Chapter 31

Yue Bai’s heart stirred. She clenched her fingers into a loose fist, her gaze fixed intently on the strikingly beautiful girl standing beside the boy. The mineral water bottle in her hand crinkled with that distinctive plastic sound under the pressure.

As they passed each other, Yue Bai deliberately slowed her steps. Yet even after she had walked a full meter past, Sang Wan still hadn’t called out to her.

Didn’t she recognize me? Yue Bai couldn’t quite name the emotion surging through her, but an inexplicable irritation bubbled up.

“Little Bai?” Just as the image of their near-miss replayed endlessly in her mind, a soft, clear voice called from behind.

Joy flooded Yue Bai’s heart, though her expression remained one of feigned surprise as she turned around. “Senior Sister? What are you doing here?”

Sang Wan watched the clumsy performance with a helpless smile. Clearly, moments ago, those eyes had been stealing glances at her nonstop. And now she was pretending to have just noticed?

This junior sister has a bit of a tsundere streak, Sang Wan thought to herself.

“We were discussing the opening ceremony program,” Sang Wan said. She gave Li Ci an apologetic nod before stepping over to Yue Bai’s side and pulling her to the edge of the path.

The moment her fingers touched the other girl’s slightly cool hand, Sang Wan’s delicate brows furrowed in displeasure. “Why are your hands so cold?”

The streetlamp illuminated Yue Bai’s sweat-dampened neck and forehead, making them gleam. Sang Wan fell silent, abandoning her words. Instead, she pulled a tissue from her pocket, wrapped one around her fingertip, and gently wiped at the sweat on Yue Bai’s brow and neck.

The two were about the same height, but Yue Bai instinctively dipped her head a little. In that moment, her eyes met Sang Wan’s. Those brown irises seemed to hold only her reflection.

Before Yue Bai could speak, Li Ci strode up from behind Sang Wan. Curiosity lit his face as he asked, “Is this the junior sister we met by the artificial lake at the freshman welcome party?”

He still remembered Yue Bai.

“Mm,” Sang Wan replied indifferently. After wiping her clean, she crumpled the tissue in her palm, planning to toss it in a trash bin later. “What were you up to? Why are you sweating so much?”

“Basketball friendly match training,” Yue Bai answered honestly.

Sang Wan nodded. She eyed the other’s thin clothing. Though A City’s weather hadn’t turned chilly yet, the night breeze carried a chill. Fresh from exercise without proper warmth, it was easy to catch a cold.

“Heading back to the dorm now?” Sang Wan asked.

“Yeah, we got excused from evening self-study,” Yue Bai continued.

“Go back soon and take a hot shower. Don’t get sick. Next time you train, bring a jacket—the evenings are still cold.” As she spoke, Sang Wan took Yue Bai’s hand of her own accord. It was still cool to the touch.

“I’ll walk you back to the dorm,” Sang Wan said.

“No…” Yue Bai started to refuse, but from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Li Ci waiting off to the side. The words caught in her throat and twisted into something else. “Then, sorry to trouble you, Senior Sister.”

“No trouble at all.” Sang Wan lowered her gaze.

“Little Wan, should we run through the program again?” Li Ci interjected quickly. Chances to be alone with Sang Wan were rare; he had to seize every one. “There’s still a lot undecided later on.”

“It’s not like we’re short on time.” Sang Wan’s fingers enveloped Yue Bai’s hand, trying to warm it. “Tomorrow, go over it with Wen Mo and the others. I’m taking my junior sister back to the dorm first.”

Li Ci fell silent. He glanced at Yue Bai a few more times before conceding, “See you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Once Li Ci had left, Sang Wan led Yue Bai by the hand toward the dormitory building.

“Tired?” Sang Wan asked gently, her thumb pressing into the fleshy web of Yue Bai’s hand and kneading it with soft pressure.

“A bit. It’s been a while since I trained,” Yue Bai admitted. An hour-plus session was downright exhausting for someone as athletically challenged as her—it felt like half her life had been drained.

“Senior Sister, my legs are about to give out,” Yue Bai added, her tone turning pitifully whiny as she leaned into it.

Sang Wan shot her a sidelong glance and asked, half-joking, half-serious, “Want Senior Sister to carry you on her back?”

Yue Bai let out a small “Ah!” and shook her head firmly. “No way! I have social anxiety—if anyone sees, I’ll die of embarrassment. Maybe next time when no one’s around, then you can carry me.”

Sang Wan burst out laughing at that. The faint mist of moisture in her eyes lingered, unblinking. She pressed a fingertip to the corner of her eye, her chest rising and falling lightly with mirth.

“You,” Sang Wan said indulgently, reaching up to ruffle the top of Yue Bai’s head. But at their near-equal heights, the gesture felt oddly awkward.

Sang Wan paused, only then realizing how similar their heights were.

They reached the base of Yue Bai’s dormitory building, and Sang Wan came to a stop. The lights ahead sparked tiny glints in her eyes.

“Head on up,” she said, tilting her chin toward the entrance. “Take a hot shower when you get back.”

Yue Bai chirped an affirmative and took small steps forward. But after just a few, she halted, pivoted on her toes, and twisted back around. “Senior Sister.”

“Mm?” Sang Wan hadn’t left yet. Her gaze held its usual tenderness. “What’s up?”

Yue Bai bit her lower lip, unsure how to broach it. This touched on Sang Wan’s privacy, but not asking left her chest tight and uncomfortable.

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Sang Wan prompted, seeing her hesitation.

“It’s just… you and Senior Li Ci…” Yue Bai trailed off, peering at Sang Wan’s face with wide, soft eyes.

But the other girl’s expression didn’t change. She even finished the question for her. “What’s our relationship?”

“I…” Yue Bai’s tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth. She ducked her head, twisting the hem of her shirt. For some reason, seeing Senior Sister chatting and laughing with him made her mind race.

And with Li Ci’s status and all-around excellence, Yue Bai couldn’t shake a faint fear that Sang Wan might actually end up with him.

No—truth be told, no matter who Sang Wan paired up with, it wouldn’t sit right with her. The mere thought clogged her chest like something precious had been stolen away.

“Just classmates,” Sang Wan said lightly, arching a brow. “Why the sudden question, junior sister?”

Sang Wan’s eyes were too sharp. Even brimming with gentleness, they pierced right through her. Yue Bai stepped back half a pace, averting her gaze.

“I just think… you’re only a sophomore now. Dating would distract you from studies,” Yue Bai said softly. “You’re so outstanding—you should wait. Maybe you’ll meet someone even better.”

Yue Bai herself couldn’t parse the meaning in her own words. Only after speaking did she realize she’d overstepped. They’d only known each other for a month since the semester started.

“I think so too,” Sang Wan agreed readily, nodding. “Romance only makes sense at the right time, with the right person.”

“If I meet the one, I might even chase them myself.” Her tone carried a deeper meaning. “Actually, I’m a big believer in love at first sight.”

“Oh… like that.” Yue Bai suddenly envied whoever that future person would be—the one Senior Sister chased. After a beat, she shook her head with a chuckle, unable to picture it.

“Alright, off you go,” Sang Wan urged.

“Then I’m heading up, Senior Sister.” Yue Bai waved. “You go back soon too.”

Once Yue Bai had disappeared inside, Sang Wan closed her eyes briefly. Through the massive first-floor glass windows, she tracked the girl’s figure until she reached the elevator. Only then did Sang Wan let her smile fade and turn toward her own dorm.

To prove she was a good girl, Yue Bai messaged Sang Wan the moment she finished her shower, letting her know.

Mm, get some real rest now. —Sang Wan.

Yue Bai checked the time— not even nine yet.

“Okay.” Despite her words, Yue Bai switched out of the chat app and eagerly opened her video app, scrolling with interest.

Before bed, she made sure to send Sang Wan a “good night.” Only after the reply came did she set her phone down, satisfied, and drift off.

Ever since committing to the basketball friendly match, Yue Bai showed up for training during every evening self-study. It started at an hour and gradually stretched toward two.

But true to her habit of slacking off whenever possible, she never pushed too hard.

The night before the match, the Sports Committee Member—aiming to ease their week of fatigue—waved them off with a grand gesture, sending everyone home to rest.

On Saturday afternoon, Yue Bai donned her academy uniform, topped with a numbered jersey.

“Yo, Little Bai, you look pretty spry!” Chen Han clapped for her.

Their dormmates had arrived early to cheer her on. Xu Nuo held up her phone. “Little Bai, over here.”

Yue Bai instinctively turned, and click—a photo appeared on the screen.

“Hahaha, check this candid—I caught Little Bai looking all dazed!” Xu Nuo shared with the others, cracking up.

Yue Bai walked over with a helpless smile. “Take some cool video shots for me to post.”

She planned to send them to Senior Sister Sang.

“Got it!” her roommates chimed in unison. “We’ll make you look perfect.”

Yue Bai raised a skeptical brow. “I’ll believe you… for now.”

With the referee’s whistle, Yue Bai waved goodbye and jogged toward the court.

“Everyone ready?” the referee asked, noting both teams were all girls.

“Ready.”

As the whistle blew, the referee tossed the basketball high into the air. Yue Bai timed her jump perfectly, leveraging her height and powerful leap to claim the ball.

“Yue Bai! Yue Bai!” cheered her classmates from the sidelines, who had come to watch the game.

Yue Bai dribbled steadily, her eyes constantly scanning the opposing players closing in around her. She flicked a quick glance at her teammate on the perimeter, then executed a fake-out before lobbing the ball their way.

She sprinted toward the opponents’ basket, all the while keeping an eye on her teammate with the ball.

After a series of sharp passes and plays, Yue Bai’s class struck first, sinking a basket for two points.

The ball fell into the opponents’ hands.

As time ticked down and the game neared its end, Yue Bai’s class held a slim one-point lead.

The ball came back to Yue Bai. She eyed the defenders warily, waiting for her moment. With a explosive leap and a convincing fake, she drove forward.

But in that instant, disaster struck. One of the girls boxing her out slyly extended her foot, planting it right where Yue Bai would land.

Caught completely off guard, Yue Bai came down hard, her foot landing squarely on the girl’s. Her body twisted awkwardly to one side.

The girl who had stuck out her foot snatched the ball away.

“Holy shit, did that girl just trip her? What a dirty move,” Xu Nuo muttered, unable to hold back as she recorded the whole scene on video.

At the same moment, the whistle shrilled again. The referee had seen it too and jogged over to Yue Bai’s side.

Her ankle was already swelling. Yue Bai bit down hard on her lower lip to stifle any sound, her hand hovering uncertainly over the throbbing joint. She didn’t dare touch it as waves of pain radiated through her entire body.