Daydreaming about Me

Chapter 45

As he said this, Wang Yiyang and Li Lin were right beside him. Perhaps it was because Shen Juan agreed to participate in the basketball game, or maybe it was just the atmosphere at that moment. Everyone was excited and uninhibited, throwing aside the bloody and terrifying legends about Shen Juan.

Song Zhiming and Li Lin were beside each other, clapping and cheering wildly. Lao Gao, who wasn’t very familiar with Lin Yujing, scratched his head on the side: “I thought… it had already happened… but it hasn’t…”

Wang Yiyang, screaming excitedly, ran around them like a lunatic. Finally, he slid on his knees across the smooth floor, grabbed Shen Juan’s neck, and looked at Lin Yujing: “Boss Lin, do you have a favorite NBA star?”

The topic was changed, and Lin Yujing quietly breathed a sigh of relief and thought for a moment: “Iverson, I guess…”

“How coincidental!” Wang Yiyang clapped his hands. “Iverson was at his peak when he was the shooting guard for the 76ers. Our Master Juan, the Jordan of our school, have you heard? Three-point king, never misses. He scores more in one game than I’ve seen in my entire life.”

Lin Yujing: “…”

“My dad has another nickname, listen up,” Wang Yiyang, being a devoted son, continued to build up his father’s heroic image, counting on his fingers, “It’s—— Shen·George·Gervin·Ray·Allen·Iverson·Juan——”

Wang Yiyang spread his hands: “Isn’t that cool? I just ask, isn’t that cool?”

Lin Yujing: “…”

A bunch of boys in bright red jerseys were causing a ruckus. The five members of Class 7 were already on the court, stretching and warming up. Li Lin looked at them disdainfully: “Are they old and stiff? Stretching for half an hour before playing? Damn, they even have a cheerleading squad. These uniforms are so ugly, showing off their waists like that. It’s just vulgar! They can’t compare to our class’s basketball babes!”

Song Zhiming laughed and kicked him: “Stop focusing on useless things. Get ready down there.”

Shen Juan’s previous words were interrupted, but he didn’t react much. He only glanced at Lin Yujing before taking the court.

That glance was meaningful, making Lin Yujing feel a bit uneasy. ——I’ll settle the score with you after the game.

Lin Yujing began to consider the possibility of leaving the scene before Shen Juan finished the game.

The game started with Lao Gao and Class 7’s sports committee member jumping for the ball.

Class 7’s cheerleading squad began cheering wildly, their sequined uniforms shimmering like a line of mermaids.

Class 7’s sports committee member, Xu Jie, was reportedly very arrogant, always boasting that he’d tear up Class 10’s awards and feed them to dogs.

It seemed he had the right to be arrogant. Though a bit shorter than Lao Gao, his jumping ability was impressive.

Class 7 got the ball first, quickly pressing towards the basket. Song Zhiming’s makeshift team had decent skills, and their defense was quick. As Shen Juan turned and ran, Lin Yujing saw the large “04” printed on the back of his jersey.

It was like secretly wearing matching outfits under everyone’s gaze.

Lin Yujing suddenly felt her face heat up. She snapped out of it just in time to see the ball pass through two players and land in Xu Jie’s hands.

Everyone was packed into the three-second zone. Song Zhiming’s group was tightly blocked by the other team. He shouted: “Lao Gao!”

Lao Gao was already prepared to jump under the basket.

The first shot was crucial. If Class 7 scored, their momentum would surge. If not, it might affect their rhythm and mindset.

Lao Gao had just jumped when Lin Yujing felt the shot was doomed.

Perhaps the pressure from the four school players was too much. Lao Gao was in a hurry and jumped too early.

Sure enough, Xu Jie waited a moment before releasing the ball. Lao Gao was already descending, and the ball brushed his fingertips, making a “clang” as it went into the basket.

Class 7 scored the first point, and their stands erupted in cheers. The cheerleaders seemed to be swimming in joy. Lin Yujing overheard someone in the stands saying, “I thought Shen Juan was amazing, but he seems ordinary.”

Another boy laughed, “If he were really that good, he’d be on the school team by now.”

Lin Yujing turned and found the two boys sitting in the front row of the stands, her gaze cold.

They quickly looked away, feeling her stare. Lin Yujing turned back.

Xu Jie’s shot was beautiful, but Class 10 didn’t lose their rhythm. Wang Yiyang grabbed the rebound.

Lin Yujing noticed that Wang Yiyang, whether fighting or playing, had the same reckless style, looking like he could take on ten opponents at once.

Shen Juan had agreed to play at the last minute, so he had no practice with Song Zhiming’s group. However, he and Wang Yiyang had obviously played together before. Wang Yiyang dribbled while quickly pressing towards the opponent’s basket. Shen Juan moved near the three-point line.

Wang Yiyang passed another player and lobbed the ball high, shouting: “Dad!!!” His shout left Song Zhiming’s group stunned.

Shen Juan caught the ball, jumped, slightly leaned back, and as he released the ball, his middle finger gently pressed forward.

The orange basketball traced a perfect arc through the air, then silently fell into the basket.

It didn’t even touch the rim.

Shen Juan, still in mid-air, glanced towards Lin Yujing, tilted his head slightly, raised his right hand, spread his fingers, and made a listening gesture.

The signature pose of the 76ers’ star shooting guard, Allen Iverson. The coolness level was off the charts and very arrogant.

The venue fell silent for a moment, then, as he wished, the girls’ screams and the boys’ roars were deafening.

Wen Zihui waved a small colorful flag beside them, jumping up and down like crazy. Li Lin let out a cheer like a monkey.

Lin Yujing stood on the sidelines, locking eyes with him across half the court.

Her heartbeat quickened, and it felt like a little flag inside her was waving frantically.

She didn’t even realize when her mouth started curling into a smile that she couldn’t suppress.

No one sitting in the stands, or even in the basketball gym, had seen Shen Juan play before. He must have participated in the basketball game during his first year of high school, but at that time, the current first and second-year students hadn’t enrolled yet.

Then, last year, Shen Juan was a sophomore and was sent home within the first month of school.

The only ones who had seen him play were the seniors, who were now enduring a hellish life in the North Building.

In the subsequent game, Shen Juan almost redefined everyone’s perception of basketball.

The highlight of a basketball game is usually a slam dunk. Like in “Slam Dunk,” when Rukawa Kaede grabs the hoop and slams the ball in with a resounding “bang,” this kind of visual and auditory stimulation is unmatched by other scoring methods.

But Shen Juan’s three-pointers could be made from any angle or distance, which was even more thrilling than dunks.

He and Wang Yiyang were incredibly in sync. Wang Yiyang, like a spinning top, was very quick at getting past opponents. Whenever he got the ball, he would pass it to Shen Juan no matter where he was.

By the end of the first quarter, after the No. 4 player, Shen Juan, had made his fifth three- pointer, Class 7 finally called a timeout and replaced the gloomy-looking school team member sitting on the bench.

Despite Class 7’s strong lineup, especially with all four school team members on the court, the scores remained close. By halftime, Class 10 was only ahead by two points.

Li Lin was ecstatic, rushing over with a wild laugh and opening his arms to Shen Juan: “Daddy!”

Shen Juan, without a headband, had borrowed Li Lin’s wristbands. Sweat dripped down his forehead, soaking his black hair.

He ruthlessly dodged Li Lin’s enthusiastic hug, pushing his wet bangs back, revealing his brow and forehead.

A handsome guy looks good doing anything, and this was certainly true. By the end of the first half, Lin Yujing’s ears were almost ringing from the noise.

She felt that if this continued, Shen Juan’s bad reputation might soon be overshadowed by his charm. There’s nothing that can’t be overshadowed by handsomeness, and if there is, it’s supreme handsomeness.

Class 10 was ecstatic. Wang Yiyang and Shen Juan’s cooperation was surprisingly fierce. Li Lin swept the clothes off the chair, making room for them: “Sit down and rest quickly.”

“We need to widen the lead. Two points aren’t enough,” Song Zhiming glanced at the scoreboard, “We have no substitutes. If the scores stay this close, we won’t last physically.”

He turned to Shen Juan: “Master Juan, should we pass the ball to you more in the second half?”

Shen Juan tilted his head back to drink water, his Adam’s apple moving, sweat tracing down his long neck into the towel draped around it.

He twisted the cap back on the water bottle, casually wiping his lips with the back of his hand: “I guess they’ll double-team me.”

“Double-team?” Wen Zihui, squatting beside him, asked.

“Meaning at least two people will stick to me closely like we’re dancing together, and I might not even touch the ball.” Shen Juan’s eyes focused on the opposite side, locking eyes with a boy.

The boy stared back at him with a disconcerting intensity.

Shen Juan squinted: “They’ve swapped players. Who’s No. 13?” Li Lin turned his head: “Damn, they’ve swapped in Ning Yuan.” Song Zhiming and Yu Pengfei’s expressions changed.

Shen Juan didn’t know who Ning Yuan was. He didn’t care about their discussion. He finished his water, placed the empty bottle by the chair, and looked up. Several shy girls approached from the stands, one holding a sports drink, which she handed to him.

Shen Juan lifted his eyelids and looked over.

The girl’s face turned red: “Shen Juan, I saw you finished your water. Drink this, I just bought it…”

Lin Yujing stood nearby, rolling her eyes dramatically.

He finished his water one moment, and they brought more the next.

You all are more prompt than Song Jiang. Could you put this dedication into studying? Could you?!

Lin Yujing turned her head, pretending to listen to Song Zhiming’s discussion, sneaking glances out of the corner of her eye.

She saw Shen Juan raise his hand to accept the drink.

“Thank you.”

He even thanked her politely.

His voice was naturally low, and after exercising, his breathing was slightly heavier, and his voice was a bit hoarse.

Very enticing.

The girls’ faces turned redder. The girl who handed him the drink mustered her courage: “Can I add you on QQ?”

Shen Juan didn’t have time to refuse.

The girl, either fearing rejection or feeling shy, quickly stuffed a piece of paper into his hand: “This is my QQ number, Shen Juan, good luck.”

The girls left quickly after speaking, their synchronized steps and excited chatter reaching Lin Yujing’s ears: “He’s even more handsome up close! And he’s not that scary, he even said thank you!”

“I should have given him my QQ number too, will he add you?” “Even if he doesn’t, at least you gave it to him.”

“…”

Plastic crinkled as Lin Yujing crushed the water bottle in her hand. Water spilled over, wetting her hand and dripping onto the floor. See that?

Men.

Before the game, he was all about his girlfriend. Now, he’s flirting with other girls.

Lin Yujing took a deep breath, turned, and walked out of the court.

Shen Juan turned his head, watching the girl storm out of the basketball gym, her back radiating a fierce energy as if she was ready to fight.

He frowned, then kicked Wang Yiyang on the butt. Wang Yiyang reflexively jumped and walked over, bowing his head: “What’s up, Master Juan?”

Shen Juan tilted his chin and whispered, “Go, give those girls the money for the water.”

Wang Yiyang nodded and, without a word, ran towards the girls, calling out, “Hey, sisters! Wait a moment—”

“Come back,” Shen Juan called again.

Wang Yiyang turned back.

“Can you be a bit more discreet?” Shen Juan said, “Go over quietly, call them aside, give the money, and apologize.”

Yu Pengfei, nearby, looked puzzled: “Boss Shen, a bottle of water costs less than two yuan. Why are you paying them back?”

Shen Juan didn’t respond, bending down to pick up his school jacket, and started walking out.

Wen Zihui, standing beside them, understood. Girls are always sensitive and perceptive about such things. She turned to Yu Pengfei: “Just shut up, you don’t get it.”

Li Lin also looked at Yu Pengfei: “Exactly, you don’t get it.”

Song Zhiming drank some water: “You don’t get it either,” he said, then shouted to Shen Juan, “Master Juan! The game starts in ten minutes, come back quickly!”

As soon as Lin Yujing left the gym, she couldn’t help but shiver.

The gym was crowded, and with all the jumping and shouting, she hadn’t felt cold. But the sports building’s corridors were much colder.

Lin Yujing was only wearing a T-shirt, jersey, and short skirt, with her legs and arms exposed, and her teeth chattered from the cold.

She shrugged her shoulders and jumped a couple of times in place, glancing back at the tightly closed gym doors, faintly hearing the noise inside.

She turned and walked towards the restroom.

After a short walk and a turn, she heard footsteps behind her and then felt a school jacket drape over her shoulders.

Lin Yujing paused.

She didn’t need to look back to know who it was by the scent of the jacket.

She didn’t want to engage with him at all, shrugging her shoulders to shake off the large school jacket, which fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Without looking back, she continued walking as if nothing had happened.

She heard Shen Juan chuckle softly behind her.

This guy was still laughing.

Lin Yujing gritted her teeth and walked into the girls’ restroom, her back looking calm and composed.

She pushed open the restroom door and closed it behind her. Inside, a few girls were chatting and laughing together.

Lin Yujing walked indifferently to the last stall, closed the door.

Then, all her previous composure vanished. She stood in the stall and silently shook her head in frustration.

Annoying.

In TV dramas and novels, it’s never like this.

In novels, when the school heartthrob plays basketball, a bunch of girls bring him water, and he refuses all of them. Under everyone’s gaze, he walks to the girl he likes and asks her with a charming and arrogant expression, “Don’t you have any water for me?”

Though Lin Yujing indeed didn’t have any water for him. But that wasn’t the point.

The point is that in reality, guys will just accept water from pretty girls and politely say thank you.

Men are liars.

Lin Yujing pursed her lips, collected herself, and opened the stall door, heading to the sink to wash her hands before exiting.

Shen Juan was leaning against the wall outside the girls’ restroom. Hearing the noise, he looked up.

Lin Yujing stared at him expressionlessly.

Shen Juan raised his hand, offering the school jacket: “Cold?”

Lin Yujing didn’t take it: “No.”

Shen Juan raised an eyebrow: “Your voice is shaking.”

Lin Yujing walked past him, her tone unfriendly: “None of your business.”

Shen Juan chuckled again.

Already fuming, Lin Yujing’s anger flared as he kept laughing. It was as if he was throwing fuel on her fire.

She whirled around: “Isn’t that box of water bottles enough for you? Are you in such a good mood because some girl brought you water? Shen, can you focus? This is a game. You want your girlfriend to cheer you on, right? Well, now you have a gym full of girlfriends. Happy now?”

Shen Juan didn’t respond, patiently draping the school jacket over her shoulders again. This time, Lin Yujing didn’t shake it off. She just glared at him.

Staring at him, she began to feel a bit guilty, as if she had just confessed some secret of hers.

Lin Yujing always considered herself a calm person, but facing Shen Juan, she always seemed not like herself.

She would be impulsive, direct, want to cry when tired, vent when annoyed, and throw a tantrum when upset.

She would be willful in ways she never had before.

She looked away, trying to salvage the situation: “I mean, you can focus on the game first. If you get distracted, it might affect your performance. Show some team spirit…”

Shen Juan looked at her.

He hadn’t thought much at the time. Shen Juan didn’t like to embarrass girls. In the past, he wouldn’t reject such gestures in front of others.

But now things were different.

Now he had Lin Yujing.

And her reaction was both unexpected and delightful to him.

Shen Juan smirked, tugging the collar of the school jacket to cover her shoulders: “Not everything is under my control.”

His words were vague, and Lin Yujing didn’t understand.

Shen Juan lightly pinched the collar, gently pulling her closer: “Some things I’m unsure of, and I need to confirm whether I’m overthinking things, whether I can start preparing for the next step.”

Now, even a fool could understand what he meant.

Lin Yujing’s heart skipped a beat.

She panicked a bit: “So, have you confirmed…?”

Lin Yujing and Shen Juan returned just in time. Seeing them come back together, no one questioned or opposed it. Song Zhiming cheerfully called out: “Juan! Come on, drink some water, and let’s go!”

Wen Zihui smiled at Lin Yujing, who was still in a daze from what just happened, coughing lightly and standing next to her.

Both teams re-entered the court. Class 10 still had the same five players, while Class 7 had swapped in Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan, No. 13, was tall and fast. Class 10 got the ball first. Song Zhiming passed it to Shen Juan.

Ning Yuan quickly defended, rushing towards him.

Shen Juan was unsurprisingly double-teamed by Ning Yuan and the opposing center, both about his height, blocking him like walls. From a distance, the three even looked quite harmonious and friendly.

Shen Juan, holding the ball, couldn’t shoot due to the tight defense. He quickly scanned his teammates’ positions, preparing to pass to Yu Pengfei.

As he raised his hand, Ning Yuan suddenly leaned in, whispering in his ear: “How’s Luo Qinghe? Almost dead?”

Shen Juan froze.

He remained in his raised hand position as Ning Yuan’s elbow struck his stomach hard. The basketball fell, and Ning Yuan quickly grabbed it.

No one saw what happened. Lin Yujing only saw Shen Juan lose the ball and clutch his stomach, squatting down.

Song Zhiming and the others were stunned. Wang Yiyang, closest to him, ran over without thinking: “Shen Juan!!”

The referee didn’t blow the whistle, and Class 7 pressed towards the basket.

“Damn…” Shen Juan supported himself with one hand on the ground, gritting his teeth as he cursed.

He looked up at Wang Yiyang, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, and shouted: “Defend!”