48: Isn't the point of wearing something out in front of others?

After finishing their meal, the four of them strolled back to the dormitory, chatting as they walked.

"I'm seriously fed up with that cafeteria lady every time she serves me," Hao Junran gestured. "She takes such a big scoop of food, but by the time she's done shaking it, only half a scoop is left!"

"Then next time tell her, 'Auntie, your hand shakes faster than I jerk off,'" Liu Tianqi said, stifling a laugh.

"Screw you!" Hao Junran cursed with a laugh. "I don't have that kind of habit."

"You're full of it," Liu Tianyu continued to tease him. "Every time we clean up, I see some crumpled tissues over by your spot."

Yu Heng listened to their nonsense when his phone vibrated.

Bai Xinran said she would resume streaming in the afternoon.

He typed a reply: Then stream as usual. I'm going back to the dorm to lie down for a bit and will head back in the afternoon.

The group returned to the dorm and had just lain down on their beds when the door was pushed open.

Qin Lu stood at the door with a smile on her face. "Everyone's here?"

"Counselor!" Hao Junran sprang up from his bed. "What brings you here?"

"Just passing by, thought I'd drop in." Qin Lu walked in, her gaze sweeping across the room. "There are two people from your dorm who signed up for the basketball tournament, right?"

Yu Heng sat up from his bed. "Yes, me and Hao Junran."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over Qin Lu's calves.

She was wearing stockings again today—black ones, but different from the last time.

This time, there was a row of small silver letters on the side of the ankle; they looked quite exquisite.

Balenciaga?

Qin Lu seemed to notice his gaze, and she pressed her calves slightly closer together. "Then gather at the playground this afternoon. A total of ten boys from our department signed up. Our department's PE teacher said he'll have you play a scrimmage this afternoon to select the starters."

"We're playing this afternoon?" Hao Junran got excited. "Alright!"

Yu Heng narrowed his eyes and asked Qin Lu, "What time?"

"Three o'clock," Qin Lu said. "The PE teacher asked me to notify you. Just be there on time."

She paused and added, "By the way, wear sportswear, and it's best to bring a pair of basketball shoes."

"Got it." Yu Heng nodded, his gaze falling back onto her stockings.

Qin Lu clearly felt it this time. She glanced at him, her tone remaining very dignified. "Then I won't disturb your rest."

"Take care, Counselor." Yu Heng grinned.

Qin Lu's eyes crinkled slightly as she turned and left.

Yu Heng clicked his tongue inwardly.

Changing styles already? Will it be fishnets next time?

Haha, that's probably unlikely.

As soon as the door closed, Hao Junran immediately leaned in. "Holy crap, did the Counselor just blush?"

From his bunk, Liu Tianqi said gloomily, "Yu Heng, where the hell were you looking?"

Yu Heng lay back on the bed. "What was I looking at?"

"Stop acting!" Hao Junran lowered his voice. "Your eyes were practically glued to her!"

"What's wrong with looking at stockings?" Yu Heng said without changing his expression. "The Counselor wore them so obviously; aren't they meant for people to see?"

Liu Tianqi gave a thumbs up. "Impressive. I can't believe you'd actually say that."

"Alright, stop talking nonsense and get some sleep," Hou Xudong rolled over. "You two still have to play ball this afternoon. Don't end up panting like dogs after running a couple of steps."

Hao Junran chuckled. "Don't worry, with my physique, I can fly across the court without stopping."

"Keep dreaming," Liu Tianqi pulled his blanket up. "During the thousand-meter test in PE class last time, who was the last one to reach the finish line and even threw up?"

"That's because I ate too much breakfast!" Hao Junran retorted, stiffening his neck. "It had nothing to do with my stamina!"

The outcome of the afternoon scrimmage was never in doubt.

Or rather, it was no different from his previous life.

As Yu Heng ran on the court, his mind was filled with a sense of déjà vu.

This play seems familiar... In fact, he often had this feeling before his rebirth.

But this time it was real; he had truly experienced it.

The offensive patterns, defensive habits, and even the timing of passing errors of the guys on the opposite side were not much different from that selection match in his previous life.

"Whoa, Yu Heng, that was a great pass!" Hao Junran caught a bounce pass, used his weight to squeeze into the paint, and sent the ball into the basket with an awkward but practical hook shot.

After landing, he wiped his sweat and gave Yu Heng a thumbs up.

Yu Heng waved his hand, thinking that in his previous life, Hao Junran hadn't caught this ball cleanly, and it had bounced straight out of bounds.

It seemed the fat man's touch was okay in this life.

After playing for over an hour, the PE teacher blew his whistle to stop.

"Alright, that's enough." The teacher was a middle-aged man in his forties. "Everyone, gather around."

The boys crowded around, each one drenched in sweat.

Yu Heng picked up a bottle of mineral water from the sidelines, took a few gulps, and narrowed his eyes as he listened to Teacher Zhao call the roll.

"Let's set the starters," Teacher Zhao flipped through his small notebook. "Yu Heng, Hao Junran, Song Xinyu, Zhou Yuhang, Li Haoran. Just the five of you."

Those whose names were called looked at each other.

Hao Junran grinned and nudged Yu Heng with his elbow. "We're in."

Yu Heng didn't say anything, his gaze sweeping over the other three.

Song Xinyu was from their class. He was quite tall, about 1.85 meters, but he was as thin as a bamboo pole and relied entirely on his wingspan to play.

Zhou Yuhang and Li Haoran were from the neighboring class. Yu Heng had played a few games with them in his previous life, but they weren't close.

They basically had no contact.

"The substitutes should take note as well," Teacher Zhao continued reading. "Wang Shuo..."

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow.

Wang Shuo?

The one who was quite diligent in pursuing Meng Shirui and spoke like a sissy?

He turned his head to look and indeed saw Wang Shuo standing in the back row of the crowd, looking down at his phone.

This guy can play ball too?

Is this freaking Kuroko's Basketball?

"Yu Heng." Teacher Zhao suddenly called him.

"Huh?" Yu Heng snapped back to reality.

"You'll play Point Guard," Teacher Zhao said. "I'll leave organizing the offense to you."

"Alright." Yu Heng nodded.

He had played this position in his previous life as well.

"Hao Junran, you'll play Center. The interior is up to you. Be careful not to foul when rebounding."

Hao Junran patted his chest. "Don't worry, Teacher. With my weight standing there, the rebounds are all ours!"

Several boys around them laughed.

"Song Xinyu, you'll play Power Forward. Help Hao Junran more with help defense."

Song Xinyu pushed his glasses up. "Okay, Teacher."

Looking at his scholarly appearance, Yu Heng clicked his tongue inwardly.

In his previous life, this guy was indeed hardworking on defense, but he was prone to fouling; he fouled out before the third quarter was even over.

Hopefully, he can last a bit longer in this life.

"Zhou Yuhang, Li Haoran, you two will play Shooting Guard and Small Forward. Move around more and find open spots to shoot."

The two of them nodded.

Teacher Zhao closed his notebook and adjusted his glasses. "The tournament starts on November 1st, which is about a week away. Everyone, find time this week to practice your coordination, maintain your physical condition, and don't get injured."

He paused and added with emphasis, "Especially you starters. During the tournament, staying up late is strictly forbidden, drinking is strictly forbidden, and... uh, anyway, just pay attention to your health."

Several boys exchanged glances, stifling laughs.

Strictly forbidden from going to a hotel with girls?

"Did you hear me?" Teacher Zhao glared.

"We heard you!" the crowd responded scatteredly.

"Alright, dismissed." Teacher Zhao waved his hand.

"Let's go, back to the dorm to shower," Hao Junran draped his jacket over his shoulder. "I'm covered in sweat, it feels terrible."

"You go back first," Yu Heng said. "I'm going to my place for a bit."

White Xinran should have started streaming by now, right?

But why hasn't Qin Lu mentioned sending Qin Ya over to stream yet?