Basketball game, lemonade, and special cheering
The March sun began to warm, and the cherry blossom trees on campus sprouted delicate pink buds. The annual campus basketball league kicked off, and as the ace of the science class, Jiang Qi naturally became the absolute mainstay of the class basketball team.
"Bro! You have to beat that arrogant captain of Class 3 to a pulp!" Jiang Zhao, sprawled on his desk, gesticulated wildly at Jiang Qi in the front row. "Last time they actually said our class had no one!"
Jiang Qi was organizing her notes, not even looking up, and simply said, "Hmm."
Su An glanced at Jiang Qi's hand—the scrape from the last PE class had already scabbed over. He hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Is your knee... alright?"
Jiang Qi turned to look at him, her eyes softening: "It's alright now."
Lin Jun handed over a tactics manual from behind: "Brother Qi, this is a video analysis of Class 3's recent games."
Jiang Zhao's eyes widened: "Brother Jun, when did you do this analysis?"
"Last night," Lin Jun said casually, "we can't let your brother fight an unprepared battle."
On the afternoon of the first game, the entire basketball court was packed. Jiang Qi was warming up on the court, his tall, slender figure standing out in the sunlight. Many girls in the stands were already whispering amongst themselves, their eyes following him.
Su An, Jiang Zhao, and Lin Jun sat in the front row. Jiang Zhao excitedly waved a small flag he had somehow gotten his hands on, while Su An nervously clutched a bottle of water—lemonade he had brought specially, remembering that Jiang Qi had said she liked the taste.
"Don't be nervous," Lin Jun noticed Su An's unease and whispered, "Brother Qi is a very steady player."
As soon as the game began, Jiang Qi displayed astonishing skill. His drives, layups, and long-range shots were clean and efficient, quickly leading his class to the lead. Every time he scored, the stands erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
During halftime, Jiang Qi walked towards the stands. Sweat trickled down his jawline, dampening the stray hairs on his forehead. Under everyone's gaze, he walked straight up to Su An.
“Water,” he said simply, his gaze tender.
Su An hurriedly handed over the prepared lemonade. Jiang Qi took it, unscrewed the cap, took a few sips, and then naturally handed the bottle back to Su An.
"Sweet," he said, looking at Su An, though it was unclear whether he was referring to the water or something else.
A burst of suggestive teasing erupted around them. Su An's face flushed instantly, and her fingertips burned as she took the water bottle.
Before the start of the second half, Jiang Qi suddenly turned around and said to Su An, "Wait for me to win."
Those three words seemed to possess a magical power, causing Su An's heart to suddenly race. He nodded vigorously: "Go for it!"
The game entered a heated phase. Just as Lin Jun had predicted, Class 3 began double-teaming Jiang Qi. In a fierce confrontation, Jiang Qi was knocked to the ground by an opposing player.
"Brother!" Jiang Zhao suddenly stood up.
Su An's heart clenched. He saw Jiang Qi frown and rub her wrist, but she quickly stood up and signaled to the referee to continue the match.
In the following game, Jiang Qi played even more aggressively. His drives, passes, and steals were all clean and precise. In the crucial final moments, he sealed the victory with a beautiful three-pointer.
The stadium erupted in cheers the moment the final whistle blew. The team members excitedly surrounded Jiang Qi to celebrate, but Jiang Qi pushed through the crowd and walked back towards the stands.
Under everyone's gaze, he stopped in front of Su An and bowed slightly: "You won."
Sweat dripped from his forehead, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. Su An looked at him, suddenly mustered her courage, and took out a tissue to gently wipe the sweat from his forehead.
This action only fueled the cheers from those around them. Jiang Qi paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared in her eyes as she let Su An do as he pleased.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Jiang Zhao shook his head from behind, "This stench of love!"
Lin Jun pressed him back into his seat: "Haven't you been looking forward to this day?"
"You can't show off like that!" Jiang Zhao complained, but his eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.
After the game, the four of them went home together. Jiang Qi and Su An walked in front, while Jiang Zhao and Lin Jun followed behind.
"Is your hand really okay?" Su An asked, still worried.
Jiang Qi stretched out her right hand in front of him: "Check it."
Su An gently grasped his wrist and examined it carefully: "It seems a little red..."
"It doesn't hurt." Jiang Qi took his fingers in her hand. "The lemonade you gave me was very sweet."
Behind them, Jiang Zhao was imitating them: "'The lemonade you gave me is very sweet~'" he said in a high-pitched voice.
Lin Jun looked at him amusedly: "You want some lemonade too?"
"No way!" Jiang Zhao pouted, then suddenly remembered something, "Brother Jun, our class has a competition next week, will you come to watch?"
"Of course." Lin Jun casually ruffled his hair. "I'm rooting for you."
Jiang Zhao's eyes lit up immediately: "Then do you want to bring me water too?"
"Dream on," Lin Jun said, but a smile played in her eyes.
When they reached the fork in the road, Jiang Qi asked Su An, "Would you like porridge or steamed buns for breakfast tomorrow?"
“Either is fine…” Su An said softly.
“I’ll buy them all.” Jiang Qi’s tone was very natural.
After Jiang Qi and Lin Jun left, Jiang Zhao put his arm around Su An's shoulder and said, "Wow, Su An'an! Now you even take the initiative to wipe my brother's sweat!"
Su An pushed him away, embarrassed, saying, "Don't talk nonsense..."
"I'm not exaggerating! That eye contact you two just had, wow, sparks flew!" Jiang Zhao gestured exaggeratedly. "You've finally melted that iceberg that's been blocking my brother's heart!"
When Su An got home, she received a message from Jiang Qi: "Your wrist doesn't hurt, don't worry."
Then he sent another message: "The lemonade is delicious, I want to drink it again tomorrow."
Holding her phone, Su An couldn't help but smile: "Okay, I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhao was rummaging through drawers and cabinets at home.
"What are you looking for?" Mom asked curiously.
"Find my sports water bottle!" Jiang Zhao said without looking up. "I need it for the competition next week!"
He actually remembered very clearly that the water bottle was on top of the wardrobe. He just needed to find a reason to explain why he was suddenly so interested in the basketball game.
Perhaps he also began to look forward to someone's focused gaze from the stands and a simple "You played well" after the game.
The spring breeze gently blows through the campus, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The thoughts of the teenagers soar on the sports field, settle in the sweetness of lemonade, and quietly blossom in every moment of smiling at each other.
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