My House or Yours, Warming Your Bed

Shen Nian wasn't completely hopeless at badminton; he knew the most basic skills, having played a little here and there in the past.

But if you asked if he was any good, well, that was embarrassing.

He could beat a seven-year-old brat from his hometown.

But he'd get utterly destroyed by an eight-year-old. Sorry kid, couldn't give you a proper game...

But times had changed. Now stepping onto the court was the eighteen-year-old Shen Nian: lightning-fast reflexes, disciplined, super fit, and getting stronger the longer he played.

Shen Nian took the racket, swung it a couple of times, and could faintly hear it slicing through the air.

"Let's start a new game."

Zheng Bu served a standard shot.

Shen Nian returned it cleanly. When Zheng Bu hit it back, Shen Nian smashed it with force.

Swish!

Before Zheng Bu could even move, the shuttlecock had already hit the ground.

Chen Dong's eyes widened. "You actually know how to play! Are you really the buffed-up guy?"

Shen Nian cleared his throat. "Just average."

Zheng Bu was speechless. "Dude, it's just one point, no need to act so cool! My serve, my serve!"

He already had a plan: aim for the corners, make Shen Nian scramble side to side, and wear down his stamina.

It was a basic strategy, but since none of them were high-level players, it was easy to get caught in that rhythm.

Hehehe, not that Zheng Bu was some sneaky, cunning person or anything.

After a couple more rallies, he started using this tactic to control the flow.

From these exchanges, he could tell Shen Nian's badminton skills were truly foundational, with almost zero technique.

He relied entirely on quick reflexes. Sometimes his positioning was off, and he could only barely return the shuttle. Any return that wasn't a smash like before was easy to handle.

This kind of side-to-side scrambling burns energy fast. Zheng Bu figured Shen Nian wouldn't last long and felt victory was assured.

...Not happening!

Seriously, bro, how are you not tired?

Zheng Bu couldn't take it anymore. Dammit, how long have we been playing? This guy's stamina is insane, brother.

Things started feeling off. Even though Shen Nian was the one constantly running, Zheng Bu was the one getting winded.

Seizing an opportunity, Zheng Bu delivered a smash to Shen Nian.

And then Shen Nian effortlessly returned it.

Zheng Bu stared at the shuttlecock now flying far out of bounds, lost in thought...

"Damn, what a shame!" Shen Nian sighed. If that shot had landed, it would've felt better than... well, you know. That satisfying feeling of a hard-fought battle ending with a narrow victory. Too bad he lost. He'd definitely have trouble sleeping tonight, would need to lie in the same bed as Chun Bao to fall asleep.

"Forget this, I'm not playing anymore." Zheng Bu finally retrieved the shuttle, panting heavily.

How does the guy setting the pace get worn out by the guy being led around? Does that make any sense? Are you cheating or something?

Zero technique, doesn't even breathe hard after being run around for ages. How do you fight a stats monster?

"Why stop?"

"My stamina bar is empty. You're seriously something else."

"Huh?" Shen Nian was confused. He'd just lost two points in a row, how was that impressive?

"Chen Dong, you go. Let's have a proper duel."

"I'm tired too, my nose is even running."

"Fine."

But he wasn't that into playing badminton anyway; it felt a bit lacking. Since they didn't want to play, he might as well go chat with the girls.

P.E. class ended.

Shen Nian couldn't resist going to the school store with Chen Dong to buy a drink.

"The honor roll's been updated. Aren't you going to check it out?" Chen Dong took a swig of his iced tea and said casually.

"That fast? Let's take a quick look."

The honor roll seemed to have been updated at noon. There were still quite a few people gathered around it during break.

Shen Nian squeezed in and found himself on the first page under the top awards.

Life Motto: Ad space for rent. Five bucks a day.

Wouldn't the teachers and administrators making the honor roll find that funny?

Some underclassmen also noticed this ridiculous life motto and completely lost it.

"Is this life motto even human? I nearly laughed my magic pills out, hahaha!"

"He looks familiar... seems like the guy who ate watermelon during military training in freshman year..."

"He's kinda good-looking though..."

"Big brain move, taking commercial gigs all the way to the school honor roll."

"Schools can only filter out slackers, not legends. The higher the score, the more legends, and the more legendary they are."

Shen Nian's mouth twitched. He was fuming.

My proud business acumen, and you call me a legend? Typical Android mindset.

The class bell rang. Shen Nian made it back to the classroom just in time. Passing by Xia Yanchun, he had to hide the drink behind his back to avoid getting scolded.

His sneaky behavior made Xia Yanchun pay more attention, and she immediately spotted the drink bottle in his hand.

"If you bought a drink, just say so. Why are you hiding it?"

"Hehe." Shen Nian played dumb. "Played some badminton earlier, got a bit thirsty."

"I saw. Zheng Bu was playing you like a monkey."

"Can't help it. I'm not really good at it. Playing against them is like them smurfing against a noob."

"Wasn't that bad."

In her memory, Shen Nian really didn't play much. He'd only occasionally join in, and even struggled against little kids.

Back when she used to play with others, she'd always bring Shen Nian along to pick up the shuttlecocks for her.

"But you seemed pretty decent, lasting that long."

"Mainly because Zheng Bu was going easy. You saw, sometimes I couldn't even return his shots."

"True. If it were me, you'd have lost ten times over."

"Ugh, don't push it, or I'll smack you with the racket."

"Hmph."

The teacher arrived soon after, so Shen Nian didn't continue bantering with Xia Yanchun.

In the past, he was always trailing behind Xia Yanchun. When did he ever play badminton? He only played a few times with kids from his hometown in middle school, and didn't do well then either.

What if he was a once-in-a-generation badminton prodigy? Yet, at the age when he should have been showcasing his talent, he was suppressed by Xia Yanchun and turned into a ball boy.

Chun Bao, you've really done me in.

The wind turned bitingly cold. After sunset, thick clouds rolled in.

Although it didn't rain, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped noticeably compared to the daytime.

The classroom was warm from all the people. Students who usually liked to go out to the corridor during breaks now all huddled inside.

During the last self-study period, Shen Nian closed his "Five-Three" review book, leaned back on his chair, and stretched. Holding one position for too long was uncomfortable.

Next to him, Xia Yanchun was still buried in her homework, her small hand gripping a pen, scribbling and drawing on her scratch paper. When she hit a difficult point, she'd place the pen horizontally on her upper lip, holding it there and wiggling it back and forth.

Like a little goofball. Adorable.

After class, Xia Yanchun clearly wanted to go home and quickly called for Shen Nian to head downstairs.

The cold wind made her shrink her neck into her shoulders. Only by hiding next to Shen Nian would it do.

Shen Nian habitually smoothed her hair. Seeing her slightly pink earlobes, he found it amusing. "Buy some earmuffs. Your ears are all red."

"Mhm, I'll look on Taobao when I get back... Want me to get you a pair too? I'll give you an eleven percent discount."

"Seriously, charging a service fee too?"

"Consider the extra as a gift from you to me."

"If I gave Chen Dong ten bucks, he'd call me 'daddy' all day. If I gave you ten bucks, would you call me 'daddy' for a day?"

"Get lost."

Xia Yanchun snorted and butted him with her forehead, like a little calf.

A cold gust of wind rustled the leaves by the roadside and crept up her sleeves, making her so cold she could barely keep her eyes open.

Hmm, she suddenly thought Shen Nian seemed so much bigger now, even though back in middle school he hadn't been taller than her.

Shen Nian glanced around. Seeing no supervisors nearby, he grew bold. He slipped one arm around Xia Yanchun's neck, pulling her close into the crook of his arm.

"Is it that cold? Well then, there's no other choice. How about you come sleep in my room? I'll warm the bed for you."

"...No way."

"Then I'll go to your place and warm your bed."

"..."

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for over 3 million daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended you use sources from other big platforms.