Trying to poach our girl?

Fang Qiu gazed toward the entrance for quite a while before she spotted a group approaching.

Led by Li Fei, president of Pluto's Basketball Club, a dozen or so people from Canghai Academy headed their way.

"Wow, Jiang Nian, did you see the guy at the back of the Canghai Academy group? He's pretty cute."

Fang Qiu scanned everyone like a radar, then fixed her sparkling eyes on the handsome guy at the back and urged Jiang Nian to look too.

Jiang Nian had been watching the people talking at the front. At Fang Qiu's words, she shifted her gaze to the back of the group.

The boy had neatly cropped hair and a black stud in his ear. His deep, dark eyes were half closed, as though he hadn't quite woken up, and he covered his mouth as he let out an enormous yawn.

The collar of his white shirt was slightly open, and his sleeves were rolled halfway up his forearms, revealing tanned skin.

He is good-looking, Jiang Nian acknowledged with an inward nod.

Feng Xing had been dragged along by his academy to lend the group some clout. Already irritated from a lack of sleep, he sensed someone staring at him and raised his eyes to see who it was.

There were plenty of people milling around the basketball gym, but he immediately pinpointed the source of that gaze.

Two pretty girls were sitting on a bench, looking his way. The lovely sight dispelled much of his grogginess-induced irritation.

Feng Xing's lips curved with interest.

The girls at Pluto Academy are pretty good-looking in general.

He studied Jiang Nian for a few moments, tempted to ask for her contact information. Unfortunately, he had been brought here to back his academy up, not cause trouble.

If he went asking a girl from a rival academy for her contact information now, his club president would start fussing again.

Next time.

Left with no choice, he regretfully looked away.

Li Fei first walked the Canghai Academy visitors through their training methods and routines, then showed them the gym's various training facilities.

Chen Dan, president of Canghai Academy's Basketball Club, surveyed Pluto's advanced facilities and spacious courts before speaking in an ambiguous tone.

"You really have great conditions here. All built with cold, hard cash. Much better than ours. No wonder people say you bought your way to first place."

They had lost to Pluto Academy in the recent district basketball tournament, which had led to this visit to observe and learn.

But from Canghai Academy's perspective, Pluto Academy was nothing special. They had simply piled up money and supplements to produce a championship team. With the same resources as Canghai, they certainly wouldn't have stood a chance.

How could Li Fei miss their disdain?

He said nothing more, merely leading the Canghai group to the center of the gym after the tour to meet his own players.

"Gather up!"

At Li Fei's command, every member of Pluto's Basketball Club assembled.

He clapped his hands and introduced the visitors from Canghai Academy.

"These are the members of Canghai Academy's basketball team. We saw them not long ago, so I'm sure you all remember them."

"They're here today to observe and learn. Let's give them a welcome."

The Pluto players applauded politely, but the Canghai Academy visitors seemed arrogant and dismissive, looking down their noses at everyone.

One Pluto student couldn't stand their attitude and spoke with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Looking at you lot, anyone who didn't know you were here to observe and learn would think your academy had come for a group brawl."

A Canghai student shot back, looking at him mockingly.

"What, our expressions alone scared you? You Pluto guys aren't up to much."

The student looked utterly speechless.

"What a joke. If even the first-place team isn't good enough, what does that make you losers? If I were you, I'd be too ashamed to show my face!"

The Canghai Academy visitors glared, their sore spot exposed.

"You! If we'd had our full starting lineup back then, do you think you could've won? We would've beaten you ages ago!"

At that, Li Fei glanced over the Canghai Academy visitors, his gaze passing across their faces before settling on Feng Xing.

He asked Chen Dan curiously, "Is this the starter who didn't play?"

Chen Dan looked proud.

"Yes. He used to play streetball in Country M and only came back recently. If he'd played, we definitely wouldn't have lost that game."

Li Fei gave him a faintly amused look. "Oh?"

Seeing his disbelief, Chen Dan hurried to insist.

"It's true! If you don't believe me, let's play another game. We definitely won't lose to you this time."

Li Fei remained unmoved. "Really? I don't believe you."

You said that last time and the time before, too.

Picking up on his club president's plea for help, Feng Xing looked unconcerned.

"If you don't believe it, we can start with a one-on-one."

Li Fei sized Feng Xing up and agreed.

"Sure. We've got several new members this time too. I'll pick a newcomer to play you."

He scanned the new recruits, his gaze landing on Tan Xuguang. "Xuguang, you're up."

Tan Xuguang stepped forward casually.

"Hi, I'm Tan Xuguang."

Feng Xing raised an eyebrow. "I know you. The Tan Family's young master."

"I'm Feng Xing."

Everyone found an empty court and let the two begin their one-on-one.

Li Fei served as referee. Once both players were in position, he blew his whistle and tossed the ball high into the air, starting the match.

Tan Xuguang and Feng Xing jumped at the same time, but Feng Xing's astonishing leap won him the ball immediately. He sped toward the basket like lightning, raised both hands, and sent the ball straight through the hoop with a swish.

The Canghai group roared in celebration, as though they had finally clawed back some pride.

Tan Xuguang's interest was piqued. "You're pretty good."

But he was no slouch either.

On the second possession, Tan Xuguang seized the initiative and grabbed the ball. After several dribbling moves, he lifted both hands and sank a three-pointer.

Now it was Pluto Academy's turn to cheer. The Canghai Academy visitors snorted. "Just lucky."

On the final possession, Feng Xing got the ball again, but Tan Xuguang stole it midway through. The two traded moves back and forth, and Jiang Nian watched from the sidelines in excitement.

They remained locked in a close contest, neither able to pull away, until Tan Xuguang finally ended the match with a basket.

Feng Xing held out his fist and smiled at Tan Xuguang.

"Not bad, man."

Tan Xuguang held out his own fist and bumped it against his.

"You too. Let's play again sometime."

Feng Xing nodded. "Sure."

The two returned to their respective teams, but Chen Dan still refused to concede.

"That was only a one-on-one. If we played another team game, we definitely wouldn't lose."

Li Fei sighed at Chen Dan's persistence.

"Then shall we arrange another team game?"

Chen Dan's eyes lit up. "Sure! Let's make it an official match, with cheerleaders and everything?"

Li Fei didn't care about those details. "Whatever works."

Chen Dan settled it decisively.

"Then it's a deal!"

He checked his watch. "It's getting late, so we'll head back now. Let's set the match for next weekend. Does that work for you?"

Li Fei nodded in agreement. "Sure. I'll walk you out."

With that, he was about to lead the Canghai group out, but Feng Xing, who had been quiet for some time, suddenly spoke.

"One more thing."

The Pluto players grew wary. What was Canghai up to now?

Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Feng Xing walked over to Jiang Nian.

"Could I have your contact information?"

The Pluto players: ...

Trying to poach our girl right in front of us?!