-
Plant Trees had arranged to meet her this evening. His exact words were: [Tonight at 6:30, Xidan. Be there or be square.]
He had probably figured out her slow, reluctant-to-reply nature—like an abacus bead, unmoved unless pushed.
Afraid she would read and not respond, he added at the end: [If it's fine, just say something.]
"Plant Trees" tapped you, karma +1
He was probably busy, so Cheng Buxi waited a few hours before sending [Okay~]. He didn't reply.
...
It was almost dark by then, but she had no choice. She had agreed to let him decide the time and place—a promise was a promise. But after all these years of being proper, aside from her brother (who wasn't blood-related), she had never gone out shopping with a strange man... She felt inexplicably nervous, a tiny bit anxious, and a thread of anticipation.
Even if they went together, it should just be to buy clothes... and apologize... maybe eat some street food, discuss how to catch the cat-abusing freak... That was probably it... right? ...Probably?
She closed her eyes, and her thoughts drifted again, even though they hadn't met yet.
But damn it, as soon as she closed her eyes, his handsome, roguish face appeared. Her heart pounded, chaotic and unsettled.
The basketball game ended around four, so there was no conflict. She could watch the entire match and the awards ceremony, and even take a nice hot shower before heading to Joy City, spritzing on some of the expensive perfume that had been gathering dust in her cabinet.
She was almost fully looking forward to tonight's meeting.
But plans changed. They didn't meet at 6:30 or at Xidan Joy City. They met earlier—much earlier, right then and there.
-
The city-wide college basketball tournament was held four times a year, divided by season. The spring and summer matches had already ended in April and September. This autumn final was hosted at their school's gymnasium, a testament to successful outreach and sponsorship. The final pitted S University against the Sports University.
Both were powerhouse teams, old rivals. One was a top 985, the other an ivy league of sports, constantly sending elite talent to the national team.
Previous tournaments were mostly held at top-tier schools, never at theirs until now—a first. So the gym was packed early.
Influenced by Lu Tingzhou in her childhood, Cheng Buxi loved watching basketball games and cage fights. He used to take her to the courts, where she would sit quietly in the stands in a pink princess dress, carrying a stainless-steel yellow bear water bottle, her hair in a stylish bob. She looked like a paper silhouette, pale and dazzling, with a group of spirited, youthful boys behind her.
At first, she didn't understand the rules. She only knew that the fastest runner, the highest scorer, the one who drew the loudest cheers, was her brother. Later, after watching more, she gradually understood.
But people change. Her brother was a prime example.
Lu Tingzhou had a spirited youth—unrestrained, excelling in exams and competitions, always first, the most dazzling prodigy in any crowd.
Later, after going into business and politics and dealing with all kinds of people, he became steady and reserved, and smiled less. Only in the smallest details did his inherent arrogance and rebelliousness leak out, and sometimes his iron-fisted ruthlessness made him unapproachable.
Cheng Buxi could hardly imagine him running on a basketball court now.
He was already too mature.
...
Gao Yabin knew someone in the sports college and had saved them seats right next to the scoreboard—great view and real-time score updates.
As she walked over, many eyes fell on her—admiring, curious, sizing her up. Most were from other schools.
Cheng Buxi had just arrived when she got an urgent call from a friend. "Baby, where are you?! I need help! Emergency!"
She said she was at the gym and asked what was wrong.
"Can you come to the backstage area..." The voice was anxious.
"..."
...
Last time, she had hastily stuffed a manga into Cheng Buxi's arms—that manga about seducing an iceberg professor had gotten her into big trouble.
They were both in the drama club, friends since freshman year.
Fang Xinyi was one of the cheerleaders today. The moment she saw Cheng Buxi, she treated her like a lifesaver and blurted out an earth-shattering plea: "Baby, can you go on stage for me and be a cheerleader?!"
Cheng Buxi looked dazed, her heart skipped a beat. "You..."
"Oh, baby, beautiful, just help me out! Just dance a little—it's fine! My boyfriend came all the way from City H to see me. You know I'm a love-over-friend type! I can't abandon him, so I have to skip this opportunity. Just help me!~~"
"..." Cheng Buxi thought, are you crazy?
Speaking of dancing, she had learned classical dance and ballet briefly as a child, but she was mediocre at both. Instruments, too. She had dabbled in many things but mastered none. One strict tutor had even called her carefree, low on awareness, with no academic achievements—pure money down the drain.
But Mrs. Lu liked it. She thought girls should learn these things, even if they weren't good at them. After all, the Lu family had money—they could burn it for fun if they wanted. It was nobody else's business.
Unable to resist Fang Xinyi's persistent coaxing, Cheng Buxi finally agreed. The girl shrieked with excitement, "Thank you, beauty! I knew you wouldn't let me die! Here! This is the cheerleader uniform. You're taller than me, with a killer figure—slim and curvy. It should fit perfectly!"
"I'm off now. Tonight I'm destined to get plowed... sigh, my poor butt... qwq"
Cheng Buxi blushed. She couldn't stand her dirty talk. This girl had no filter and no shame. Cheng Buxi was innocent in that regard. "Alright, alright, I got it."
"I'm leaving! I'll bring you a little gift when I get back!"
-
After seeing her off, Cheng Buxi stared at the cheerleader uniform in her hands, feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds. She sank into deep thought.
Was she crazy... agreeing to such an absurd request? Where did she get the courage? Was it because she was going to meet Plant Trees soon? Probably.
Fortunately, she had seen Fang Xinyi dance a few times in the drama club, and she had some dance foundation. The cheerleading moves weren't too difficult. She practiced briefly backstage and then went on stage.
After the routine, the competing teams were about to enter.