He is a man

Lin Xuan watched their actions and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, not bad. These sworn brothers of mine actually come in handy at critical moments."

"Listen up, ladies." Wang Dahe stood with his hands in his pockets, looking cocky. "Our Lin Xuan is the treasure of our school. Not just anyone can get close to him."

"Besides, he already has a girlfriend. He needs to stay loyal to her, so you girls don’t stand a chance."

"Let me give you some friendly advice—no matter how much you like Lin Xuan, don’t even think about making a move. His girlfriend gets really jealous, and once she does, the consequences are something you can’t handle."

He still remembered that one time when he casually slung an arm over Lin Xuan’s shoulders. When Boss Su saw it, the look in her eyes was practically murderous.

And he was a guy! A guy!

If she could get jealous over him, Lin Xuan’s longtime bro, imagine how she’d react to a bunch of women.

The female students from Yundu University looked utterly disappointed.

Lin Xuan already had a girlfriend?

One girl with a round, doll-like face still refused to give up. "Lin Xuan, even if you have a girlfriend, I still like you. If you ever break up, will you consider me?"

Wang Dahe glared at her.

Lin Xuan already had a girlfriend, and yet she still had the nerve to say that? Did she have no shame?

"Get lost," Wang Dahe shooed her away with a wave. "He’s taken, and you’re still throwing yourself at him? Where’s your dignity?"

"Are you trying to be a homewrecker? Don’t you know homewreckers get publicly shamed?"

The round-faced girl flushed bright red.

"That’s not what I meant," she muttered.

"Oh, I think it is!" Wang Dahe scoffed. "Some women these days really have no shame, openly trying to seduce a taken man in public."

"I—I—"

The girl’s face turned pale, then red again. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and hurried away with her head down.

The other girls, seeing how ruthless Wang Dahe was, didn’t dare approach Lin Xuan either.

"Ladies, since you’ve already brought these waters and towels, why not give them to us? We’ll take them off your hands."

"Brothers, let’s grab some water and towels to wipe off the sweat."

The players from Shangqing University’s basketball team immediately stepped forward and took all the water bottles and towels from the girls.

Too intimidated to protest, the girls could only lower their heads and leave.

Some female spectators in the stands sighed in relief.

"I was actually kind of jealous of them for having the guts to approach Lin Xuan like that. Good thing I’m too shy, or I’d be humiliated too."

"Those guys blocking the girls must’ve been acting on Lin Xuan’s orders. With his skills and looks, girls would be throwing themselves at him left and right. The fact that he stays so disciplined really makes him a great guy."

"You’re absolutely right. I’m so curious about what kind of woman could win Lin Xuan’s heart. I’m so envious of her."

Once all the girls were gone, Wang Dahe raised an eyebrow. "So, Xuanzi, how’d I do?"

"Pretty good," Lin Xuan nodded.

"Having a bro like you is a blessing."

He meant it.

He and Wang Dahe had met in the orphanage. Even after Wang Dahe got adopted, he still visited often to check on Lin Xuan.

And whenever Lin Xuan ran into trouble, Wang Dahe was always the first to step up.

"Hey, don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t do this for you—I did it for Boss Su. I’ve gotta help her scare off any women around you, so you don’t get tempted by some gold-digging hussy."

Lin Xuan: "…Wang Dahe, whose side are you on?"

"Xuanzi, don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to suck up to Boss Su," Wang Dahe said seriously.

"We’re bros, but we’ve gotta have morals, right? If you’ve got a girlfriend, you shouldn’t be messing around with other women."

Lin Xuan let out a dry laugh.

Yeah, having a "good bro" like you is truly a blessing.

"Hey, Lao Wang," Wang Dahe called to one of the players. "My foot’s acting up. You take my spot next round."

With Lin Xuan on their team, no matter how bad they were, they’d still win.

Since he wasn’t needed, he might as well record a video of Lin Xuan playing and send it to Boss Su. Maybe he could score some brownie points.

Meanwhile, the Yundu University basketball team was still discussing tactics.

Lin Li’s eyes gleamed. "I’ve got a plan to make Shangqing University lose."

"What is it?" The others leaned in curiously.

Sure, they’d been slacking off, but that was only because Lin Xuan was too good. If there was a way to beat Shangqing University, they were all ears.

They couldn’t stand the smug looks on those guys’ faces earlier.

Lin Li explained, "Shangqing University’s whole advantage comes from Lin Xuan."

"If we can keep him off the court, they’ll fall apart."

One player frowned. "But Lin Xuan’s in great shape. How do we stop him from playing?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Lin Li lowered his voice and laid out his plan. "We just have to…"

The Yundu University players’ brows furrowed.

It was a dirty move, but it would work.

"Fine. Let’s do it," they agreed.

They’d do anything to win.

Lin Li glanced at Lin Xuan, who was laughing with Wang Dahe, and smirked.

Lin Xuan, let’s see how long you can keep smiling.

As they returned to the court, Lin Li and Lin Xuan brushed past each other again.

"Lin Xuan, you’d better not get too cocky," Lin Li sneered.

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Oh? Lin Li’s expression was off.

Seemed like he was planning something underhanded.

On the court, there were only so many ways to sabotage someone.

But Lin Li’s little scheme was about to backfire.

"Second half—begin!"

The referee blew the whistle, and the two teams took off running.

One Yundu University player spotted Lin Xuan sprinting and smirked. He dashed in front of him and stuck out his foot.

Lin Xuan was definitely going to trip.

Thanks to the lazy capybaras, Little Panda 06, User 23349679, and other lovely folks for the gifts.

Good night.

Uu.