Watching the defiant expressions on Liu Jun and Zhang Chengyi's faces, Fang Yu smiled faintly. "Is this supposed to be reverse psychology?"
Liu Jun froze, a cold glint flashing across his face. He glanced at Lin Ruofei beside Fang Yu, then spoke in a low, stern tone. "It is. But whether it is or not doesn't matter. We only need one answer—do you dare to go?"
"Sorry, but I have no interest in basketball. Call me cowardly if you wish." Fang Yu shrugged, preparing to slump back onto his desk and sleep. He had no desire to waste even a second on such foolish banter.
"Hmph, just as I thought—you're spineless. Just admit you can't play instead of pretending to be dead." Seeing Fang Yu feigning sleep at his desk, Liu Jun and Zhang Chengyi exchanged a look, each reading helpless frustration in the other's eyes. This guy was proving surprisingly difficult to provoke.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? If you're a man, stand up and play them!" Lin Ruofei snapped, unable to bear their jeering any longer. She shook Fang Yu's arm repeatedly, trying to rouse him, but he remained unmoving.
"Fang Yu, get up this instant!" A sharp, loud voice suddenly cut through the air. Liu Jun and Zhang Chengyi jolted in surprise, freezing mid-step.
"Young Miss, can't a guy get some sleep? I barely slept last night." Fang Yu lifted his head with a long-suffering expression, staring at the fuming Yan Ting standing before him.
"I don't care. Today, you will play a basketball game against them." Yan Ting pointed at Liu Jun and Zhang Chengyi, her face cold with resolve.
"Xiao Ting, you…" Liu Jun's face paled at being directly called out by her. His crush on Yan Ting was an open secret in the class. Yet for all his good looks, he meant nothing to her.
"Me nothing! I just hate you. Do you really think you're handsome? In my eyes, you're good for nothing except decent grades. You think you're special just because your family has money? Spare me." Yan Ting shouted at him without hesitation.
"You aren't even half as good-looking as this guy." She added, turning to point at Fang Yu. "I'd choose him over you any day."
"Xiao Ting, you…" Liu Jun's face twisted with humiliation, utterly embarrassed under the stares of the entire class.
"What?" Yan Ting huffed, ignoring him entirely. She turned slowly to the stunned Fang Yu, a sudden playful smile spreading across her delicate features. "Fang Yu, you'd better not let me down later. I'll be cheering for you!"
"Uh…" Fang Yu's mouth twitched. This felt suspiciously like a trap.
Before he could refuse, Yan Ting's voice dropped to a deliberate whisper beside his ear. "If you don't do as I say, I'll have Daddy fire you. You think I don't know you used my computer to watch those Japanese videos?"
"Uh…" Fang Yu's expression shifted instantly. He glanced at Lin Ruofei beside him, on the verge of tears.
"Sorry, I talk in my sleep. It kind of slipped out." Lin Ruofei giggled.
"Fine. I'll play a game with you." Fang Yu knew there was no escaping it, so he nodded in resignation.
"See you on the court in an hour." Liu Jun sneered, then left the classroom with Zhang Chengyi.