The Bet: Basketball and Withdrawal

The moment Jiang Zhe uttered the words “civilized and harmonious,” those who knew him couldn’t help but wear peculiar expressions. Their gazes, fixed on him, held an unspoken sentiment, a collective thought that Jiang Zhe might as well have just let the physical education teacher handle it.

Or perhaps, they mused, he could simply fight Cheng Li again.

Given his prior experience toying with Cheng Li, they harbored no fear that Jiang Zhe would suffer. On the contrary, it was Cheng Li who stood to lose face publicly once more.

However, when it came to other methods of resolution, the mention of “civilization” inevitably brought to mind academics. Conveniently, both Jiang Zhe and Cheng Li were undeniable academic failures, two peas in a pod when it came to poor grades.

For these two to settle their dispute with a competition based on academic performance—the mere thought was enough to make one feel as if they were still dreaming.

It was utterly bizarre.

Cheng Li, one of the parties involved, also regarded Jiang Zhe with a complex gaze. Though he desperately wanted to shout that he had no desire for a “civilized and harmonious” resolution, the memory of failing to even touch Jiang Zhe’s clothes earlier made him reconsider.

With that thought, Cheng Li obediently shut his mouth. He had no wish to be humiliated again.

While the crowd harbored various thoughts, Jiang Zhe paid them no mind. He merely glanced casually at Ning Ran, whose face was etched with confusion, her gaze fixed on him, unable to look away.

Despite standing before the physical education teacher, Wang Yi, Jiang Zhe’s lips couldn’t help but curl into a smile. His crescent-shaped ‘peach blossom’ eyes held a mischievous glint, making him look like a fox who had just stolen a chicken. He mused that he had finally lured the bristling cat near the trap.

Initially, his intention had been to ensure the schemer plunged directly into a quagmire from which they couldn’t escape, making it impossible to trivialize the matter. However, after his emotions had slightly calmed, Jiang Zhe felt that with careful planning, there might be an even greater reward.

Since he was going to teach them a lesson anyway, he might as well use the opportunity to gain more, killing two birds with one stone.

For Jiang Zhe now, dealing with these short-sighted individuals wasn’t the most important task. The paramount goal was successfully binding Ning Ran and achieving the ‘A Man Must Last Thirty Seconds’ accomplishment.

Therefore, considering Ning Ran’s current strong impression of him, ensuring she wouldn’t treat him as a stranger, and how the live-streamed retaliation would compel her to subconsciously pay attention to him, combined with their meeting during the third physical education class and the unwitting push from Cheng Li, that idiot…

He had an eighty percent chance of completing the binding quest.

However, Jiang Zhe had not originally intended for the progress bar to advance so quickly. Cheng Li, unfortunately, possessed extremely low endurance and couldn’t endure for long, launching his attack even before the class bell rang.

This forced Jiang Zhe to temporarily alter his plan, moving some arrangements forward. He thoroughly humiliated Cheng Li in front of everyone, striking back first, then adapting to the situation as it unfolded.

In short, he couldn’t let himself suffer any losses.

Now, a physical fight was out of the question; he had to find another path. Although the physical education teacher wore an expression that seemed to scream, ‘Fight! Fight!’, a brawl was ultimately impossible.

Firstly, as a teacher, Wang Yi was obligated to prevent violence. Secondly, Cheng Li had already been dealt with once and certainly wouldn’t willingly fall for another trap.

Fortunately, this physical education teacher was easily agitated and wouldn’t directly intervene, instead hoping the flames would grow bigger, almost wanting to pour oil on the fire.

After analyzing each point, Jiang Zhe’s new plan came to him in a flash.

“Since this is physical education class, it’s only natural to resolve conflicts with the spirit of sportsmanship. Rather than a crude, rude, and childish fight, we could compete in basketball.”

Seeing that everyone’s anticipation had been piqued, Jiang Zhe didn’t delay further. The word “basketball” escaping his lips startled the crowd once more.

It was well-known that Jiang Zhe carried the moniker of “pretty face with no substance,” which applied not only to his academic performance and artistic talents but also to his athletic abilities.

Since entering Fenghua High School, he had consistently been a hindrance in every physical education class.

When many had just witnessed Jiang Zhe toying with Cheng Li, they had been dumbfounded, completely unable to believe Jiang Zhe was so capable, even suspecting an imposter.

“My goodness, Jiang Zhe didn’t misspeak, did he? He actually wants to decide the winner with basketball! Won’t he definitely lose?”

“Exactly! Cheng Li plays with the school basketball team every day; he’s always touching a ball. Jiang Zhe is different; since he entered Fenghua, I don’t think he’s even touched a ping-pong ball!”

“Hearing you all say that, I’m actually more excited. I hope Jiang Zhe makes a comeback and proves them wrong in the end.”

“What in the world is Jiang Zhe thinking?”

It was precisely because such an unreliable suggestion came from Jiang Zhe himself that the students in the gymnasium began to whisper. Even the few teachers observing were greatly surprised, especially the first-year physical education teacher who had once taught Jiang Zhe, whose expression was utterly indescribable.

As a former student he had taught, the first-year physical education teacher had ample authority to declare that Jiang Zhe was simply not good enough!

His physical fitness metrics were all subpar, and he had never even touched a basketball. How could he possibly compete against Cheng Li, who played ball every day?

“I agree. Basketball it is.”

However, before anyone could try to dissuade Jiang Zhe, Cheng Li eagerly blurted out his agreement, afraid Jiang Zhe might change his mind.

Just like everyone else, Cheng Li also thought Jiang Zhe had lost his mind. But he decided to be a good sport. Since Jiang Zhe wanted to compete in basketball, then so be it!

He refused to believe it. Even if he couldn’t beat Jiang Zhe in a fight, he certainly wouldn’t lose to him in basketball.

“You two both agree to use basketball as the competition?”

Wang Yi was quite pleased with Jiang Zhe’s proposal of a sports competition. Although he had initially disliked the frail, thin Jiang Zhe, he now realized he had misjudged him. He never expected Jiang Zhe to be far from effeminate, and instead, remarkably manly.

So, he confirmed it once more, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

His identity as a teacher meant he had to stop the hormonal young men from fighting, but a basketball competition was outside that purview. Besides, class was boring right now; why not add some new excitement?

‘This world is too boring. Let it just end!’

Wang Yi, whose frustration had led him to self-despair, stared at the two, ready to start the competition as soon as they confirmed.

“No problem. However, I don’t want to waste everyone’s time. Playing a team basketball game is too troublesome. How about we just do a shooting contest? Ten chances, and the person who makes the most shots wins.”

As the proposer, Jiang Zhe naturally wouldn’t deny it. His suggestion of a shooting contest was delivered with righteous conviction, making it impossible to refute. Cheng Li, confident in his basketball skills whether it was a full game or just shooting, believed he couldn’t lose to Jiang Zhe, so he didn’t object either.

However, Jiang Zhe hadn’t finished speaking: “But, the loser must voluntarily withdraw from school, to avoid any future disputes.”

Jiang Zhe still smiled, but using withdrawal from school as a stake was too great, eliciting another round of gasps from the crowd.

Even so, Cheng Li gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement. Wang Yi, inwardly exclaiming ‘Good heavens!’, did not intervene, immediately leading the two to the basketball hoop and instructing the surrounding crowd to keep their distance to avoid disturbing the competition.

Before the game began, Jiang Zhe stood calmly in place, his leisurely demeanor making everyone else anxious for him, including Ning Ran, who had been watching intently.

She held back, then held back again, but finally couldn’t resist. Disregarding the stares of others, Ning Ran actively ran to Jiang Zhe’s side, intending to say something but stopping herself. In the end, she simply looked at Jiang Zhe’s face and sighed helplessly.

“Jiang Zhe, even if you lose and have to withdraw, I’ll make sure you can study at Fenghua again.”

In a short time, Ning Ran had heard the full story. Both Cheng Li and Lin Moshu were targeting Jiang Zhe because of her, making Ning Ran feel she couldn’t stand by idly.

However, upon hearing her words, Jiang Zhe shook his head. He then lowered his gaze to look at her, a slight curve to his lips as he asked, “You don’t believe I can win?”

Before Ning Ran could answer, Jiang Zhe continued, “How about this: let’s make a bet. If I win, you have to do something for me.”