She Invited Me to Play

“Older sister, why do you always hang around that Pei Du?”

Chen Xinmei didn’t understand. Her sister was a pretty high school girl.

From what she knew of her, she was someone with strong self-respect.

So why would she keep circling around Pei Du?

Though it was true that the guy was good-looking and had good grades.

“I’m not.”

Whether it was from exercise or shyness, Chen Xintian’s cheeks were pink and flushed, reflecting the unique youthful charm of a high school girl.

“You are! He clearly didn’t want to engage with us, yet you kept chattering on.”

Chen Xinmei truly couldn’t grasp what her sister was doing.

Between the two of them, they shared almost everything. Was there some unspeakable reason?

“I said I’m not! Stop asking.”

“I’m telling you—”

The sisters only stopped discussing Pei Du after returning to the girls’ “P.E. Class Exclusive Tea Party.”

Although girls talked about boys among themselves, they couldn’t discuss their own personal feelings in front of everyone.

At most, they would only talk about such things with their closest friends.

The cool breeze gradually faded, and the April sun left everyone in P.E. class feeling warm and comfortable.

On the badminton court, Pei Du sent a shot arcing beautifully through the air—one that Zhao Yu could easily return.

Even so, Zhao Yu failed to make contact.

The shuttlecock fell onto the cement ground, its white feathers scattering loosely.

“Ah, so close! I was just a little short.”

“Practice with me more, and you’ll be able to hit it next time.”

“You’re a devil.”

Pei Du was constantly guiding Zhao Yu to exercise more.

He wasn’t the type to meddle in others’ affairs or worry about their life choices.

But as a friend, he simply didn’t want to see Zhao Yu’s body deteriorate completely.

Just like now—after only two rallies, Zhao Yu already wanted to go back to the classroom to watch anime on his phone.

At this rate, he might not even be able to straighten his back in the future.

Watching Zhao Yu head off to drink water, Pei Du shook his head helplessly.

After drinking, Zhao Yu waved at Pei Du and skipped class to return to the classroom to rest—something tacitly permitted by the P.E. teacher.

Senior-year students were under immense pressure. After training, teachers didn’t dare stop students from doing what they wanted.

As long as rules weren’t broken, even the grade director wouldn’t interfere.

Pei Du picked up the racket and walked toward the sports equipment room to return the borrowed racket and shuttlecock.

On the way, he saw several younger students running around, seemingly playing a chasing game.

How joyful.

Pei Du recalled his own first and second years. He hadn’t frolicked like that.

His youth hadn’t been as vivid and lively as their golden brilliance; instead, it had been a calm blue—plain, quiet, and uneventful.

“This table tennis ball is deflated.”

“This one’s flat too.”

Arriving at the equipment room door, he heard two girls talking and hesitated about opening it.

He recognized one of the voices.

Before he could think further, the door opened on its own.

The petite He Chengxi stood there, holding a table tennis paddle in one hand, the other hand balancing a ball on its face as if preparing to serve.

She looked up at the much taller figure standing at the doorway.

“Classmate Pei, you have P.E. too?”

“Mm.”

The other girl watched their natural exchange, linking arms with He Chengxi, too shy to speak.

As He Chengxi’s close friend, Hu Zhuyue maintained a timid, quiet exterior, but inside she was screaming.

“There’s something between them!”

“Xi Bao never mentioned she knew Pei Du!”

Hu Zhuyue naturally knew who Pei Du was. She had been the one who showed He Chengxi the video from Zhao Yu’s feed.

She studied the two of them.

Pei Du stood tall and straight like a pine tree. The loose school uniform couldn’t hide the handsome boy’s broad shoulders.

The hazy sunlight outside was mostly blocked by him, leaving only scattered rays behind.

Standing before him, He Chengxi looked even smaller and cuter.

The difference in their physiques was striking—so much so that it felt like he could lift the petite girl with one hand.

An inexplicable sense of compatibility arose in Hu Zhuyue’s heart.

She couldn’t help worrying that something really might be going on between them.

Theoretically, the probability wasn’t high.

But with that height difference and extremely high visual compatibility, the chance of a secret relationship truly wasn’t zero.

With the college entrance exam approaching, if Xi Bao started dating now…

“Did you just finish playing badminton?”

He Chengxi spoke up proactively, her voice soft, perhaps from running as well.

“Yes, with Zhao Yu.”

“Why aren’t you playing anymore? There’s still more than half the class left.”

“He wasn’t feeling well,” Pei Du answered honestly.

As for He Chengxi, his initial impression of her was quite positive.

Setting aside the system factor, from a normal interaction standpoint, her sense of boundaries and personal character were both things Pei Du acknowledged.

“Is Classmate Zhao Yu’s health okay?”

“He was just tired from running.”

“That’s good.”

Pei Du put away the badminton racket and prepared to jog a few laps around the track.

Since he had this rare chance to be outside, he should make use of it.

“Um, Classmate Pei?”

“Mm?” Pei Du didn’t know why He Chengxi stopped him.

“Would you like to play table tennis with us?”

Hu Zhuyue’s eyes widened.

What did she just hear?

Xi Bao—who had never played table tennis with a boy before—was actively inviting Pei Du?

It was over. Something was definitely going on.

Pei Du’s first instinct was to refuse.

Two people from different classes—especially a boy and a girl—suddenly playing together would inevitably spark endless gossip and baseless rumors if seen.

However… his hand really did itch a little.

The last time he played table tennis had been in his first year.

He’d played a few times with some energetic boys, but later they all joined the “P.E. Class Male Tea Party” or switched to basketball. No one played table tennis anymore.

Pei Du wouldn’t force others to play with him.

Zhao Yu was the exception.

So until now, it had been a long time since he’d touched a table tennis paddle.

He Chengxi was very tempting—no, He Chengxi’s proposal was very tempting.

Seeing Pei Du hesitate, He Chengxi not only didn’t back off but became even more persuasive.

“Come on. I’m really good. Even Zhuyue can’t beat me. You might not be able to either.”

Interesting. Was this an invitation—or a challenge?

Pei Du admitted it hit him right where it hurt.

Teenage boys were easily provoked, let alone someone like Pei Du, whose vitality was brimming.

He decided to properly show He Chengxi who was boss at the table.

What gossip? What rumors?

One test paper, and they wouldn’t even have the energy to spread rumors.

Right now, properly defeating the little one in front of him was the top priority.

“Let’s try.”

Once he agreed, there was no turning back.

Eleven-point game.

From the very start, Pei Du smashed three powerful shots past He Chengxi, not conceding a single point.

The girl was already sweating lightly just from retrieving the balls.

Holding the ball again, Pei Du uncharacteristically didn’t serve right away.

Only then did he realize he’d gotten carried away.

After just one exchange, he already knew the girl’s skill level was average—yet he hadn’t held back at all.

Was that a bit too cruel?

“Ding~ System detects host has entered a choice scenario. System will provide suggestions.”

[Option A: Display your prowess before your first perfect partner. Achieve a flawless 11-0 victory.]

[System funding: 100,000 romance funds to console the perfect partner.]

[Option B: Go easy directly. Use an extremely low skill level to let the perfect partner win, showing consideration.]

[System funding: 10 romance funds to console the host.]

The terrible-idea system was back, trying to be the center of attention again.

Faced with such multiple-choice questions, Pei Du usually chose E or F.

Options like A or B? He’d stay as far away from them as possible—unless they were on a test paper.