Chapter 32

Chapter 15: Once Weak, Now Strong

The week flew by as both sides prepared. Wen Liang sat at the back of the class, and after school, he practiced ball with the two beauties. The days passed quietly. On the day he had agreed to meet Mu Shanshan, Wen Liang saw Mu Shanshan, Bai Huan, Meng Hao, Hong Hou, and Hou Qiang waiting by the flower bed in front of the teaching building. They all had their arms crossed, looking arrogant as if they wanted everyone to know they were troublemakers. When they saw Wen Liang come out, they all sneered, as if they were about to crush him underfoot—although they hadn't suffered much last time, their pride was completely shattered, and they were determined to regain their lost face today.

The students in Class 3 clearly sensed the strange atmosphere and stood far away, pointing and whispering, but no one dared to stand next to Wen Liang. Ren Yi, though worried, also didn't dare to come over.

It had only been ten days since the start of the semester, but this group had already gained a notorious reputation. Yesterday, they even beat up the son of a deputy director of the Construction Committee, and nothing came of it. Qingyi High School had many children of officials, and although the deputy director wasn't a top official, he was still in a powerful position. The fact that he couldn't help his son made people realize that Qingyi High School had some tough characters, and Mu Shanshan and his group were not to be trifled with.

Mu Shanshan raised his hand, pointed at Wen Liang's nose twice, then waved it around, and turned to walk towards the small playground. He didn't say a word, but his expression and actions showed extreme contempt and humiliation.

Meng Ke and Ji Suxi stood at the back of the crowd and saw Mu Shanshan's provocation. Meng Ke whispered, "Mu Shanshan is so over the top. It was just a joke, why can't he let it go?" She thought Mu Shanshan was causing trouble because of the joke about "it's not good for my reputation" when they changed seats.

Ji Suxi shook her head, her beautiful eyes showing a thoughtful look, "Mu Shanshan may seem rash, but he's not that petty. Maybe they have some past issues!"

Meng Ke suddenly smiled mischievously and whispered in Ji Suxi's ear, "Gu Wenyuan is good friends with Mu Shanshan, maybe someone is angry on his behalf..." This was closer to the truth.

Ji Suxi, embarrassed and angry, her ears turning red, reached out to pinch Meng Ke's waist. Meng Ke dodged and retaliated, and for a moment, the scene was full of springtime cheer and fun.

Wen Liang turned his head, and his peripheral vision caught this scene. In his current situation, even the classmates he had just met looked worried, but Ji Suxi was still cheerful. Although he knew he couldn't ask others to do anything, his heart still felt a chill. He smiled and bowed to the crowd, "Everyone, come early to get a good spot. Don't blame me for not being a good friend if you miss it."

The students in Class 3 burst into laughter, and Meng Ke also laughed. Wen Liang seemed as relaxed as if he were going out for a meal or tea, but he was facing a rising star at Qingyi High School.

"From what I see, Wen Liang isn't as despicable as you say. Maybe there's a misunderstanding?" Meng Ke had always had a good impression of Wen Liang.

Ji Suxi didn't respond, her eyes on Wen Liang's back, thinking that this boy was indeed different.

At the playground, Mu Shanshan and his group were already waiting on the basketball court. He pointed to the three people next to him and said, "This is my teammate Shi Chengcai, Guan You, and this is my senior from Grade 2, Lu Qinghua, the referee. Don't think I'm bullying you. Shi Chengcai and Guan You are both from Grade 1, and we don't need outside help to crush you."

If it weren't for Ning Xiaoning's information, Wen Liang might have been fooled by Mu Shanshan's words and even thought he was being fair. Now, he knew how false they were—Grade 1 was true, but Mu Shanshan had brought in a semi-professional player. How could he still talk?

Wen Liang's hands hung at his sides, his expression calm, and he smiled, "Swearing only makes you look more stupid."

Mu Shanshan was almost driven mad with anger, his fists clenched so tight that the veins on his knuckles stood out. He didn't know when it started, but Wen Liang's words could make him gasp for breath. Mu Shanshan felt a surge of anger in his chest, and if he didn't vent it today, he might really spit blood. He could beat up the son of the Construction Committee director without blinking, and he could scold the toughest fighter in the school, Feng Jianjun, but facing Wen Liang now, it was like a virgin trying to seduce a prostitute—there was no place to start.

"Kid, I hope you play as well as you talk. Otherwise, after today, you'll have to call us grandpa!"

Hong Hou and Hei Hou, the two monkeys, mocked and taunted, clearly trying to make Wen Liang lose his composure. Although they didn't think Wen Liang had any skill, they still enjoyed the verbal sparring.

Wen Liang ignored them. Ignoring them was the best way to show contempt. Bai Huan, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Wen Liang, are you challenging our circle? I'm afraid you'll be crushed to pieces!"

This was extremely funny, and Wen Liang couldn't help but retort, "Just a bunch of rich brats, pretending to be more than you are. I'm impressed!"

Bai Huan's face didn't change, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

By now, a crowd had gathered around. Although Mu Shanshan was notorious, the Chinese love a good spectacle. The basketball court was already surrounded, and latecomers had to stand on the steps, the so-called audience seats. More people were still coming, drawn by the commotion.

Mu Shanshan and his group had already changed into their uniforms, as Wen Liang expected, the Chicago Bulls' jerseys. This was the golden age of Jordan, but to Wen Liang's surprise, Mu Shanshan was wearing number 45.

Wen Liang slowly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his own jersey, and sneered, "Haven't you heard? Jordan in number 45 is not as good as Jordan in number 23. With that uniform, you're just waiting to call me grandpa."

Wen Liang was also wearing a Bulls jersey, but unlike Mu Shanshan, he was wearing number 23.

Mu Shanshan, a rough type, didn't understand the subtleties and looked at Guan You in confusion. Guan You, a semi-professional, had suggested Mu Shanshan wear number 45 to avoid being too showy, as wearing number 23 would be too disrespectful to the master. But under Mu Shanshan's insistence, they compromised on 45. He didn't expect someone to wear number 23. Guan You explained in a low voice, and Mu Shanshan was so angry he almost spat blood. He punched the basketball hoop and pointed at Wen Liang, saying, "You wait, you wait..."

The referee, Lu Qinghua, a senior with a mole above his eyebrow, said, "Wen Liang, where are your teammates? If they don't show up in three minutes, you'll lose."

Shi Chengcai, who had been silent, sneered, "Maybe he's so pathetic he can't even find a teammate."

Wen Liang didn't know much about the rules of a one-on-one game, but Ning Xiaoning had said, as long as you don't break the basic rules, anything goes. Besides, he had no confidence in the referee Mu Shanshan had brought. He was about to mock the referee when a sudden cheer from the crowd caught his attention, like a wave of thunder crashing over him.

Wen Liang turned around and saw a heart-stirring scene. Many years later, this moment would remain deeply etched in his memory, the two beautiful figures and their gentle smiles.

On a nearby tree-lined path, Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning walked side by side, their long hair tied back, swinging with their steps. Their custom-made light pink basketball uniforms accentuated their perfect figures, and their short shorts revealed their long, smooth legs. In the sunset, their white skin seemed to be covered in a thin red mist, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect, like celestial beings.

The crowd parted to make way for them, and they walked slowly through the sea of people, their faces full of gentle smiles, and stood next to Wen Liang. The two girls smiled at him, and the crowd was stunned.

Life is short, and joy is rare. What more could one ask for?

Wen Liang looked at the stunned Mu Shanshan and his group, his face still calm, and said, "My teammates are here!"

The students who had been hoping for a different outcome were left in shock, their eyes filled with jealousy, admiration, disdain, and curiosity, all focused on Wen Liang and the two girls.

"Can't be! Xu Yao, Xu Yao!"

"Ning Xiaoning too, unbelievable!"

"Amazing, idol, idol, I think Wen Liang will win."

"Shut up, have some principles!"

At first, a few people whispered, then the voices grew louder, and the small playground erupted. Even Wen Liang hadn't expected Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning to cause such a stir, but seeing Mu Shanshan's face, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

Ji Suxi, unable to resist Meng Ke's persistence, was dragged to the playground. The basketball court was already full, so they stood on the high steps, looking down at the crowd. Suddenly, Gu Wenyuan appeared, squeezed next to Ji Suxi, and smiled, "I just went to Class 3 to find you, but you weren't there. I didn't expect you to come. Are you nervous because you made a bet?"

Gu Wenyuan was handsome and had the refined manners of a well-bred young man. He spoke calmly and humorously, charming many girls. But he was cold to others and only showed interest in Ji Suxi without being pushy, always polite and respectful. Facing such a person, no one could easily ignore him.

Moreover, although Gu Wenyuan was hypocritical and vengeful, no one had ever told Ji Suxi about it. Meng Ke had heard some rumors and told Ji Suxi, but such hearsay couldn't change her impression of him.

So, although Ji Suxi didn't have romantic feelings for him, she thought it was nice to be friends and didn't deliberately avoid or get close to him, maintaining a slightly closer relationship than with other classmates. Hearing his teasing, she laughed, "Oh, so you made a bet? I finally found a flaw in you, Gu classmate."

Gu Wenyuan laughed, about to speak, when a huge cheer from the crowd caught his attention. He turned and his face turned pale!

In the sea of people, he immediately saw the tall and slender Ning Xiaoning standing next to Wen Liang, her face full of gentle smiles!

He had never seen such a smile, and he had never imagined that the cold Ning Xiaoning would ever have such a smile!

"Look, look, Xu Yao from Class 1 and Ning Xiaoning from Class 7." Meng Ke, holding Ji Suxi's hand, jumped up and down, her face full of admiration and amazement.

Meng Ke's charm lay in her lack of petty thoughts. She admired what was admirable and didn't envy or belittle others because they were more beautiful. She knew her strengths and weaknesses, neither overly proud nor overly humble. Her friendship with Ji Suxi was partly due to her character.

Ji Suxi first noticed Gu Wenyuan's expression, then saw Xu Yao and Ning Xiaoning standing next to Wen Liang. She knew that the idle students in the grade often compared her to these two girls, who, despite their different personalities and styles, were the most admired in the small Qingyi High School.

Now, two of them were standing next to the unremarkable Wen Liang, a combination that should have been jarring, but in this moment, under the blue sky and white clouds, in the shade of the trees, it created a harmonious and beautiful scene.

Ji Suxi smiled, what did this have to do with her? She said softly, "Gu classmate, maybe you should go there!"

Gu Wenyuan knew Ji Suxi was perceptive and had seen something in his expression. But he couldn't care less now. Ning Xiaoning's appearance here was a slap in the face. No, it was more than that. It was like being stripped naked and thrown into a group of men, being humiliated in the worst way. He could imagine the expressions on Mu Shanshan and the other知情者的脸上肯定精彩极了，也许都在嘲笑自己头上的绿帽子也说不定！

“苏苏，我去去就来，没事的，你别