When I reached the indoor gym, though, the noise almost knocked me backward.
Crowds of girls packed tightly around the bleachers, screaming one name over and over.
Not hard to guess whose.
Basketball game. Zhou Yichen.
I knew he was popular.
But I didn’t know he was this popular.
The atmosphere was like a boyband concert. Shrill declarations raining left and right. Competition violence level: devastating. And I wasn’t even in the right gender bracket.
Slumping, I found a corner seat, trying to tamp down the growing insecurity swirling inside.
Still, my gaze had a mind of its own.
And of course it landed on him.
Sweat dampened his shirt, plastering fabric to firm muscle, his body in constant motion under the fluorescent lights. After a sharp dunk, his jersey flew up, revealing a strip of abs defined enough to provoke an actual earthquake of screaming.
"Holy look at Zhou Yichen’s body.... I’d lick that sweat right off him."
"What type of girls do you think he likes? Maybe I’ve got a chance."
"Ha, doubt it. He’s never dated anyone, like, ever. Probably saving himself for some perfect goddess."
"Oh my god, after this game I’m 100% confessing. Wish me luck, sisters."
My lips pressed thin, ears catching every word.
And then he looked this way.
Right at me.
Our eyes tangled. For a microsecond, his whole expression lightened like a secret smile tugged at his lips.
When he stopped to catch his breath, I quickly raised a hand and gave him a cheesy thumbs-up.
For a stunned two seconds, he paused. Then as if electrified he sprang to life.
The rest of the game was a demolition show, every move too sharp, like he was peacocking just for me.
They won. Fast.
After high-fiving teammates, Yichen strode right past rows of squealing girls, straight toward me.
Noticing the half-empty water bottle in my hand, his eyes lit up. He grinned, panting.
"You bought this for me?"
The way he said it hopeful, too bright, too much like a puppy begging for praise nearly destroyed me.
If only it were true. But it wasn’t.
I shook my head, embarrassed. "It’s mine. Sorry. I didn’t know you had a game today. I’ll run to the vending machine. "
"No need," he cut me off. His hand snatched the bottle lightning-fast.
Before I could stop him, he unscrewed it, tipped his head back, and downed every drop that remained.
The line of his throat flexed, sweat sliding along taut skin.
Finished, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and chuckled, voice low:
"Mm. Sweet."
I blinked. My heart squeezed strangely tight.
God, when Zhou Yichen smiled like that he was lethal.
"Zhou Yichen," a soft female voice piped up suddenly from the side.
I flinched.
It was the girl I’d overheard earlier one of his cheering shouters.
"Do you want to grab dinner? Just us? I have something I’d really like to tell you."
Her shy gaze burned on him, vulnerable and brimming with hope.
He opened his mouth to reply. I panicked.
"He can’t," I blurted out, way too fast. "He’s already got dinner plans. With me."
The silence slapped me.
She turned slowly, noticing me for the first time. Her eyes flicked from my flushed face to Yichen’s looming presence, suspicion dawning.
Well done, Ansheng. Instead of saying "with the dorm," you said it like a jealous spouse.
"Zhou Yichen?" she pressed him anxiously.
Heart crashing inside my chest, I half-yanked his sleeve, muttering desperately, "Bro. Back me up here."
He blinked, then suddenly smiled. His arm slung around my shoulder like it belonged there.
"Yeah. He’s right. I’ve already got plans. And even if I didn’t, I don’t eat with strangers."
The girl flushed scarlet. I winced, avoiding her eyes.
But Yichen? He practically floated through his post-game shower and all the way to the barbecue place, his lips still tipped in that smile.
It was just dinner. Just me treating him.
What was he so damn happy about?
Not that I minded. Secretly, I liked it. Maybe this was the trick. Keep buying him food, keep watching that rare happiness unfold.
Chapter 04
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