Ball Games

There were three regular classes and a period for self-study in the afternoon. Chen'an's enhanced mental sharpness was a boon to him throughout all of them. In general, classes were no longer an ordeal for him, even if they were Chinese and English.

After their third afternoon class ended, the entire third-year cohort commenced their self-study, during which students could choose to revise content in their books or complete their homework. Chen'an went with the former, opening his English textbook.

Beside him, Lu Gang had ceased playing games on his phone and begun working on a physics paper. Although Lu Gang's overall results were slightly beneath Chen An's, they were relatively on par when it came to physics and mathematics. Every day, he would complete his physics and mathematics homework on time. As for English and Chinese, he would copy Gao Tianjie or Jiang Min's homework; the two girls' language prowess far exceeded both of theirs.

If only they could marry their complementary skills together–even if they couldn't make it into Imperial College, they would have plenty of choices. It was a problem for many of their classmates, unfortunately; not many students in Class 37 could boast about being all-rounders.

The entire class slowly fell into the rigor of their own self-study. Even the weaker students like Lu Gang had their preferred subjects to work on. The atmosphere of learning was almost immersive, and time flew by quickly. Only when the period drew to a close did people begin to stir. Even if their form teacher surprised them with an inspection, he would be disappointed.

As everyone waited for the bell to ring, a figure appeared in the corridor outside the classroom.

The student seated near the front door had been keeping an eye out for him, so he instantly went alert. He looked back at Chen'an, anxiety gnawing at his heart.

"Chen'an," he called in a low voice. "I think Pan Yuguan is here for you."

Everyone's heads turned to Chen'an, and he slowly lifted his eyes from his textbook.

Pan Yuguan stood in the doorway. He couldn't spot Chen'an, who was seated all the way at the back, but it didn't hurt to remind the rest of them who they were dealing with.

He hurled his basketball to the ground with a loud thump, causing everyone's gazes to snap to him. "Tell Chen'an to meet me on the basketball court after the period ends."

With that, he walked away, leaving them to the uproar that gradually rose to life amongst them.

He had no doubt his challenge had left an impression on them.

***

Lu Gang looked at Chen'an worriedly. "I think he's challenging you to a basketball match." His voice was quiet, laced with guilt at having implicated his friend.

"Oh, trust me, he is," Chen'an replied.

"What do we do? You're a little better than me at basketball, but I don't think you're a match for a sports student… right?"

Chen'an side-eyed him. "You'd be surprised. No offense, but I could take on ten of you."

"I'm not talking about those basketball games we used to play in the arcade."

"Screw off."

They shared a laugh before Lu Gang turned serious. "Everyone going to the cafeteria has to pass by the basketball court. Pan Yuguan wants to humiliate you in front of the entire school. Is he an asshole or what?"

"I'd say so. But we don't know for sure that he's better than me."

Not to brag, but Chen'an had played plenty of ball games since graduation: table tennis, volleyball, and football. Of course, they were all different from each other and basketball, but it was better than nothing. On the other hand, Pan Yuguan was just a high school student; how much experience could he have?

Although, Chen'an had to admit, most of his time playing basketball had been limited to high school and university.

His confidence was contagious. Lu Gang's excitement flared to life. "That's true. If you beat Pan Yuguan, he won't have the guts to bother you again!"

Chen'an pursed his lips. "I've been starving all afternoon. He can wait on the court, unless he can find someone to indulge him in a match in the meantime. We'll eat first."

The bell rang, and they immediately headed out by the back door, knowing full well of the congestion that tended to happen at the front door.

***

As it turned out, using one's brain was more taxing than most people gave it credit for–especially since Chen'an had run 1km and participated in a 200m sprint earlier.

His stomach was growling. If he hadn't eaten Gao Tianjie's melon-flavored chips after their second period, he would probably have been too hungry to revise English during their self-study class.

It was a pity that the canteen vendor's hands were shaking non-stop, turning her braised pork with a spoonful of bamboo shoots into mere broth. Fortunately, Lu Gang was big-hearted enough to use his meal card to buy Chen'an a large chicken drumstick, as thanks for having his back today.

Needless to say, Chen'an was pleased. He was less gratified when he turned around and saw Lu Gang happily munching on three large drumsticks.

He stared at his friend, unamused.

***

As they enjoyed their food and the warmth of the cafeteria, a lone figure waited on the basketball court.

It was mid-March, so it was chilly, and the sun set earlier than usual, which meant that what had been a pleasantly cool breeze had turned into a bone-bitingly cold wind.

A sneeze pierced the silence.

"Damn that Chen'an! Why isn't he here yet?"

In order to lend his skills the most optimal conditions, Pan Yuguan had donned his sports attire. If the match had started, he wouldn't have felt the cold–but here he was, standing alone in the cold wind.

Another sneeze.

"What if he doesn't show his face?"

Between sniffs, Pan Yuguan surveyed the students streaming by. There were too many of them; he couldn't find Chen'an.

It wasn't until students started returning after finishing their meals did Pan Yuguan realize he'd been stood up.

"How dare that bastard make me look like an idiot!"