After leaving the infirmary, Ann Wan and Liu Chang’an headed to the gymnasium together to collect their things. Ann Wan changed into a black athletic short skirt with lace trimming along the hem, which clung to her skin even when she moved vigorously. She wore a white blouse with a school uniform jacket over it, showcasing her lively and statuesque figure.
Most beautiful girls like her were skilled at dressing themselves to perfection, scoring at least 90 points out of 100.
Liu Chang’an stood outside the girls’ locker room, still smiling.
“Still smiling!” Ann Wan glared at Liu Chang’an, her cheeks slightly flushed, her injured nose making a soft humming sound. At that moment, she wanted to kick him and see if he could still smile.
Ann Wan imagined Liu Chang’an being kicked to the ground and getting up, adjusting his posture, and still maintaining a shameless grin on his face. The possibility was quite high.
Having known each other for three years, Ann Wan felt a hint of sentimentality thinking about it. For an 18-year-old girl, except for the carefree childhood years, the high school years were a crucial period in her life.
During this crucial period, she met some special people.
“Today was a disaster. Someone must have taken a photo and posted it online. My mom will scold me when she finds out,” Ann Wan said, knowing Liu Chang’an wasn’t intentionally trying to harm her. What worried her most was her mom’s attitude, always demanding her to maintain a perfect image.
As for Liu Chang’an… Ann Wan didn’t expect him to feel deeply guilty, because in his eyes, this was just Ann Wan using her face to block the ball, and it had nothing to do with him.
“I earned 200 yuan yesterday. Let me treat you to a meal,” Liu Chang’an said, thinking for a moment. He had initially just meant to scare Ann Wan with the ball, but it ended up flying towards her.
In the end, it caused quite a commotion, and even though Ann Wan had taken the initiative to block the ball with her face, Liu Chang’an was willing to offer some comfort.
“Okay,” Ann Wan said with a sweet smile, her nose twitching, and her smile immediately distorted.
“Looks like we can only have congee,” Liu Chang’an said, still smiling.
“No way!” Ann Wan said angrily. “I want to eat a lot and make you pay for my medical bills.”
Liu Chang’an thought girls were lovely because they could switch from a sweet, lovely smile to a natural, angry expression in an instant.
In the long river of life, colorful girls like her were like short-lived waves that would eventually dissipate, leaving no trace. Without these waves, the river would be too dull and lifeless.
The two of them walked out of the gymnasium, the sun still shining obliquely in the sky, casting long shadows. The campus was filled with a constant, buzzing noise, like busy bees, reminding people of flowers, wind, and honey, making them feel joyful and lively.
Liu Chang’an remembered someone who had 72 disciples, but at that time, there was no such massive school.
“Liu Chang’an!”
The voice was full of urgency and anger, as if finally finding a target to vent on. Liu Chang’an looked up to see Chen Changxiu, the captain of the school basketball team, storming over.
Chen Changxiu, 1.98 meters tall, had the physique of a professional athlete. He stood before Liu Chang’an, towering over him like a iron pillar, casting a shadow over his smiling face.
“Did you hurt Ann Wan’s nose?” Chen Changxiu asked, his eyes filled with concern, looking at Ann Wan.
Ann Wan felt embarrassed and didn’t want to admit that she had jumped up to block the ball with her face. She was annoyed by Chen Changxiu’s tone and expression, which made her feel awkward.
Liu Chang’an, still smiling, Chen Changxiu’s concerned gaze, and Ann Wan’s nose injury made her feel uncomfortable. For girls, unreasonable concern and self-righteous pity were not endearing.
Chen Changxiu glared at Liu Chang’an. “Since you’re the one who hurt Ann Wan’s nose, you should take some responsibility. How about this? I’ll throw the ball at you. You can catch it or block it with your face. Just take this one hit, and we’ll consider it settled.”
“Are you crazy?” Ann Wan looked at Chen Changxiu incredulously.
“He’s protecting you, but I can’t even hit him back?” Chen Changxiu saw Ann Wan defend Liu Chang’an, and his heart filled with resentment. He knew Ann Wan often walked with Liu Chang’an after school, but as a boarder, he didn’t have that opportunity, giving them more time to be together.
“Fine.”
Ann Wan still wanted to dispel Chen Changxiu’s attention, but Liu Chang’an nodded.
“He’s using a basketball!” Ann Wan panicked. In the gymnasium, Liu Chang’an catching the ball with one hand was quite impressive, but was this the time to show off in front of Chen Changxiu? A basketball was much heavier than a volleyball, and if Chen Changxiu was careless, it could easily disfigure Liu Chang’an’s face.
Ann Wan was about to say something when Liu Chang’an covered her mouth with his hand and stretched out the other hand.
Chen Changxiu suddenly attacked, not giving Liu Chang’an time to react. He took advantage of Ann Wan’s distraction and threw the ball at Liu Chang’an.
Liu Chang’an caught the ball steadily, his hand engulfing it. Chen Changxiu’s eyes widened in shock, and Ann Wan stared at Liu Chang’an, seemingly unaware that he could handle both volleyball and basketball with ease.
Liu Chang’an released Ann Wan’s mouth and threw the ball back with both hands.
“Bang!”
The ball flew in a perfect arc, crossing over the lively, jumping, and stunned onlookers, and landed steadily in the basket, bouncing a few times before coming to a stop.
Like Chen Changxiu’s heart, which was pounding wildly, Liu Chang’an patted his hands, feeling satisfied. He seemed to have humiliated Chen Changxiu, like a classmate who always boasted about his grades being topped by someone else.
“A bit lucky,” Liu Chang’an said, pulling Ann Wan away.
After walking a few steps, Ann Wan looked down at Liu Chang’an’s hand, which was holding hers. His hand was long and white, suitable for playing the piano, and should have been able to perform a stirring melody. Yet, she didn’t expect him to throw such a perfect arc.
Moreover, his hand was warm, making Ann Wan feel a sense of warmth spreading into her heart.
“Did you just spit on my hand?” Liu Chang’an released Ann Wan’s hand, looking puzzled.
“Ew, no!” Ann Wan glared at him. She already knew he had this kind of skill, so why worry about him?
“Chen Changxiu is a bit crazy, with a face like a razor and a heart that’s vicious. His eyes are prominent, and his eyebrows are messy. People with this kind of face often have a violent temper, low self-control, and enjoy fighting. They don’t care about right or wrong, and just like to use their fists,” Liu Chang’an said seriously to Ann Wan. “If you’re with him in the future, be careful. I’ve seen many people with this kind of face, and they all like to beat their wives.”
“How would I be with him?” Ann Wan said incredulously. “I don’t like him.”
“Aren’t people saying you two are a pair?” Liu Chang’an looked at Ann Wan in doubt.
Ann Wan continued to glare at him, her face gradually filling with anger, her chest heaving with rapid breaths.
“Just kidding,” Liu Chang’an laughed.
“I… I’ll strangle you to death!” Ann Wan was furious, stretching out her hand to pinch Liu Chang’an’s waist.
Liu Chang’an just felt a bit itchy, turning his head to look at Ann Wan, who laughed again.
May was approaching, and the remaining time was limited. Let’s not fight anymore.
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