Today’s basketball game was between the Business School and the Biology School.
As one of the standout players, Xie Qingwang was naturally representing his school.
From the moment he stepped onto the court to warm up, he kept glancing toward the entrance. When he finally spotted a certain figure, the corner of his lips lifted.
“Smiling like that—who did you see?” He Weichen walked up behind him, bumping his shoulder, then followed his gaze and saw Ji Nian. “You sure she’s here to see you?”
“If she’s not here for me, who else would she be here for?” Xie Qingwang put on his headband and wristbands. “I’ll go say hi.”
He Weichen shook his head at his confident back. The poor guy didn’t even notice the discomfort on her face.
Ji Nian didn’t know how her eyes were so sharp—she spotted Xie Qingwang the moment she walked in.
Not only that, he started walking straight toward her under everyone’s gaze.
Instinctively, she turned to leave—but a loud voice rang out behind her.
“Ji Nian!”
Xie Qingwang strode up behind her. “I knew you’d come.”
Ruan Yu rolled her eyes at his confidence.
“Who said I came to see you?” Ji Nian faced him directly. Since she was already here, there was no point avoiding him.
“If not me, then who?” Xie Qingwang frowned.
Ji Nian lifted her chin and pointed toward the Biology team. “Obviously, I’m here to watch our student council president.”
“You don’t even know him—what are you watching?”
“What does that have to do with you? My eyes, my choice.”
Xie Qingwang choked on his words. Before he could respond, He Weichen called out— the game was starting.
“Just wait and see who’s better,” he threw out before running back to the court.
So annoying.
Ignoring him, Ruan Yu pulled Ji Nian to find seats. “Let’s just watch for a bit. If it gets boring, we’ll leave.”
“Okay.”
The whistle blew. As expected, Ji Nian watched Xie Qingwang leap up and secure the ball.
“Not gonna lie, the crown prince does look impressive playing basketball. I kind of get why you were obsessed with him before,” Ruan Yu said.
Watching him, Ji Nian murmured, “What’s the use of being handsome?”
By halftime, the score was 15–14, with Business School barely leading.
During the break, many girls came forward to hand out water—especially around Xie Qingwang, where a crowd gathered.
“Senior Zhou messaged me. Come with me,” Ruan Yu stood up, pulling Ji Nian along. “Perfect chance to show him you’re not here for him.”
Meanwhile, Xie Qingwang refused all the water offered, scanning the stands. When he saw Ji Nian walking toward him, his heart lifted—
Only to watch her veer off… straight to the other team.
“Senior Zhou, you messaged me—what’s up?”
Zhou Mingyi, a junior and student council president, stood over 180 cm tall with a clean, refined look—very much the campus heartthrob type.
His first impression was excellent.
He glanced at Ji Nian. “This must be Student Ji?”
“Hello, Senior Zhou. I’m Ji Nian.” She nodded politely.
“Hello.” He smiled, then turned to Ruan Yu. “I wanted to ask if you could help take some photos for our team. We need them for promotion.”
Ruan Yu, being in the student council’s arts department, had great photography skills and often handled event photos.
“Sure—but I didn’t bring my camera.”
“No problem, I have one.” Zhou Mingyi retrieved it and handed it over. “Thanks. After the game, why don’t you join us for dinner?”
“No need, it’s just a small favor,” Ruan Yu declined quickly—eating with the whole team would be awkward.
Zhou Mingyi understood. “Then I’ll treat you both another day.”
“No problem.”
As they spoke, Ji Nian felt an intense gaze. Turning slightly, she saw Xie Qingwang staring straight at her—with Bai Xiao standing beside him.
“Qingwang, aren’t you going to drink something?” Bai Xiao held out a sports drink, leaning toward him, then followed his gaze. “Are you looking at Ji? She seems quite close with Senior Zhou.”
Standing so close, her whole body angled toward him.
Ji Nian suddenly recalled that day at the mall—the mention of things left at a hotel. That sour feeling rose again, and she quickly turned away.
Her reaction made Xie Qingwang frown deeply.
What was that supposed to mean?
Why did she turn away so fast?
Did she not want to see him?
Bai Xiao noticed he was still staring. Tightening her grip, she opened the bottle and offered it again. “Qingwang, the game’s about to resume. Have some water.”
“No thanks. I don’t drink from strangers,” Xie Qingwang replied without even looking at her. He turned and walked off. “Hey—get me a bottle of water.”
“Go to hell. So many girls offering you drinks and you come to me?” He Weichen rolled his eyes but still tossed him one.
Left behind, Bai Xiao froze.
Stranger?
They were classmates—she was even the class monitor. How did she become a stranger?
But noticing the many girls watching, she convinced herself maybe he didn’t want to accept her drink publicly and cause gossip.
In the second half, everyone noticed Xie Qingwang playing more aggressively—like he hadn’t been tired at all before.
The score gap quickly widened.
Even Zhou Mingyi, as his opponent, could clearly feel that Xie Qingwang was targeting him.
Ruan Yu focused on taking photos, while Ji Nian watched and snacked.
At that moment, she felt like Xie Qingwang was a predator—poised, waiting to strike.
By nearly 6 p.m., the game ended. Unsurprisingly, Business School won—and won decisively.
As the crowd dispersed, Ji Nian stayed seated, waiting for Ruan Yu to return the camera.
Then she saw Xie Qingwang running toward her.
Instinctively, she stood to leave—but he was faster, blocking her in the stands.
“Why are you running?” he stared into her eyes.
“Because I don’t want to see you.”
“Why not?” His fists clenched slightly, but his tone softened. “Have you been unhappy lately?”
Ji Nian didn’t expect that question. “I’m perfectly happy.”
“You used to rush over and give me water after my games.”
For some reason, she caught a hint of grievance in his voice.
She turned her head—and met Bai Xiao’s gaze across the stands.
“That’s because I realized you’re not worthy of drinking my water.”