Pebbles

This morning's classes were Chinese, English, physics, and physical education.

Unlike in Xue Jing's previous life, Zhu Xia seemed to place particular importance on physical education. At the very least, Qing Fu Middle School did. Not only were there quite a few PE classes every week, but there was never any situation where the Physical Education Teacher was "asked to take leave."

After three academic classes and a short break, all the Elite Class students headed to the changing rooms to swap their uniforms for indoor sportswear.

"Hey, hey, those abs."

A tall bespectacled classmate froze when he saw Xue Jing take off his shirt.

"Not bad, Xue Jing. How did I never notice before? You're seriously built."

The moment he spoke, all the boys in the changing room turned to look.

"Damn!"

"Jing Ye, that's awesome. How'd you get such nice abs? Teach your brothers."

"First of all, I'm not from Nantong. Second, can I touch them?"

"I envy the future Xue Sao."

"Can I take a picture? It's not that I want to look, bro. It's mainly because I've got a little sister at home going through puberty and crying for attention."

Xue Jing hurriedly pulled on his short-sleeved sports shirt, speechless. "Can you guys stop being so gay? That's creepy."

Li Ge, who had already changed beside him, grinned and teased, "You're scared of a little joke? Homophobia is just deep closet behavior. With your looks, if you keep not getting a girlfriend, don't blame us for getting ideas."

Xue Jing kicked him, sending him stumbling. "Get lost."

"Nice shot!"

Inside the gymnasium, Xue Jing took a jump shot from far away. The basketball left his hand and dropped neatly through the hoop, immediately drawing cheers.

After exchanging high-fives with his teammates in brief celebration, Xue Jing caught his breath and glanced at the panel.

Shot hit accurately. Aim Experience +2

Aim Lv1 (78/300)

The Aim skill he had only activated last night was practically a dimensionality-reduction strike when used in a sport like basketball that demanded precision.

Inside the three-point line, even with opponents interfering, he could make nine out of ten shots. Outside the line, he still had an extremely high chance of scoring. In terms of shooting alone, he had already reached a professional level.

As a result, even though he was not using his physical abilities to overpower anyone in direct confrontations, several classmates on the opposing team still looked utterly dead inside.

Especially with the girls resting nearby watching the game.

Though the girls tactfully made no sound, the embarrassment of becoming a background prop for someone else's showboating lingered in the boys' hearts, impossible to shake off.

Xue Jing was not someone who particularly liked showing off. He had originally only planned to play casually, not bully his classmates.

That thought lasted until he made his first basket and saw the +2 Aim Experience.

"Come on, come on! We still have a chance! We can win this back!"

On the opposing team, Li Ge clapped his hands and encouraged his teammates, barely reigniting some fighting spirit.

The Physical Education Teacher blew the whistle, and the game resumed.

"Stop him! Stop him! Block his shot!"

"Hey..."

The Elite Class students were engrossed in the basketball game. None of them noticed several figures in school uniforms enter through the gymnasium doors.

At their head was a very tall, somewhat plump-looking boy. After entering, he actually took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and brazenly put one in his mouth. Someone beside him immediately pulled out a lighter to light it for him. The entire scene looked exactly like a movie lackey lighting a cigarette for his boss.

The boy held the cigarette between two fingers, inhaling and exhaling smoke with practiced ease. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the basketball game and asked, "Which one is Xue Jing?"

Someone beside him immediately pointed him out. "That's him—the one who just took the shot!"

The plump boy stared for a while, then clicked his tongue. "That pretty boy looks decent enough. No wonder Shi Yu likes him."

Someone nearby hesitated before speaking up. "Brother Pei, maybe we should forget it. Xue Jing's in the Elite Class. The school—"

Pei Youguang turned and glanced at the speaker, who immediately shut his mouth.

"What's there to fear about the school? Even the principal has to be polite when he sees my dad. What's there to be afraid of? What the hell is the Elite Class? If I, Pei Youguang, want to kill him, I'll kill him!"

Pei Youguang took a drag from his cigarette, his words ringing with confidence and dominance.

The lackeys around him were immediately awed by his presence, each showing an expression of admiration.

"Let's go. Now that we've identified him, that's enough. This isn't a good place to make a move. We'll deal with him after school."

As Pei Youguang spoke, he turned and left first. His lackeys followed a step behind him, making for quite an imposing sight.

By the end of PE class, Aim Experience had already reached (158/300), progressing rapidly.

Skill Experience was reflected on Xue Jing in real time. The further things went, the smoother his shots became, and his accuracy steadily increased, leaving all the boys wearing pained expressions.

"Fuck, if I ever play basketball against you again, I'm a dog!"

Back in the classroom, Li Ge cursed loudly.

Then he immediately added, "Unless I'm on your team."

Xue Jing was packing his things into his backpack. Hearing that, he smiled. "Sure. I'll carry you next time."

When he practiced darts at home, hitting the bullseye only gave him 1 point of Experience. Yet playing basketball with others outside gave him 2 points per basket. As expected, the panel did not encourage shutting oneself away to train.

After a while, Li Ge finished packing as well. He slung on his backpack, walked over to Xue Jing, and said solemnly, "Let's go. I'll walk home with you."

Looking at the expression on Li Ge's face as though he were heading bravely to his death, Xue Jing found it both amusing and a little touching.

Unlike Xue Jing, Li Ge had a layer of terror-filter over Pei Youguang. In his eyes, Pei Youguang was a violent criminal who murdered, set fires, and raped classmates. Knowing full well that this criminal might cause trouble for Xue Jing after school, Li Ge was still willing to go with him. That was genuinely loyal.

Xue Jing shook his head. "No need. I'll go back by myself."

But Li Ge insisted, "You don't need to say anything. I'm not that kind of person. If I said I'd go with you, I'm going with you!"

"Fine." Xue Jing did not refuse again.

He added, "But remember this: I'll handle it. You just watch from the side, got it?"

Li Ge was somewhat puzzled, but he still nodded.

The two left the classroom and headed toward the school gate.

Compared with Xue Jing, whose expression was as normal as ever, Li Ge's steps were heavy and his face full of worry, as though he were walking to the execution grounds.

When they reached the field, Xue Jing suddenly remembered something.

Hmm... I think they said he knows a bit of martial arts? Just in case, I should prepare something.

Xue Jing thought.

He lowered his head and searched the ground for a while before walking over to a cobblestone path.

Seeing Xue Jing suddenly crouch down and pick up several pebbles to put in his pocket, Li Ge asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

Xue Jing felt the pebbles in his pocket, confirming their size and feel, then casually said, "Fine, I'll come clean. I'm actually Little Li Flying Dagger's successor."

Li Ge: "Huh?"

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