Qin Tian moved the basketball away from his face, his cold gaze fixed on He Qiang not far away.
If it hadn't been for a girl's reminder, he wouldn't have reacted in time, no matter how fast he was.
Judging by the heavy force he felt in his palm, if that ball had hit his face, his nose would have been broken and bleeding.
He couldn't understand why he was attracting trouble just by sitting there and chatting.
"Zhao Zi, who is he?" He Qiang asked, his face grim.
Qin Tian glanced at Zhao Zi, whose face was contorted with anger, and immediately guessed what was happening.
"This is He Qiang, he's in our class too. He pursued Zhao Zi and was rejected," Bai Weiwei, standing nearby, whispered, confirming his suspicion.
Qin Tian felt annoyed, yet couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement.
This was truly a disaster that had nothing to do with him! Were young people these days so thoughtlessly impulsive?
"What business is it of yours? What did you mean by that just now? Come over and apologize to your senior." Zhao Zi's eyebrows shot up as she angrily ordered.
"Apologize? Humph, impossible!" He Qiang retorted stubbornly, his expression one of defiant arrogance.
"You... you're simply unreasonable." Zhao Zi stamped her foot in frustration and turned to Qin Tian with a face full of guilt, apologizing, "Senior, I'm truly sorry, it's all because of me."
Qin Tian shook his head, stood up, and walked unhurriedly towards He Qiang, holding the basketball.
The students from both classes watched this scene, their hearts tightening. It looked like a fight was about to break out!
The two classes shared this sports class, and the same physical education teacher. After announcing free time, the teacher had disappeared. Now, facing this situation, they dared not intervene.
He Qiang appeared fearless, instinctively clenching his fists. What kind of senior was this guy? He was shorter than him and looked even thinner. He didn't believe he would lose in a physical confrontation.
"He Qiang, right? Come on, try to defend me." Qin Tian suddenly grinned and started dribbling the basketball.
He Qiang and the onlookers were all taken aback. What was this game now?
"What? Scared?" Qin Tian's handsome face displayed a challenging smile.
"Bullshit, who the hell is scared? Bring it on, do you think I'm afraid of you!" He Qiang spat out fierce words, bending his knees slightly and lowering his center of gravity, assuming a defensive stance. The boys who had been playing basketball earlier quickly stepped aside, creating space for a one-on-one.
"Whoever loses has to walk around the other whenever they see each other. Also, if you lose, you have to apologize to me," Qin Tian said directly, without any preamble.
"Deal," He Qiang agreed without hesitation. He was an experienced player in one-on-one basketball and didn't believe he would lose.
"Then I'll start. Get ready." After Qin Tian's reminder, his entire aura changed. He became powerful and sharp, like a drawn sword, radiating a chilling sharpness.
Everyone around them changed their expressions, their eyes filled with surprise. While the concept of aura might sound vague, it was very real. At this moment, He Qiang was completely overwhelmed by the senior's presence.
"Come on!!!" He Qiang suddenly roared, trying to boost his own momentum. As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Tian moved. Still as water, swift as thunder! Before anyone could react, Qin Tian had broken through the defense and appeared behind He Qiang.
"He Qiang, defend!" A boy from the third class yelled urgently from the side. He Qiang finally snapped back to reality and hastily turned to defend, but it was too late. Qin Tian executed a perfect three-step layup, leaping high and effortlessly sinking the basketball into the hoop. His stylish move, his handsome face with its clean smile, and the confident, sunny aura he exuded completely mesmerized the girls from both classes.
"So handsome..." Bai Weiwei, who had walked to the edge of the court with Zhao Zi, murmured, cradling her slightly flushed face. Many girls around her were no better, their faces showing adoration as they chattered excitedly with their friends, turning into Qin Tian's fangirls. This scene immediately displeased the boys from both classes.
"He Qiang, can you even do it?" "Exactly, what are you doing? You always brag about being the best at playing." "What's this? You don't even have the strength to fight back, how embarrassing!" "He Qiang..." The accusations and complaints from the boys around made He Qiang feel ashamed and angry, his entire face flushing red. But he had no rebuttal. Qin Tian's speed was just too fast; he truly hadn't had time to react at all.
"I won. Fulfill your promise!" Qin Tian said casually, dribbling the basketball with a smile. As a senior with a mature soul, he could afford to be magnanimous. As long as He Qiang apologized, this matter could be considered over.
"No, I was careless just now. Let's play again." He Qiang gritted his teeth and said, ignoring the intense shame he felt. Hearing this, the girls who had already become Qin Tian's fangirls let out a chorus of scornful jeers.
"He Qiang, a bet is a bet. Do you have any shame?" Zhao Zi also shouted indignantly. He Qiang remained oblivious, staring at Qin Tian with a flushed face, stubbornly saying, "My defense is generally weaker. This time, I'll attack!"
"Heh, alright!" Qin Tian smiled, tossed the basketball to him, and then switched positions with him.
"He Qiang, be serious, show us your skill!" "Don't lose to him again, it's too disgraceful." "Use your strength to break through forcefully, he won't be able to defend you." From the side, a few boys who often played with He Qiang spoke up. Some of them usually didn't get along with He Qiang. But at this moment, they all chose to stand with him. Regardless, they did not want to see this senior, who had appeared out of nowhere, continue to steal the spotlight.
"All of you, shut up!" He Qiang yelled at them, his face serious as he began dribbling the basketball.
"Come on, if you lose again this time, there will be no excuse left!" Qin Tian said with a smile.
"You don't need to tell me." He Qiang glared at him impatiently, lowered his center of gravity, and increased the speed of his dribbling. Qin Tian's expression remained calm, his eyes level with He Qiang's, his attention not even on the basketball. This nonchalant demeanor angered He Qiang even more. He directly sidestepped, driving the ball forward, intending to break through Qin Tian's defense with sheer power. Just as the other boys in the class thought, physical strength had always been his forte. However, he felt as if he had run into a bronze wall. Qin Tian spread his arms to block him, his body as steady as a rock, unmoving. His physical attributes now all exceeded eighty points. The strong-looking He Qiang was like a paper tiger in front of him.
"Don't bother, you can't win in a strength contest either," Qin Tian's handsome face displayed his usual cheerful smile.