"Sister Rou, I'm going to Jianghai University soon. Please come with me." Xia Tian refused to let Zeng Rou stay here alone. After all, there was still a second-level assassin lurking in the dark.
"I'll go over and make some arrangements," Zeng Rou nodded. She knew Xia Tian was only doing this to protect her.
There were still matters to handle here. Watching Zeng Rou give a few simple instructions and leave everything to someone else to deal with, Xia Tian couldn't help but feel a little envious.
"Sister Hui, there's a basketball game at Jianghai University today."
"The CNBA hasn't started yet, so it should just be a friendly match, right?"
"It's not a friendly match. It's about that basketball god from last time."
"What? The God of Basketball? The sharpshooter who never misses?"
"That's him — the one who defeated Fang Li. I heard they're using Xue Chuan's connections to take revenge. His father is the vice president of Jianghai University. If Ye Qingxue doesn't accept the challenge, they'll disband the Arts Department."
"It seems Jianghai University's basketball team is getting worse. I thought Tang Yan's arrival would help them improve, but their tactics are really despicable."
"Didn't you want to watch the God of Basketball play again last time? This is your chance."
"I haven't been able to find that guy since the last game. This is perfect."
Yang Buhui was a basketball headhunter who had worked in the industry for many years. Her job was to discover talented players and bring them into the CBA.
Most of those players were scouted from the CNBA.
The last time she watched Xia Tian's game, she was completely stunned. To her, Xia Tian had the potential to become a superstar in every aspect. She later tried to investigate him but found nothing — all she learned was his name, Xia Tian.
"This time, I won't let you slip away."
"Sister Wen, I think this might be a misunderstanding. I didn't know Xue Chuan would do this. I just heard about it." Tang Yan explained cautiously.
"I'll handle Xue Chuan's matter myself. The student union is under my authority. No one other than me can disband any department — not even the vice president," said Huo Wen, her voice radiating dominance.
Seeing that Huo Wen was truly angry, Tang Yan fell silent. She knew the kind of power backing Huo Wen, and the only reason she'd been able to become the basketball team's coach was because of her support.
Basketball had always been Tang Yan's dream. She wanted Jianghai University's team to win the national championship and had worked tirelessly toward that goal.
She had fought hard to earn the respect of the male players and be accepted as their coach.
"Sister Wen, I'll go find Xue Chuan and the others and tell them to stop this nonsense." Tang Yan stood up to leave.
"No need."
Ye Qingxue, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Sister Wen, Xia Tian is on his way. As the head of the Literature and Art Department, I have the right to protect our department's dignity."
"Xia Tian? You mean the one who defeated Fang Li?" Huo Wen thought for a moment. She remembered hearing about Xia Tian but had never paid him much attention. In her eyes, he was just another man — nothing special.
"Yes," Ye Qingxue nodded.
"In that case, I'll allow the match. But if it's a competition, there must be a wager." Huo Wen turned toward Tang Yan.
"You decide the wager, Sister Wen," Tang Yan replied.
"This whole challenge was Xue Chuan's idea. If he loses, he must kneel down and admit his mistake to Xia Tian."
"Sister Wen, you know Xue Chuan's temper. That's impossible," Tang Yan said quickly.
"That's your problem," Huo Wen replied coolly.
At the same time, in the basketball department.
"Brother Chuan, I heard that woman, Huo Wen, called our captain away."
"I know," Xue Chuan said seriously.
"You know how powerful she is. Looks like this game is doomed again."
"There's nothing I can do. I can't afford to offend her." Xue Chuan's expression remained as cold and composed as ever.
"Then we won't get our revenge. Everyone in school knows we, the basketball team, lost to those guys from the Arts Department. We lost at our own game."
"Fang Li, come here." Xue Chuan looked up at him.
"Captain, you think I look handsome again? I agree," Fang Li said with his usual narcissism.
"Is that guy really as strong as you said?" Xue Chuan asked. He knew Fang Li's skill — losing by such a wide margin couldn't have been a simple mistake. The opponent had to be overwhelmingly powerful.
"I've never faced anyone that strong." For once, Fang Li's tone was serious. Ever since that match, he'd turned solemn whenever it was mentioned.
"Do you know who he is?" Xue Chuan asked.
"I tried to find out, but there's no information. I only know his name is Xia Tian and that Ye Qingxue invited him," Fang Li replied.
"If we could recruit someone like that, we might actually have a chance at the national championship," Xue Chuan muttered, his face unreadable.
"The captain's back," someone called out.
Everyone turned toward the door where Tang Yan stood with her head lowered.
"Coach, did that woman, Huo Wen, cancel the match?"
"I knew she'd interfere."
"So there's no revenge for us then?"
The players were all visibly disappointed. Ever since losing to the Arts Department, they'd been mocked everywhere they went. They'd hoped this rematch would help them regain their pride — but judging from Tang Yan's expression, things didn't look good.
"Coach, just tell us. What did Huo Wen say?" Xue Chuan asked.
"She said the match can go on, but there has to be a wager." Tang Yan looked at him, knowing exactly how he'd react.
"What kind of wager?" Xue Chuan asked again.
"If you lose, you must kneel down and apologize to Xia Tian." Tang Yan frowned as she spoke.
"What? That woman's going too far!"
"She's crazy. This is unacceptable."
"She's humiliating the captain!"
Everyone knew Xue Chuan's pride. He never bowed to anyone and carried himself with an air of superiority — cold and untouchable.
"I agree," Xue Chuan said flatly.