While driving, Jian Suiying texted his family driver to come pick up Jian Suiying. Little Xiao Lin was under special protection at home—the Jian family was counting on him to carry on the family line.
Then he drove back to the apartment and collapsed into bed.
Under normal circumstances, he rarely returned home unless summoned by his father. Thus, for the next several weeks
he saw neither Jian Suilin nor Li Yu again.
With three days left before the exams, Jian Suiying had arranged to meet a real estate tycoon outside his company to discuss business. As they parted ways,
Jian Suiying realized he was near Li Yu's school.
Driving past Li Yu's school, he glanced inside and caught sight of the basketball court closest to the gate
A few students were playing basketball, but it was just a fleeting glance—he couldn't possibly recognize anyone. Jian Suiying smiled and shook his head.
Jian Suiying parked outside the school gates and walked in at a leisurely pace.
The campus was nearly deserted, its vast grounds eerily quiet and still. Only the occasional shouts from the basketball court
and the thud of a ball bouncing, but these sounds were insignificant against the vast backdrop of stillness.
He walked slowly over, standing at the perimeter of the court. He scanned the three groups playing, looking at each one in turn, but didn't spot a single familiar face.
Jian Suiying chuckled wryly to himself. What were the odds of that? It wasn't like he was starring in a soap opera.
So standing on a middle school basketball court, hoping for a contrived chance encounter, seemed understandable—even if it was a foolish thing to do.
Too bad it didn't happen.
Jian Suiying sighed and prepared to leave.
"Brother Jian?"
An uncertain call came from behind him. The voice was young and clear, resonating with a pleasant overtone that pierced straight to the heart.
That healthy, vibrant look would remain vivid in Jian Suiying's memory for many years to come.
Li Yu caught Jian Suiying staring and gave a slightly embarrassed smile. He shook the damp front of his shirt, then wiped his face with his hand.
wiped the water from his face. "It's too hot."
Jian Suiying snapped out of her reverie. "Ah, yes, it really is hot today... Why are you still at school?"
"Can't stand being cooped up at home either. Might as well come play some ball. Sui Lin isn't here today, huh?" Li Yu wiped his face as he made his way to the court.
toward the court.
Jian Suiying found herself following him without thinking. "Oh, I'm heading that way anyway. I wanted to see if he was here so I could bring him back with me."
."
"Most people aren't here. They're resting at home."
"Yeah, the exams are in three days. Time to relax."
The two didn't interact much, so conversation flowed naturally. Li Yu didn't know what else to say either. He caught the ball tossed by a classmate,
and glanced at Jian Suiying with a hint of awkwardness.
Jian Suiying felt like he was standing there out of place, but he couldn't bring himself to just walk away.
Just then, Li Yu's classmate ran over. "Hey? Aren't you Jian Suilin's brother? The one who went to KTV that day?" "Yeah, that's me."
"Jian Suilin isn't here today?" "Oh, I just stopped by on my way..."
"Hey, you play ball? We're looking for a third for a three-on-three game."
Jian Suiying replied cheerfully, "Sure, let's play a few rounds." He thought to himself, This kid really knows how to read the room.
Jian Suiying yanked off his tie, tossed his car keys and wallet onto the ground, rolled up his sleeves, and headed over.
Li Yu watched him with interest. "Brother Jian, with those shoes and pants, can you really play ball?"
Jian Suiying glanced at his tailored suit pants and polished leather shoes. "No problem. Back in school, I was
on the school team."
Jian Suiying bent down, striking a pose. A boy whistled. "Come on, come on, give the ball to the big brother.
"
He'd been too busy lately and hadn't played basketball in ages. His hands tingled with excitement as he touched the ball. He spun it a few times, feeling his athletic instincts come alive.
A few boys gathered around, and they started playing in threes, with Li Yu on the opposing team.
The clothes Jian Suiying wore were somewhat cumbersome, and his mind wandered easily. As he shifted his body
, and suddenly Li Yu's face was right in front of him. He froze for a moment, his movements slowing, and he couldn't dodge in time. Li Yu crashed into him, their heads nearly touching.
Li Yu was a big guy, weighing at least 160 pounds. The thought of being slammed into at full speed wasn't exactly pleasant.
People nearby scrambled to pull Li Yu up, shouting, " "
The scene descended into chaos. When Li Yu finally regained his footing, he stumbled and stumbled, stomping several times on Jian Suiying's legs. Jian Suiying
lost his temper.
Li Yu asked anxiously, "Brother Jian, how are you?"
Jian Suiying gasped in pain. "My foot! You're crushing my foot!"
Others nearby helped him up. Li Yu grabbed his pant leg and pulled it up, revealing his ankle swelling rapidly.
Jian Suiying was escorted to the stands and sat down. He couldn't help but joke bitterly: "Getting old really sucks. Just a little exercise and I'm injured."
A boy chuckled, "Bro, you're barely in your twenties. Why talk like that? Bumps and bruises happen all the time when playing ball. Li Yu didn't do it on purpose."
Jian Suiying forced a bitter smile. "Get me a bottle of water. I'm parched."
Someone handed him a bottle. He twisted off the cap and tilted his head back, gulping it down in a few big swallows until the bottle was empty.
Li Yu crouched before him, removing his shoe and sock. She frowned at the swollen ankle.
Jian Suiying felt inexplicably nervous and tried to pull his foot back. "It's fine. Just get me to the car. The swelling will go down in a few days."
But Li Yu held onto his foot, glancing at him. "How are you going to drive?" Jian Suiying fell silent. It was his right foot that was injured. Right—how was he supposed to drive?
Li Yu instructed a classmate nearby, "Go get some ice from the snack shop by the entrance." After speaking, he stood up ,
and helped Jian Suiying to his feet. "Brother Jian, I'll take you home."
Jian Suiying thought to himself, What a blessing in disguise. Fine, this sprained foot was worth it.
Several classmates helped Li Yu get Jian Suiying into the car. Li Yu grabbed the ice cubes and wrapped them around Jian Suiying's foot using his own tie.
Jian Suiying laughed heartily as the ice touched him. "This feels so refreshing! Great idea." Li Yu looked at him helplessly. "Brother Jian, give me the keys. I'll drive you home."
Jian Suiying tossed the keys to him. "Can you drive?" "Yeah." Li Yu got into the driver's seat and started the car. "Got a license?"
Li Yu stared expressionless ahead as he floored the accelerator.
"No."