Chapter 15: Setting Sun
“Nice shot, nice shot, Su Yu!”
The basketball arced through the crimson light of the setting sun and swished through the net. It was a three-pointer, a beautiful shot, eliciting cheers from the court.
Su Yu was happy, not just because of the score, but because of the nostalgic feeling of recapturing his youthful passion. He remembered this game in his previous life… he had lost. It was a regret painted on the canvas of his youth, but this time, he wanted to be selfish, he wanted to win.
“Halftime!”
Chen Kai patted Su Yu’s shoulder and tossed him a bottle of water. “You played well. I thought you’d be rusty after so long.”
“I practiced a bit these past two days. Maybe I’m just feeling it.” Su Yu took a long gulp of water.
“You’re finally getting some recognition.” Chen Kai looked at the spectators on the sidelines and nudged Su Yu. “So many girls are cheering for you. With your looks, if you weren’t so fixated on one person, you would have had a girlfriend ages ago.”
“Who’s here to watch me? I don’t see it.”
“Huh? That water you just drank, the girl in the blue shirt gave it to you. You finished the whole thing.”
“You set me up! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Su Yu glared at Chen Kai’s mischievous grin and turned helplessly towards the girl in the blue shirt, mouthing a “thank you.”
Su Yu didn’t consider this something to brag about. Maybe he had been smug about it before, but later he learned that reality wouldn’t hesitate to beat his handsome face to a pulp. In life, he was often as pathetic as a beggar.
The team discussed their strategy, but it was mostly encouragement. They didn’t want to lose their last high school game before the gaokao.
“Second half’s starting. Come on, let’s win this.”
“If we lose, I won’t be able to focus on the gaokao. We have to win.”
“Let’s go!”
…
In the crowded stands, a pair of fierce eyes searched the basketball court for a particular figure. Her gaze followed the ball as it soared through the air and then plunged through the hoop.
Another score, another surge of excitement on the court.
…
“That guy Su Yu is so good. He keeps scoring.”
“He’s handsome too. I never noticed him before. Which class is he in?”
“Class 1. I’ve seen him a few times. He seems pretty low-key.”
“Oh? Isn’t that Xia Qian Ge’s class?”
“Yeah, so you might as well give up.”
“Heh, not necessarily. What’s so good about a goody-two-shoes like Xia Qian Ge? Maybe he likes someone like me.”
…
Xia Qian Ge stood in an inconspicuous corner of the crowd, her expression calm, as if she had just stumbled upon the game while taking a stroll.
She slowly looked away from him, lowering her long, curled eyelashes, concealing the icy coldness in her eyes, the ancient ice of the far north.
Her heart was like a dormant volcano suddenly erupting, the terrifying heat burning the air around her, engulfing her body, melting her flesh and bone to ashes, barely concealing the coldness and obsession within her.
Ice and fire alternated, the defenses of her reason beginning to crumble.
If the treasure you’ve cherished for so long, before your name is fully etched upon it, is one day discovered and coveted by others, how much reason can one possibly retain?
Too many people were watching him. It was just a basketball game, yet it attracted a swarm of nameless bees and butterflies, some frivolous…
Her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth, then ran across her teeth. Her vocal cords vibrated fiercely, uttering a single, sharp syllable: “Bitch.”
These people didn’t understand. They only saw his face, not his soul. They were just animals in heat, superficial… utterly wasteful!
A cracking sound came from her hand. Xia Qian Ge looked down. The water bottle she was holding was crumpled almost beyond recognition, its mangled form mirroring her current state.
Lost control again… she thought to herself.
…
“Last point.”
Su Yu’s breathing was heavy, the basketball clutched tightly in his hand. He turned, faking a move past the defender, and jumped for the basket.
He landed wearily, his knees weak, half-sprawled on the ground, not even looking at the basket. The sharp whistle blew, and cheers erupted from the court. Su Yu laughed breathlessly. It seemed… he had won.
“Let’s go, time for class.”
Chen Kai, also exhausted, extended a hand to Su Yu, his face beaming.
“Let’s go back.”
Su Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and sprinkled it on the court, like a final period, marking the end of his youth.
“Leaving already?”
“What else is there to do here?”
“There are a lot of people who want to give you water. Don’t want any?”
“No, thanks. Let’s go to class.”
Su Yu and Chen Kai walked arm in arm towards the exit, when suddenly someone stopped Su Yu. It was a familiar figure.
“Hey, I brought you some water.”
“I… I’m not thirsty yet.” Su Yu looked at the girl, stunned for a moment. “You actually came?”
“Didn’t you say you had a game today? I just came to watch.” The girl shoved the water into Su Yu’s hand. “Just take it. Why so much nonsense?”
He Mu Qing wore a loose-fitting school uniform, her high ponytail swaying behind her. Su Yu rarely interacted with He Mu Qing at school. He had mentioned the game casually, not expecting her to actually come.
“I… I’m leaving. You played well, by the way.”
He Mu Qing felt the curious gazes around them. The setting sun painted her cheeks a rosy hue, the color spreading from her hair to her earlobes. She spoke hurriedly and then left as if fleeing. “Well, that’s it. Good luck with the exams.”
Besides Chen Kai, not many people knew that Su Yu and He Mu Qing were childhood friends. But He Mu Qing was well-known at school, straightforward and beautiful, so everyone knew about the fiery rose of Grade 11. But now they realized the flower… seemed to be taken, or at least had someone in mind.
The crowd murmured, some envious, some disappointed, and some… hidden among them, their gaze cold and bloodthirsty, the gaze of a predator looking down at its prey. But now… someone had gotten in her way, a step ahead of her. Her prey had been snatched away. This was an accident no hunter could tolerate.
In just a moment, the coldness in Xia Qian Ge’s eyes faded, returning to its usual appearance. She had to be patient… slowly devour everything he had. Rushing… would only disrupt her plans.
Xia Qian Ge turned and left. As she passed a trash can, a bottle of mineral water she had just bought from the supermarket was tossed inside, hitting the bottom with a dull thud.
A few drops of blood stained the seal of the bottle, blood from her nails digging into her flesh, a chilling crimson in the setting sun, revealing the madness and obsession deep within her bones.
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