Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn-Chapter 246 - 36: Trouble Among Three (Third Watch)

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Xiao Xian walked over a hundred meters before suddenly turning his head: "Zeng Xuerou, thank you for giving us a ride to school today."

A smile quietly emerged on Zeng Xuerou’s cheek as she softly responded: "You’re welcome."

After the match against Shunde Middle School, Wang Ke’s outstanding performance swayed some of the veteran team members in his favor, and his influence in the basketball team grew more audacious. On several occasions, he even declared in front of the team members that his current abilities fully qualified him as a candidate for the next team captain.

Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi silently scorned this notion numerous times, but their chance for retaliation came soon enough.

It was Xiao Xian’s fourth month at Sacred Heart Middle School, two weeks before the final exams, when Zhang Yiyi discovered something — Wang Ke had a secret crush on Qu Yang.

Come winter, it was difficult to practice basketball on the outdoor courts, and the training grounds for both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams of the middle and high school divisions became even scarcer.

Several times, the high school boys’ basketball team came to borrow space from the middle school section. Bai Xue and Mao Yi were the type to stay out of such trivial matters, so the issue was handed over to their respective vice-captains, Wang Ke and Qu Yang, to deal with.

Every time Qu Yang flashed his teeth that could rival a toothpaste commercial, Wang Ke, regardless of the girls’ basketball team’s protests, would allocate a part of their training ground to the high school basketball team for use. If it happened once, it could be considered a coincidence, but after two or three times, rumors spread that Wang Ke had a crush on Qu Yang.

"See? Wang Ke deliberately hit the ball over there again," Zhang Yiyi pointed out Wang Ke’s little maneuver, "No doubt, she must be smitten with Qu Yang."

"A crush?" Xiao Xian’s interest in unfamiliar matters was quite high.

"Definitely a crush. Look at Wang Ke, she’s practically drooling. I’d love to see Qu Yang give her a lesson," Zhang Yiyi lamented her lack of closeness with Qu Yang. Besides, he had always been nice to the female classmates. As they were talking, Qu Yang approached them with a big grin.

"Junior Xiao Xian, you got the posture for your shot wrong. Let me show you," Zhang Yiyi and Wang Ke both turned to look at Xiao Xian, one with keen interest, the other green with envy.

With one look, both Wang Ke and Zhang Yiyi noticed that Xiao Xian had recently grown taller and prettier.

Standing closer, Zhang Yiyi compared and noticed that, possibly due to playing basketball, Xiao Xian had grown at least five or six centimeters in the past three months, now standing over one meter sixty. Her exercise routine had given her fair skin a rosy tint, and her slender limbs moved with agility when playing ball, embodying an effortless grace.

Thanks to the copper space absorbing Spiritual Energy even better than before, Xiao Xian was brimming with vitality. Coupled with her clear, black and white eyes, delicate features, and her constant smile, she exuded a warm and agreeable presence even in the cold winter, making her very likable.

"No need, thank you for your concern, Vice Captain Qu. The methods for shooting differ for men and women, please do not mislead our young players," Bai Xue stepped in at the critical moment, giving Qu Yang a sidelong glance, suggesting ulterior motives for someone who is gratuitously helpful. She emphasized the word "young" — Xiao Xian was only ten years old, and Qu Yang was already trying to flirt with her. He was practically taking advantage of a national sapling.

Rebuffed again, Qu Yang touched his nose and chuckled before walking off to play ball.

"Wang Ke is glaring at you, but with the captain here, all demons and ghosts scatter," Zhang Yiyi muttered beside her.

"Today’s practice ends here. It’s too cold this weekend, so let’s take a break from training," Bai Xue relayed a notice from Ni Shahe.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi cheered "Long live" — it was Saturday, and Grandma Zeng had invited them over for a meal, promising her signature dish — pork bone stew with river crab. In the dead of winter, enjoying a pot of warm, delicious seafood soup was a delightful thought. Both girls had been tormented by their cravings during practice.

After the announcement, the basketball team scattered. Wang Ke was about to leave when Bai Xue called her back. Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi pushed the basketball cart back to return the balls.

After returning the basketballs and passing by the court again, they heard an argument between Bai Xue and Wang Ke.

"Bai Xue, what do you mean by that? Are you suspecting me of using steroids? My performance is all due to hard practice. Don’t talk nonsense without evidence."

"Wang Ke, I’m just kindly reminding you not to take the wrong path. Steady practice can lead to success too."

"Hmph, you’re just worried I’ll compete with you for the admission spot at Duke University, right?"

"What are you talking about? High school is still far off, and we’re not even the same grade. There’s no competition to speak of. I just don’t want you to ruin your future basketball career."

"You speak prettier than you sing. Besides being tall and strong, what other advantages do you have?" Wang Ke spat out and left the gym without looking back.

Seeing the two girls, Bai Xue forced a smile and said, "Both of you practice hard. You need to perform well in next year’s middle school league."

As Xiao Xian left the gym to meet up with Zeng Xuerou at the school gate, something came to her mind. "Yiyi, didn’t the beautician you visited last time mention some medicine that can enhance physical strength?"

"It seems so. I mentioned I played basketball, and they talked about jumping higher and seemingly endless stamina," Zhang Yiyi vaguely remembered.

When they reached the school gate, the always punctual Zeng Xuerou was unexpectedly late. Ever since their last visit with Grandma Zeng, Xiao Xian and Zhang Yiyi had been going to the Zeng Family for meals every two weeks. Frequent visits made them familiar with Zeng Xuerou’s meticulous character — she was as precise as her driving, never late. What was happening today that made her suddenly late?

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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