The basketball traced a pleasing arc through the air and went straight through the net without touching the rim.
"Feng junior, your sister loves you!"
Shouts erupted from all around!
East Sea University’s indoor constant-temperature sports hall.
A domestic university basketball league game was currently underway.
The competitors were the host, East Sea University, and their brother institution, East Sea Polytechnic.
Don’t think that brand-name university students are nothing but studious machines who never work out; even though some might not want to admit it, most of these kids who were admitted to first-class schools could outperform other kids in various aspects.
The game had now reached the fourth quarter.
East Sea University defended their home court dignity, leading with a score of 69 to 60.
The greatest contributor was none other than Feng Guanlan, a freshman who’d joined the varsity team not long after starting school.
Just like the name of a male lead in a novel.
And indeed, he was just like a character out of a novel, tall and handsome, his well-defined facial features enhanced by the sweat that dripped down as he moved, and the warm, sincere smile he shared with his teammates after each high-five caused many freshman girls to let out infatuated shrieks and left many female upperclassmen captivated.
"Guanlan, you’ve worked hard, how about taking a break? Leave the rest to us."
He had been playing hard for four quarters, undoubtedly exhausting, but Feng Guanlan refused his teammates’ kind offer, "No need."
His gaze shifted to the cheerleader’s sidelines, then he energetically ran back to his position, waiting for the opponents to serve the ball.
A group of strikingly beautiful girls, clad in breezy uniforms, chattered and gossiped.
To be chosen for the cheerleading squad, appearance was, of course, unquestionable - each of them with fair skin, beautiful faces, and long legs. Nevertheless, even among them, one stood out the most, as conspicuous as a crane amongst chickens even when seated amongst a group of eye-catching beauties.
Many male colleagues, aside from watching the game, occasionally glanced their way, but without exception, their first focus of attention was always drawn to her.
"Shu Rui, what’s going on with Guo Ran lately? She seems distracted, the cheerleading squad is depending on you, and she’s hardly been to dance club either."
Xu Siyi asked casually, not paying much attention to the intense basketball game.
As one of the most outstanding students in the dance department, she had always been a member of the cheerleading squad.
"Sigh, isn’t it obvious? It’s either a family or a relationship problem. Since Ran Ran’s family is fine, the answer is clear, isn’t it?"
Zheng Jingjing picked up the conversation, shaking her head with a sigh, "I’ve always said that there’s no good in talking about love affairs, but she wouldn’t listen."
"But isn’t that guy quite good? What’s the problem?"
"I don’t know. I asked once, but Ran Ran wouldn’t say, so I didn’t feel comfortable asking again," Zheng Jingjing looked towards the bustling court.
She loved lively atmospheres, so in her sophomore year, she enthusiastically prompted several dorm mates to sign up for the school’s cheerleading squad together. Because all roommates were exceptionally pretty and even Guo Ran had a compelling scholarly charm, they were all selected.
In their sophomore year, they were the most passionate, but afterward, they gradually lost interest and merely hung the cheerleading squad name as a formality.
The reason they came this time was firstly because the game was at their school, and secondly because they were now seniors, with not much time left on campus.
"Shu Rui, what about you? Do you know? If you ask Guo Ran, she would probably tell you."
Xu Siyi shifted her gaze.
"Maybe she’s just been a bit tired lately," Li Shuru said softly.
As the unshakable beauty of the arts department, she was naturally chosen to be the cheerleading captain for this event.
Initially, she hadn’t planned to participate, but she filled in due to Guo Ran’s last-minute absence.
In a miniskirt and over-the-knee socks, a rare getup for her, she had without doubt become the most eye-catching presence in the entire sports hall.
East Sea University secured the victory without any surprises.
The students from East Sea watching the game excitedly rose to their feet and cheered.
The players from both teams perfectly embodied the spirit of "Friendship first, competition second" as they embraced amicably.
The most impressive player in the field, who made twelve out of eight shots, scored over twenty points by himself, and was the nailed-on MVP, Feng Guanlan quickly approached the cheerleaders’ bench.
Looking at the youth wiping off his sweat and catching his breath, Xu Siyi’s lips curled up in an amused smile.
Although he hadn’t been at the school for long, this junior had already become quite famous. During military training, his handsome looks quickly made him "popular," and singing a song during that period was like adding fuel to the fire; not only were the freshmen girls smitten, but even the senior female students couldn’t contain their feelings, crowning themselves "sister fans."
Today, probably half of the girls present were here for him.
Li Shuru looked up at the junior whose popularity was on the rise, her flawless face showing no unnecessary fluctuation.
"Li Shuru, will you be coming to future games?"
It was rare for any male student at East Sea University to stand in front of Li Shuru without changing color or skipping a beat, but this young man did just that with an uncommon calm and bravery, boldly looking straight into those eyes that made countless boys feel inferior.
Before Li Shuru could respond, Xu Siyi spoke up for her, standing up with a lazy tone, "This is the last time. After this game, we’re going to step down from the cheerleading squad."
Feng Guanlan frowned.
"Junior, we’re seniors now. We can’t keep holding onto these spots forever, we need to give the juniors a chance."