On the other side, completely unaware that he caused Fang Yi Fan and Ji Yang Yang to fight, Luo Chuan continued his journey, advancing to the semi-finals like a broken bamboo.
This also made many schools regard Jiefangbei Middle School as a major enemy.
At the same time, the experience of basketball on the system panel was constantly increasing, steadily approaching LV3. This reflected in Luo Chuan's increasing strength.
He had already left Liu Wen Qin so far behind that he couldn't even see his back.
Similarly, the stronger Luo Chuan became, the more his coach lamented. He even invited Luo Chuan again, but was undoubtedly rejected. This finally made the coach give up his thoughts.
Soon, the time for the semi-finals arrived. Winning this match would allow them to enter the top two and face the so-called strongest school, Hoci Middle School.
Why was Hoci Middle School called the strongest? Because it was an international school, filled with foreign exchange students. Their basketball strength had always been recognized as the best.
The semi-final today saw Jiefangbei Middle School facing Elite Middle School. Their entry into the semi-finals was enough to demonstrate the strength of Elite Middle School.
The venue for today's match was at Jiefangbei Middle School. In the afternoon, the Elite Middle School athletes and cheerleading team arrived at the school.
When the athletes got out of the car, it was fine. They were all tall, nothing particularly noticeable. But when the cheerleading team members got out of the car, it instantly provoked a chorus of wolf whistles.
Many teachers turned black in the face on the spot. It was too embarrassing. They were so embarrassed they were practically in their grandma's house. Had they never seen girls before?
Luo Chuan stood on the sidelines with a meaningful smile on his face. They were all "acquaintances": Qian San Yi, Jiang Tian Hao, and from the cheerleading team, Lin Miao Miao and Deng Xiao Qi.
Although they didn't know Luo Chuan, it didn't prevent him from sizing them up one by one.
Liu Wen Qin, standing beside him, poked Luo Chuan, looking suspicious.
"You're not harboring some evil intentions, are you? Don't forget Li An Ran."
When he mentioned Li An Ran, a tinge of bitterness filled Liu Wen Qin's heart. Clearly, he had been the one to rescue her back then, but how come she ended up seeing eye to eye with Luo Chuan?
Does being handsome really make you invincible? I'm not bad looking either, and I'm even more masculine.
Luo Chuan glared at Liu Wen Qin, not bothering to correct him. He and Li An Ran weren't a couple yet. They both understood they were attracted to each other, but hadn't broken through that last barrier.
"You have the time to worry about me? You'd better focus on Elite Middle School across the way. Don't forget, today isn't just the semi-finals, it's also a crucial day for your guaranteed university admission."
Liu Wen Qin's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
"Count on me today. Don't worry, if you want to hit on any girl, I'll keep it a secret."
"Go to hell."
"But Elite Middle School really has money, those designer clothes alone must cost three or four thousand," Luo Chuan observed the other team with a gasp.
Liu Wen Qin, however, looked disdainful.
"Designer clothes are worthless. Just play basketball, what's the point of all that fancy stuff."
"Heh," Luo Chuan glanced at Liu Wen Qin and said nothing. He was practically drooling but still trying to act tough.
At that moment, shouts caught Luo Chuan's attention. He saw Zhu Wei Jiao, Tu Jun, and Luo Shen Xi running towards them.
"Qin Ge, Chuan'er, you have to do your best today! We'll cheer you on," Tu Jun held a wooden sign.
"Yeah, yeah, beat them into the ground."
"Just watch me today," Liu Wen Qin boasted.
Before they could say more, the coach called out to them, urging them to warm up.
"We'll go first then."
With that, Luo Chuan and Liu Wen Qin headed towards the gymnasium. After changing clothes, they started warming up on the court.
Meanwhile, outside Jiefangbei Middle School, Li An Ran glanced at the school gate. She took off her outer school uniform and wrapped it around her hand, then hobbled inside.
"Stop there," the gatekeeper stopped Li An Ran.
"Why are you only coming now."
Li An Ran's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm and said, "I sprained my ankle, so I took the morning off."
The gatekeeper glanced at Li An Ran's foot and asked, "Where's your school uniform?"
"I forgot to bring it."
"Remember to wear it next time. Go in."
Li An Ran felt her heart relax, and she limped towards the gymnasium.
Upon reaching the gymnasium, Li An Ran didn't disturb Luo Chuan, instead, she sat alone in a corner, gently rubbing her ankle.
Her audacity today was off the charts. Skipping class, climbing over the wall, and then taking the bus alone from the city to get here, all to see Luo Chuan.
Of course, she paid the price. She sprained her ankle while climbing over the wall, and it was now aching terribly.
But seeing Luo Chuan, Li An Ran's heart felt nothing but satisfaction.
On the court, Luo Chuan, who was originally warming up, suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on a particular direction. Liu Wen Qin noticed this.
"What are you spacing out for."
Luo Chuan didn't speak, he just threw the ball to Liu Wen Qin and walked towards a corner with long strides.
At this point, Liu Wen Qin finally noticed the figure in the corner of the audience seating. It was her!
Seeing Luo Chuan's back, Liu Wen Qin hesitated, but ultimately didn't approach. Instead, he continued warming up while bouncing the ball.
Li An Ran, who was rubbing her ankle, realized a pair of feet had appeared in front of her. Simultaneously, a voice reached her ears.
"Sprained your ankle?"
Li An Ran looked up and saw Luo Chuan standing in front of her. Before she could speak, Luo Chuan squatted in front of her and gently rolled up her pants leg to take a look.
"You'll make it worse if you keep rubbing it like that. Wait here."
With that, Luo Chuan ran out. Not two minutes later, he came back, a bottle of medicine in hand.
"Spray some of this on it every day. Try not to jump or run."
Placing the bottle in Li An Ran's palm, Luo Chuan instructed her.
Seeing Luo Chuan rushing about, Li An Ran finally couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you curious why I'm here?"
"Other than to see me, what else could it be?" Luo Chuan stated confidently.
Li An Ran wanted to retort, but realized Luo Chuan was right. Feeling annoyed, she pointed at Liu Wen Qin and said, "Actually, I'm here for him."
Looking at Luo Chuan's amused gaze, Li An Ran's eyes flickered, unable to meet his.
"Then I'll call Qin Ge over."
Seeing Luo Chuan actually getting up to call Liu Wen Qin, Li An Ran panicked. In a moment of desperation, she grabbed Luo Chuan's hand, "Don't go, I... I'm here to see you."
The smile on Luo Chuan's face widened. It was about time she said it. What was she being so arrogant for? Didn't she know that arrogance often leads to heartbreak?
He sat down beside Li An Ran and asked, "How did you sprain your ankle?"
"I... I... I fell while climbing over the wall, and twisted my ankle," Li An Ran stammered.
"Climbing over the wall? You're something else, Li An Ran, I underestimated you," Luo Chuan said with a smile.
"But you're not allowed to climb over walls anymore. It's dangerous. If you want to see me, just call me. I'll come find you, anytime."
When he said those last words, Li An Ran's heart began to race, her cheeks flushed a deep red. Was he confessing his feelings?
Should she accept or reject?
It wouldn't be good to reject him, but accepting so easily might make her seem too frivolous.
While Li An Ran was still contemplating, the referee's whistle blew, signaling the start of the game.
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