The following morning, when Xiang Ri stepped into the classroom, he immediately sensed something unusual in the atmosphere.
The room was abuzz with chatter, and every face brimmed with excitement so palpable that it felt as though spring had arrived early.
"What's going on?" Xiang Ri grabbed the Garlic Head, who was furiously scribbling on his desk.
"Boss, you don't know?" Garlic Head instinctively shielded the note he was writing with his hand. "Didn't you watch the basketball game yesterday morning?"
"Basketball game? I watched it. What does that have to do with this?" Xiang Ri began to piece together what might be causing the commotion.
"My god! Boss, are you oblivious, or do you simply not understand basketball? Even if you know nothing about it, seeing that scene should've been enough to make you tremble with excitement!"
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Well, here's the deal. Our school has a basketball superman!" Garlic Head exclaimed, as if he were the one being praised.
"That's it? I thought everyone had taken a dose of Viagra."
"Isn't that shocking enough, Boss? I'm certain you must've left at halftime. At first, our school was being crushed, and the students from Financial University were so arrogant, claiming they'd beat us by 80 points. But do you know what happened next?" Garlic Head's excitement rose to the point where he nearly spat in Xiang Ri's face.
To avoid becoming collateral damage, Xiang Ri quickly took a step back.
"You have no idea. In the second half, just when it seemed we were doomed, our team substituted in an incredible player. He's only about 1.75 meters tall—yes, not even 1.8! But guess what he did? He dunked. And not just once—he dunked multiple times, forcing the opposing team to call a timeout!"
"Then the Financial University guys got jealous and sent in a gorilla—oh, I mean a giant. They tried to take him out with fouls. But do you know what happened next? That gorilla knocked him out of bounds—he flew seven or eight meters! Yet, the basketball superman got up without a scratch, went back onto the court, and even knocked the gorilla unconscious in return. Can you believe it? A guy barely 1.75 meters tall and under 60 kilograms took out someone over two meters tall and nearly 200 kilograms!"
"And then, the basketball superman did something even more unbelievable. He dunked so hard that he shattered Financial University's backboard. Glass shards rained down like a waterfall. He's absolutely my idol!"
"Don't you think you're rambling a bit much?" Now that Xiang Ri understood what had happened, he no longer felt the need to ask further.
"Rambling? I don't think so. But, Boss, how can you stay so indifferent after hearing this? I'm starting to wonder…" Garlic Head suddenly paused, scrutinizing Xiang Ri carefully. After a moment, he asked hesitantly, "Boss, you wouldn't happen to be that basketball superman, would you?"
His voice was so loud that Xiang Ri immediately covered his mouth. "Can't you keep your big mouth shut?" Thankfully, they were seated in the back row, with fewer people nearby, so it was unlikely anyone overheard.
"You really are…" Garlic Head's words trailed off, but Xiang Ri's reaction had already confirmed his suspicion. His gaze toward Xiang Ri turned fervent, as if he'd just spotted a goddess in the flesh. "Unbelievable. Boss, you're the legendary basketball superman who's been impossible to track down. If I spread this news…"
"You'll meet a very unpleasant end," Xiang Ri cut him off coldly, shattering his fantasies.
Garlic Head shuddered under the sharp glare. "Don't worry, Boss. I swear I won't breathe a word about this!"
"Good. Keep your mouth shut. You know how strong I am—I broke the backboard. Believe me, your skull isn't as sturdy." Xiang Ri's words carried a menacing weight.
"Yes, Boss, I won't say a thing!" Garlic Head nodded fervently, likely recalling Xiang Ri's terrifying strength.
"By the way, how did you figure out it was me?" Xiang Ri asked, determined to find out who else might know his secret. If word got out, it would cause endless trouble.
"Well… it's because of the two sister-in-laws."
The next moment, Xiang Ri finally understood the source of the problem. "You mean Chu Chu and Xiao Qing," he said, realization dawning on his face. When he had been knocked out of bounds during the game, both Tie Wan and his well-behaved disciple had rushed over to check on him. Though he didn't fear being recognized by students from Financial University, his own classmates—especially those familiar with him—might have connected the dots after seeing him with Chu Chu and Shi Qing. The potential consequences were unsettling.
Noticing the changing expressions on Xiang Ri's face, Garlic Head tried to reassure him. "Boss, you really don't need to worry. I'd bet my life on it—I'm the only one in the entire school who recognized you. No one else could possibly figure it out!"
"Are you sure?" Xiang Ri asked quickly, seeing a glimmer of hope.
"Absolutely, Boss! At the time, I was mixed in with the Financial University crowd, you know? Their supporters took all the good seats since it was their home court, while our school's fans were stuck way in the back. The distance made it hard for anyone to see clearly. Besides, you ditched your glasses and looked so cool—no one could recognize you. And those two sister-in-laws were so well-disguised that even people familiar with them would have a hard time figuring it out."
Hearing Garlic Head's analysis, Xiang Ri felt a bit relieved. One thing was certain: Garlic Head was his only somewhat close friend in school. Even if others suspected something, verifying it would be extremely difficult. With that in mind, there was no need to worry further.
"By the way, Boss, what happened to your hand? Don't tell me it's from dunking yesterday?" Only now, having calmed down from the excitement of recounting the basketball superman tale, did Garlic Head notice Xiang Ri's hand wrapped thickly in gauze.
"No, I had bad luck yesterday—tripped on the road and broke all the bones in my fingers." Xiang Ri's explanation left Garlic Head slack-jawed. How could someone who was invincible on the court suffer such a ridiculous injury from a simple fall?
Garlic Head didn't believe a word of it. In his mind, Xiang Ri must have gotten injured while playing basketball but didn't want to admit it. To save face, he came up with this flimsy excuse.
Though Garlic Head's disbelief was written all over his face, Xiang Ri offered no further explanation. Let him misunderstand—it wasn't like he'd tell anyone.
Noticing Garlic Head still clutching a piece of paper, Xiang Ri smirked and said, "No need to hide it—I already saw it. Who would've thought you'd be writing a love letter? Impressive. Xiao Hui, huh? That's a nice name." He even feigned a thoughtful expression.
Garlic Head let out a wail. "Boss, you peeked at my love letter!"
"Who peeked? It was your flailing arms that accidentally let me see it. I have to say, you've got skills. Went to Financial University for one day and not only found a target but even got her name. Well done! Looks promising!" Seeing the lovesick look on Garlic Head's face, Xiang Ri didn't need to guess—he'd clearly met someone he liked during his trip to Financial University and was now penning a love letter to woo her.
Tears practically streamed down Garlic Head's face as he lamented, "Boss, you don't understand! Seeing you with beauties in your arms every day, how can I not feel anxious? I have to find someone too! But Xiao Hui really is a good girl. She might not be as stunning as the two sister-in-laws, but she's not far behind."
"Ah, a beauty in the eyes of her beholder, I see. Go on, finish your love letter. But you'll need to switch spots—Chu Chu isn't the only one coming to class; Shi Qing will be here too. Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"Shi Qing is coming too? Doesn't she have no classes today?" Garlic Head asked curiously.
"Why so many questions? Move it—they're already here." Xiang Ri glared at him, having spotted the two women at the door.
"Yes, Boss, I'm leaving now!" Garlic Head scurried to a corner, resuming his love-letter writing.
"Why are you so late?" Xiang Ri asked with mild annoyance.
"We ran into an old classmate!" Chu Chu replied with feigned helplessness. Then, glancing at Garlic Head, who was hunched over his writing, she added, "Were you talking to Xu Wei just now?"
"Yes, that guy left when he heard Xiao Qing was coming so the three of us could sit together."
"You made him leave, didn't you?" Chu Chu saw through Xiang Ri's ploy in an instant.
Tie Wan's smug grin only made Xiang Ri want to retort, "Nope. That guy's busy writing a love letter to someone and left to avoid being seen."
Chu Chu's smugness immediately froze, and she huffed before taking a seat, ignoring him.
Xiang Ri quickly slid into the seat beside her, leaving Shi Qing no choice but to sit next to him as well—exactly as he had planned. Left and right, he was surrounded by beauty, basking in a moment of bliss.
By now, the classmates were used to Xiang Ri's enviable situation, though occasional resentful glares still swept over the trio.
The next two classes were taught by an old professor known for his intricate theories, which felt like a lullaby to Chu Chu, who had already been up late the previous night thanks to Xiang Ri. Before long, she collapsed onto the desk, sound asleep.
"Xiao Qing, didn't you call me shameless yesterday?" Xiang Ri said with a smirk, less restrained now that Chu Chu had dozed off. "How dare you insult your teacher? Quite bold of you!"
"But you are shameless…" Shi Qing replied in a small, aggrieved voice.
"I don't like excuses, Xiao Qing. Since you've tarnished my reputation, you need to compensate me for the emotional damage. Five pairs of your worn underwear should suffice, don't you think?"
"Teacher, that's extortion!" Shi Qing protested indignantly.
"Call it what you want. If you don't hand them over tonight, don't blame me for using disciplinary measures!"
"Since when do you have disciplinary measures?" Shi Qing accused.
"Since now. As long as it works, I don't care! Don't forget, or your little bottom might pay the price!"
Shi Qing's face turned crimson as she bit her lip and whispered, "I won't forget."