"Weren't you quite arrogant on the basketball court? Why aren't you arrogant now?" Feng Biao boasted, emboldened by the crowd.
"So what if I'm arrogant? So what if I'm not?" Lin Tian slightly raised the corner of his mouth. "Do you think you all can take me on?"
Lin Tian was telling the truth. The first time he had a conflict with Feng Biao in the bathroom, it was three against one. The second time in the dorm, there were seven of them.
Adding two or three more people now was really not a big deal for Lin Tian!
"How would you know unless you try?" With Feng Biao's words, a few people behind him spread out, preparing for a brawl.
Originally, it was a guaranteed win in the basketball game, but because Lin Tian joined, Class Two's players lost, and they were already frustrated. Now, this was undoubtedly a chance to vent their anger.
"We lost, and that's that. There's no need to fight!" Just when Lin Tian thought a big fight was inevitable, someone suddenly rushed out from the crowd.
The person was none other than Ye Feng, who had been convinced by Lin Tian.
Ye Feng's words not only surprised Feng Biao and others but also Lin Tian.
If anyone hated Lin Tian the most, it was undoubtedly Ye Feng. He had been repeatedly blocked and humiliated, and then dunked over in front of so many people.
But now, Ye Feng saying such words clearly showed he had a generous attitude.
"Ye Feng, if you won't fight, just stand aside and watch!" Feng Biao was annoyed that Ye Feng's sudden words would dampen their morale.
"Biao, it's just a basketball game. We lost, and that's it. Losing due to lack of skill is not embarrassing. But fighting because of a loss makes us look disgraceful!" Ye Feng advised earnestly.
"Bro, I respect you for being a man!" Lin Tian gave Ye Feng a thumbs up.
Such an opponent, whether enemy or friend, deserves praise.
Being magnanimous, not petty, is what makes a man.
"What do you guys mean?" Feng Biao hesitated. If no one stood with him to fight Lin Tian, he wouldn't dare go alone.
After all, Feng Biao had suffered at Lin Tian's hands twice already.
"Biao, we're about to have the unified exams. Let's graduate smoothly!"
"Biao, we really lost. Fighting isn't right, is it?"
"The guy indeed has the strength. We lost fair and square. Just like Feng said, losing because we're not skilled enough isn't shameful!"
Everyone chimed in, making Feng Biao feel deflated, like a punctured balloon, losing all his confidence.
"Forget it, let's take a shower!" Feng Biao sighed and said to the people behind him.
"But Lin Tian, I'll tell you, the basketball issue may be over, but things between us are not finished!" Feng Biao threatened coldly.
"Anytime!" Lin Tian couldn't be bothered with him. After dousing himself with another basin of cold water, he left the washroom.
Back in the dorm to change clothes, Lin Tian headed straight to the classroom. At this moment, the classroom was very quiet, but when Lin Tian arrived, it suddenly exploded in applause.
Even homeroom teacher Mr. Gao couldn't suppress the thunderous clapping.
"Alright, alright, everyone quiet down. It's class time now!" Seeing the applause was about enough, Mr. Gao ordered.
The class quickly quieted down again.
Lin Tian sensibly returned to his seat, quietly listening to Mr. Gao's lecture while taking out his water bottle to drink.
After just having sweated heavily in the match, his body inevitably needed hydration.
But just as Lin Tian was drinking, Wu Yong nudged him with his elbow. "Lin Tian, I heard our school's belle, Liou Qingcheng, asked you to reserve a room at a budget hotel?"
"Pfft!" Lin Tian choked on the water he hadn't swallowed.
"Cough, cough!" Lin Tian started coughing violently.
Mr. Gao, who was lecturing, glared at Lin Tian, scaring him into stopping his coughs quickly.
"Wu Yong, are you trying to kill me?" Lin Tian whispered to Wu Yong, taking cover behind his tall stack of books on the desk.
"Sorry!" Wu Yong grinned awkwardly. "I also heard others say that you looked so cool playing basketball, and our goddess Qingcheng wanted to see if you're as bold in bed as you are on the court?"
"Who the hell did you hear that from?" Lin Tian found it amusing. He had nothing to do with Liou Qingcheng, so how did it turn into them booking a room together?
"That's what everyone's saying. There are various versions, including some saying Liou Qingcheng will drive you out in her red BMW for some car fun!" Wu Yong shared another gossip version with Lin Tian.
"Nonsense!" Lin Tian fumed, breathing heavily. "I'm not some gigolo. Can any woman sleep with me just because she wants to?"
"Lin Tian, we've been desk mates for three years in high school. I consider myself your best friend. Can you listen to what I have to say?" Wu Yong spoke earnestly.
"Speak!"
Wu Yong advised, "Your family isn't rich, and you know how our grades are. You turned down the special enrollment offer before, and I didn't say anything. But I feel if Liou Qingcheng really wants to date you, then let her."
"As the saying goes, 'It's better to marry well than study well.' They say Liou Qingcheng's family is very wealthy. If you both get together, your future life will be comfortable!"
"You're suggesting I become a kept man?" Lin Tian raised his eyebrows.
"Living off someone requires skill, not every man gets the chance!"
"Brother Yong, you're mistaken. Liou Qingcheng just wanted to meet me; she didn't want to book a hotel with me!" Lin Tian's face turned dark as large beads of sweat rolled down his temples.
"Whether it's true or not, the fact that Liou Qingcheng approached you means she's interested. We're about to graduate; we should be considering our future lives!"
Wu Yong's expression was serious, and his tone was earnest: "We are no longer in our youthful years. We should not act impulsively."
"I understand, but I don't want to rely on someone else!" Lin Tian understood Wu Yong's good intentions but still shook his head to refuse.
"Why?" Wu Yong was puzzled. He thought he had explained clearly enough, so why wouldn't Lin Tian listen?
What's wrong with Liou Qingcheng?
The goddess and belle in every man's eyes, beautiful, with a good figure, and from a wealthy family, fits every part of an ideal partner!
Yet, Lin Tian wouldn't listen.
"Because I'm a man, and I want to have my own career and achievements!" Lin Tian answered without hesitation.
"Fair enough!" Wu Yong fell silent. There was no fault in that statement, but in this harsh society, what is a man's dream worth?
"Class, today's lesson is over. There's only a month left until the unified exams. I hope everyone seizes every opportunity to get into college!"
"Unlike some people who have a clear chance to go to college, yet insist on refusing it; for such behavior, I must say, don't become a blindly confident fool!" Mr. Gao suddenly interrupted the lecture to share some heart-to-heart advice with the students.