In the repetitive loop of high school life, Su Zelin found it rather boring in his previous life, just hoping to graduate early and be free to roam wherever he wanted.
But after being reborn, he enjoys every single day.
Yes, in this place, your daily pleasures are few - maybe twirling a pen in class, playing some ball after class, and occasionally bragging with your buddies.
However, this simple joy is the most genuine and unforgettable.
The campus doesn't have complex human hearts or the intrigues of pursuit for fame and fortune. Even Zhao Mingxuan seems cute to Su Zelin, because even if he doesn't like you, it shows directly on his face, and at most, he'll just trash talk a bit, not act two-faced.
Overall, Su Zelin lives pleasantly every day, much more fulfilling than before his rebirth when he drowned himself in nightlife and alcohol every day.
At dusk, the sports field.
Sports are one of the few joys for students.
At this time, figures in sportswear full of youthful energy become the brightest scenery in the campus.
The sports field of Second High School in 2000 was still quite rudimentary. The soccer field can't be called a green field because there was no grass planted at all. Dust flying, it was all smoke and mirrors, but this didn't prevent the young dreamers from having a blast.
The basketball court was slightly better, at least it underwent cement hardening, though the hoops were a bit old.
At this moment, Su Zelin was active on one of the basketball courts.
As a slacker, he had little interest in studies but very broad in other hobbies.
Music, sports, skateboarding, even street dance.
He was particularly good at basketball.
Crossover dribble, between the legs dribble, change of direction, breakthrough, behind-the-back pass, stop-and-pop jumper…
The basketball, with its outer layer completely worn out, was firmly controlled in his hands, almost like he could perform tricks with it.
God might have closed the door on studying for him, but he opened all other windows. Su Zelin's athletic talent was astonishing.
His height of 1.8 meters came with unmatched speed and agility over dedicated guards, coupled with terrifying strength. In the team, he could play any position from 1 to 5 - offense, defense, steals, rebounds, coordinating - excelling in everything, reminiscent of the Wolf King Garnett.
This made him a formidable presence on the basketball court, holding his own even against school team members.
In fact, the coach of Second High's basketball team had long ago noticed this prodigy and extended an olive branch during his first year. Unfortunately, Su Zelin, who disliked restraints, politely declined.
Once you're in the basketball team, you'd have to train regularly, which made him uncomfortable.
Usually, Su Zelin just played streetball and would occasionally join the basketball team for a match during practice.
On the streetball court, it was basically a walk in the park for him.
His opponents were on high alert when defending, because this person in front was recognized as the streetball court's little powerhouse.
Su Zelin casually crossed the ball a few times, then launched like an arrow off the string.
His first step of breakthrough was extremely fast, even gaining the nickname "Little Tracy McGrady" within the streetball circle of Second High.
The defenders didn't even have time to react before being left far behind, eating his dust.
The low post center scrambled out to help defend but it was already too late as Su Zelin took two large steps to the vicinity of the free-throw line.
Stop, jump, shoot - the ball traced a beautiful arc and swished through the hoop. His mid-range shot was also extremely precise.
The center, who came to help, jumped hard to interrupt, but Su Zelin was too fast, his vertical leap too high, causing almost no interference at all.
"Nice shot!"
"Beautiful!"
"..."
The spectators outside the court exclaimed in unison.
This play flowed like water; it was executed in one go and was absolutely amazing!
When Su Zelin was the initiator of the offense, he had countless methods to put the ball into the basket - breakthrough, post-up, hook shot… his figure was slender yet nimble, sharing a resemblance to Tracy McGrady and Kobe, utterly pleasing to the eye.
Su Zelin was a dominant presence on the streetball court; it was hard to lose no matter who he teamed up with.
When he first started high school, several upperclassmen were left humiliated by his victory, which led to the brawl.
However, those guys didn't expect that while Su Zelin was fierce at basketball, he was even fiercer in a fight, single-handedly knocking them all down, making the slacker's reputation soar across Second High's campus.
He held the winning position for several games, happily annihilating his opponents.
"Senior is so handsome, Senior is invincible!"
Outside the court, a girl screamed - it was Huang Panpan.
Wherever Su Zelin appeared, you could always spot this little fangirl.
Su Zelin frowned.
"Why is she here again? Can't seem to shake her off no matter where."
"Senior Su is indeed handsome and a great player, but unfortunately, neither his academics nor his reputation is impressive. Panpan, it's not like Second High doesn't have school heartthrobs who excel in both looks and academics. For instance, our class president is pretty great. So why are you fixated on Senior Su?"
By her side, a pretty girl commented puzzledly.
Wei Xian, Huang Panpan's classmate.
Although Huang Panpan was a problematic student, with a rebellious and quirky personality, she wasn't friendless.
Just as Su Zelin had a Lu Haoran by his side, it was the same logic.
In the world with so many different people, there will always be some who share the same interests.
What's more, Su Zelin and Huang Panpan were just problem youths after all, not really the kind of people who got on others' nerves.
If you didn't provoke them, they wouldn't provoke you either.
"Those bookworms are no fun at all, guys like Senior are one in a million. His charm is something you guys wouldn't understand!"
Huang Panpan criticized her friends with an air of superiority.
While Wei Xian could comment on other guys, Huang Panpan wouldn't allow her to badmouth Senior Su.
"Alright, even if Senior Su is nice, he's not interested in you. Besides, Senior Su is about to graduate soon. What can you do even if you like him?"
Wei Xian shrugged her shoulders.
"Graduation is just graduation. Wherever he applies, I'll apply there next year too. A short farewell is just for a better reunion!"
Huang Panpan's gaze was firm.
"Panpan, you're really hopeless!"
Wei Xian was at a loss.
As they chatted, the game on the field continued.
It's rare to see girls spectating at the streetball court, especially two pretty little girls. The guys on the field were all pumped up, eager to show off.
Su Zelin's teammates stopped passing the ball, choosing to go one-on-one whenever they got it, wasting several plays and blowing a great lead. Their consecutive hold on the court finally ended.
Huang Panpan's arrival distracted Su Zelin from the game. Besides, winning so many rounds was already satisfying, so he slipped away.
Huang Panpan immediately chased after him.
"Senior, wait for me!"
Su Zelin didn't acknowledge her; he even sped up, running across the sports field.
With such a burst of energy, Huang Panpan couldn't keep up. She stopped, panting heavily after a while.
"Panpan, Senior Su's attitude is clear. You should give up!"
Wei Xian tried to persuade her again.
"I won't give up. No matter how long it takes, even to the ends of the earth, I must catch up with Senior!"
Huang Panpan clenched her fists.
...
Leaving Huang Panpan behind, Su Zelin didn't linger and quickly left the sports field.
"Zelin!"
A fragrant breeze approached, and Qin Shiqing walked up from behind.
This childhood friend also loved sports. Despite the upcoming college entrance exams, balancing work and leisure was still necessary.
At sunset, the girl's delicate face was bathed in soft golden light. A few strands of hair, damp from sweat, playfully clung to her white jade-like neck.
She had a slim figure, as light as a swallow. Her top was a garnet round-neck sports T-shirt, revealing a glimpse of her white, smooth skin below the collar, with her delicate collarbone clearly visible.
This childhood friend had developed well. Her height of 1.7 meters was extraordinary among girls of this era. Thanks to daily exercise, her figure was almost perfect, with full, rounded breasts, a firm and flat waist without an ounce of excess fat, and a pair of shapely, slender legs tightly wrapped in the popular leggings among campus girls.
She was a beautiful and healthy girl, slender and graceful but not frail. Her entire being radiated the beauty of sunshine.
Today's young girls still had a positive perception of beauty, unlike future generations, which mostly favored pale and thin looks.
Su Zelin couldn't help but glance a few more times before finally averting his eyes.
The two of them exited the sports field, engaging in light, disjointed conversation.
After a while, Qin Shiqing suddenly posed a question: "Su Zelin, what are your plans?"
"Plans?"
"I mean, where do you plan to apply for college?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be within the province. With my grades, there aren't many choices, and provincial schools are easier to get into!"
Su Zelin had already decided to apply to the same university as in his previous life.
Except for English, his scores in other subjects weren't as good as in his past life. However, with one month left till the exams, a bit more effort should improve them significantly, and adding some extra points in English shouldn't be a problem.
"So, do you think I should aim for Tsinghua or Peking University?"
Qin Shiqing asked again.
"Tsinghua and Peking are the dreams of many students. If you have the capability, why not go for it? Besides, getting into Tsinghua or Peking means you might even get a bonus from the education bureau and the city!"
Su Zelin pouted.
Qin Shiqing was silent for a while before speaking again.
"We've been in school together since kindergarten, in the same class through elementary, junior high, and high school. After graduation, we'll eventually go our separate ways. It feels kind of strange thinking about it."
There was a hint of sentimentality in her voice.
"There's no helping it. We've traveled together for so long. But you're a good student and progress fast. For someone like me to have kept up this long is already a miracle. It's inevitable that I'll eventually fall behind."
Su Zelin joked half-heartedly.
Qin Shiqing glanced at him, hesitating to say more.
Soon, they reached the junction separating the boys' and girls' dormitories.
"Zelin, see you later!"
"Mm, see you!"
They each left a word, then headed in different directions.
After walking about ten meters, Qin Shiqing couldn't resist looking back once more.
She only saw that familiar back slowly moving away.
He wasn't walking fast, yet each step was firm.
Su Zelin didn't turn back.
In this life, I'd rather lose track than hurt you like I did in my past life and leave you completely broken!
...