Chapter 72: The Unsettling Aftermath and a P.E. Class Dilemma

“Let’s talk about it later!”

Lin Qing, unaware of Liu Hong’s dramatic internal monologue, sidestepped his enthusiastic gesture. He cast another glance at Liu Hong’s peculiar expression before promptly heading toward the teaching building.

With the amusement park incident now behind them, everything returned to normal.

However, the matter concerning Wang Fanran continued to weigh heavily on Lin Qing’s mind.

Especially after hearing that Wang Fanran had been loitering near the school, Lin Qing’s vigilance heightened. He knew his troublesome deskmate was a petty individual.

‘Perhaps he’s plotting his revenge…’

During a break, Lin Qing had called Director Ye, the police chief, to inquire about the follow-up regarding Wang Fanran.

After all, as an accomplice in the crime, Wang Fanran was supposed to be apprehended, even if he had run away from home.

He needed to be brought back to the police station for investigation.

Yet, the police had been unable to locate Wang Fanran, forcing them to delay the investigation repeatedly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing immediately recalled Chen Sen, whom Wang Fanran had mentioned previously. Liu Hong had also described Chen Sen as a very strange, unemployed individual, potentially involved in illicit underground activities.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t possess such capabilities, enough to hinder a police search.

It struck Lin Qing as odd that someone as capable as Chen Sen was entangled with Wang Fanran. How had the two met? Was protecting Wang Fanran a means to make him do something?

Without some mutual benefit, such unwarranted intimacy seemed impossible.

Unfortunately, Lin Qing had too little information; he couldn’t piece it together, no matter how much he pondered.

“Lin Qing, let’s go! Next class is P.E. in the basketball court.”

Lin Qing had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn’t even heard the dismissal bell. It was only when Zhou Lin called out to him that his mind snapped back to reality.

He glanced up at the classroom, where only a few students remained.

“Come on, come on! We can change while we walk. Your scrawny build isn’t much to look at anyway. Just check out my toned chest and bulging muscles, totally…”

“Your naked body isn’t anything special either. Lin Qing, we’re heading off. Don’t be late.”

Zhou Lin proudly flexed an arm, showing off to Lin Qing, only for Wang Jian to smack him on the back of the head.

Wang Jian then offered Lin Qing a smile before quickly dragging the reluctant Zhou Lin away.

‘Zhou Lin, that oblivious idiot!’

After Zhou Lin and Wang Jian had left the classroom, Lin Qing waited a moment longer until he was the only one remaining. Then, he took out his sportswear and changed.

He disliked exposing his body in front of others, as he always had.

The last time he went to the infirmary, the teacher had lectured him endlessly, making Lin Qing decide it was best not to return.

Fortunately, his changing process went smoothly, allowing him to arrive just as the class bell rang.

“Alright, everyone! In just one month, the school’s basketball tournament will begin. Each class must have at least ten students sign up, with an equal number of boys and girls, before selections are made. So, make sure to practice hard and aim to get chosen!”

Wu Gang, the new P.E. teacher, spoke loudly. His gaze swept over Lin Qing, who stood in the second row. Seeing no signs of discomfort, he knew Lin Qing hadn’t been traumatized by the incident where Li Dong had stabbed him.

Indeed, considering Lin Qing had managed to apprehend a murderous nurse in the hospital, his courage was clearly significant.

“Teacher, I don’t want to participate.”

“I love studying!”

“What’s the point of playing basketball? Just give all ten spots to the boys in our class!”

“Hehe, when it comes to basketball, I’m a pro.”

Upon hearing Wu Gang mention the basketball tournament, the previously quiet students immediately erupted into a cacophony of chatter and protests.

In response, Wu Gang quickly raised the whistle hanging around his neck and blew it forcefully.

The sharp whistle instantly silenced everyone, drawing their attention to Wu Gang.

“The ten spots must be split equally between boys and girls, so don’t get your hopes up about an easy pass. Also… students who win this basketball tournament will receive a thousand yuan prize money and a pair of Landan sports shoes.”

Having been a student himself, Wu Gang knew these youngsters wouldn’t cooperate without some incentive.

As soon as the prizes were announced, the previous grumbling and protests vanished instantly.

“Coach, I want to play basketball!”

“Me too!”

“Landan sports shoes? Those aren’t cheap!”

“I heard the Principal accepted sponsorship fees from Landan and wants to do a live stream to promote their sports brand.”

Standing in line, Lin Qing’s eyes lit up as he listened to Wu Gang.

However, the realization that he had never played basketball before quickly dimmed the spark in his eyes.

‘Even if I sign up, I won’t make it to the end. It’s better not to draw attention.’

“Alright, alright, everyone! The basketballs are right here. Go practice your shooting! Good shooting technique will also be a bonus point!”

Seeing that the material rewards had motivated the students, Wu Gang quickly struck while the iron was hot, rapidly dividing them into small groups for team practice.

During this, intentionally ignoring Liu Hong’s expectant gaze and the eager looks from other boys, Wu Gang directly assigned Su Yao and Lin Qing to the same group.

Back when he was hospitalized with a broken leg, as a roommate in the same ward, Wu Gang had witnessed Lin Qing and Su Yao’s affectionate interactions more than once.

He wasn’t blind; couldn’t he tell what their true relationship was?

They had even kissed…

Therefore, even though this secret young couple couldn’t be exposed, Wu Gang would do everything in his power to offer them the greatest assistance.

‘Go, Lin Qing!’

While Wu Gang blessed the two with sparkling eyes, Lin Qing found himself deeply troubled by being grouped with Su Yao.

The trip to the amusement park seemed to have flipped an emotional switch.

Lin Qing felt he had to quickly shut off that switch while he still had the resolve, to prevent a truly terrible outcome.

He needed to keep his distance from Su Yao.

Fortunately, the group consisted of five people. Besides Su Yao and Lin Qing, the other three were girls who seemed to be quite close with Su Yao.

This might help to divert some attention.

“Lin Qing, your basketball.”

As Lin Qing was lost in thought, Su Yao’s voice rang out. He watched her retrieve a basketball from the bin and offer it to him, her face adorned with a bright, gentle smile.

This sight drew envious glances from the surrounding boys, who wished they could be in Su Yao’s group, imagining the pleasure of receiving a ball from the ‘goddess’ and basking in her beautiful smile.

Just looking at her was enough to melt one’s heart.

“I can get it myself.”

Lin Qing merely glanced at Su Yao before quickly averting his gaze. He reached into the bin himself, retrieved a basketball, and directly refused the one Su Yao offered.

Then, holding the ball, he walked toward the hoop to practice shooting, his demeanor utterly dismissive of Su Yao, which made her freeze for a moment.

Once she recovered, the curve of Su Yao’s smile remained unchanged, but her dark eyes had grown several degrees colder.

She watched Lin Qing from a short distance, recognizing that her prey was struggling once more.

‘What to do?’

While she couldn’t reveal her true nature just because she was annoyed, Su Yao had no intention of allowing Lin Qing’s defiance to continue.

‘Now, Lin Qing wants to keep his distance?’

‘Don’t even dream about it.’

Since Lin Qing wished for it so much, she would do the exact opposite.