Chapter 33: A Not-So-Innocent Bet

The next day, Lin Jian strolled over to their table with a mischievous grin, casually setting his tray down as if he belonged there. Shen Yu already didn't like where this was going.

"Let's make things interesting," Lin Jian announced, leaning forward.

Shen Yu narrowed his eyes. "What kind of interesting?"

Lin Jian's grin widened. "A bet. Whoever wins the upcoming basketball tournament gets to make the loser do one thing. No complaints."

Lu Zhixuan barely glanced up from his meal. "And why would I agree?"

Lin Jian smirked. "Because if you win, I'll stop pursuing you."

Shen Yu almost choked on air. "WAIT, WHAT?!"

Lu Zhixuan finally looked intrigued. He set his chopsticks down and tilted his head at Lin Jian. "And if you win?"

Lin Jian's gaze flickered toward Shen Yu for a brief moment before returning to Lu Zhixuan. "If I win, you have to kiss someone in front of the whole school."

Shen Yu's entire body locked up. "T-That's ridiculous!"

Lin Jian shrugged. "Scared?"

Lu Zhixuan, annoyingly composed as always, merely smirked. "Then I guess I better win."

Shen Yu had a very bad feeling about this.

—

The basketball tournament was intense. Lu Zhixuan was an absolute menace on the court, his sharp movements and effortless shots making it clear why he was one of the best athletes in the school. But Lin Jian was just as skilled, matching him point for point.

Shen Yu watched from the sidelines, heart pounding every time Lin Jian got too close to Lu Zhixuan—smirking, challenging, flirting.

He clenched his fists. Why am I so annoyed?

As the game neared its end, the score was tied. The entire crowd held its breath. And then—Lu Zhixuan, with that infuriating confidence, dodged past Lin Jian and made the final shot.

The ball swished cleanly through the hoop.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Lin Jian let out a low chuckle, running a hand through his damp hair as he approached them. "Fair is fair," he admitted. "I'll back off."

Shen Yu exhaled in relief. Finally, this is over—

"But tell me," Lin Jian continued, turning his gaze on Shen Yu. "If I had won, would you have been jealous?"

Shen Yu felt his brain short-circuit. "W-What kind of question is that?!"

Lin Jian chuckled, clearly amused. "Just something to think about."

As he walked off, Lu Zhixuan casually draped an arm over Shen Yu's shoulders.

"Relax," he murmured. "I wouldn't have kissed anyone but you anyway."

Shen Yu nearly imploded. "YOU—WHAT—SHUT UP!"

Lu Zhixuan just laughed, enjoying every second of his suffering.