The DK fans were even crazier and more enthusiastic than before. As Nie Chuan and the others boarded the bus, they could still hear waves of cheering.
Nie Chuan felt like he was walking on clouds. When the sports reporters’ camera shutters flashed simultaneously, he almost stumbled and fell at the bus door.
Luckily, Reese, who was walking in front of him, suddenly turned around and steadied him.
Nie Chuan looked up and met Reese’s eyes.
Reese said in Chinese, “Are you in such a hurry to throw yourself into my arms?”
“No! Of course not!” Nie Chuan’s face heated up.
But Reese’s lips curved slightly, making Nie Chuan realize Reese was teasing him.
The bus started moving. If it weren’t for the police on motorcycles clearing the way and keeping the fans at bay, DK wouldn’t have been able to leave smoothly.
Nie Chuan looked out the window. Many shopping malls’ LED screens were playing the CBU vs. DK showdown. The scene of Reese blocking Owen’s last shot had become iconic.
“Did we really beat CBU?” Nie Chuan asked in disbelief.
Reese calmly replied, “Why, did you think we couldn’t beat them?”
“No… I just feel like… the practice match with CBU happened just yesterday.”
Reese raised his hand and ruffled Nie Chuan’s hair.
The bus was filled with the excited chatter of teammates. After such a big game, not a single person was tired or wanted to sleep.
“Oh my gosh! We beat CBU and made it to the finals!”
“This is the best result DK has had in twelve years!”
Even Coach Gordon couldn’t hide his smile.
“Ewin… we’ve already achieved the best result in twelve years. Would it be too greedy to want the championship?” Carlo asked.
Carlo laughed, “AZU winning the finals for two consecutive years and wanting a three-peat is what’s greedy.”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone applauded.
“Carlo! Well said!”
“It’s rare for Carlo to say something that makes sense!”
Nie Chuan felt inexplicably excited too.
There was still a week until the finals, and the day after tomorrow was the AZU vs. UFR match. Nie Chuan really wanted to watch it.
Reese seemed to know what Nie Chuan was thinking and said, “Mr. Lin En gave me two tickets for the AZU and UFR game. We can go watch.”
“Really? That’s awesome!” Nie Chuan turned and hugged Reese.
Everyone looked over.
“What’s so great?” Carlo asked with a laugh.
“Reese said he’d take me to watch the AZU and UFR game!” Nie Chuan said, a bit embarrassed.
“What’s the big deal! We all have tickets!” Chuck looked at Nie Chuan. “When the coach handed out the tickets the day before yesterday, you were asleep, so Reese took yours.”
Nie Chuan was embarrassed, so it was originally his ticket!
“Nie Chuan’s the only one who can hug Reese’s neck without getting thrown off, right?” Ewin laughed.
Nie Chuan quickly sat up straight, looked out the window, and pretended nothing had happened.
When the school team’s bus entered the campus parking lot, Nie Chuan and the others were treated like heroes.
This year, it seemed like only the basketball team made it to the final in all NCAA sports.
Various banners and fan groups awaited in the parking lot.
As Nie Chuan got off the bus, he heard countless people shouting his name in Chinese.
“Nie Chuan! Nie Chuan! Nie Chuan!”
Nie Chuan had already received messages from Zhou Bin and Mao Xian on the bus.
Zhou Bin: You’re truly my pride!
Mao Xian: Wow, just saying I’m your buddy at school gets me invited to meals by so many girls! Thanks to you, I finally hooked up with a blonde, big-butt, big-chested beauty!
Nie Chuan laughed at the message and immediately replied: Give me back the blonde, big-butt, big-chested beauty!
Just as he was about to send it, Reese caught his finger.
“So, you’ve been restless in your heart all along.”
Reese’s cool voice sent a shiver down Nie Chuan’s spine.
Beating CBU had made him a bit too carefree. How could he forget that even joking texts like this would be strictly classified as “mental cheating” by Reese?
“Having you is enough! You’re handsome, rich, and can cook; how could I still be thinking about blonde, big-chested, big-butt girls!” Nie Chuan said with genuine sincerity, a new skill he picked up from Zhou Bin.
“Hmph.” Reese snorted softly, but the smile on his lips showed Nie Chuan’s sweet talk hit the mark.
Getting off the bus, carrying his sports bag towards the dorm, Nie Chuan glanced at Reese. The sunlight fell on Reese’s face, making it look even fairer, and even his slightly upturned eyelashes seemed to brush against Nie Chuan’s heart, making it flutter.
Nie Chuan licked his lips slightly, really wanting to kiss Reese.
But this fluttering feeling didn’t last long before a group of fans rushed over.
“Nie Chuan! I love you—you’re amazing!”
Nie Chuan was a bit dazed, just coming back from admiring Reese, when a fan suddenly jumped into his arms. His gaze was still on Reese’s profile, and he didn’t react, stepping back half a step.
Reese directly reached out and pressed Nie Chuan’s shoulder.
But then something unexpected happened. The female fan stood on tiptoe, pressed Nie Chuan’s shoulders, and kissed him on the lips.
Nie Chuan’s eyes widened, never dreaming this would happen.
Carlo and Ewin, who got off the bus at the same time, were stunned.
The female fan shouted, “I kissed you! I really kissed you!”
Nie Chuan was dumbfounded, looking down at her ecstatic expression, suddenly finding her very familiar.
“Vi…ctoria…”
Victoria’s eyes almost sparkled at that moment.
“You remember me! You remember my name! I’m so happy!”
Victoria was about to hug Nie Chuan again, but he felt a force pushing him back, making him stagger a few steps before steadying himself.
Victoria hugged the air, looking disappointed.
“Let’s go.” Reese glanced at Nie Chuan.
That chilly look was very familiar to Nie Chuan.
“Oh!”
Oh no, oh no! Tonight’s definitely not going to end well!
And Carlo, clueless about the situation, put an arm around Nie Chuan’s shoulder and asked with a grin, “Nie Chuan! Honestly, how does it feel to be kissed by a fan? I’ve seen that fan many times! She tried to get into the gym to give you stuff but was stopped by the cheerleaders Lily and Celine! Nie Chuan, I didn’t know you were so popular with the ladies! So many girls fighting over you!”
Nie Chuan was now extremely embarrassed. Looking at Reese walking ahead, he really wanted to dig a hole and bury himself.
Nie Chuan deliberately slowed his pace, waiting until Carlo and Ewin walked ahead before sneaking away.
Going back to the dorm now was like asking for trouble!
Nie Chuan kept his head down, left the campus, and only after getting on the bus did he send Reese a message: Haha, Reese, I won’t be coming back to sleep tonight! I’m going to have hotpot with Mao Xian and Zhou Bin! They said they want to celebrate with me!
After sending it, Nie Chuan felt utterly defeated! Just getting kissed by a fan in front of Reese scared him into not daring to return to the dorm! But given Reese’s stamina and his “big guy,” going back now would definitely be a “death” sentence!
Back in the dorm, Reese left the door open. After a few minutes, Nie Chuan still hadn’t returned. Reese glanced at his phone, the message ending with a smiley face.
Reese’s lips curled slightly, he snorted softly, tossed the phone onto the bed, and closed the dorm door.
Nie Chuan called Zhou Bin and Mao Xian out, and they had a big meal at their usual hotpot place.
Nie Chuan, rubbing his full belly, leaned back in his chair and said, “Mao Xian, let’s play games tonight!”
“Games? At my rented place?” Mao Xian still had food stuck in his teeth.
Nie Chuan wanted to laugh but held it in: “Yeah, it’s been a while since we played together.”
Just then, Zhou Bin’s phone buzzed. He looked down and saw it was a message from Reese: Is Nie Chuan with you?
Zhou Bin smiled helplessly, replying to Reese while asking Nie Chuan without looking up, “Ah Chuan, do you want to play games with Mao Xian, or did you have a fight with your roommate?”
Nie Chuan choked but quickly waved his hand: “How could I have a fight with Reese! We’re so close we share a pair of pants!”
“Yeah, you’re so close you share underwear.” Zhou Bin chuckled.
Nie Chuan knew exactly what Zhou Bin meant by “share underwear,” and he kicked Zhou Bin under the table.
Just then, Mao Xian, who was scrolling on his phone, suddenly shouted, “Damn! Nie Chuan! You’re so damn handsome!”
“Huh? What?” Nie Chuan leaned over to look.
It was an online magazine by Mr. Lin En’s sports magazine. The online editor had made a dynamic video compilation of Nie Chuan, and within an hour, the views had surpassed ten thousand.
“Hey, Ah Chuan, has any NBA scout contacted you?” Mao Xian asked eagerly.
“Some have, but they’re all third-rate teams. How could a top team be interested in me!” Nie Chuan laughed, scratching the back of his head.
Meanwhile, in the dorm, Reese had just come out of the shower, a towel draped over his shoulder, when his phone kept ringing. It was Coach Gordon calling.
“Coach, what’s up?”
“Of course, there’s something. Although I don’t like any commercial stuff interfering with my players, since it’s about your future, I should tell you and Nie Chuan. You know Oster Moby, right?”
“Yes, he’s a famous agent.”
“He’s interested in you and Nie Chuan.”
