Karma Card

The next day, as the freshman registration continued, the number of people in the school gradually increased.

Standing at the edge of the schoolyard, Cloud Hao glanced around for a while. Soon, his eyes lit up, and he headed toward the basketball court.

The basketball court was right at the end of the schoolyard. At the moment, a 1.8meters tall boy in a blue basketball jersey and a white headband tied to his forehead was performing a dashing three-step layup. Seeing this, a few senior girls, who were spectating from the edge of the court, cheered in excitement.

It was obvious who that person was.

Besides Brother Ziyuan, who else would have such high popularity?

I heard that this guy used to be the captain of his high school basketball team and that his skills are amazing. I wonder why this guy's talent is not in basketball but in his tone-deaf voice.

After waking up early in the morning, Cloud Hao noticed that Ziyuan was not in the dorm room. Looking at the crowd, he then realized that this guy had asked a few boys in the class to go out to play basketball. Hence, he quickly washed up and followed after them.

Of course, he wasn't here to play.

With his lousy basketball skills, if he was able to throw the ball into the basket, there must be a problem with the basket.

Seeing Brother Ziyuan tearing across the court, Cloud Hao pondered for a moment. Then, he squeezed out five yuan from his already tight allowance budget and headed to the nearby canteen to buy two cans of coke. He returned to the edge of the basketball court.

He felt that his actions at the moment were like Francis in 'House of Cards Season 1'. They were both helping an idiot climb onto the presidential/class president throne.

It's just that Garrett Walker's idiocy may have been slightly faked, but Zhu Kening's idiocy is 100% genuine.

Wait a minute…

What is 'House of Cards'?

Cloud Hao's brows furrowed as he thought about it for a while, but he couldn't remember the plot details. Most of his memories from his previous lives were just like this: only a vague outline remained.

However…

This was clearly not the time to think about this.

Wiping the sweat on his head with a towel, Liang Ziyuan walked off the court and sat under the basketball hoop to rest.

The few junior and senior spectator girls prodded and pushed each other, seemingly egging each other on to go over and ask him for his contact information. As expected, there was not much difference between males and females when they saw someone of the opposite sex who was young and good-looking.

Naturally, Cloud Hao wouldn't let these irritating women interfere with his plan. Holding the two cans, he walked up to Liang Ziyuan.

"Want a drink?"

Sitting on the ground and wiping the sweat on his neck, Liang Ziyuan looked up at Cloud Hao with raised eyebrows, as if surprised that his roommate would bring him a drink.

However, he didn't think too much about it. With a grin, he unceremoniously took the can from Cloud Hao and clinked cans with him.

"Thanks."

His bright and dashing smile made it easy for people to like him. From the corner of his eyes, Cloud Hao saw the girls standing by the edge of the court getting even more excited.

"You're welcome."

With that, Cloud Hao sat down next to him and opened a can for himself.

Liang Ziyuan looked at his roommate and said coolly, "Want to play basketball? Older Brother will guide you."

"No, it's fine. I'm not here to play."

When he heard Cloud Hao's reply, Liang Ziyuan's expression turned to one of surprise. He unconsciously moved the can away from his mouth.

"Then, why are you here at the basketball court?"

"For you, of course." Cloud Hao sighed as he watched the basketball bouncing on the court. "I wanted to tell you on the phone, but after thinking about it, I felt that it was better to talk in person."

Liang Ziyuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh?"

Those eyes seemed to ask, "What do you want to say?"

"You like music, don't you?"

Although having the potential did not imply that he had the ability, it at least meant that the target under observation had the motivation in that aspect.

Or perhaps…

Ambition!

Recalling the system's description of abilities and the guitar in their dorm room, Cloud Hao went one step further to validate his conjecture. Step by step, he continued asking, "You want to be a singer? Am I right?"

Despite finding it strange for Cloud Hao to raise this question out of the blue, Liang Ziyuan didn't deny it and nodded calmly.

"Yes, that's right.

"I've loved music since I was a kid, and I do have some talent in this area. It's not a secret."

Uh, the second half of the sentence is unnecessary.

Cloud Hao restrained his urge to be sarcastic and continued coaxing him, "In that case, has it crossed your mind that if you become the class president, you won't have time to chase your dreams?"

It would be great if I had memories from my past life.

I could just copy two songs from the billboard hits and throw them to this guy. He'd go on to fulfill his dream of becoming a star and wouldn't want to be the class president.

However, what Cloud Hao did not expect was that as he explained the pros and cons, Liang Ziyuan's gaze on him suddenly changed.

As if…

It was streaked with a tinge of hostility.

"It's true that I want to be a singer. In fact, I've thought it through: during my four years of college, I want to produce one album of my own."

Cloud Hao replied, "Then…"

"But what does that have to do with me being the class president?"

Turning his gaze towards the basketball court in front of him, Liang Ziyuan slightly narrowed his eyes and continued, "Why would I not have time to chase my dream if I become the class president?"

Caught between laughter and tears, Cloud Hao said wryly, "Of course, it matters. Do you know what the class president has to do?"

Liang Ziyuan asked, "You know better?"

"Of course, I—A friend of mine used to be a class president." Cloud Hao nodded and continued saying sincerely, "The class president of a college is equivalent to a high school form teacher. Basically, he does thankless work."

Although there were indeed some benefits, such as the opportunity to join an organization, providing assistance to the poor, scholarships, et cetera, the troublesome part was hefty enough. If he could choose again, Cloud Hao would definitely not take on the role, even without the system.

Liang Ziyuan: "Then, it's a good chance to train yourself."

"Yes, but do you really need it?" Cloud Hao continued drily. "There's a small meeting once a week and a general meeting each month. They are even more regular than menstrual periods. Not to mention, the class president has to organize group activities, convey notifications from the school and the advisor, mediate the conflicts between students… If you have to take care of all these things, do you still have time to focus on your music?"

Liang Ziyuan was stunned. After a long time, he said, "…How do you know so much?"

True…

How do I know so much?

I want to know too.

Cloud Hao sighed and said, "Anyway, it's not that easy being a class president… Take my advice, and leave these annoying matters to those who like managing them."

"I don't understand why you're going out of your way to help that guy." Liang Ziyuan stared at Cloud Hao, suddenly curled up his lips, and said, "Tell me honestly. If you had come to tell me these things for yourself, that would have been fine."

Cloud Hao was momentarily stunned.

"For four years of harmonious living in the dormitory… Isn't this reason sufficient?"

He had made it up on the spot. However, much to Cloud Hao's chagrin, he did not manage to fool Liang Ziyuan.

"I am someone who absolutely hates hypocrisy."

With that, Liang Ziyuan put down the can and stood up.

He kicked the basketball up with his feet and dribbled twice, only to pass the ball into Cloud Hao's hands after that. He then said coldly, "Get up."

Cloud Hao dumbfoundedly looked at the basketball in his hand. He then moved his confused gaze to Liang Ziyuan.

"Why do I have to get up…?"

"Basketball match."

"Baske-basketball match?"

"Yup." Liang Ziyuan tightened the headband on his forehead and stretched his neck. "1v1."

"I got no problem playing with you… But, about running for class president…"

"We can talk about it again if you win."

Sensing the atmosphere between the duo, the students walked off the court. They seemed to be waiting for an exciting show.

When Liang Ziyuan strolled to the center of the court, the small group of girls outside immediately cheered him on in high-pitched voices.

Cloud Hao also walked onto the basketball court in a daze. He was stupefied as he looked at the unpredictable Liang Ziyuan.

What the f*ck?!

I don't know how to play!

Just as Liang Ziyuan hooked his finger, Cloud Hao passed the ball to him. He then summoned his courage and put up a defensive stance with his hands.

However, as expected, the opponent faked a layup and easily broke through his useless defense. The ball went in, and he scored.

"Score! Liang Ziyuan scored a point!"

"Ahhhh! You can do it, Mr. Perfect!"

"Liang Ziyuan! I love you!"

Glancing at the girls who were standing around the basketball court and cheering him on, Liang Ziyuan's brows furrowed, and he let out a tsk. Then, he turned his gaze toward Cloud Hao, who had dribbled the ball to the mid-court line.

With a sneer, Liang Ziyuan hooked his finger.

"It's your turn."

It's fine and dandy.

But I really don't f*cking know how to play…

With a bewildered expression on his face, Cloud Hao braced himself and dribbled the ball towards him.

The ending was totally expected.

Liang Ziyuan did a beautiful stretch of his hand and took the ball straight into his arms. Next, he smoothly dribbled the ball out of the three-point line before turning back and completing a stunning three-pointer jump shot.

Whoosh!

The ball went in!

It was all so silky smooth that people wondered if this guy was cheating.

"Three-pointer! Liang Ziyuan scores two points!"

A tall boy from the dorm room next door became the referee and yelled excitedly towards the court.

Although tormenting a novice was nothing much to marvel at, it was still satisfying!

Hearing the commotion behind him, Liang Ziyuan turned his gaze to Cloud Hao and lightly stretched his neck.

"Count it as one." He hooked his fingers again and said, "Carry on."

His cool behavior caused the small group of girls outside the court to squeal one after another.

Cloud Hao, who was helplessly dribbling the ball around the centerline, felt as if a protagonist was acting cool towards him.

F*ck!

It's fine that you're handsome, but you can even sing, dance, rap, and play basketball!

Life is so f*cking unfair!

Cloud Hao had no idea how to respond in this situation. He said, "Aren't you going to give your roommate some leeway?"

"Trying to win sympathy?" Liang Ziyuan said with a cold smile, "Because you're weak?"

Weak?

You might as well say noob.

Cloud Hao sighed and held the basketball in both hands.

He definitely didn't stand a chance with a frontal offense. The skills of both parties were not on the same level.

The only chance he had of winning was to outsmart Liang Ziyuan.

Taking a look at the basketball valve, he let out a long-drawn sigh.

"Nope, I don't think I'm weak. It's just that every individual has things they are good at and things they're not good at. What we can do is to polish our expertise to the best in our limited lifespan and not attempt the impossible in an area that we're not good at…"

"Tsk, glib tongue… Do you only know how to talk?"

Liang Ziyuan sneered. For some reason, after taking a look at Cloud Hao, he suddenly gave up on defense.

He moved back to the three-point line and expressionlessly made an inviting hand gesture.

"If you can get the ball in, I'll agree."

Instantly, there was silence outside the basketball court.

Even the small group of girls stopped squealing and cheering because of the sudden solemn atmosphere.

Agree?

Agree to what?

Several boys who had played previously also gathered together.

However, their focus wasn't on Liang Ziyuan's words. Instead, they were staring with mouths agape at Cloud Hao, who had stopped dribbling at the mid-court position. Their faces were full of surprise, and their jaws almost fell to the ground.

"What the f*ck? He's stopping at the mid-court line?!"

"Is he planning to do a super far three-pointer?"

"At that distance, even for the school team, not many people can make that shot."

"That's not necessarily true. You can't lump people together and generalize them. Just the day before yesterday, I saw Brother Blackie of the school team making that shot during training."

"Even if the ball goes in, it's pure luck! Have you seen him make that shot in a game? If the ball doesn't go in when it matters, his teammate will definitely scold him to no end! Also, in professional games, unless they're not able to attack in the last few seconds, who the heck will shoot the ball from so far?"

A few of the players got caught up in the debate about generalizing people. Next to them, the senior school girls, who didn't know how to play basketball, turned their once-in-a-blue-moon gaze towards the "nobody" who was parked near the midcourt line.

"Why isn't he dribbling?"

"I think the rule in basketball is that you can't dribble if you hold the ball with both hands."

"Is he going to shoot from the midcourt line?"

"So far?! Can it even make it to the basket…"

"Why is he shooting the ball from so far? Is he trying to act cool?"

"Who cares. It won't go in anyway!"

"That's right! My Brother Ziyuan is the best!"

"Get lost. When did he become yours? Do you have his WeChat? So shameless!"

Every pair of eyes fell on Cloud Hao's back.

They were all just pretty much watching a show, though.

Holding the ball in both hands, Cloud Hao's forehead was covered in beads of perspiration.

He was ashamed to say this, but… Only after shooting his mouth off did he remember that when on offense, you couldn't dribble the ball again after holding it with both hands.

If I dribble the ball again, I think it's considered a double dribble?

The rule is something like that.

Seeing Liang Ziyuan's mocking eyes, he really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I really don't f*cking know how to play basketball!

Must I seriously make a fool of myself?

People seemed to have noticed the situation here. More and more students crowded around the basketball court. After finding out the whole story, they also joined in on the fun.

Obviously, not many people thought that he could score.

Everyone was waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

However…

At this moment, Cloud Hao's heart thudded.

He suddenly remembered the "Karma Card" the system had given him last night.

If this thing could really reverse cause and effect…

Even if there were side effects, if it was just scoring a goal, the karmic price shouldn't be that high!

Thinking about this, Cloud Hao cast his worries aside for the time being. He took a deep breath, and his gaze gradually turned serious.

"Ziyuan."

Seeing the change in Cloud Hao's gaze, Liang Ziyuan tilted his chin up slightly to indicate that he had heard him.

"You promised that if I get this point, you'll agree to my proposal!"

Liang Ziyuan looked at Cloud Hao, who was about to throw the ball, and curled his lips up in disdain. He then turned his back to him while lightly saying, "I've always hated people who go back on their words…"

Whoosh!

There… was a beautiful parabola.

It reached the end almost right when the last word left his mouth.

The sound of the ball going through the basketball net caused Liang Ziyuan to raise his head reflexively. Then, his eyes widened in disbelief.

At the same time, the entire basketball court fell silent.

It was dead silence.

Except for the basketball that landed and bounced to the side…

"Remember what you said."

As he looked at Liang Ziyuan's back, Cloud Hao withdrew his hands from midair. He had a calm expression on his face like that of a pro.

His face seemed to say, 'You forced me to it.'

After that, Cloud Hao, who had achieved his goal, spun around and left the court. All that was left behind was a dumbfounded Liang Ziyuan and the spectators' shocked gasps. Everyone jumped to their feet from the floor.

"What the f*ck!"

"The ball, the ball went in!"