Amy saw Fēng Qíyáng surrounded by a few people, so she pushed Qiáo Wǎn and Míng Shào aside and walked over, saying, "Brother Yáng traveled a thousand miles to get here, how can you bully him like this?"
Hán Lìxuān scratched his head upon hearing Amy's words. With his sharp intuition, he felt this woman was definitely not a good person.
Qí Lín narrowed his eyes, looking at Amy. From her voice, Qí Lín knew she was the one who had answered his call that day. He hadn't expected Fēng Qíyáng to bring her back, and his expression instantly darkened.
Fēng Qíyáng saw Amy approaching, his expression wasn't great either. But after all, she had come back with him, and Amy had an unspeakable condition, so he said, "Didn't your uncle send someone to pick you up? Go back and rest quickly."
Amy wanted to say something more, but Fēng Qíyáng interrupted her, "If you're not feeling well, go back and rest early. I still need to accompany Ā Lín."
Qiáo Wǎn stepped forward, displeased. "I say, can you read the situation? People are just meeting and chatting, don't you think you're being a bit too radiant?"
"I..."
Amy didn't know what to say and was momentarily speechless. Just then, the driver hired by her father arrived. Amy glared at Qí Lín and left with the driver.
Yán Tíng stuck out his tongue at Amy's retreating back, then continued to nestle in Lí Yánchū's arms. Lí Yánchū just smiled upon seeing this and continued to watch Fēng Qíyáng.
Fēng Qíyáng looked at Qí Lín with a face full of smiles, seeming to want to explain something. Qí Lín didn't blame Fēng Qíyáng, he just said dismissively, "It seems I'm no longer attractive to you."
Fēng Qíyáng immediately became serious and said earnestly, "Nonsense. My Ā Lín is the best. I like him the most."
Then, Qí Lín clearly heard the jeering from the surrounding onlookers.
Fēng Qíyáng chuckled and scratched his head, then turned to Hán Lìxuān and said, "Come on, it's been a while since I've had a good workout."
Hán Lìxuān and the class members intended to boost Qí Lín's morale, but there wasn't an immediate good option for a contest.
Fēng Qíyáng turned to look at Lí Yánchū and said, "Are you just going to watch your buddy like this?"
Lí Yánchū nodded. His serious expression almost made Fēng Qíyáng depressed, but Lí Yánchū still pulled Kē Mèngchén and said, "How about this, three on three. Kē Mèngchén and I will be on your team."
Kē Mèngchén, who had been watching the excitement, was suddenly pulled in and hesitated. But seeing Míng Shào's approving nod, he immediately put on his full fighting spirit. Boxing might not be his forte, but basketball was fine. At least he could show Míng Shào his shining moments.
Qí Lín saw that they were determined and didn't say much more, only nodding in agreement.
Hán Lìxuān also found two people. After taking off their jackets and preparing, the game began.
Qí Lín stood by with a few people, watching them play heatedly. Although Lí Yánchū was usually gentle and refined, he was no less skilled than the others on the basketball court. Yán Tíng watched with a look of adoration, almost as if he were about to cheer for Lí Yánchū to go up.
The game was too close to call for a while. As they played, the entire sports field became crowded with spectators. Fēng Qíyáng was determined to show off in front of Qí Lín. He exchanged a look with Lí Yánchū and charged directly towards the opposite basket. Lí Yánchū grabbed the ball, looked for an opening, and threw it to Fēng Qíyáng. Fēng Qíyáng did not disappoint Qí Lín's expectant gaze and scored, ending the match.
Fēng Qíyáng strutted over to Qí Lín, seeking praise. Qí Lín obliged with a few words. Lí Yánchū returned to Yán Tíng's side. Seeing Lí Yánchū covered in sweat, Yán Tíng quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it off and added a little flattery. Kē Mèngchén, seeing that everyone else was seeking praise, also hopped over to Míng Shào. Míng Shào glanced at Kē Mèngchén and, uncharacteristically, gave him a thumbs-up.
Qiáo Wǎn watched the happy group with a touch of sadness, but she still managed to banter with them.
Hán Lìxuān naturally caught Qí Lín's mouthing of "thank you." After all, three people who had played in the provincial basketball league wouldn't lose so easily. They just wanted to save face for Qí Lín, who was their class monitor.
Fēng Qíyáng didn't leave school all afternoon. He moved a chair and shamelessly sat next to Qí Lín, forcing Qí Lín's original deskmate to move elsewhere with great reluctance.
During a break for dinner, Qí Lín went to a student union meeting. The curious boys in the class gathered around Fēng Qíyáng to inquire about their class monitor. Fēng Qíyáng acted smug, saying half-truthfully, "Ā Lín and I have known each other for six years. Three years ago, I was going to the US, so I confessed to Ā Lín, and then we got together."
The onlookers let out a hiss. Then, a boy who had played basketball with Hán Lìxuān that afternoon asked curiously, "So, who listens to whom between you two?"
Fēng Qíyáng scoffed at the question and said unceremoniously, "Nonsense, of course Ā Lín listens to me. A man must have that kind of spirit."
"I don't quite believe that."
"You don't believe me? You wait..." Fēng Qíyáng had only spoken a few words when he acutely realized something was wrong and immediately stood up. As expected, he saw Qí Lín walking over with a look that clearly said, "Please continue."
Qí Lín, holding a stack of documents, bowed to Fēng Qíyáng and said, "Yes, please sit. I have to listen to you. Don't tire yourself out."
Although Fēng Qíyáng felt a little intimidated, he still had to save face. He said, "That won't do. I can't just sit because you tell me to. I'm a man with spirit."
As soon as Fēng Qíyáng said this, the surrounding onlookers couldn't hold back their laughter, bursting into hearty chuckles with no malice.
Qí Lín didn't want to embarrass Fēng Qíyáng, so he walked to the podium, tapped the blackboard, and said, "Alright, everyone, go back to your seats. The school has an arrangement."
Everyone quickly returned to their seats. Qí Lín looked at Fēng Qíyáng's adoring expression and decided to ignore him. He then announced, "Morning self-study tomorrow is canceled. Return to school on Monday."
"Yay!"
The class cheered, as no one wanted to come to school early Saturday morning for a few classes before going home for the weekend.
Qí Lín looked at the happy crowd and coughed, "Don't celebrate too early. Monday and Tuesday are the monthly exams. We'll set up the exam rooms tonight."
"Ah?"
The enthusiastic atmosphere in the class immediately deflated. Qí Lín knew that everyone didn't want to take exams, but what could be done? Those were the school's requirements.
Qí Lín continued, flipping through the materials in front of him, "Alright, I'll post the exam numbers and locations at the front. Come and see for yourselves. Tonight is self-study. Do what you want as long as it's not too outrageous. I can cover for you."
Seeing that Qí Lín seemed busy, Fēng Qíyáng, afraid of missing the chance to spend more time with him, quickly stood up and said, "Um, setting up the exam rooms, you guys can handle that, right? Your class monitor doesn't even have personal space."
The class was stunned, then immediately understood what Fēng Qíyáng was implying. Hán Lìxuān immediately stood up and said, "Class monitor, you're too tired. We'll handle setting up the exam rooms. You go out and rest."
"What?"
Before Qí Lín could react, Fēng Qíyáng pulled him out.
"What are you doing? I still need to watch them."
"Stop watching. When was the last time we had a good talk?"
Fēng Qíyáng pulled Qí Lín to the corridor and said pitifully. In the half-day he had been back, Qí Lín had either been busy with class matters or student union affairs, and they hadn't spoken much.
Listening to Fēng Qíyáng's tone, Qí Lín couldn't help but smile and agreed, "Okay, okay, then let's talk."