Chapter 128: The Egg Tart Looks Really Cute-Reborn: Catching the Cold-Hearted School Beauty Shoplifting at the Start(Lu Yuanqiu)

He chuckled softly, rubbing his beer belly, and remarked, "Obviously, the seniors will win. While Lu Yuanqiu might not necessarily be able to beat Zhang Yifei from the second year, he’s more than capable of handling those kids in the first year."

Tang Li, the head of the first-year grade, felt his expression cool. "Even if your senior Lu Yuanqiu is quite strong, I’m still rooting for the first-years."

Ge Ritian: "Ha."

Tang Li: "Hmph."

On the basketball court, Cao Shuang was watching as usual. He secretly glanced at the female captain of the first-year team and whispered into Lu Yuanqiu’s ear, "Brother Qiu, crush her in the most insulting way possible. She’s been so arrogant; deflate this little tomboy's ego."

Lu Yuanqiu turned his head to look at him. "Still holding a grudge?"

Hearing this, Cao Shuang burst into laughter, denying it immediately: "How could that be? Why would I ever hold a grudge against a bratty girl? Hahaha—"

"Your usual laugh sounds like 'ge-ge-ge,' not 'hahaha.' Cao Shuang, you know your laugh changes when you lie, right?" Lu Yuanqiu said, unable to suppress a smile.

Cao Shuang’s expression stiffened. He scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "Damn it, this is frustrating. I really want to challenge her to a one-on-one."

"Then after the game, just get her QQ and ask her for a pick-up game when you have time."

"Fine!"

Cao Shuang agreed with a serious expression, as if he were adding her on QQ purely for the sake of the game, rather than for the sake of adding her.

Lu Yuanqiu looked up and saw Bai Qingxia crouching behind the chain-link fence above the steps, which had become her designated "viewing deck."

Retracting his gaze, Lu Yuanqiu turned to face his teammates sitting on the chairs. As their captain, he spoke with a stern expression:

"Guys, play well today. This is our second-to-last basketball game. In other words, it’s the second-to-last game before we graduate from high school, and of course, the second-to-last game before we become adults. Do you have confidence?!"

No one responded.

Wang Haoran sat listlessly on his chair, picking his nose and flicking the debris aside.

Zheng Yifeng’s eyes were unfocused, his head drooping as he fought sleep.

Zhong Jincheng adjusted his glasses with his finger, his full attention fixed on the young female teachers from the first-year side.

Only Gao Qiang looked serious, his eyes wide as he nodded excitedly at Lu Yuanqiu, feeling a fire starting to burn within him.

Lu Yuanqiu looked at Gao Qiang: "Good! That’s the spirit!"

Time was up.

The surrounding students began cheering for their respective grade teams. Lu Yuanqiu walked to the front and locked eyes with the female captain of the first-year team, who was also wearing a jersey.

Cao Shuang cast an unnatural glance at the tomboy’s armpit, where the loose cuff revealed a glimpse of a white, tight-fitting camisole—something only a girl would wear.

Strange; he hadn't noticed it before, or else he would have known she was a girl long ago.

Lu Yuanqiu walked up and asked with a smile, "Captain of the opposing team, my brother Cao Shuang wants me to ask what your name is?"

The female captain turned to look at Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang immediately stared back, puffed out his chest, and held his chin high.

The female captain laughed dismissively and pointed a thumb at herself. "I—"

The gym teacher blew his whistle, frowning at her.

The female captain swallowed awkwardly and corrected herself, "My name is Ruan Yueru!"

*A pretty name...* Cao Shuang thought to himself.

The whistle blew, and the game began.

The gym teacher tossed the ball up. For once, no one from the senior team went for it. The teammates looked at the indifferent Lu Yuanqiu in confusion, as he was usually the one to grab the ball.

A tall player from the first-year team snatched the ball and headed for the hoop, passing it to Ruan Yueru.

The female captain caught the ball and dribbled with practiced ease, breezing past Gao Qiang and Zhong Jincheng without any pressure. This scene caused even Zheng Yifeng, a master of ball control, to slightly widen his handsome eyes. It was his first time seeing a girl play so well.

Ruan Yueru laughed dismissively and went for a layup. The moment she jumped, a tall, dark shadow loomed behind her and swatted the ball away, sending it straight into Zhong Jincheng’s hands.

Ruan Yueru turned back in shock to see Lu Yuanqiu smiling at her.

*He didn't go for the tip-off just so he could block me?!*

Ruan Yueru realized it then!

At this moment, she felt a profound sense of humiliation. To be blocked right at the start—how embarrassing!

Cao Shuang shouted excitedly from the sidelines: "Brother Qiu!! That was cool!!!"

For the rest of the game, Lu Yuanqiu didn't make a single shot. He followed Ruan Yueru like a ghost, and every time she got the ball to shoot or drive, Lu Yuanqiu blocked her!

Block!

...

On the final play, just as Ruan Yueru hit the backboard, Lu Yuanqiu leaped up, pinned the ball against the glass, and snatched it for himself.

Ruan Yueru stared at this, completely losing it. She turned around, stomped her feet in anger, swung her arms, and shouted at Lu Yuanqiu, "Why do you keep targeting me!!!! I give up!!!"

The little girl was on the verge of tears.

Lu Yuanqiu pointed at Cao Shuang on the sidelines: "My brother Cao Shuang asked me to vent his frustration for him. If you’re not satisfied, go teach him a lesson after the game."

Ruan Yueru turned her head, grit her teeth, and glared at Cao Shuang.

Cao Shuang held his head high proudly: "What? If you’re not happy, let’s go one-on-one after this!"

"Just you wait!" Ruan Yueru hissed back.

Half an hour later, the game ended.

The senior team led by Lu Yuanqiu successfully defeated the first-year champions and advanced to the finals.

However, the finals were not tomorrow, but a week later, at the beginning of November.

After the game, Lu Yuanqiu waved at the girl behind the chain-link fence. The girl nodded, stood up, and left. The two had agreed to have dinner together.

Although Bai Qingxia wasn't used to going to the cafeteria when it was crowded, she was more than happy to celebrate and eat with Lu Yuanqiu during moments worth cheering for.

In that regard, she was a bit like that old fogey at home who always followed a bunch of ridiculous rules.

At the first-floor cafeteria, Lu Yuanqiu grabbed his meal and found a seat first.

Bai Qingxia was holding a tray with only a portion of rice and a serving of stir-fried spinach. As she was about to leave the window, she glanced to the far right and noticed a crowd gathered around one of the stalls.

The girl immediately remembered what she had overheard in the hallway.

She walked over, smelling a faint, milky aroma. After peeking from the side, she finally saw what an egg tart looked like.

In a small silver-gray box sat a circular, yellow, sunken treat... something that looked like steamed egg custard.

It looked adorable and smelled delicious. Bai Qingxia glanced back toward Lu Yuanqiu’s direction. As if thinking of something, she smiled and quickly went to line up behind the others.