Guarding Food

Chapter 5: Guarding the Food

Wang Yue's roommates breathed a sigh of relief, while Xiao Nai kept dishing out dog food in the game.

Yu Gong Yi Shan: I said, after we ran into you that day, why did Xiao Nai call me asking about stuff! Turns out he was digging for info.

Mozhata: Xiao Nai's quick on his feet—once things were out in the open, he launched a full assault on Junior Sister Weiwei.

Monkey Wine: Junior Sister Weiwei, how did Third Brother confess? Give us the details. We want to learn from Third Brother so we can use it ourselves someday.

Yixiao Naihe: First, you need a target to practice on. Weiwei, let's go. We're ignoring these Single Dogs.

The Senior Basketball Farewell Game kicked off on time at 7 p.m.

Wang Yue finally got to see the legendary Great God Xiao Nai in person—still as handsome as ever! He wished he could be that eye-catching too.

The game split into two teams: one made up of seniors from the department team, the other from the rest of the department teams. Wang Yue was back to guarding the water cooler today.

Bei Weiwei's dorm of four showed up. Boss and Second Brother from her dorm quickly gave up the seats they'd saved for Weiwei and her friends, and introduced Wang Yue to them.

Wang Yue exchanged a quick greeting with them, then headed over to wait by the water cooler.

Once Weiwei and the others were seated, Sisi said cautiously, "Weiwei, you're pretty familiar with Junior Disciple Brother and his crew—has Er Xi's boyfriend always been like this?"

Bei Weiwei thought for a moment, glanced at Er Xi, then replied, "Not really. Their Third Brother never played games before. From what they say, Wang Yue's pretty impressive—not just solid in computer science, but he knows a lot about mechanical design too. He rigged up a Voice-Controlled Door for their dorm that can recognize all four of their voices to open."

"That's amazing! And he's only a freshman!" Sisi looked stunned.

"See, I told you! He's a Little Fox in the making! Otherwise, how would Er Xi be so wrapped around his finger?" Xiaoling said, looking smug like she'd called it.

Though it was called a farewell game, it was really more of an exhibition match. Everyone on the court pulled out their best moves, drawing shrieks from the girls in the stands. Especially when Xiao Nai pulled off a 360-Degree Spin Layup, leaving the girls flushed with excitement.

Boss Huang Tao, sitting right next to Sisi, watched Xiao Nai's flashy display and couldn't help saying to Weiwei, "Senior Sister Weiwei, I'm not trying to nitpick, but Xiao Nai's a Husband with a Wife now, and he's still out there flirting. Don't you rein him in?"

"But Senior Brother Xiao Nai plays so well! I wonder how Wang Yue does," Er Xi chimed in, still carefree.

"Senior Sister Weiwei, even your roommate with a boyfriend is getting distracted. Look at the girls around—their eyes are green with envy. Strike while the iron's hot!" Jia Honghai overheard them and leaned in to add.

Er Xi, realizing she'd slipped up, quickly suggested to Weiwei, "Weiwei, why don't you go over and hand Senior Brother Xiao Nai a bottle of water? Stake your claim!"

"Yeah, Weiwei, go for it!" Sisi pulled out a sports drink and emphasized, "It's new, unopened!"

Normally, Bei Weiwei wouldn't do something like that. But with Boss and Second Brother egging her on, and Sisi and Er Xi adding fuel to the fire, plus the sight of girls around her practically drooling over Xiao Nai, she took the bottle from Sisi and walked to the sidelines.

Wang Yue was sitting by the court, joking around with Fourth Brother, when he saw Bei Weiwei walking over gracefully. He immediately knew what she was up to.

He stood up quickly, walked over to Weiwei, and said with a smile, "Senior Sister Weiwei, nice move! Time to tighten the reins."

"Junior Disciple Brother's sharp—no wonder you've got Er Xi so devoted. Your Boss and the other two always sing your praises." Weiwei wasn't flustered by Wang Yue seeing through her; she'd toughened up her skin hanging around Xiao Nai lately.

"Not at all, not a patch on your Xiao Nai! Er Xi's too adorably clueless—I've got no choice but to work hard." Wang Yue shifted the topic with a grin. "Senior Sister Weiwei, you're too low-key. People should've known long ago that Senior Brother Xiao Nai is a Husband with a Wife."

Weiwei was about to say something else when she saw Xiao Nai walk off the court, take the drink from her hand, twist off the cap, and take a big gulp.

"Senior Brother Xiao Nai!" Wang Yue quickly greeted him.

"Mm, I've heard a lot about you. Not bad!" Xiao Nai always spoke so calmly. But if he hadn't rushed off the court to guard his food the moment he saw Weiwei and Wang Yue standing together, Wang Yue might've believed his calmness more.

"You're the impressive one, Senior Brother—your company's already a decent size before you've even graduated." Wang Yue wondered when Xiao Nai had started paying attention to him. Had his three roommates sold him out?

"I know Huang Tao and the others want to train at my place this summer. I'm formally inviting you and Er Xi," Xiao Nai said, quickly changing the subject when he saw Wang Yue was ready to keep the mutual flattery going.

Wang Yue didn't hesitate and agreed readily. He'd been in this world for a while now, treasuring this chance to learn, living a full life, even picking up a girlfriend. But this wasn't his world—maybe if he followed the plot closely, he could go back?

Xiao Nai was also pleased with Wang Yue's agreement. He'd often heard about this rising Rookie King freshman—didn't like club activities, was a regular at the library, had top grades, excelled in computer tech and mechanical design, and had unique insights into the gaming industry. Bringing him in for a two-month summer trial was worth a look.

Bei Weiwei found it oddly annoying to see Xiao Nai and Wang Yue standing together—why did the vibe between them feel so ambiguous? So she said to Xiao Nai with mock seriousness, "Xiao Nai, come sit in the stands with me. You're a man with a wife—you need to protect yourself."

"As my lady commands!" Xiao Nai took Weiwei's hand and headed straight for her support group, without even saying goodbye. Did he have that little presence?

Wang Yue watched them leave, speechless. Those two just fit together so perfectly! But Xiao Nai's act—was it actually kind of cool? So he mimicked Xiao Nai's move, walked to the water cooler, adjusted his jersey, puffed out his chest, and sat down next to Liu Wei.

Liu Wei saw Wang Yue's pretentious act and shuddered, quickly scooting away to avoid catching whatever he had.

In the second half of the game, Wang Yue and Liu Wei got a few minutes on the court. Wang Bryant Yue made his comeback. In just a few minutes, he blew past several senior brothers with a series of flashy moves.

The seniors, annoyed that this junior was stealing their spotlight, double-teamed him repeatedly, forcing Wang Yue to pass the ball every time.

Wang Yue said helplessly to Yu Banshan, "Senior Brother, double-teaming in an exhibition match? That's not fair play."

Yu Banshan patted Wang Yue's shoulder and said seriously, "Keep showing off like that, and you'll get beaten up."

Qiu Yonghou walked by, heard them, and chuckled, punching Wang Yue lightly. "That shameless Xiao Nai just left, and you're already strutting around, calling us unfair!"

Seeing the situation, Wang Yue played a few more balls, then voluntarily went back to guard his beloved water cooler. He figured if he kept showing off, he might get carried out today.

But after watching the water cooler for a bit, it hit him—he could dish out dog food too. Why was he stuck guarding some stupid water cooler?

So Wang Yue stood up, patted Fourth Brother on the shoulder, and said solemnly, "I'm going to keep your Third Sister-in-law company. The water cooler's yours!"

Fourth Brother stared at Wang Yue, speechless. He felt Third Brother was acting weirder than usual today—even stranger than at the last basketball game. He decided he'd never play ball with Wang Yue again.

Watching Wang Yue mimic Xiao Nai's slow, deliberate walk over to Er Xi, Fourth Brother swore a solemn oath to the water cooler.

Anyone who plays another game with Third Brother is a total idiot!