At this moment, a crowd had gathered around.
Zhang Chen tossed the basketball to Xu Mu. "Young Master Xu, you go first. Like I said earlier, I’ll give you a three-point lead. First to five wins."
"Whether you give me the lead or not, the result will be the same."
Xu Mu dribbled the ball casually.
Truth be told, he enjoyed dribbling—just not this kind of ball.
After becoming a martial artist, his speed, reflexes, and control over his body far surpassed that of ordinary people.
How could Zhang Chen possibly compare?
"Everyone! Young Master Xu and I are having a manly showdown here. The loser has to avoid Ye Yu from now on—otherwise, he’s a dog!"
After saying this, Zhang Chen realized it rhymed. Maybe he had a talent for rap as well as basketball.
He deliberately announced the stakes to ensure Xu Mu wouldn’t back out later.
With so many witnesses, even if just to save face, Xu Mu wouldn’t dare approach Ye Yu again.
"Exactly."
Xu Mu nodded lightly. "Let’s begin."
The onlookers chuckled among themselves. Everyone already knew the outcome.
Maybe this guy was just someone Zhang Chen had brought in to help him show off.
After all, almost no one at school could beat Zhang Chen in basketball.
The two stood at half-court. Xu Mu held the ball while Zhang Chen crouched slightly, ready to intercept.
Xu Mu took two quick dribbles, then suddenly leaped for a shot from mid-court.
Zhang Chen was stunned. A half-court shot?
And judging by Xu Mu’s confidence, was he actually a pro?
Ye Yu’s eyes widened in shock. Had Xu Mu been hiding his skills all along? Was he secretly amazing at basketball?
Then again, it made sense—given how strong he was in that area, his physique couldn’t be weak.
[Affection +10]
But just as the affection points appeared, the ball hit the ground—a complete airball.
[Affection -10]
Ye Yu rolled her eyes. That was just a wild throw. Did Xu Mu even know how to play?
The crowd burst into laughter.
At first, they thought this guy might be a serious challenger, but he was just a rookie.
Zhang Chen smirked, relieved after Xu Mu’s initial scare.
"My turn, Young Master Xu!"
He grabbed the ball, eager to show off a dunk in front of the crowd.
He dribbled low, then suddenly dashed past Xu Mu’s left side.
But at that moment, Xu Mu pulled out his phone—Lu Xueyao was calling.
Ye Yu was furious. What was Xu Mu thinking?
Did he resent her so much that he couldn’t wait to push her away?
They were in the middle of a game, and he was checking his phone?
Then, something unbelievable happened.
Zhang Chen soared for a picture-perfect dunk—only to find Xu Mu suddenly in front of him, casually talking on the phone while swatting the ball away with one hand.
Thud!
The ball bounced off the ground and flew out of bounds.
The crowd was stunned.
What had they just witnessed?
"Did you see that? His head was above the rim!"
"That’s not even the craziest part—he did it while on a call!"
Ye Yu’s eyes sparkled. What was going on?
Xu Mu was actually… kind of cool?
[Affection +15]
Especially in that suit—his movements were even more captivating.
Some women in the crowd started squealing.
Zhang Chen gritted his teeth, his face dark. "Your turn, Young Master Xu!"
He’d been too eager to show off. If he’d just taken a three-pointer, he would’ve won easily.
"Xueyao, wait at the school gate. I’ll be right there."
Xu Mu hung up and pocketed his phone.
Back at half-court, he dribbled a few times before launching another mid-court shot.
Zhang Chen watched coldly. Was Xu Mu just trying to make him fetch the ball?
"Holy—it went in!"
The crowd erupted.
Zhang Chen froze. What?
A fluke?
Most assumed it was luck, but Xu Mu knew better—it was pure control.
His first shot had been to gauge the ball’s weight and distance.
This time, he adjusted slightly, and it went in effortlessly.
"Let’s continue."
Xu Mu’s tone was indifferent.
Zhang Chen took a deep breath. "Young Master Xu, I’m getting serious now!"
He tried to blow past Xu Mu’s left again—but the ball was suddenly gone.
Xu Mu had reached behind him and flicked it away.
"My turn."
Xu Mu caught the ball, dribbled twice, then shot from half-court again.
This time, he didn’t even watch. Hands in his pockets, he walked straight toward Ye Yu.
"With the three-point lead you gave me, that’s five. Stay away from Ye Yu from now on—or you’ll regret it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ball swished through the net.
The crowd was speechless.
A real man never looks back at his shots?
That was insane.
Zhang Chen stood frozen on the court, head lowered. Was Xu Mu some kind of monster?
[Affection +10]
Xu Mu checked the system. Ye Yu’s affection had turned positive.
As a Level 9 "Destined One," her affection granted him nine times the usual justice points.
Just 10 points of affection translated to 90 justice points—almost enough for a draw.
"Bro-in-law, you’re amazing!"
Ye Yu clung to Xu Mu’s arm, beaming.
The thought of Zhang Chen never bothering her again made her giddy.
"Basic skills."
Xu Mu remained calm. "Let’s go home."
——
At the school gate, Lu Xueyao spotted Xu Mu immediately.
At 6'1", he stood out in the crowd.
Just as she was about to call out, she noticed the petite girl beside him—Ye Yu.
Ye Yu was holding Xu Mu’s arm, chatting animatedly, her dimples appearing as she laughed.
Xu Mu noticed Lu Xueyao and her grandmother.
He quickly whispered to Ye Yu, "Tell them you’re my little sister. Got it?"
"Cheating on your wife?"
Ye Yu squinted, spotting Lu Xueyao in the distance.
"I just don’t want her grandmother to worry," Xu Mu said softly.
If the old lady knew he was married while Lu Xueyao still clung to him, she’d disapprove—and that could drive a wedge between them.
They approached Lu Xueyao and Wang Xiuzhen. Xu Mu spoke first.
"Grandma, sorry for the wait. Let’s get in the car."
Wang Xiuzhen glanced curiously at Ye Yu. "And this is…?"
"My little sister. I was here for her parent-teacher meeting." Xu Mu patted Ye Yu’s head affectionately.
"Hello, Grandma!"
Ye Yu smiled sweetly.
"Oh, I see."
Wang Xiuzhen nodded with a smile.
With Xu Mu and Lu Xueyao supporting her, the old lady took the back seat. Lu Xueyao and Ye Yu followed.
The car ride was silent.
Xu Mu first arrived at Lu Xueyao's home to escort her grandmother back.
Originally, Xu Mu intended to say his goodbyes, but Ye Yu spoke up first: "Grandma, Lu Xueyao and I want to go out together. Is that alright?"
Ye Yu saw this as an opportunity—a chance to make things clear in front of Xu Mu and drive this "other woman" away from her brother-in-law.
"Of course, just come back early," Wang Xiuzhen replied, thinking it would be good for Lu Xueyao to get to know her sister-in-law better.
After the three of them left, Ye Yu clung to Xu Mu's arm as usual.
Not to be outdone, Lu Xueyao immediately looped her arm through his other side.
Sandwiched between two stunning young women, Xu Mu could only feel awkward. He already had a hunch about what Ye Yu was planning.
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
shall grant"] ["Inscribing the glory of our race upon tombstones"] ["All that is threatened, I shall protect"] How his younger sister sees her brother: A brother who only makes eye contact once a day, mostly fading into the background as he tinkers with who-knows-what in his room all day. Their life paths should have remained largely separate. Until one day. Su Qi created an equipment card for his never-met "online girlfriend." His sister fell into silent contemplation upon receiving the "white stockings." [Card can be upgraded] [Upgrade by fulfilling any of the following conditions] [Condition ①: Consume one hundred higher-tier cards] [Condition ②: Complete one 'Heart-Pounding Adventure'] What constitutes a Heart-Pounding Adventure? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Beginner Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to admire it.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Easy Level): Equip the card, invite 'Su Qi' to touch it, and analyze the equipment's texture.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Entry Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to...] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Challenge Level): Freely combine the words 'Brother' 'Out' 'Brother' 'Me' 'Please' into a complete sentence...] "Please help me analyze both teams' mistakes in this match, brother..." His sister exhaled in relief—surely... surely there couldn't be anything more difficult? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Suicide Mission Level): Sneak a peek at the names of the galgames in 'Su Qi's' hidden E-drive folder]
esick Sect? Well, at least it's considered a respectable orthodox sect. Wait a minute— What kind of vibe are you all giving off? Shouldn’t this be a love-struck, romance-obsessed sect? Why does everyone here sound more like demonic cultivators? "Master, today he’s getting married. This disciple wishes to descend the mountain and crash the wedding, then toy with him to death right in front of his wife..." "Elder, I only got into your sect through connections, so why won’t you teach me anything?" "Because I also became an elder through connections." Thankfully, Su Ji was just an outer sect labor disciple. Surely, nothing too crazy would— "Junior Brother, you’ve broken through to Qi Refining. Once you sever your useless spiritual root, you can officially become an outer sect disciple." "The Great Dao is merciless. Don’t let a worthless spiritual root waste your essence and spirit, hindering your cultivation." Is this really the Lovesick Sect? ... Three years later, Su Ji sat in the seat of the Lovesick Sect’s sect master, sighing with emotion. His rise to this position all started when his junior sister adamantly insisted on preserving his "spiritual root." "Mmm... Senior Brother, what’s our relationship now?" "Stop talking. Keep going." "By the way, that newly promoted top-tier sect—didn’t they come to buy our Love Beans?" "One top-grade spirit stone per Love Bean—is that really so expensive?" "I suspect they’ve eaten too many Love Beans." "Now they’re lovesick." Well, this really is the Lovesick Sect after all.
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?