Chapter 25: A Challenge to Duel!

After class, the homeroom teacher summarized the results of the monthly exam.

“Overall, many students have made progress. But some of our outstanding classmates have recently become obsessed with things unrelated to their studies, resulting in a decline in their grades. I hope he remembers the lesson from this exam and returns to the top fifty in the grade.”

Many eyes turned toward Ming Han; the homeroom teacher was speaking in code! Ming Han kept his head down, clearly displeased.

As soon as class ended, Ming Han immediately said to Yu Hang, who sat beside him, “Want to play ball this afternoon?”

That’s how we were in our school days—always wanting to go against the teacher. She says go east, and you insist on going west.

Chen Li turned around. “Ming Han, you really did slip this time. I also think you’ve spent too much time on basketball lately.”

Hearing Chen Li’s criticism made Ming Han even more irritated. “My studies are none of anyone else’s business.”

His words were loud and harsh. Chen Li’s eyes instantly reddened, but she didn’t say anything in return, simply turned away and lay on her desk.

Ming Han felt a bit regretful, but the words were already out. If he apologized now, he’d feel he’d lost face! Besides, everyone opposing his basketball felt so annoyingly infuriating. He loved the days spent playing basketball, loved the joy it brought him.

Yu Hang patted Ming Han on the shoulder. “Bro, she’s only thinking of your good. You were a bit too much!”

Ming Han snorted and walked out of the classroom.

At the stairway, he ran into Zhang Ze, who was going downstairs with some friends from Class One. They were chatting animatedly.

Zhang Ze saw Ming Han and felt a bit embarrassed. The memory of getting trounced a few days ago was still vivid—such a loss of face.

“Hey, how about a match between our two classes when you’ve got time?” Zhang Ze wanted to regain some dignity in a proper game.

Ming Han nodded. “Sure!”

Inside, he was fiercely determined. “I can be just as outstanding at basketball!”

“Let’s set it for this weekend, then!” Ming Han agreed to the challenge from Class One of ninth grade, and started to set himself a goal: next year’s grade championship!

Before this, basketball had only been a hobby for him. Now, he had a strong competitive drive. He often played one-on-one with Yu Hang, and though he lost most of the time, his skills were steadily improving.

Back in the classroom, Ming Han told Yu Hang about Zhang Ze’s challenge. Yu Hang smiled, “We’re all good with it. But you still have one unresolved problem.”

Yu Hang pointed at Chen Li, who was still lying on her desk, quietly sobbing.

Ming Han thought girls were just too troublesome—he’d only spoken a bit harshly, and now it felt as dramatic as a divorce!

He tapped Chen Li’s back lightly. “Hey! Are you alright?”

Chen Li ignored him, and when class was about to start, she went over to Huang Ying in the second row. “I want to switch seats with you. Is that okay?”

Huang Ying and Chen Li shared a dorm room and had always gotten along well. Seeing Chen Li’s red eyes, she immediately knew some jerk must have bullied her. Her anger flared. “Li Li, sit here. I’ll go deal with him for you.”

Huang Ying marched up to Ming Han, fuming. “What did you do to my Li Li! You’re just too much!”

Ming Han looked helpless. “Come on, you’re blaming me without knowing anything! I have no clue what’s going on with her either!”

“Hmph!” Huang Ying was even angrier. “Ming Han, you’re the only guy I’ve ever seen make Chen Li cry. You’re such a pig.”

Ming Han’s face darkened. Internally, he cursed, “You’re the pig! Your whole family are pigs!”