Thumbs Up

After resolving to lose weight, Lin Yu went out for a run every day, headphones on, shutting out the world.

He substituted push-ups for strength training—the simplest and most practical method.

At the same time, Lin Yu also started paying a bit more attention to his diet and lifestyle, cutting out late-night snacks and trying his best to sleep and wake up early.

Lin Yu's daily training intensity was quite high, and since he hadn't been overweight for long, his weight returned to its original level in less than a month.

However, Lin Yu didn't stop exercising because of this. As long as it wasn't raining, he stuck to his routine: an unwavering campus jog and ten sets of forty push-ups each day.

Hmm.

It's always better to have a stronger body.

Otherwise, if I run into those bastards asking for a beating again, I won't even have the strength to give it to them!

Additionally, during this period, Lin Yu picked up a long-lost hobby.

Basketball.

In his previous life, during his free time, Lin Yu often played basketball with his martial arts school brothers or classmates and friends.

It wasn't that Lin Yu particularly loved playing; there just wasn't much else to do.

He couldn't go to internet cafes—no money, and too scared of getting caught by his parents and used as a punching bag.

He couldn't stay at home, and going to the martial arts school meant more training. During holiday breaks, there weren't many leisure activities available, so playing basketball was a pretty good way to pass the time.

That day after his run, seeing people playing pickup games on the basketball court, Lin Yu felt an itch in his hands and joined in for a while. It was also great for weight loss and fitness.

Back and forth, Lin Yu rediscovered the joy of playing basketball.

One day after lunch, with no classes in the afternoon, Lin Yu was idly wandering around campus.

Looking at the fresh greenery on campus, Lin Yu felt a wave of emotion.

At this time, over in H City, they were probably halfway into winter, but here it was still a scene of lush, vibrant summer. Although the temperature was a bit lower than in peak summer, there were still plenty of girls who weren't afraid of the cold, or perhaps who cared more about looking good.

Short skirts and nice legs were a common sight.

As he walked, Lin Yu came across a basketball court where quite a few people were playing pickup games, and their skill level seemed pretty high.

Lin Yu stood outside watching for a while, his hands itching to play. He eagerly ran onto the court, asking if they were short on players and if he could join.

Lin Yu was quickly accepted and started playing with the group of strangers.

Lin Yu's skills were slightly better than the average person's, so playing with these regulars felt evenly matched, and it was a lot of fun.

After using his height advantage to slam dunk the ball forcefully, Lin Yu landed, wiped the sweat from his forehead, lifted his chin slightly, ready to receive praise and admiration.

Unfortunately, not many people noticed Lin Yu's cool dunk. They were all distracted, their eyes frequently glancing through the green wire mesh towards a specific spot outside the court.

Some even stopped playing altogether, just standing there dumbly, their eyes glued.

Seeing everyone's pathetic state, Lin Yu instantly understood what was happening.

There was a beautiful girl outside the court, and she must not be an ordinary beauty. Either she was exceptionally pretty or dressed particularly revealingly; otherwise, she wouldn't have half the court spellbound.

Lin Yu scanned everyone's reactions, feeling disdainful, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

Hah.

So pathetic. Can't you focus on the game?

Seeing a pretty girl and you turn into this?

What's so great about pretty girls anyway?

Just looking at them makes me sick now!

A glance... stolen over there... (scratched out)

Accidentally turning his head, his gaze quickly swept across the open space outside the court, where a tall, graceful figure entered his view.

Oh ho.

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, surprised to run into an acquaintance here.

Tao Yaoyao.

It had been over three months since the start of military training and the semester. During this time, quite a few people had inexplicably tried to strike up conversations with him. The initial sense of familiarity had made Lin Yu mistake Tao Yaoyao for one of those inexplicable people.

But facts proved otherwise.

In these three months, over a hundred days, the number of times Lin Yu and Tao Yaoyao had interacted was pitifully few.

If counting only formal contact—the kind with conversation and talk—the number was less than the fingers on one hand.

Although Lin Yu saw her from time to time in the esports club, there was no interaction there either. It was like being strangers: you do your thing, I do mine, with only an occasional meeting of eyes.

Tao Yaoyao would then give a light smile, a silent greeting, and that was the end of it.

So Lin Yu still felt quite at ease around her.

Having seen the beauty, satisfying his curiosity, Lin Yu was about to look away and continue playing when Tao Yaoyao outside the court suddenly moved.

She was wearing a white dress, standing on a white gravel path outside the court.

Lush green trees lined both sides of the path, like scattered umbrellas. Sunlight filtered through the branches, sprinkling broken fragments of light onto her, gilding her fair skin and pristine white dress with a golden glow.

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. Her slender, pale arm rose, her delicate hand pausing by her cheek. Four fingers curled loosely, leaving only a solitary thumb pointing up. A look of approval graced her face.

Lin Yu was taken aback.

He could tell that Tao Yaoyao's smile and thumbs-up were meant for him.

After a moment's thought, Lin Yu quickly understood. The little figure in his heart started jumping for joy.

Hahahaha!!!

She saw it!

She saw it!

His cool dunk from earlier hadn't been ignored by everyone!

Someone did see it!

Someone saw it!!!

Lin Yu was thrilled now. His thrill wasn't just because a random beautiful girl had seen his awesome move...

...

Okay, that was part of it. But the key point was that someone had seen his awesome move and given praise and recognition.

Good heavens!

What on the basketball court could be more exciting and joyful than this?

Nothing!!!

The smile on Lin Yu's face was unstoppable, and he had no intention of holding it back. He grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth and a bright, cheerful smile. He raised his hand high, flashing a peace sign ✌, happily returning Tao Yaoyao's thumbs-up.

Lin Yu was very happy. The sweet, genuine smile on Tao Yaoyao's face showed she was happy too.

But neither of them noticed that behind Lin Yu, there was someone who was not happy.

He was grinding his teeth in anger, jealousy twisting his face. He glared fiercely at Lin Yu's back as if staring at some sworn enemy.