AD Chapter 33

Around four o’clock, the sky turned overcast, looking as though it was about to rain again.

Qin Yi grabbed an umbrella and drove toward Yun University. Before leaving, he sent a message to Shen Du, and about ten minutes later, Shen Du replied with a voice message.

Qin Yi’s phone was connected to the car’s Bluetooth system, and when he tapped on the voice message, it played automatically. The volume was a bit loud, and he could even hear the slight panting in Shen Du’s voice.

“We’ll be a little while longer; halftime just ended. How much longer until you get here?”

Taking advantage of the smooth traffic, Qin Yi held down the voice message button and replied, “I just left not long ago. I’ll be there in about 20 minutes. Should be just right.”

After sending it, he replayed Shen Du’s voice message a few more times.

Seven or eight minutes later, the car exited the overpass. Along the way, Qin Yi passed several flower shops. He hesitated a few times but ultimately didn’t stop.

Shen Du was with his friends today—flowers would be too conspicuous.

It was summer break, so the basketball court was mostly empty, and the players were spread out. The air was hot and stifling. Normally, places like this wouldn’t have many spectators, but someone had posted on the confession wall and forums about a basketball match between the Literature and Science faculties, featuring Shen Du and Qi Fei.

Both of them were rare heartthrobs on campus. Naturally, their participation in the game attracted a large audience.

Even before the game started, the stands were almost completely filled. With so many eyes watching, it was impossible not to take it seriously. What was supposed to be a friendly match had inexplicably turned into a battle of pride for both sides.

Now, as the game entered its latter half, the Science faculty was leading by 7 points. If Shen Du’s team wanted to win, they had to go all out.

“When’s Xiao Huang getting here? I can’t take it anymore,” panted Xiao Pang, leaning on his knees, his entire body drenched as though he’d just come out of a pool.

No one had told him this last game would turn out like this.

Lin Yanjin wasn’t doing much better. “He said he’s on the way.”

“Tell him to hurry up. If he doesn’t get here soon, I’m going to collapse.”

“He’s here, he’s here!” someone shouted. Xiao Pang instantly perked up and flung off his jersey.

The referee’s whistle had already blown, and Xiao Huang barely had time to grimace at the sweat-soaked jersey before quickly putting it on and heading into the game.

Shen Du, holding an empty water bottle in his mouth, tossed it into Xiao Pang’s arms and wiped the sweat off his face. The lower half of the cat tattoo on his left arm was visible. Xiao Pang noticed it and rubbed his eyes. “Xiao Jia, I think I just saw Shen Du’s tattoo. When did he get that? It’s so cool.”

Xiao Jia had already noticed it during the game but wasn’t curious. “Ask him after the match. Watch the game; it’s starting again.”

As a nationally renowned university, Yun University had long been a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to take photos daily. Private cars weren’t allowed on campus, so Qin Yi parked his car and went to register at the gate.

The last time he had been to a school setting was a class reunion a few years ago. His memories of student life were already a bit hazy.

Entering the campus, he was greeted by a wide avenue lined with lush sycamore trees. The students passing by had youthful, innocent expressions, exuding an air of vitality.

For a moment, Qin Yi felt a sense of nostalgia, imagining Shen Du joking and laughing with his classmates on the way to class.

By the time Qin Yi followed the navigation to the basketball court, the game was nearing its end. The score was neck and neck, with the Literature faculty trailing by just 1 point. Both teams were playing fiercely, and the two star players were undoubtedly the center of attention.

Qin Yi immediately spotted a tall figure on the court. Shen Du leapt up to catch a pass from Lin Yanjin and sprinted toward the basket without hesitation. The opposing team’s players were watching him and the ball in his hands like hawks.

Suddenly, Shen Du let out a loud shout and used a fake move to deceive Qi Fei in front of him. He then bypassed him and ran forward. Qi Fei reacted quickly, taking a big step to try to block the ball. Shen Du countered with a beautiful spin move, dodging his attack.

Standing just outside the three-point line, Shen Du jumped. An opposing player also jumped to block him. In mid-air, Shen Du locked eyes with Qi Fei and flashed a teasing smile. Qi Fei froze for a moment, watching as Shen Du soared past him and sank the ball cleanly into the basket.

The boy’s athletic figure and unbridled confidence embodied the fiery spirit of youth.

The whistle blew, and the crowd erupted.

The Literature faculty won the game by 2 points.

The cheers and roars made it feel like an intercollegiate championship. Lin Yanjin and the others were so moved they howled with emotion. Shen Du wiped the sweat off his chin and laughed, “Pathetic.”

As they moved to the sidelines, Shen Du looked around and remembered that his water bottle was empty.

“Does anyone have extra water?”

Xiao Pang was just about to speak when a few girls nearby shyly approached. “If… if you don’t mind, senior, you can have this. We just bought it.”

Shen Du was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “There’s so much of it. It wouldn’t be fair to take just one person’s.”

That radiant smile seemed to light up everyone’s eyes. The girls’ faces turned red, and one of them, bolder than the others, spoke enthusiastically, “That’s up to you, senior. Just pick one!”

Shen Du frowned slightly but kept his smile.

Just as he was about to decline again, he suddenly heard someone call his name—it was Xiao Jia. When Shen Du looked over, Xiao Jia pointed in a certain direction. Shen Du followed his gaze and saw someone standing at the top of the bleachers.

The sky was thick with clouds, but golden light seeped through the cracks, scattering across the earth. Qin Yi stood quietly, bathed in the soft golden glow, his figure clear yet hazy in the light.

Shen Du squinted, unsure if Qin Yi had just smiled at him.

“No need, thanks, juniors. You keep the water for yourselves. My brother’s here to pick me up.”

Shen Du tossed his jersey to Lin Yanjin. “I’m leaving now. Let’s catch up later.”

Lin Yanjin held the jersey. “Qin Yi is your brother? Why didn’t you mention this before?”

Shen Du grabbed his phone and walked toward the bleachers without looking back. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

At the top of the bleachers, Qin Yi’s gaze was fixed unwaveringly on him. Shen Du jogged up the steps but slowed his pace as he got closer, looking a bit self-conscious.

When he reached him, Qin Yi handed over the bottle of water he had been holding for a while.

Shen Du took it and downed half the bottle in one go. Walking side by side, he asked, “How long have you been here?”

“Just in time to see that three-pointer.”

Qin Yi’s eyes followed him intently, his gaze direct and fervent.

Shen Du, drenched in sweat, raised his arm and sniffed himself. Hopefully, he didn’t smell too bad.

They walked a bit farther. The weather looked like it was about to pour, so the path was mostly empty. The wind that blew past was hot and humid.

Sweat stung Shen Du’s eyes, and he lowered his head, shaking it off. Lifting his shirt, he wiped his face, and the glimpse of his lean, pale waist flashed before Qin Yi’s eyes.

In that fleeting moment, Qin Yi had only one thought:

He wanted to etch his life’s proudest and most perfect masterpiece onto that canvas.

Playing basketball in the summer was exhausting and sticky. Shen Du poured the rest of the water over his head. The water flattened his hair, streaming down his cheeks, forehead, behind his ears, and down the back of his head. His shirt clung wetly to his chest and back.

He roughly shook his head, slicking his hair back and exposing his smooth forehead. Droplets of water clung to his brows and lashes, and the evening light illuminated every detail, even the fine hairs on his face. His lips, wet with water, looked soft and rosy.

Feeling the intense gaze beside him, Shen Du pressed his lips together and boldly looked back. “Been staring this long. Was it handsome?”

Qin Yi’s lashes lowered slightly, hiding the startling desire in his eyes. Without hesitation, he replied, “Handsome.”

Shen Du scoffed, his smile bold and unrestrained under the sunlight. “I was asking about that three-pointer.”

“Handsome,” Qin Yi said. “Both were handsome.”

Ahead, the shaded path was lined with trees rustling in the wind. Cicadas sang loudly and persistently. The darkening sky made the path feel like a secret tunnel leading to a dreamlike world.

Qin Yi suddenly realized he hadn’t seen a scene like this in a very long time.

Noticing Qin Yi lagging behind, Shen Du turned back.

“What are you doing back there?”

Qin Yi caught up in two steps. “Do you want the truth or a lie?”

Shen Du almost rolled his eyes. “I want nonsense.”

“There’s no nonsense, only the truth.”

Qin Yi suddenly reached out and straightened Shen Du’s crooked sleeve. “Shen Du, when will you agree to be my boyfriend?”