Class Schedule

Zhu Zhan frowned, thought for a long time, then sighed. "I like playing basketball. I like McGrady, and... I want to surpass Li Ke!"

After Zhu Zhan finished speaking, his expression was still full of confusion.

Jiang Shi grinned and patted Zhu Zhan on the head. "Next time you face an even stronger opponent, if you fall into confusion, think carefully about why you play basketball!"

There was a reminiscing tone in his voice as he spoke.

Afterward, he lowered his hand from Zhu Zhan's head, raised his head somewhat forlornly, glanced over the basketball court, and said, "When I was about your age, I was confused too. What was I playing basketball for?"

Seeing Jiang Shi like this, Zhu Zhan nodded thoughtfully.

Jiang Shi smiled, and the wrinkles on his face immediately deepened. A look of reminiscence shone from his eyes, as though countless scenes had flashed through them in an instant.

"One day, I met a girl. She loved playing basketball, and I liked her very much, so I trained desperately and pushed myself..." Zhu Zhan's eyes immediately lit up. "Could this have been Uncle Jiang Shi's first love?"

Jiang Shi spoke slowly. "Later on, I truly fell in love with basketball. I began tasting victory on the court, and I also began tasting defeat. But I still didn't understand what I was really playing basketball for, until..."

"Then what were you playing basketball for?" A gleam flashed through Zhu Zhan's eyes as he looked at Jiang Shi.

The corners of Jiang Shi's mouth slowly lifted into a bitter smile. "Back then, it was just passion and a simple love for basketball."

After a pause, he continued, "Until one time, during a game, I finally understood why I played basketball!"

There was a forlorn note in Jiang Shi's voice.

"Then... why was it?" Zhu Zhan asked in confusion.

Jiang Shi let out a long sigh. "I was injured in that game and nearly lost the ability to play basketball forever. As I lay in that hospital bed, my family wanted me to leave the court and never play again. Alone, I quietly thought about my life. At the time, I considered giving up basketball, but later, I finally understood why I played!"

As he spoke, a sharp gleam burst from his eyes. His entire body seemed to give off a powerful aura that left Zhu Zhan greatly startled.

"I was very depressed then. I decided to give up and never play again. Right then, my coach asked me, 'What do you play for?'" Jiang Shi spoke slowly, as if he had returned to those youthful days when he had dominated the court.

"I suddenly remembered everything I had experienced with my teammates, and then I understood why I played!"

Zhu Zhan nodded, curiosity in his eyes. "Then what exactly was it for?"

Jiang Shi smiled and patted Zhu Zhan on the head. "That's something you need to experience for yourself!"

Then he stretched lazily and declared in a booming voice, "When you understand why you play basketball, you'll charge forward without fear and never be afraid of any opponent!"

His voice rang like a great bell, booming in Zhu Zhan's ears.

Confusion filled Zhu Zhan's eyes as he met Jiang Shi's gaze.

Gradually, his eyes cleared.

"Xiao Zhan, that's enough for today. Go home and get some proper rest!" Seeing that Zhu Zhan seemed to have gained something, though not yet clearly, Jiang Shi patted him on the head.

"Okay!" Zhu Zhan nodded.

After saying goodbye to Jiang Shi, Zhu Zhan picked up his basketball and slowly headed home. Jiang Shi watched from behind him, the corners of his mouth slowly spreading into a smile filled with anticipation.

When Zhu Zhan got home, his mother was already asleep. He quietly opened the door and entered. After taking off his clothes in his room and washing up in the bathroom, he returned to his room. His gaze slowly moved over the basketball star posters on the wall. When he saw McGrady's poster, he stared at it for a long while before looking away.

"What do I play basketball for?" Zhu Zhan seemed to mutter to himself.

"I really want to watch McGrady play in person!" With a long sigh, Zhu Zhan shook his head and dismissed the unrealistic thought. He took out his books from his backpack, intending to review the material from the classes he had missed while sleeping and reinforce his memory. But after taking out all his books, Zhu Zhan unexpectedly found a note.

"Huh? What's this?" Zhu Zhan took out the note and frowned as he thought for a long time, unable to remember what it was.

"Oh, right! Tian Chen gave it to me while I was asleep!" He casually opened the note. Zhu Zhan's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, while his eyes slowly widened with disbelief.

"N-No way!" Zhu Zhan stared blankly at the note in his hand, his mouth hanging so wide open that an egg could have fit inside. The tiny note contained only one brief sentence: "You look really cool when you play. I like it. Keep it up!"

What shocked Zhu Zhan was not the note itself, but its signature.

He blinked hard several times. Only after confirming that he had not misread it did he take a deep breath and pinch his cheek. "It's real. Oh my God!"

The signature consisted of two elegant characters, obviously written by a girl.

"Xuexue!"

"Xuexue wrote this for me? What does she mean? This is so strange!" Zhu Zhan stared at the note, scratching his head as he thought in distress.

While Zhu Zhan was agonizing over it, Xuexue was also lying on her bed, holding her phone with a troubled expression.

"Beep beep~" A text message arrived. Xuexue lay on her spacious, comfortable bed and picked up her phone.

"What did you write on the note you gave Zhu Zhan today?"

The sender was Feifei.

Xuexue's delicate brows rose on her pretty face, and her cherry lips slowly curved upward. A glimmer flashed through her eyes as she seemed to remember Zhu Zhan's final basket on the court.

Taking out her phone, Xuexue replied to Feifei: "Nothing. Go to sleep early. See you tomorrow. Let's go to the club on Friday!"

After sending the message, Xuexue let out a long breath and looked up at the ceiling of her room.

"Zhu Zhan..." Unconsciously, Xuexue spoke his name.

The next day, Zhu Zhan woke up aching all over. After cleaning an apartment building as usual, he rode his bicycle to school in the gentle morning breeze.

When he entered the classroom, Li Ke had indeed not arrived yet. Zhu Zhan went to his seat, took out all his books, arranged them according to the class schedule, and began previewing the lessons.

Just before class began, Tian Chen finally arrived late. After sitting down, she immediately pulled out a pile of snacks from her backpack and began stuffing herself.

Zhu Zhan shot her an annoyed look. When he raised his head, however, he saw Xuexue and Feifei slowly walking over.