By the time Long Ge and I got home, it was already late. We hadn’t gone out together in ages, so we went all out—hit the amusement park that evening, rode the carousel (she humored me for a bit). Back home, Long Ge—the little princess—looked utterly drained. She shot me a weary glance and shuffled straight to bed. I was tired too, but happy. Collapsed onto my mattress and sank into deep sleep.

I slept till early dawn. Just as I drifted peacefully, the doorbell kept ringing. Thought it was a dream. Rubbed my eyes, stumbled out of bed—and yep, someone was really pressing it.

I opened the door. Lao Han stood there in a black hoodie, hood and dark hair flowing behind her, fresh-faced and crisp. Cradling a basketball, she grinned. “Still sleeping?”

Yawning, hair itching, I mumbled, “Come in.”

While I fumbled with instant noodles in the kitchen, Long Ge emerged from her room. Wearing my white tee and plain white underwear, she rubbed her ruby-red eyes, still half-asleep. “You’re here,” she murmured to Lao Han.

Yeah… Long Ge always wanders around in just underwear. Guess I’m getting used to it.

Seeing her up, I grabbed another cup. Then Ming Hai shuffled out too—messy black hair, wrapped in bear-patterned pajamas. She trudged straight to the sofa, plopped down, and stared blankly at the coffee table.

*Sigh.* Make it four servings.

I sighed, boiled fresh water, pulled out four cups. Wait—stock’s running low. Gotta restock a whole box next time.

Except for Lao Han, we three ate breakfast groggily. Afterward, she suggested shooting hoops. Sounded nice—morning exercise, fresh air. Surprisingly, Long Ge glanced outside, nodded. “Weather’s good. Let’s go.”

Perfect. I’d been cooped up too long—felt like mushrooms were sprouting on me.

Ming Hai mumbled she’d rather sleep. “Nah,” I said. “Fresh air’ll do you good. Just watch if you don’t wanna play.” She tilted her head, thought a sec… then gave a quiet nod.

No objections. We freshened up and headed out. Long Ge rummaged for clothes—her holey workout set was long gone, and a body-hugging mini skirt? Nope. She slipped into my old-too-small tracksuit. Still baggy on her. Didn’t care. Washed her face and out we went.

A high school court sat nearby. Dawn sun barely up, thin mist glowing in crisp air. The court was nearly empty—just a few guys casually shooting alone.

I stretched happily. Long Ge yawned, limbering up. Only Lao Chu still looked half-asleep, eyes glued to the floor.

Lao Han scanned the court. Four guys were warming up at the free-throw spot. She strolled over, smiling. “Four-on-four? Up for it?”

They dribbled over, glancing at us. I’d have been fine just shooting around, but Lao Han seemed keen—so I stayed quiet.

A chilly breeze swept by. I shoved hands in pockets, shivering. The guys exchanged looks—only one guy on our side, rest girls—and chuckled.

A lanky one grinned: “Don’t wanna seem like we’re bullying you. Skip scoring—just practice shots?” He jerked a thumb at a tall, broad guy. “He’s our school team captain. Plays sharp.”

Lao Han shook her head with a smile. The tall guy stepped closer, eyes lit up. “Scoring’s fine. Just for fun. How we splitting teams?”

Lao Han gestured to us four. “Like this.”

I glanced at Long Ge. She scratched her butt, shot me a look. The lanky guy chuckled. “You sure?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lao Han laughed. “Just play.”

They all grinned. Lao Han bounced the ball twice. “We’re kinda new at this. Go easy on us.”

Rare to see girls on court this early—they readily agreed.

Been ages since I played. Back in middle school, Lao Han was on the team—small forward, slick handles, killer layups.

Lao Chu yawned beside the court, watching others shoot.

Long Ge shot the smug guys a glare, whispered to me: “Lao Lu… how *do* you play basketball?”

I summarized rules—too messy. “Just toss it in the hoop.”

Long Ge deadpanned: “Duh. I *know* that.”

Lao Chu called us onto the court. Jump ball started. Their turn first. A delicate-looking guy held the ball, aimed carefully… and tossed it with an oddly girlish flick. Airball. His fair face flushed crimson. He ducked his head, sneaking a glance at the tall guy.

Long Ge snorted. I smacked her head. She yelped, swatted my butt back.

The guy’s head dipped lower—he really did look like a short-haired girl, skin pale as Long Ge’s. The tall guy sighed, patted his shoulder. The boy shot him a grateful look and stepped back.

Lao Han smiled, passed us the ball. “Your shot. Go wild.”

All eyes turned to us.

Long Ge caught it. “How’s this work again?”

I sighed. “Toss it in the hoop. *Again*.”

She cradled the ball one-handed—striking a pose straight out of myth, like the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King—aimed… and heaved it clean *over* the backboard.

She shrank back toward me. Lao Han facepalmed, jogged to retrieve it. The guys blinked. “Strong arm,” one muttered.

I winced inwardly. *If she really tried, she’d shatter the board.*

Turn passed to the lanky guy. He shot—missed. Ming Hai watched, perking up slightly. “My turn next? Any tips?”

I shrugged. “Just practice.”

He bent carefully, rolled the ball gently toward her. Ming Hai spread her arms, watched it roll, hopped down and hugged it with both hands. I instinctively covered my face—*so* cute.

She cradled the ball, studied it. “Is there a proper shooting form?”

“Wrist and upper arm vertical—ninety degrees. Off-hand just guides, no force.”

Lao Chu nodded, eyes locked on the rim. Lifted the ball. Textbook perfect. “Like this?”

I nodded fast. “Yes!”

The guys froze mid-whisper. Made sense—Lao Chu’s a natural. She didn’t blink. “Fingertip detail? Which finger releases?”

“Index.”

Lao Han chuckled. “If knowing that made you a pro, NBA stars wouldn’t need practice…”

She didn’t finish.

Ming Hai locked onto the rim. Wrist flicked. The ball arced—flawless parabola, spinning fast—and *swished* cleanly through the net.

Silence.

The guys stood stunned. Lao Han shoved hands in pockets, speechless, watching the ball bounce twice.

I grinned. “Our ball now, right?”

Lao Han shot me a helpless look, jogged to grab it.

As she bent down… I glanced sideways—and froze.

Somehow, a crowd had gathered. Guys who’d been shooting alone now ringed our court. Over ten of them.

I sighed. Lao Han stayed calm—like she’d seen it all before—tossed me the ball.

After Ming Hai’s shot, the tall guy (Huang Li, someone murmured) frowned, whispered to the lanky one. He nodded, drifted near Ming Hai—starting to guard her.

Game on. I dribbled twice. Guys locked in. I checked Lao Han’s position, ready to pass.

Whispers rippled through the crowd:

“Damn, that black-haired girl’s cute.”

“I prefer the white-haired one… so soft.”

“Isn’t that Huang Li? School team captain? Playing with girls?”

“I saw it—*she* challenged them.”

“Lucky guy… captain gets all the attention…”

I looked at Huang Li. He stood knees bent inside the three-point line, caught my gaze, and smiled.

I smiled back. Dribbled.

*Who do I pass to?*