Chapter 54: Lin Lin’s Strength (Third Update—Seeking Recommendations and Favorites)

Du Xinghao’s heart blazed with excitement. If Hua Tianyu could join the Shangjiang Academy basketball team, wouldn’t that mean their team could become legendary thanks to a single player?

So, for the past few days, Du Xinghao, who had never attended classes regularly, appeared in every single one without fail. He wasn’t there for any other reason but to run into Lin Lin again, to find Hua Tianyu and persuade him to join the basketball team.

Unfortunately, Lin Lin was just as notorious for skipping classes as he was. After staking out for several days, Du Xinghao finally caught sight of Lin Lin.

When he saw the person he’d been waiting for, he couldn’t contain his excitement and shouted from afar, “Lin Lin, you’re finally here! I’ve missed you so much!”

Lin Lin’s face darkened instantly.

The teacher was present. What did he mean by “you’re finally here”? Was he trying to let the teacher know she’d skipped several classes?

Without a word, Lin Lin strode over, seized Du Xinghao by the collar, and dragged him away.

Du Xinghao, despite his height of over 1.85 meters, found himself powerless against Lin Lin’s grip and was hauled off to a corner without resistance.

“Du Xinghao!” Lin Lin shouted.

“Hey, Lin Lin…” Du Xinghao replied, about to speak.

Bang! Lin Lin kicked him hard in the thigh. “Are you afraid the teacher doesn’t know how many classes I’ve skipped?”

“And you missed me so much? Are you looking for trouble?”

Du Xinghao was speechless.

“I’m warning you, stay away from me! With that face of yours, I really can’t bring myself to like you!” Lin Lin tried to look fierce.

But her beauty was undeniable; her feigned ferocity only gave her a unique charm.

Sadly, Du Xinghao was oblivious to her allure. He could only stammer desperately, “I was thinking about Hua Tianyu! I missed Hua Tianyu!”

“Don’t! Please don’t miss me, I’m really not used to being missed by men!” a voice said with a shudder.

Hua Tianyu and Lin Lin had moved into Jinhai Garden several days ago, and for the past few nights, the three of them survived on takeout.

Today, Tian Li suddenly decided to cook dinner at home for the three of them, so she went back early. With nothing else to do, Hua Tianyu came to pick Lin Lin up from class, only to overhear Du Xinghao claiming he missed him.

The words sent chills down Hua Tianyu’s spine, and he quickly spoke up to extinguish any such notion.

“Ah! Hua Tianyu!” Du Xinghao was overjoyed to see the very player he’d been longing for. Arms wide open, he rushed in for a hug.

But Hua Tianyu blocked him at arm’s length with a look of utter disgust, making Du Xinghao realize his mistake.

Awkwardly, he chuckled and asked, “Hua Tianyu, which department are you in? Are you interested in joining our Shangjiang Academy basketball team?”

Hua Tianyu was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Du Xinghao to come up with this idea after the last basketball match.

But thinking it through, it made sense. In Shangjiang Academy, the Sports Department basketball team was essentially the school’s main team. As a team member, it was normal for Du Xinghao to have such ambitions.

After pondering for a couple of seconds, Hua Tianyu asked, “Do you have a cheerleading squad full of beautiful girls?”

“…No,” Du Xinghao replied.

“Then I’m not interested!” Hua Tianyu refused without hesitation. Besides, he wasn’t even a student of Shangjiang Academy—how could he possibly join their team?

Du Xinghao was stumped.

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. Of course!

No wonder their team always fell short at critical moments. Everyone had been searching for the reason, feeling as though something was missing. Now that he thought about it, wasn’t it because they didn’t have a cheerleading squad?

It was as if a dreamer had been jolted awake by a single remark!

As Du Xinghao’s eyes grew more fervent, another wave of chills ran through Hua Tianyu. He immediately raised his hand to keep Du Xinghao at bay.

“Haha, thank you for the reminder! I’ve suddenly seen the light!” Du Xinghao stretched out his arms again, aiming for a hug, but Hua Tianyu was prepared, holding him firmly at arm’s length.

“Heh,” Du Xinghao realized his blunder once more and laughed awkwardly.

“Hua Tianyu, now I finally know why our team always loses the crucial games—it’s because we lack a cheerleading squad! You’ve really enlightened me. I’m going to do something about it right now. Honestly, I can already see the championship beckoning to us!”

Du Xinghao grew ever more animated.

Hua Tianyu was speechless.

What did I even say? I just asked about the cheerleaders…

Watching Du Xinghao’s retreating figure, Hua Tianyu remarked to Lin Lin, “Try not to provoke that guy too much.”

“Why?” Lin Lin asked, puzzled.

“He tries to hug people at the slightest provocation. I’m just worried you’ll be the victim.”

Lin Lin was left speechless.

Leaving the campus, Hua Tianyu and Lin Lin bought some ingredients as Tian Li had requested and strolled leisurely back to Jinhai Garden.

As they reached the door of apartment 2002, Hua Tianyu’s keen hearing caught a startled cry from inside.

His expression changed. Pulling Lin Lin behind him, he swiftly produced the key, quietly unlocked the door, and kicked it open, charging inside.

At the entrance, he saw Tian Li clutching a fruit knife, retreating step by step from the kitchen.

In a flash, Hua Tianyu darted forward, shielding Lin Lin, his eyes sweeping the kitchen.

No one.

Maintaining vigilance, he quickly checked Tian Li’s bedroom. Empty.

Next, he checked Lin Lin’s room and his own. Still empty.

Finally, he yanked open the bathroom door. No one inside.

Had the intruder escaped? He had just come through the front door—no one could have left that way.

This was the twentieth floor; could someone have escaped through the window? Was it a skilled thief or someone equipped like Spider-Man?

But as Hua Tianyu recalled the sounds he’d heard, he realized there had been no sign of anyone fleeing.

What was going on?

He turned a questioning gaze to Tian Li.

Still gripping the knife, Tian Li pointed shakily toward the kitchen.

Did someone escape through the kitchen window?

Hua Tianyu dashed into the kitchen.

“The fish… that fish… I tried to kill it, but it leapt out. Every time I tried to grab it, it jumped away…” Tian Li’s timid voice came from behind him.

Hua Tianyu was speechless.

“So the terrified shout I heard outside was because the fish jumped out and startled you?” he asked, rubbing his forehead.

“Yes, I’ve been trying to kill this fish for half an hour and still haven’t succeeded… Just now, it jumped out again and nearly scared me to death!” Tian Li replied, still shaken.

“If you wanted to kill it, why did you fill the basin with so much water?” Hua Tianyu asked, pointing at the basin.