Just You Wait

The sky gradually darkened. After they were done eating, Chen'an and Lu Gang started walking back to class.

Perhaps it was his imagination, but Chen'an's appetite had seemed even heartier during the meal, just as his sense of taste felt more acute. The food in the school cafeteria hadn't changed much in the past three years, so he was familiar with how the dishes tasted. But today, his braised pork with bamboo shoots had gone from mediocre to delicious–more fragrant, somehow, just like the drumstick Lu Gang had bought him.

In one bite, the two flavors had melded together in an appetizing blend.

He guessed that it might have something to do with his increased Agility, enhancing the keenness of his taste buds as well as his reflexes.

Not that the food hadn't been passable to begin with, since the school didn't outsource their cafeteria vendors.

"Don't you think they ought to switch up their menu? It's been three years, and the food is still the same," Lu Gang complained, picking at his teeth. He had a hungry ghost's bottomless pit of a stomach.

"If you hate it, I can help you finish it next time."

"No thanks." Lu Gang dismissed his offer with a wave of his hand. "I don't want to starve to death in class."

A figure stepped in their path.

It was Pan Yuguan, looking utterly livid.

Tension thickened the air for an instant.

Then Pan Yuguan's nose wrinkled. A hint of snot began to drip from his nostril; he sucked it up quickly. "I thought I told you to meet me at the court," he said darkly.

"When did I ever make that promise?" Chen'an asked innocently.

"You–" Pan Yuguan's eyes widened. "I told you to meet me here! Do you know how long I've been waiting?" The thought alone aggrieved him.

He had felt like an utter fool, standing alone on the court with the third-year students eying him like he was a strange specimen in a cage.

All that, for Chen'an to treat him with such blithe dismissal?

Pan Yuguan's temper surged to life. "Do you know what the weather is like out there? I could have caught a cold from all that waiting!" His voice rose, bordering on a roar, attracting the gazes of a few passer-bys.

Chen'an frowned. "Okay, and…? I never agreed to meet you in the first place."

"Why not? Afraid you'll lose because you're not a match for me?" The notion tempered Pan Yuguan's anger just slightly.

He had challenged Chen'an in front of his whole class; if he didn't show up, it had to be because he was a poor player. Even so, he could have just admitted defeat. There wasn't a need to put on an act like this!

It soothed Pan Yuguan's wounded ego, as if he had successfully humiliated Chen'an. This would be the best way for him to vent his anger on Chen'an in the future.

"Why not settle this now, if you've got the balls for it?"

If this were part of a dungeon simulation, Chen'an would have gladly accepted his offer. But he wasn't, and he had just eaten, so now wasn't the time to exert himself. Pan Yuguan's provocation passed over him like a harmless breeze.

"Settle it yourself. I've just eaten, so I'm not interested." Chen'an brushed him off and made to walk away.

In a lightning strike of rage, Pan Yuguan hurled his basketball at Chen'an's head.

A gasp rang out from the crowd.

Before they could blink, Chen'an's hand shot out and caught the ball. He tucked the ball under his arm, scowling.

"Were you trying to send me to the school nurse with that shot? Is that why you wanted me to meet you on the court?"

Fear rolled through Pan Yuguan, but he steeled himself and stepped forward. "I want a match with you," he demanded through clenched teeth. "I want to prove to everyone that I'm better than you."

Chen'an nodded impassively. "Very well. You have my word. On one condition."

A fire sparked to life in Pan Yuguan. He had waited in the cold, enduring the humiliation of everyone's puzzled stares. Now, he was finally getting what he had been waiting for.

"Name it. Anything you want." So long as he could crush Chen'an into the dust later.

"Come with me, then."

Without waiting for a response, Chen'an made his way briskly to the field, basketball still in hand. Pan Yuguan was confused, but he followed.

When he reached the field, Chen'an suddenly sped up. He neared the edge of the field, beyond which loomed the school fence.

Behind the fence was a small park. Other than a few elderly folks in the morning and night, it was basically devoid of people.

Chen'an raced towards the fence at full speed and aimed for a patch of grass in the park. "Take that!" he yelled.

With all his strength, he threw the ball over the fence.

Pan Yuguan's mouth hung open.

"What the hell are you doing?" he shouted as the basketball bounced off the grass and rolled into a nearby bush.

Chen'an shrugged at him.

"Here's my condition: get your ball back first, and I'll fight you."

Pan Yuguan looked like he might implode, so Chen'an added, "You said you'd do anything. Giving up so easily?"

Fury flushed Pan Yuguan's face and turned his fists white. If the school hadn't forbidden fighting on campus, he would have beaten Chen'an to death. He stood, trembling with rage, until he finally regained some of his senses in the icy wind.

"Just you wait," he snarled, and dashed towards the school gate.