America: I came here to study, not to show mercy.

Chapter 22: Trapped?

Tuesday's classes were Introduction to Computer Science and Calculus, with no psychology class. Li Xiaoen was relieved not to see that woman, Sufeil, again.

At 3:15 in the afternoon, as the bell rang, Li Xiaoen packed up his things and just walked out of the classroom, he ran into Daniel and the other two.

"Sean, come play basketball with us. We're short one, and you're the only one missing."

Daniel had changed into a basketball sportswear of a sleeveless top and shorts. He was juggling the basketball with both hands and raised his chin at Li Xiaoen.

"Don't you have classes this afternoon?"

Li Xiaoen looked around at the three people, all of whom were wearing sportswear with short-sleeved shirts and shorts, and then looked down at his own trousers.

It was obvious that they all went back to the dormitory early and changed their clothes.

"Well, long pants are long pants. A truly powerful person will still be powerful even when wearing long pants."

Michael walked forward with a smile, put his arm around Li Xiaoen's shoulder, and led him towards the gymnasium.

"Okay, okay, go ahead and hit me."

Li Xiaoen took his arm off his shoulder, nodded reluctantly and agreed, allocating today's exercise to basketball.

In early September, even at three o'clock in the afternoon, the temperature outside was terribly hot. Choosing to play on the court in the indoor gymnasium was a last resort for the few people.

After grabbing the last court, Daniel excitedly stood next to Michael and looked at Li Xiaoen and Malcolm who were slowly walking towards him.

"Michael and I are on the same team, and Sean, you two are on the same team!"

"Yeah, Sean, you're so good, it's only fair that we divide the teams' strengths like this."

Michael laughed and put his arm around Daniel's shoulders.

"It's just a casual fight, there's no need to take it so seriously, right?"

Li Xiaoen shrugged indifferently, agreeing to the other party's team assignment.

He played against the three of them twice, which completely dispelled the stereotype that Americans are good at basketball. He represented the school in basketball games in junior high school and only played occasionally in physical education classes in high school. However, he had the highest scoring rate among the four.

Among them, Malcolm, who is black, has the least skills and probably has only touched a basketball a few times.

It is normal to think about it. For three people whose family financial situation is just above average, if they want to be admitted to Princeton University, they naturally have to spend a lot of energy and time. How can they have the time to do both sports and studies?

The saying that all Americans know basketball is just like the Chinese know how to play table tennis. It is the impression left on other countries by the extremely strong national team.

"Sean, I'm sorry for dragging you down."

Malcolm apologized at this time.

"Why are you so serious?"

Li Xiaoen looked at the other party and spread his hands, "You should also know that I don't care about this kind of victory or defeat."

"asshole!"

The curse was actually in Japanese. Li Xiaoen turned around in surprise and saw Michael clenching his fists at him. "Is the Demon King so invincible and arrogant? Let our West Coast team defeat you thoroughly!"

"..."

"If this is a chuunibyou imitation, please say the whole sentence in Japanese, otherwise it will be awkward."

Li Xiaoen rolled his eyes and couldn't help but complain.

That’s right, the swear words were only in Japanese, and Michael immediately switched back to English afterwards.

Sure enough, when learning a foreign language, the first things you come into contact with and remember are always the swear words.

“Not later.”

Michael chuckled without blushing or beating his heart.

"Well, let me see the power of your West Coast."

Li Xiaoen replied with a faint smile, ran, passed the basketball in his hand to Malcolm, and ran towards the basketball hoop.

"Is this the Demon King's confidence?"

Michael shouted, waving his hand back vigorously, "Let me show you..."

Michael was hit on the head halfway through his words and was forced to stop talking.

"What else?"

Daniel was already furious at this point, and cursed, "They scored a goal."

I originally thought that I could lower Li Xiaoen's morale by teaming up today, but I didn't expect that teammate Michael would make a mistake first.

No wonder, on the way here, he kept talking about the Japanese anime he stayed up late to watch.

"Don't worry, I'm serious!"

Michael nodded solemnly.

… “Damn it, don’t underestimate the bond between us West Coast team!!”

Although the game was going fairly well, Michael roared in dissatisfaction as he saw the score gap widening.

"Would you please just stop talking?"

Daniel rolled his eyes and covered his mouth with his sweaty hand. Only miserable groans came out, which made Li Xiaoen frown.

"Hey, Sean, we still have the advantage."

Malcolm finally breathed a sigh of relief, "And it's all thanks to you."

"Your passing is also very good."

Li Xiaoen smiled and nodded, "Play more, train more. With your height, arm span, and big hands, it would be a shame not to defend against you."

"Lao Da?"

Malcolm frowned. "Is it an NBA star? Sorry, I don't watch the NBA, so I don't know this person."

"It's okay, just joking."

Li Xiaoen waved his hands quickly.

slap... slap...

At this moment, the sound of continuous and powerful hitting of the ball reached the ears of several people. The four of them couldn't help but look back and saw that a team of five people had arrived at their court.

"We're playing the whole game, so please make room for us."

In America, there is an unwritten rule on the basketball court that those playing half court must give way to those playing full court.

"Sean, they look so professional."

Looking up and down at the clothes and equipment of the five people opposite, Malcolm tilted his head and whispered.

"It looks like this."

Li Xiaoen nodded and glanced at the five people on the other side. They were wearing wrist guards, knee pads, professional basketball shoes, headbands and belts. One of them even wore sports goggles. They looked like a well-equipped guy.

But in China, although Brother Baoqie has a bad reputation, at least he is better than those of them who only wear short-sleeved shirts and shorts. What's special is that he even wears long pants now.

"Eh……"

At this moment, one of the young men suddenly exclaimed. He walked forward, looked Li Xiaoen carefully, and then looked him up and down. "Are you the delivery guy at the pre-school party?"

"..."

"If you're talking about sushi delivered to Ridgeview Estates, then yes."

Li Xiaoen pondered for a moment before answering.

"Yes!"

The boy's face was filled with surprise. "I didn't expect you to be a student at Princeton as well!"

"Excuse me, who are you?"

"It's me!"

Seeing Li Xiaoen's puzzled look, the boy waved his hand helplessly, "I was the one who brought you into the house."

"Oh, I remember."

Li Xiaoen nodded, it was natural that it was a matter of social etiquette.

He comes into contact with so many people every day while delivering food, so naturally he won't leave an impression on everyone. What's more, the boy in front of him looks very ordinary and there is nothing particularly memorable about him.

"What a coincidence?"

Behind them, a young man wearing sports goggles also interrupted, walked forward and pushed the goggles onto his forehead.

"Me, do you still remember me?" He pointed at himself with a smile.

"You do remember."

Li Xiaoen nodded in response. The man in front of him was the young boy who broke the deadlock that day and took the initiative to pick up the banknotes on the ground and handed them to him.

Why, is it such a coincidence?

Li Xiaoen couldn't help but secretly wonder, and noticed that the young man in front of him was also lost in thought, and alarm bells rang in his heart.

As expected, the ticking sound from the gymnasium entrance caught everyone's attention.

Everyone looked back and saw two tall and slender figures slowly walking towards them from the doorway with their backs to the light.

Is this a trap?

Li Xiaoen frowned.

(End of this chapter)