Buying a house is something that can't be rushed. Even if you want to buy one, you can't let the other party easily discern your intentions. He didn't care even if the purchase fell through.
After leaving his phone number with the real estate agent, Li Yuan was about to head back for lunch when his phone suddenly rang.
"Hey, handsome guy. Did you need me for something?"
"Yuanzi, where have you been these past few days? You haven't come to play ball or watch the games. It's the NBA Finals, the classic Celtics-Lakers rivalry," Wang Shuai complained over the phone.
Can I say I've already watched it? Li Yuan chuckled to himself.
He, along with Wang Shuai, Zhang Zhongding, Xu Zhi, and others, were hardcore basketball fans. They had made plans to play basketball together and practice driving during the summer vacation. But after his rebirth, he had long since put that aside, focusing only on making money.
Come to think of it, health is the foundation of any great endeavor. I can't just focus on making money; proper exercise is essential. In my past life, I worked an office job during the day and a part-time job at night. My body was a wreck, completely unlike now, when I'm at my physical peak.
"I'm free this afternoon. Where are you guys playing?"
"The Sports Committee Plaza. I arranged a basketball game with the class next door, Class 23. There's a guy in that class who's always pestering Bai Weixi. You guys even clashed over it before."
As Wang Shuai spoke, he suddenly remembered something and quickly apologized. "Yuanzi, sorry, I was just thinking about the game and forgot about... that. If it's not convenient for you, we can do it another day."
Li Yuan laughed. "What are you talking about? My business with her is in the past. Whoever wants to pursue her can go right ahead. I couldn't care less."
Wang Shuai still sounded skeptical. "You've really let it go?"
Li Yuan was speechless and said irritably, "I never realized you were such a nag."
"Alright then. Four o'clock this afternoon. I've already arranged it with the others."
After hanging up, Li Yuan went to a small restaurant near the school. He ordered a plate of twice-cooked pork and spicy shredded potatoes, which he enjoyed with a large bowl of white rice, happily filling his stomach.
Seeing it was still early, Li Yuan went to an internet cafe and wrote his novel for over two hours. He wanted to use the free time during summer vacation to build up a stockpile of chapters.
Suddenly, a private message from Yuandian Web arrived.
"Dear Author, your work, 'Battle Starry Sky,' has passed the review of our professional editorial team and meets the standards for a contract. Please contact your assigned editor: Starry Sky, QQ 52586973..."
Seeing the contract offer, Li Yuan felt it was only to be expected. The web novel signing process was much easier back then, not nearly as cutthroat as it would become in later years.
Li Yuan downloaded and printed the contract. After reading it carefully, he quickly signed his name and spent 15 yuan to mail it back via EMS.
After adding the editor on QQ, Li Yuan sent the first message, "Hello, Starry Sky. I'm 'Life Like Summer Flowers,' the author of 'Battle Starry Sky'..."
At this time, editors at Yuandian Web held significant power, and the recommendation system wasn't as refined as it would be in the future.
A moment later, the editor replied, "Xia Hua, your book has great potential. Make sure to update more than 2,000 words every day. Next week, I'll arrange a big promotional feature for you."
Li Yuan replied, "Thank you, Starry Sky. I'll work hard to keep up the updates."
There was no further reply.
Li Yuan checked the stats for 'Battle Starry Sky': 138 recommendation tickets and 26 comments.
He opened the comment section.
"The 'scorned protagonist with an annulled engagement' trope is pretty interesting. Hurry up and update, Author! I'm following closely."
"'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never underestimate a poor young man.' That's so true."
"Author, I sent you a reward. Can you release two more chapters?"
"Excuse me, is there a QQ group? I'd like to join and discuss the plot."
Li Yuan shook his head slightly. It's too early to create a group. I'll wait until the novel goes premium.
Glancing at the time, he saw it was already past three. Li Yuan returned to his rented room, changed into his basketball gear, and cycled to the Sports Committee Plaza.
When Li Yuan arrived, his high school classmates—Wang Shuai, Xu Zhi, Zhang Zhongding, and Yang Zhen—were already there.
Wang Shuai came over and thumped Li Yuan's chest. "Yuanzi, you're the last one! We have to crush Class 23 today."
"Yuanzi, I heard you confessed to Bai?" Xu Zhi asked curiously.
Li Yuan instinctively glanced at Wang Shuai, who panicked and quickly explained, "It wasn't me! I haven't told anyone."
Xu Zhi patted Li Yuan's shoulder comfortingly. "Yuanzi, it wasn't Handsome Guy. Wang Yuchen told me."
Wang Yuchen was Bai Weixi's high school best friend, so it was normal for Bai Weixi to tell her. Besides, his three-year pursuit of Bai Weixi was common knowledge among their classmates.
Li Yuan glanced at Xu Zhi. "Dazhi, you and Wang Yuchen seem to be on good terms. Have you sealed the deal?"
Xu Zhi's face turned beet-red as he mumbled, "No, not at all. We haven't made it official yet."
Wang Shuai's eyes widened. "Dazhi, you actually managed to snag our class's Little Chili? You're a badass, bro."
Zhang Zhongding walked over, grinning. "Finally, another one of our class's starting five is off the market."
Yang Zhen looked at Li Yuan with concern. "Yuanzi, if you're facing any difficulties at home, just tell us brothers. We'll figure something out."
Li Yuan smiled. It felt nice to be cared for.
"It's nothing, don't worry. Things will be fine after a little while."
Xu Zhi looked at Li Yuan and spoke with some embarrassment, "Yuanzi, uh, Yuchen is coming to watch the game later."
Li Yuan grinned. "Well now, Dazhi. You're not even trying to hide it anymore, showing off your love life right in front of the bros?"
Xu Zhi pointed toward the edge of the court. "Uh, Yuanzi, your girl is here too."
Li Yuan followed his gaze and saw two beautiful young women gracefully walking toward them.
One of them wore a long white dress, white sneakers, and a white collared shirt. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. The sunlight reflecting on her fair face made her look like an Immortal who had stepped out of the light itself. It was Bai Weixi.
The other had a spirited and stylish vibe, dressed in tight denim shorts and a sky-blue shirt, with charming dimples on her face. It was Wang Yuchen.
When Bai Weixi saw Li Yuan, her eyes lit up. She walked straight over to him, her light red lips pursed. Her makeup-free face could easily score above a 95. She was holding a bottle of apple-flavored Fanta, which she offered to him as her pearly teeth parted.
"Li Yuan, I bought you a soda. About the other day... I'm sorry."
A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted to his nose. As he looked at the beautiful girl before him, her clear eyes were fixed on him, shimmering with unshed tears that could evoke pity in anyone.
"I'm not thirsty," Li Yuan replied, his expression cold.
Bai Weixi's brows furrowed slightly. She felt a pang of vexation. Seeing Li Yuan's icy demeanor, she felt as if she had lost something important.
"Li Yuan, we've known each other for three years. Do you have to be like this? Can't we even be friends?"
Li Yuan let out another cold laugh. "Friends? Am I short a friend like you?"
"Then what do you want? I already told you, I don't want to be in a relationship right now. Let's wait until the college entrance exam results are out. If we end up in the same city, then we can try..." Bai Weixi bit her lip, looking as if she were about to burst into tears.
Looking at her act, Li Yuan grew incredibly irritated. I was all set to treat her like a stranger, so why is she pulling this? Just because she's pretty, she thinks she can lead people on? Playing hot and cold, a classic push-and-pull... As if anyone can't see through that? That's basic scumbag behavior!
Li Yuan's voice was frigid. "Why bother putting on an act? I can't afford to provoke you, so can't I at least avoid you?"
"Besides, it's not like you're lacking my friendship. You have plenty of fish in your pond, don't you?"
"Li Yuan, you... I'm really angry now!" Hearing Li Yuan's sarcastic and unfair accusations, Bai Weixi burst into tears as if a switch had been flipped. She turned her head, ready to run away.
Wang Yuchen caught her arm and stormed up to Li Yuan, demanding, "Li Yuan, how can you talk to Bai like that? Are you even a man?"
Li Yuan glared. "Little Chili, what does this have to do with you?"
Wang Yuchen stared back furiously. "So Bai gently turned you down for now? Does that give you the right to say such hurtful things?"
"Li Yuan, Bai must have been blind to have ever liked you."
"Hmph! Bai, let's go. We don't need to bother with this heartbreaker."
Having stood up for her best friend and berated Li Yuan, Wang Yuchen pulled Bai Weixi away and left in a huff.
Wang Shuai, Xu Zhi, and the others watched the scene unfold in confusion. This was not what they had expected at all. Li Yuan was supposed to be the one who got rejected, but from the looks of it, he was the one rejecting Bai Weixi, acting like a total scumbag.
Wang Shuai nudged Li Yuan with his elbow. "Yuanzi, your girl seems really mad. Aren't you going after her?"
Li Yuan remained silent, walking toward the basketball court alone.
"Dazhi, aren't you going to chase after her either?"
Xu Zhi watched Wang Yuchen storm off, completely baffled. What on earth is going on? He quickly scrambled to run after her.