A Young Woman's Heart

Is it because of my current status?

What have you been up to lately?

"Nothing much, just going to school."

“Me too, I’m quite busy at the beginning of my first year of high school. Sigh, you’re going to No. 14 Middle School, is it especially tiring?” Li Gutao didn’t know that Mo Xueyao couldn’t attend because of surgery. “We feel like our vocational high school is busy enough.”

"fine……"

"I was passing by No. 14 Middle School before and I was thinking of waiting for you there, haha, but I didn't manage to catch you. What a pity, maybe you had already left by then."

Mo Xueyao felt a wave of fear after hearing this. Luckily, she was no longer at No. 14 Middle School, otherwise, if her former classmates found out, she wouldn't know how to explain it.

You can't exactly say that she was actually a woman disguised as a man before, can you?

They're friends who've been to the bathroom together, who would believe that?

Even more fortunately, it seems that none of her former classmates are in Yukong High School. Although there may be classmates from the same grade, they are not very close, so it won't cause too much of a problem.

Besides, while Mo Xueyao was indeed handsome in the past, he always had a buzz cut and was at most a good-looking young man; no one would really mistake him for a girl.

"Hey, are you free lately? How about we guys get together? We can't just stop keeping in touch after graduation, can we?"

“Uh…” Mo Xueyao bit her lip gently, hesitated for a long time, and finally refused, “No, I think… I’m quite busy lately.”

"Are you that busy? You don't even have time for dinner?"

"Yes...more or less."

"Tsk tsk, what's going on? You're not being loyal enough. Your buddy invited you out and you didn't come. That won't do."

"I really don't have time." Mo Xueyao's tone gradually became firm.

“Okay…” Seemingly sensing the distance in Mo Xueyao’s tone, Li Gutao’s tone also seemed a little awkward. “Well, how about I come over to visit you? I’m all alone, after all, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, let’s catch up.”

"No, no need, I... am not feeling well."

"Huh? It's inconvenient to even meet up? Wow, who are you? A big star or something?"

"No, it's just, uh, um..." Mo Xueyao didn't know how to explain for a moment.

"Haha, never mind, what's wrong with you? You used to be handsome but at least manly. Why are you acting like a girl lately?" Li Gutao laughed, seemingly trying to cover up some embarrassment. "We'll talk about it another time. I'm hanging up."

"Ok."

The call was finally disconnected, and Mo Xueyao breathed a sigh of relief.

She pinched the corners of her eyes, which were a little sore. The thought of not being able to see her brothers, whom she used to know so well, made her feel very sad.

But what can we do?

How should I explain it when we meet?

Will they understand if I explain it to them?

Even if they were your best friends, after a long time and you gradually drift apart, will they still understand you as they did in the past?

She rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache, thankful that she had never brought any classmates to her house; otherwise, it would have been a real hassle if a classmate had come over.

It was probably mainly because she lived nearby and didn't have any other close classmates.

Most of my close male friends live in more remote areas or in the city center.

Mo Xueyao picked up the comb on the table and combed her hair. She wasn't in the mood to tie it up and left with the letter she was going to mail.

The letter already had stamps of sufficient value affixed, and the return address written by the sender was also copied exactly. It seemed to be in Russian, and Mo Xueyao wasn't sure if she had written it correctly. Anyway, she wrote a note below the English address in the sender's letter, so that others wouldn't be unable to recognize her crooked Russian writing. At least there would be an English address for reference and comparison.

When I went downstairs, I picked up my digital camera and the developed photos, which will be sent out along with the mail.

What was originally something she was looking forward to turned into a complicated mix of emotions after a phone call from her old classmate. Even her anticipation was somewhat dampened.

……

Chapter 133 Shooting

"Thump, thump! Bang!"

"It didn't go in again..." Mo Xueyao muttered to herself, leisurely walking to the basketball hoop and picking up the ball.

It's Wednesday afternoon after school.

Li Wanyan had to go home later because she had to help her homeroom teacher with some tasks.

It just so happened that there was little homework today, so Mo Xueyao simply did her homework at school while waiting for Li Wanyan to finish.

I finished the rest of my homework in about twenty minutes, but when I went to find Li Wanyan, she said I would have to wait another half hour.

So she simply went for a stroll on the playground.

After several days of rain, today was a rare sunny day. Although the sun was blocked by white clouds and couldn't shine brightly, it was still much better than a damp and cold rainy day.

Yukong High School has many basketball courts separated by wire mesh. Some are the same size as regular basketball courts, with two hoops, while others are half-court courts with one hoop.

Although Mo Xueyao didn't really understand why there was a basketball court with only one hoop, she guessed that it was probably to save space. Sometimes, if there were only two or three people playing on a basketball court with only one hoop, the larger basketball court could be left for others.

Then, today when I passed by here—

"Mo Xueyao! Are you going upstairs later?" Li Hongran, who had been playing basketball for half an hour, wiped the sweat from her face, waved to her, and shouted.

“Upstairs.” Mo Xueyao nodded.

"Oh, could you help me put this basketball on my seat?" Li Hongran wiped her sweat as she walked over to her side with the basketball. "I'm too lazy to go upstairs."

"Okay." Since she was going upstairs anyway, she didn't mind.

Li Hongran happily slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and waved goodbye.

"Thanks a lot, I'm off!"

"Bye-Bye."

"Li Hongran, is this the school beauty? She's even prettier than in the photos."

"You're really lucky, kid."

"You seem to know her quite well?"

"Hehe, it's alright, after all, we're in the same group." Li Hongran couldn't help but feel a little proud. "We have quite a few opportunities to chat."

"So when should we make our move?"

"What are you doing? Get out of here! Your mind is full of filthy thoughts!"

"Ha ha--"

So, Mo Xueyao walked back with the basketball in her hand, and as she passed the basketball court with only one basketball hoop, she stopped as if by some strange impulse.

Since Li Wanyan won't be finished for a while, why not just play basketball for a bit?

So, there was the opening scene.

Mo Xueyao is too short; a close-range dunk is something she can only dream of.

So she stood outside the three-point line and tried to shoot three-pointers again and again.

Of course, it's also about failing time and time again.

Mo Xueyao actually likes playing basketball, but she could only play with her friends in elementary school when everyone's height was still relatively similar. After entering junior high school, she didn't play basketball with anyone for a long time.

The height difference gradually widened, and the boys in their adolescence were impulsive and energetic. If they were bumped while playing basketball, Mo Xueyao, with her petite body, would probably not be able to get up for a long time.

So even if I really want to play, I can only occasionally shoot a few balls on an empty basketball court.

As time went by, he forgot about it and rarely touched a basketball anymore.

When was the last time you touched a basketball?

Is there a year?

Mo Xueyao couldn't remember.

She lifted the ball again and pushed it forward, but perhaps because she was tired from shooting so many times, this time she didn't even touch the backboard and it fell to the ground a long way off.

"Thump, thump, thump..." The basketball bounced on the ground and rolled into the corner.

"Ah—so tired." Mo Xueyao stretched lazily and slowly picked up the basketball again. "How can I possibly make that shot?"

She muttered to herself, readjusted her angle, and imagined it was a game, with an indicator bar appearing in front of her to adjust the intensity and range of motion of her arms.

"It should be like this...? Hey!"

This time, Mo Xueyao tiptoed, jumped slightly, and pushed the ball out forcefully.

"Thump!" The basketball fell cleanly and directly into the hoop from the center before landing on the ground.

"I did it!" Although luck probably played a part, Mo Xueyao still excitedly pumped her fist. "Looks like I can do it after all!"

If before, you were holding your breath and determined to make the basketball go in, now that you've succeeded, you've actually lost your energy.

This time, she didn't even pick up the ball; she just wanted to find a place to rest.

I was thinking of sitting on the ground, but I was afraid of getting my skirt dirty, so I looked around and saw a small wooden bench outside the basketball court. Like a drowning person finding a lifeline, I quickly walked over, spread my legs, put my hands on the back of the bench, and sat down comfortably.

He was almost spread-eagled.

Anyway, there weren't many people at school after school, so she could finally let loose a bit.

Maintaining a girl's image consciously every day is truly exhausting.

A cool breeze blew in from below, chilling her to the bone, forcing Mo Xueyao to clench her legs together.

"Freezing to death..." she muttered, pressing down on her skirt. "If it snows this year, won't it be even colder... Will I still have to wear a skirt then? Achoo!"

Suddenly, a long shadow appeared around the corner, and a clean-looking, sunny boy walked to the school's vending machine.

The school's vending machines have an automatic heating function in winter, meaning you can buy warm coffee here.

The boy was Mo Xueyao's classmate and also her deskmate, An Ruosu.

Like his surname, he was quiet most of the time.

He was also the only boarding student in the entire class.