Chapter 36: Competing in Basketball

Wang Xinrou was utterly excited! But seeing He Tian looking at her with that amused expression, she suddenly realized she might have been tricked by him. He was here specifically to protect her, after all. She was well aware that someone had intentions to harm her. So, there was no way He Tian would willingly stay far from her now! How could she not understand what would happen next?

"I'm just worried about my safety," Wang Xinrou tried to explain.

"Oh please, you know what they say—an explanation is just a cover-up! Why not just admit it? Just say you like me. Is confessing your feelings to me really that difficult?" He Tian teased, grinning.

"Good grief, can you stop flattering yourself? Me, like you? As if..." Wang Xinrou eyed him with disdain, as if he were nothing more than a passing stranger.

"Alright, keep pretending. But that Wu Sen really did come looking for me—and even tried to set me up," He Tian said.

"He tried to set you up? Wu Sen? He could actually get the better of you?" Wang Xinrou’s eyes widened in disbelief. Being set up meant taking a loss, and could Wu Sen really outmaneuver He Tian? The thought genuinely astonished her.

"I still underestimate my own reputation," He Tian replied, feigning annoyance.

"Your reputation..." Wang Xinrou seemed to understand and asked, "So, what happened?"

"Basketball," He Tian stated simply.

"What? Basketball? You and Wu Sen are going to play basketball?" Wang Xinrou looked at him in disbelief.

"Why that look? You act like I've already lost," He Tian protested, unable to handle her expression.

"I want to have faith in you, but let's be honest... I really can't muster any confidence," Wang Xinrou said, shaking her head in mock sorrow. "You're doomed! Don't you know Wu Sen is a basketball ace? He's the star of the school team!"

"As if... A so-called basketball ace dares call himself a master in front of me?" He Tian scoffed.

If he had truly devoted himself to basketball, even legends like Jordan, the near-divine Kobe, or the current sensation King Du would have to step aside. But if He Tian ever became a professional athlete, he’d be swarmed and exposed in less than three days. Inner energy cultivators were strictly forbidden from participating in ordinary competitive sports—breaking that rule led only to disaster.

In any case, someone like He Tian had no reason, nor interest, in such competitions. But lack of interest didn’t mean lack of ability. With even a hint of talent, bolstered by inner strength, he could easily become a master at any sport.

Back in the army, whenever he had leisure time, He Tian had tried every fun sport imaginable—including basketball. It had just been a long time since he’d played, and he wasn’t sure he still had the touch. Still, as long as he had a little time to practice, defeating this so-called basketball star Wu Sen would be no problem.

"You know how to play basketball?" Wang Xinrou asked skeptically.

"Get me a basketball and let me practice for a bit. I’ll beat Wu Sen easily," He Tian boasted, chin lifted.

"Seriously?" Wang Xinrou didn’t believe him.

"Not worth explaining. Anyway, after this, Wu Sen won’t bother you again," He Tian declared with confidence.

"What if you lose? Want to bet? I’ll—" Wang Xinrou pretended to be furious, but laughter sparkled in her eyes.

"Isn’t he just clearing out the competition?" she thought, her mind racing. "If he confesses, what should I do? Should I agree right away, or play it coy? Oh, what a dilemma!"

"Stop pinching me all the time, people will get the wrong idea! Next thing you know there’ll be Liu Sen, Zhang Sen, or Wang Sen showing up," He Tian said, dodging her.

"Careful or I’ll rally my bodyguard squad and make sure you can’t take a single step at Tianhai University!" Wang Xinrou threatened proudly. "Now come here and let me pinch you!"

"Just once, and gently!" He Tian said helplessly, stepping forward.

"So much talking!" Wang Xinrou pinched him quickly, laughing merrily.

"So, how did things go with your matter?" He Tian asked.

"That department head is a pervert!" Wang Xinrou immediately fumed.

"What happened?" He Tian was puzzled. In his mind, teachers were good and lovable people—at least most of them. But a small number truly didn’t deserve the title, nor the responsibility.

"He took advantage of me and hinted that if I wanted the university’s support, I’d have to pay him off!" Wang Xinrou said angrily.

"You put up with that?" He Tian looked at her in surprise.

"As if! I slapped him hard across the face!" Wang Xinrou declared.

"Well done!" He Tian gave her a thumbs-up.

"Of course! But still, it was disgusting. Anyway, this approach is a dead end. Looks like I’ll have to find another way," Wang Xinrou said with a frown.

"So what? Just find a place, spread the word, and those interested will come to you. Without the university’s support, it just means balancing entrepreneurship and studies is a bit trickier. Is that so important?" He Tian said dismissively.

"Some students care a lot about that," Wang Xinrou replied.

"Let them! If someone can’t even make that simple choice, can you expect them to accomplish anything big?" He Tian scoffed.

"Exactly! Why should I accommodate them? Besides, I shouldn’t limit myself to just one university. There are so many universities in Tianhai—no, all over the country! Setting up shop at the university was only holding us back. That’s it!" Wang Xinrou smiled. "I didn’t expect you’d actually have a constructive opinion!"

"I’m just not interested. If I were, there’d be no room for anyone else," He Tian said bluntly.

"Will it kill you to brag a little less?" Wang Xinrou rolled her eyes.

She was starting to find He Tian far too unpredictable. She couldn’t quite pin down his true nature anymore.

"But you have to help me get back at him!" Wang Xinrou’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

"The department head? Didn’t you already slap him? I doubt he’ll dare make a fuss," He Tian said with a laugh.

"I’m not worried about what he’ll do to me—I want to do something to him! I want to teach him a lesson!" Wang Xinrou insisted.

"What’s your plan?" He Tian asked.

"I don’t know!" she replied straightforwardly.

"You don’t know?" He Tian was speechless.

"Which is why I need your help!" Wang Xinrou said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"And what’s in it for me?" He Tian asked.

"You want a reward?" Wang Xinrou pouted. "How stingy!"

"He’s the head of the entrepreneurship office—a university official! If I’m going to go against someone like that, I’ll need some incentive," He Tian said, just as matter-of-fact.

"What reward do you want? I already said I’ll do whatever you want—serve you tea, fetch water, even do your laundry! What more could you want?" Wang Xinrou said.

"Don’t make promises you can’t keep—you’ve never done my laundry, and don’t think I haven’t noticed!" He Tian joked. "Unless..."

He looked her up and down.

"What are you planning?" Wang Xinrou shielded herself, pretending to be afraid.

"Honestly, do I really seem that scary?" He Tian rolled his eyes. "I was just imitating you—no need to overreact!"

"You have no idea how lecherous your eyes look right now!" Wang Xinrou kept up the act.

"Alright, enough! Forget I said anything. Leave that wretched department head to me!" He Tian waved his hand.

He’d actually meant to ask for a kiss as thanks, but swallowed the words at the last second. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly at his own innocence—it was hard being a good guy.

"A gentleman’s word is his bond! I’m going to make that wretch suffer!" Wang Xinrou laughed heartily, as if she could already see the man’s miserable state.

"Look, look, that’s him!" Suddenly, Wang Xinrou tugged on He Tian’s arm, pointing at a man walking out of the office building.

He Tian looked over and instantly fell silent. Balding, at least forty-five or older—and yet he dared lay a hand on Wang Xinrou? That was something he absolutely couldn’t let slide.

"Got a good look?" Wang Xinrou asked.

"Got it, don’t worry—I won’t mistake him," He Tian nodded.

"I trust you!" Wang Xinrou patted him on the shoulder with a look of absolute faith.

"Can I ask for another reward?" He Tian grumbled, feeling shortchanged.

"No way!" Wang Xinrou laughed. "Come on, let’s go buy a basketball. You’d better practice a bit so you don’t actually lose to Wu Sen!"

"Fine." He Tian thought about it and decided to play it safe. Losing in public would be embarrassing.

There was no shortage of shops near the university. Soon, He Tian and Wang Xinrou had bought a basketball.

Wang Xinrou’s phone rang.

"Hello? Lin Ying—yeah, I’m here. What? Everyone knows already? So soon? Alright, we’ll be there in a bit." She hung up and turned to He Tian. "Come on, let’s go to the restaurant. Everyone’s there. Your basketball match with Wu Sen is already all over campus!"

"Everyone knows?" He Tian chuckled. "Looks like Wu Sen’s the one spreading the news—he wants to humiliate me in front of a crowd."

"Exactly! He’s awful!" Wang Xinrou thought that even if he lost, it wouldn’t matter much if no one knew, but now that was clearly impossible.

"Are you sure you can win?" she asked, eyeing He Tian, who still looked awkward with the basketball.

"I told you, but you never believe me. I’m not saying another word," He Tian replied, spinning the ball and trying to get the feel back.

"Good grief! Let’s talk about it on the way," Wang Xinrou said, dragging him into the car and driving off to the restaurant.

He Tian kept toying with the basketball. At first, he was clumsy, but gradually, the old feeling returned. Soon, he extended a finger, and the basketball spun obediently atop it.

Wang Xinrou sensed something, glanced over, and her jaw dropped in astonishment.

"Watch out ahead..." He Tian suddenly warned.