Chapter 4: You Are So Hot

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Xia Chiyi glanced at Zhou Zhexiao. “Ignore him. His breath is beyond cure—even a gas mask won’t help.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s expression remained unchanged, embodying the refined demeanor of a prestigious school student.

Liu Shun, the timekeeper by the sidelines, gave an “OK” sign.

“Look, even middle schoolers are holding smartphones to keep up with the times, and your Nokia 5230 can’t even connect to a power bank.”

Xia Chiyi teased while tugging his sweatpants above the knees, lowering his center of gravity and assuming a defensive stance.

Zhou Zhexiao remained indifferent.

Previously, the provincial team had evaluated Zhou Zhexiao, and if they accepted him, they would have to give up on Gao Qing.

Gao Qing had been anxious for a whole month until news arrived of Zhou Zhexiao’s car accident and coma, which saved Gao Qing’s spot. However, this only fueled his hatred toward Zhou Zhexiao.

“Standing there like a cosplay utility pole? Even someone in a wheelchair reacts faster than you!” Gao Qing shouted at Zhou Zhexiao.

Zhou Zhexiao stood relaxed, silently watching Gao Qing and Lü Hang.

To remain as immovable as a mountain in such a situation—Xia Chiyi truly admired this man’s composure.

Sure enough, Gao Qing’s trash talk was just a smokescreen. He dribbled toward Xia Chiyi, flicking his shoulder in a feint to break through.

Sigh, with that shoulder shake, you’ll need another ten years of training to fool me!

Xia Chiyi swiftly moved sideways, neatly stealing the ball, but as he turned, Lü Hang came to double-team. With his peripheral vision, Xia Chiyi noticed Zhou Zhexiao actually moving—his positioning was quite good! Xia Chiyi flicked his wrist, passing the ball under Lü Hang’s arm.

Alright, let’s show them whether you’re really useless!

Zhou Zhexiao dribbled with a speed beyond everyone’s imagination, his shirt trailing in the wind. Gao Qing’s recovery speed couldn’t keep up.

He leapt into the air, casting his shadow to block the sunlight, and with a loud slam, dunked the ball into the hoop.

“Wow… that’s a dunk, right?” a middle schooler outside the court exclaimed.

Xu Mi blinked, having seen many athletes dunk with some flair.

But Zhou Zhexiao’s dunk was different—straightforward and bold, with full strength and speed, hormones silently exploding, leaving a fleeting image etched in everyone’s minds.

Gao Qing stood stunned, his heart plummeting.

As Zhou Zhexiao passed by, he casually tossed a remark: “Even a baby’s walker is faster than you.”

The trash talk bounced back instantly, leaving Gao Qing gasping for breath.

Xia Chiyi blinked and applauded silently inside—he was so thrilled!

Zhou Zhexiao came close and said calmly, “No problem.”

“No problem with what?” Xia Chiyi was puzzled.

“My legs are fine.”

So this guy jumped up to dunk right away just to test if his legs were okay?

“Dude, isn’t that your own legs?” Xia Chiyi was speechless.

You only realize now whether they’re fine?

In this round, Xia Chiyi faced Lü Hang’s defense.

Lü Hang stuck to him like glue. Several times Xia Chiyi tried to dribble past but was blocked, truly a relentless embrace stretching to the horizon!

On the surface, Lü Hang appeared calm, but inside his nerves were taut. Xia Chiyi’s dribbling changes were not only fast but rhythmically varied. After ten minutes of defense, Lü Hang felt ten years older mentally!

At that moment, Zhou Zhexiao suddenly accelerated, shaking off Gao Qing’s defense. Despite Lü Hang’s interference, Xia Chiyi passed the ball without hesitation.

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The ball was fast and powerful. Gao Qing smirked inwardly, certain Zhou Zhexiao wouldn’t catch it!

But Zhou Zhexiao extended his long arm, reaching half a body length faster than Gao Qing, and amid the astonished gazes, caught the ball steadily, charging toward the basket.

He leapt again, his presence in midair drawing all eyes, as if space itself contracted toward him.

Gao Qing jumped to defend but collided headlong into Zhou Zhexiao.

—Let’s see how arrogant you are!

Unexpectedly, Gao Qing felt as if he had hit an unyielding fortress, his bones rattling as he crashed to the ground hard.

The basketball dropped, hitting his head with a “thud.”

Xia Chiyi, who followed closely, was stunned. He had dreamed countless times of dunking on Gao Qing’s face—Zhou Zhexiao had turned that dream into reality?

Xu Mi outside was shocked. Though Zhou Zhexiao was 192 cm tall, he lacked Gao Qing’s bulk. How could he withstand such a deliberate collision midair?

Zhou Zhexiao landed steadily, his shoulders and back forming sleek lines, as if mocking Gao Qing’s excessive muscle.

“You’re too soft.”

Cold and concise.

Gao Qing sat on the ground; those two words were like a nuclear blast, shattering his confidence into nothing.

Xia Chiyi was also dumbfounded. What had Zhou Zhexiao just said? Where was that refined demeanor?

Now Zhou Zhexiao approached Xia Chiyi, raising his eyelids slightly and said, “Nice pass.”

Xia Chiyi stood there, feeling as if his heart was squeezed by those two words.

In high school leagues, he had passed balls almost a body length away to bypass defenders and surprise opponents, but almost no teammates could catch them. He had even been reprimanded by his coach to pass more reliably and not make his teammates’ hearts race during the game.

Yet Zhou Zhexiao not only caught it but praised him?

The middle schoolers gathered around were ecstatic. Liu Shun shouted excitedly: “I know! I know! That was a defensive foul by the provincial team! Should we add a free throw?”

Gao Qing, just helped up by Lü Hang and legs still weak, heard “foul” and glared fiercely at Liu Shun.

Meanwhile, Xu Mi had already taken out her phone and recorded the last play. She told Xia Chiyi, “Forget the free throw—there’s no need.”

Because if this momentum continued, Gao Qing and Lü Hang could be utterly dismantled—that would be unbearable.

“Yeah—someone should realize they’re a fragile tank by now,” Xia Chiyi said, grinning like a proud cat and teasingly sticking out his tongue.

Gao Qing was furious, ready to punch Xia Chiyi, but seeing Zhou Zhexiao standing diagonally ahead, he hesitated.

Lü Hang put his hands on his hips, exhaled, and rolled his eyes discreetly—he agreed with Xia Chiyi; Gao Qing was as fragile as a freshly baked egg tart!

Xia Chiyi flexed his wrists. Although only two rounds had passed, it was the first time he truly enjoyed playing.

But how could he let Zhou Zhexiao hog all the glory?

Today, my shot is on fire too!

The ball returned to Lü Hang’s hands. He tugged at his collar, thinking: if the audience is just a bunch of middle schoolers, then losing is losing.

But the problem was Xu Mi, who had a popular Weibo account. If she posted their defeat online, Coach Ma, so concerned with appearances, would bench them forever.

Lü Hang couldn’t shake off Xia Chiyi and desperately tried to pass to Gao Qing.

Yet Zhou Zhexiao’s positioning and defense were impenetrable; Gao Qing had no chance to receive the ball.

Lü Hang cursed himself silently: Gao Qing, you don’t possess the talent of a dragon lord, but you’ve caught its flaws!

In that instant, Lü Hang’s heart sank—Xia Chiyi stole his ball!

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Xia Chiyi turned and accelerated, dribbling straight toward the opponent’s basket.

Even provincial team substitutes are one in a million. Lü Hang and Gao Qing scrambled back frantically, while Zhou Zhexiao had already rushed ahead, ready to collaborate with Xia Chiyi inside.

Seeing Zhou Zhexiao slightly raise his chin, silently asking for the ball, Xia Chiyi’s lips curved.

Sorry, this shot is mine!

Xia Chiyi faked a probing step, shaking off Lü Hang to create space for his shot.

Gao Qing and Lü Hang’s hearts rose to their throats as they leapt to block.

Xia Chiyi quickly sank the ball, his gaze fixed on the basket. His upper and lower arms formed a perfect angle; the gap between his palm and the ball seemed to let light through. As he released the shot, Lü Hang and Gao Qing turned swiftly to contest the rebound.

That shot was too rushed; it won’t go in!

The middle schoolers and Xu Mi outside clenched their fists, their breath caught in their throats!

But Zhou Zhexiao didn’t join the rebound battle. Instead, he tilted his head back, following the ball’s arc with his eyes. As the ball sank into the hoop, his lips parted slightly.

He had a strong premonition that the shot was perfect.

Amid the reverent cheers of the middle schoolers, the ball indeed pierced through the net.

Xu Mi was stunned. Xia Chiyi’s shot had a graceful ease, a subtle power. Time and space seemed to freeze at the moment of release.

“Damn—” Gao Qing stomped the ground hard.

Lü Hang exhaled. Honestly, he still didn’t understand why Coach Ma had cut Xia Chiyi. Physicality can be trained, but Xia Chiyi’s basketball IQ and touch were rare gems.

Zhou Zhexiao passed through Gao Qing and Lü Hang without looking sideways and left a remark: “Your moves are fierce like a tiger, but your defense and interceptions are idiotic.”

Half a second later, the middle schoolers doubled over laughing, while Gao Qing and Lü Hang were left gasping for air.

Xia Chiyi was ecstatic—truly ecstatic! He hoped Zhou Zhexiao would keep up this refreshing sportsmanship on the court!

“How about it? Not bad, right?” Xia Chiyi asked.

Zhou Zhexiao raised his eyes, seeing the eighteen-year-old boy smile at him. Beneath his tousled bangs were bright eyes shining with near-dazzling ambition.

“You are so hot.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice was low and clear, uttering words that made ears burn and hearts flare.

After a moment’s thought, Xia Chiyi realized Zhou Zhexiao was complimenting his shooting touch, not calling him attractive.

“Please speak Chinese. I’ve already returned my English to the gym teacher!”

Zhou Zhexiao pondered briefly, then said seriously, “The way you sink the ball with power is beautiful. The special training ten years ago wasn’t in vain.”

Xia Chiyi’s breath caught; he stared at him, stunned.

The technique of sinking the shot with power had once been stiff and awkward, like carrying a bundle of dynamite destined to explode with the opponent.

The more coaches tried to correct him, the more clumsy he became, earning the nickname “Plants vs. Zombies” from other kids.

His first real correction came at a youth basketball camp across the ocean when he was eight.

Some famous basketball stars showed up as coaches.

Though they were called coaches, their role was more like playing with kids for a few minutes and taking promotional photos before leaving.