The players from both teams had mostly arrived. After the referee took a headcount, the game began.
Wang Muman didn't understand basketball well. She just watched people run back and forth, shooting hoops. The sun was setting, and the sky was an endless expanse of red, stretching out and dyeing the heavens, reflecting on their faces as if they were wearing blush.
"Manman, he's so handsome. People who play basketball are always handsome!" He Lele whispered to Wang Muman, shouting along with the rest of the class.
Wang Muman didn't reply. She looked up at the sky, the crimson reflection in her eyes, her cheeks also appearing tender and pink. Yan Cheng, holding the ball, saw Wang Muman standing ahead. Although he was in the middle of the game and should have been more focused, he looked up and saw Wang Muman standing in front of him. He ignored the gazes of his teammates.
Time passed quickly. As Wang Muman lowered her gaze, she met Yan Cheng's eyes. She felt as if she were frozen in place, staring directly into his eyes.
"Brother Cheng, pass it to me quickly!" a classmate called out to him. This snapped Yan Cheng back to reality. He passed the ball to the classmate, not forgetting to smile at Wang Muman.
Later, recalling this scene, Wang Muman could only remember those puppy-dog eyes staring intently at her. She didn't know how to describe the feeling—a sense of sudden stillness, a desire to look away yet an inability to break eye contact, as if the world contained only the two of them.
"He Lele, how was my game? Have I improved a lot?" Zhou Mingyu asked as he stood next to He Lele during a break.
"Just so-so. Still not as good as your buddies," He Lele replied, her gaze drifting past Zhou Mingyu. Li Zhentao had come over to rest as he needed to talk to Zhou Mingyu.
He Lele had given Li Zhentao water earlier, and seeing him drink the water she provided made her a little excited.
Yan Cheng witnessed this scene. He was all too aware of He Lele's feelings. Wang Muman was often dragged by her to wander the corridors of Class Four, and half of her conversations were about Li Zhentao. She probably really liked that type.
He Lele suddenly moved away and walked in front of Wang Muman. Seeing that Wang Muman's water bottle was still in her own hand, she felt a sense of helplessness.
"Manman, are you planning to drink it yourself?" He Lele asked.
"No, I'm not thirsty," Wang Muman replied, sitting on the steps and looking up at He Lele.
"Give it to me, I'll deliver it for you." He Lele didn't know how to prompt her to act, so she decided to do it herself.
Seeing He Lele walking towards him with the water bottle, Yan Cheng took a few steps back.
"Handsome junior, here! I saw you reject water from several little fangirls, so you definitely won't refuse this one." He Lele gestured towards Wang Muman.
Yan Cheng immediately understood He Lele's intention. He glanced at Wang Muman, who was also looking in their direction.
"Handsome junior, seriously, don't be so biased. It was so hard for me to get water from Manman, and you don't want it." He Lele retracted the water bottle.
Zhou Mingyu walked over, took the water bottle from He Lele, and opened it, ready to drink.
"He Lele, thanks!" Zhou Mingyu exclaimed, having almost finished the entire bottle.
He Lele gave Zhou Mingyu a glare. Did he want everything? The thought of him secretly coming over for chicken legs that one time made her head ache.
Yan Cheng left and sat with Shi Kai, who had some snacks.
Shi Kai asked him, "Why aren't you hanging out with Zhou Mingyu anymore?"
"Times have changed. I'm redundant there," Yan Cheng sighed. Fearing they might argue again, he was the first to leave the battlefield.