Since the launch of the Project by the system, Lin Yuan hadn't received any new tasks or novel rewards for quite some time.
He was currently working on a painting task, aiming to reach 10,000 painting reputation points. However, he still had a few months left before completing this task. They mainly spent their time in the campus painting clubs, and the rate at which Lin Yuan earned painting reputation points was satisfactory but not particularly fast.
Given these circumstances, Lin Yuan wanted to continue writing long stories, but he found himself facing two options.
The first option was to wait until he completed the painting task, open the treasure chest, and see if he could obtain a novel.
The second option was to directly customize a novel with the system.
The former option was fraught with uncertainty. What if he didn't receive a novel from the treasure chest? Based on past experience, it seemed that the probability of obtaining a song was the highest.
The latter option was relatively straightforward. With enough money, Lin Yuan would have the freedom to choose the subject matter.
He didn't rush to make a decision.
After all, "Net King" had just concluded, and Chu Kuang deserved a break.
In the days that followed, Lin Yuan enjoyed his campus life.
He attended classes diligently during the day, shared simple meals with Xia Fan, and taught painting at the club after class.
Lin Yuan cherished these days.
Although they might seem monotonous, they were anything but predictable. Occasionally, there were extracurricular activities to shake things up, like the basketball game Jian Jian had mentioned last month.
Similar to the Blackboard News Selection, Qin Yi often organized such events, and students from various departments enthusiastically participated. The school offered enticing rewards, which everyone found hard to resist.
This was the charm of Bluestar.
In an environment that valued art like Bluestar, exceptional performances were duly recorded. Who wouldn't want to build an impressive resume before graduation?
Except Lin Yuan.
His job was stable, and the company valued him highly. Lin Yuan believed he wouldn't face much risk of unemployment after graduation.
So the basketball game held little significance for him.
In fact, even if he wanted to participate, Lin Yuan wouldn't be eligible. His physique was too weak; he feared he'd end up on a stretcher after just half a game.
However, the department took the competition seriously. They selected skilled basketball players from each class to form a team and organized the entire Composition Department to cheer them on at the stadium.
Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain.
The Composition Department was eliminated after just two days of competition.
Disheartened, the students left the stadium.
A student in the back row murmured, "What rotten luck! We got matched with the Dance Department in the second round."
Back in my freshman year, we held a basketball game, and the Dance Department emerged as the champions. No one wanted to face them early on, yet we ended up against them.
Lin Yuan wasn't particularly bothered by the loss.
Of course, he felt a sense of class pride. For instance, during the last Blackboard News Selection, Lin Yuan had made his contribution for the honor of his class.
But in the art world, everyone had their specialties.
Basketball wasn't the Composition Department's forte.
Despite their elimination and the waning interest among students, Lin Yuan still kept an eye on the upcoming matches.
Not because he was interested in basketball.
Rather, he wanted to support Xia Fan, who was competing.
Especially in the afternoon game!
The Performance Department, where Xia Fan belonged, would face off against the Dance Department for the championship!
The Performance Department had performed exceptionally well in basketball, defeating several teams, including Xia Fan's Vocal Department.
During lunch, Xia Fan seemed a bit uneasy as he remarked to Jiangsu, "You actually defeated my vocal buddy!"
Jiangsu replied with a smile, "But I'm your buddy too."
Xia Fan glanced at Lin Yuan and added, "I heard the Composition Department was eliminated by the Dance Department."
Lin Yuan nodded in confirmation.
Upon hearing this, Xia Fan's enthusiasm surged. He patted his chest and declared, "The Dance Department isn't getting away with it. My buddy will avenge the Composition Department this afternoon!"
"It's more like avenging yourself."
Xia Fan rolled his eyes. "Didn't you say the Performance Department was eliminated by the Dance Department last year? Now it's our turn to seek revenge."
Lin Yuan remained silent.
He had indeed set his sights on defeating the Dance Department in the competition, so he had been gearing up for this afternoon's match.
The basketball games grew more intense as they progressed. With strong teams competing, including the upcoming finals between the Performance Department and the Dance Department, the matches drew the attention of countless basketball enthusiasts at the school.
In the afternoon, Lin Yuan and Xia Fan arrived at the gym early to secure front-row seats for a better view. They were determined to cheer on their friends during the finals.
"Sunflower seeds...popcorn...Coke..."
As soon as Xia Fan arrived, he introduced the snacks to Lin Yuan.
In that moment, Lin Yuan felt like he was in a movie theater rather than a stadium.
Half an hour later, the finals were about to begin. The campus stadium was packed to the brim with students from all grades and departments, with some departments even attending en masse. The atmosphere was electric with excitement.
"They're taking the court."
Xia Fan sipped his Coke, and Lin Yuan nodded, munching on popcorn.
After the host delivered a few introductory remarks, the game officially commenced.
Lin Yuan and Xia Fan weren't well-versed in basketball.
Despite the deafening cheers and whistles around them, they remained focused on enjoying their snacks.
Occasionally, they glanced at the game, checking the score.
"It's anyone's game."
Xia Fan leaned back after a few bites.
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement, still licking sunflower seeds.
As applause erupted, they instinctively joined in. However, upon realizing it was the Dance Department receiving applause, they quietly stopped clapping.
"Intermission," announced the host.
Both teams took a break.
"Do you think we should bring water to Jiangsu?" Lin Yuan asked.
Xia Fan shook his head. "They have a cooler full of water..."
Lin Yuan nodded and continued eating sunflower seeds.
Suddenly, Xia Fan stood up. "They're fighting."
Lin Yuan assumed it was the start of the second half.
However, when he looked up, he was stunned to see Xia Fan rolling up his sleeves and charging towards the court. "How dare they bully my buddy? I'll show them!"
Realizing the situation, Lin Yuan quickly followed suit.
"Isn't that Lin Yuan just now?" Zhong Yu, a fellow painting student seated nearby, was taken aback. As Lin Yuan's self-proclaimed top disciple, he should recognize him.
"Yeah," nodded the group of painting students beside Zhong Yu, their gazes dazed. "He's indeed a legend."
On the basketball court, Jiangsu was engaged in a scuffle, and upon seeing Xia Fan and Lin Yuan, he called out, "Xia Fan, look after Lin Yuan!"
"Sure thing," Xia Fan replied hurriedly, guiding Lin Yuan away. However, amidst the chaos, a member of the Dance Department shoved Lin Yuan, causing him to stagger back a few steps.
"Are you trying to help too?" Xu Chang, with a murderous expression, glared at Lin Yuan. He and Jiangsu were archenemies, so he recognized Lin Yuan, but they had never interacted before.
As he stared, Xu Chang sensed something was amiss.
The atmosphere felt off.
He turned around and scanned the surroundings, his expression freezing as he noticed the sea of people encircling them in the stadium!
Everywhere he looked, people were staring at him.
Xu Chang swallowed hard, feeling his throat go dry as he struggled to speak. His voice trembled as he forced out a smile, but it came out more like a grimace.
"N-nothing... It's not as serious as it seems..."
His teammates looked at him with confusion, their eyes asking, "What did you do to attract such attention?"
Xu Chang was equally bewildered.
What's happening?
Where am I?
Guys, what's going on?
All I did was nudge Lin Yuan a bit. How did it escalate to the entire world seemingly turning against me in an instant?