The campus was filled with boys from the senior high school, shivering as they walked around, preferring to tremble like old men rather than put on an extra autumn shirt, as if their lives depended on it.

In the early morning, the athlete’s march played on time, and Xie Ci changed into his school uniform, sitting on the edge of his bed to put on his shoes.

“That guy named Gu on the upper bunk is up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a long leg shot out from the upper bunk, hanging just above his head, the wiggling toes responding provocatively. It was hard to tell if it was dissatisfaction with the nickname or being called out of bed.

It was simply childish.

Perhaps due to his mixed heritage, Gu Yufeng had naturally fair skin that was hard to tan, but he preferred a wheat-colored complexion. In his previous life, he had crazily sunbathed for a while, but instead of tanning, he ended up with large patches of rashes and had to take medicine for half a month before recovering, finally learning his lesson.

The leg in front of him was long and straight, so white that you could see the veins beneath the skin, but unfortunately, it was always despised by its owner.

Xie Ci slapped it away and stood up to look at the person on the upper bunk who was still in a deep sleep, a notorious late riser: “Are you getting up or not?”

Gu Yufeng sprawled out in a “big” shape, his right leg hanging off the bed, unable to open his eyelids.

He could easily pull a few all-nighters, but getting up early felt like it was taking half his life.

Who knew how nice it was to lie comfortably in a warm bed at this temperature? Even the annoying broadcast could be tolerated just a little.

Gu Yufeng mumbled, “I choose to write a self-reflection.”

Xie Ci was speechless and directly pulled open the curtains.

The light outside was a bit blinding, and Gu Yufeng raised his arm to shield his eyes, already quite impatient: “I can listen to you moan, but don’t call me to get up.”

Xie Ci: “… How old are you to be talking like that?”

Gu Yufeng: “If I can’t do it, can’t I at least say it?”

“You still want to do it? Why don’t you just fly up to the sky?”

Xie Ci finally understood why Old Xiang always had such a bad temper; it was purely from being annoyed.

“I’ve already come back from the sky…” Gu Yufeng sleepily replied, not even knowing what he was saying.

That careless remark made Xie Ci a bit concerned, but he didn’t know why.

By the time Gu Yufeng struggled to sit up, Xie Ci’s attention was completely focused on him.

Perhaps because he was still young, Gu Yufeng looked very different from the impression he had in his mind.

Just talking about getting up in the morning, the thirty-something Gu Yufeng, even if he had just crawled out of bed, was elegant, with a unique sexiness in his every move.

But the guy in front of him was messy and unkempt, with no sense of boundaries, completely unlike a rich young master; his good impression relied solely on his face.

Gu Yufeng climbed down from the bed, grabbed the shirt at the foot of the bed, and put it on over his T-shirt, then threw on a school uniform jacket, and that was it.

“Is that all you’re wearing?”

Xie Ci reminded him, “It’s only six or seven degrees in the morning.”

Gu Yufeng yawned and went to wash up: “The clothes are in the suitcase, too lazy to look for them.”

Zhang Ruochuan, who had just returned from washing up, happened to hear the last two sentences and looked at Xie Ci: “You’re criticizing him, but you’re only wearing two pieces, even less than him.”

Xie Ci picked up a towel and cup and walked out: “The clothes are in the suitcase, too lazy to look for them.”

Zhang Ruochuan: “…”

No one should say anything to anyone; they all looked the same.

The study atmosphere in Class One was very intense lately, with hardly anyone playing around during breaks. Besides the upcoming monthly exam, Xie Ci was also a big reason for that.

Xie Ci single-handedly made two teachers cry, leading them to sit together every day to discuss test questions. If they didn’t step up, they might be taught a lesson by this monthly exam.

And the few people on the basketball team not only had to deal with the monthly exam but also prepare for the upcoming basketball league.

During PE class, Xie Ci was supposed to practice basketball with Zhang Ruochuan and the others, but he was called to the office by Xiang Haibin, saying that the school leaders wanted to understand his situation.

“Hey, Old Gu!”

Zhang Ruochuan waved to Gu Yufeng, who was passing by the field and preparing to do high jump, “Xie Team was called away, you come and fill in!”

Gu Yufeng turned back and glanced at the basketball court: “You want me to play basketball with you guys?”

Zhang Ruochuan explained, “We’ve already found someone to take Xie Team’s position; you’ll fill in as the power forward on the opposite side.”

Gu Yufeng was indifferent, lazily shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked onto the basketball court.

“Just to be clear, I won’t act.”

Zhang Ruochuan laughed, “No need to act, just play normally.”

When Xie Ci returned, he saw a crowd of students gathered around the basketball court, where the game was intense, and cheers erupted from the crowd from time to time.

Xie Ci immediately spotted Gu Yufeng dribbling the ball, swiftly weaving through opponents. This guy was like a shining beacon, always the most eye-catching in the crowd, no matter when.

He rarely had the chance to see Gu Yufeng sweat freely like this. In his previous life, the most they did for exercise was in bed; even when Gu Yufeng worked out, he was never around.

“Three-pointer!”

A student acting as a referee shouted.

Zhang Ruochuan was panting heavily, leaning on his knees, looking at Gu Yufeng across the court: “Old Gu, be a person!”

In the cold weather, Gu Yufeng was left in just a short-sleeved shirt, tilting his head to wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his expression calm: “Didn’t you ask me to come and play with you?”

Zhang Ruochuan: “I asked you to practice, not to bully us!”

Gu Yufeng: “I said I won’t act.”

Zhang Ruochuan: “…”

Gu Yufeng was so tall, Zhang Ruochuan thought he should be good at basketball, but he didn’t expect him to be this strong! Their team’s three main players were on the court, and they were being completely dominated!

“Hey, Xie Team is back!”

Jiang Chenyu seemed to see hope and shouted to Xie Ci, “Captain, come help us deal with him!”

Xie Ci: “Deal with who?”

Jiang Chenyu and Zhang Ruochuan said in unison: “Old Gu!”

Xie Ci checked the time; there were only fifteen minutes left until class ended. They had just warmed up, so it was better not to play at all.

“I want to see how you guys are losing.”

Seeing Xie Ci standing on the sidelines with his arms crossed, showing no intention of joining, Jiang Chenyu unwillingly said, “Are you just going to watch your brother get taken down by him? Come on, put him in his place!”

Many students around started to cheer, wanting Xie Ci to join the game.

Gu Yufeng caught the ball thrown by a teammate, spinning it on his fingertips, looking at Xie Ci with a smile: “Forget it, don’t let him come; he’ll just be another defeated opponent.”

“Old Gu, you’re too arrogant!” Zhang Ruochuan shouted.

Gu Yufeng just smiled, completely unashamed of his arrogance.

Though the provocation was clumsy, it worked.

Xie Ci took off his school uniform jacket, stretched his shoulders and neck, and stepped onto the court.

“Just ten minutes.”

Gu Yufeng deliberately provoked: “Sure, beating you will be a piece of cake.”

Xie Ci: “Then give it a try.”

As soon as Xie Ci entered the court, the atmosphere changed completely.

The surrounding students got excited and called over many classmates to watch the showdown between the two big male gods.

Both were in the forward position, and it was Gu Yufeng’s turn to attack.

Zhang Ruochuan, worried that Xie Ci would be at a disadvantage, quickly explained: “Old Gu is good at strong attacks, fast, and has extremely tricky positioning; neither I nor Old Jiang can guard against him!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yufeng had already dribbled past the first line of defense, charging straight for the basket.

“Get back! Grab the rebound!” Zhang Ruochuan hurriedly chased after Gu Yufeng.

Gu Yufeng pivoted on his toes, successfully dodging the opponent’s block, and leaped under the basket.

“Is he going to dunk?!” The crowd became increasingly agitated, with many gasping in surprise.

Gu Yufeng’s speed was too fast; the other players simply couldn’t keep up with him.

To break through the main players of the school team and reach the basket alone, his strength left the onlooking students dumbfounded.

Just as Gu Yufeng was about to dunk, a shadow suddenly shot up in front of him, and in the next moment, the ball was gone from his hands.

So fast!

Gu Yufeng landed, surprised, and turned around to see Xie Ci had already snatched the ball and was running to the other side.

To block Gu Yufeng, everyone was on this half of the court, leaving the other side completely open.

By the time the teammates reacted to get back on defense, they had already fallen far behind Xie Ci.

Gu Yufeng didn’t hesitate at all and chased after Xie Ci at full speed.

The two kept changing positions, looking for each other’s weaknesses.

Xie Ci dribbled the ball inward, a faint smile in his eyes: “Not bad speed.”

Gu Yufeng raised an eyebrow, his breath a bit unsteady: “Likewise.”

“Unfortunately, lacking in technique.”

Xie Ci made a quick turn, breaking through Gu Yufeng’s defense.

Gu Yufeng quickly caught up, but just as he took half a step, he saw Xie Ci suddenly take a step back, and his heart skipped a beat.

“Fake move, he’s going for a three-pointer!” A teammate shouted anxiously from the other side.

After retreating to the line, Xie Ci jumped up and shot the ball.

At the moment the ball flew out, Gu Yufeng jumped, but it was too late; his fingertips barely brushed the bottom of the basketball.

The two landed almost simultaneously, watching the basketball, which had slightly altered its flight path, bounce off the rim a few times before slowly falling into the net.

“Three-pointer!” The student acting as a referee shouted.

Jiang Chenyu and Zhang Ruochuan shouted excitedly.

“Captain, you’re amazing!”

“Old Xie, it’s still you!”

“Xie Team is indeed not easy to deal with.”

Gu Yufeng looked at Xie Ci, feeling even more excited than before, “Let’s do it again.”

The others had exhausted their stamina, and with their speed unable to keep up, soon the entire court turned into a solo match between Gu Yufeng and Xie Ci.

After working for a while in his previous life, Xie Ci had hardly touched a basketball. After being reborn, he had rehabilitated for a while but had already lost the joy of playing basketball he had in his youth, feeling more of the responsibility of being the captain of the school team.

But in these few minutes of competing with Gu Yufeng, that exhilarating feeling of tingling excitement returned.

He had thought that he could only clash with Gu Yufeng at the negotiation table or in bed.

He never imagined that one day he could throw everything aside and have a good time playing a game on the high school basketball court.

Gu Yufeng radiated a vibrant life force like the blazing sun, pure and lively, infecting everyone around him, making Xie Ci feel as if he could momentarily return to that troubled yet full of infinite possibilities youth.

The class bell rang, and Xie Ci dribbled the ball, leisurely walking toward the center line, saying to Gu Yufeng, “Last shot.”

Gu Yufeng casually wiped the sweat from his chin with his shirt, and as he moved, his abdominal muscles were faintly visible.

He blocked Xie Ci’s path, his breath a bit unsteady: “It’s mine.”

Xie Ci smiled lightly: “That depends on your skills.”

The other players had already retreated, standing on the sidelines to wipe sweat and rest, their eyes glued to their final showdown.

Xie Ci dribbled the ball a few times, successfully finding a gap in Gu Yufeng’s defense, preparing to break through.

Unintentionally lifting his gaze, he locked eyes with Gu Yufeng for a moment.

The determination in Gu Yufeng’s eyes released an aggressive and oppressive aura, causing Xie Ci to momentarily daze, sweat from his forehead turning into blood, sliding down the side of his face, and some fragmented images suddenly flashed back.

A row of black SUVs sped recklessly along the road surrounded by the island.

Gu Yufeng’s car was tampered with, unable to stop, and could only keep dodging the oncoming driverless vehicles.

At the moment the fuel in the tank ran out, this collision game would come to an end.

The noise of the helicopter’s rotor blades was deafening, and the wind it stirred up howled.

He leaned close to the open cabin door, constantly signaling the pilot to get closer to Gu Yufeng’s car, lowering the rescue ladder to save him.

From the open window, he saw Gu Yufeng’s disheveled appearance, with a wound on his forehead, half his face covered in blood, his lips cracked, and his suit marked with several scratches, already soaked in blood.

Clearly, it was a life-and-death moment, but there was no panic in those eyes, just the usual calmness, as if he firmly believed he would be saved.

Xie Ci didn’t dare to blink, fearing that person would suddenly be smashed to pieces right in front of him.

After numerous attempts, Gu Yufeng finally grabbed the rescue ladder.

He desperately pulled the ladder up, watching that person get closer and closer.

Just when he thought everything was fine, the helicopter hadn’t gained altitude yet, and those driverless cars suddenly exploded one after another.

In the last moment before losing consciousness, he could only hold Gu Yufeng tightly, unable to say anything.

A figure flickered in front of him.

The person in front of him rushed past him toward the back.

The force of the dunk made the entire hoop sway up and down, creaking.

The dull sound of the basketball hitting the ground overlapped with the explosion in his memory, suddenly exploding in Xie Ci’s ears.

Around him erupted with enthusiastic cheers, but in such a lively atmosphere, Xie Ci felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, the chill seeping into his very bones, leaving him with no strength to even raise his hand.

He didn’t like to make assumptions, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but think, if back then he hadn’t been so eager for quick success, hadn’t used unscrupulous means to trick Gu Yufeng into marriage, maybe they could have found a way to cooperate without hurting each other.

Then could Gu Yufeng have found someone who truly loved him and lived a happier life?

Would he not have died?

He ruined his own life and also Gu Yufeng’s life.

Gu Yufeng let go of the hoop, landing lightly, looking back in confusion.

Xie Ci still stood there with his back turned, not making any move.

“Why did Xie Ci suddenly stop just now?”

“Yeah, I thought he was about to break through; I thought he was going to win.”

“Was he letting it go on purpose? That’s Xie Team’s style, haha.”

“Is he feeling unwell? Why hasn’t he moved yet?”

The surrounding students kept discussing.

Zhang Ruochuan and the others jogged over to Xie Ci, but he silently walked away.

Gu Yufeng looked at Fang Sizhe in confusion, who also had a puzzled expression, not knowing what had happened.

Xie Ci walked to the nearest teaching building’s water room, turned on the faucet, letting the water soak his hair, slide down his cheeks, cooling his heated mind.

He didn’t know how long it had been when the water suddenly stopped.

A cold voice came from behind him.

“Using cold water on your head in this weather? Are you asking for trouble?”

Xie Ci straightened up, a towel draped over his head.

“Dry it yourself.”

Seeing that he didn’t move, Gu Yufeng resignedly helped him dry off, “What’s wrong with you?”

Xie Ci raised his gaze, looking at the face so close to him.

Every detail was so similar, yet it wasn’t the person he was familiar with.

The more he interacted with the young Gu Yufeng, the stronger his desire to see him again became.

Gu Yufeng scrutinized Xie Ci’s somewhat vacant eyes, his tone a bit worried: “Xie Ci?”

Xie Ci’s fingertips twitched, suppressing the restless emotions.

“It’s nothing.”

Gu Yufeng: “Am I blind? You call this nothing?”

Xie Ci casually made something up: “Maybe I caught a draft; I had a bit of a headache earlier.”

Gu Yufeng looked at him in disbelief: “You had a headache and used cold water? Who taught you that?”

After saying that, Gu Yufeng noticed that Xie Ci’s clothes were also wet, and his tone inevitably became a bit irritated: “Hurry up, go back to the dorm and change clothes, don’t catch a cold.”

Back in the dorm, Gu Yufeng went to get Xie Ci a change of shirt.

As he turned around, Xie Ci happened to take off his wet shirt, and the angle of his side allowed Gu Yufeng to see a faint scar under his left shoulder blade.

“You have a scar…”

Gu Yufeng said as he reached out to touch it, “When did this happen?”

The scar was long and thin, looking shallow, and it didn’t feel uneven to the touch.

Gu Yufeng suddenly remembered the domestic violence incident with Chen Xinhong and asked, “Did that old man Chen do this?”

“Yeah.” Xie Ci took the shirt from his hand and changed into it, “When I was in my teens, I was cut with scissors by a drunk Chen Xinhong.”

Gu Yufeng cursed under his breath; just thinking about that dangerous scene made him wish he could take Chen Xinhong to a place where the law couldn’t reach and deal with him humanely.

“To think it was from being beaten when you were a kid.”

Gu Yufeng looked at the scar, muttering, “I always thought it was from me scratching you…”

Xie Ci’s hand, which was buttoning up, suddenly paused, turning his head in confusion: “You said it was from you scratching?”

Gu Yufeng came back to his senses and quickly added, “I meant I thought it was from when we were playing basketball just now, that it was an accident.”

Xie Ci narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him, feeling that this answer was a bit off.

If he thought it was from just now, could he really use “always”?

Was it that Gu Yufeng’s Mandarin was too poor, or was there something more to this statement?