Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

The whistle for the second half just blew.

"Old Li, hurry up and get him!"

Wang Qiang waved to him from the field, his voice filled with an excited, almost euphoric tone.

Li Chen stretched his wrists and strode onto the court.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, falling on him and gilding his figure with a golden edge.

His eyes held an unprecedented firmness.

The outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion.

When the final whistle blew, the score was a staggering number.

Li Chen's team won with an overwhelming advantage.

"Awooo—"

Wang Qiang was the first to rush forward, like a 300-pound giant bear, and hung directly on Li Chen.

"Godfather! My godfather! You are my god!"

Zhao Zixuan and Chen Mo also gathered around, their faces filled with undisguised excitement and admiration.

"Old Li, that behind-the-back dribble and no-look pass you just did was so cool I almost ovulated on the spot!"

Zhao Zixuan exclaimed exaggeratedly.

Chen Mo adjusted his glasses and said in his signature analytical tone, "According to the statistics, Lao Li's points, assists, and steals in the second half all exceeded the total of the opposing team."

"Statistically, this is called a 'massacre'."

Li Chen was choked by Wang Qiang and could hardly breathe. He disgustedly pulled Wang Qiang off him.

"Alright, stop howling. Hurry up and go make your Haidilao deal with Captain Lin Feng."

Upon hearing the words "Haidilao," the entire 302 dormitory room erupted in frenzy.

"Haidilao! My happy hometown!"

Holding a basketball, Wang Qiang was already planning, "Double portions of tripe, four plates of shrimp paste, and that secret menu item, tomato beef rice, we absolutely have to get that!"

"I'll cover the broth!"

Zhao Zixuan waved his hand arrogantly, "Today I'll show you what the financial power of a rich kid really is!"

Chen Mo then took out his phone and opened the notes app.

"Let me calculate. Based on our four people's appetite and the average price per customer at Haidilao, to maximize cost-effectiveness, we should..."

Li Chen looked at the three clowns and shook his head helplessly.

He walked to the sidelines, picked up his coat and phone, and the Vacheron Constantin sat quietly in his pocket.

After playing a game, he was covered in sweat; his T-shirt was soaked and felt uncomfortable sticking to his body.

He remembered the card Yan Xi had given him.

"I'm leaving now. You guys arrange a time and place with Lin Feng, and let me know after the competition next week."

Li Chen spoke to the three people who were still intensely discussing what hot pot base to eat.

"Yes, Godfather!"

"Farewell, Godfather!"

Li Chen ignored the "rebellious son cheering" behind him and walked out of the stadium alone.

Not far from the school gate is the gym that Yan Xi mentioned.

"Storm Fitness".

The name is rather cheesy, but the storefront is very understated, with a black frosted glass door that looks like it offers excellent privacy.

Li Chen took out the black secondary card and swiped it on the access control.

"Beep, welcome."

The electronic door opened immediately.

Unlike the noise and sweat in the school gymnasium, it was so quiet here that you could hear your own breathing.

The air was filled with a faint aroma of fragrance, and the air conditioning was on full blast.

There are no waiters at the front desk, only a smart guidance device.

The entire space is dominated by black and gray tones, with various instruments arranged in an orderly manner. Each instrument has a cold metallic luster and looks expensive.

There were very few people, just a few in twos and threes, all training quietly in their own areas without disturbing each other.

Following the AI-guided instructions, Li Chen found the boxing ring.

A separate cubicle, covered with professional non-slip flooring, with a huge sandbag standing in the center and several brand-new boxing gloves hanging next to it.

This place is like a private, secret base.

A space she arranged for him.

A strange warmth welled up in Li Chen's heart.

He took off his soaking wet T-shirt and casually draped it over the railing, revealing his well-defined and toned upper body.

He took a pair of red boxing gloves off the wall and put them on.

Then, he stood in front of the sandbag and took a deep breath.

"Bang!"

The first punch was powerful and heavy.

The sandbag began to shake violently.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

He started throwing punches—straight punches, hooks, uppercuts—and the speed increased.

Sweat dripped down his forehead and back, and his muscles bulged with each exertion, exuding a primal sense of power.

He was so engrossed in the exhilarating feeling of sweating it out that he forgot all his other thoughts.

After an unknown amount of time, he finished the last set and slowly stopped.

He braced himself on his knees, panting heavily.

Just then.

A bottle of ice water was placed on the back of his neck without warning.

The icy touch sent a shiver down Li Chen's spine, and he instinctively assumed a defensive stance.

But he smelled a familiar, cool scent of fir.

He froze.

He slowly straightened up and turned around.

Yan Xi stood behind him, and it was unclear how long she had been there.

She changed out of her sharp suit and into a loose white shirt and light-colored jeans, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders. She looked less sharp as the student council president and more relaxed and at home.

She didn't speak, but crossed her arms and looked him up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.

That gaze was like a sophisticated scanner.

From his strong arms, down to his sweaty chest, and then to his well-defined eight-pack abs.

Finally, it lingered on his face.

Li Chen felt uneasy under her gaze, and his movements became stiff.

He felt like a piece of meat on a chopping board, being studied by the chef to determine the best place to cut.

"Drink water."

Yan Xi finally spoke and handed over the water in her hand.

Li Chen took it, unscrewed the cap, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

"Warming up is fine."

Yan Xi's voice rang out again, calm yet undeniable.

"Don't waste your energy on this."

Li Chen was taken aback.

"I've set three rules for you."

Yan Xi held up one finger.

"First, you absolutely cannot get injured during the match."

She paused, then added, "Even a tiny scratch is unacceptable."

She then extended a second finger.

"Second, you are forbidden from using your charm on any female creature other than me on the field, especially those girls who scream at you."

Li Chen's lips twitched.

How domineering.

But... he likes it.

"third."

Yan Xi extended her third finger, her eyes sharpening.

We must win.

"And to win gracefully, you have to shut everyone up."

Each one is filled with undeniable domineering and possessiveness.

Li Chen looked at her with a mixture of helplessness and a sweet feeling of being completely cared for.

This sweet burden was something he couldn't refuse.

"Okay, senior."

He nodded in agreement.

"Um."

Yan Xi seemed quite satisfied with his attitude.

She took something out of her small bag.

It was a brand new wristband, black, with a small letter "L" embroidered on it in silver thread.

Yan Xi stepped forward, grabbed his wrist without saying a word, took off his old wristband that had been washed until it was a little faded, and threw it aside.

Then, she lowered her head and carefully and meticulously put the new one on him.

Her cool fingers brushed against his burning skin, sending a shiver down his spine.

"My people must use the best of everything."

She spoke softly, her tone as flat as if stating a fact.

Li Chen's heart felt as if it had been squeezed tightly by a hand.

This is more than just concern.

It is also a silent declaration.

Yan Xi helped him put on the wristband and adjusted its tightness.

Her fingers didn't leave immediately; instead, they gently traced upwards along his wrist.

Her beautiful cat-like eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned close to his ear.

The warm breath sprayed onto his earlobe, bringing a tingling sensation.

"If I dare to get hurt..."

Her voice was low, carrying a dangerous, seductive tone.

"Come back, and I'll tie you to the bed and personally 'examine' your wounds."