With Jiang Linyuan's final game-winning shot, the people around them burst into chatter and gasps:
"Damn, this guy's in incredible shape..."
"Heh, I'd say he won on the court but lost in love..."
"Junior Jiang! You look so handsome when you play!"
At that moment, Liu Tingting, who had been waiting off to the side for quite some time, jogged over and held out a bottle of mineral water.
Her voice carried undisguised delight and admiration.
"Go easy on me next time we play, okay, junior?"
She stood very close, her curvy figure making a show of how special her relationship with Jiang Linyuan was.
What a petty little trick. And she was putting it on display for everyone?
As a seasoned connoisseur of green tea, Jiang Linyuan had seen through her little schemes long ago, but he didn't call her out.
After all, what green tea? They were all considerate, lovely younger sisters!
"Thanks for the water, senior."
Jiang Linyuan took the bottle with a smile. Their eyes met, and their fingers seemed to brush together by chance.
Liu Tingting quickly pulled her hand back, blushing shyly. She turned her face away, though she kept sneaking glances at Jiang Linyuan.
What a vivid portrayal of an innocent young woman.
Unfortunately, in Jiang Linyuan's eyes, it was like shooting arrows in front of Xiahou Chun—an impossible sight to bear.
"What a shame we didn't get to play one-on-one today, senior."
Jiang Linyuan sighed with an air of regret.
Acting? Who couldn't do that?
"Aw, weren't you having fun playing with Su Muzhi, junior?"
"Sometimes you play for the win, but sometimes you play just to spend a little more time with someone..."
Jiang Linyuan gazed at Liu Tingting and spoke with a meaningful lilt.
"You certainly know how to talk, junior."
Liu Tingting covered her mouth and laughed.
"It's okay. We'll have plenty of time to play together."
While the two of them were trying to out-act each other, Xiao Yun, who was helping Su Muzhi walk over, muttered under her breath:
"Two-timing scumbags."
Tsk. The little potato needed to work on her insults. Maybe she was just too well educated.
Jiang Linyuan noticed Su Muzhi walking over and politely said:
"You're really good at basketball, junior."
Su Muzhi wiped the sweat from her forehead, swept back a lock of hair, and sized up Jiang Linyuan, who wasn't even breathing hard. Then she asked:
"Were you holding back earlier?"
At that, Jiang Linyuan guessed that his final shot had probably given her the wrong idea.
He'd been exhausted, while she looked full of energy. It was only natural she'd start wondering.
But, girl, what could he do? He had a cheat.
Jiang Linyuan looked at Su Muzhi and said:
"You can think so."
Su Muzhi narrowed her eyes, smiled brightly, and held up her phone.
"A bet's a bet. I'll help you invite Shen Wanyu out. We'll get in touch on WeChat then."
Now she wasn't even calling him senior anymore, and she still said a bet was a bet.
Women really were all talk.
As she spoke, she glanced at Liu Tingting, who stood beside Jiang Linyuan with a thoughtful look. The corners of her lips curled up again, and she drew out her words:
"Also, Jiang, your little favor is good indefinitely. You can come claim it anytime."
Without waiting for Jiang Linyuan to reply, she left the court with Xiao Yun.
Before leaving, Xiao Yun made a face at the two of them.
"Junior Jiang, you..."
Liu Tingting hesitated, then asked softly, testing the waters.
Seeing her like that, Jiang Linyuan smiled disdainfully.
You're both foxes with a thousand years of experience. Why bother putting on a ghost story?
"Shen Wanyu is the head of the External Relations Department. I have some personal business I want to discuss with her, but I haven't had a chance..."
Jiang Linyuan spoke without changing his expression. After all, dating counted as personal business too.
"And if Su Muzhi hadn't said she could introduce us, I wouldn't have wanted to get involved with her."
Hearing this, Liu Tingting let out a relieved breath.
"Oh, I was just worried about you, junior. That Su Muzhi seems like quite a character. I was afraid she'd bully you."
"Haha, then I'll have to ask you to keep an eye out for me from now on, senior. I'm terrible at dealing with girls."
"You really trust me, don't you, junior..."
"Of course I do. You care about me, senior."
"You're such a smooth talker."
The fish had taken the bait.
Liu Tingting looked at Jiang Linyuan's innocent smile, secretly pleased.
The fish had taken the bait.
Jiang Linyuan glanced at Liu Tingting, his expression dismissive.
By using Su Muzhi as bait, Jiang Linyuan had made a deep impression on Liu Tingting from the moment they met.
The two soon became regular basketball partners, sharing funny stories and complaints every day. This went on for about a week.
Over the weekend, Liu Tingting hinted that she hoped she and Jiang Linyuan could go out on a date.
But Jiang Linyuan wasn't swayed. To get the system's reward, he had to make her fall for him.
If he agreed too easily, Liu Tingting would only see him as a backup or a lovesick simp, which would make things harder later.
"Sorry, senior. The school's holding an event this weekend, so I don't have much free time."
"So you were really looking forward to going out with me, junior."
"It's okay, junior. Don't wear yourself out, or I'll worry about you."
Listening to the voice message Liu Tingting had sent on WeChat, Jiang Linyuan's lips twitched.
Among all the green-tea girls he'd ever charmed, Liu Tingting was one of the best.
This pot of tea had at least twenty years of experience!
Just then, he suddenly received another WeChat message.
It wasn't from Liu Tingting. It was from Shen Wanyu.
"What's going on between you and Su Muzhi?"
Jiang Linyuan raised an eyebrow. He'd suspected that his department head and Su Muzhi had some kind of relationship.
But given Shen Wanyu's personality, if she was asking so bluntly, there was probably a story between them.
Then again, Jiang Linyuan thought, if those two got together, there probably wouldn't be a story. There'd be a disaster.
"Don't worry, Department Head. My heart will always be with you."
He sent the message without thinking too much about it.
"Stay away from Su Muzhi. She's not a good person."
Babe, you're getting a little possessive. We're just friends, not a couple. You're crossing a line.
Seeing Shen Wanyu's message, Jiang Linyuan found it even more amusing.
Those two really did have something going on.
"Department Head, I'll do whatever you say."
"Heh."
Shen Wanyu's reply was unusually cold. She said nothing more, only adding another message:
"Meet me at the café near the school on Saturday. I've sent you the address. Eight in the morning. Don't be late."
Holy crap!
Jiang Linyuan stared at the text on his screen, stunned.
The message sounded like it came from a boss telling an employee to clock in, but the information it contained was something else entirely.
Had the wooden girl he'd been trying to win over for nearly a year finally opened up?
Just then, Su Muzhi sent him a message.
"Jiang, I've taken care of your business."
"Also, you can come claim your little favor from me anytime~ Don't forget."
Su Muzhi, you're my hero!
"Thanks, junior Su. I'll buy you milk tea to celebrate."
"Honestly, Jiang, don't you know it's much harder to juggle three boats than two?"
That's so gross!
I just wanted to buy you milk tea to show my gratitude. Where did your mind go?
Before you continue