defended himself, saying, "Wasn't that to leave a good impression on your friends?"
Tch—an excuse.
Qu Zhong gently swung his hand, continuing to walk forward like on a swing. But her pace noticeably slowed down, because she didn't want to reach the end so quickly.
Zhai followed her step, then asked, "What about the court hearing?"
"Hmm..." Qu Zhong hesitated for a few seconds, then pretended to be troubled: "It's hard to say, I didn't listen carefully."
Zhai stopped, glanced at her sideways, his eyes scrutinizing her as if judging her: "So what were you doing sitting down there for so long?"
Qu Zhong said matter-of-factly, "Of course it's about looks. Who in their right mind would watch a court hearing?"
"..."
The public interest litigation hearing in the afternoon was, to be honest, quite boring. The defendant company didn't hire a lawyer; their legal representative appeared in court in person. He didn't seem to know much about the law and accepted all three of Zhai's claims. The entire hearing lasted several tens of minutes, mostly procedural proceedings; there wasn't much adversarial element, and it wasn't very entertaining.
Zhai had assumed she would say she was secretly playing on her phone, dozing off, or chatting with friends. But Qu Zhong's answer completely shut down any criticism he could muster.
She said she had been watching him the whole time, for almost an hour...
Zhai remained silent, but Qu Zhong let out a laugh through her nose, took a step forward, and looked up into his eyes: "What, are you shy?"
Thankfully it was nighttime and the streetlights weren't very bright, so the blush on Zhai's face was completely hidden by the darkness. She only managed to ask in a low voice, "You like my face?"
Qu Zhong raised the corners of her mouth, her eyes seemingly sparkling: "Yes, would you believe me if I said I fell in love with you at first sight?"
Zhai kept his eyes down, didn't speak, and stared at her with a half-smile.
"What's wrong?"
"If what you said is true, I will be a hundred times happier."
Ah... Qu Zhong choked for a moment. What's going on with this guy? He's clearly an insatiable old driver, but now he's suddenly turned into an incredibly innocent male college student who would feel guilty if she continued to tease him.
Qu Zhong didn't say anything more, but just pulled him along and continued walking. When they reached the back of the cafeteria, her steps became more cheerful.
This is a display wall with faded old photos that document the origins, history, predecessors, and present of this political and legal university.
The campus experiences of our predecessors, along with their profound legal theories, are preserved here, passed down from generation to generation, ensuring their continued vitality.
As you look further in, the photos turn into color—brand new, vibrant, and youthful colors. New forces are springing up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, growing strong and healthy.
Qu Zhong excitedly pointed to a shop window: "My photo from three years ago is still here, because I received an outstanding graduation thesis award."
However, so much time has passed that the faces on it have now been replaced by new ones she doesn't recognize.
Seeing that Zhai was just staring at the shop window without any other reaction, Qu Zhong glared at him and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Zhai couldn't help but think, "Why didn't I meet you sooner? I wonder what you were like when you were in school."
Is she still as confident, radiant, and charming as she is now, or perhaps even more so?
Wearing a formal suit, with a youthful yet arrogant face, they went to participate in mock trials, debates, and give presentations on the podium—doing all the things that law students do.
Will he and she still become rivals, teammates, and lovers...?
He was getting lost in thought when Qu Zhong interrupted him, ruining the atmosphere: "Stop. How could I have had the chance to meet you when I was in school?"
His alma mater is the renowned F University, one of the top 985 universities in the country. According to Lin Qianqian, those from non-985 universities are indeed far behind.
As she spoke, Qu Zhong's expression suddenly turned serious, and she called him by his full name, "Zhai Shi, I need you to answer one question for me. You must answer truthfully and not lie to me."
Zhai stood up straight and turned his gaze: "You speak."
"Which do you think is the best law school in Shanghai?" After asking that, she probably realized the scope was too broad, so she narrowed it down to the comparative degree, "Is it your F University, or our H University?"
"this……"
A century-old problem.
Which is better, the law school of a 985 university or the law school of a political science and law university? Students from F University and H University have argued about this a lot, each claiming that their school is superior.
Zhai was stumped by the question and remained silent for a long time. Qu Zhong was quite dissatisfied: "What? Do you need to think about it for so long?"
He paused for a moment, then finally spoke, turning a multiple-choice question into a subjective one: "I think there's no comparison."
"Oh..." Qu Zhong wouldn't let him off so easily, she snorted, "You high-achieving student, you look down on us 'four non-students'."
“That’s not what I meant.” Zhai elaborated on his points, his logic impeccable, offending neither side. “Your school is called the University of Political Science and Law, and everyone knows how strong its professionalism is. We, on the other hand, only have one law school, and the scale is completely different.”
Qu Zhong scoffed, expressing his dissatisfaction with his equivocal answer.
Zhai smiled noticeably, then leaned over and hugged her in front of the shop window, whispering in her ear, "No matter which one is better, in my heart, Qu Zhong, who came from law school, is the most professional and unique criminal defense lawyer."
One second he couldn't decide which of the two universities was better. The next second, he used two superlatives on her without hesitation.
He could always utter such romantic words so easily. There weren't many fancy phrases, but they still managed to stir a deep sense of excitement.
Perhaps it was because his eyes were so sincere that the words he spoke always seemed to have an added layer of buff, a genuine enchantment, dazzling and mesmerizing.
Although Qu Zhong was nestled against his chest and couldn't see anything, she was quite certain of it, and laughed so hard her shoulders shrugged slightly: "You're so cheesy."
Zhai pressed her even tighter: "Everything I said is true."
"..."
The end of this walk is the corner behind the basketball court.
They met on the H University campus that time, and they stood in this spot.
At that time, the two of them were in an awkward cold war, arguing with words that didn't reflect their true feelings.
And now, they are kissing with complete absorption.
At that moment, someone scored a crucial goal on the field, tying the score, and was running around the field, high-fiving and cheering with his teammates.
Between breaths, foreheads touching, Zhai's deep voice slowly rose, light as raindrops pattering on leaves, yet seemingly dispelling everyone on the court in an instant.
He was the only one left, standing conspicuously outside the three-point line.
My heart is like a basketball hoop.
He jumped, flicked his wrist, and threw the ball—all in one fluid motion.
"How about you move in with me this week?"
"I'll pay the penalty for breach of contract."
Clang—
A beautiful three-pointer.
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