What’s this called? Inviting trouble into his own backyard? Shooting himself in the foot? Could it be that he’d been played by that little brat from the start?

Damn it, he absolutely didn’t want to give Fang Jingcheng any chance to steal the spotlight. But it was true; the substitute, Xiao Li, was someone he’d unintentionally let slip away. Now, refusing any backup would only confirm that he’s irresponsible.

It was also the class monitor’s first time meeting Fang Jingcheng. He observed Fang Jingcheng’s remarkable height and had pretty much reached a conclusion, though he still symbolically sought the group secretary’s opinion.

“Ah! That’s fantastic you’re willing to help! Old Bao, what do you think?”

With everyone’s eyes on him, Bao Zhiwei felt as if pins were pricking his back. He clenched his fists, gritting a few words through his teeth. “Hmm, he can go.”

From “unwelcome hanger-on” to “game-saving hero,” it only took a few steps. Bao Zhiwei’s twisted expression added the perfect touch to the scene.

Fang Jingcheng hummed a cheerful tune in his mind, his expression, however, remaining innocent.

“Could you watch my bag for me?” he asked, leaning down slightly towards Xia Fu and holding out his shoulder bag.

“Sure.”

Her younger brother, Xia Changqing, had once been duped into buying knock-off “designer brand” items. There was a phase where he posted “unboxing photos” every day. Fang Jingcheng’s bag looked just like one of those expensive items, so Xia Fu figured it must also be pretty costly.

She carefully placed his crossbody bag atop her own backpack.

Sitting far away, Xia Fu and Bao Zhiwei had plenty of space between them to fit someone as tall as Fang Jingcheng. Once Fang Jingcheng sat down, Xia Fu, like a small animal sheltering under a tree, scooted behind him carefully, like a little granny hiding in the corner watching the drama unfold.

At last, Fang Jingcheng had a moment to take a look at her.

Maybe because she had eaten her fill, her complexion looked much better than the night before. The most eye-catching part, though, was the bow on her head.

The fluffy ribbon matched the color of his own eyes, looking like a budding flower, a bird ready to take flight. It stirred an impulse in Fang Jingcheng to reach out and touch it.

She’s not a little kid anymore. Why is she wearing this? … Well, no one would notice if he just snuck a quick touch, right?

Someone’s trying to pull my hair!

Back in elementary school, the boys sitting behind Xia Fu weren’t known for their manners. Now, the bow on her head was a new hair accessory from her roommate, and Xia Fu cherished it dearly. Sensing the impending threat, she instinctively looked up, immediately on guard against any attack.

In one careless glance, she found herself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes, sparkling with Fang Jingcheng’s brilliant smile.

“Thanks for watching it for me.”

“Of course. If you could cheer for me, that’d be even better.”

Fang Jingcheng leaned in close, almost whispering into her ear. His lowered tone and teasing request sent shivers up her spine. Before Xia Fu could respond, he had already slipped away.

Taking the blue vest representing “Applied Mathematics” from Gu Jiashi, he strode onto the court.

The addition of Fang Jingcheng felt like a shot of adrenaline for the team. Suddenly, the crowd’s “Gu-shuai is the most handsome” chant switched to “Fang-shuai is the most handsome.”

Unlike the shy Gu Jiashi, Fang Jingcheng was like a flamboyant peacock. Every time he scored, he’d wave toward the cheering crowd. His good looks even had girls from the Economics and Management department sneaking glances his way.

Ridiculous!

Just playing basketball, and he’s “like this”? What, would he strip off his shirt and run around if he were playing soccer?

Bao Zhiwei found Fang Jingcheng’s ostentatious style nauseating and despised the audience’s shallow attraction to male beauty. Even Xia Fu, who was supposed to be supporting them, didn’t “read the room,” which only worsened his impression of her.

Xia Fu didn’t care.

Thanks to the “incident,” she quietly waited until the game ended.

The final score was ten points ahead of their opponent. The class monitor, overflowing with gratitude, warmly invited Fang Jingcheng to join them for the post-game dinner.

Fang Jingcheng took off his vest and politely declined.

“No worries. I was just passing by, wanting to play, and luckily got a spot. It worked out pretty well.”

“I’ve got other plans tonight anyway.”

For someone as good-looking as him, nightlife would naturally be colorful. The class monitor flashed him an “I get it” look and didn’t push further.

“Alright, then let’s hang out next time!”

Fang Jingcheng casually made his way to the stands, intending to find his “date,” but discovered that only a grumpy Bao Zhiwei was left watching his bag.

He only looked away for a second, and Xia Fu had already bolted, vanishing without a trace.

Fortunately, she had left him a “glass slipper” before fleeing.

“Come to the fire escape.”

F University’s gymnasium was massive, with basketball courts on the first floor and volleyball, table tennis, and swimming facilities on the upper levels.

Xia Fu stood at the stairwell corner, looking like an underground agent exchanging intel. When Fang Jingcheng arrived, she scanned the area to confirm there were no pursuers, let out a relieved sigh, and whispered, “Alright, hold out your hand.”

Hmm? Huh?

What’s going on? What is this?

Curious, Fang Jingcheng bent down and held out both hands, watching the “hamster” pull a small pouch from her cheek pouch and solemnly place it in his palms.

“Thanks for coming to watch the game. These are really tasty; you should have them.”

Dried meat, okra crisps, macadamia nuts—these were all things that Xia Fu thought were both pricey and popular with guys.

She liked them too! She was always a bit hungry, and high-energy snacks like these really made her happy! If Fang Jingcheng hadn’t helped her out so many times, she’d be reluctant to part with these little treasures.

But giving snacks to an immature boy seemed right. Better than letting him tug at her bow!

“I’m not very good at handling Bao,” she said, eyes wide, as if ready to bolt at any moment.

Fang Jingcheng paused, gazing down at her small hand, thinking she was like a “resident of a little island” in a game, gifting him her cherished trinkets.

And in the game, his mischievous side never disappeared. As a return gift, he usually liked giving back something like a “giant spider that jumps out to bite,” then laughing out loud.

Too bad he didn’t have any girly gifts on him this time.

Taking the little pouch, Fang Jingcheng helplessly smiled, “Oh, thanks.”

“Everyone has things they’re not good at. You could try asking someone who’s good at it for help.” Like him, who not only excelled at resolving conflicts but could become the conflict himself.

He smiled, stuffing his snack-filled bag, a hint of suggestion in his tone.

“By the way, what’s your plan later? Want to head out together?”

In the narrow stairwell with only the two of them, the mood was just right. The tiny window at the corner served as the sole light source, with the orange sunset flowing down like water, gathering on his shoulders.

Even in the secluded corner, he glowed, his eyes shining like glass under the sunlight.

Xia Fu felt dazed—

Fang Jingcheng would probably be much better at this than she was.

Tell him and ask for his help one more time…

Tempted, she felt her heart lean and fall with the sun.

Before the words left her lips, Xia Fu lowered her head, scrunching her nose as if sniffing the air, and mumbled, “No, I’m all sweaty. I need to head back and shower.”

Her night was jam-packed; besides the free meal ticket from the class monitor, she had to bring food for Ji Xiaowei and wash her makeup brushes and clothes.

So close.

Fang Jingcheng raised an eyebrow, watching her sniff around like a little hound. His heart skipped a beat:

Could she be saying he stinks?

He had used deodorant.

If Xia Fu weren’t still there, he’d be sniffing himself, certain that the Academy’s repeatedly used sports jersey must have smeared sweat onto him.

“Then hurry on. It was a lot just coming out here to watch the game in this heat.”

“You take it easy, too.”

Not wanting classmates to start asking about their relationship, Xia Fu slipped away right after speaking, leaving him in the stairwell.

The blue ribbon bounced as she walked, like a butterfly fluttering off his fingertips. When her canvas shoes clicked against the gym floor again, the “tap tap tap” echoed in Fang Jingcheng’s heart.

Though she’d rejected him, Fang Jingcheng didn’t feel disappointed. At least he’d found a bit of amusement in the “Chihuahua” and wasn’t leaving empty-handed with the snacks.

Watching her retreating back, he counted the beats, thinking:

When we meet in class on Monday, I’ll bring her some snacks.

With a pretty ribbon on the package, too.