Chapter 32: Wait, Our Ball

"Why can't it be me? Zhao Xu, you really think highly of yourself. Do you still remember the family rules of the Zhao family?"

"Yes! Yes! Big brother, I won't dare again!" Zhao Xu was on the verge of tears. Who would have thought that this bodyguard before him really knew his big brother, and seemed to have quite a decent relationship.

"Come straight home after military training and stay in confinement for a few days. Also, you're not allowed to approach anyone from the Dongfang family during this time, do you hear me?" Zhao Long's voice came through, leaving Zhao Xu utterly crestfallen.

"Yes, big brother!"

After hanging up, Zhao Xu waved his hand with a miserable expression, "Let's go, we're done here." Having answered that call, he went from fierce tiger to sick kitten in the blink of an eye. The other boys looked at one another in confusion but didn't dare ask, each casting a reverent glance at Qin Xuan before leaving.

Of course, before they departed, they made sure to take one last careful look at Liu Qianqian. After all, a campus beauty on this level was rarely seen.

"Bye-bye, bye-bye~" Liu Qianqian leaned against the fence of the court, cheerfully waving at the dozen or so boys leaving. Their faces lit up with delight—when would a campus beauty ever greet them?

So, apart from Zhao Xu, everyone else left in high spirits.

Once Zhao Xu had taken his minions away, the court suddenly felt much more spacious. Dongfang Wenhao stared in disbelief. Who would have thought that his new, brash basketball friend would be scared off by a single phone call from Qin Xuan?

"Qin Xuan, did you just say you know Zhao Long?" Dongfang Wenhao bit his lip. He’d never known this. Besides meeting at Qixia Villa, he’d only run into Qin Xuan when registering at school, and since then, he’d been living in the dorms.

With his passion for basketball, he had no time to follow the school forums, and Dongfang Qingwan certainly wouldn’t go out of her way to tell him either. So, he’d had no idea that Qin Xuan actually knew Zhao Long.

"Yes, he's my senior," Qin Xuan replied with a smile. "How do you know Zhao Xu?"

"We're in the same class—how could I not know him?" Dongfang Wenhao grumbled, "Qin Xuan, let's set some ground rules. I won't give you trouble anymore, but you can't meddle in my affairs either, agreed?"

"So just now you were trying to cause trouble for me?" Qin Xuan had already guessed, but wanted to be sure.

Dongfang Wenhao admitted it frankly, "I wanted to test your mettle, but who knew Zhao Xu would go so hard? He nearly scared me to death."

"It's good you know when to be scared. Don't follow him in messing around." Qin Xuan patted his head, thinking this guy had his merits—he was at least straightforward.

"Don't touch me, I'm not into that," Dongfang Wenhao instantly retreated a step.

Qin Xuan couldn't help but laugh. How had he not noticed this kid was so slippery before?

Just then, Dongfang Wenhao caught sight of another group entering the basketball court and his eyes lit up.

"Those idiots from Business Management are here! Guys, get ready!" Dongfang Wenhao shouted, suddenly fired up. The boys behind him all brightened, eager for action.

"Hah! The fools from Marketing are so early, just waiting to be crushed?" A familiar voice came from behind. Qin Xuan turned to see who it was.

A slightly sleazy-looking young man led a group of about a dozen boys onto the court. Qin Xuan recognized him immediately—wasn't that Zhou Xiaoyu?

Only then did Qin Xuan remember he hadn't told him about settling the class monitor issue yet.

"The ones getting crushed will be you! Long live Marketing!" a boy behind Dongfang Wenhao shouted.

"Long live Marketing!" The cry shook the court, leaving Qin Xuan a little stunned. Dongfang Wenhao was clearly from Marketing, and judging from this, there seemed to be some rivalry between Business Management and Marketing.

Zhou Xiaoyu's group instantly bristled.

Even before they entered the court, they had noticed Liu Qianqian's graceful figure and had been speculating about what kind of girl she was. Now, seeing her in person, they were even more motivated to win.

With a beauty on the sidelines, how could they not give it their all?

"Business Management forever!" Zhou Xiaoyu shouted with excitement, his voice ringing out, "Marketing is trash!"

"Marketing is trash!" echoed his group.

The two sides squared off, each ready to charge. Just then, Zhou Xiaoyu spotted Qin Xuan and his eyes lit up, though he quickly frowned, "Hey, what are you doing hanging out with the Marketing crowd?"

"Had a little matter to settle. What are you guys doing here?" Qin Xuan asked, noticing their battle-ready stance.

"Man, you're in our Business Management class and you don't even know?" Zhou Xiaoyu shot him a look of disdain.

"Isn't this normal? I've been busy helping you with the class monitor thing."

"Class monitor?" At this, Zhou Xiaoyu’s demeanor changed immediately. He hurried over, "So, how'd it go? Did you settle it?"

"Of course. Don’t forget what you promised to call me," Qin Xuan replied confidently.

"Really? You settled it?" Zhou Xiaoyu was skeptical at first, but soon broke into a grin. "Alright. Boss, I believe you. I might not have many virtues, but I always have my brothers’ backs."

Qin Xuan was a bit surprised by his straightforwardness; he’d expected him to wait until the class monitor position was official before keeping his promise. But Zhou Xiaoyu’s easy trust made him even more satisfied with this brother, sleazy looks aside, his character was indeed generous.

"So, what’s this all about?" Qin Xuan asked, standing between Zhou Xiaoyu and Dongfang Wenhao, glancing at them both.

Zhou Xiaoyu grinned slyly, "Yesterday, we played basketball against the Marketing guys. They lost but refused to accept it, saying their team wasn’t complete. I want to see what kind of players they’ve got."

"Hmph, losing once is nothing. If you can win today, I’ll go out of my way to avoid you from now on," Dongfang Wenhao retorted.

"Big talk means nothing. Let's see what you’ve got on the court. By the way, I ran into Zhao Xu earlier—what happened? He left before I even got here." Zhou Xiaoyu, now inspecting the other team, was puzzled.

One look and he was shocked.

Though Zhao Xu had left with his followers, it was clear that Dongfang Wenhao’s Marketing lineup still had its main force. Especially those two tall, athletic recruits—they looked absolutely fierce.

"Damn, how could I forget? Marketing has athletic recruits!" Zhou Xiaoyu groaned, suddenly feeling that today’s match would be a tough one.

"Well, you guys get started. I’ll be heading off," Qin Xuan waved, ready to leave. Liu Qianqian, though enjoying the lively atmosphere, was of course going to follow him, so she turned to go as well.

"Wait, our ball!"

A tall figure behind Dongfang Wenhao shouted—it was one of the Marketing team's basketball recruits. He’d been staring at Liu Qianqian for ages, and speaking up now was really just an excuse to get closer.

Liu Qianqian, holding the basketball, turned to see a tall, handsome young man approaching with a brilliant smile on his face.