Lemon Soda Candy

After saying that, Yan Xingxi rushed back to her original position before the game resumed. 

Dong Chen cast a doubtful look at her and questioned, "Yan Xingxi, you also understand what personal foul is? Since when did you take interest in basketball?"

Yan Xingxi was about to respond.

However, Zhou Anran immediately pulled her over with one hand "The game will start soon, don't stand inside the line."

Knowing just how careless Yan Xingxi could be, she squeezed her wrist to remind her. 

Yan Xingxi took the hint and straightened her posture, not even bothering to look at Dong Chen. "Whether I understand or not is none of your business."

Dong Chen: "......"

On the field, Teacher Zhao slowly swept his eyes over the students in front of him, pausing at Hu Kun, "You all heard that. All the students around you are watching. Anyone who makes a foul move will be dealt with by me. And don't even think about fighting or arguing, if it happens again, this game will be dismissed. Alright, let's continue."

Teacher Zhao returned to the sidelines. 

Zhu Ran placed his hand on Chen Luobai's shoulder, asked quietly, "What did you mean by 'It's alright' just now? Are you planning to mess with Hu Kun later?"

Chen Luobai slapped his hand away, "Your hand is sweaty, get off me. Why should I mess with him? If we want to win the game, we have to win with integrity."

"As if your hands are any better." Zhu Ran scoffed, "I can believe the part about you wanting to win with integrity, but you, not going to mess with him? I don't buy it. You never spare me whenever I disturb your sleep before. Why are you suddenly so generous today?"

Chen Luobai moved his ankle again.

He was indeed lucky he did not get hurt today.

And he certainly was not that generous.

"You know, if you want to hit someone, hit them where it hurts." 

Zhu Ran was just about to ask what did he mean, but Teacher Li had already calling Chen Luobai to get the ball.

Just now, Hu Kun received a warning for foul, and Class 2 was given a free-throw¹ and an opportunity for a throw-in pass², Chen Luobai took the ball and headed towards the free-throw line³.

Zhu Ran didn't continue to ask.

However, he soon got his answer.

Due to their internal conflict, the few remaining people from Class 10 and Hu Kun were each playing their own game, causing them to fall significantly behind Class 2.

With the attention of the girls from their class now focused on Hu Kun, plus the warning given to him, he didn't dare to make any more foul moves. Even his usual attack and defense had become restrained as a result. This situation was a major blow for Class 10.

Shortly after the beginning of the fourth quarter, Class 2 had a lead of more than 30 points, solidifying their victory in the match.

Chen Luobai signaled to the referee for a replacement , walked towards the sidelines, and then turned around.

"Zhu Ran, Ruirui, you guys too."

Zhu Ran and Tang Jianrui, who had followed him to the sideline, saw him ask, "Anyone want to play?"

Huang Shujie was confused by his words, he stood up from the stool and asked, "If the three of you got off, doesn't that mean all three of us have to play?"

"Not you." Chen Luobai smiled and motioned towards the boys behind him, "I'm asking the other boys in our class. Anyway, it's already garbage time⁴. How is it? Anyone interested in going to the court and playing against our school team player?"

At once, Zhu Ran understood what he meant by 'hit where it hurts'.

Is Hu Kun more afraid of going against them, or of losing the match?

The answer, of course, is the latter.

Being a member of the school team, losing to them would be an immense humiliation for him.

On top of it, the gap in score was so big that Chen Luobai felt confident enough to allow the regular class 2 students, who weren't even substitutes, to play.

It was no different than holding his face to the ground and stomping on it.

He's basically destroying him inside out!

To be fair, Hu Kun himself did not perform poorly in this match, scoring at least 90% of the points for Class 10.

But basketball is not an individual game.

Zhu Ran glanced back. 

As expected, Hu Kun's expression has sank through the floor.

Delighted by the sight. Zhu Ran turned around, relishing the spectacle, shouted loudly, "Such a rare opportunity. Anyone who wants to play should hurry. It doesn't matter if the score is overtaken by a little bit, anyway, your Luo Ge can win it back." 

There was a loud 'bang' came from behind.

At the same time, whispers were heard from Class 2's side.

"Damn, Hu Kun actually dropped the ball."

"Tsk tsk tsk, he was so shameless when he did undercut, why is he acting ashamed now?"

Chen Luobai raised his eyebrows and turned his head to look.

Zhu Ran also followed suit, looking around to see what was happening.

When the orange basketball hit the ground, it bounced back to their side. Chen Luobai caught it with his hand and saw Hu Kun walking away to the other side of the court without looking back, squeezing through the crowd, trying to leave.

Zhu Ran made a long 'Yo' sound, "Hu Kun, are you not going to play anymore? Fine, then leave. Don't forget to read the self-criticism and apologize in front of the whole school next Monday."

From a distance, Zhu Ran saw Hu Kun's back stiffen. 

Zhu Ran burst into laughter and leaned on Chen Luobai's shoulder.

Chen Luobai pushed him away in disgust, he then leaned over to Tang Jianrui and laughed.

After Hu Kun left, the match came to an early end.

Chen Luobai nudged Zhu Ran, "Stop laughing, bring a bottle of water to teacher Li and ask him if he wants to have dinner with us in Qingting." 

Zhu Ran, filled with joy after winning the match, happily ran errands for Chen Luobai. 

By the time he returned after delivering the water, most of the audience had already left the field. He casually glanced at a face nearby.

"Female Hero Yan."

The other party didn't respond.

Zhu Ran didn't know the girl in front of him very well, he tried to recall her name, "Yan Xingxi."

Yan Xingxi, who walked out arm in arm with Zhou Anran, was taken aback for a moment before turning around, "You call me?"

"Yeah." Zhu Ran was still holding another bottle of water in his hand, beaming in smiles as he looked at her, "We're going to Qingting for dinner tonight, do you want to join us?"

Yan Xingxi: "No, thanks. I have plans tonight."

Zhu Ran watched as she finished speaking and turned around, continuing to walk forward with the girl beside her without looking back. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

When he returned, he smilingly said to Chen Luobai who had just finished bringing water to Teacher Zhao, "I thought that Female Hero Yan was interested in you, otherwise why would she pay attention to such a small detail as Hu Kun stepping on your feet, but not only was the girl not interested in having dinner with you, she didn't even give you a glance."

Chen Luobai was speechless, "You're treating me like I'm RMB5."

Zhu Ran: "For some girls, you might be much more valuable than RMB."

Chen Luobai ignored him and changed the subject, asking, "Is Teacher Li not coming?"

"He just took the water and said he won't be joining us for dinner." Speaking of dinner, Zhu Ran lost interest in talking about girls, "Teacher Zhao isn't going either, is he? Then let's hurry over, I'm starving to death."

Yan Xingxi walked another short distance before finally reacting.

"Zhu Ran just invited me to have dinner together. Do you think it's because of what happened with Hu Kun?"

She wasn't lying when she said she had plans, both her parents were not at home today, and had told her to have dinner and sleep at Zhou Anran's house today.

Moreover, her idol had a broadcast event tonight at 8:30, and she was just talking to Zhou Anran about it. Her mind was filled with the excitement of seeing her fresh idol, so when Zhu Ran asked, she didn't even think twice before refusing.

"Then the one they invited should be you, right? I didn't react well just now. Ranran, do you want to go? How about we go back and talk to them again?"

Zhou Anran glanced behind her.

Chen Luobai and the others seem to have finished packing, and the large group of people are now walking to leave the school, Yin Yizhen and Lou Yiqi were among them.

Zhou Anran withdrew her gaze, "No need, my mom said she left us a table of food, she prepared a big bowl of braised chicken feet for us."

Yan Xingxi immediately quickened her pace, "Then we should hurry."

Zhou Anran was pulled along by her and could only follow, hastening her pace and gradually distancing herself further and further away from the group of people behind her.

"Right, Ranran." Yan Xingxi seemed to remember something, "Why do you suddenly know so much about basketball rules?"

Zhou Anran's heartbeat felt like it had quickened along with her footsteps, she whispered softly, "My dad likes to watch it, I accompanied him watched a few games at home and found it quite interesting."

"No wonder. But why don't you do it yourself?" Yan Xingxi had been wanting to ask this question, but there were too many people on the field, and Zhou Anran looked like she didn't want her to ask more, so she didn't say anything then.

Zhou Anran pursed her lips.

Why didn't she do it herself?

Actually, it was a split-second decision. Who knows, maybe she even did it without thinking.

Or perhaps it was because she saw the big step that Yin Yizhen took.

Subconscious thoughts often betray a person's true feelings. 

She was afraid she couldn't hide it well.

He couldn't even remember her name.

If the secret sealed at the bottom of her heart was revealed, only embarrassment would await her.

She didn't want to cause him any trouble.

"You know that I'm scared of dealing with teachers." Zhou Anran said in a low voice, "Besides, I'm a little embarrassed to speak out loud in front of so many people."

What she said reminded Yan Xingxi, who asked, "Then those last few words you told me, I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"

Zhou Anran: "You didn't."

"That's great, It would have been embarrassing if I had said the wrong rules in front of so many people."Yan Xingxi paused, her voice becoming more excited, "But seeing Hu Kun's face at that time, it was really satisfying.”

Zhou Anran responded with a faint smile, "Yeah."

She turned her head slightly, the boy's figure and appearance had been completely blurred by the distance and the quiet dusk settling in.

_______

¹:Free throws are a shot awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team. 

²:A method of putting the ball into play in basketball. 

³:a marked area on a basketball court surrounding the basket.

⁴:The period toward the end of a timed sports competition that has become a blowout when the outcome of the game has effectively already been decided. 

5: Chinese Yuan.